Honda Element Complaints (2004)

281 consumer complaints on file.

#10265549April 15, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
MY MOTHER ARRIVED AT MY HOME IN HER ELEMENT TO PICK UP MY CHILDREN. SHE WAS GOING TO DROP OFF SOME ITEMS IN THE HOUSE WHILE MY CHILDREN PROCEEDED TO GET IN THE CAR TO GET IN THEIR CAR SEATS. THE CAR ROLLED BACKWARD INTO THE POND AND THE TWO CHILDREN AGES 3 AND 6 (THANK THE LORD) WERE RESCUED ALIVE WHILE THE CAR QUICKLY SANK. WHEN THE CAR WAS PULLED FROM THE POND IT WAS IN NEUTRAL AND THE KEYS WERE ON THE FLOOR. MY COMPLAINT IS TWOFOLD: MY MOTHER WAS ABLE TO SHUT OFF THE CAR AND REMOVE THE KEYS WITH THE CAR IN NEUTRAL. THE GEAR SHIFT ON THE FLOOR DOES NOT HAVE ANY VISUAL INDICATOR (A RED LINE OR AN ARROW) TO INDICATE THE GEAR THE CAR IS IN. ONCE THE CAR IS SHUT OFF- THE INDICATOR ON THE DASHBOARD WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN LIT. I BELIEVE THAT THE EYE-HAND DISCONNECT BETWEEN THE SHIFTER ON THE FLOOR AND THE INDICATORS ON THE DASH IS A PITFALL FOR USER-ERROR. HAD SHE NOT BEEN ABLE TO REMOVE HER KEYS WITH THE CAR IN NEUTRAL, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN CLEAR TO HER THAT SHE HAD NOT PARKED THE CAR CORRECTLY. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#10259611February 22, 2009
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
MY FIANCE WAS INVOLVED IN A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT THE EVENING OF 2/16/09. HER 2004 HONDA ELEMENT WAS HIT BY A VEHICLE TRAVELING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION, IMPACTING HER VEHICLE AT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE. THE PASSENGER FRONT AIRBAG DEPLOYED, BUT THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG DID NOT. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10259548February 21, 2009
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED WHILE DRIVING UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS, NO IMPACT, ACCIDENT OR VISIBLE SIGN OF DAMAGE THAT WOULD TRIGGER AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10258697February 15, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
LOST POWER ON HIGHWAY DOING 65MPH,FIRST TIME DEALER STATED IT WAS LOW ON OIL,VEHICLE ONLY HAD APP.10000 MILES,SECOND TIME VEHICLE HAS 60000 MILES AND SAME THING WHILE DRIVING,ALL FORUMS TALK ABOUT VTEC OIL PRESSURE SWITCH,THE POWER IS LOST WHEN IT KICKS IN AND IT COULD HAPPEN WITHOUT WARNING EVEN WHILE PASSING A VEHICLE AND THEN YOU HAVE TO PULL OVER TO GET OUT OF THE WAY,THE VEHICLE IS A 2004 HONDA ELEMENT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10255793January 20, 2009
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG EXPLODED SUDDENLY FOR NO REASON WHILE DRIVING ON A FREEWAY. AIRBAG WAS RIPPED & DEFLATED IN THE EXPLOSION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10253128December 29, 2008
TIRES
I KNOW THAT THE CORRECT TIRE SIZE FOR THE HONDA ELEMENT IS 215/70-R16. I DECIDED TO TAKE MY BUSINESS TO SEARS AUTO CENTER, WHERE THEY INSTALLED THE MICHELIN HYDROEDGE 215/65-R16 TIRES. I WAS WONDERING IF THIS SIZE IS SAFE FOR THE PASSENGERS AND FOR VEHICLE PERFORMANCE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10252927December 27, 2008
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
UNPROMPTED AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT ON MY 2004 HONDA ELEMENT. SLAMMED CAR DOOR SHUT WHEN IT WAS PARKED AND OFF. HEARD LOUD POP SOUND. DIDN'T KNOW WHAT IT WAS. WHEN I RESTARTED THE CAR, THE SRS LIGHT WAS ON. OPENED FRONT/REAR DOOR AND SAW THAT THE STITCHING ON THE DRIVER'S SEAT WAS ALL TORN AND THE AIRBAG WAS SEMI-EXPOSED. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, THEY SAID IT WAS MY FAULT. I HAD DONE SOMETHING TO CAUSE THE SRS SENSOR TO BE DEFECTIVE. THEY TOLD ME TO CLAIM IT VIA INSURANCE. I HAVE SINCE INVESTIGATED AND FOUND MANY MANY OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUE-- AND HAVING BEEN TOLD THE SAME EXCUSE. SEEMS TO ME THAT HONDA IS TRYING TO COVER SOMETHING UP. I WILL BE CONTACTING THE PRESS IF NO ONE RESPONDS TO THIS SUBMISSION ASAP. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10250035November 28, 2008
