Honda Element Complaints (2004)

281 consumer complaints on file.

#10466405July 18, 2012
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN SEVERAL TIMES TO THE DEALER WHO RAN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST BUT WAS UNABLE TO REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 144,000. UPDATED 08/01/12 *BF UPDATED 08/02/2012 *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10466418July 18, 2012
AIR BAGS
AN OCCUPANT POSITION DETECTION SYSTEM INDICATOR LIGHT WAS ON MOST TIME. FIRST TIME IT TURNED ON WAS AUG 2005, THEN I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO A DEALER, THEY TURNED IT OFF. AFTER THAT, IT'S AGAIN AND AGAIN, AND AGAIN, UNTIL THE LAST TIME THAT WAS JUNE 2009, THEY TURN IT OFF AGAIN, AND A SERVICE ADVISER SAID MAY BE A SENSOR OR CONTROL UNIT DEFECTIVE. BUT THEY DID NOT TAKEN CARE OF IT. SO, WHAT SHOULD I DO WITH THIS PROBLEM? PLEASE, GIVE ME AN ADVICE. THANK YOU SO MUCH. [XXX] 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
#10461412June 13, 2012
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
MY WIFE WAS COMING TO A STOP AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THE ENGINE SUDDENLY STARTED ACCELERATING AND SHE PRESSED THE BRAKES TO TRY TO STOP IT. SHE EVENTUALLY PUT IT IN PARK TO STOP THE CAR, BUT THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO GO TO MAXIMUM RPM. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE HONDA DEALER WHERE IT WAS STILL EXHIBITING THE PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10453069March 23, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
2004 HONDA ELEMENT. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE IGNITION *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER, BECAUSE THE IGNITION WAS FROZEN AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED. HE WAS ABLE TO INSERT AND REMOVE THE KEY, BUT IT DID NOT FUNCTION. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BY ANOTHER ELEMENT OWNER, A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED FOR THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER, HONDA INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE RECALL HAD ALREADY BEEN PERFORMED ON FEB 1, 2011. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10442250January 3, 2012
SEAT BELTS, SEATS, AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO A PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN THE CONTACT AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO BE INJURED. A PASSENGER WAS ALSO REPORTED INJURED. IN ADDITION, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND WAS NOT INSPECTED TO FOR THE SEAT BELT AND AIR BAG FAILURES. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 108,000. UPDATED 03/05/12*LJ THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE SEAT WENT FROM AN UPRIGHT POSITION TO A RECLINING POSITION. UPDATED 03/07/12
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#10435517November 14, 2011
AIR BAGS
THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT A COLLISION. DRIVER WAS MAKING A SLOW U-TURN EXIT FROM A PARKED LOCATION AND ACCIDENTALLY DROVE ONE TIRE OVER A CURB. THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WHEN THE TIRE ROLLED OFF THE CURB. DEALER SERVICE PERSONNEL INITIALLY CONFIRMED A NO-IMPACT DEPLOYMENT, THEN CHANGED DIAGNOSIS AFTER BEING CONTACTED BY HONDA AMERICA. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10432179October 20, 2011
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE SHIFTED FROM DRIVE TO PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT CABLE AND BUSHINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 154,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 156,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10420783August 19, 2011
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
