Page 2 of 9 · complaints 51–100 of 424

2003 Honda Element complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2003 record →

Air Bags
Filed Aug 25, 2016CT

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V344000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

Unknown or Other
Filed Aug 6, 2016195,000 milesNY

DOOR LOCKS ARE DEFECTIVE- CANNOT INSERT MY KEY IN DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. MY REMOTES DON'T LIFT THE LOCKS ANY MORE. LIGHTS FLASH OK, BUT I HAVE A FEELING THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR LOCK IS INVOLVED. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS COMMON IN THIS VEHICLE

Air Bags
Filed Jul 28, 2016WV

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

Electrical System
Filed Jul 27, 2016169,000 milesMD

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE COULD REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION IN ANY GEAR WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V364000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 169,000.

Air Bags
Filed Jul 25, 2016NM

TAKATA RECALL: I HAVE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THIS VEHICLE. I NOTE THAT THE DEALER IS REQUIRED TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE WITHIN 60 DAYS OF AN APPOINTMENT DATE. OUR DEALERSHIP IS GARCIA HONDA IN ALBUQUERQUE NM. OVER THE LAST TWO WEEKS I HAVE TRIED NUMEROUS TIMES TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT. WHEN I CALL I AM FORWARDED TO A NUMBER WHICH RINGS, AND RINGS, AND RINGS.... AND NO ONE EVER PICKS UP. SEEMS INAPPROPRIATE TO TRY TO GET AROUND THE 60 DAY REQUIREMENT BY NEVER ALLOWING SOMEONE TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT.

Latches/Locks/Linkages
Filed Jun 13, 2016185,000 milesFL

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.

Air Bags
Filed May 1, 2016NC

MY AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON AND WILL NOT GO OFF AND I ALSO HAVE A KNOCKING AND TICKING NOISE ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEN TURNING MY STEERING WHEEL.

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Apr 26, 2016107,000 milesGA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA ELEMENT. AFTER THE IGNITION KEY WAS TURNED TO THE START POSITION, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V364000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Air Bags1 injured
Filed Mar 30, 2016180,000 milesND

TAKATA RECALL. AT LESS THAN SPEED LIMIT OF 35 MPH, VEHICLE ENCOUNTERED ICY CONDITIONS ON HILL, AND VEHICLE ROLLED APPROXIMATELY 100 FEET OFF OF ROAD INTO GENTLY GRADED AREA. VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE STRAIGHT OUT WITHOUT ANY SIGNIFICANT BODY DAMAGE, YET AIRBAGS BOTH DEPLOYED UPON EXITING THE ROAD, MOST LIKELY DUE TO ROLLING OVER A SMALL CURB BEFORE LEAVING ROADWAY. THIS WAS A CITY STREET, EARLY IN THE MORNING OF MARCH 23, 2016, WITH MY LICENSED AND INSURED 16 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER DRIVING. BUT FOR THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT SHE WOULD HAVE DRIVEN AWAY WITHOUT INCIDENT, BUT DUAL DEPLOYMENT RESULTED IN BURNS TO HER JACKET AND RIGHT ARM AND A LACERATION TO HER LEFT KNEE DUE TO HER REACTION TO THE UNEXPECTED DEPLOYMENT. I BELIEVE THE AIRBAG INITIATORS WERE OVERLY SENSITIVE OR ON A HAIR TRIGGER. ESTIMATED SPEED AT TIME OF DEPLOYMENT IS 25MPH OR LESS. VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY OWNED AND REGISTERED IN NEW MEXICO AND APPARENTLY IN STORAGE FOR A PERIOD WHERE IT WOULD HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY HOT AND/OR HUMID AT TIMES, BUT AT TIME OF INCIDENT WAS OWNED AND REGISTERED IN NORTH DAKOTA. POLICE AND INSURANCE REPORTS ARE PENDING AT THIS TIME. POLICE, INSURANCE AND AMBULANCE REPORTS WOULD NOT EVEN EXIST BUT FOR SHOCK OF AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AS THERE WAS NO IMPACT, NO OTHER VEHICLES INVOLVED, AND NO TICKETS ISSUED OR DRIVING CITED.

Electrical System
Filed Mar 29, 2016NJ

2003 HONDA ELEMENT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO UNSATISFACTORY CUSTOMER SERVICE AT DEALERSHIP WITH IGNITION SWITCH AND AIRBAG REPAIRS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD COME ON OCCASIONALLY. ALSO, THE KEY WOULD GET STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AT TIMES WHEN THE CONSUMER TURNED THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. *JB

Seats
Filed Mar 7, 2016174,000 milesOH

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.

