Honda Element Complaints

1,283 consumer complaints on file.

#10234377July 15, 2008
VISIBILITY, STRUCTURE
WHILE ON THE INTERSTATE COMING FROM MYRTLE BEACH THE WINDSCREEN WAS CRACKED ON THE ELEMENT I PURCHASED ABOUT 3 WEEKS BEFORE THE TRIP. I DID NOT SEE A ROCK HIT , I ASSUMED THAT IS WHAT HAPPENED UNTIL I STARTED READING THE FORUM ON THE ELEMENT OWNERS CLUB ABOUT SIMILAR SITUATIONS THAT HAS HAPPENED TO OTHER ELEMENT OWNERS. THE FIX WAS $330 OUT OF POCKET TO REPLACE THE WINDSCREEN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10230769June 11, 2008
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG IN 2005 HONDA ELEMENT DEPLOYED WHILE DRIVING ON DRIVEWAY. NO ACCIDENT, NOTHING HIT, NO TRAVELING THROUGH WATER, JUST DEPLOYED WITHOUT CAUSE AND THE DEALER WANTS $2100 TO REPAIR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10230099June 6, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
2005 HONDA ELEMENT BEGAN RUNNING WARMER THAN NORMAL. CAR HAS APPROXIMATELY 53K MILES. INTERNET RESEARCH FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS AND INDICATION THAT FAULTY COOLANT WAS USED BY HONDA AT THE FACTORY. PROBLEMS INCLUDE OVERHEATING, POOR HEAT IN WINTER. INDICATED SOLUTIONS RANGE FROM COOLING SYSTEM FLUSH UP TO REPLACING THE RADIATOR, HEATER CORE, AND ENGINE. HONDA ADMITS NO FAULT. PROBLEMS/REPAIRS STILL BE EVALUATED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10227145May 9, 2008
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED AFTER MINOR NON-DAMAGING BOTTOM IMPACT. THE CAR WAS DRIVEN OVER A PILE OF ASPHALT AT A VERY LOW RATE OF SPEED (>5MPH) AND WHEN IT CAME DOWN IT BOTTOMED OUT ON THE PILE. THE SIDE (PASSENGER SEAT) AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THERE IS NO EXTERNAL BODY DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE OTHER THAN SOME SHALLOW SCRATCHES ON THE BOTTOM FRAME AT THE POINT OF IMPACT. I DON'T DENY IMPACT, BUT COMPLAIN THAT A $1000 REPAIR AND THE POTENTIAL FOR PASSENGER INJURY (NO ONE IN SEAT AT TIME) RESULTED FROM A NON-DAMAGING, NON-SEVERE, NON-INJURY THREATENING BOTTOM IMPACT. AN AIRBAG SHOULD NOT DEPLOY WITH SUCH MINOR IMPACT. MY BAG SYSTEM IS NOW INOPERATIVE AND MY SIDE BAG IS BLOWN OUT OF THE PASSENGER SEAT BACK. AIRBAGS ARE THERE TO PROTECT FLESH FROM CRUSHING METAL AND SHATTERING GLASS. WHY DID A BAG GO OFF WHEN NO PROTECTION WAS NECESSARY? THE ONLY PROTECTION NEEDED AT THAT TIME WAS PROTECTION FROM A NEEDLESSLY EXPLODING AIR BAG! NOW MY ENTIRE SYSTEM IS INOPERABLE IN THE EVENT IT IS NEEDED FOR A VALID IMPACT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10226321April 30, 2008
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
WINDSHIELD HAS CRACKED 3 TIMES WHILE DRIVING DOWN TO ROAD. INSURANCE HAS REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10225865April 28, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HONDA ELEMENT. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT HER HORN WAS NO LONGER WORKING. SHE HAS SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,050. UPDATED 6/2/08 *CN THE DEALER TOLD THE CONSUMER THE HORN WAS NOT WORKING BECAUSE OF A MINOR FENDER BENDER SHE HAD 2 MONTHS PRIOR. UPDATED 06/02/08
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10225938April 28, 2008
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
