2004 Honda Element Body & structure Problems

my control arm mount and frame of my element is rusted out, it is an ongoing problem with the honda element as i am seeing a lot of people online with similar issues. if this fails, it could put people at risk, i also see other elements on the road with a camber'd out back tire on the driver side. i believe these wheels would fall into the car causing an accident. there are no warning lights that pop on, this is hard to get a look at until you get under the vehicle. they have done recalls on this exact problem in canada already, we need it here as well in the usa. the crv has also had the same issues and was given a recall in usa. i am very concerned with the amount of these cars on the road that many do not know the danger they are in.

NHTSA ID

11670614

Incident

Jul 1, 2025

The rear left trailing arm mounting point is completely corroded through, making the car unsafe to drive. If it were to fall off during driving the chances of it creating an accident are high. There are many other Elements with this specific spot rusting through.

NHTSA ID

11590452

Incident

May 23, 2024

● The area of the body that serves as the forward mounting point for the rear driver-side trailing arm has completely rusted though. At this mounting point, the trailing arm mounting bracket has become entirely separated from the body leaving only one bolt securing the trailing arm to the body. This is the same issue for which these vehicles have been recalled in Canada. Yes, the vehicle is available for inspection upon request. ● Continuing to operate the vehicle in this condition presents the possibility of catastrophic failure of the trailing arm mount, resulting in loss of control of the vehicle, endangering the lives of those in and outside of the vehicle. ● No, I have not taken the vehicle to a dealer or service center. ● No the vehicle/component has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, or insurance representative. ● No warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms prior to the appearance of the problem on [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11588955

Incident

May 12, 2024

There is a corrosion recall on 2003-2014 Honda elements in Canada because, from salted roads, the frame rusts and extremely important safety parts can break and cause death to the driver. Seeing as these elements are made in the same factories and are in the same region (mine is in Detroit Michigan, only 10 minutes from Canada) this recall NEEDS to be extended to the USA or at least the regions where salted roads and snow are prevalent. My Honda element suffers from this exact problem but I can do nothing about it.

NHTSA ID

11572685

Incident

Feb 19, 2024

The contact owns a 2004 Honda Element. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced intermittent vibrations. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the rear control arm mounting joint. The contact was informed that the joint was almost completely rusted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 182,000.

NHTSA ID

11548446

Incident

Oct 4, 2023

Mileage

182,000 mi

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 ID

11525107

Incident

May 29, 2023

KEY IN DRIVER SIDE WILL NOT TURN. IT GETS STUCK AND WILL NOT UNLOCK OR LOCK . I HAVE TO INSERT, REMOVE AND RE-INSERT MANY TIMES IN HOPES THAT IT WILL UNLOCK OR LOCK. THERE ARE MANY TIMES IT JUST WON'T WORK AND I WILL HAVE TO ENTER FROM THE TRUNK. VEHICLE IS STATIONARY/PARKED.

NHTSA ID

11231333

Incident

Jul 12, 2019

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

NHTSA ID

10234377

Incident

Jun 24, 2008

Mileage

52,000 mi

ON A RESENT TRIP TO COLDER CLIMATES, WHERE THERE WAS STILL SOME SNOW ON THE GROUND, WHILE PARKING IN A PARKING LOT, I HIT A SMALL PATCH OF SNOW AND SLID INTO A TREE. NORMALLY I WOULD EXPECT NO DAMAGE DUE TO THE LOW SPEED I WAS TRAVELING AT AROUND 5 MPH AND CAR BUMPERS TO PROTECT THE VEHICLE IN LOW SPEED MISHAPS. HOWEVER, WITH THE DESIGN OF THE 2004 HONDA ELEMENT I OWN THERE IS NO BUMPER IN THE FRONT CENTER FOR APPROXIMATELY 30 INCHES. THIS LEAVES THE CAR WITH NO PROTECTION IF STRUCK IN THAT AREA. THERE WERE TWO PASSENGERS IN THE CAR AT THE TIME. WHILE WE WERE HARDLY EVEN JOLTED BY THE IMPACT, THE CAR SUSTAINED CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE IN THE AMOUNT OF OVER $7000. HOWEVER MY CONCERN HERE IS NOT LIMITED TO WHAT HAPPENED TO ME AT SUCH A LOW SPEED IMPACT BUT ALSO WHAT WOULD BE THE RESULT AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IF THE CAR WAS STRUCK OR SKIDDED IN A SIMILAR WAY AS MY ACCIDENT. THE RESULTS WOULD PROBABLY BE DISASTROUS WITH CONSIDERABLE LOSSES POSSIBLE. IF POSSIBLE THEN, THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE CORRECTED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. *NM