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Jan 20, 2016103,000 milesAZ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA ELEMENT. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE DRIVER SIDE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V351000 (AIR BAGS) A MONTH AGO AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED THREE BROKEN RIBS AND LIVER DAMAGE, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000.

Engine
Filed Nov 9, 2015227,590 milesAL

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.

Unknown or Other
Filed Oct 19, 2015170 milesSC

DEALERSHIPS ROLLING THE MILAGE BACK 3000AND SCAMS DISABLE PEOPLE OUT OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS AND 28% LAWSUIT CRIMMAL AND CIVIL PLEASE CALL ME.

Air Bags
Filed Sep 28, 2015183,645 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V353000 (AIR BAGS) AND 15V320000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED WERE UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. UPDATED 11/18/15*LJ UPDATED 01/11/16. *JB UPDATED 1/12/2016 *JS

Electrical System
Filed Jul 21, 2015184,000 milesFL

WHILE DRIVING THE SRS/AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE DASH. HAD IT RESETTED BUT DOESNT GO AWAY. CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED ABOUT RECALLS ON THE AIRBAGS AND IGNITION SWITCH. NOTHING ABOUT THE AIRBAG LIGHT. IVE REVIEWED MANY FORM WHICH COUNTLESS PEOPLE COMPLAIN OF THIS ISSUE. PLEASE UPDATE ME ON ANYTHING REGUARDING THIS ISSUE! IM SCARED THE AIRBAGS MAY DEPLOY AS IM DRIVING, OR NOT DEPLOY WHEN NEEDED.

Electrical System
Filed Jul 20, 201558,000 milesVT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY BECAME STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND FAILED TO TURN OVER IN ORDER TO START THE VEHICLE. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO START. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE IGNITION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING THE FAILURE IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V364000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.

Electrical System
Filed Jul 13, 201580,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA ELEMENT. UPON ENTERING THE VEHICLE AND ATTEMPTING TO PLACE THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, THE KEY FAILED TO ENGAGE WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH. OCASIONALLY, IT TOOK THE CONTACT TEN MINUTES TO GET THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. MA 10/25/15

EngineFire
Filed Jul 2, 2015124,000 milesWI

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.

Unknown or Other
Filed Jun 4, 2015130,000 milesAR

DOOR LOCK ON THE DRIVERS DOOR STOPPED WORKING. HONDA SAID I NEEDED A KEY FOB. IT WORKED FOR A WHILE. NOW MY KEY FOB WILL NOT OPEN DRIVERS DOOR. THE ONLY WAY TO LOCK OR UNLOCK MY DOOR IS TO PULL UP ON THE HANDLE AND PUSH LOCK DOWN AND TO GO TO THE OTHER DOOR AND CRAWL ACROSS TO UNLOCK IT. I HAVE READ OF MANY OWNERS BEING LOCKED OUT OF THEIR CARS TOTALLY. A REPAIRMAN THOUGHT IT WAS THE ACTUATOR. WHEN HE WENT TO INSTALL IT, IT WAS NOT. I HAVE SPOKEN TO SEVERAL HONDA SERVICE DEPARTMENTS AND THEY HAVE NO CLUE THEY SAID.

Air Bags
Filed May 15, 2015CO

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP FLASHED AND REMAINED ILLUMINATED FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V351000 (AIR BAGS) MONTHS AGO AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIMEFRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Air Bags
Filed May 15, 2015CA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V351000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

Air Bags
Filed May 13, 2015FL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 10V364000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), 14V351000 (AIR BAGS), AND 14V700000 (AIR BAGS). THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIMEFRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE DEALER DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

Air Bags
Filed May 7, 2015150,000 milesAL

JUST ENTERING THE INFORMATION CONCERNING THE SLOW RESPONSE TO REPLACING THE AIRBAGS ON MY 2003 HONDA ELEMENT (SEE VIN ABOVE). CAR WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP IN FEBRUARY 2015, BUT DEALERSHIP CANNOT GET PARTS TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. RECALL NUMBERS: 14V-700 AND 14V-351. ANY ASSISTANCE IS GREATLY APPRECIATED. *TR

Air Bags
Filed May 5, 2015CA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V353000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

Air Bags
Filed Apr 15, 2015VA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V700000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED. UPDATED 7/6/2015*JS

