Honda Element Complaints

1,283 consumer complaints on file.

#10576146April 1, 2014
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I WAS DRIVING ON A BUSY STREET, QUITE SLOW (ABOUT 20-25 MPH) AND SMOKE STARTED TO BILLOW OUT OF MY DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. THE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE SWITCHES WHICH CONTROL MY WINDOWS. THE SMOKE GOT PROGRESSIVELY WORSE IN A VERY SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME (30 SECONDS - 1 MINUTE). I WAS UNABLE TO OPEN MY WINDOWS TO LET THE BLACK SMOKE OUT. I OPENED MY CAR DOOR WHILE I DROVE INTO THE FIRST PARKING LOT I SAW. AS SOON AS I PARKED, I COULD SEE FLAMES UNDER THE WINDOW SWITCHES, WHICH MELTED THE PLASTIC AND CAUSED THE FLAMES TO GET LARGER. I WAS ABLE TO SMOLDER THE FIRE WITH A JACKET WHILE WAITING FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. A FIRE CLAIM WAS FILED. MY CAR WAS TOWED, SINCE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ADVISED ME NOT TO DRIVE IT. I AM NOW AWAITING WORD FROM THE MECHANIC IT WAS TOWED TO. I WORK FOR A HOME HEALTH CARE AGENCY, AND HAVE TO TRANSPORT SMALL OXYGEN TANKS ON OCCASION. I HAD ONE IN MY CAR AT THE TIME AND THIS ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION COULD HAVE BEEN DEADLY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10575801March 31, 2014
AIR BAGS
I HAD FILED A COMPLAINT ABOUT THIS ISSUE IN 2010. THE SRV LIGHT HAS BEEN ON SINCE 2010. I DID HAVE THE DRIVER SEAT LATCH REPLACED, THE DEALER CLEARED TO CODE AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT WENT OFF FOR TWO DAYS AND THEN RETURNED. THAT IS WHEN I NOTIFIED HONDA AND YOU. I WAS TOLD I WOULD HAVE TO PAY $450.00 TO HAVE THE HARNESS REPLACED. NEEDLESS TO SAY I NO LONGER DO BUSINESS WITH THE DEALER AND I AM NOT SURE IF I WILL EVEN BUY ANOTHER HONDA JUST DUE TO THEIR LACK OF MY INTEREST. IT APPEARS THERE HAS BEEN OTHER COMPLAINTS AND OTHER HONDA VEHICLES RECALLED FOR SIMILAR PROBLEMS. I STILL OWN MY HONDA ELEMENT. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE ABOUT THIS YET. TRUE, THEY ARE NO LONGER MANUFACTURING THIS MODEL, BUT THERE IS STILL A LOT OF THEM DRIVING AROUND. I DID NOT DO ANYTHING TO CAUSE THIS PROBLEM, I DO NOT THINK I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE HARNESS REPLACED. HONDA NOR THE DEALER [XXX] WILLING TO HELP CORRECT IT. I HAVE NOT HAD ANY OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE AND I DO NOT PLAN ON REPLACING IT ANYTIME SOON. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10573824March 20, 2014
SEATS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT BRACKETS BECAME LOOSE AND CAUSED THE SEAT TO ROCK BACK AND FORTH. THE FAILURE WAS PROGRESSIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE BUSHINGS AND THE BRACKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10568541March 11, 2014
AIR BAGS
DRIVING ON GRAVEL ROAD 30 MPH DRIVERS SIDE IMPACT AIRBAG DEPLOYED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. ROAD IN FAIR-TO GOOD CONDITION. NO CONTACT MADE WITH ANY OBJECT. DRIVER WAS STUNNED WITH SURPRISE COULD HAVE BEEN A CATASTROPHIC ACCIDENT. HONDA CHECKED OUT BY DEALER AND HONDA REFUSED TO PAY SAYING NOT A DEFECT IN CAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10565898February 25, 2014
SEATS
