Honda Element Complaints

1,283 consumer complaints on file.

#10274124June 17, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 68,800.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10273980June 16, 2009
SUSPENSION:REAR
THE BUSHING THAT HOLDS THE LEFT REAR AXEL TO THE FRAME OF MY 2005 HONDA ELEMENT FELL APART AND DROPPED THE AXEL CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE TIRE AND WHEEL AXEL AND OTHER PARTS. LOOKING AT THE BUSHING AFTER THE FACT, I CAN SEE WHERE THE TWO 1" STUB BOLTS HAVE WORN THE BUSHING IN A OBLONG HOLE CAUSING THE BUSHING TO FAIL. I DO FEEL THIS IS A DESIGN ISSUE WITH ALL ELEMENTS. PLEASE CHECK INTO THIS, AS I'M ALMOST AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS CAR AS FOR IT HAPPENING AGAIN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10272844June 4, 2009
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
PURCHASED NEW 2008 HONDA ELEMENT ON 23 SEP 2008 DURING FAMILY EMERGENCY VISIT TO OHIO WHILE TRAVELING TO FLORIDA. THE CAR WAS TO BE LICENSED IN FLORIDA WHERE I HAVE A HOME SO A THIRTY DAY TAG WAS ISSUED WITH ARRANGEMENTS FOR ANOTHER THIRTY DAY TAG TO BE SENT TO LOCATION IN ROUTE IF NEEDED. AFTER PICKING UP THE CAR I IMMEDIATELY NOTICED A BRAKE NOISE AND VIBRATION WHEN STOPPING. I WAS TRAVELING TO FLORIDA THE NEXT DAY BUT DID CALL THE SALESMAN, WHO ADVISED ME THAT AS THE CAR HAS BEEN SITTING, THIS WAS NORMAL AND I SHOULD DRIVE THE CAR AND \"BURN IN\" THE BRAKES. I THEN TRAVELED IN THE CAR TO BOSTON TO VISIT FRIENDS AND THEN WORKED MY WAY DOWN THE EAST COAST. I STOPPED AT A HONDA DEALER IN VIRGINIA BEACH, VA WHERE THEY WERE KIND ENOUGH TO MAKE ARRANGEMENTS TO HAVE THE SECOND THIRTY DAY TAG SENT BUT THEY COULD NOT LOOK AT THE CAR FOR A FEW DAYS. MY SCHEDULE WOULD NOT PERMIT A DELAY SO I CONTINUED THE TRAVEL TO FLORIDA. THE CAR WAS PARKED IN A GARAGE IN MY HOME IN FLORIDA DURING DECEMBER 2008 TO FEBRUARY 2009 WHILE I RETURNED TO GERMANY TO TIE UP LOOSE ENDS. I RETURNED TO FLORIDA IN LATE FEBRUARY 2009 AND TOOK THE CAR TO BLOUNT HONDA IN LEESBURG, FL FOR 6000 MILE CHECKUP IN EARLY MARCH. I ASKED THEM TO SPECIFICALLY LOOK AT THE BRAKES. AS I WAS WAITING FOR THE CAR, THE MECHANIC ADVISED ME THAT THEIR WAS ROTOR DISTORTION CAUSED BY THE CAR SITTING, THE ROTORS WOULD HAVE TO BE TURNED, AND IT WAS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. THE CAR DID SIT FOR TWO AND A HALF MONTHS WHILE IN MY POSSESSION BUT I DISMISSED THIS AS THE CAUSE AS THE BRAKE PROBLEM WAS NOTICED THE INSTANT I GOT THE CAR IN SEPTEMBER 2008. IT WOUND UP COSTING ME $160.00 TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I HAVE SINCE FOUND OUT THAT THE CAR WAS RECEIVED BY JAY HONDA DEALER IN JANUARY 2008 AND THEY HAD IN THEIR POSSESSION FOR ALMOST NINE MONTHS. I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH AMERICAN HONDA WHO SAID THAT IT WAS UP TO THE SELLING DEALER TO REIMBURSE ME. NEEDLESS TO SAY, THEY WOULD NOT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10269048May 18, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