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
I HAVE A 2004 HONDA ELEMENT. I NOTICED FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS EVERY TIME THAT I FILL THE TANK COMPLETELY, I SMELL STRONG GASOLINE FUMES UNTIL I USE ABOUT 4 OR 5 GALLONS. I FAILED A CHATTANOOGA, TN EMISSIONS CHECK. THEY SAID THAT I HAVE A LEAK IN THE FUEL TANK. I NOTICED THE WEB THAT OTHERS HAVE REPORTED LEAKS AT THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK NEAR THE FILLER CAP FOR THE SAME MODEL YEAR. CAN YOU ISSUE A SAFETY RECALL? THE VEHICLE IS GARAGE KEPT. THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE IS RELATIVELY CLEAN, AND CORROSION DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE A FACTOR THAT CAUSED THE LEAK NEAR THE FILLER CAP. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10242193September 15, 2008
SEATS
DRIVER SEAT BEGAN ROCKING BACK AND FORTH. MANY OWNERS ON THE HONDA ELEMENT OWNER'S CLUB WEBSITE REPORT THIS PROBLEM FOR THIS AND OTHER MODEL YEARS. H AND A SELLS HARDWARE KITS TO REPLACE SEAT COMPONENTS, BUT THEY ARE EXPENSIVE AND THIS TYPE OF RECURRING PROBLEM SHOULD NOT FALL ON CONSUMERS' SHOULDERS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10241315September 8, 2008
SEAT BELTS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT'S CHILD WAS RESTRAINED IN A BOOSTER WITH BOTH THE LAP AND SHOULDER BELTS IN PLACE. UPON ATTEMPTING TO REMOVE THE CHILD FROM THE SAFETY SEAT, THE BELT WOULD CONTINUALLY TIGHTEN AROUND HIS STOMACH AREA. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED; HOWEVER, THE CHILD HAD ALREADY BEEN CUT FROM THE SAFETY SEAT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CHILD WAS IN A LOT OF PAIN. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 30,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10237855August 12, 2008
SEATS
THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE 04 HONDA ELEMENT. I HAVE SEARCHED ONLINE AND MANY OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE DRIVERS SEAT ROCKING BACK AND FOURTH. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND HONDA NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10234377July 15, 2008
VISIBILITY, STRUCTURE
WHILE ON THE INTERSTATE COMING FROM MYRTLE BEACH THE WINDSCREEN WAS CRACKED ON THE ELEMENT I PURCHASED ABOUT 3 WEEKS BEFORE THE TRIP. I DID NOT SEE A ROCK HIT , I ASSUMED THAT IS WHAT HAPPENED UNTIL I STARTED READING THE FORUM ON THE ELEMENT OWNERS CLUB ABOUT SIMILAR SITUATIONS THAT HAS HAPPENED TO OTHER ELEMENT OWNERS. THE FIX WAS $330 OUT OF POCKET TO REPLACE THE WINDSCREEN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10226321April 30, 2008
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
WINDSHIELD HAS CRACKED 3 TIMES WHILE DRIVING DOWN TO ROAD. INSURANCE HAS REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10225938April 28, 2008
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
I OWN A 2004 HONDA ELEMENT. A LITTLE OVER A MONTH AGO MY WINDSHIELD CRACKED. THE CRACK STARTED UNDER MY WIPER BLADE AND SPREAD UP VERY QUICKLY. I HAD THE WINDSHIELD REPLACED, NOT KNOWING THAT THIS WAS A KNOWN COMMON PROBLEM ON 03-04 HONDA ELEMENTS. LAST NIGHT I WENT OUT TO MY CAR AND NOTICED ANOTHER CRACK IN MY WINDSHIELD, WITH THE CRACK OCCURRING WHILE THE CAR WAS NOT IN MOTION. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IN TWO MONTHS I HAVE TO REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD, THOUGH THIS TIME I WILL DO IT THROUGH A HONDA DEALER AS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT HAS CAUSED THEM TO COVER ALL WINDSHIELDS UP TO 60,000 MILES ON THE CAR. WHICH LEADS ME TO THE CAUSE FOR MY COMPLAINT. HONDA IS COVERING A KNOWN DESIGN FLAW UP TO 60,000 MILES, BUT NOT AFTER. MY CAR IS CURRENTLY AT 48K MILES, LEAVING ME WITH 12K MILES OF COVERAGE. ONCE I REACH 60K MILES I WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR THE COSTS OUT OF POCKET, AND WITH THE REPLACEMENT BEING $250-300 EACH TIME, THAT IS NOT SOMETHING I CAN AFFORD. NOW I MUST TRADE IN MY CAR, A CAR KNOWN TO HAVE A FAULTY DESIGN BY HONDA, FOR FAR LESS THAN A 05 MODEL WOULD BE WORTH WITH SIMILAR MILEAGE. HONDA PUT A BAND AID ON A GAPING FINANCIAL WOUND FOR A CONSUMER. THEIR SHADY BUSINESS PRACTICE WILL CAUSE ME FURTHER FINANCIAL LOSS, HENCE THE REASON FOR THIS COMPLAINT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10223002April 1, 2008
