47 of the
1,533 complaints filed about the Honda Element
are about the other systems —
3% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2003.
I was driving on a 65 mph highway when another vehicle forced me off the road causing my vehicle to spin out and hit a guardrail pretty much head on at about 60-65mph. Should my airbags have gone off? My safety could have been at risk because of how my vehicle went from highway speed into a guardrail, my car bounced off of the guardrail and spun so I was facing traffic coming towards me. I have sent a message to Honda asking about the airbags but I have not received a response, no the vehicle has not been inspected by anyone. I had no airbag sensors light up on my dash. I have a sensor for the passenger airbag as well which said it was off because no one was in the passenger seat. My car is totaled and the frame is bent on the driver side. When my vehicle hit the guardrail my head kept banging on the door, headrest and the beam where the two doors join. I have pretty bad whiplash and have been having some nerve issues on my left side, I am not sure if that constitutes as an injury. I have dash camera footage of me hitting the guardrail as well, my vehicle lost power once I hit it though. With the dash camera footage I do have to get permission from my attorney to release it if you need just because we are pursing the other driver for damages and injuries. I still have the vehicle on my property if it does need to be inspected. My main concern is making sure other drivers will be safe.
NHTSA complaint #11755441 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The trailing arm mounts are severely rotted due to rust and my mechanic has claimed that it is unsafe to drive. The element has been recalled in Canada for this same issue. It is a huge safety concern for a vehicle that is otherwise in great condition.
NHTSA complaint #11694785 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The trailing arm connection that connects to the subframe has completely rusted make the car unsafe to drive. Parts will break and driver will lose control of the car. These same parts were recalled in Canada many years ago.
NHTSA complaint #11691501 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
There is corrosion on the rear trailing arm and surrounding area. Also rust is forming on rear subframe / crossmembers and the front subframe. Over time, this can result in premature structural failure and catastrophic accident. It poses a serious safety risk. It affects the structural integrity of the suspension system. There’s no recall even though multiple complaints exist for similar make/model.
NHTSA complaint #11667627 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The check engine light indicated a "gas cap" code, and the "side airbag off" light was illuminated. Upon diagnosis, the technician identified significant rust and cracked transmission components, resulting in fluid leakage. The service department assessed the vehicle as unsafe for operation, waived the diagnostic fees, and replenished the transmission fluid to prevent the risk of being stranded due to a lack of fluid on the return trip. Honda Service Department took the attached photos and documented the vehicle's safety violations.
NHTSA complaint #11632315 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I took my very well maintained Honda Element into the shop for routine maintenance and a pre-spring/summer driving check. They indicated that the driver's side subframe where it meets the rear trailing arm has a dangerous hole and that I should not drive this car any more. We live in Michigan where snow/salt are factors. This specific area has been known to fail in Elements and CR-V's and there was a recall on this specific issue for Honda Elements in Canada and CR-V owners in the US and Canada: "The 2007-2011 Honda CR-V is being recalled because the rear trailing arm can fall off due to excessive corrosion, the NHTSA disclosed Thursday. In some cases, the rear frame may be so corroded that Honda will offer to buy the vehicle back from owners to get the safety hazards off the road." Why have the US Elements not been recalled when this is a known safety hazard and the exact same issue as the CR-V's? I am in numerous online forums of Element owners and have seen photographs where this caused life-threatening issues while people were driving. Thankfully, we caught it before that happened to us, but now my loved daily driver is out of commission for a known safety hazard. No one in our family was harmed, but this could have been life threatening if it had not been discovered. The area has not been inspected by police or insurance. Only by our mechanic who specializes in servicing Hondas, Toyotas and Subarus. There were no warning lamps or other warning signs. It just happened to be discovered during routine inspection/service.
NHTSA complaint #11589123 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I got into my Element. I closed the driver side door. I heard a loud pop and heard the back right corner window shatter and break. It’s the window in the cargo area.Waiting for the insurance adjuster to look at it.
NHTSA complaint #11583821 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The drivers side mount for the rear trailing arm has rusted to the point it may be unsafe to drive according to my mechanic. I looked online and saw that Honda has issued a recall campaign in Canada but not the US. I do know from my local dealer that Honda did have them bring in several customer cars for inspection and several of those also had the same problem. These cars that have been affected certainly are not safe to drive in my opinion.
NHTSA complaint #11571316 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
While driving down a city street, heard a very loud crack/bang, and lost control of the vehicle. Fortunately I was going slow, 20-30mph and was able to safely stop. Upon exiting the vehicle, the rear driver side wheel was hanging at a weird angle. Looking under the car, the entire trailing arm and wheel assembly has broken off of the frame. If I was going faster, or had been on the highway, this would have caused an accident/rollover and injury for sure. Looking online for more information, I see that this is a known issue, and Honda has already issued a recall, but only for Canada. Vehicle was towed to and inspected by a AAA certified auto shop; they have written it off as a total loss, and suggest to sell the vehicle for parts. I contacted Honda, and they have told me to take it to a dealership for additional inspection by them.
