Honda Element Complaints

1,283 consumer complaints on file.

#11438646October 29, 2021
CHILD SEAT
The contact owns a Kids Embrace Buzz Lightyear 2-in-1 Harness Booster Car Seat. Neither the model number nor the manufactured date was available. The contact stated that after cleaning her car, the contact attempted to install the car seat and discovered that the buckle latch was jammed open and could not latch securely. The car seat was not replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11436382October 12, 2021
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
The contact owns a 2010 Honda Element. The contact stated that their mechanic had informed them that the vehicle was severely rusted on the underneath of the vehicle. The contact referenced a recall related to the failure however the recall was for Canada manufactured vehicles. The dealer was made aware however there was no official diagnosis or repair. The manufacturer was made aware and opened a case regarding the matter. The approximate failure mileage was 85,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11434972September 30, 2021
SUSPENSION
While driving, without notice at all, the drivers side rear suspension ,wheel, and all the holds it together became dislocated/disassembled from the car while going about 40mph. Upon further investigation, I found the whole frame mount for the rear suspension had completely rotted away and caused this whole issue. NO PRIOR WARNING AT ALL!! This is a potentiality deadly issue.. I had just come off the highway doin 70 mph... if this would of happened there...it would of been a completely different outcome. The year/make/model of my vehicle has already been recalled for this issue.. BUT my vin # wasn't included?.?.?. THIS IS WRONG!! THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE THAT NO AMOUNT OF MAINTENANCE WILL STOP!!
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11434385September 26, 2021
AIR BAGS
air bag light stays on
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11431078August 30, 2021
SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY
The contact owns a 2007 Honda Element. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the contact drove over a pothole and noticed that the driver’s side control arm on the rear axle fractured and detached from the vehicle, causing the rear driver’s side tire to stick out from underneath the vehicle. The contact pulled over to the side of the roadway and had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic where the vehicle was inspected and diagnosed. The contact was informed that rust and corrosion on the rear axle had caused the failure and that the axle needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 102,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11428331August 9, 2021
SUSPENSION
I turned onto Davie Blvd from SE 32nd heading West. I heard a “pop” & suddenly car was out of control-feeling like sliding. I pulled off to side street as I thought flat tire due to “pop” noise. All tires seemed fine so tried to drive again slowly but still felt no control/sliding effect. I slowly drove on side road watching back driver tire when I noticed it was facing outward as I steered straight. I learned from tow driver the sway bar/support snapped off from frame. I had car towed to where I was staying & researched on internet and was shocked to see many other Honda elements with same exact issue - and recall but now I see no recall (only in Canada where his Honda was repaired at no cost to him just in April of 2021 for 2003 Honda Element. I am upset as this was suppose to be my long term car after I had invested over $1700.00 just in past months to assure long future use. Engine works perfectly.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11427954August 5, 2021
AIR BAGS
Airbag lights keeps turning on and off and has now stayed on permanently. This is a safety issue if airbags fail to deploy.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11426047July 22, 2021
STEERING, SUSPENSION
The rear trailing arm of the car came off while driving. The part of the frame where the suspension connects rusted through. I looked up related cases and it seams that there is a recall only in Canada and not in the US. This is dangerous and almost sent me off the road with no warning. Everything else on the car works wonderfully and the car rand and drove great until this happened.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11421956June 23, 2021
SUSPENSION
The contact owns a 2009 Honda Element. The contact stated the driver's side rear trailing arm detached from the vehicle while he was reversing at an undisclosed speed, and the vehicle stopped. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated the failure occurred due to rust and corrosion. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who informed them they could not provide assistance, and then the vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but did not provide any assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 125,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11419306June 2, 2021
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
The contact owns a 2005 Honda Element. The contact stated that while his vehicle was parked in a parking lot, the vehicle independently drifted backwards without warning. Due to the failure, the vehicle collided with another vehicle which resulted in the injury of the occupant inside the other vehicle. The other occupant claimed to have sought medical treatment for his injuries(injuries unknown). There was rear bumper damage to the other vehicle as a result of the failure. A police report was filed and neither vehicle was towed from the scene. The dealer was notified of the failure and stated that they were unaware of such a failure occurring with this model vehicle. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The failure had yet to reoccur and the vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 208,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11419398June 2, 2021
