Honda Element Complaints (2003)

424 consumer complaints on file.

#11518170April 20, 2023
AIR BAGS, STRUCTURE:BODY, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
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.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11491285October 28, 2022
SUSPENSION
My 2003 has severe rust around undercarriage mainly in the rear. The rear frame is corroded causing my drivers side trailing arm to come loose while driving on the highway. I almost lost control as the rear started to fishtail. Luckily I had no vehicles next to me which would have caused a major accident. I've done research and they do have the recall in Canada but not here in the USA. Honda should immediately have that recall before someone gets seriously hurt or even worse!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11489730October 18, 2022
SUSPENSION, STRUCTURE:BODY, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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. Honda is aware of this issue in Canada but has done nothing to address it here in the United States. The vehicle is available for inspection for now. I can't have a vehicle sitting in my driveway that's inoperable due to city codes. The safety of the driver, passengers, pedestrians walking and other vehicles on the road are in danger. This is a very top heavy vehicle that could easily flip and roll over causing seriously injury even death. I had the vehicle towed from where it broke, the tow truck driver is a mechanic who looked at it. He said what broke. I had another mechanic stop and look because he is a welder and said it can't be repaired at this point. There were no warning lights or signs of this happening. Unless you live in Canada where they sent owners a recall in the mail as long as they live in areas that have high salt usage on their roads.......not sure why that just pertains to Canada because, Michigan, New York, Vermont, new hampshire, Maine all get bad winters where salt is used. A vehicle should not disintegrate and fall apart like the hondas are. They are a danger on the road right now. This is the recall for this exact same problem in Canada https://wwwapps.tc.gc.ca/Saf-Sec-Sur/7/VRDB-BDRV/search-recherche/detail.aspx?lang=eng&mk=1954!4785!35936!42257!39379&mkName=HONDA&md=ELEMENT&fy=2003&ty=2003&ft=&ls=0&sy=0&syName=All%20Systems&all=0&rn=2021024&cf=SearchResult&pg=0
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11482725September 3, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
This car was recalled in the past for a faulty ignition switch. I had the recall done, then paid for one from the dealer a second time as it happened again, and now I am having the issue a third.time. I believe the replacements are also faulty.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11454584February 28, 2022
SUSPENSION
Rear trailing arm mounts rusted out and the arms dropped out from under the car I had almost 3 thousand dollars worth of repair done to it this summer And I really don’t feel the car is safe It has 92k on it and it hasn’t been driven on the road in years since this happened I finally found someone who would even attempt to fix it Why are the cars being replaced and repaired in Canada but not here??
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
#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
#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
#11349432August 20, 2020
AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
2003 HONDA ELEMENT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG AND IGNITION SWITCH SAFETY RECALL. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS IMPROPERLY REPAIRED DURING THE RECALL REPAIR PROCESS. *JS THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT, DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE.*JS *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11216980May 30, 2019
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
GOING ALONG HIGHWAY I90 AT 65MPH AND I DECIDED TO ENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL SETTING ON MY 2003 HONDA ELEMENT . WHEN TRAFFIC BECAME TOO CONGESTED I DECIDED TO SHUT OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL , ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT NOW I COULDN'T ACCELERATE. IT SEEMS THIS ISSUE HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH A FAULTY THROTTLE CABLE . EITHER WAY THIS NEEDS TO BE FIXED IMMEDIATELY .
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11206710May 10, 2019
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
2003 HONDA ELEMENT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO HONDA SAFETY RECALL CONCERNING IGNITION INTERLOCK SYSTEM FAILURE. *AS THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED THE RECALL. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE COST OF REPAIRS.*JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11173203January 31, 2019
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
DRIVERS SIDE DOOR KEY CEASED TO WORK AS STATED NUMEROUS TIMES BY OTHERS. ONLY WAY TO GET IN AND LOCK THE DOOR IS FROM PASSENGER SIDE...PLACING DRIVER IN UNSAFE AND VUNERABLE POSITION. ALSO WHEN DRIVING SLOWLY APPROX 10 MPH CAR HAS FREQUENTLY IRRACTICALLY ACCELERATED OF ITS OWN ACCORD. HAVE TO STAND ON THE BRAKES TO GET CAR TO STOP. WITH THE CAR AT A STOP, AND IN DRIVE IT WILL SELF ACCELERATE...VERY DANGEROUS!!! AS OTHERS HAVE NOTED THERE IS A SERIOUS ELECTRICAL SHORT?? AS DASH LIGHTS ARE DULL THEN AND HAVE TO HIT DASH TO GET THEM TO LIGHT UP. HEADLIGHTS ARE CONSTANTLY SURGING FROM LIMITED LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO NORMAL.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#11162045December 17, 2018
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA ELEMENT. UPON PLACING THE GEAR SELECTOR IN PARK AND BRIEFLY EXITING THE VEHICLE, THE GEAR INDEPENDENTLY SHIFTED FROM PARK AND ROLLED INTO REVERSE. THE CONTACT WAS ALMOST RUN OVER. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TREE. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT WAS SHAKEN BY THE EXPERIENCE AND RECEIVED MEDICAL TREATMENT. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INDICATED THAT THEY WOULD ESCALATE THE MATTER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 158,425.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11113892July 26, 2018
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DEFECTIVE DASH GAUGE CONTROLS KEEP THE CAR FROM STARTING. IT'S A KNOWN DEFECT AND HONDA KNOWS IT ALSO
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11096846May 19, 2018
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL: I SOLD THIS VEHICLE (2003 HONDA ELEMENT) IN EARLY 2011. WHEN THE AIRBAGS WERE RECALLED, I BEGAN RECEIVING NOTICES FORM HONDA ABOUT THE RECALL. I HAVE RETURNED THE MAILINGS AND ALSO CALLED THE 800 NUMBER (AT LEAST 4 TIMES IN TOTAL), EACH TIME LETTING THEM KNOW THAT I NO LONGER OWN THE VEHICLE. I CONTINUE TO RECEIVE RECALL NOTICES, DESPITE NOTIFYING THEM THAT I AM NOT THE OWNER. THIS WOULD POINT TO THE FACT THAT THE ACTUAL OWNER OF THE CAR IS NOT RECEIVING NOTICES. IF HONDA IS NOT ACCURATELY UPDATING THEIR DATABASE, OWNERS AT RISK FROM THIS RECALL MAY BE OBLIVIOUS TO IT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11090855April 29, 2018
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE LOCK ON THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR DOES NOT WORK WITH THE KEY. THIS IS A 2003 AND A REMOTE LOCKING DEVICE WAS NOT OFFERED BY THE MANUFACTURER ACCORDING TO THE LOCAL DEALER. THIS PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE SINCE WE OWN THIS VEHICLE DATING BACK TO 10/2015. THE ABILITY TO RELIABLY LOCK AND UNLOCK YOUR VEHICLE IS A FUNDAMENTAL COMPONENT TO AUTOMOTIVE SAFETY
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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