DRIVER'S SEAT IS ROCKING BACK AND FORTH. THIS CREATES A DANGEROUS CONDITION DURING DRIVING AS IT MAY AFFECT CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. SAFETY INSPECTOR ALSO SAYS THAT THE SEAT MAY COME LOOSE -- THEREFORE THAT VIRGINIA STATE INSPECTOR FAILED MY VEHICLE DURING ITS ANNUAL SAFETY INSPECTION. ALL OF THESE COMMON COMPLAINTS SHOULD BE SUBJECT OF A RECALL SINCE THE SEAT'S DESIGN WAS FAULTY. THIS IS EVIDENCED BY HONDA'S TSB STATING THAT AN ADDITIONAL SPACER SHOULD BE ADDED TO THE WORN OUT BUSHINGS TO PREVENT FUTURE OCCURRENCE OF THIS INCIDENT. ISN'T THAT EVIDENCE THAT THEIR DESIGN WAS DEFECTIVE FROM THE BEGINNING? NHTSA SHOULD LIKEWISE DO ITS JOB BY FORCING A RECALL OF THESE VEHICLES. WOULD THEY RATHER HAVE A CONSUMER ACCIDENT OCCUR FIRST BEFORE THEY DO THEIR JOB? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10563414February 7, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I WAS DRIVING AND HIT A MEDIUM SIZED POTHOLE. ALL INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATOR NEEDLES FELL OFF OF GAUGES. A BLINDING LIGHT COMES FROM THE VOIDS BEHIND WHERE THE NEEDLES SHOULD BE. I AM UNABLE TO SAFELY DRIVE THE VEHICLE, ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO READ SPEED, TEMPERATURE, FUEL LEVEL AND RPMS. HONDA WILL NOT HONOR REPAIRS UNDER WARRANTY AND THOUGH IT IS A COMMON KNOWN ISSUE, IT HAS NOT BEEN CLASSIFIED AS A SAFETY RECALL. I FEEL THAT VEHICLES WITH THIS ISSUE ARE EXTREMELY UNSAFE AND THAT THEY SHOULD BE RECALLED. THANK YOU. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10563309February 6, 2014
ENGINE, STEERING, SERVICE BRAKES, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THIS ISSUE HAS OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES OVER THE COURSE OF A TWO MONTH TIME FRAME. ON COLD MORNINGS, WITHIN THE FIRST FIVE MINUTES OF DRIVING THE CAR, THE CAR JUST SHUTS OFF, LEAVING ME WITHOUT BRAKES, STEERING, OR ACCELERATION. THIS WOULD REQUIRE ME TO TAKE OUT THE KEY AND RESTART THE ENGINE. NO ERROR CODES ARE BEING GENERATED AND THE AIR/HEAT AS WELL AS RADIO CONTINUES TO WORK. THIS HAS BECOME QUITE A DANGEROUS SITUATION BECAUSE THE OTHER VEHICLES ARE UNAWARE I CANNOT MOVE THE CAR AND THE RANDOMNESS OF WHEN THIS OCCURS. THERE IS NO PATTERN TO IT, ALTHOUGH IT WILL ONLY HAPPEN WITHIN THE FIRST 5 MINUTES OF DRIVING THE CAR AND IT WILL HAPPEN WHEN IN ACCELERATION OR DECELERATION. MY DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO RECREATE THIS ISSUE EVEN AFTER KEEPING IT A COUPLE DAYS. I HOPE THIS ISSUE CAN BE FIGURED OUT, FIXED, AND RECALLED SO THAT I CAN FEEL SAFE AGAIN WHEN DRIVING MY CAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10560649January 20, 2014
AIR BAGS
WHILE TRAVELING AT 65 MPH ON THE FREEWAY, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON. THERE WAS NO IMPACT OR COLLISION OF ANY KIND. THERE WAS NO FRONT PASSENGER AT ALL, ONLY THE DRIVER IN THE VEHICLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10560672January 20, 2014
AIR BAGS, STRUCTURE:BODY, ENGINE
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
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10558721January 6, 2014
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WAS INACCESSIBLE BECAUSE THE DOOR COULD NOT BE LOCKED OR UNLOCKED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HAD TO ENTER THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE CYLINDER LOCK WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,524.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10557130December 23, 2013
AIR BAGS, SEATS
WHILE DRIVING THROUGH PARKING LOT APPROACHING EXIT, THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT AIRBAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT REASON. LOUD BANG, RINGING EARS, AND CRYING KIDS. NO BUMPS, POTHOLES, CURBS OR ACCIDENT. SO FAR EVERYONE FROM HONDA, THE DEALER AND INSURANCE ARE ALL POINTING THE FINGER AT EACH OTHER. AS SEEN ON THIS AND OTHER SITES THIS SEEMS COMMON HOWEVER EVERYONE ACTS LIKE IT'S THE FIRST TIME THEY'VE HEARD OF SUCH A THING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10544374September 19, 2013
SUSPENSION
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10543812September 16, 2013