I OWN A 2004 HONDA ELEMENT. A LITTLE OVER A MONTH AGO MY WINDSHIELD CRACKED. THE CRACK STARTED UNDER MY WIPER BLADE AND SPREAD UP VERY QUICKLY. I HAD THE WINDSHIELD REPLACED, NOT KNOWING THAT THIS WAS A KNOWN COMMON PROBLEM ON 03-04 HONDA ELEMENTS. LAST NIGHT I WENT OUT TO MY CAR AND NOTICED ANOTHER CRACK IN MY WINDSHIELD, WITH THE CRACK OCCURRING WHILE THE CAR WAS NOT IN MOTION. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IN TWO MONTHS I HAVE TO REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD, THOUGH THIS TIME I WILL DO IT THROUGH A HONDA DEALER AS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT HAS CAUSED THEM TO COVER ALL WINDSHIELDS UP TO 60,000 MILES ON THE CAR. WHICH LEADS ME TO THE CAUSE FOR MY COMPLAINT. HONDA IS COVERING A KNOWN DESIGN FLAW UP TO 60,000 MILES, BUT NOT AFTER. MY CAR IS CURRENTLY AT 48K MILES, LEAVING ME WITH 12K MILES OF COVERAGE. ONCE I REACH 60K MILES I WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR THE COSTS OUT OF POCKET, AND WITH THE REPLACEMENT BEING $250-300 EACH TIME, THAT IS NOT SOMETHING I CAN AFFORD. NOW I MUST TRADE IN MY CAR, A CAR KNOWN TO HAVE A FAULTY DESIGN BY HONDA, FOR FAR LESS THAN A 05 MODEL WOULD BE WORTH WITH SIMILAR MILEAGE. HONDA PUT A BAND AID ON A GAPING FINANCIAL WOUND FOR A CONSUMER. THEIR SHADY BUSINESS PRACTICE WILL CAUSE ME FURTHER FINANCIAL LOSS, HENCE THE REASON FOR THIS COMPLAINT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10223276April 3, 2008
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
DRIVING DOWN SMOOTH ROAD AND DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON .... DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND REFUSED TO FIX. CAR UNDER WARRANTY. CAR IS A 2003 HONDA ELEMENT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10223002April 1, 2008
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
MULTIPLE WINDSHIELD REPLACEMENTS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10220222March 6, 2008
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
SPONTANEOUS WINDSHIELD CRACK ON 2007 HONDA ELEMENT. LOWER PASSENGER SIDE CRACK OCCURRED WHILE I WAS SITTING IN CAR; NO IMPACT EVENT, ONLY DEFROSTER IN COLD WEATHER. DEALER EXAMINED AND CLAIMS 'STONE PIT' AND REFUSED TO COVER ON WARRANTY, BUT THERE IS NO VISIBLE PIT NOR ANYTHING THAT CAN BE FELT WITH FINGER. 19,100K MILES. CLASSIC CRACK STORY TYPICAL OF MANY OTHER HONDA ELEMENTS, AND CLASSIC 'STONEWALL TREATMENT' BY HONDA DEALER AS REPORTED BY OTHER HONDA ELEMENT OWNERS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10220113March 5, 2008
TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS
THE TPMS LIGHT ON MY 2008 HONDA ELEMENT EX WILL NOT TURN OFF. IT HAS BEEN THIS WAY SINCE NOVEMBER OF 2007. AFTER FIVE VISITS, THE HONDA DEALER CONCLUDED THAT IT WAS THE TIRES AND NOTHING TO DO WITH THEIR TPMS. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 2,000 MILES ON IT. AT 500 MILES I REPLACED THE ORIGINAL TIRES WITH BRIDGESTONE DUELER ALENZA'S OF THE SAME SIZE. IT IS THESE TIRES THAT HONDA IS SAYING IS THE PROBLEM. MY RESPONSE IS THE TPMS SHOULD WORK WITH ALL SAME SIZE TIRES! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10220054March 4, 2008
SEATS
FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT IS LOOSE AND IT ROCKS. DEALER FIXED IT ONCE UNDER WARRANTY AND NOW WANTS $ 130 TO FIX THE PROBLEM. NO INJURY YET, BUT WHY WANT UNTIL ONE OCCURS. THERE IS A WEBSITE OF OTHER HONDA OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. YOU DO NOT LIST THE HONDA ELEMENT IN YOUR COMPLAINT SYSTEM FOR 2003. SHAME ON YOU. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10220065March 4, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I PURCHASED A 2003 HONDA ELEMENT IN JUNE 2003 OF WHICH HAD MANY MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS/FAILURES. THE MOST SIGNIFICANT OF THESE FAILURES PROVED TO BE WITH THE DRIVE TRAIN MECHANISM SPECIFICALLY CV BOOTS AND STEERING FUNCTION. LOUD NOISES DEVELOPED WHEN TURNING WHICH GREW LOUDER OVER TIME AS WELL AS A "GRINDING" SOUND AND VIBRATION FROM UNDERNEATH APPROX. AT MID-ALE LOCATION. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP OUT OF REVERSE WHILE MOVING INTO NEUTRAL AT WILL. THESE ISSUES CULMINATED IN MY STEERING CEASING TO OPERATE AS THOUGH "FROZEN" WHILE I WAS MAKING A SLOW LEFT HAND TURN CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO A TREE ALONG SIDE OF A MAJOR STREET AND INTERSECTION. THE DRIVERSIDE AIR-BAG DID DEPLOY AND THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY IN-OPERABLE AND HAD TO BE FLAT BED TOWED DUE TO THE SEVERITY OF FRONT-END DAMAGE. I COMPLETED AND MAINTAINED ALL SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE STOP REQUIREMENTS AND YET SUFFERED CATASTROPHIC DRIVE TRAIN FAILURE AT ONLY 82,000 MILES. MY RESEARCH ON THIS MAKE/MODEL FAILURES PROVED TO BE NUMEROUS IN NUMBER AS REPORTED ON VERIFIABLE/REPUTABLE WEBSITES. ONE OF WHICH WAS HONDA'S OWN - TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN'S SITE! *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10218746February 21, 2008
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, EQUIPMENT
ON FEBRUARY 2, 2008, MY HUSBAND AND I WERE DRIVING FROM MILWAUKEE WI TO MADISON WI WHICH IS ABOUT 80 MILES. THERE WAS NO SNOW ON THE ROAD THAT MORNING, ROADS WERE CLEAR. ALL OF A SUDDEN WE HEARD WHAT SOUNDED LIKE A GUN SHOT GO OFF. WE HAD NO IDEA WHAT IT WAS AND MOVED OUT OF TRAFFIC TO THE SHOULDER TO PULL OVER. WE THEN NOTICED THAT THE SIDE AIRBAG THAT IS LOCATED IN THE DRIVERS SEAT DEPLOYED. NOTHING HIT US, WE HIT NOTHING. CALLED SCHLOSSMANS HONDA CITY THAT MONDAY THEY SAID THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS HAPPENING. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT TO BRING THE CAR . THE FIRST THING THEY SAID WAS THAT I MUST HAVE HIT SOMETHING. THEN MADE ANOTHER APPOINTMENT FOR THEM TO LOOK AT IT AND RUN SOME TESTS ON IT. AGAIN NOTHING. THE SENSOR TRIGGERED THE AIRBAG BUT THERE IS NO DAMAGE ANYWHERE ON MY CAR. THIS REPAIR IS GOING TO COST OVER $1200 HONDA REFUSES TO COVER THIS. I HAVE ABOUT 30,000 MILES ON MY 2004 ELEMENT, MY WARRANTY IS EXPIRED. I CONTACTED PRIVATE AUTO INSURANCE, I HAVE A $500 DEDUCTIBLE . I HAVE CONTACTED HONDA CORPORATION IN CALIFORNIA AND STARTED A CLAIM BECAUSE I FEEL NOT ONLY SHOULD THEY COVER THIS REPAIR BUT SHOULD CHECK OUT THE OTHER SENSORS AND AIRBAGS IN MY CAR. WHAT IF I GET THIS ONE FIXED AND IT HAPPENS AGAIN? WE COULD HAVE GOTTEN INTO A SERIOUS ACCIDENT OR WORSE. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ON THE INTERNET, SEEMS THERE ARE SEVERAL PEOPLE THAT HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH HONDA'S AIRBAGS. THEY EITHER DEPLOY WHEN THEY AREN'T SUPPOSE TO OR DON'T DEPLOY IN SERIOUS ACCIDENTS. I BELIEVE THIS IS HONDA'S RESPONSIBILITY TO CHECK ALL AIRBAGS IN CERTAIN MODELS. CURRENTLY MY CAR IS NOT FIXED, I AM STILL WORKING WITH HONDA CITY PETE LOBERG, MGR. WHO IS DOING ALL HE CAN TO ASSIST ME. I TRULY BELIEVE THIS IS SOMETHING THAT REQUIRES YOUR ASSISTANCE TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF PEOPLE IN THEIR CARS WITH THESE AIRBAGS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10218270February 17, 2008
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
