25 of the 1,533 complaints filed about the Honda Element are about the lighting — 2% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2006.
25
Complaints
2%
Share of all complaints
1
Crashes
1
Fires
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I was driving and my odometer light and dash lights went dim on me. I changed the bulbs it didn't make a difference. I had to replace the instrument cluster. Other complaint is drivers seat keeps loosening from the floor
NHTSA complaint #11674334 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
While driving in the freeway; the low beam lights went out and would no longer work. For visibility purposes, I was forced to use high beam lights to make it home while impairing the driving ability of others. The low beams and high beams run on the same light bulb. While using the high beams, the bulbs work as intended. The light bulbs and relays were promptly replaced and the issue is not fixed. It is often caused the a malfunctioning multiswitch that controls lighting and blinkers. The issue is well known within Honda elements and a previous recall have been issued for other Honda models including the Honda civic. Oftentimes the wiring goes back due to the switch malfunctioning. This is extremely unsafe toward everyone on the road as we lack visibility and by using high beams, we unwantingly blind other drivers which could result in injury by other drivers, passengers, and even pedestrians.
NHTSA complaint #11419398 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
MY 2005 HONDA ELEMENT CONSTANTLY DISPLAY AIRBAG OFF, WHEN IT'S INACCURATE, DASHBOARD LIGHT DOESN'T WORK. THERE'S SOME KIND OF SHORTAGE BECAUSE IT BLINKS, COME ON AND GO OFF AND STAY OFF. IT SHOWS THE SAME INFORMATION, RATHER DRIVING OR STATIONARY. ARE THERE RECALLS ON THIS CAR? IT'S BEEN ONE PROBLEM AFTER ANOTHER.
NHTSA complaint #11405632 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
AIRBAG WARNING LIGHTS WILL COME ON FOR NO REASON SAYING PASSENGER AIRBAG IS OFF AND IT IS NOT OFF. THIS HAPPENS AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK. THIS HAPPENS AT VARIOUS TIMES, CRANKING VEHICLE, DRIVING VEHICLE, THERE IS REALLY NO SPECIFIC SITUATION . IT'S SPORADIC. HEADLIGHTS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN DIM. SOMETIMES I CAN'T EVEN TELL IF THEY ARE ON. THE CARGO LIGHTS, FRONT MIDDLE AND BACK WORK SOMETIMES AND MOST TIMES THEY DON'T. ALSO BRAKE LIGHTS SEEM TO HAVE A MIND OF THERE OWN AND WORK WHEN THEY WANT TO BUT DEFINITELY NOT WHEN I WANT THEM TO. IN FACT I AM PRETTY SURE THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL SHORTAGE SOMEWHERE.
NHTSA complaint #11375667 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
DRIVERS SIDE DOOR KEY CEASED TO WORK AS STATED NUMEROUS TIMES BY OTHERS. ONLY WAY TO GET IN AND LOCK THE DOOR IS FROM PASSENGER SIDE...PLACING DRIVER IN UNSAFE AND VUNERABLE POSITION. ALSO WHEN DRIVING SLOWLY APPROX 10 MPH CAR HAS FREQUENTLY IRRACTICALLY ACCELERATED OF ITS OWN ACCORD. HAVE TO STAND ON THE BRAKES TO GET CAR TO STOP. WITH THE CAR AT A STOP, AND IN DRIVE IT WILL SELF ACCELERATE...VERY DANGEROUS!!! AS OTHERS HAVE NOTED THERE IS A SERIOUS ELECTRICAL SHORT?? AS DASH LIGHTS ARE DULL THEN AND HAVE TO HIT DASH TO GET THEM TO LIGHT UP. HEADLIGHTS ARE CONSTANTLY SURGING FROM LIMITED LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO NORMAL.
NHTSA complaint #11173203 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
OWNER WAS DRIVING FOR ROUGHLY 30 MINUTES WHEN SHE STOPPED FOR GAS AND AFTER RESTARTING CAR NEITHER ONE OF HER HEADLIGHTS WERE WORKING. HER HIGH BEAMS CONTINUED TO WORK AND HAD TO BE USED. OWNER WAS TOLD BY MECHANIC THAT THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH HAD OVER HEATED AND BURNED THE WIRING WITHIN THE SWITCH. HONDA HAS ALREADY ISSUED RECALLS FOR CIVICS AND ACCORDS FOR THIS VERY PROBLEM BUT NOT FOR HONDA ELEMENTS. REPAIR COST $200.00
NHTSA complaint #11111023 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE COUNTY ROAD AT 60 MPH AT NIGHT THE HEADLIGHTS TURNED OFF. I TURNED THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH OFF AND THEN BACK ON AND EVERYTHING WAS FINE FOR A COUPLE DAYS. THIS HAPPENED 5 OR 6 MORE TIMES AND NOW THE HEADLIGHTS WILL NOT TURN BACK ON UNLESS I SWITCH TO HIGH BEAMS. HIGH BEAM WORKS FINE, THIS IS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE NOT BULB FAILURE. "THIS COULD HAVE BEEN DEADLY".