NHTSA complaint #11525107 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The car was being driven at a low speed across a school parking lot when there was a loud bang, the car dropped in the back and stopped movong. The rear trailing arm came apart from the body causing it to be inoperable. If I the car wasn't in a school zone and traveling at a high rate of speed this could have been a very serious accident. If there was a vehicle behind they would have rear ended the honda. If this happens on going down a hill it would have rolled over. If this happened on a busy highway it would have caused a multi car accident. Honda is aware of this issue in Canada but has done nothing to address it here in the United States. The vehicle is available for inspection for now. I can't have a vehicle sitting in my driveway that's inoperable due to city codes. The safety of the driver, passengers, pedestrians walking and other vehicles on the road are in danger. This is a very top heavy vehicle that could easily flip and roll over causing seriously injury even death. I had the vehicle towed from where it broke, the tow truck driver is a mechanic who looked at it. He said what broke. I had another mechanic stop and look because he is a welder and said it can't be repaired at this point. There were no warning lights or signs of this happening. Unless you live in Canada where they sent owners a recall in the mail as long as they live in areas that have high salt usage on their roads.......not sure why that just pertains to Canada because, Michigan, New York, Vermont, new hampshire, Maine all get bad winters where salt is used. A vehicle should not disintegrate and fall apart like the hondas are. They are a danger on the road right now. This is the recall for this exact same problem in Canada https://wwwapps.tc.gc.ca/Saf-Sec-Sur/7/VRDB-BDRV/search-recherche/detail.aspx?lang=eng&mk=1954!4785!35936!42257!39379&mkName=HONDA&md=ELEMENT&fy=2003&ty=2003&ft=&ls=0&sy=0&syName=All%20Systems&all=0&rn=2021024&cf=SearchResult&pg=0
NHTSA complaint #11489730 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
This car was recalled in the past for a faulty ignition switch. I had the recall done, then paid for one from the dealer a second time as it happened again, and now I am having the issue a third.time. I believe the replacements are also faulty.
NHTSA complaint #11482725 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Having rust issue with my 2005 Honda Element causing steering and handling issues Unsafe to drive per my mechanic This model has been recalled in Canada to address this issue Is there anything investigating ongoing in the USA as this problem is affecting many elements in the USA as well
NHTSA complaint #11456698 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE DOOR LOCK CYLINDERS FOR THE DRIVER/PASSENGER/TAILGATE WILL NOT ACCEPT A KEY TO UNLOCK THE DOORS. THE LOCKS ARE IMMOVABLE FROM THE OUTSIDE AND INSIDE, REQUIRING A LOCKSMITH TO OPEN THE DOORS OR COMPLETE REMOVAL OF THE DOORS TO SAFELY ENTER AND EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE KEY, WHEN INSERTED INTO THE LOCK IN ATTEMPT TO ENTER THE VEHICLE, OFTEN WILL NOT RELEASE FROM THE SEIZED LOCK CYLINDER RESULTING IN THE KEY FIRMLY LODGED IN THE LOCK OF THE DOOR, RENDERING IT IMPOSSIBLE THEN TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE ABOVE MENTIONED CYLINDER LOCKS ARE SAFETY HAZARDS FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS: CHILDREN AND ADULTS ENTERING AND EXITING THE VEHICLE MAY BE PRONE TO INJURY FROM ONCOMING TRAFFIC DUE TO DOOR CYLINDER LOCKS NOT OPERATING PROPERLY AND CAUSING THE DOOR TO JAM REQUIRING FORCEFUL PRESSURE TO BE APPLIED FROM THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE IN ORDER FOR THE DOOR TO OPEN. INFANTS AND ELDERLY INDIVIDUALS INCAPABLE OF THE MOTOR SKILLS NECESSARY TO OPEN DOORS AND LOCKS MAY BE LOCKED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE WITH UNCONTROLLABLE IN CABIN TEMPERATURES RESULTING IN EXCESSIVE HEAT/COLD FOR AN EXTENDED AMOUNT OF TIME THAT COULD RESULT IN INJURY OR DEATH. QUICK AND SAFE ENTRY AND EXIT TO AND FROM THE VEHICLE IS IMPOSSIBLE, RESULTING IN AN INCREASE OF THE PROBABLE INSTANCES OF THEFT OR DAMAGE TO PERSONS/PROPERTY ATTEMPTING TO ENTER/EXIT THE VEHICLE IN LESS THAN PERFECTLY SAFE CONDITIONS. THE FEE INVOLVED WITH SERVICING THE REPLACEMENT OF THIS DOOR LOCK CYLINDER IS EXORBITANT. A QUOTE FROM THE DEALERSHIP PUT ME AT $200.00 JUST FOR THEM TO OPEN THE DOOR PANEL AND LOOK AT IT. TO REPLACE THE CYLINDER AND RE-KEY IT WOULD COST UPWARDS OF $400.00 MORE. $600.00 TO REPLACE A CYLINDER LOCK ON A CAR DOOR. THERE ARE MANY OTHER 2003 HONDA ELEMENT OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE AS WELL, OFTEN PAYING THE MONEY TO HAVE THE CYLINDERS REPLACED, ONLY TO HAVE THEM FAIL AGAIN A YEAR LATER.
