2003 Honda Element Problems

WINDSHIELD LEAKED WATER, DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO FIX. WINDSHIELD CRACKED AND WAS CITED BY POLICE OFFICER FOR NOT FIXING, DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO FIX. UPON REPLACEMENT THE REPAIR GUYS JUST LAUGHED AND SAID THAT THAT GLASS WAS SEATED IMPROPERLY AND ASKED WHO HAD REPLACED IT. I RESPONDED THAT IT WAS THE ORIGINAL, THEY TOLD ME NOT TO BUY ANY MORE HONDAS. KEY WOULD NO LONGER WORK IN THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR. REPLACED SOMETHING AT DEALERSHIP FOR $800 AS WELL AS THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW AS IT STOPPED MOVING DUE TO THE MOTOR DYING AT AROUND 60,000 MILES. NOW THE KEYS DON'T WORK IN THE PASSENGER SIDE OF VEHICLE NOR DOES THE WINDOW. IN ANOTHER INCIDENT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP AFTER FULLY DEPRESSING THE BRAKE WHEN TRAVELING ABOUT 5-10 MPH AND DRIFTING INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE CAUSING MODERATE DAMAGE. HONDA HAS NOT RESPONDED TO ANY INQUIRES MADE BY CONSUMER. NOR HAS DEALERSHIP. I STILL OWE 10,000 DOLLARS ON THIS CAR, HAVE SPENT OVER 3000 IN REPAIRS AND AT THIS POINT WANT TO DRIVE IT INTO A TREE AT A HIGH SPEED. *KB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED TO FUNCTION WHEN THEY WERE ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THERE WAS A RECALL RELATED TO THE SIMILAR DEFECT PERTAINING TO THE 2003 HONDA ACCORD AND THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER WAS 08V169000 (VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE MALFUNCTION. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

The contact owns a 2003 Honda Element. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V370000 (Air Bags). The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the recall repair was completed. The contact stated that the vehicle was at the dealer for a week for the recall repair. The contact stated that while the vehicle was still at the dealer, the vehicle was started, and the air bag warning light illuminated. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that a diagnostic test was needed to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

While driving on a rough road the driver's seat airbag deployed injuring my arm (big bruise and tennis-ball size laceration). I plan to take the vehicle into the dealership to find out why this happened.

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

The contact owns a 2003 Honda Element. The contact stated that after parking and turning off the vehicle, the vehicle would roll forward or backward. The contact stated that he restarted the vehicle and shifted into park(P), and the vehicle responded as needed. The contact stated that the failure occurred intermittently. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving and unintendedly striking the gear shifter, the vehicle shifted out of gear. The contact stated that he would manually shift back into the intended gear. The check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that the ignition switch had failed to turn and was repaired by a locksmith; however, the failure recurred. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired free of charge because it was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V364000 (Electrical System). The contact stated that the vehicle was undrivable. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 179,000. The VIN was unavailable.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RECOGNIZE THE KEY REMOTE UNLOCK FEATURE. IN ADDITION, THE KEY WOULD NOT UNLOCK THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR EVEN WHEN IT WAS MANUALLY INSERTED. IN ORDER TO UNLOCK THE DRIVER'S DOOR, THE PASSENGER DOOR HAD TO BE UNLOCKED TO GET TO THE DRIVER'S DOOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, BUT THE RESULTS WERE NOT PROVIDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 185,000.

THE STEEL FRAME IN THE DRIVERS SEAT COMPLETELY CRACKED AND BROKE, CAUSING THE SEATBACK TO BECOME SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE. LOCAL HONDA DEALER ACKNOWLEDGED THE BREAK AND OFFERED A $2,400 NEW SEAT OPTION. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND THE CAR IS WELL MAINTAINED. THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE AND A FRONT/REAR COLLISION WOULD HAVE CAUSED BODILY INJURY. PHOTOS AND VIDEO ARE AVAILABLE.

The contact owns a 2003 Honda Element. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormally loud sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. Upon inspecting the vehicle, the contact discovered that the rear trailing arm was severely corroded. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the rear trailing arm had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 115,000.

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.

Please see attachment:

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.

THERE IS A DEFINITE BREAKDOWN WITH THE BRAKE CALIPERS. I AM NOT A MECHANIC BUT REALIZED THE FAST DETERIORATION OF THE CALIPERS AND HAVE NOT HEARD OF THAT PROBLEM WITH OTHER VEHICLES. I WAS TOLD TO REPLACE THE BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS AND I HAVE SEVERAL TIMES BUT THE BRAKES WERE NEVER THE SAME. THE VEHICLE HAS TROUBLE STOPPING WITH NEW BRAKES. I FLUSHED THE BRAKE FLUID WITH OFFICIAL HONDA BRAKE FLUID AND RECENTLY NOTICED THE ISSUE IS WITH THE CALIPERS. THEY ARE RUSTY AND THE METAL FLAKES OFF AND THE PISTONS DO NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY ON ANY OF THE BRAKES. SOME BRAKES DON'T FULLY BRAKE AND ONE REAR CALIPER IS STUCK WHILE DRIVING SO THE PADS ARE ON THE ROTOR WHILE DRIVING. I HOPE THAT MAKES SENSE, THE CALIPERS ARE TO SQUEEZE AND RELEASE AND THEY NEVER HAVE SOON AFTER I GOT THE VEHICLE NEW. I AM DISAPPOINTED WITH THE HONDA DEALERS I HAVE TAKEN IT TO, BEFORE KNOWING THAT THE PROBLEM IS WITH DETERIORATED CALIPERS. THE VEHICLE WAS NEVER IN A FLOOD OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT. I CAN'T IMAGINE I'M THE ONLY OWNER WITH THAT PROBLEM AND I DIDN'T KNOW WHERE TO FILE A COMPLAINT EARLIER OR WHAT A CALIPER WAS. I WOULD LIKE IT INVESTIGATED AND RECALLED IF NECESSARY. THANK YOU. *TR