NHTSA complaint #11093729 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM HONDA STATING THAT MY INSTRUMENT PANEL MAY NEED TO BE REPLACED. I CONTACTED RENNER HONDA, COLUMBUS, INDIANA WHERE I PURCHASED MY ELEMENT SC NEW AND TOLD THEM THAT MY GAUGES WERE FALLING OUT. THEY SAID THEY WOULD ORDER THE PANEL AND REPLACE IT. I NEVER HEARD FROM THEM AGAIN AND THE TIME FOR REPLACEMENT CLOSED. NEXT, I RECEIVED THE BRAKE RECALL NOTICE AND DECIDED TO TRY CLARKSVILLE, IN NEIL HUFFMAN HONDA. THEY SAID THEY ONLY DID RECALLS DURING THE WEEK AND IF I NEEDED A LOANER VEHICLE TO GET BACK TO WORK...THAT IT WOULD BE $100/DAY AND THEY WOULD NEED MY VEHICLE 2-3 DAYS. I SAID SO YOU ARE CHARGING ME FOR MY INCONVENIENCE AND THEY SAID THAT'S OUR POLICY. SO, I LET THAT RECALL GO. HERE IT IS 2018, MY GAUGES DO NOT WORK AT ALL AND IT LOOKS LIKE I'M DOING 55 SITTING STILL. MY GAS GAUGE IS BROKE AS WELL, MY HEADLIGHTS ARE DIM AND MY FANS BOTH QUIT WORKING, PART OF THE TOP PANEL HAS FLOWN OFF--AND MY VISOR IS BROKE. BUT, I DID FINALLY GET HONDA WORLD, LOUISVILLE, KY TO REPLACE THE AIRBAGS AND THE BRAKE RECALL. BUT, NO DICE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. I THINK THAT IS WRONG CONSIDERING ALL THE RECALLS ON THIS BY HONDA. THEY WILL NOT BUDGE ON PRICE YET THERE HAVE BEEN OVER 11 RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE AND NOW I AM STUCK PAYING FOR THE GAUGES, NOT TO MENTION IF THE BRAKES HAD WENT OUT YEARS AGO...I COULD HAVE BEEN INJURED OVER CLARKSVILLE NEIL HUFFMAN TRYING TO CHARGE ME FOR A RENTAL CAR! THANKS TO HONDA WORLD, BUT I WILL NOT RECOMMEND A HONDA TO ANYONE ELSE CONSIDERING ALL THE COMPLAINTS OVER THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, VISORS, LIGHTS, ETC THAT I AM READING ON HERE. SHAME ON YOU HONDA!
NHTSA complaint #11093347 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
WHEN IM GOING MORE THAN 35 MILES THE CAR IS TRYING TO STOP. THE VSA & ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AND TOOK IT TO MECHANIC BUT STILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE SEEN A LOT OF PERSONS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THE ODYSSEY HAS A RECALL WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. COULD YOU CHECK IF THIS A MANUFACTURER PROBLEM. I CAN'T DRIVE MY CAR AM AFRAID SOMETHING WORST COULD HAPPEN. I HAD TO BUY ANOTHER CAR AND DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH THE ELEMENT.
NHTSA complaint #11091258 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I RECEIVED "TAKATA RECALL" A NOTICE FROM AUTO AIRBAG SETTLEMENT, SETTLEMENT ADMINISTRATOR PO BOX 3207 PORTLAND, OR 97208-3207 AS A CURRENT OWNER AND I WILL TRY TO CONTACT THE ADMINISTRATOR. ALSO I WILL CALL THE HONDA COMPANY ABOUT THIS VEHICLE. RIGHT NOW THE LIGHT INDICATING DEFECTIVE AIRBAG IS ALWAYS ON AND I AM DEEPLY CONCERNED WHICH I JUST DISCOVERED THAT THIS CAR HAS A MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBER S53 AND NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 12V-436 RECALL STATUS RECALL INCOMPLETE.