STRUCTURE:BODY, AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS
I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH VEHICLE IN FRONT SUDDENLY STOPPED I REAR ENDED VEHICLE CAUSING DAMAGE TO FRONT BUMPER, HOOD AND DRIVER SIDE PANEL, THERE WAS NO INJURIES THANK GOD DRIVER AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY ALSO PASSENGER ON REAR SIDE SEAT BELT SNAPPED THIS WAS MY SECOND FENDER BENDER IN THREE YEARS WHERE FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, THIS IS A MAJOR CONCERN BECAUSE MY FAMILY'S SAFETY IS MY PRIORITY AND HONDA SHOULD LOOK INTO THIS SERIOUSLY BEFORE MAJOR INJURIES OR DEATHS OCCURS. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10532575July 30, 2013
AIR BAGS, STEERING
THE SRS LIGHT CAME ON. I'VE DETERMINED THE CAUSE FOR THE LIGHT IS A DEFECTIVE CLOCK-SPRING. THIS IS A SAFETY DEFECT AND SHOULD BE COVERED BY HONDA. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10532129July 27, 2013
STRUCTURE:BODY, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10523283July 5, 2013
SEATS
THE FRONT EDGE OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT ROCKS UP AND DOWN WHEN ACCELERATING AND BRAKING. THIS PAST WEEK A GOLD-COLORED NUT ROLLED OUT FROM UNDER THE SEAT, I LOOKED UNDER THE SEAT AND IT MATCHES THE OTHER'S THAT FASTEN THE SEAT TO THE SLIDE RAILS AND HEIGHT ADJUSTING MECHANISM. THE SEAT NOW HAS A BIT MORE ROCKING MOTION AND THE FRONT RIGHT CORNER DROPS DOWN MORE, ALONG WITH A METALLIC CLUNKING NOISE, WHEN MAKING RIGHT TURNS AND ESPECIALLY IF I'M BRAKING AT THE SAME TIME. THE SEATS "LOOSENESS" DOES AFFECT BOTH BRAKING AND ACCELERATING SO HOPEFULLY THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE NUT AND TIGHTEN ANY OTHER LOOSE NUTS, AT NO CHARGE, WHEN I TAKE IT IN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10513970May 28, 2013
TIRES, TIRES:SIDEWALL
I PURCHASE FOUR YOKOHAMA ASCEND TIRES AT TOWN FAIR TIRE IN SALEM, NH ON 07-10-12 . ON 5/09/13 MY TIRE BLEW I WAS PULLING INTO A GAS STATION AND MY TIRE BRUSHED THE CURB AND IT ACTUALLY SPLIT. I HAD TO CALL ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND HAVE MY CAR TOWED AND PUT A DONUT ON IT. I WENT BACK TO TOWN FAIR TIRE THE NEXT DAY AND BOUGHT ANOTHER TIRE BECAUSE I DID NOT HAVE A WARRANTY. (REASON BEING- THEY WERE 30 DAY RETURNS - SO NO WARRANTY. SO I HAD TO BUY ANOTHER TIRE. TODAY 5/28/13 IT HAPPENED AGAIN, THE TIRE BLEW AND RIPPED OPEN. I ONCE AGAIN CALLED TOWN FAIR TIRE AND THEY SAID BECAUSE I BOUGHT THE TIRE NEW THEY WOULD REPLACE IT FOR FREE. I DON'T TRUST THESE TIRES AND I WOULD LIKE THEM ALL REPLACED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10511617May 13, 2013
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 60 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE THROTTLE BODY WAS CLEANED; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY AND THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,883 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 94,000. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10510718May 5, 2013
AIR BAGS
AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED, RESET AND CHECKED CODES. IT IS TELLING ME THAT THE DRIVERS AIRBAG IS FAULTY. THE CAR WAS NOT INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10509050April 22, 2013
AIR BAGS
2005 HONDA ELEMENT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATING. *SMD THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER, SHE WOULD HAVE TO PAY A $100 DIAGNOSTIC TEST FEE. IN ADDITION TO THAT CHARGE, SHE WAS INFORMED THERE COULD BE AN ADDITIONAL FEE TO FIX THE PROBLEM AFTER DIAGNOSING IT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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