Air Bags
Filed Apr 13, 2015CA

RECALL FOR AIR BAG, NO PARTS AVAILABLE. VECHICLE NOT SAFE TO DRIVE ? CALLED HONDA ABOUT CONCERNS FOR CHILDREN IN VEHICLE. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Apr 10, 2015100,000 milesMI

BATTERY DIES AFTER 10 TO 12 HOURS OF NOT USING CAR, ON 3RD BATTERY IN 3 YEARS, BATTERY IS DRAINED DEAD. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Apr 10, 201595,000 milesMI

AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT TURNED ON. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Mar 29, 2015MI

HONDA HAS FAILED TO FIX THE TWO OPEN RECALLS ON MY VEHICLE. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES FOR REPAIR AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. I INITIALLY CONTACTED THE DEALER IN EARLY JANUARY AND WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE A FEW WEEKS UNTIL PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. I THEN CALLED IN FEBRUARY AND WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE MID-MARCH. AGAIN THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. IT HAS NOW BEEN NEARLY 3 MONTHS SINCE INITIAL CONTACT AND THE TWO RECALLS HAVE NOT BEEN CORRECTED. *TR

Tires
Filed Mar 23, 201590,500 milesFL

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

Air Bags
Filed Feb 10, 2015FL

I VISITED THE RECALL WEB SITE AFTER HEARING ABOUT THE AIRBAG CONCERNS WITH MY VEHICLE. I THEN MADE AN APPOINTMENT AND HAD MY DRIVERS AIRBAG/BECAUSE OF A RECALL, REPLACED ON NOV 26, 2014. I REQUESTED A VEHICLE FOR THE DAY SINCE THE RECALL IS NOT A PERSONAL PROBLEM BUT A PROBLEM OF THE MANUFACTURE. I WAS DENIED A DAY USE CAR. I WAS TOLD THAT DAY THAT THE PASSENGERS AIRBAG WAS ON BACKORDER, I HAVE SINCE CONTACTED THE DEALER WHO DID NOT RETURN MY CALL. I THEN WENT TO THE DEALER WEB SITE AN E-MAILED THEM MY CONCERNS. SOMEONE DID CALL ME AND STATED THAT THE AIRBAGS WERE ON BACKORDER. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT IT IS TAKING SO LONG TO GET MY PASSENGERS AIRBAGS REPLACED. I AM ALSO CONCERNED THAT THE LOCAL DEALER DOES NOT RETURN PHONE CALLS. LOCAL DEALER IS HONDA OF FORT MYERS FL. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Feb 9, 2015FL

LETTER FROM SENATOR NELSON ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT RE 2003 HONDA ELEMENT AIRBAG. *SMD THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A LOANER VEHICLE, DUE TO THE FACT, THE RECALL FIX WILL TAKE THREE HOURS TO COMPLETE. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE PART NEEDED TO BE ORDERED.*JB

Latches/Locks/Linkages
Filed Jan 28, 201567,000 milesMD

DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR LOCK TUMBLERS SEIZED MY KEY WHEN I TRIED TO UNLOCK THE CAR. THEY KEY WAS STUCK MIDWAY - I COULD NOT REMOVE THE KEY NOR TURN IT EITHER WAY. SINCE THE KEY WAS CAUGHT IN THE LOCK, THE KEY FOB WOULD NOT OPEN THE PASSENGER'S DOOR OR REAR LATCH. I WAS LOCKED OUT OF THE CAR WITH MY LITTLE GIRL TRAPPED INSIDE. AFTER A POP-A-LOCK VISIT, I WAS ABLE TO GET MY SPARE KEY TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, BUT I STILL HAD THE ORIGINAL KEY STUCK IN THE DOOR LOCK. I DROVE TO HONDA SERVICE CENTER; THEY WERE UNABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY ALSO. THEY SAID I WOULD HAVE TO PAY $450 TO HAVE THE LOCK TUMBLER REPLACED. I ASKED THEM IF THEY WOULD REMOVE THE DOOR PANEL BECAUSE THE KEY IN THE DOOR WAS A THEFT ISSUE. THEY SAID I WOULD HAVE TO PAY $112.50 FOR THEM TO REMOVE THE PANEL. WHEN I ASKED IF THEY WOULD REMOVE THE PANEL FOR FREE SO I COULD TRY TO REMOVE THE KEY, THEY REFUSED, CITING LIABILITY ISSUES. THE SERVICE CENTER IS ONLY WILLING TO HELP WHEN PAID ASTRONOMICAL RATES LIKE $112.50 TO REMOVE A DOOR PANEL (WITHOUT BEING ASKED TO PUT IT BACK ON) AND $450 TO REPLACE A $40 PART THAT IS MALFUNCTIONING. I HAVE NEVER HEARD ANY OTHER CAR MANUFACTURERS' CARS SEIZING A KEY IN THE DOOR LOCK EVER IN MY LIFE! WE COULD HAVE BEEN IN GREAT DANGER IF WE HAD BEEN IN A REMOTE AREA OF IF IT HAD BEEN NIGHTTIME. HONDA CUSTOMER SERVICE REFUSES TO FIX MY PROBLEM BECAUSE THERE IS NO RECALL, DESPITE THE PROBLEMS OF OTHERS. EVEN WHEN I ASKED THAT THE REPAIR BE DONE AS "GOODWILL' THE REPRESENTATIVE REFUSED TO CONSIDER. PO