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
While driving in the freeway; the low beam lights went out and would no longer work. For visibility purposes, I was forced to use high beam lights to make it home while impairing the driving ability of others. The low beams and high beams run on the same light bulb. While using the high beams, the bulbs work as intended. The light bulbs and relays were promptly replaced and the issue is not fixed. It is often caused the a malfunctioning multiswitch that controls lighting and blinkers. The issue is well known within Honda elements and a previous recall have been issued for other Honda models including the Honda civic. Oftentimes the wiring goes back due to the switch malfunctioning. This is extremely unsafe toward everyone on the road as we lack visibility and by using high beams, we unwantingly blind other drivers which could result in injury by other drivers, passengers, and even pedestrians.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11414350April 28, 2021
STRUCTURE:BODY, SUSPENSION
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 BE FIXED LIKE OTHER ELEMENTS ARE BEING FIXED OR TO SEE IF IT PASSES TO HAVE THE UNFORCED BRACKET PUT ON.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11408343April 16, 2021
SUSPENSION
REAR TRAILING ARMS CAUSING UNSAFE DRIVING REAR END UNSAFE OVER BUMPS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11407580April 12, 2021
SUSPENSION
WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 20MPH ON A CITY STREET, SUSPENSION PARTS FAILED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO COME TO AN ABRUPT STOP. UPON INSPECTION, FRAME RUST CAUSED THE REAR-TRAILING ARM TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE'S FRAME. AT HIGHER SPEEDS THIS MAY HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN AREAS THAT SALT THEIR ROADS. HONDA CANADA HAS A RECALL AND BUYBACK PROGRAM FOR THIS EXACT ISSUE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11405632March 30, 2021
AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
MY 2005 HONDA ELEMENT CONSTANTLY DISPLAY AIRBAG OFF, WHEN IT'S INACCURATE, DASHBOARD LIGHT DOESN'T WORK. THERE'S SOME KIND OF SHORTAGE BECAUSE IT BLINKS, COME ON AND GO OFF AND STAY OFF. IT SHOWS THE SAME INFORMATION, RATHER DRIVING OR STATIONARY. ARE THERE RECALLS ON THIS CAR? IT'S BEEN ONE PROBLEM AFTER ANOTHER.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11403980March 19, 2021
SUSPENSION
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11403776March 18, 2021
STRUCTURE:BODY, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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 HAZARDS FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS: CHILDREN AND ADULTS ENTERING AND EXITING THE VEHICLE MAY BE PRONE TO INJURY FROM ONCOMING TRAFFIC DUE TO DOOR CYLINDER LOCKS NOT OPERATING PROPERLY AND CAUSING THE DOOR TO JAM REQUIRING FORCEFUL PRESSURE TO BE APPLIED FROM THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE IN ORDER FOR THE DOOR TO OPEN. INFANTS AND ELDERLY INDIVIDUALS INCAPABLE OF THE MOTOR SKILLS NECESSARY TO OPEN DOORS AND LOCKS MAY BE LOCKED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE WITH UNCONTROLLABLE IN CABIN TEMPERATURES RESULTING IN EXCESSIVE HEAT/COLD FOR AN EXTENDED AMOUNT OF TIME THAT COULD RESULT IN INJURY OR DEATH. QUICK AND SAFE ENTRY AND EXIT TO AND FROM THE VEHICLE IS IMPOSSIBLE, RESULTING IN AN INCREASE OF THE PROBABLE INSTANCES OF THEFT OR DAMAGE TO PERSONS/PROPERTY ATTEMPTING TO ENTER/EXIT THE VEHICLE IN LESS THAN PERFECTLY SAFE CONDITIONS. THE FEE INVOLVED WITH SERVICING THE REPLACEMENT OF THIS DOOR LOCK CYLINDER IS EXORBITANT. A QUOTE FROM THE DEALERSHIP PUT ME AT $200.00 JUST FOR THEM TO OPEN THE DOOR PANEL AND LOOK AT IT. TO REPLACE THE CYLINDER AND RE-KEY IT WOULD COST UPWARDS OF $400.00 MORE. $600.00 TO REPLACE A CYLINDER LOCK ON A CAR DOOR. THERE ARE MANY OTHER 2003 HONDA ELEMENT OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE AS WELL, OFTEN PAYING THE MONEY TO HAVE THE CYLINDERS REPLACED, ONLY TO HAVE THEM FAIL AGAIN A YEAR LATER.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11403002March 15, 2021
STRUCTURE:BODY, SUSPENSION
I AM LOCATED IN OHIO AND THE REAR TRAILING ARM HAS RUSTED OUT TO THE POINT THAT IT IS ON THE VERGE OF BREAKING OFF ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THIS WAS FOUND OUT BECAUSE I WAS DRIVING AND THE CAR WOULD SWAY BACK AND FORTH IN THE REAR EVERY TIME I HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD. I WENT TO MY NEAREST TIRE SHOP THINKING IT COULD BE A WHEEL ALIGNMENT ISSUE AND THEY BROUGHT ME TO THE BACK AND SHOWED ME THE ISSUE. IT IS BEING HELD BY ABOUT 4-5 INCHES OF THE FRAME. THEY ADVISED ME TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED AS IT WAS NOT SAFE FOR ME TO DRIVE HOME. I HAVE SINCE NOT BEEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND HAVE IT PARKED IN MY GARAGE. I'M AWARE THAT THIS IS A RECALL BY HONDA IN CANADA WHICH IS A NEIGHBORING BORDER TO MY STATE AND A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH A LOT OF US NORTHERN STATES IN THE U.S. PLEASE ADVISE WHAT CAN BE DONE AS I LOVE THIS VEHICLE BUT IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE ON THE ROAD.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11394486February 3, 2021
SERVICE BRAKES
WE JUST BOUGHT A USED 2008 HONDA ELEMENT AND WE THOUGHT THE BRAKE PEDAL NEEDED TO BE PUSHED TO THE FLOOR BECAUSE OF LOW BRAKE FLUID THAT THE HONDA SERVICE OF BATON ROUGE APPARENTLY DID NOT FILL, BUT IT STILL WAS NOT WORKING. WE BROUGHT IT IN AND OUR MECHANIC PULLED UP A SAFETY RECALL FOR AIR IN THE VSA MODULATOR, WHICH IS EXACTLY WHAT THE BRAKES ARE DOING. THE HONDA DEALERSHIP SAYS THAT THE RECALL HAS ALREADY BEEN DONE IN 2016, SO THERE'S NOTHING THEY CAN DO, EXCEPT GO IN AND CHARGE US TO DO THE SAME PROCESS AGAIN.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11390087January 26, 2021
AIR BAGS, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
ODOMETER ROLLED BACK IN RE-SALE; RESULT OF RETURN DUE TO NATURAL DISASTER. (2000MILES)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Honda Element