2004 Honda Element Problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUN ROOF BECAME FRACTURED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A COLLISION SPECIALIST FOR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

MY HONDA ELEMENT HAS HAD TWO WINDSHIELDS REPLACED AND NOW A CRACK AGAIN AT THE BASE MOVING UP. STRESS CRACKS NOT FOREIGN MATERIAL HITTING THE CAR. I SIMPLY CANNOT AFFORD A 500 DEDUCTIBLE TO GET ANOTHER WINDSHIELD..... *TR

I drive a 2004 Honda Element and on Friday 2/3/23 I was in a car accident where I t-boned a car going 25 mph and my airbags did NOT deploy.

The contact owns a 2004 Honda Element. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer to repair under the Takata recall. Several few months after the air bag repair, the driver’s side curtain air bag deployed without incident and without warning while driving at 65 MPH. The contact pulled off the highway and found no visible damage or reason for the deployment. The contact had taken the vehicle back to the dealer on two separate occasions for an inspection; however, the contact was never given a cause for the failure. The contact then took the vehicle to an independent mechanic who refused to service the vehicle since the cause of the deployment had not been determined. The manufacturer had been notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

MY DRIVER SIDE SEAT WILL ROCK BACK AND FORTH. I HAVE TIGHTENING BOLTS UNDER SEAT BUT CAME LOOSE AGAIN. BEEN LIKE THIS FOR AWHILE.

DRIVER'S SEAT ROCKS BACK AND FORTH.

My air conditioner went out and I was going to put car in reverse to see if the fans were working. When I put the key in I didn't start the car because my key wouldn't go forward or backwards it was just stuck and the steering column locked up. When I first purchased the vehicle in October 2022 I had to have to front end suspension joints replaced the bar in the middle was cracked. It sounded and felt like the motor was going to fall out. I need to replace the back suspension due to very loud noises when driving like something is going to fall apart.

The contact owns a 2004 Honda Element. The contact stated that after the vehicle was shifted into park(P), the vehicle would roll forward or roll backward. Additionally, the key would remain stuck in the ignition, causing the contact to have to maneuver the key to release the key from the ignition switch. The failure occurred intermittently; however, the key was still stuck in the ignition. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who confirmed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 167,000.

Trailing arm mount rotting out from rust

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.

On 722 2024 dealer try to replace a defective seatbelt buckle could not do the repair could not get a replacement from Honda SRS light stays on so that if the vehicle is in an accident, the airbags will not deploy. Have been waiting on this partfor a very long time. Have no information from Honda when this will be available.

The contact owns a 2004 Honda Element. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under an unknown recall related to the seat belts; however, the seat belt retractor was repaired incorrectly and was installed backward. The local dealer was not contacted due to new ownership. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 166,000.

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.

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.

ENGINE STALLS AT 3000RPM

THE CAR SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING AND CAME TO AN INSTANT STOP. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY WHILE PULLING INTO A BUSINESS. THANKFULLY THERE WAS NO ONE BEHIND ME. IT HAS BEEN MAYBE A YEAR FROM THE FIRST INCIDENT AND NOW THE CAR WILL FLASH OFF AND ON WITHIN A NANO SECOND WHILE DRIVING AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS AND ALSO WHILE COMING TO A STOP AND TURNING CORNERS. THE HEADLIGHTS ALSO DIM AT DIFFERENT TIMES WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS VERY SCARY AND WILL EVENTUALLY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. I WILL BE MAKING AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE LOCAL DEALER ASAP. I AM HOPING THAT BY GETTING THE IGNITION RECALL COMPLETED THIS WILL FIX THE ISSUE. *JS

Just like the same era's Honda CR-V (the Honda Element's sibling car with many of the same components), the undercarriage rust on my vehicle is excessive: as described in the same era Honda CR-V's NHTSA Recall (23V-228). Large sections of my car’s rear frame are completely missing, and as shown in the photographs even the rear bumper fell off because of all of the rust. Just like with the CR-V, a recall for the rear frame corrosion first occurred in Canada and then in the US: see NHTSA Recall 23V-228’s chronology. The Honda Element's Canadian recall is as follows: "Transport Canada Recall - 2021024 – HONDA". As of today, there is no NHTSA recall for rear frame corrosion for Honda Elements. I am submitting this complaint for this car now, and also contemporaneously am submitting complaints under different VINs for my other Elements with rust problems: every Honda Element that I have ever owned, even one that had spent its entire 14 year life as a New Mexico, Arizona, and Texas car has had rust problems. In other words, no matter what environment these Elements (which were made for the model years 2003-2011) are in, they corrode right away (within any factory warranties), and eventually become dangerous.

