U.S. public vehicle records

2003 Honda ELEMENT: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

423 owner complaints analyzed

10 distinct recall campaigns

24,500 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2003 model year. Data updated: 2026-10-02 (October 2, 2026). 278 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Visibility:Windshield is the most frequently named component, appearing in 217 of 423 complaints (51.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic	Matching reports	Share of complaints
Braking behavior	18	4.3%
Electrical and battery issues	12	2.8%
Transmission and shifting	10	2.4%
Steering behavior	8	1.9%
Engine operation	1	0.2%
Fuel system concerns	1	0.2%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Visibility:Windshield

217

Air Bags

Electrical System

Latches/Locks/Linkages

Suspension

Unknown Or Other

Structure:Body

Structure

Visibility:Windshield: 217; Air Bags: 40; Electrical System: 25; Latches/Locks/Linkages: 24; Suspension: 23; Unknown Or Other: 16; Structure:Body: 14; Structure: 7

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000

139

25,000 to 49,999

50,000 to 74,999

75,000 to 99,999

100,000 to 149,999

150,000 and above

Under 25,000: 139; 25,000 to 49,999: 38; 50,000 to 74,999: 25; 75,000 to 99,999: 24; 100,000 to 149,999: 24; 150,000 and above: 28

Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (139). 145 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2003

2004

121

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

2003: 54; 2004: 121; 2005: 62; 2006: 17; 2007: 9; 2008: 10; 2009: 5; 2010: 15; 2011: 10; 2012: 12; 2013: 6; 2014: 19; 2015: 22; 2016: 17; 2017: 4; 2018: 5; 2019: 3; 2020: 1; 2021: 7; 2022: 4; 2023: 8; 2024: 5; 2025: 7

Pattern summary

Visibility:Windshield leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 18 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 12 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 10 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Examples from the source records

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10021065 · 2003-06-05 (June 5, 2003)

DEFECTIVE WINDSHIELD IS NOW CRACKING. THE DEALER, CLASSIC HONDA, REFUSES TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM, STATING THAT THE MANUFACTURER, HONDA, DOES NOT WARRANTY GLASS. I HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER, AMERICAN HONDA, CASE # N01200-06-0401190. THE VEHICLE IS A NEW 2003 HONDA ELEMENT. THE ODOMETER READING IS 147 MILES.*AK

Owner-reported narrative. 147 miles reported. Look up ODI 10021065 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10023213 · 2003-06-17 (June 17, 2003)

WE PURCHASED A HONDA ELEMENT AND WITHIN 6 HOURS I FOOLISHLY REAR-ENDED A VECHICLE FROM A COMPLETE STOP AT A TRAFFIC SIGNAL WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN. IT WAS A VERY LOW SPEED (3-5 MPH MAXIMUM) COLLISION HOWEVER THE SUBSEQUENT DAMAGE WAS ASTOUNDING, MY ELEMENT BASICALLY DOES NOT SEEM TO HAVE ANY FRONT BUMPER SUPPORT, RATHER APPEARS TO HAVE TWO BEAMS PROTRUDING FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR, THAT LOOK LIKE THEY SHOULD HAVE SOMETHING HORIZONTAL BETWEEN THEM BUT THEY DO NOT. ONE OF THE BEAMS IMPALED THE CAR AHEAD OF ME STABBING THRU ITS BUMPER INTO…

Owner-reported narrative. 64 miles reported. Look up ODI 10023213 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10024726 · 2003-06-23 (June 23, 2003)

CONSUMER IS UNABLE TO UNLOCK AND OPEN THE BACK DOORS, UNLESS THE FRONT DOORS ARE UNLOCKED AND OPENED WHICH COULD CAUSE A SAFETY ISSUE IF VEHICLE IS IN AN ACCIDENT.*AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10024726 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10025934 · 2003-07-12 (July 12, 2003)

THIS IS A 2003 HONDA ELEMENT, PURCHASED MAY 22ND, 2003. THE MILEAGE IS NOW 752 MILES.I AM CURRENTLY IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING THE WINDSHIELD REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME. THE FIRST REPLACEMENT WAS AT 150 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. BOTH WERE BECAUSE OF DAMAGE FROM SMALL STONE CHIPS THAT WOULD NOT NORMALLY DAMAGE THE GLASS ON MOST OTHER VEHICLES. THE 733 MILES I HAVE DRIVEN THIS CAR WAS ON PAVED URBAN LOCAL ROADS AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 35 AND 50 MPH. IT APPEARS TO ME THAT ONE OF, OR BOTH OF, THE FOLLOWING, COULD BE RESPONSIBLE FACTORS: A) THE…

Owner-reported narrative. 748 miles reported. Look up ODI 10025934 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10026478 · 2003-07-02 (July 2, 2003)

DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR HAS ABOUT A HALF AN INCH OPENING BETWEEN THE RUBBER AND THE DOOR. THIS LETS AIR AND DEBRIS IN.*AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10026478 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10028380 · 2003-07-16 (July 16, 2003)

MY WINDSHIELD HAS A TINY 1MM SPOT WHERE A TINY PEBBLE MUST HAVE HIT IT AND FROM THAT I NOW HAVE A 18" CRACK STRETCHING FROM THE LOWER LEFT HAND CORNER TO THE CENTER OF THE WINDSHIELD. I'M CERTAIN THAT THE TINY SPOT WOULD NOT HAVE SPREAD INTO THAT SIZE OF A CRACK IF THERE WASN'T SO MUCH STRESS PLACED ON THE WINDSHIELD BY THE "UNEVEN WINDSHIELD FLANGE SURFACE" THAT HONDA ITSELF ADMITS TO ON THEIR SERVICE BULLETIN 03-028. MY ELEMENT VIN #FALLS INTO THE RANGE ON THE SERVICE BULLETIN BUT HONDA WILL NOT COVER IT BECAUSE OF THE IMPACT THAT STARTED T…

Owner-reported narrative. 2,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10028380 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10028914 · 2003-07-22 (July 22, 2003)

LESS THAN 100 MILES A BANGING SOUND BEGAN INTERMITENTLY COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. I GOT UNDER THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND THE NUT WHICH HOLDS THE REAR TORSION BAR ON WAS ABOUT TO FALL OFF. LOOKS LIKE IT MIGHT BE A SELF LOCKING NUT BUT COULD EASILY TURN WITH MY FINGERS. PAINT OVERSPRAY CAN BE FOUND ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW INDICATING AN AFTER FACTORY PAINT JOB ON AT LEAST THIS SECTION OF THE VEHICLE. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10028914 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10030888 · 2003-08-06 (August 6, 2003)

CRACKED WINDSHIELD: I BOUGHT 6 DAYS AGO A BRAND NEW 2003 HONDA ELEMENT EX 2WD SUV. IT STILL HS LESS THAN 400 MILES ON IT. TODAY IT DEVELOPED A SPONTANESOUS 5 INCH CRACK ON THE WINDSHIELD. THE CRACK STARTS AT THE WINDOSHIELD EDGE ON THE DRIVER SIDE AND EXTENDS TOWARDS THE CENTER AT ABOUT EYE LEVEL. TTHIS IS A PERSISTENT ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE 2003 HONDA ELEMENT WINDSHIELDS. THERE ARE MANY POSTS WITH SIMILAR COMPLAINT TO MINE ESPECIALLY AT THE HTTP://WWW.ELEMENTOWNERSCLUB.COM/FORUMS/INDEX.PHP "EXTERIOR" WEBSITE. A CLASS-ACTION LAWSUIT AGAI…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10030888 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

10 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

10V364000 · Electrical System:Ignition

Reported: 2010-08-05 (August 5, 2010)

HONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2003 HONDA ACCORD, CIVIC TWO AND FOUR DOOR, AND MODEL YEAR 2003-2004 HONDA ELEMENT VEHICLES. THE INTERLOCK LEVER OF THE IGNITION SWITCH MAY UNEXPECTEDLY DEFORM, WHICH CAN ALLOW THE INTERLOCK FUNCTION OF A VEHICLE WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION TO BE DEFEATED.

Consequence: REMOVAL OF THE IGNITION KEY WHEN THE GEAR SELECTOR OF A VEHICLE WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HAS NOT BEEN SHIFTED TO THE PARK POSITION CAN ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO ROLL AWAY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE ORIGINAL INTERLOCK PIN AND LEVER WITHIN THE IGNITION SWITCH, AND REPLACE THEM WITH NEW, DESIGNED COMPONENTS. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 7, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009.

NHTSA campaign record ↗

14V353000 · Air Bags

Reported: 2014-06-20 (June 20, 2014)

American Honda Motor Company, Inc.'s (Honda) is conducting a limited regional recall for certain model year 2003-2005 Accord, Civic, CR-V, Pilot and Acura MDX, model year 2003-2004 Odyssey and Element, and model year 2005 Acura RL, and 2006 Honda Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or ever registered in California, and equipped with Takata-brand air bag inflators. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passengers frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inflators in all affected vehicles, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during August 2014. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.

NHTSA campaign record ↗

14V700000 · Air Bags

Reported: 2014-11-04 (November 4, 2014)

American Honda Motor Co. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2001-2005 Honda Civic, 2003-2004 Civic CNG and Element, 2002-2005 CR-V, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2005 Accord, Pilot, Civic Hybrid, and Acura MDX, 2005 Acura RL and 2006 Honda Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in geographic locations associated with high absolute humidity. Specifically, vehicles sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Saipan, Guam, and American Samoa are addressed by this recall. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 26, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.

NHTSA campaign record ↗

15V320000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2015-05-28 (May 28, 2015)

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2001-2007 Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2001-2004 Honda Civic GX, 2003-2005 Honda Civic Hybrid, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2006 Ridgeline, 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2003-2006 Acura MDX, and 2002-2003 Acura 3.2TL vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion and other factors, including manufacturing variability that, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.

Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Owners may contact Acura customer service at 1-800-382-2238, select option 4. Note: Vehicles that have had their driver frontal air bag replaced previously as part of a recall remedy prior to September 12, 2014 need to have their air bag replaced under this recall as well. Vehicles that, on or after September 12, 2014, received a remedy for a prior driver frontal air bag inflator recall already received an inflator of a different design, and therefore are not included in this recall and do not require additional servicing. Note: This recall fully supersedes recalls 08V-593, 09V-259, 10V-041, 11V-260, 14V-351 and 15V-153. Honda's numbers for this recall are JQ9, JR0, JR1, JR2, JR3, JR4, JR5, JR6, JR7, and JR8.

NHTSA campaign record ↗

15V370000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2015-06-15 (June 15, 2015)

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2001-2005 Honda Civic vehicles manufactured March 21, 2000, to January 20, 2005, 2001-2004 Honda Civic GX vehicles manufactured June 14, 2000, to August 19, 2004, 2003-2005 Honda Civic Hybrid vehicles manufactured February 24, 2002, to January 18, 2005, 2003-2007 Honda Accord vehicles manufactured February 21, 2002, to August 28, 2007, 2002-2004 Honda CR-V vehicles, 2002-2003 Honda Odyssey vehicles manufactured June 19, 2001, to July 12, 2003, 2003 Acura MDX vehicles manufactured September 19, 2002, to June 19, 2003, 2003 Honda Element vehicles manufactured June 25, 2002, to July 31, 2003, and 2003 Honda Pilot vehicles manufactured November 26, 2001, to August 21, 2003. The affected vehicles have a passenger side frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture upon its deployment.

Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the passenger seat occupant or other occupants possibly causing serious injury or death.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are JU4, JU5, JU6, and JU7. Note: Vehicles that have already received a replacement passenger air bag inflator as part of the recall remedy for an earlier campaign such as 14V353 or 14V700 (Honda recall numbers S95, JH6, JH7, JH8, JH9, JJ0, JJ1, JJ2, JJ6, JM5 and JM6) are not included in this recall. However, this recall does supersede 13V132 and 14V349. Note: On December 18, 2015 Honda informed NHTSA of an expansion of this recall to include certain model year 2004 Honda CR-V vehicles in addition to additional model year 2003 CR-V vehicles.

NHTSA campaign record ↗

16V344000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2016-05-23 (May 23, 2016)

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2011 Acura RL, 2005-2006 Honda CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2006-2011 Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or that have ever been registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Honda is recalling certain model year 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2008 Acura RL, 2005-2006 Honda CR-V, 2003-2008 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2006-2008 Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or that have ever been registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Lastly, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Honda is recalling model year 2002-2004 Odyssey and model year 2003-2004 Acura MDX, Honda Element, and Honda Pilot vehicles originally sold, or registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began June 27, 2016. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KA0, KA1, KA2, and KA3.

NHTSA campaign record ↗

18V268000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2018-04-26 (April 26, 2018)

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2012 Honda Accord and Pilot, 2010 Accord Crosstour, 2001-2011 Civic, 2002-2011 CR-V, 2003-2004, 2006-2008 and 2011 Element, 2007 and 2009-2013 Fit, 2010-2012 Insight, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2012 Ridgeline vehicles. The front passenger air bag may have been installed incorrectly during replacement.

Consequence: An incorrectly installed air bag may deploy improperly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began June 22, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are K1P, and M1O.

NHTSA campaign record ↗

19V182000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2019-03-06 (March 6, 2019)

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling specific 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2013-2016 ILX, 2013-2014 ILX Hybrid, 2003-2006 MDX, 2007-2016 RDX, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 TL, 2010-2013 ZDX and 2001-2007 and 2009 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2007 and 2010-2011 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. The affected vehicles received a replacement driver air bag inflator as part of a previous Takata inflator recall remedy or a replacement driver air bag module containing the same inflator type as a service part. Due to a manufacturing error, in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver frontal air bag, these inflators may explode.

Consequence: An explosion of an inflator within the driver frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver, front seat passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began April 10, 2019. Honda owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is O41. Acura owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's number for this recall is U40.

NHTSA campaign record ↗

19V499000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2019-06-27 (June 27, 2019)

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2003-2006 MDX, 2001-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot and 2006 Ridgeline vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with driver frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are Q5A and Y58.

NHTSA campaign record ↗

19V501000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2019-06-27 (June 27, 2019)

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2012 RL, 2003-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal airbag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are E5D and X5C.

NHTSA campaign record ↗

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

423 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-02.

65.7%Usable mileage278 / 423 records

97.9%Valid incident date414 / 423 records

100.0%Valid filing date423 / 423 records

97.6%Ordered incident and filing dates413 / 423 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