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
MULTIPLE WINDSHIELD REPLACEMENTS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10218746February 21, 2008
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, EQUIPMENT
ON FEBRUARY 2, 2008, MY HUSBAND AND I WERE DRIVING FROM MILWAUKEE WI TO MADISON WI WHICH IS ABOUT 80 MILES. THERE WAS NO SNOW ON THE ROAD THAT MORNING, ROADS WERE CLEAR. ALL OF A SUDDEN WE HEARD WHAT SOUNDED LIKE A GUN SHOT GO OFF. WE HAD NO IDEA WHAT IT WAS AND MOVED OUT OF TRAFFIC TO THE SHOULDER TO PULL OVER. WE THEN NOTICED THAT THE SIDE AIRBAG THAT IS LOCATED IN THE DRIVERS SEAT DEPLOYED. NOTHING HIT US, WE HIT NOTHING. CALLED SCHLOSSMANS HONDA CITY THAT MONDAY THEY SAID THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS HAPPENING. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT TO BRING THE CAR . THE FIRST THING THEY SAID WAS THAT I MUST HAVE HIT SOMETHING. THEN MADE ANOTHER APPOINTMENT FOR THEM TO LOOK AT IT AND RUN SOME TESTS ON IT. AGAIN NOTHING. THE SENSOR TRIGGERED THE AIRBAG BUT THERE IS NO DAMAGE ANYWHERE ON MY CAR. THIS REPAIR IS GOING TO COST OVER $1200 HONDA REFUSES TO COVER THIS. I HAVE ABOUT 30,000 MILES ON MY 2004 ELEMENT, MY WARRANTY IS EXPIRED. I CONTACTED PRIVATE AUTO INSURANCE, I HAVE A $500 DEDUCTIBLE . I HAVE CONTACTED HONDA CORPORATION IN CALIFORNIA AND STARTED A CLAIM BECAUSE I FEEL NOT ONLY SHOULD THEY COVER THIS REPAIR BUT SHOULD CHECK OUT THE OTHER SENSORS AND AIRBAGS IN MY CAR. WHAT IF I GET THIS ONE FIXED AND IT HAPPENS AGAIN? WE COULD HAVE GOTTEN INTO A SERIOUS ACCIDENT OR WORSE. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ON THE INTERNET, SEEMS THERE ARE SEVERAL PEOPLE THAT HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH HONDA'S AIRBAGS. THEY EITHER DEPLOY WHEN THEY AREN'T SUPPOSE TO OR DON'T DEPLOY IN SERIOUS ACCIDENTS. I BELIEVE THIS IS HONDA'S RESPONSIBILITY TO CHECK ALL AIRBAGS IN CERTAIN MODELS. CURRENTLY MY CAR IS NOT FIXED, I AM STILL WORKING WITH HONDA CITY PETE LOBERG, MGR. WHO IS DOING ALL HE CAN TO ASSIST ME. I TRULY BELIEVE THIS IS SOMETHING THAT REQUIRES YOUR ASSISTANCE TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF PEOPLE IN THEIR CARS WITH THESE AIRBAGS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10217432February 8, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, AIR BAGS, STEERING:COLUMN, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
AIR BAGS AND CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING. AIR BAGS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND BROUGHT TO DEALER. CABLE REEL ASSEMBLY IN STEERING COLUMN WAS BAD. DEALER SAID I HAD TO PAY FOR NEW ASSEMBLY AND LABOR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10215412January 19, 2008
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
2004 HONDA ELEMENT WINDSHIELD CRACKED AT STRESS POINT LOCATED ON DRIVER'S SIDE WHERE INSPECTION STICKERS USUALLY APPEAR. NO PITTING, NO IMPACT POINT FROM FLYING DEBRIS. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE HONDA ELEMENT. HAD DRIVEN THE CAR AN HOUR EARLIER AND NO CRACK. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10211537December 12, 2007
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
WALKED OUT TO VEHICLE IN THE AFTERNOON, NOTICED WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED. CRACK GREW OVER THE NEXT FEW HOURS TO ABOUT 9". STARTED IN LOWER PART OF WINDSHIELD (NEAR VIN MARKER)WENT VERTICAL FOR ABOUT 3" THEN RAN HORIZONTAL FOR 6". *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10203990September 24, 2007
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
CRACKED WINDSHIELD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, BROKEN DRIVER'S SIDE VISOR AND A HORN THAT HAS ONE BROKEN PITCH, LEAVING THE PITCH VERY LOW, ALMOST NOT NOTICEABLE. IT HAS BEEN THAT WAY FOR A YEAR, BUT DID NOT FIND THIS SITE UNTIL NOW. TOO EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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