MY WIFE WAS COMING TO A STOP AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THE ENGINE SUDDENLY STARTED ACCELERATING AND SHE PRESSED THE BRAKES TO TRY TO STOP IT. SHE EVENTUALLY PUT IT IN PARK TO STOP THE CAR, BUT THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO GO TO MAXIMUM RPM. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE HONDA DEALER WHERE IT WAS STILL EXHIBITING THE PROBLEM. *TR

Just like the same era's Honda CR-V (the Honda Element's sibling car with many of the same components), the undercarriage rust on my vehicle is excessive: as described in the same era Honda CR-V's NHTSA Recall (23V-228). Large sections of my car’s rear frame are completely missing, and as shown in the photographs even the rear bumper fell off because of all of the rust. Just like with the CR-V, a recall for the rear frame corrosion first occurred in Canada and then in the US: see NHTSA Recall 23V-228’s chronology. The Honda Element's Canadian recall is as follows: "Transport Canada Recall - 2021024 – HONDA". As of today, there is no NHTSA recall for rear frame corrosion for Honda Elements. I am submitting this complaint for this car now, and also contemporaneously am submitting complaints under different VINs for my other Elements with rust problems: every Honda Element that I have ever owned, even one that had spent its entire 14 year life as a New Mexico, Arizona, and Texas car has had rust problems. In other words, no matter what environment these Elements (which were made for the model years 2003-2011) are in, they corrode right away (within any factory warranties), and eventually become dangerous.

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.

BRAKES KEEP GRINDING AND SQUEALING. HAVE REPAIRED BRAKES AND MECHANISM ASSOCIATED WITH IT A TOTAL FOR FOUR TIMES. REAR PASSENGER BRAKE KEEPS GOING OUT. GRINDING AWAY PART OF THE ROTAR AND BRAKE KEEPS STICKING TO DISC.

BRAKE PEDAL WAS SOFT, COULD BE PUSHED TO THE FLOOR DESPITE BLEEDING OF THE BRAKE LINES. REPLACING THE MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM WHETHER DRIVING OR STATIONARY. BLEEDING THE ABS MODULATOR WOULD TEMPORARILY IMPROVE BRAKING, BUT TURNING THE IGNITION ON AND OFF 6 TIMES WOULD INTRODUCE AIR INTO THE ABS MODULATOR. REPLACING THE ABS MODULATOR SEEMED TO FIX THE PROBLEM.

The contact owns a 2004 Honda Element. The contact stated that after the vehicle was shifted into park(P), the vehicle would roll forward or roll backward. Additionally, the key would remain stuck in the ignition, causing the contact to have to maneuver the key to release the key from the ignition switch. The failure occurred intermittently; however, the key was still stuck in the ignition. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who confirmed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 167,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HEARD A CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION WHILE DRIVING AT ALL SPEEDS. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE OCCASIONALLY EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY SHIFTING OUT OF PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURES DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5. UPDATED 08/28/12*LJ UPDATED 09/05/2012 *JS

I KNOW THAT THE CORRECT TIRE SIZE FOR THE HONDA ELEMENT IS 215/70-R16. I DECIDED TO TAKE MY BUSINESS TO SEARS AUTO CENTER, WHERE THEY INSTALLED THE MICHELIN HYDROEDGE 215/65-R16 TIRES. I WAS WONDERING IF THIS SIZE IS SAFE FOR THE PASSENGERS AND FOR VEHICLE PERFORMANCE. *TR

215/70 16 WRANGLER HP VERY NOISY LAST 10,000 MILES. SUSPECT SAFETY OF TIRES. *JB

2004 HONDA ELEMENT: (I HAVE 2 AND BOTH HAVE THE FOLLOWING EXACT PROBLEMS)1. AIRBAGS WARNING LIGHTS INDICATING PROBLEMS 2. DRIVERS SEAT IS LOOSE AND ROCKS 3. PASSENGER SEAT CAUSES EXTREME DISCOMFORT TO HIP AND BACK ON LONG TIPS (THIS IS OCCURS WITH ALL PASSENGERS, YOUNG AND OLDER) 3. UNDER CARRIAGE BRUSHES FAILURE 4. A/C AIR COMPRESSOR FAILURE 5. STRAPS IN BACK SEATS PULLED OUT AND SEAT CANNOT BE RECLINED 6. ENGINE DECELERATES WITHOUT WARNING. POWER CUTBACK DURING PASSING MAKES THIS VERY DANGEROUS. 7. DRIVERS SEATBELT BUCKLE IS DIFFICULT TO SECURE (ONLY 1 CAR WITH THIS PROBLEM) 8. LOUD CLANKING NOISE WHEN CARS ARE BEING TURNED. *TR