NHTSA complaint #11054398 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
MY LOW BEEMS STOPPED WORKING WHEN I USE THE HIGH BEEMS THEY SUDDENLY TURN OFF WHILE DRIVING WE CHANGED THE LIGHT BULBS AND THEY STILL DON,T WORK
NHTSA complaint #10994928 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I HAVE REPLACED EVERYTHING POSSIBLE THAT WOULD CONTROL THE HEADLIGHTS. AS I DRIVE OR AFTER THE CAR HEATS UP WHILE PARKED, WHETHER ON DIM OR BRIGHT THE LIGHTS DIM AND BRIGHTEN THEMSELVES CAUSING IT HARD TO SEE SOMETIMES. I MYSELF AND OTHER PEOPLE THAT HAVE TALKED ABOUT THIS ONLINE ARE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE KEY FOB. IT STOPPED WORKING AND THEN IT STARTS WORKING AGAIN BUT THE DRIVER DOOR LOCK WONT WORK AFTER THAT.
NHTSA complaint #10934492 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA ELEMENT. THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO OPERATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,000.
NHTSA complaint #10760997 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
WHEN USING MY DIRECTIONALS THE HIGH BEAMS FLASH ON THEN OFF BY THEMSELVES. PROGRESSIVELY GETTING WORSE. UNSAFE FOR OTHER VEHICLES IN FRONT OF ME.
NHTSA complaint #10655314 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
LOW BEAMS STOPPED WORKING SIMULTANEOUSLY. HEADLIGHT BULBS WERE PROMPTLY REPLACED BUT THE BULBS WERE FINE. THE DEFECT WAS IN THE VEHICLE ITSELF. LOW BEAMS DO NOT WORK, WHILE THE HIGH BEAMS AND RUNNING LIGHTS CONTINUE TO OPERATE NORMALLY. HONDA HAD A RECALL FOR THIS, JUST NOT FOR THE ELEMENT: HTTP://WWW-ODI.NHTSA.DOT.GOV/CARS/PROBLEMS/DEFECT/RESULTS.CFM?ACTION_NUMBER=EA11012&SEARCHTYPE=QUICKSEARCH&SUMMARY=TRUE MY LOCAL HONDA DEALERSHIP WANTS $350 TO FIX THIS DEFECT.
NHTSA complaint #10644378 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I HIT A DEER LAST DECEMBER AND THE ONLY REASON THE INSURANCE COMPANY DID NOT TOTAL IT WAS BECAUSE THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WAS JUST ABOUT $10,000 WORTH OF DAMAGE TO MY CAR. AFTER WAITING A MONTH AND A HALF, TRAVELING 18 HOURS & SPENDING AN EXTRA $200 FOR TRAVEL TO GO GET MY CAR I FINALLY GOT IT BACK. ALSO, MY CAR DOES NOT IDLE LIKE IT SHOULD. IT WILL ALSO GO DEAD WHEN I COME TO A STOP. IT DOESN'T HAPPEN ALL THE TIME BUT IT WILL HAPPEN IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC AND I WILL BE STUCK THERE FOR A FEW MINUTES.
NHTSA complaint #10606014 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
2006 HONDA ELEMENT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT COMBINATION SWITCH WIRE HARNESS CONNECTOR RECALL NOTICE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED SHE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM WITH HER HEADLIGHTS AS NOTED IN THE RECALL. HOWEVER, THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED DUE TO THE VERY LOW FAILURE RATE IN THE ELEMENTS, THEY WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM CREATES OVERHEATING ON THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR AND UNEXPECTED LOSS OF LOW BEAM FUNCTIONALITY, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
NHTSA complaint #10504048 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:HIGH/LOW BEAM DIMMER SWITCH
2006 HONDA ELEMENT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT COMBINATION SWITCH WIRE HARNESS CONNECTOR RECALL NOTICE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED SHE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM WITH HER HEADLIGHTS AS NOTED IN THE RECALL. HOWEVER, THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED DUE TO THE VERY LOW FAILURE RATE IN THE ELEMENTS, THEY WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM CREATES OVERHEATING ON THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR AND UNEXPECTED LOSS OF LOW BEAM FUNCTIONALITY, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
NHTSA complaint #10504048 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
2006 HONDA ELEMENT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT COMBINATION SWITCH WIRE HARNESS CONNECTOR RECALL NOTICE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED SHE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM WITH HER HEADLIGHTS AS NOTED IN THE RECALL. HOWEVER, THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED DUE TO THE VERY LOW FAILURE RATE IN THE ELEMENTS, THEY WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM CREATES OVERHEATING ON THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR AND UNEXPECTED LOSS OF LOW BEAM FUNCTIONALITY, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
NHTSA complaint #10504048 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS FAILED WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED AT THE LOW BEAN ASSEMBLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 12V136000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000. UPDATED 05/15/13*LJ UPDATED 05/30/2013
NHTSA complaint #10502508 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.