THE ABS BRAKE SYSTEM HAS ALWAYS HAD A NICE FIRM PEDAL PRESSURE. RECENTLY WHEN COMING TO A STOP I NOTICED THE PEDAL TO FEEL SPONGY, SOFT AND TRAVEL CLOSE TO THE FLOOR. I CHECKED FLUIDS ETC. AND ALL SEEM NORMAL. STILL HAVE ADEQUATE PAD THICKNESS ON ALL PADS. THIS PROBLEM WITH THE SOFT, SPONGY PEDAL SEEMS TO BE CONSISTENT NOW. CHECKED THE INTERNET AND SEE THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM ON 2007 AND 2008 ELEMENTS. BELIEVE IT MIGHT ALSO BE SHOWING UP ON OTHER YEARS ALSO. WE ALSO HAVE A 2004 ELEMENT AND THE PEDAL PRESSURE IS AS THE 2003 USED TO BE. THE 2003 IS AN EX 2WD AUTO AND THE 2004 IS AN EX AUTO AWD MODEL. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA ELEMENT. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 227,590. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 HONDA ELEMENT. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD POP AND BLACK SMOKE EMITTED THROUGH ALL OF THE VENTS INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE BRAKES BECAME INOPERABLE AND THE VEHICLE IGNITED INTO FLAMES. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO ESCAPE THE VEHICLE WITHOUT INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,000.

Seems Honda is hiding specific vin needing recal replacement of airbag fue to fact it's deployed. Attempt to cover up recall regarding this specific vin possibly aware that damage is done and if airbag deployed, vin check results "no current recalls" for vehicle. 2003 Honda Element had first recall replacement done. At that time Honda had person come to house to notify. This time, second recall, too late. It deployed and air bag is on recall list. Please provide honest facts. Correct me please if I misunderstood.

GOING ALONG HIGHWAY I90 AT 65MPH AND I DECIDED TO ENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL SETTING ON MY 2003 HONDA ELEMENT . WHEN TRAFFIC BECAME TOO CONGESTED I DECIDED TO SHUT OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL , ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT NOW I COULDN'T ACCELERATE. IT SEEMS THIS ISSUE HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH A FAULTY THROTTLE CABLE . EITHER WAY THIS NEEDS TO BE FIXED IMMEDIATELY .

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA ELEMENT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE RESIDENCE. THE MANUFACTURER ISSUED A VOLUNTARY RECALL RELATED TO THE TRANSMISSION. THE CONTACT PLANNED TO NOTIFY THE MANUFACTURER TO VERIFY WHETHER THE VEHICLE WAS ELIGIBLE FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,000.

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

The rear trailing arm of the car came off while driving. The part of the frame where the suspension connects rusted through. I looked up related cases and it seams that there is a recall only in Canada and not in the US. This is dangerous and almost sent me off the road with no warning. Everything else on the car works wonderfully and the car rand and drove great until this happened.

TAKATA RECALL : AIRBAG RECALL SLIP, NO PARTS AVAILABLE, STEERING SEEMS TO HAVE ISSUES ON DRIVERS FRONT,WHILE IN MOTION, TRANSMISSION WHINES, WHILE BACKING AND DRIVING ANY ROAD STYLE, REMOTE KEY LOCK ISSUES, STATIONARY

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

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.

RE: TIRES MICHELIN XCX/APT 215/70 R16 DOT HNXO EKFX 4405 WHEN PUTTING AIR IN MY TIRES ON 3/21/2015 I FOUND ALL FOUR TIRE SIDEWALLS HAD A LOT OF CRACKS (ONE INCH AND BIGGER) PLUS A LOT OF OTHER TIRE FAILURE PROBLEMS. THESE WERE NOT NOTICE BY HONDA DEALER GARAGE ON TIRE ROTATION THAT WAS PERFORMED WITHIN THE LAST SIX MONTHS. NEITHER HAD I NOTICE THIS SINCE THAT ROTATION, THE TIRE TREAD ON THESE TIRES ARE STILL GOOD. I AM AWARE THAT THERE WERE NO RECALL AND THESE TIRES HAVE "EXPIRED" SO TO SPEAK. MY CONCERN IS THAT MICHELIN TIRES HAD NOT WARNED ME OF THIS POSSIBLE PROBLEM PUTTING MY FAMILY, MYSELF AND OTHERS ON THE ROAD IN DANGER. I WANT MICHELIN TO REPLACE THOSE TIRES. ANYONE ELSE HAVING THESE TIRES SHOULD BE TOLD. I HAVE PHOTOS. *TR