I WAS DRIVING MY 2004 HONDA ELEMENT ON A GRAVEL ROAD, WHICH I DO MOST DAYS AS I LIVE ON THIS ROAD, AND THE SIDE AIRBAG ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON, CAUSING ME BODILY HARM WITH SCRATCHING AND BRUISING TO MY LEFT UPPER ARM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10420046August 18, 2011
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH IN WHICH THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED AND WAS KNOCKED UNCONSCIOUS DURING THE CRASH. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE BOTH CONTACTED IN REGARDS TO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 123,000. UPDATED 11/01/11. *JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10415465July 28, 2011
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
I WAS DRIVING MY 2004 HONDA ELEMENT TO WORK ON THE MORNING OF MAY 27, 2011 WHEN THE (DRIVERS SIDE) SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THERE WAS NO COLLISION OR KNOWN REASON FOR IT TO DEPLOY. IT STARTLED ME BADLY, NEARLY CAUSING ME TO GO OFF THE ROAD. AT FIRST, I THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE A GUN SHOT. I STOPPED THE VEHICLE, GOT OUT AND CHECKED FOR DAMAGE, HOLES. I ONLY NOTICED THE BAG HANGING FROM THE SIDE OF THE SEAT WHEN I WENT TO ENTER THE VEHICLE AGAIN. I HAD NO IDEA WHAT HAD HAPPENED UNTIL I SAW THAT BAG. MY LEFT UPPER ARM FELT AS IF I HAD BEEN PUNCHED HARD. NETHER MY INSURANCE COMPANY(SAFETY) NOR AMERICAN HONDA WILL COVER THE DAMAGE WHICH WAS ESTIMATED AT A BIT OVER $1500. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO MY HONDA DEALER. THEY COULD FIND NO "CODES" OR OTHER REASON FOR THE BAG DEPLOY. MY INSURANCE COMPANY REPRESENTATIVE STATED IT COULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED AS I REPORTED AND INFERRED I MIGHT BE TRYING TO DEFRAUD THE COMPANY. ALL IN ALL, THIS WAS A VERY BAD EXPERIENCE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10415226July 26, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, HE NOTICED THE IGNITION KEY WAS LOOSE WHILE POSITIONED IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE IDENTICAL FAILURE RECURRED THREE YEARS LATER. THERE WAS A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH THE FAILURE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V364000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: IGNITION). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR THE RECALL REMEDY REPAIR; HOWEVER THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE IGNITION KEY WOULD NOT TURN INTO ANY DIRECTION AND AN ADDITIONAL REPAIR WOULD NEED TO BE PERFORMED IN COMBINATION WITH THE RECALL REMEDY. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL IN THE POSSESSION OF THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10413615July 19, 2011
SEATS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVERS SEAT WOULD ROCK BACK AND FORTH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS UNABLE TO ASSIST THE CONTACT AND THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 133,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10410596July 5, 2011
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA ELEMENT. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE AIR BAGS SPONTANEOUSLY DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES AS A RESULT BUT WAS NOT HOSPITALIZED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE TO THE CONTACT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10403912May 31, 2011
SEATS
I AM THE ORIGINAL/ONLY OWNER OF A 2004 HONDA ELEMENT. UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS, DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT HAS BECOME VERY LOOSE ON SEAT TRACK AND NOW "ROCKS" ON ITS TRACK. SEAT IS SO LOOSE THAT CONTROL OF VEHICLE IS COMPROMISED WHEN DRIVING. HONDA SERVICE INSPECTION INDICATES SEAT BUSHINGS HAVE FAILED AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. CHECK ONLINE SHOWS PROBLEM IS WIDESPREAD FOR THIS MODEL AND YEAR. INDICATIONS ARE THAT EVEN FOLLOWING REPAIRS, SEAT WILL BECOME LOOSE AGAIN, POINTING TO SAFETY DESIGN FLAW. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS APPROXIMATELY 50,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 35,000. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10399511May 9, 2011