Latches/Locks/Linkages
Filed Dec 19, 2014WV

DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR LOCK HAS MALFUNCTIONED AND WOULD NOT UNLOCK. SOMETIMES WOULD NOT LOCK. I HAD SAME PROBLEM SEVERAL YEARS AGO AND HAD LOCK REPLACED AT HONDA DEALER HOWEVER RECENTLY IT STARTED AGAIN. APPARENTLY THIS IS A COMMON HONDA PROBLEM. I REALLY LIKE THE ELEMENT HOWEVER THESE TYPES OF PROBLEMS LEAVE ME TO PROBABLY NEVER BUY ANOTHER HONDA. NOW THE AIRBAG RECALL WHICH HAS NOT EVEN RECOGNIZED THE NEED TO REPLACE IN WV. *TR

Air BagsCrash
Filed Dec 7, 201486,000 milesNY

HAPPENED IN NYC, AFTERNOON, WEATHER DRIZZLING/RAINING AND HUMID. SLID ON AN OIL SLICK ON THE ROAD, SWERVED SIDEWAYS AND HIT AN EXIT RAMP CONCRETE BARRIER FULL FRONT (W/ MY FRONT AGAINST IT, PERPENDICULAR TO THE BARRIER). PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED, MINE DID NOT. THE THING IS, I WAS THE ONLY PERSON IN THE CAR, THERE WAS NO PASSENGER IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. CAR WAS ALWAYS DRIVEN IN NY, I AM ORIGINAL OWNER. DIDN'T REPORT IT EARLIER BEC NEWS ALWAYS SAID IT'S ONLY AN ISSUE W/ CARS IN THE SOUTH, AND ELEMENT DIDN'T APPEAR IN THE RECALL LISTS IN THE PAPERS (ONLY SAW IT LISTED THIS MINUTE ON THE GOV SITE, AFTER HEARING SO MUCH TALK ABOUT IT ON THE NEWS AND DECIDED TO CHECK). I THINK THE CAR MANUF'S SHOULD HAVE NOTIFIED ALL OWNERS OF THAT AIRBAG OF THE POSSIBILITY OF AN ISSUE, EVEN IF THEY DIDN'T LIVE IN THE SOUTH, JUST IN CASE, IT'S NOT EXPENSIVE TO DO, JUST A STAMP. ANYWAY, THAT'S MY FEELING. *TR

Latches/Locks/Linkages
Filed Dec 6, 2014TX

THE DRIVER SIDE LOCK STOPPED WORKING FROM THE OUTSIDE. FIRST THE ALARM AND AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCK STOPPED WORKING. IT WOULD ARM AND UNARM THE ALARM AND UNLOCK THE BACK AND SIDE DOOR BUT NOT THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR. THAT WAS ANNOYING BUT I HAVE THE KEY AND WOULD THEN JUST UNLOCK THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR BUT THE LOCK WOULD STICK AND NOT ALLOW THE KEY TO TURN. I WOULD THEN HAVE TO TAKE THE KEY OUT AND TRY AGAIN. OVER A FEW WEEKS IT GOT WORSE AND WORSE EVENTUALLY NOT ALLOWING THE KEY TO EVEN COMPLETELY ENTER. IT WOULD ALSO GET STUCK IN THE LOCKED POSITION AND I WOULD HAVE TO MANUALLY UNLOCK IT TO GET OUT. EVENTUALLY IT STOPPED WORKING ALL TOGETHER. TO GET IN I WOULD HAVE TO UNARM THE ALARM AND FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE USE AN UMBRELLA TO REACH ACCESS THE SEATS TO MANUALLY UNLOCK THE DOOR. I WOULD THEN HAVE TO WALK AROUND THE CAR TO GET IN. I WOULD ALSO HAVE TO MANUALLY LOCK THE DOOR BEFORE DRIVING AS IT WOULD NOT LOCK ON ITS OWN. TO GET OUT I WOULD HAVE TO DO THE WHOLE PROCESS AGAIN BUT IN REVERSE ORDER. IF I LOCKED THE DOOR WITH THE DOOR OPEN IT WOULD NOT SHUT COMPLETELY. IT PROGRESSIVELY GOT WORSE OVER ABOUT A YEAR. I HAD IT REPAIRED ALMOST TWO YEARS AGO AND HAVE NOT HAD ISSUES SINCE. I DID NOT HAVE TO CHANGE KEYS, ELECTRONIC LOCKS, OR ALARMS. THIS WAS SOME TIME AGO SO I DO NOT REMEMBER WHAT THEY HAD TO DO TO FIX IT BUT I REMEMBER IT NOT BEING CHEAP AND TAKING MUCH OF THE DAY AS THEY HAD TO TAKE THE DOOR APART. I AM NOT SURE IF THE DEALER OR MY REGULAR REPAIR PLACE FIXED IT BUT MORE INFORM