2007 HONDA ELEMENT, PURCHASED MARCH OF 2007. FEBRUARY 15, 2008 CRACK SHOWED UP ON WINDSHIELD STARTING FROM RIGHT SIDE FRAME OF WINDSHIELD, GROWING DAILY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10217922February 13, 2008
SUSPENSION
SINCE THE PURCHASE OF MY NEW 2005 HONDA ELEMENT EX, THERE HAS BEEN A REALLY LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE SUSPENSION, BOTH FRONT AND BACK. IT MOSTLY MAKES THIS NOISE WHEN HITTING A DIP IN THE ROAD, OR COMING INTO MY DRIVEWAY. IT SOUNDS AS THOUGH SOMEONE IS HITTING THERE HANDS DOWN ON THE KEYS OF A PIANO. ALSO, THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN WEARING TIRES AT AN ALARMING RATE, FOR THIS IS THE SECOND SET OF TIRES IT HAS GONE THROUGH WITHIN 27,000 MILES. THEY WERE ROTATED AS SCHEDULED BY THE MANUFACTURER, AND THE VEHICLE IS IN ALIGNMENT. ALSO, I HAD A 2006 HONDA ACCORD LX WHICH WAS MAKING THE SAME NOISE, WHICH THE DEALERSHIP FAILED TO ACKNOWLEDGE. ALSO, I HAVE FRIENDS WITH THE HONDA ODYSSEY VAN, RIDGELINE TRUCK, ALL WHICH ARE MAKING THE SAME NOISE AND ARE WEARING TIRES ABNORMALLY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10217432February 8, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, AIR BAGS, STEERING:COLUMN, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
AIR BAGS AND CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING. AIR BAGS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND BROUGHT TO DEALER. CABLE REEL ASSEMBLY IN STEERING COLUMN WAS BAD. DEALER SAID I HAD TO PAY FOR NEW ASSEMBLY AND LABOR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10215822January 23, 2008
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
MY 2006 HONDA ELEMENT WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. MY FRONT END IMPACTED THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE OTHER VEHICLE. THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF THE ELEMENT WAS CRUSHED AND PART OF THE FRAME DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIR. THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY WHILE THE PASSENGER'S AIRBAG DID INFLATE. DRIVER HAS SUFFERED BRUISING IN THE CHEST AREA FROM THE SEAT BELT. CAR IS CURRENTLY IN AN AUTOBODY SHOP IN ARLINGTON WAITING FOR THE INSURANCE COMPANY TO DECLARE IT UNREPAIRABLE. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10215412January 19, 2008
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
2004 HONDA ELEMENT WINDSHIELD CRACKED AT STRESS POINT LOCATED ON DRIVER'S SIDE WHERE INSPECTION STICKERS USUALLY APPEAR. NO PITTING, NO IMPACT POINT FROM FLYING DEBRIS. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE HONDA ELEMENT. HAD DRIVEN THE CAR AN HOUR EARLIER AND NO CRACK. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10214316January 9, 2008
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
POOR HEATING DUE TO RESTRICTED HEATER CORE. AN IDENTICAL PROBLEM WAS IDENTIFIED IN THE 2004,AND 2005 ELEMENT (REF. HONDA SERVICE BULLETIN 07-076 DATED 11/28/2007) AND THE HEATER CORE IS THUS REPLACED UNDER THE NORMAL WARRANTY. ALTHOUGH THE PROBLEM BEGAN ON MY 2003 ELEMENT IN 2006 AND THE VEHICLE IS STILL COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, HONDA SERVICE PERSONNEL REFUSE TO RECOGNIZE THE TROUBLE AS A FACTORY DEFECT AND WILL CHARGE IN EXCESS OF $1,500 DOLLARS TO REPLACE THE HEATER CORE. *TR THE CONSUMER STATED A TSB HAD BEEN ISSUED REGARDING CONTAMINATION OF THE ENGINE COOLANT WHICH COULD CAUSE RESTRICTIONS IN THE HEATER CORE AND RADIATOR AND SOMETIMES CORROSION. UPDATED 03/05/09. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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