2004 Honda Element problems
Owners have filed 329 complaints about the 2004 Honda Element with NHTSA. Visibility accounts for 32.2% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of air bags at 22.2%.
Complaints329
Crashes20
Fires3
Injuries25
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Visibility 32.2% · 106
Air bags 22.2% · 73
Seats 7.9% · 26
Electrical system 5.5% · 18
Suspension 4.9% · 16
Seat belts 4.6% · 15
Structure 4.3% · 14
Power train 3.0% · 10
Severity
Of those complaints, 20 describe a crash, 3 describe a fire and 25 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 6 model years of the Honda Element in this data, 2004 ranks 2nd by complaint volume — 2003 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 15 in the last three years against 19 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 60,000 miles.
In owners' own words
While parked in a secured parking lot windshield cracked overnight. The crack was in the lower right hand corner. Owner contacted the dealer, and was advised to buy another. Owner later contacted the manufacturer, and was informed that the manufacturer refused to fix the cracked windshield which is under warranty. Manufacturer believed that road debris was the cause of the crack. This was not the case. Visibility · reported at 16,000 miles
I never heard anything actually hit my windshield. I did hear the crack, which begins at the bottom of the passenger side under the wiper. The crack moves upwards about 4 inches and over towards the driver side another 5-6 inches. I have opened a case with american Honda customer service trying to have it replaced under warranty since I understand this is a recurring problem with elements. Visibility · reported at 350 miles
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. Visibility · reported at 52,000 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…