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
PASSENGERS SEAT, SIDE AIRBAG, DEPLOYED WHILE TRAVELING LESS THAN 10 MPH. I WAS TURNING INTO MY DRIVEWAY AND GETTING READY TO PARK. VEHICLE WAS NOT INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, DID NOT HIT A POT HOLE, ETC. HONDA STATES THAT THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND WILL NOT REPAIR. COST OF REPAIR ESTIMATED AT OVER $2400. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10397003April 21, 2011
AIR BAGS
WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 10 MPH TURNING INTO MY DRIVEWAY, MY PASSENGERS SEAT, SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THERE WAS NO IMPACT, POT HOLE, ETC. TO CAUSE DEPLOYMENT. HONDA OF AMERICA SAYS THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED AND THEY WILL NOT PAY TO REPAIR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10393014March 27, 2011
SEATS
MY 2004 HONDA ELEMENT HAS A FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT THAT ROCKS FRONT TO BACK. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10392601March 23, 2011
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
MY HONDA ELEMENT HAS HAD TWO WINDSHIELDS REPLACED AND NOW A CRACK AGAIN AT THE BASE MOVING UP. STRESS CRACKS NOT FOREIGN MATERIAL HITTING THE CAR. I SIMPLY CANNOT AFFORD A 500 DEDUCTIBLE TO GET ANOTHER WINDSHIELD..... *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10392224March 19, 2011
SUSPENSION:FRONT, STEERING
I TOOK MY HONDA ELEMENT TO THE DEALER COMPLAINING OF A VIBRATION IN THE RIGHT FRONT OF THE CAR. I WAS TOLD THAT MY COMPLIANCE BUSHINGS NEEDED REPLACED BUT AXLES WERE FINE. I PICKED UP MY CAR ONLY TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. UPON FURTHER EXAMINATION, THE MECHANIC CAME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT THE RIGHT AXLE WAS BAD. I HAD THAT REPLACED STILL HAVE A VIBRATION. I HAVE NOW BEEN TOLD TO REPLACE THE LEFT AXLE. I CAME UPON AN INTERESTING THREAD ON A FORUM STATING THAT HONDA HELD EDUCATION MEETINGS ABOUT THE FRAME CAUSING THE AXLES TO WEAR INCORRECTLY. INNER JOINT BEARINGS ROLLING OUT OF JOINT, ABNORMAL WEAR. NOT OUTSIDE OF THE SURFACE OF THE BEARINGS BUT ACTUAL INSIDE BEARINGS OCTAGONED. MY VEHICLE HAS ONLY 68, 000 MILES ON IT AND I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY A HONDA SERVICE MANAGER THAT IT IS EXTREMELY RARE FOR ONE AXLE TO GO BAD AND UNHEARD OF FOR 2 TO GO BAD. I AM WONDERING IF ANYTHING CAN BE DONE IF HONDA IS COVERING UP A FAULTY AXLE PROBLEM AND POSSIBLY FAULTY DESIGN OF THE VEHICLE BEING THAT THE FRAME IS TOO HEAVY FOR THE COMPONENTS. I HAVE ALSO BEEN TOLD THAT MY REAR STRUTS AS WELL AS REAR COMPLIANCE BUSHINGS WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED AS WELL BUT ARE NOT BAD ENOUGH YET. I ALSO HAVE A DRIVER'S SEAT THAT ROCKS BACK AND FORTH AND HONDA CLAIMS TO KNOW NOTHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AS WELL. THIS IS ALSO MY 4TH SET OF TIRES ON THIS CAR. IT LITERALLY EATS THE TIRES UNTIL THEY ARE BALD. I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON WITH THESE PROBLEMS AS THEY ARE ON FORUMS ON THE INTERNET. CAN ANYTHING BE DONE ABOUT THIS? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10380121February 3, 2011
SEATS
UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS, DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT HAS BECOME VERY LOOSE ON SEAT TRACK AND NOW "ROCKS" ON ITS TRACK. SEAT IS SO LOOSE THAT CONTROL OF VEHICLE IS COMPROMISED WHEN DRIVING. HONDA SERVICE INSPECTION INDICATES SEAT BUSHINGS HAVE FAILED AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. CHECK ONLINE SHOWS PROBLEM IS WIDESPREAD FOR THIS MODEL AND YEAR. INDICATIONS ARE THAT EVEN FOLLOWING REPAIRS, SEAT WILL BECOME LOOSE AGAIN, POINTING TO SAFETY DESIGN FLAW. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Honda Element