From model yearThrough model year

Component complaint heatmap
Component	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011
Visibility:Windshield	21751.3% ODI 10021065 · 147 mi DEFECTIVE WINDSHIELD IS NOW CRACKING. THE DEALER, CLASSIC HONDA, REFUSES TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM, STATING THAT THE MANUFACTURER, HONDA, DOES NOT WARRANTY GLASS. I HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER, AMERICAN HONDA, CASE # N01200-06-0401190. THE VEHICLE IS A NEW 2003 HONDA ELEMENT. THE ODOMETER READING IS 147 MILES.*AK Look up ODI 10021065 at NHTSA ↗	10035.6% ODI 10054885 CRACK STARTED GROWING FROM LOWER LEFT CORNER OF WINDSHIELD. IS NOW ABOUT 12" AND GROWING. NO IMPACTED MARKED VISIBLE. *LA Look up ODI 10054885 at NHTSA ↗	74.4% ODI 10128784 · 2,500 mi WINDSHEILD ON 2005 ELEMENT HAS 14 IN CRACK Look up ODI 10128784 at NHTSA ↗	54.1% ODI 10162010 · 5,200 mi 2006 HONDA ELEMENT WINDSHIELD CRACKED WITHOUT IMPACT. DEALER REFUSES TO REPAIR STATING THAT THIS TYPE OF DAMAGE IS "USUALLY" CAUSED BY ROAD DEBRIS. *NM Look up ODI 10162010 at NHTSA ↗	32.7% ODI 10189164 HONDA ELEMENT PURCHASED 4/16/07: A CHIP A WEEK ON WINDSHIELD! TODAY IS 4/28/07. INTERNET SEARCH SHOWS HISTORY WITH ELEMENT WINDSHIELDS. CALLED SALESMAN, "ITS OUR ROADS...REPAIR DEPT." JUST WANT TO GET A COMPLAINT ON RECORD SINCE THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FOR OTHER RECENT YEARS. *TR Look up ODI 10189164 at NHTSA ↗	21.8% ODI 10211051 I JUST NOTICED I HAVE A CRACKED WINDSHIELD ON MY NEW 2008 HONDA ELEMENT. I DON'T RECALL ANY DEBRI OR ANYTHING HITTING MY WINDSHIELD BUT I NOTICED A CRACK? IN MY 37 YEARS OF DRIVING I HAVE HAD ONLY 1 CRACKED WINDSHIELD AND IN THAT CASE I SAW AND HEARD THE ROCK HIT MY WINDSHIELD BACK IN 1995ISH. *TR Look up ODI 10211051 at NHTSA ↗	13.3% ODI 10327612 · 7,000 mi STRESS CRACK APPEARED ON WINDSHIELD DIRECTLY OPPOSITE REAR VIEW MIRROR. CRACK BEGINS ABOVE AREA OF WINDSHIELD EXPOSED TO OUTSIDE AIR, EXTENDS STRAIGHT DOWN FOR SEVERAL INCHES, THEN VEERS LEFT SEVERAL INCHES AND STOPS. NOTHING HIT THE WINDSHIELD AND THERE IS NO IMPACT POINT ALONG THE CRACK. IPHONE CAMERA PICTURE WAS TAKEN BY SERVICE MANAGER, COPY SUBMITTED TO HONDA FOR REVIEW. HONDA DECLINED RESPONSIBILITY. NO PAPERWORK GENERATED. *TR Look up ODI 10327612 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Air Bags	409.5% ODI 10057797 · 6,000 mi WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, DUAL AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED SEVERE NECK AND SPINAL INJURIES. *AK Look up ODI 10057797 at NHTSA ↗	5921.0% ODI 10160514 2004 HONDA ELEMENT PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOYED WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH. KB THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT SHE PROBABLY HIT A POT HOLE. JB Look up ODI 10160514 at NHTSA ↗	5534.6% ODI 10151151 · 13,000 mi I WAS DRIVING MY HONDA ELEMENT DOWN A FAIRLY BUSY STREET AT 45 MILES AN HOUR. A MAN PULLED OUT OF A STRIP MALL PARKING LOT RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME. ALTHOUGH I HONKED MY HORN AND SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES, I COULD NOT AVOID HITTING HIM. MY CAR HAS EXTREME FRONT END DAMAGE AND IT WAS A HIGH IMPACT CRASH, HOWEVER THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I AM STILL WAITING TO HEAR IF IT WILL BE DETERMINED TO BE TOTALED, BUT IF IT ISN'T, I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR IN THE FUTURE. *JB Look up ODI 10151151 at NHTSA ↗	3932.0% ODI 10192084 A LADY RAN A RED LIGHT (WHICH WAS ALREADY RED FOR 12 SECONDS) AND HIT ME FROM THE RIGHT SIDE, WHICH THEN CAUSED MY CAR TO GO AT AN ANGLE STRIKING A POLE HEAD-ON. THE AIRBAGS ALL DEPLOYED AS THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO BUT I DID END UP HAVING SECOND DEGREE BURNS ON MY HANDS AND WRISTS. WHILE THE BAGS WORKED AS THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO, I THOUGHT IT WISE TO FILE A COMPLAINT FOR THE MERE PURPOSE OF REQUIRING THE AUTO INDUSTRY TO MAKE ITS CUSTOMERS AWARE OF THE TYPES OF BURNS THAT AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT CAN CAUSE. I HAVE FOUND IN TALKING TO MANY PEOPLE ABOUT MY … Look up ODI 10192084 at NHTSA ↗	2724.1% ODI 10181315 CAR CRASH, THE PERSON I HIT RAN A STOP SIGN GOING ABOUT 40 MILES AN HOUR. 2007 HONDA ELEMENT AIR BAGS WENT OFF, AND LOST PERMANENT HEARING LOSS IN BOTH EARS, L EAR 50% AND R EAR 70%. *JB Look up ODI 10181315 at NHTSA ↗	2421.2% ODI 10653317 2008 HONDA ELEMENT CONSUMER IS REQUESTING A RECALL EXPANSION REGARDING TAKATA AIR BAGS. *CN Look up ODI 10653317 at NHTSA ↗	516.7% ODI 10717775 TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER:14V351000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. Look up ODI 10717775 at NHTSA ↗	723.3% ODI 10595577 · 70 mi CRASH PUSHED CAR OFF THE ROAD. AIRBAGS DEPLOYED BUT DID NOT INFLATE. AIRBAGS HAD CRUDE CUT OUT CIRCLES AT THE END OF WIRES. DID SOMEONE CUT OUT THE BAG INFLATORS?..UPDATED 06/25/14 BF UPDATED 06/30/2014 JS UPDATED 12/30/15*LJ Look up ODI 10595577 at NHTSA ↗	654.5% ODI 10652409 TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V351000 (AIR BAGS). HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. Look up ODI 10652409 at NHTSA ↗
Suspension	235.4% ODI 10470408 · 65,000 mi EXCESSIVE VIBRATION WHERE YOU CAN SEE THE STICK SHIFT SHIMMY AND SHAKE. BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER CAN FEEL CAR VIBRATING LIKE IT HAS A BAD WHEEL ALIGNMENT BUT WHEELS HAVE BRAND NEW TIRES AND ARE ALIGNED. MECHANIC SAYS IT SEEMS TO BE A BROKEN MOTOR MOUNT. I HAVE READ ON SEVERAL HONDA AND HONDA ELEMENT COMMUNITY FORUMS REPORTING THAT MOTOR MOUNTS BREAK WITH LOW MILEAGE. I BELIEVE THIS IS A DEFECT. *TR Look up ODI 10470408 at NHTSA ↗	124.3% ODI 11480151 Excessive corrosion rear suspension near control arm. Honda has already issued a recall in Canada. I was unaware of this problem until a big piece of rusty metal fell off the bottom of my car when I closed the rear driver’s door. My control arm is ready to fall out which could have led to a fatal accident. There are Honda forums all over the internet with thousands of posts in the USA with the same issue as the Canada recall. Look up ODI 11480151 at NHTSA ↗	127.5% ODI 10217922 · 20 mi SINCE THE PURCHASE OF MY NEW 2005 HONDA ELEMENT EX, THERE HAS BEEN A REALLY LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE SUSPENSION, BOTH FRONT AND BACK. IT MOSTLY MAKES THIS NOISE WHEN HITTING A DIP IN THE ROAD, OR COMING INTO MY DRIVEWAY. IT SOUNDS AS THOUGH SOMEONE IS HITTING THERE HANDS DOWN ON THE KEYS OF A PIANO. ALSO, THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN WEARING TIRES AT AN ALARMING RATE, FOR THIS IS THE SECOND SET OF TIRES IT HAS GONE THROUGH WITHIN 27,000 MILES. THEY WERE ROTATED AS SCHEDULED BY THE MANUFACTURER, AND THE VEHICLE IS IN ALIGNMENT. ALSO, I HAD A 2006 HON… Look up ODI 10217922 at NHTSA ↗	108.2% ODI 10242880 · 22,000 mi OUR CAR, TRAVELING AT 40 MPH WAS HIT FROM THE SIDE AT THE LEFT FRONT, AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE LEFT FRONT. THE TIRE AND PART OF THE AXLE WERE DETACHED AND ABOUT 10 FEET FROM THE CAR. THE SHERIFF TOLD US THAT HE HAS SEEN THIS TYPE OF CAR IN SIMILAR ACCIDENTS WHERE THE TIRE AND AXEL HAVE DETACHED FROM THE CAR AND FOUND IT UNUSUAL IN THIS TYPE OF CRASH. *TR Look up ODI 10242880 at NHTSA ↗	1311.6% ODI 10464090 · 32,846 mi WHILE DRIVING MY 2007 HONDA ELEMENT "CS", JUST AFTER ENTERING A FREEWAY SOUTHBOUND, WHILE GETTING UP TO FREEWAY SPEED, A LOUD NOISE BEGAN TO COME FROM REAR OF VEHICLE AS IF A TIRE OR TIRES WERE COMING LOOSE. ONCE HITTING 55MPH THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE SOMEWHAT, YET STILL CONTROLLABLE. I PULLED OVER & INSPECTED THE TIRES & WHEELS AND COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. CONTINUED INTO NEXT CITY TO DEALERSHIP WHERE A FOUR WHEEL ALIGNMENT WAS DONE & ALL TIRES ROTATED. NOW WHILE ON CROSS COUNTRY TRIP ON 20 MAY 2012, THIS SAME ISSUE HAS OCCURRED O… Look up ODI 10464090 at NHTSA ↗	2421.2% ODI 10317794 · 70,400 mi TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE HAS IMPROPERLY WELDED A FRONT BUSHING BRACKET ON THE LEFT TRAILING ARM OF THE REAR SUSPENSION. RECALL#08V349000, SUSPENSION:REAR BUT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED; THEREFORE, HE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,400. Look up ODI 10317794 at NHTSA ↗	723.3% ODI 10544374 · 40,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE TOOK HER VEHICLE IN FOR A ROUTINE CHECK UP BUT WAS INFORMED THAT THE COVER OF BOTH FRONT BALL JOINTS WERE MISSING AND THAT BOTH THE BALL JOINTS AND THE CONTROL ARMS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. Look up ODI 10544374 at NHTSA ↗	620.0% ODI 11494402 Drivers side rear trailing arm separated from chassis. This occurred while backing out of a parking spot causing the left rear wheel to turn outward. When this happened I had to turn the steering wheel left to keep vehicle going straight forward and this was at an idling speed. we had just a few days prior returned from an 1800 mile trip. Had this occurred at interstate speeds it most likely would have been catastrophic resulting in serious perhaps fatal consequences. The otherwise great vehicle is not repairable according to the diagnoses fr… Look up ODI 11494402 at NHTSA ↗	19.1% ODI 11006214 · 25,000 mi THERE ARE TWO INDICATOR LIGHTS FOR AIR PRESSURE THAT COME ON AND STAY ON WITHOUT CAUSE (PRESSURE IS NORMAL) "TPMS" AND A SYMBOL. IT IS A DOCUMENTED PROBLEM AMONG OWNERS ONLINE IN GROUP DISCUSSIONS. IN ADDITION, THE SUSPENSION IS FAULTY IN THAT AN UNEXPLAINABLE "CRACKING" AND SLICKING NOISE HAS BEEN DULY DOCUMENTED AMONG OWNERS IN THE FRONT TIRES. SEVERAL HAVE REPORTED THIS WITH AN EFFECTIVE WARRANTY BUT OTHERS HAVE THE ISSUE POST-WARRANTY EXPIRATION. THIS SHOULD MANDATE A RECALL AS IT PRESENTS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD FOR THE DRIVER AND ALL … Look up ODI 11006214 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System	255.9% ODI 10105893 ADSFKJLAEWIR;ALKGJFA;LSDJFASFDIAJ;LWEFJDS;FLSADFDSAFDSF. NOT READABLE. *AK Look up ODI 10105893 at NHTSA ↗	124.3% ODI 10114593 · 270 mi FIRE OCCURRED IN DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR OF 2004 HONDA ELEMENT WHILE IT WAS PARKED OVERNIGHT IN THE DRIVEWAY. FRONT UPPER QUARTER OF DOOR COMPLETELY BURNED/MELTED AWAY, DOWN TO BARE EXTERIOR METAL. EXTENSIVE SMOKE DAMAGE TO INTERIOR. VEHICLE WAS IN CONSUMER'S POSSESSION FOR ONLY 12 DAYS AND HAS FEWER THAN 300 MILES ON ODOMETER. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER WHERE IT IS STILL UNDER EXAMINATION. NO EXPLANATION OR RESOLUTION AT THIS TIME. Look up ODI 10114593 at NHTSA ↗	127.5% ODI 10254964 · 55,000 mi TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HONDA ELEMENT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE ODOMETER FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT COULD NOT DETERMINE THE DISTANCE THAT WAS TRAVELED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 57,000. Look up ODI 10254964 at NHTSA ↗	75.7% ODI 10357692 · 42,000 mi DROVE CAR ON A 6 HR TRIP WITH ONE STOP FOR GAS DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS THEREFORE THERE WAS NO NEED TO TURN HEADLIGHTS ON. WHEN REACHING DESTINATION, HEADLIGHTS HAD TURNED ON BY THEMSELVES ALTHOUGH THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH ON THE STEERING COLUMN REMAINED IN THE 'OFF' POSITION AND WAS NEVER TURNED ON BY THE DRIVER THAT DAY. CAR HEADLIGHT WARNING WOULD NOT SOUND WHEN CAR WAS TURNED OFF AND DOOR OPEN EVEN THOUGH THE LIGHTS REMAINED ON. REMOVED HEADLIGHT FUSE THAT NIGHT. THE NEXT DAY, INSERTED FUSE AND HEADLIGHTS WERE STILL ON. TOOK TO HONDA DEALERSH… Look up ODI 10357692 at NHTSA ↗	1715.2% ODI 10390482 · 49,683 mi HIT A SPEED BUMP AND THE GAGE NEEDLES FELL OFF THE TECH AND SPEEDOMETER. NOW THERE IS A GLARING LIGHT WHERE THE NEEDLES USE TO BE MAKING IT VERY HARD TO SEE. ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT. HONDA ADMITS THERE IS A DEFECT BUT WILL NOT FIX UNLESS I PAY FOR EVERYTHING. *TR Look up ODI 10390482 at NHTSA ↗	54.4% ODI 10330795 · 12 mi TL - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA ELEMENT. SHE STATED AFTER PARKING HER VEHICLE WHEN SHE GETS OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND REACH FOR THE DOOR SHE GETS SHOCKED. SHE STATED THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME. THE VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT STATED THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE SHE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 18,297. VWB Look up ODI 10330795 at NHTSA ↗	13.3% ODI 10334156 · 55,000 mi NEEDLE ON GAS GAUGE POPPED OUT AND IS NOW RESTING AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PLASTIC ENCLOSURE - AT THE SAME TIME THAT THE NEEDLE ON THE GAS GAUGE POPPED OUT - THE TACHOMETER CEASED WORKING AND THE NEEDLE NOW POINTS AT WHAT WOULD BE SIX O'CLOCK - THE SIMULTANEOUS FAILURE OCCURRED AFTER A BRUTAL COLD SPELL. *TR Look up ODI 10334156 at NHTSA ↗	26.7% ODI 10655314 · 60,000 mi WHEN USING MY DIRECTIONALS THE HIGH BEAMS FLASH ON THEN OFF BY THEMSELVES. PROGRESSIVELY GETTING WORSE. UNSAFE FOR OTHER VEHICLES IN FRONT OF ME. *TR Look up ODI 10655314 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Seats	61.4% ODI 10063091 · 1,200 mi DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT MATERIAL/ITS STRUCTURE OR BOTH CAUSED THE DRIVER TO HAVE SEVERE BACK PAINS. DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THE SEAT WAS POORLY STRUCTURED. CONSUMER SPOKE TO 5 OTHER OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE AND THEY ALL ARE EXPERIENCED THE SAME BACK PAINS. AK LA Look up ODI 10063091 at NHTSA ↗	269.3% ODI 10151771 HONDA ELEMENT - DRIVER SEAT STARTED ROCKING 7 MONTHS OLD. UNSAFE. CLEARLY SOME IS LOOSE AND THERE ARE THE COMPLAINT IS OUT THERE AND REAL. THIS IS TRULY UNSAFE AND SHOULD BE EMBRACED ASAP. *JB Look up ODI 10151771 at NHTSA ↗	127.5% ODI 10182081 · 13,450 mi OWN A 2005 HONDA ELEMENT. AT 13K MILES BOTH THE FRONT SEATS SIDE SEAMS HAVE TORN. WE ARE NOT HARD ON THIS CAR AND ARE SHOCKED HOW SOON THE SEATS HAVE WORN OUT. WE TOOK THE CAR BACK TO HONDA AND THEY