COMPLAINT RECEIVED VIA E-MAIL. WHILE RIDING ABOUT 60 MPH ON I-10, SLIDELL, LOUISIANA. FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE SUDDENLY BLEW. OUT. RIP WAS IN SIDEWALL, ABOUT 2 3/4 INCHES LONG (TEARDROP SHAPE), BOTTOM OF TEARDROP AT LEAST 1/2 INCH FROM TREAD. OTHER END OF RIPPED ENDS IN SIDEWALL BETWEEN M&S AND P215. HAD OIL CHANGED, AND TIRES CHECKED AT ROYAL HONDA, METAIRIE, LA, BEFORE THIS TRIP. PLIES TREAD: 2 POLYESTER + 2 STEEL. SIDEWALL-2 POLYESTER. MADE IN JAPAN. *AK

Rust corrosion

I LIKE MANY OTHER 2003 HONDA ELEMENT OWNERS HAVE AN ISSUE WITH MY DRIVER SIDE LOCK. KEY WONT ALWAYS GO IN AND IF DOES GO IN WONT UN LOCK THE DOOR. I HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. I HAVE SEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THIS AND HOPE TO SEE MORE ON HERE SO WE CAN GET A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE. *TR

THE SEATBELT FOR THE DRIVER IT DOES NOT RETRACT PROPERLY AND STILL LOOSE AFTER IT BUCKLE UP ALSO THE SEATBELT LIGHT IS ON ALL THE TIME EVEN AFTER THE ENGINE IS RUNNING. THAT IS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY OR IN MOTION. I READ IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL THAT THE SEATBELT HAS A WARRANTY FOR THE LIFE OF THIS VEHICLE.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA ELEMENT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE SRS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. THE RESTRAINT SYSTEM HAD NOT FAILED. ONE MONTH LATER, THE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN AND WAS DIAGNOSED AS AN INTERNAL FAILURE OF THE SRS SYSTEM. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT HE HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 56,000.

The contact owns a 2003 Honda Element. The contact stated that after parking and turning off the vehicle, the vehicle would roll forward or backward. The contact stated that he restarted the vehicle and shifted into park(P), and the vehicle responded as needed. The contact stated that the failure occurred intermittently. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving and unintendedly striking the gear shifter, the vehicle shifted out of gear. The contact stated that he would manually shift back into the intended gear. The check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that the ignition switch had failed to turn and was repaired by a locksmith; however, the failure recurred. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired free of charge because it was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V364000 (Electrical System). The contact stated that the vehicle was undrivable. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 179,000. The VIN was unavailable.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA ELEMENT. UPON PLACING THE GEAR SELECTOR IN PARK AND BRIEFLY EXITING THE VEHICLE, THE GEAR INDEPENDENTLY SHIFTED FROM PARK AND ROLLED INTO REVERSE. THE CONTACT WAS ALMOST RUN OVER. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TREE. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT WAS SHAKEN BY THE EXPERIENCE AND RECEIVED MEDICAL TREATMENT. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INDICATED THAT THEY WOULD ESCALATE THE MATTER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 158,425.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER WAS ADVISED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS A GASOLINE FUEL LEAK AND THAT THE FUEL TANK WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT DID NOT INFORM THE MANUFACTURER OF THE FAILURE NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 88,362. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 88,000.

JUST AS MY WARRANTY EXPIRED (37,000 MILES) WHILE OUT OF TOWN, I NOTICED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. I WOULD FILL UP AND IT WOULD ONLY MARK AT ABOUT HALF A TANK. I WAS A BIT CONFUSED AND DID NOT KNOW WHAT WAS CAUSING THE PROBLEM. I KNEW THAT THE TANK WAS FULL, BUT I DID NOT WANT TO TAKE ANY CHANCES. SO WHEN THE GAUGE WENT TO EMPTY AND THE FUEL LIGHT CAME ON I WOULD REFILL THE TANK AGAIN. WITH THIS PROBLEM AND NOT KNOWING EXACTLY HOW MUCH FUEL IS IN THE TANK IF I DO HAPPEN TO RUN OUT OF GAS. I COULD POTENTIALLY DO DAMAGE TO OTHER ENGINE AND MECHANICAL PARTS OR TO MYSELF AND FAMILY IF THIS HAPPENS ON THE ROAD. THE PROBLEM IS GETTING WORSE AND NOW IT GOES TO ONLY 1/4 A TANK AND THEN TO EMPTY. I AM TRYING TO GET IT TO THE DEALER, BUT MY WARRANTY HAS EXPIRES AND HONESTLY DO NOT HAVE THE CASH TO FIX IT. I FEEL THAT AT JUST BEING OVER THE WARRANTY THIS PART SHOULD NOT HAVE GONE OUT SO SOON. I HAVE HEARD OF OTHER COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER ELEMENT OWNER'S AND DO NOT KNOW IF THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. *JB