MY MOTHER ARRIVED AT MY HOME IN HER ELEMENT TO PICK UP MY CHILDREN. SHE WAS GOING TO DROP OFF SOME ITEMS IN THE HOUSE WHILE MY CHILDREN PROCEEDED TO GET IN THE CAR TO GET IN THEIR CAR SEATS. THE CAR ROLLED BACKWARD INTO THE POND AND THE TWO CHILDREN AGES 3 AND 6 (THANK THE LORD) WERE RESCUED ALIVE WHILE THE CAR QUICKLY SANK. WHEN THE CAR WAS PULLED FROM THE POND IT WAS IN NEUTRAL AND THE KEYS WERE ON THE FLOOR. MY COMPLAINT IS TWOFOLD: MY MOTHER WAS ABLE TO SHUT OFF THE CAR AND REMOVE THE KEYS WITH THE CAR IN NEUTRAL. THE GEAR SHIFT ON THE FLOOR DOES NOT HAVE ANY VISUAL INDICATOR (A RED LINE OR AN ARROW) TO INDICATE THE GEAR THE CAR IS IN. ONCE THE CAR IS SHUT OFF- THE INDICATOR ON THE DASHBOARD WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN LIT. I BELIEVE THAT THE EYE-HAND DISCONNECT BETWEEN THE SHIFTER ON THE FLOOR AND THE INDICATORS ON THE DASH IS A PITFALL FOR USER-ERROR. HAD SHE NOT BEEN ABLE TO REMOVE HER KEYS WITH THE CAR IN NEUTRAL, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN CLEAR TO HER THAT SHE HAD NOT PARKED THE CAR CORRECTLY. *TR

The fuel filler neck has rusted through. If pumping gas into the vehicle, gasoline runs onto the ground by the rear tire. The rear trailing arm of the suspension has significant rust. I am concerned this suspension part could fail and become unattached to the vehicle frame/body. The Canadian transportation board has ordered a recall to repairs these issues. from Transport Canada: Toronto, Ontario — Honda is recalling all 2003-2011 Element SUVs, warning of rusting rear frames that could result in the complete separation of the rear trailing arm.

MY WIFE WAS COMING TO A STOP AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THE ENGINE SUDDENLY STARTED ACCELERATING AND SHE PRESSED THE BRAKES TO TRY TO STOP IT. SHE EVENTUALLY PUT IT IN PARK TO STOP THE CAR, BUT THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO GO TO MAXIMUM RPM. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE HONDA DEALER WHERE IT WAS STILL EXHIBITING THE PROBLEM. *TR

I'm am told the component that failed is the "lower control arm." The vehicle is available for inspection. At the onset of this problem was a loss of control of my steering. At first I felt a play in the steering wheel when I made a small adjustment in my turn and felt the car move more than what it would normally do. I thought it was the waves in the road due to frost heaves. Then within about 3/4s of a mile the left "lower control arm" separated from where it was being held and fell to the ground. I heard a dragging noise in the back left area of my vehicle and was fortunate to be in front of a parking lot and was able to immediately pull in out of traffic. The car was towed to our auto repair shop where I was told it was unfixable. I also called the Honda dealership and explained the issue, and was confirmed that the car is unfixable, and was told that presently the part causing this issue is being recalled in Canada, but not yet in the USA. I wanted you to know that this happened here in the USA as well. I did not receive any warnings that there was an issue until it happened.

ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT VEHICLE SCISSOR-STYLE JACK HAD TO BE ALMOST FULLY EXTENDED TO HAVE ENOUGH CLEARANCE FOR FRONT LEFT TIRE TO BE REMOVED. DESPITE REAR WHEEL CHOCKED AND JACK IN PROPER POSITION ACCORDING TO OWNER'S MANUAL, JACK GAVE WAY, ALLOWING VEHICLE TO FALL RESULTING IN CRUSH INJURY TO VEHICLE OWNER LOWER EXTREMITY. JACK LIFT SEEMS TO BE INADEQUATE FOR GROUND CLEARANCE OF VEHICLE. *TR

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.

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

THERE IS A DEFECT IN BOTH THE WORKMANSHIP (DESIGN) AND MATERIAL (PRONE TO MALFUNCTION IN NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS) OF THE HONDA ELEMENTS AIR CONDITIONER CONDENSER. THE CONDENSER IS LOCATED IN FRONT OF THE RADIATOR, DIRECTLY BEHIND THE CARS FRONT GRILLE. THE CONDENSER IS APPARENTLY EXTREMELY DELICATE AND PRONE TO DAMAGE FROM ROAD DEBRIS. THIS VITAL PART OF THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM IS DIRECTLY EXPOSED TO ROAD DEBRIS. NO PROTECTION IS PROVIDED FOR THIS CRITICAL COMPONENT. THIS IS A DEFECT IN WORKMANSHIP AND DESIGN. THE AIR CONDITIONER CONDENSER IS MADE OF MATERIAL AND CONSTRUCTED IN A MANNER THAT MAKES IT PRONE TO FAILURE WHEN DRIVING ON HIGHWAYS.*AK