DID CHANGE THE SEATS, BUT DENY THERE IS A PROBLEM OVERALL WITH THE SEATS. AT WWW.ELEMENTOWNERSCLUB.COM THERE ARE PAGE AFTER PAGE OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT SEATS TEARING WITH LOW MILES. *JB Look up ODI 10182081 at NHTSA ↗	97.4% ODI 10171794 · 5,300 mi DRIVER RAN INTO STOPPED CAR IN FRONT OF HIM. SPEED WAS SUFFICIENT TO FLATTEN THE CAR UP TO THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE - LITTLE DAMAGE BEHIND THAT. CAR IS 2006 HONDA ELEMENT. AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. SAFETY BELT DID NOT LOCK UP QUICKLY - DRIVER STRUCK THE STEERING WHEEL, AND CHEST WAS BRUISED BY TOP OF STEERING WHEEL. PASSENGER SEAT MOVED TO THE FULL FORWARD POSITION, ALMOST TOUCHING THE DASHBOARD. NO SIGNIFICANT INJURIES RESULTED, BUT SAFETY SYSTEMS DID NOT WORK AS EXPECTED. Look up ODI 10171794 at NHTSA ↗	21.8% ODI 10212207 · 7,553 mi I BOUGHT A HONDA ELEMENT 2007 IN JULY 2007. SINCE THE PURCHASE I HAVE LEARNED THAT THE FRONT SEATS DO NOT ADJUST AS IN PREVIOUS MODELS. HOWEVER, BOTH THE QUICK START MANUAL AND THE REGULAR MANUAL BOTH INDICATE VISUALLY AND IN WRITING THAT THE FRONT SEATS SHOULD ADJUST FORWARD AT ABOUT A 10 DEGREE ANGLE FOR ACCESS TO THE BACK SEAT. "OPEN THE DOOR, AND PULL UP ON THE SEAT-BACK ADJUSTMENT LEVER. THE SEAT-BACK TILTS FORWARD TO ALLOW EASIER ACCESS TO THE REAR SEAT." THE PICTURE ALSO SHOWS THIS TILT ANGLE. I TOOK THE CAR TO A DEALERSHIP. THEY D… Look up ODI 10212207 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	13.3% ODI 10971565 · 47,000 mi AFTER THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT HAS BEEN DISCONNECTED FROM THE FLOOR LATCH, IT WILL NOT RECONNECT, SO THE SEAT WILL NOT CONNECT TO THE FLOOR. THERE'S SOMETHING WRONG WITH EITHER THE LATCH OR THE BAR ON THE FLOOR THAT THE LATCH CONNECTS TO. THIS HAPPENED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND IN MY DRIVEWAY. Look up ODI 10971565 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Structure:Body	143.3% ODI 10111196 THE CONSUMER HAS HAD CONSISTENT PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE'S FACTORY INSTALLED HORN AND ALARM. NM THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO REMEDY THE COMMUNICATION SYSTEM. OTHER PROBLEMS WERE; THE BUMPER COVER WOULD POP OUT INTERMITTENTLY, THE RIGHT SIDE CORNER PIECE WAS LOOSE, THE HORN SOUND WAS ABNORMAL AND ANTI-FREEZE WAS LEAKING. SC Look up ODI 10111196 at NHTSA ↗	72.5% ODI 10060146 · 300 mi RATTLES COMING FROM THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD/DASHBOARD WHEN HITTING SMALL POT HOLES. CREAKING NOISES COMING THE RIGHT REAR SIDE OF THE VEHICLE AT ANY SPEED. SLIGHT RATTLES COMING FROM THE LEFT PASSENGER DOOR BEHIND THE DRIVER SEAT. SEATBELTS DO NOT RETRACT COMPLETELY. THEY'RE OFTEN GET CAUGHT BETWEEN DOORS CAUSING PAIN AND BODY DAMAGES. *AK Look up ODI 10060146 at NHTSA ↗	53.1% ODI 10491826 · 160,000 mi I WAS DRIVING AROUND 12:15 IN AM, A VEHICLE FROM RIGHT CAME OUT OF STREET AND I COULD NOT AVOID HITTING THE CAR. MY HONDA HIT THE CAR, DESCRIBED AS A T BONE HIT. I HAD NO PASSENGERS,AND WAS WEARING SEAT BELT. MY PASSENGER SIDE FRONT AIR BAG ACTIVATED, MY DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT ACTIVATE. MY HONDA CAR HAD SEVERE DAMAGE ON THE LEFT DRIVER SIDE, LESS ON THE RIGHT SIDE. MY HEAD LIGHT WAS GONE FROM THE LEFT SIDE AND RIGHT SIDE WAS INTACT. MY CAR WAS TOTALED AS A LOSS BY INSURANCE COMPANY. THE SENSOR LOCATED ON MY DRIVER SIDE DID NOT REACT TO D… Look up ODI 10491826 at NHTSA ↗	86.6% ODI 10172773 VEHICLE SUSTAINED MULTIPLE DENTS THROUGHOUT THE ROOF AND HOOD FROM "SIMPLE" ACORNS FALLING FROM A TREE. DAMAGE IS UNACCEPTABLE AND WAS BASICALLY TOLD BY HONDA MOTOR CORP. THAT I "SHOULDN'T" PARK UNDER TREES THAT DAMAGE MY CAR. THE CAR PARKED NEXT TO MINE SUSTAINED "NO" DAMAGE. NO OTHER CARS SEEM TO SUSTAIN THIS KIND OF DAMAGE. ABSOLUTELY UNACCEPTABLE STRUCTURAL "INTOLERANCE" ON THIS VEHICLE. MY SEVEN PREVIOUS CARS NEVER SUSTAINED "ANY" DAMAGE FROM ACORNS. I WOULD NEVER HAVE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE, HAD I KNOWN IT HAD SUCH THIN METAL ON IT… Look up ODI 10172773 at NHTSA ↗	54.5% ODI 10472093 · 116,000 mi WAS INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT ON 8/22/12. I WAS DRIVING A 2007 HONDA ELEMENT AWD AT 55MPH. AN ACCIDENT HAPPENED IN FRONT OF ME WHICH RESULTED IN ME HITTING A TRUCK AND A VAN HITTING ME. THE AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED... NOT ONE! I AM UPSET THAT I BOUGHT THIS CAR BECAUSE OF THE SAFETY MEASURES AND WHEN I NEEDED THEM, NOTHING HAPPENED. BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUFFERED VERY SORE NECKS, SHOULDERS AND BACKS! I WANT A INVESTIGATION DONE ON MY VEHICLE TO SEE WHY THE AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED!!! THANKFULLY NOBODY WAS KILLED DUE TO SOME MALFUNCTIONING A… Look up ODI 10472093 at NHTSA ↗	108.8% ODI 10953724 · 79,000 mi DESPITE NORMAL MAINTENANCE AND CARE THE PAINT HOOD OF MY CAR BEGAN CRACKING. THE CRACKING CONTINUES TO SPREAD. AFTER SOME RESEARCH I LEARNED THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH CERTAIN HONDA VEHICLES, INCLUDING MY '08 ELEMENT. ONE EXAMPLE: HTTP://WWW.HONDAPROBLEMS.COM/TRENDS/PEELING-PAINT/ HONDA WIPES THEIR HANDS CLEAN OF THIS DESPITE KNOWINGLY PUTTING FAULTY PAINT AND CLEAR COAT ON THEIR VEHICLES. THIS IS UNFAIR BUSINESS PRACTICE AND SWINDLES CONSUMERS. Look up ODI 10953724 at NHTSA ↗	310.0% ODI 11056369 · 131,000 mi I WAS DRIVING MY HONDA ELEMENT 2009 ON A HWY IN SC. THE CAR WAS IN MOTION AND I HAD A GREEN LIGHT AND THE CAR WAS MOVING FORWARD WHEN A WOMAN WHO WAS DRIVING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION, MADE A LEFT TURN IN THE INTERSECTION FAILING TO YIELD ME THE RIGHT OF WAY. MY CAR IMPACTED HER CAR ON ONE SIDE MOST LIKELY THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR AND THE COLLISION WAS A FRONTAL COLLISION FOR MY CAR. NONE OF THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS IN MY VEHICLE WERE DEPLOYED. I HIT MY FACE ON THE WINDSHIELD AND I SUFFERED A CONTUSION/ LIGHT FRACTURE ON MY LEFT RIBS AND A HEAD CONC… Look up ODI 11056369 at NHTSA ↗	13.3% ODI 11516650 I've been informed by my mechanic of excessive rust on the rear suspension. The car will not pass state inspection due to safety issues related to this. An appointment has been made with the Honda dealership to confirm. Honda has put out a recall/buy back for the same issue on the Element and the CRV in Canada, where there are areas of high salt usage. Honda has done the same for the CRV in northern 'high salt use' states but not yet the Element. I first heard knocking in the rear about 6 months ago but have generally been ignoring it. After… Look up ODI 11516650 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Unknown Or Other	163.8% ODI 10036718 · 650 mi BOUGHT THE CAR WITH 264 MILES ON IT ON AUG. 15TH, 2003. ON AUG. 23RD, A NOISE BEGAN CONSISTANTLY FROM THE REAR PART OF THE VEHICLE EACH & EVERY TIME WHEN MAKING TURNS. *AK Look up ODI 10036718 at NHTSA ↗	51.8% ODI 10115322 MAJOR (DEADLY) FLAW IN 2004 HONDA ELEMENT. BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE DESIGN FLAW THAT WAS DISCOVERED WHILE SITTING INSIDE THE VEHICLE ON THE DAY OF PURCHASING MAY RESULT IN THE ENTRAPMENT OF OCCUPANTS. JB Look up ODI 10115322 at NHTSA ↗	63.8% ODI 10133301 · 760 mi WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN IN MY 2005 HONDA ELEMENT, I TURNED TOO SHARPLY, CAUSING THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL TO DRIVE OVER A LARGE PIECE OF A PREVIOUSLY BROKEN STREET LAMP THAT WAS ON THE CORNER OF THE STREET. THOUGH I WAS ONLY TRAVELING AT 10-15 MPH, THE CAR OVERTURNED AND FELL ON ITS SIDE. THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES INVOLVED. THERE WAS SOME BODY DAMAGE AND TWO BROKEN WINDOWS, AND SOME DAMAGE TO THE FRONT WHEELS/AXLE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED. *JB Look up ODI 10133301 at NHTSA ↗	64.9% ODI 10357692 · 42,000 mi DROVE CAR ON A 6 HR TRIP WITH ONE STOP FOR GAS DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS THEREFORE THERE WAS NO NEED TO TURN HEADLIGHTS ON. WHEN REACHING DESTINATION, HEADLIGHTS HAD TURNED ON BY THEMSELVES ALTHOUGH THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH ON THE STEERING COLUMN REMAINED IN THE 'OFF' POSITION AND WAS NEVER TURNED ON BY THE DRIVER THAT DAY. CAR HEADLIGHT WARNING WOULD NOT SOUND WHEN CAR WAS TURNED OFF AND DOOR OPEN EVEN THOUGH THE LIGHTS REMAINED ON. REMOVED HEADLIGHT FUSE THAT NIGHT. THE NEXT DAY, INSERTED FUSE AND HEADLIGHTS WERE STILL ON. TOOK TO HONDA DEALERSH… Look up ODI 10357692 at NHTSA ↗	76.3% ODI 10178399 · 14,732 mi TL* - THE CONTACT HAS A 2007 HONDA ELEMENT WITH AN ODOMETER READING OF 1,473 MILES. THE CONTACT REALIZED THAT WHEN A PASSENGER IS SEATED IN THE REAR SEAT, THE REAR DOORS CAN NOT BE OPENED. THE CONTACT WAS IN THE REAR SEAT OF THE VEHICLE WHEN THE WIND BLEW THE DOORS SHUT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS NOT A WAY FOR HIM TO UNLATCH THE DOORS. ON PAST MODELS THERE WAS A LATCH ON THE FRONT SEATS WHICH WOULD RELEASE THE SEAT SO THE DOORS COULD BE UNLOCKED. NOW ON THE CURRENT VEHICLE THE LATCH IS NOT AVAILABLE, AND THE ONLY WAY TO GET OUT OF TH… Look up ODI 10178399 at NHTSA ↗	43.5% ODI 10749906 · 21,000 mi I PRESSED DOOR UNLOCK BUTTON. THE UNLOCK BUTTON ROSE UP, BUT DOOR REMAINED LOCKED. I TRIED THIS A FEW TIMES MORE. THEN I TRIED MY REMOTE SEVERAL TIMES BY PRESSING THE LOCK AND UNLOCK BUTTONS SEVERAL TIMES. THE ONLY WAY I COULD UNLOCK THE DOOR WAS BY OPENING THE WINDOW, AND USING THE HANDLE TO OPEN THE DOOR. Look up ODI 10749906 at NHTSA ↗	13.3% ODI 11667627 There is corrosion on the rear trailing arm and surrounding area. Also rust is forming on rear subframe / crossmembers and the front subframe. Over time, this can result in premature structural failure and catastrophic accident. It poses a serious safety risk. It affects the structural integrity of the suspension system. There’s no recall even though multiple complaints exist for similar make/model. Look up ODI 11667627 at NHTSA ↗	13.3% ODI 11025420 I HAVE A 2010 HONDA ELEMENT SC AND IT HAS A VERY SPONGE LIKE BREAK PEDDLE. (HAPPENS STOPED OR DRIVING)IT WILL GO TO THE FLOOR IF IT IS PRESSED HARD ENOUGH. THE BREAK FLUID HAS BEEN REPLACED ALONG WITH ALL BREAK PADS AND THE PROBLEM STILL ACCURS. ALL WORK WAS DONE BY DEALERSHIP Look up ODI 11025420 at NHTSA ↗	19.1% ODI 10598033 · 60,200 mi THE DRIVER SIDE, FRONT WINDOW SPONTANEOUSLY EXPLODED IN ON ME WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE THAT ANY OBJECT STRUCK THE WINDOW. IT JUST EXPLODED. *JS Look up ODI 10598033 at NHTSA ↗
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	40.9% ODI 10131899 · 29,000 mi MY REAR BRAKES WENT AT 29,000 MILES AND THEN AGAIN AT 50,000 MILES. HONDA REPLACED THE ROTORS AND PADS UNDER WARRANTY AT 29,000 MILES. I BROUGHT THE ELEMENT BACK SEVERAL TIMES AFTER COMPLAINING ABOUT THE BRAKES AND THEY BLAMED IT ON DIRT BUILDUP. AT 50,000 MILES THE REAR BRAKES WENT AGAIN. THIS TIME THEY WEREN'T GOING TO COVER IT BUT AFTER COMPLAINING THEY COVERED THE ROTORS AND I HAD TO PAY FOR THE PADS AND LABOR. I DON'T GO OFF ROAD OR TRAVEL ON DIRT ROADS. I HAD MY BRAKES CHECKED A COUPLE OF TIMES WHEN I HAD MY TIRES ROTATED. I HAVE REC… Look up ODI 10131899 at NHTSA ↗	20.7% ODI 10336339 · 65,000 mi 2004 HONDA ELEMENT. REAR BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WEARING AWAY REPEATEDLY. PADS REPLACED/ROTORS RESURFACED TWICE BETWEEN 48,000 AND 65,000. AT 65,000, PADS 95% WORN AWAY AGAIN AND ROTORS DAMAGED. REAR PADS AND ROTORS REPLACED FOR THE THIRD TIME IN 15K MILES. DEALER CONFIRMS THAT PADS WERE PROPERLY INSTALLED, CLAIMS TO NOT KNOW WHY THIS IS HAPPENING. WEB SEARCHES ON WWW.ELEMENTOWNERSCLUB.COM FINDS MANY INSTANCES OF THE SAME PROBLEM, WITH MANY OWNERS COMPLAINING OF THE ROTORS RUSTING PREMATURELY AND OFTEN, THE CALIPERS STICKING, AND HONDA REFUSIN… Look up ODI 10336339 at NHTSA ↗	31.9% ODI 10320424 · 36,000 mi MY 2005 HONDA ELEMENT BRAKE PEDAL FEELS SOFT. THEY HAVE FELT THIS WAY FOR THE LAST YEAR. PLEASE HAVE HONDA INCLUDE 2005 ELEMENTS IN THEIR RECALL. *TR Look up ODI 10320424 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	119.8% ODI 10194778 · 4,700 mi TLTHE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKING SYSTEM IS POOR ON HIS VEHICLE. THE BRAKES ONLY WORK FOR THE FRONT WHEELS. THE CONTACT HAS TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO SEVERAL DEALERS AND THEY HAVE CHANGED THE REAR BRAKE PADS, FRONT BRAKE PADS, AND THE MASTER BRAKE PUMP. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A BRAKE SHOP AND WAS TOLD THAT THE CAUSE OF FAILURE WAS THE ELECTRONIC POWER BRAKE SYSTEM. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 4,700. UPDATED 02-01-08 BF UPDATED 02/01/08 *TR Look up ODI 10194778 at NHTSA ↗	2219.5% ODI 10257807 · 20,000 mi I HAVE A 2008 HONDA ELEMENT WITH BRAKE PROBLEMS. I TOOK THE CAR TO ONE DEALER IN SOUTH HILL VIRGINIA WHO TOLD ME NOT TO DRIVE THE CAR BECAUSE IT WAS TOO DANGEROUS AND NEEDED A NEW MASTER CYLINDER. SOMEONE ELSE PICKED THE CAR UP FOR ME AFTER THEY SAID IT WAS FIXED. I DROVE THE CAR AND THOUGHT THEY WERE STILL "SOFT", SO A COUPLE OF WEEKS LATER I TOOK THE CAR TO A DEALER IN DANVILLE VIRGINIA AND ASKED THAT THEY TEST DRIVE THE CAR. THEY SAID , YOU BETTER NOT DRIVE THIS CAR , IT IS DANGEROUS, AND ORDERED ANOTHER MASTER CYLINDER. I POCKET THE CAR UP … Look up ODI 10257807 at NHTSA ↗	310.0% ODI 10321262 SINCE NEW (DAY ONE) HAVE HAD SOFT BRAKE PEDDLE. DEALER SAYS NORMAL, BUT I DON'T THINK SO AS I HAVE DRIVEN 100S OF VEHICLES IN MY 50 YEARS OF DRIVING AND ONLY FELT THIS MUSHY BRAKE PEDAL WHEN EXPERIENCING A MASTER CYLINDER INTERNAL LEAK. *TR Look up ODI 10321262 at NHTSA ↗	13.3% ODI 10396760 · 15,510 mi I PURCHASE A HONDA ELEMENT 2010 FROM RAY HONDA ON STRASBOURG ON APRIL, TEST DRIVE IT AND THE BRAKE WENT DOWN TO FLOOR I WAS TOLD THAT THEY WILL MAKE THE NECESSARY REPAIR I DROVE AWAY AND THE SAME PROBLEM PERSIST I BROUGHT IT BACK THEY SAID TO ME THAT I HAVE TO LEAVE WE IT, I TOLL THEM IS DANGEROUS AND THE BRAKE HAS NO STOPPING POWER AND THERE'S IT NOTHING THEY COULD DO. *TR Look up ODI 10396760 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.

Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
Component	Mileage range (25th–75th percentile)	Median	Usable records	Examples
Visibility:Windshield	3,600–19,960 mi	9,200 mi	149	ODI 10021065 · 147 mi DEFECTIVE WINDSHIELD IS NOW CRACKING. THE DEALER, CLASSIC HONDA, REFUSES TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM, STATING THAT THE MANUFACTURER, HONDA, DOES NOT WARRANTY GLASS. I HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER, AMERICAN HONDA, CASE # N01200-06-0401190. THE VEHICLE IS A NEW 2003 HONDA ELEMENT. THE ODOMETER READING IS 147 MILES.*AK Look up ODI 10021065 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10025934 · 748 mi THIS IS A 2003 HONDA ELEMENT, PURCHASED MAY 22ND, 2003. THE MILEAGE IS NOW 752 MILES.I AM CURRENTLY IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING THE WINDSHIELD REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME. THE FIRST REPLACEMENT WAS AT 150 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. BOTH WERE BECAUSE OF DAMAGE FROM SMALL STONE CHIPS THAT WOULD NOT NORMALLY DAMAGE THE GLASS ON MOST OTHER VEHICLES. THE 733 MILES I HAVE DRIVEN THIS CAR WAS ON PAVED URBAN LOCAL ROADS AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 35 AND 50 MPH. IT APPEARS TO ME THAT ONE OF, OR BOTH OF, THE FOLLOWING, COULD BE RESPONSIBLE FACTORS: A) THE… Look up ODI 10025934 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10028380 · 2,500 mi MY WINDSHIELD HAS A TINY 1MM SPOT WHERE A TINY PEBBLE MUST HAVE HIT IT AND FROM THAT I NOW HAVE A 18" CRACK STRETCHING FROM THE LOWER LEFT HAND CORNER TO THE CENTER OF THE WINDSHIELD. I'M CERTAIN THAT THE TINY SPOT WOULD NOT HAVE SPREAD INTO THAT SIZE OF A CRACK IF THERE WASN'T SO MUCH STRESS PLACED ON THE WINDSHIELD BY THE "UNEVEN WINDSHIELD FLANGE SURFACE" THAT HONDA ITSELF ADMITS TO ON THEIR SERVICE BULLETIN 03-028. MY ELEMENT VIN #FALLS INTO THE RANGE ON THE SERVICE BULLETIN BUT HONDA WILL NOT COVER IT BECAUSE OF THE IMPACT THAT STARTED T… Look up ODI 10028380 at NHTSA ↗
Air Bags	78,000–171,000 mi	130,000 mi	15	ODI 10057797 · 6,000 mi WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, DUAL AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED SEVERE NECK AND SPINAL INJURIES. AK Look up ODI 10057797 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10173893 · 69,969 mi IN MY 2003 ELEMENT I HIT A 500 POUND COW IN THE ROAD AT BETWEEN 50-60 MPH FROM THE CENTER OF MY CAR TO THE DRIVERS SIDE. THE FRONT FENDER WHERE THE AIRBAG SENSOR IS LOCATED WAS DESTROYED, AS WAS THE HOOD AND BUMPER. THE POLICE WERE ALL SURPRISED THE AIRBAGS HADN'T DEPLOYED. I CONTACTED HONDA, THE INSURANCE COMPANY, AND THE BODY SHOP TO INFORM THEM OF THE FACT THAT THE AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY IN SUCH AN ACCIDENT, AND NO ONE SEEMED OVERLY CONCERNED OTHER THAN THE POLICE AND MYSELF. JB Look up ODI 10173893 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10184018 · 40,000 mi TL- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA ELEMENT WITH AN ODOMETER READING OF 40000 MILES. WHILE DRIVING UNDER DRY CONDITIONS AT 20 MPH THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED UNEXPECTEDLY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL TO SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER, AND THEY STATED THAT SHE HAD TO HAVE DONE SOMETHING TO MAKE THE AIR BAG DEPLOY. THE CONTACT THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BROWNS HONDA ,AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND THE REASON WHY THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. AK UPDATED 04/05/07 *JB Look up ODI 10184018 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System	80,295–176,500 mi	99,000 mi	18	ODI 10423145 · 80,000 mi TUMBLERS IN IGNITION BECOMES MAL ALIGNED, KEY WILL NOT INSERT OR TURN, ENGINE WILL NOT START. THIS IS NOT PART OF THE CURRENT ACTIVE RECALL ON THE IGNITION SYSTEM. I HAVE REPLACED THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER TWICE IN 3 YEARS. IT IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE, ASK ANY ONE WHO DRIVES A 2003 ELEMENT, THEY'VE REPLACED THIS PART TOO. HONDA ONLY WARRANTIES THE PART FOR ONE YEAR. *TR Look up ODI 10423145 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10496176 · 98,000 mi THE DASHBOARD LIGHT OF THE HONDA ELEMENT GOES DARK INTERMITTENTLY. AT THE BEGINNING I THOUGHT THIS WAS AN ISOLATED EVENT - BUT FOUND HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE ON INTERNET FORUMS. I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE PROBLEM IS SO INCONSISTENT THAT THEY ARE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE IT. FROM READING THE COMPLAINT OF THE OTHER ELEMENT OWNERS IT SEEMS THAT THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE ELECTRICAL WIRING SYSTEM OF THE ELEMENTS. I REQUEST THE NHTSA TO PERFORM A DETAILED INVESTIGATION INTO THIS -AS THIS POSES A SERIOUS RISK WITH THE INS… Look up ODI 10496176 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10501942 · 40,000 mi NHTSA RECALL 10V364000 I TOOK MY ELEMENT INTO BOB BOYT HONDA; BRANDON, MS FOR THIS RECALL. THEY TOOK THE CAR, REPLACED SOME LITTLE PLASTIC PART. I TOOK THE CAR HOME AND DISCOVERED THAT THIS DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. I COULD STILL REMOVE THE KEY AND WALK AWAY FROM THE CAR WITH THE CAR IN GEAR. WHEN THE CAR SHIFT IS IN THE DRIVE POSITION AND TURNED OFF, IT WILL STILL ROLL,LIKE IT WOULD IF IT WERE IN NEUTRAL. I RETURNED THE CAR TO THE SAME DEALERSHIP, LEFT IT, THEY TRIED AGAIN. BUT THE PLASTIC PART WOULD NOT FIX THE CAR. THE SERVICE MA… Look up ODI 10501942 at NHTSA ↗
Latches/Locks/Linkages	69,750–141,250 mi	90,000 mi	18	ODI 10256581 · 90,000 mi DRIVERS SIDE LOCK DOES NOT WORK AND NOW THE PASSENGER SIDE LOCK IS STARTING TO EXHIBIT THE SAME PROBLEMS. TR Look up ODI 10256581 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10258398 · 52,800 mi THE DRIVER'S SIDE LOCK HAS NOT WORKED WELL FOR SOME TIME, AND NOW IT DOESN'T WORK AT ALL. THE KEY WON'T GO ALL THE WAY INTO THE LOCK. THE PASSENGER SIDE LOCK HAS THE SAME PROBLEM OFTEN, BUT NOT EVERY TIME. AS A RESULT, I CAN'T LOCK MY DOORS, BECAUSE I MAY NOT BE ABLE TO GET THEM OPEN. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD, BECAUSE I LEAVE MY CAR IN A PARKING GARAGE ALL DAY, AND I DON'T FEEL SAFE GETTING INTO AN UNLOCKED CAR EVERY NIGHT OR HAVING TO STRUGGLE TO GET INTO A PERMANENTLY LOCKED CAR. THERE ARE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE ALL OVER THE INTERNET.… Look up ODI 10258398 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10302932 · 89,000 mi CAR DOOR LOCK NOT WORKING PROPERLY. TW Look up ODI 10302932 at NHTSA ↗
Suspension	154,000–205,000 mi	180,000 mi	7	ODI 10470408 · 65,000 mi EXCESSIVE VIBRATION WHERE YOU CAN SEE THE STICK SHIFT SHIMMY AND SHAKE. BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER CAN FEEL CAR VIBRATING LIKE IT HAS A BAD WHEEL ALIGNMENT BUT WHEELS HAVE BRAND NEW TIRES AND ARE ALIGNED. MECHANIC SAYS IT SEEMS TO BE A BROKEN MOTOR MOUNT. I HAVE READ ON SEVERAL HONDA AND HONDA ELEMENT COMMUNITY FORUMS REPORTING THAT MOTOR MOUNTS BREAK WITH LOW MILEAGE. I BELIEVE THIS IS A DEFECT. *TR Look up ODI 10470408 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11403980 · 210,000 mi THE SUBFRAME IS RUSTED NEAR THE REAR CONTROL ARM, THERE IS A DANGER OF THE CONTROL ARM SEPARATING WHICH CAN RESULT IN A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY WHEN I DISCOVERED THIS AS I WAS ATTEMPTING TO JACK THE CAR UP TO CHANGE A TIRE. Look up ODI 11403980 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11408343 · 240,000 mi REAR TRAILING ARMS CAUSING UNSAFE DRIVING REAR END UNSAFE OVER BUMPS Look up ODI 11408343 at NHTSA ↗
Unknown Or Other	8,750–178,750 mi	82,650 mi	10	ODI 10036718 · 650 mi BOUGHT THE CAR WITH 264 MILES ON IT ON AUG. 15TH, 2003. ON AUG. 23RD, A NOISE BEGAN CONSISTANTLY FROM THE REAR PART OF THE VEHICLE EACH & EVERY TIME WHEN MAKING TURNS. *AK Look up ODI 10036718 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10070288 · 4,000 mi THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE WINDSHIELD. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE IT TWICE SINCE JANUARY AND IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN DUE TO CRACKS. I CHECKED AROUND AND I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. IT SEEMS THAT THE WINDSHIELD IN THE ELEMENT IS VERY SUSCEPTABLE TO CRACKS DUE TO THE FLANGE CREATING TOO MUCH STRESS WHICH RENDERS THE GLASS VERY PRONE TO CRACKING BY ROAD DEBRIS. I GOT HIT BY A TINY PEBBLE WHICH SHOULD NEVER HAVE CRACKED THE GLASS. AND IN MY 18 YEARS OF DRIVING VARIOUS VEHICLES, I HAVE NEVER, EVER HAD THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM, SO I KNOW IT IS… Look up ODI 10070288 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10405230 · 42,300 mi THE DRIVER'S SIDE OUTER LOCK AND AUTOMATIC LOCK FAILS ON THE CAR. PASSENGER MUST ENTER THROUGH PASSENGER SIDE ONLY. INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH MULTIPLE INSTANCES OF THIS OCCURRING Look up ODI 10405230 at NHTSA ↗
Structure:Body	119,000–168,000 mi	131,000 mi	5	ODI 10486361 · 55,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA ELEMENT. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT INSERTED THE KEY INTO THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR TO UNLOCK THE DOOR BUT THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN. THE CONTACT UNLOCKED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR AND ENTERED THE VEHICLE. AFTER SOME TIME, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR FAILED TO UNLOCK INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000. Look up ODI 10486361 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10532129 · 119,000 mi DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN WITH KEY. HAD TO USE PASSENGER'S SIDE. SINCE THAT TIME, ALL OF THE DOOR KEYS (INCLUDING BACK) HAVE BECOME DIFFICULT TO OPEN. HAVE TO MOVE KEY UP AND DOWN TO GET IT TO SLIDE IN. NOW THE IGNITION IS ALSO BECOMING PROBLEMATIC. TR Look up ODI 10532129 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10560672 · 131,000 mi I WAS TRAVELING NORTH ON NC HWY 12 ON MY WAY TO WORK, ALONE, AND I REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING BETWEEN 35-40 MPH, WHEN I GLANCED DOWN TO SCRATCH MY LEG AND WHEN I GLANCED BACK DOWN, THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME WAS AT A DEAD STOP AND I REAR ENDED IT. MY PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOYED, HOWEVER I HAD NO PASSENGER WITH ME, MY DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG FAILED. LUCKILY I WAS WEARING MY SEATBELT AND ONLY RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES. TR Look up ODI 10560672 at NHTSA ↗
Structure	42,191–133,750 mi	88,500 mi	6	ODI 10129512 · 16,500 mi 1. HONDA ELEMENT WINDSHIELD SPONTANEOUSLY CRACKED AND REPAIRED AT MY COST 2. PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW SPONTANEOUSLY IMPLODED ON 7/18/05. GLASS HIT MY SON THE DRIVER AND COVERED PASSENGER SEAT. 3. HONDA TELLS ME OVER $300.00 REPAIR BILL IS MY PROBLEM Look up ODI 10129512 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10139902 · 35,588 mi CONSUMER HAD WINDSHIELD REPLACED ON FOUR OCCASIONS, BECAUSE IT MADE A HOWLING NOISE. TS THE COMPANY THAT REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD BLAMED THE MANUFACTURER FOR NOT FIXING A BAD WELD. THE MANUFACTURER CLAIMED THE CONSUMERS MODEL WAS PRONE TO BREAKAGE BECAUSE OF THE VERTICAL POSITION WHEN STRUCK BY EVEN THE SLIGHTEST IMPACT WITHIN THE BLACK AREA ON THE OUTSIDE EDGE OF THE GLASS, HOWEVER THE CONSUMER DISAGREED WITH THAT THEORY, STATING THERE HAD BEEN OTHER VEHICLE DOWN THROUGH THE YEARS THAT HAD THIS TYPE OF WINDSHIELD POSITIONING WITHOUT EXCESSI… Look up ODI 10139902 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10237775 · 62,000 mi CRACK FORMED ON THE LOWER DRIVER SIDE OF MY 2003 HONDA ELEMENT WITH NO SIGN OF IMPACT. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. TR Look up ODI 10237775 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