NHTSA complaint #11403776 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
PURCHASED FROM PRIVATE SELLER. ADVERTISED AS 2005, WITH 55,000 MILES, 4WD, ONE OWNER, NO ACCIDENTS. SELLER PROVIDED FABRICATED CARFAX REPORT, ALTERED TITLE AND THE ODOMETER WAS TAMPERED WITH AND THE CAR IS FWD, HAS HAVE 5 OWNERS AND HAS A REPORTED ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #11324802 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
RECALL ON THE VEHICLE IS FOR A FAULTY WIRING HARNESS FOR THE TRAILER HITCH. MY VEHICLE HAS A TRAILER HITCH AND WIRES INSIDE THE VEHICLE, BUT APPARENTLY THE HITCH ISN'T OEM, SO "IT DOESN'T MATTER" ACCORDING TO NELSON HONDA AT 2500 GREENSBORO ROAD, MARTINSVILLE, VA 24112. HONDA WOULDN'T HAVE INCLUDED THE VIN UNLESS IT HAD THE PART THAT NEEDS FIXING, BUT THE DEALER REFUSED BECAUSE IT DIDN'T MATTER FOR MY CAR. IF IT DOESN'T MATTER, THE RECALL SHOULD BE CLEARED FROM MY VIN, BUT I SUSPECT THEY JUST DON'T WANT TO DO THE WORK SINCE THE HITCH ISN'T OEM BUT THE WIRING STILL IS. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE HITCH WASN'T THERE'S SO IT WOULDN'T MATTER, BUT IT'S THE LIGHTS/POWER CONNECTOR. THE ONLY REASON I DIDN'T PURSUE THIS ORIGINALLY IS BECAUSE I'M NOT TOWING ANYTHING, HOWEVER I EXPECT THIS TO CHANGE IN THE FUTURE AND I'M HAVING OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THE DEALERSHIP IN NOT VERIFYING PARTS I PURCHASE SEPARATELY BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO USE (VOIDING RETURN POLICY) SO THAT I HAVE TO BUY THEIR PARTS INSTEAD.
NHTSA complaint #11195821 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY GOING 65 MPH AND SWITCHING LANES WHEN MY SEAT AIRBAG DEPLOYED. MY SEAT IS RIPPED. IT HIT ME IN THE ARM. NO ACCIDENT OR COLLISION HAPPENED.
NHTSA complaint #11171484 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I WAS JUST DRIVING MY 2007 HONDA ELEMENT TO WORK IN THE NORTH END OF SEATTLE, AND ALL OF THE SUDDEN MY VEHICLE STARTED JERKING AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, VSA AND STEERING LIGHT CAME ON THE "TRIANGLE WITH A LIGHTNING BOLT IN IT" IT STARTED RUNNING ROUGH. WHEN I WOULD STEP ON THE GAS IT WOULD CAUSE THE CAR TO JERK AND THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD IDLE UP AND DOWN. IT WAS VERY INTENSE. I WOULD LIFT OFF THE GAS PATEL AND TRY TO LET IT SMOOTHIN OUT. IT DEFINITELY IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I LOOKED ONLINE AND SAW A RECALL ON THE 2007 AND 2008 HONDA ELEMENT, OVER 68,000 OF THEM. I WENT TO HONDA OF SEATTLE AND THEY TOLD ME THERE WASN'T A RECALL, I THEN TOLD HIM TO LOOK ONLINE AND HE TRIED TO TELL ME THAT MY CAR WASN'T COVERED. HE STARTED TO QUOTE SOME NUMBERS OF WHAT THE DIAGNOSTIC WOULD COST AND THEN THEY WOULD GO FROM THERE. I THEN TOLD THEM TO RETURN MY VEHICLE AND BROUGHT IT TO MY MECHANIC. THE TOTAL COST TO FIX WHAT HONDA WOULDN'T EVEN THOUGH IT IS A RECALL IS $450.00. THIS IS UNFAIR AND HONDA NEEDS TO MAKE THIS RIGHT!
NHTSA complaint #11151002 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.