Honda Element Complaints

1,283 consumer complaints on file.

#10426976September 23, 2011
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 35 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STARTED TO JERK VIOLENTLY FROM SIDE TO SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 48,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10426786September 22, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER WAS MALFUNCTIONING AND DISPLAYED AN INACCURATE READING . THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE IT WAS BEYOND THE STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS FOR A MANUFACTURERS RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10425562September 15, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HONDA ELEMENT. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE CONTACT TURNED THE IGNITION ON AND NOTICED SMOKE AND HEARD A CRACKING SOUND COMING FROM THE MASTER POWER WINDOW SWITCH ON THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. THE SMOKE WAS FOLLOWED BY A SMALL FLAME. THE FIRE EXTINGUISHED ON ITS OWN AND CAUSED THE DOOR PANEL TO MELT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIANS WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FIRE AND STATED THE WIRING HARNESS AND DRIVER SIDE DOOR PANEL HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,962.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10425312September 13, 2011
TIRES
COMPLAINT ON A 2010 HONDA ELEMENT WRANGLER STOCK TIRES, THIS IS A BRAND NEW CAR. AT 11,000 MILES THE TIRES STARTED TO WEAR ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE TIRES, HAD THEM ROTATED AND ALIGNED. AT 22,000 MILES THE WARNING LIGHT FOR THE TIRES CAME ON, BOTH OUTSIDE & INSIDE OF TIRES WERE WEARING BADLY. TOOK THEM TO A DISCOUNT TIRE STORE THEY TOLD ME THE TIRES WERE NOT SAFE TO DRIVE ON. ONE OF THE FRONT TIRES WAS SPLITTING. BOUGHT 4 NEW TIRES THERE. THE HONDA DEALER SAYS NOW THEY CANNOT COMPENSATE ME ON ANY TIRES THAT I HAVE NOT BOUGHT THROUGH THEIR DEALERSHIP. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10425047September 12, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
ON SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2011, UPON STARTING THE IGNITION OF MY 2005 HONDA ELEMENT, I NOTICED SMOKE EMITTING FROM THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. AFTER HEARING SOME CRACKLING NOISES FROM THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH, IT SOON POPPED INTO A SMALL FIRE WHICH WENT OUT ON IT'S OWN, PROCEEDED BY MORE CONTINUOUS SMOKE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10424275September 8, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
IGNITION SWITCH SEIZED LOCKING ALL CONTROLS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10423145September 3, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, STEERING
TUMBLERS IN IGNITION BECOMES MAL ALIGNED, KEY WILL NOT INSERT OR TURN, ENGINE WILL NOT START. THIS IS NOT PART OF THE CURRENT ACTIVE RECALL ON THE IGNITION SYSTEM. I HAVE REPLACED THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER TWICE IN 3 YEARS. IT IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE, ASK ANY ONE WHO DRIVES A 2003 ELEMENT, THEY'VE REPLACED THIS PART TOO. HONDA ONLY WARRANTIES THE PART FOR ONE YEAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10421582August 26, 2011
SEATS
THE PASSENGER HEAD REST FOAM HAS DETERIORATED. YOU CAN NOW FEEL THE METAL FRAME STICKING OUT AGAINST THE BACK OF THE SKULL. IN A COLLISION, INSTEAD OF THE HEADREST PROTECTING THE HEAD AND NECK, IT SEEMS AS THIS DEFECT IN THE HEADREST COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE A FATAL INJURY. *TT
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
#10419648August 16, 2011
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V098000 (SERVICES BRAKES, AIR). AFTER THE REPAIRS, THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BEGAN TO ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND THE ERROR CODES WERE REMOVED FROM THE SYSTEM. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT EXPERIENCING ANY OTHER FAILURES. THE WARNING LIGHTS CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE RECALL REPAIRS WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SUBSEQUENT FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 58,380.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10417862August 7, 2011
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR LOCK STARTED TO "STICK", KEY WOULD NOT UNLOCK DOOR FROM TIME TO TIME, UNTIL IT WOULD NO LONGER UNLOCK AT ALL. I'VE HAD TO OPEN THE LOCK FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE AND CRAWL OVER THE SEATS TO UNLOCK THE VEHICLE. I HAVE VERY LIMITED FUNDS AT THE MOMENT AND CAN'T AFFORD THE REPAIRS, WHICH WERE ESTIMATED AT OVER $300.00 BY A LOCAL SHOP. MY FEAR IS THAT THE PASSENGER LOCK WILL EVENTUALLY FAIL AND I'LL HAVE TO CRAWL IN THROUGH THE BACK AS HAS BEEN REPORTED BY OTHER 2003 HONDA ELEMENT OWNERS. I ONLY HAVE 56,000 ORIGINAL MILES ON MY ELEMENT, THE LOCK STARTED FAILING AT 52,000 MILES. HAS THERE BEEN A RECALL ON THIS THAT I'M UNAWARE OF? *TT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10417208August 5, 2011
SEATS, VISIBILITY, EQUIPMENT
2006 HONDA ELEMENT PROBLEMS: I BOUGHT THIS HONDA BECAUSE OF THE REPUTATION FOR A SOLID CAR WITH VERY LITTLE MAINTENANCE ISSUES. THIS CAR HAS HAD MORE MAINTENANCE ISSUES THAN ANY OTHER I'VE EVER OWNED! *TT 1. DRIVER'S SEAT ROCK. THE SEAT HAS ROCKED LEFT TO RIGHT SINCE ABOUT 30,000 MILES. I DON'T THINK I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY $300 TO FIX A SAFETY ISSUE THAT HONDA OBVIOUSLY KNOWS ABOUT. 2. AT ABOUT 60,000 MILES THE AIR CONDITIONING STOPPED WORKING-THAT WAS A $700+ REPAIR FOR A NEW FAN MOTOR . 3. I HAVE GONE THROUGH ABOUT 5 WINDSHIELDS IN 90,000 MILES. GOOD THING I ALWAYS GET ZERO DEDUCTIBLE GLASS COVERAGE! THE LAST WASN'T EVEN DUE TO A CRACK, BUT BECAUSE IT BECAME SO PITTED IT WAS IMPAIRING VISIBILITY. 4. THIS VEHICLE HAS A HUGE BLIND SPOT IN THE DRIVER'S LEFT CORNER. I HAVE HAD COUNTLESS NEAR MISSES-ESPECIALLY PEDESTRIANS IN PARKING LOTS. THE BLIND SPOT IS LARGE ENOUGH TO BLOCK VISION COMPLETELY. *TT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10416913August 3, 2011
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
2009 HONDA ELEMENT, UNDER 2000 MILES AFTER CERTIFICATION SUFFERED A BRAKE FAILURE WITHOUT WARNING LEADING TO ACCIDENT. *KB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
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
#10413814July 20, 2011
VISIBILITY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 67,000.
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
#10412240July 14, 2011
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS COASTING IN TRAFFIC WHEN HE WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT INTO GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE METAL WHICH HELD THE CLUTCH SPRINGS IN PLACE FRACTURED, JAMMING THE CLUTCH. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000. UPDATED 09/27/11 *BF UPDATED 12/02/11
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

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