ComponentPeriod

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples

Monthly complaint and recall timeline
Month	Complaints	Campaigns announced	Examples
2024-11	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2024-12	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-01	1	None	ODI 11633928 in 2023 while driving my 2003 Honda Element the control arm ripped out of the frame I had it fixed to the tune of $1800. Fast forward to this week when servicing my Element I found a major rust spot on the other trailing arm bracket. After more research there is a recall in Canada to fix this but not in US. how can this be? It is a major flaw and concern that at high speeds the arm can rip out. Honda has a fix, but it is not offered in the US. please help! Look up ODI 11633928 at NHTSA ↗
2025-02	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-03	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-04	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-05	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-06	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-07	2	None	ODI 11673474 Rust corrosion Look up ODI 11673474 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11674334 I was driving and my odometer light and dash lights went dim on me. I changed the bulbs it didn't make a difference. I had to replace the instrument cluster. Other complaint is drivers seat keeps loosening from the floor Look up ODI 11674334 at NHTSA ↗
2025-08	1	None	ODI 11681494 Rear driver side trailing arm separating from body non repairable. Needs professional inspection. Northern state purchased Michigan driven in salt conditioned roadways. Canadian recall for same issue. Recall Details Transport Canada Recall Number2021-024 Recall Date2021-01-26 Last Updated2023-07-07 Notification TypeSafety TC SystemStructure Issued byHONDA Manufacturer Recall NumberHO65 Units Affected The number of vehicles or components affected by the recall.12,641 CategorySUV Recall Description Issue: On certain vehicles, the rear fram… Look up ODI 11681494 at NHTSA ↗
2025-09	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-10	1	None	ODI 11691501 The trailing arm connection that connects to the subframe has completely rusted make the car unsafe to drive. Parts will break and driver will lose control of the car. These same parts were recalled in Canada many years ago. Look up ODI 11691501 at NHTSA ↗
2025-11	2	None	ODI 11697330 Please see attachment: Look up ODI 11697330 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11698521 · 115,000 mi The contact owns a 2003 Honda Element. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormally loud sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. Upon inspecting the vehicle, the contact discovered that the rear trailing arm was severely corroded. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the rear trailing arm had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaire… Look up ODI 11698521 at NHTSA ↗
2025-12	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-01	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-02	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-03	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-04	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-05	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-06	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-07	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-08	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-09	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-10 (partial)	0	None	No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Observation windowFirst model yearSecond model year

2010: 5 complaints · 2011: 1 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model year	Through age 0	Through age 1	Through age 2
2010	2	5	5
2011	1	1	1

Date coverage across each selected cohort

Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year	Incident dates used	Filing date fallbacks	Excluded dates
2010	30	0	0
2011	11	0	0