NHTSA ID

10154302

Incident

Mar 24, 2006

Mileage

24,500 mi

2004 HONDA ELEMENT. CRACKED WINDSHIELD X3 FIXES.....CRACKED AGAIN BY NO FAULT OF ROCKS. *JB

NHTSA ID

10154007

Incident

Jan 10, 2005

2004 HONDA ELEMENT : 2ND WINDSHIELD REPLACEMENT IN 6 MONTHS . THE CRACKS ALWAYS START IN THE BLACK AREA FROM BELOW THE WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADES. *JB HONDA DENIES ANY KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE DESIGN OF THE WINDSHIELD FRAME . HONDA REPLACED FIRST WINSHIELD APPROX. 6 MONTHS AGO . THE 2ND REPLACEMENT HONDA REFUSED TO COVER/WARRANTY. I HAVE A SIGNED STATEMENT FROM THE WINDOW TECHNICHIAN THAT CAME OUT AND REPLACED MY 2ND WINDSHIELD STATING; THE CRACK IN MY WINSHIELD WAS CAUSED BY STRESS AND THAT THE BOTTOM CORNERS OF THE PINCHWELD ON BOTH SIDES ARE BROKE AWAY FROM THE WELDS AND ARE LOOSE . MY INSURANCE POLICY COVERED THE 2ND REPLACEMENT HOWEVER, I FEEL HONDA SHOULD HAVE. AFTER RESEARCHING MY VEHICLE TODAY ON LINE, I HAVE LEARNED THAT THERE IS A PENDING CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST AMERICAN HONDA AND AN ALARMING NUMBER SITES WITH HONDA ELEMENT OWNERS OR LEASERS SHARING MY SAME CONCERNS . I WANT HONDA IN WRITTING, ASSURE ME THAT THIS DEFECT IN DESIGN OR, THE WAY THEY WILL ATTEMPT TO FIX IT WILL NOT CAUSE INJURY TO ME OR MY PASSENGERS OR LOSS OF LIFE TO MYSELF OR MY PASSENGERS IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT . I WOULD ALSO LIKE THEM TO WARANTY THE WINDSHIELD FOR THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE .

NHTSA ID

10152479

Incident

Mar 11, 2006

Mileage

10,000 mi

HONDA ELEMENT - DRIVER SEAT STARTED ROCKING 7 MONTHS OLD. UNSAFE. CLEARLY SOME IS LOOSE AND THERE ARE THE COMPLAINT IS OUT THERE AND REAL. THIS IS TRULY UNSAFE AND SHOULD BE EMBRACED ASAP. *JB

NHTSA ID

10151771

Incident

Dec 20, 2005

RATTLES COMING FROM THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD/DASHBOARD WHEN HITTING SMALL POT HOLES. CREAKING NOISES COMING THE RIGHT REAR SIDE OF THE VEHICLE AT ANY SPEED. SLIGHT RATTLES COMING FROM THE LEFT PASSENGER DOOR BEHIND THE DRIVER SEAT. SEATBELTS DO NOT RETRACT COMPLETELY. THEY'RE OFTEN GET CAUGHT BETWEEN DOORS CAUSING PAIN AND BODY DAMAGES. *AK

NHTSA ID

10060146

Incident

Feb 10, 2004

Mileage

300 mi