MY SON WAS DRIVING OUR 2003 HONDA ELEMENT TO HIS INTERNSHIP AS HE HAS DONE MANY TIMES. AS HE BEGAN UP A HILL AND AROUND A CURVE THAT TURNS SHARPLY TO THE LEFT, HE HEARD A LOUD CRACK. THE CAR VEERED OFF OF THE ROAD SLIGHTLY TO THE RIGHT, LESS THAN AN INCH DROPOFF. WHEN HE TRIED TO STEER THE CAR TO THE LEFT, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT MOVE THE CAR. AS THE CURVE IN THE ROAD BEGAN TO END, THE CAR MOVED QUICKLY TO THE LEFT BUT STILL WOULD NOT RESPOND TO THE STEERING WHEEL. IT RAN OFF THE ROAD TO THE LEFT AND WENT INTO A DITCH ABOUT 18 INCHES DEEP. THEN, APPARENTLY THE RIGHT WHEEL BENT UP UNDER THE CAR. THE WHEEL BROKE IN TWO, AS DID THE ROTOR. THE WHEEL THEN DUG INTO THE PAVEMENT AND CUT A GROOVE INTO THE PAVEMENT ABOUT 8 FEET LONG. APPARENTLY THIS RAPID SLOWING DOWN OF THE RIGHT SIDE, COUPLED WITH THE CONTINUED MOVEMENT OF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE CAR, PROJECTED THE CAR OUT OF THE DITCH AND CAUSED IT TO ROLL OVER TWICE AND LAND ON ITS ROOF. THE AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. MY SON WAS ABLE TO DISENGAGE THE SEATBELT AND LOWER HIMSELF DOWN ONTO THE ROOF AND GET OUT OF THE SHATTERED DRIVER SIDE WINDOW. HE WAS UNINJURED EXCEPT FOR SOME SMALL SHARDS OF GLASS IN HIS RIGHT HAND AND FOREARM. WHEN WE LOOKED AT THE UNDERSIDE OF THE CAR, WE SAW THAT THE RIGHT FRONT AXLE WAS SNAPPED IN TWO AT THE TRANSMISSION. BOTH THE WHEEL AND THE ROTOR WERE BROKEN IN HALF. THE CAR WAS DECLARED "TOTALED." MY CONCERN IS THAT WHATEVER SNAPPED OR CRACKED INITIALLY RENDERED THE CAR UNSTEERABLE. I WOULD LIKE AN INVESTIGATION THAT MIGHT PERHAPS PREVENT SUCH A THING HAPPENING TO ANYONE ELSE. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10268478May 12, 2009
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
PREMATURE RIGHT REAR BRAKE WEAR (OUT BOAD 2.9MM INBOARD TAPERED FROM 6MM)REQUIRING RESURFACING AND NEW PADS AT APPROX 22,500 MILES. LEFT REAR OUT/INBOARD EXPECTED NOMINAL 6MM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10268507May 12, 2009
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
MY CAR RAN OVER AN OBJECT IN THE ROAD, MAKING A LOUD NOISE BUT NOT CAUSING THE CAR TO GO OUT OF CONTROL. WHEN I PULLED OVER TO ASSESS THE SITUATION, I SAW THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SIDE AIRBAG HAD DEPLOYED. NO ONE WAS SITTING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AT THE TIME AND THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO SIDE IMPACT TO THE CAR AT ALL. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE CAR, OTHER THAN THE MALFUNCTIONING DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10268385May 11, 2009
TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT PURCHASED FOUR NEW RIMS AND A TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR MONITOR. LAST FALL, THE TPMS ICON FLASHED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, WHICH INDICATED THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR WAS NOT WORKING. THE DEALER HAD TO ENTER A NEW CODE INTO EACH SET OF TPMS' TO ENABLE THE SYSTEM. FIVE MONTHS LATER, THE DEALER CHANGED THE TIRES. AFTER LEAVING THE DEALER, THE TPMS LIGHT FLASHED AGAIN. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE DEALER IS RIPPING OFF CONSUMERS BY CHARGING $50 TO ENABLE THE CODE TO ACTIVATE THE TPMS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 8,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,500. UPDATED 5/27/09 *CN UPDATED 06/01/09.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10268193May 8, 2009