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
Component	Visibility:Windshield	Air Bags	Electrical System	Latches/Locks/Linkages	Suspension	Unknown Or Other	Structure:Body	Structure
Visibility:Windshield	—	0	0	0	0	0	0	1 ODI 10139902 · 35,588 mi CONSUMER HAD WINDSHIELD REPLACED ON FOUR OCCASIONS, BECAUSE IT MADE A HOWLING NOISE. *TS THE COMPANY THAT REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD BLAMED THE MANUFACTURER FOR NOT FIXING A BAD WELD. THE MANUFACTURER CLAIMED THE CONSUMERS MODEL WAS PRONE TO BREAKAGE BECAUSE OF THE VERTICAL POSITION WHEN STRUCK BY EVEN THE SLIGHTEST IMPACT WITHIN THE BLACK AREA ON THE OUTSIDE EDGE OF THE GLASS, HOWEVER THE CONSUMER DISAGREED WITH THAT THEORY, STATING THERE HAD BEEN OTHER VEHICLE DOWN THROUGH THE YEARS THAT HAD THIS TYPE OF WINDSHIELD POSITIONING WITHOUT EXCESSI… Look up ODI 10139902 at NHTSA ↗
Air Bags	0	—	2 ODI 10716221 TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 10V364000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), 14V351000 (AIR BAGS), AND 14V700000 (AIR BAGS). THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIMEFRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE DEALER DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. Look up ODI 10716221 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10852624 2003 HONDA ELEMENT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO UNSATISFACTORY CUSTOMER SERVICE AT DEALERSHIP WITH IGNITION SWITCH AND AIRBAG REPAIRS. SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD COME ON OCCASIONALLY. ALSO, THE KEY WOULD GET STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AT TIMES WHEN THE CONSUMER TURNED THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. JB Look up ODI 10852624 at NHTSA ↗	0	1 ODI 10862421 MY AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON AND WILL NOT GO OFF AND I ALSO HAVE A KNOCKING AND TICKING NOISE ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEN TURNING MY STEERING WHEEL. Look up ODI 10862421 at NHTSA ↗	0	2 ODI 10560672 · 131,000 mi I WAS TRAVELING NORTH ON NC HWY 12 ON MY WAY TO WORK, ALONE, AND I REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING BETWEEN 35-40 MPH, WHEN I GLANCED DOWN TO SCRATCH MY LEG AND WHEN I GLANCED BACK DOWN, THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME WAS AT A DEAD STOP AND I REAR ENDED IT. MY PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOYED, HOWEVER I HAD NO PASSENGER WITH ME, MY DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG FAILED. LUCKILY I WAS WEARING MY SEATBELT AND ONLY RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES. *TR Look up ODI 10560672 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11518170 Seems Honda is hiding specific vin needing recal replacement of airbag fue to fact it's deployed. Attempt to cover up recall regarding this specific vin possibly aware that damage is done and if airbag deployed, vin check results "no current recalls" for vehicle. 2003 Honda Element had first recall replacement done. At that time Honda had person come to house to notify. This time, second recall, too late. It deployed and air bag is on recall list. Please provide honest facts. Correct me please if I misunderstood. Look up ODI 11518170 at NHTSA ↗	0
Electrical System	0	2 ODI 10716221 TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 10V364000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), 14V351000 (AIR BAGS), AND 14V700000 (AIR BAGS). THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIMEFRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE DEALER DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. Look up ODI 10716221 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10852624 2003 HONDA ELEMENT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO UNSATISFACTORY CUSTOMER SERVICE AT DEALERSHIP WITH IGNITION SWITCH AND AIRBAG REPAIRS. SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD COME ON OCCASIONALLY. ALSO, THE KEY WOULD GET STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AT TIMES WHEN THE CONSUMER TURNED THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. JB Look up ODI 10852624 at NHTSA ↗	—	1 ODI 10621959 · 98,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC DOOR SYSTEM FAILED TO OPEN OR LOCK THE DOORS, AND THE DOORS COULD NOT BE OPENED WITH THE KEY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000. Look up ODI 10621959 at NHTSA ↗	0	1 ODI 10911043 · 202,005 mi DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCK NO LONGER WORKING WHEN ALARM IS ACTIVATED. KEY GETS STUCK SOMETIMES IN THE LOCK. I THEN HAVE TO GO AROUND TO PASSENGER SIDE TO GET IN TO OPEN DRIVER SIDE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE. Look up ODI 10911043 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 10532129 · 119,000 mi DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN WITH KEY. HAD TO USE PASSENGER'S SIDE. SINCE THAT TIME, ALL OF THE DOOR KEYS (INCLUDING BACK) HAVE BECOME DIFFICULT TO OPEN. HAVE TO MOVE KEY UP AND DOWN TO GET IT TO SLIDE IN. NOW THE IGNITION IS ALSO BECOMING PROBLEMATIC. *TR Look up ODI 10532129 at NHTSA ↗	0
Latches/Locks/Linkages	0	0	1 ODI 10621959 · 98,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC DOOR SYSTEM FAILED TO OPEN OR LOCK THE DOORS, AND THE DOORS COULD NOT BE OPENED WITH THE KEY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000. Look up ODI 10621959 at NHTSA ↗	—	0	0	0	0
Suspension	0	1 ODI 10862421 MY AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON AND WILL NOT GO OFF AND I ALSO HAVE A KNOCKING AND TICKING NOISE ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEN TURNING MY STEERING WHEEL. Look up ODI 10862421 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	—	3 ODI 11489730 The car was being driven at a low speed across a school parking lot when there was a loud bang, the car dropped in the back and stopped movong. The rear trailing arm came apart from the body causing it to be inoperable. If I the car wasn't in a school zone and traveling at a high rate of speed this could have been a very serious accident. If there was a vehicle behind they would have rear ended the honda. If this happens on going down a hill it would have rolled over. If this happened on a busy highway it would have caused a multi car accident.… Look up ODI 11489730 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11571316 The drivers side mount for the rear trailing arm has rusted to the point it may be unsafe to drive according to my mechanic. I looked online and saw that Honda has issued a recall campaign in Canada but not the US. I do know from my local dealer that Honda did have them bring in several customer cars for inspection and several of those also had the same problem. These cars that have been affected certainly are not safe to drive in my opinion. Look up ODI 11571316 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11691501 The trailing arm connection that connects to the subframe has completely rusted make the car unsafe to drive. Parts will break and driver will lose control of the car. These same parts were recalled in Canada many years ago. Look up ODI 11691501 at NHTSA ↗	7 ODI 11414350 · 168,000 mi I'M CONCERNED WITH THE AMOUNT OF RUST UNDER THE VEHICLE. MY ELEMENT IS FROM PENNSYLVANIA AND THEY DO USE SALT ON THE STREETS IN THE WINTER. TOOK CAR TO MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THE CAR WAS VERY RUSTED UNDERNEATH. CHANGING PARTS UNDER THE CAR IS A DIFFICULT TASK DUE TO THE REST. MECHANIC SAID IT WAS CAUSE CAR WAS DRIVEN IN PENNSYLVANIA THE CAUSE IS TO HOW THE ROADS ARE SALTED. I DID READ THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM IN CANADA AND OTHER PLACES AND VERY DANGEROUS BUT IN AMERICA NOT AS MUCH. I'M WONDERING HOW I GET THIS LOOKED AT BY HONDA AND THE PROBLEM… Look up ODI 11414350 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11489730 The car was being driven at a low speed across a school parking lot when there was a loud bang, the car dropped in the back and stopped movong. The rear trailing arm came apart from the body causing it to be inoperable. If I the car wasn't in a school zone and traveling at a high rate of speed this could have been a very serious accident. If there was a vehicle behind they would have rear ended the honda. If this happens on going down a hill it would have rolled over. If this happened on a busy highway it would have caused a multi car accident.… Look up ODI 11489730 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11552502 Same as the recalls for Honda ELEMENT of Canada and American Honda CRV of America In Honda’s words: SUMMARY: American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (Honda) is recalling certain 2007-2011 model year CR-V vehicles. In salt-belt states where de-icing agents are used to maintain the roadway, the de-icing agents, along with mud and water, could enter the rear frame through drainage/positioning holes when the vehicle is driven through flooded areas or puddles at high speeds. Over time, the accumulated de-icing agents/mud/water mixture could cause corrosion … Look up ODI 11552502 at NHTSA ↗	2 ODI 11549434 · 140,000 mi The contact owns a 2003 Honda Element. The contact stated that upon inspecting the vehicle, the independent mechanic informed him that the trailing arm mount was corroded, and that the subframe needed to be replaced. The mechanic advised the contact that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000. Look up ODI 11549434 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11576696 · 180,000 mi The contact owns a 2003 Honda Element. The contact stated that while the contact's wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the trailing arm fractured. In addition, the rear of the vehicle dropped to the ground and the driver's rear side of the vehicle was dragging on the ground. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000. Look up ODI 11576696 at NHTSA ↗
Unknown Or Other	0	0	1 ODI 10911043 · 202,005 mi DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCK NO LONGER WORKING WHEN ALARM IS ACTIVATED. KEY GETS STUCK SOMETIMES IN THE LOCK. I THEN HAVE TO GO AROUND TO PASSENGER SIDE TO GET IN TO OPEN DRIVER SIDE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE. Look up ODI 10911043 at NHTSA ↗	0	3 ODI 11489730 The car was being driven at a low speed across a school parking lot when there was a loud bang, the car dropped in the back and stopped movong. The rear trailing arm came apart from the body causing it to be inoperable. If I the car wasn't in a school zone and traveling at a high rate of speed this could have been a very serious accident. If there was a vehicle behind they would have rear ended the honda. If this happens on going down a hill it would have rolled over. If this happened on a busy highway it would have caused a multi car accident.… Look up ODI 11489730 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11571316 The drivers side mount for the rear trailing arm has rusted to the point it may be unsafe to drive according to my mechanic. I looked online and saw that Honda has issued a recall campaign in Canada but not the US. I do know from my local dealer that Honda did have them bring in several customer cars for inspection and several of those also had the same problem. These cars that have been affected certainly are not safe to drive in my opinion. Look up ODI 11571316 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11691501 The trailing arm connection that connects to the subframe has completely rusted make the car unsafe to drive. Parts will break and driver will lose control of the car. These same parts were recalled in Canada many years ago. Look up ODI 11691501 at NHTSA ↗	—	3 ODI 11403776 · 204,862 mi THE DOOR LOCK CYLINDERS FOR THE DRIVER/PASSENGER/TAILGATE WILL NOT ACCEPT A KEY TO UNLOCK THE DOORS. THE LOCKS ARE IMMOVABLE FROM THE OUTSIDE AND INSIDE, REQUIRING A LOCKSMITH TO OPEN THE DOORS OR COMPLETE REMOVAL OF THE DOORS TO SAFELY ENTER AND EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE KEY, WHEN INSERTED INTO THE LOCK IN ATTEMPT TO ENTER THE VEHICLE, OFTEN WILL NOT RELEASE FROM THE SEIZED LOCK CYLINDER RESULTING IN THE KEY FIRMLY LODGED IN THE LOCK OF THE DOOR, RENDERING IT IMPOSSIBLE THEN TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE ABOVE MENTIONED CYLINDER LOCKS ARE SAFETY H… Look up ODI 11403776 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11489730 The car was being driven at a low speed across a school parking lot when there was a loud bang, the car dropped in the back and stopped movong. The rear trailing arm came apart from the body causing it to be inoperable. If I the car wasn't in a school zone and traveling at a high rate of speed this could have been a very serious accident. If there was a vehicle behind they would have rear ended the honda. If this happens on going down a hill it would have rolled over. If this happened on a busy highway it would have caused a multi car accident.… Look up ODI 11489730 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11691501 The trailing arm connection that connects to the subframe has completely rusted make the car unsafe to drive. Parts will break and driver will lose control of the car. These same parts were recalled in Canada many years ago. Look up ODI 11691501 at NHTSA ↗	0
Structure:Body	0	2 ODI 10560672 · 131,000 mi I WAS TRAVELING NORTH ON NC HWY 12 ON MY WAY TO WORK, ALONE, AND I REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING BETWEEN 35-40 MPH, WHEN I GLANCED DOWN TO SCRATCH MY LEG AND WHEN I GLANCED BACK DOWN, THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME WAS AT A DEAD STOP AND I REAR ENDED IT. MY PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOYED, HOWEVER I HAD NO PASSENGER WITH ME, MY DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG FAILED. LUCKILY I WAS WEARING MY SEATBELT AND ONLY RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES. *TR Look up ODI 10560672 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11518170 Seems Honda is hiding specific vin needing recal replacement of airbag fue to fact it's deployed. Attempt to cover up recall regarding this specific vin possibly aware that damage is done and if airbag deployed, vin check results "no current recalls" for vehicle. 2003 Honda Element had first recall replacement done. At that time Honda had person come to house to notify. This time, second recall, too late. It deployed and air bag is on recall list. Please provide honest facts. Correct me please if I misunderstood. Look up ODI 11518170 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 10532129 · 119,000 mi DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN WITH KEY. HAD TO USE PASSENGER'S SIDE. SINCE THAT TIME, ALL OF THE DOOR KEYS (INCLUDING BACK) HAVE BECOME DIFFICULT TO OPEN. HAVE TO MOVE KEY UP AND DOWN TO GET IT TO SLIDE IN. NOW THE IGNITION IS ALSO BECOMING PROBLEMATIC. *TR Look up ODI 10532129 at NHTSA ↗	0	7 ODI 11414350 · 168,000 mi I'M CONCERNED WITH THE AMOUNT OF RUST UNDER THE VEHICLE. MY ELEMENT IS FROM PENNSYLVANIA AND THEY DO USE SALT ON THE STREETS IN THE WINTER. TOOK CAR TO MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THE CAR WAS VERY RUSTED UNDERNEATH. CHANGING PARTS UNDER THE CAR IS A DIFFICULT TASK DUE TO THE REST. MECHANIC SAID IT WAS CAUSE CAR WAS DRIVEN IN PENNSYLVANIA THE CAUSE IS TO HOW THE ROADS ARE SALTED. I DID READ THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM IN CANADA AND OTHER PLACES AND VERY DANGEROUS BUT IN AMERICA NOT AS MUCH. I'M WONDERING HOW I GET THIS LOOKED AT BY HONDA AND THE PROBLEM… Look up ODI 11414350 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11489730 The car was being driven at a low speed across a school parking lot when there was a loud bang, the car dropped in the back and stopped movong. The rear trailing arm came apart from the body causing it to be inoperable. If I the car wasn't in a school zone and traveling at a high rate of speed this could have been a very serious accident. If there was a vehicle behind they would have rear ended the honda. If this happens on going down a hill it would have rolled over. If this happened on a busy highway it would have caused a multi car accident.… Look up ODI 11489730 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11552502 Same as the recalls for Honda ELEMENT of Canada and American Honda CRV of America In Honda’s words: SUMMARY: American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (Honda) is recalling certain 2007-2011 model year CR-V vehicles. In salt-belt states where de-icing agents are used to maintain the roadway, the de-icing agents, along with mud and water, could enter the rear frame through drainage/positioning holes when the vehicle is driven through flooded areas or puddles at high speeds. Over time, the accumulated de-icing agents/mud/water mixture could cause corrosion … Look up ODI 11552502 at NHTSA ↗	3 ODI 11403776 · 204,862 mi THE DOOR LOCK CYLINDERS FOR THE DRIVER/PASSENGER/TAILGATE WILL NOT ACCEPT A KEY TO UNLOCK THE DOORS. THE LOCKS ARE IMMOVABLE FROM THE OUTSIDE AND INSIDE, REQUIRING A LOCKSMITH TO OPEN THE DOORS OR COMPLETE REMOVAL OF THE DOORS TO SAFELY ENTER AND EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE KEY, WHEN INSERTED INTO THE LOCK IN ATTEMPT TO ENTER THE VEHICLE, OFTEN WILL NOT RELEASE FROM THE SEIZED LOCK CYLINDER RESULTING IN THE KEY FIRMLY LODGED IN THE LOCK OF THE DOOR, RENDERING IT IMPOSSIBLE THEN TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE ABOVE MENTIONED CYLINDER LOCKS ARE SAFETY H… Look up ODI 11403776 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11489730 The car was being driven at a low speed across a school parking lot when there was a loud bang, the car dropped in the back and stopped movong. The rear trailing arm came apart from the body causing it to be inoperable. If I the car wasn't in a school zone and traveling at a high rate of speed this could have been a very serious accident. If there was a vehicle behind they would have rear ended the honda. If this happens on going down a hill it would have rolled over. If this happened on a busy highway it would have caused a multi car accident.… Look up ODI 11489730 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11691501 The trailing arm connection that connects to the subframe has completely rusted make the car unsafe to drive. Parts will break and driver will lose control of the car. These same parts were recalled in Canada many years ago. Look up ODI 11691501 at NHTSA ↗	—	0
Structure	1 ODI 10139902 · 35,588 mi CONSUMER HAD WINDSHIELD REPLACED ON FOUR OCCASIONS, BECAUSE IT MADE A HOWLING NOISE. *TS THE COMPANY THAT REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD BLAMED THE MANUFACTURER FOR NOT FIXING A BAD WELD. THE MANUFACTURER CLAIMED THE CONSUMERS MODEL WAS PRONE TO BREAKAGE BECAUSE OF THE VERTICAL POSITION WHEN STRUCK BY EVEN THE SLIGHTEST IMPACT WITHIN THE BLACK AREA ON THE OUTSIDE EDGE OF THE GLASS, HOWEVER THE CONSUMER DISAGREED WITH THAT THEORY, STATING THERE HAD BEEN OTHER VEHICLE DOWN THROUGH THE YEARS THAT HAD THIS TYPE OF WINDSHIELD POSITIONING WITHOUT EXCESSI… Look up ODI 10139902 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0	2 ODI 11549434 · 140,000 mi The contact owns a 2003 Honda Element. The contact stated that upon inspecting the vehicle, the independent mechanic informed him that the trailing arm mount was corroded, and that the subframe needed to be replaced. The mechanic advised the contact that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000. Look up ODI 11549434 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11576696 · 180,000 mi The contact owns a 2003 Honda Element. The contact stated that while the contact's wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the trailing arm fractured. In addition, the rear of the vehicle dropped to the ground and the driver's rear side of the vehicle was dragging on the ground. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000. Look up ODI 11576696 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	—

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

Search patterns

6 patterns with matching reports.

Warning lights and dashboard alerts

11 mentions · 2.6% of complaints

Median mileage: 127,000 mi (10 usable records).

ODI 10213724 · 47,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA ELEMENT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE SRS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. THE RESTRAINT SYSTEM HAD NOT FAILED. ONE MONTH LATER, THE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN AND WAS DIAGNOSED AS AN INTERNAL FAILURE OF THE SRS SYSTEM. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT HE HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 56,000.

Look up ODI 10213724 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10372098 · 88,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER WAS ADVISED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS A GASOLINE FUEL LEAK AND THAT THE FUEL TANK WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT DID NOT INFORM THE MANUFACTURER OF THE FAILURE NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 88,362. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 88,000.

Look up ODI 10372098 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10606382 · 130,000 mi

THE SRS WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. ABOUT 3 WEEKS LATER HONDA ISSUED A PARTIAL RECALL ON 2003 ELEMENT AIRBAGS. I CALLED HONDA AND WAS TOLD MY VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED. IN LOOKING INTO THE RECALL I SEE THAT IT IS FOR VEHICLES IN HOTTER CLIMATES. I THINK IT SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO ALL CLIMATES. *TR

Look up ODI 10606382 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(warning light\w*|check engine|dashboard warning\w*|malfunction indicator)\b

Battery drain and no-start mentions

2 mentions · 0.5% of complaints

Median mileage: 144,000 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10622402 · 144,000 mi

I STOPPED TO CHECK MY MAIL AND TURNED OFF MY VEHICLE TO USE THE MAIL BOX KEY AND WHEN I TRIED TO START MY CAR AGAIN, IT WOULD NOT START. ALL I GOT WAS A BUZZING NOISE FROM UNDER THE STEERING COLUMN. PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT OVER THE LAST WEEK THERE WERE TIMES MY CAR WOULD NOT START. I WOULD MAKE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS AND IT WOULD FINALLY START. THE BATTERY AND STARTER WERE CHECKED AND IN WORKING CONDITION. *TR

Look up ODI 10622402 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10852624

2003 HONDA ELEMENT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO UNSATISFACTORY CUSTOMER SERVICE AT DEALERSHIP WITH IGNITION SWITCH AND AIRBAG REPAIRS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD COME ON OCCASIONALLY. ALSO, THE KEY WOULD GET STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AT TIMES WHEN THE CONSUMER TURNED THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. *JB

Look up ODI 10852624 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

Stalling or loss of power

2 mentions · 0.5% of complaints

Median mileage: 168,295 mi (2 usable records).

ODI 10478056 · 109,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING AND AS THE BRAKE WAS DEPRESSED, THERE WAS SMOKE SEEN COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE BRAKES SEIZING WHEN THEY WERE DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT …

Look up ODI 10478056 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10789151 · 227,590 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA ELEMENT. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 227,590. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Look up ODI 10789151 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b

Fuel smell or leak mentions

1 mentions · 0.2% of complaints

Median mileage: 88,000 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10372098 · 88,000 mi

Look up ODI 10372098 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(fuel leak\w*|gas leak\w*|gas(?:oline)? smell|smell\w* (?:of )?(?:fuel|gas))\b

Hard or delayed shifting

1 mentions · 0.2% of complaints

Median mileage: 14,000 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10062142 · 14,000 mi

WHEN ENGINE IS COLD STARTED(NO MATTER WHAT TEMP OUTSIDE), THE ENGINE FAST IDLES AT ABOUT 1500 RPM. WHEN SHIFTED INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE THE ENGINE ACCELERATES TO 2500 RPM. HEAVY BRAKING AND LURCHING RESULTS. CAR WILL REACH SPEED OF 20MPH.*AK THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR ABOUT 6 MOS

Look up ODI 10062142 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

Steering assistance concerns

1 mentions · 0.2% of complaints

Median mileage: 16,000 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10100040 · 16,000 mi

2003 HONDA ELEMENT, FRONT WINDOW CRACKED UNDER THE SEAL UP ON THE RIGHT HAND PASSENGER SIDE. POPPING NOISE IN STEERING COLUMN DEVELOPED AFTER APPROX 15K MILES. POWER STEERING ROD REPLACED IN AUG 04. RETURNED TO DEALER IN SEPTEMBER. WAS TOLD THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE; HOWEVER, SERVICE TECHNICIAN WAS ABLE TO HEAR IT AND SAID IT SOUNDED AS IF THE AIRBAG SPRING WERE LOOSE. WAS NOT FIXED, REPORT CLAIMED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE. RETURNED TO DEALER THE FOLLOWING WEEK. HAD TWO SERVICE TECHNICIANS RIDE IN THE VEHICLE, THEY BOTH HEAR…

Look up ODI 10100040 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(power steer\w*|steering assist\w*|steering lock\w*|steering wheel lock\w*)\b