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA ELEMENT. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PULL INTO A PARKING SPACE AT NO MORE THAN 8 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND IT EXTENDED TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE DROVE OVER A CURB AND INTO A LAWN. SHE HAD TO PUMP THE BRAKES NUMEROUS TIMES BEFORE THE VEHICLE FINALLY CAME TO A STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS AIR IN THE BRAKE LINES. THEY DRAINED AND REPLACED ALL THE FLUID FROM THE BRAKES AND PRESSURIZED THE BRAKE LINES. THE DEALER COULD NOT EXPLAIN WHY THE FAILURE OCCURRED OR IF IT WOULD RECUR. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED BECAUSE THE DEALER HAS DEALT WITH THIS ISSUE IN THE PAST. SHE WAS ADVISED TO CONSTANTLY PUMP THE BRAKES TO PREVENT THE FAILURE FROM RECURRING. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 13,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10266194April 21, 2009
VISIBILITY
10 INCH LONG CRACK APPEARED IN WINDSHIELD FROM RIGHT SIDE. NOTHING HIT THE GLASS AND THERE ARE NO CHIPS. HONDA REFUSES TO REPLACE IT EVEN THOUGH MY WARRANTY BOOK SAYS WINDSHIELD WORKMANSHIP IS COVERED. THEY WANT ME TO REPORT THEIR DEFECT IN MATERIAL TO MY INSURANCE COMPANY AND HAVE MY INSURANCE COMPANY PAY FOR THEIR DEFECTIVE GLASS. I'LL BE CALLING MY LAWYER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#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
#10265327April 14, 2009
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
I ROLLED MY 2005 HONDA ELEMENT (2X DRIVE) ON I-95 AT LEAST FOUR TIMES ACCORDING TO FHP. MY FRONT AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY, ALTHOUGH MY WINDSHIELD WAS CRUSHED IN. AND MY DRIVERS' SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED ONLY PARTIALLY (1/4). I WAS EXTRACTED FROM THE VEHICLE AND LIFE-FLIGHTED TO SHAND'S EMERGENCY ROOM IN JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA. I SUFFERED MULTIPLE CONTUSIONS; INTERNAL BLEEDING AND SEVERELY FRACTURED STERNUM. HAD MY DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED, I PROBABLY WOULD HAVE BEEN SPARED MUCH OF THIS TRAUMA. I HAVE THOROUGHLY DOCUMENTED WITH PICTURES TO SUPPORT MY CLAIM, AND MY INSURANCE ADJUSTER ALSO CONFIRMS THIS. I AM AWAITING THE FLORIDA HIGHWAY PATROL'S REPORT. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10265228April 14, 2009
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
BRAKING SYSTEM PREMATURE WEAR AND SOFT, "MUSHY" BRAKE PEDAL. THIS ISSUE WAS ADDRESSED BY ME WITH 5 HONDA DEALERSHIPS, ALL CLAIMING NO MANUFACTURER RESPONSIBILITY. THEIR STATEMENT: "USER VARIANCES; DRIVER SENSITIVE" DATES, NAMES AND PARTS, AS WELL AS PHOTOGRAPHS, ARE AVAILABLE. SPECIFICS: 2007 HONDA ELEMENT SC. AT 30K MILES, REAR BRAKES NEEDED COMPLETE RE-DO, INCLUDING ROTOR TURN. AT 23K MILES, SAME, TO FRONTS. ON REAR, MARCH, 2009, ON REAR SYSTEM, 1 PAD OF 4 PADS FOUND TO BE SEIZED TO CALIPER HOUSING BY CORROSION; LACK OF LUBRICANT. INTENSIVE COMMUNICATIONS WITH HONDA, TORRANCE CA. INDICATED THEY FEEL NO RESPONSIBILITY. LATER, INVESTIGATIONS INTO SOFT, INEFFECTIVE BRAKE PEDAL FOUND FP# NOT ADMITTED BY HONDA AT ANY TIME; INTER NET INVESTIGATION THROUGH ELEMENT OWNERS FORUM FOUND FP#57110-SCV-A72, AND TSB 07-045. MODULATOR, BRAKES, PART # 9125782. MY CONTENTION: MY FEELING IS THAT THIS MODULATOR, RESPONSIBLE FOR SENDING THE PROPER FLUIDS TO EACH WHEEL CALIPER FOR PROPER BRAKING AND MECHANICAL PERFORMANCE, HAS CAUSED THOUSANDS IF NOT MILLIONS OF BRAKE SYSTEMS TO WEAR UNEVENLY AND PREMATURELY, AND SAME NUMBER OF CUSTOMERS TO PAY FOR THESE REPAIRS THEMSELVES DUE TO A HONDA PART FAILURE IN THE SYSTEM. SAFETY: FURTHER, VEHICLE STABILITY AND ANTI LOCK BRAKE MECHANISMS ARE AFFECTED NEGATIVELY, WHILE HONDA DENIES RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THEIR PART AND MANUFACTURING. NOTE: MY VEHICLE IS TO BE REPAIRED TODAY, APRIL 14, 2009, AT HONDA EXPENSE. I HAVE ALREADY PAID IN EXCESS OF $ 200 FOR REPAIRS ON THE VEHICLES BRAKE SYSTEM; NEGOTIATIONS CONTINUE FOR REIMBURSEMENT TO ME, WITH TOTAL HONDA DENIAL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10263835April 1, 2009
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED WITH FOR NO REASON. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10262239March 18, 2009
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
GOT INTO THE CAR AND SAW A CRACK ON THE FRONT WINDSHIELD THAT IS COMING FROM THE MIDDLE PORTION, UNDER THE MOLDING LEFT TO RIGHT. (IF SITTING IN CAR.) CONTACTED HONDA AND STILL NO RESPONSE. ALWAYS WE WILL CALL YOU BACK. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10259856February 24, 2009
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL, SEAT BELTS
WHILE SITTING BEHIND A CAR WAITING TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN 2006 HONDA ELEMENT WAS STRUCK FROM BEHIND BY A CAR TRAVELING APPROX. 45 MPH. 2006 ELEMENT THEN STRUCK THE CAR IN FRONT OF IT. DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY, NOR DID THE SEAT BELT GRAB, RESULTING IN DRIVER SMASHING FACE AND RIBS AGAINST STEERING WHEEL. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
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
#10258398February 11, 2009
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
THE DRIVER'S SIDE LOCK HAS NOT WORKED WELL FOR SOME TIME, AND NOW IT DOESN'T WORK AT ALL. THE KEY WON'T GO ALL THE WAY INTO THE LOCK. THE PASSENGER SIDE LOCK HAS THE SAME PROBLEM OFTEN, BUT NOT EVERY TIME. AS A RESULT, I CAN'T LOCK MY DOORS, BECAUSE I MAY NOT BE ABLE TO GET THEM OPEN. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD, BECAUSE I LEAVE MY CAR IN A PARKING GARAGE ALL DAY, AND I DON'T FEEL SAFE GETTING INTO AN UNLOCKED CAR EVERY NIGHT OR HAVING TO STRUGGLE TO GET INTO A PERMANENTLY LOCKED CAR. THERE ARE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE ALL OVER THE INTERNET. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10257807February 7, 2009
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I HAVE A 2008 HONDA ELEMENT WITH BRAKE PROBLEMS. I TOOK THE CAR TO ONE DEALER IN SOUTH HILL VIRGINIA WHO TOLD ME NOT TO DRIVE THE CAR BECAUSE IT WAS TOO DANGEROUS AND NEEDED A NEW MASTER CYLINDER. SOMEONE ELSE PICKED THE CAR UP FOR ME AFTER THEY SAID IT WAS FIXED. I DROVE THE CAR AND THOUGHT THEY WERE STILL "SOFT", SO A COUPLE OF WEEKS LATER I TOOK THE CAR TO A DEALER IN DANVILLE VIRGINIA AND ASKED THAT THEY TEST DRIVE THE CAR. THEY SAID , YOU BETTER NOT DRIVE THIS CAR , IT IS DANGEROUS, AND ORDERED ANOTHER MASTER CYLINDER. I POCKET THE CAR UP TODAY AND GUESS WHAT? THE BRAKES ARE THE SAME. WHAT DO I DO? THIS CAR IS DANGEROUS. THE BRAKES DO NOT REACT AS SOON AS APPLIED AND THEY LOOSE PRESSURE UNDER FOOT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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