Electrical System
Filed Nov 24, 201489,359 milesWA

THE DRIVER'S-SIDE KEY LOCK ROUTINELY DOES NOT ACCEPT THE KEY WITHOUT MULTIPLE EFFORTS. SOMETIMES THESE EFFORTS FAIL, AND I MUST TRY THE BACK HATCH OR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. AS A SINGLE FEMALE, I FIND THIS DISTURBINGLY DANGEROUS. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT I CAN'T GET INTO THE CAR, MARKING ME AS VULNERABLE. THIS BASICALLY SETS ME AFOOT, OFTEN AT NIGHT, OFTEN IN UNCERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES. SHOULD I FIND MYSELF NEEDING TO MOVE THE CAR FOR ANY EMERGENCY WHATSOEVER, A GREAT DEAL OF TIME WILL BE LOST AS I STRUGGLE WITH ENTRY. UNTIL I CHECKED FOR THE AIRBAG RECALL, I HAD NOT KNOWN ABOUT THIS SITE. I AM APPALLED TO FIND THAT THIS KEY FAILURE IS A COMMON ISSUE. MY NEXT CAR WILL BE A TOYOTA, THE BRAND I DROVE FOR MANY, MANY MILES AND YEARS WITHOUT TROUBLE. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Nov 5, 2014162,000 milesNM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 162,000.

Latches/Locks/Linkages
Filed Oct 28, 201440,000 milesCO

DRIVER SIDE EXTERIOR DOOR LOCK DOES NOT ACCEPT A KEY. THIS IS EXTREMELY PROBLEMATIC DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE ELEMENT DID NOT INCLUDE AUTO LOCKS. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN IN A PARALLEL PARKING SITUATION WHERE MY DRIVER DOOR WAS FACING A BUSY STREET. I WAS TRYING TO GET INTO THE CAR WHEN THE LIGHT BEHIND ME TURNED GREEN AND THE CARS CAME WHIPPING BY. IT IS ALSO SCARY AT NIGHT WALKING TO MY CAR IN A PARKING LOT AS I DON'T KNOW IF MY LOCK WILL WORK AND SOMEONE COULD EASILY FOLLOW ME OUT TO MY CAR AND HAVE PLENTY OF TIME TO ATTACK ME. I HAVE A DAUGHTER AND HER SAFETY IS MOST IMPORTANT. THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE FIXED NOT ONLY FOR CONVENIENCE BUT ALSO PEACE OF MIND. *TR

Engine
Filed Aug 14, 2014144,000 milesTX

I STOPPED TO CHECK MY MAIL AND TURNED OFF MY VEHICLE TO USE THE MAIL BOX KEY AND WHEN I TRIED TO START MY CAR AGAIN, IT WOULD NOT START. ALL I GOT WAS A BUZZING NOISE FROM UNDER THE STEERING COLUMN. PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT OVER THE LAST WEEK THERE WERE TIMES MY CAR WOULD NOT START. I WOULD MAKE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS AND IT WOULD FINALLY START. THE BATTERY AND STARTER WERE CHECKED AND IN WORKING CONDITION. *TR

Latches/Locks/Linkages
Filed Aug 14, 2014130,000 milesTX

THE LOCK ON DRIVER SIDE DOOR NO LONGER ACCEPTS THE KEY. I HAVE TO UNLOCK FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE. WHEN TRYING TO LOCK OR UNLOCK FROM THE DRIVER SIDE, MY KEY GETS STUCK IN THE LOCK AND DOES NOT TURN. *TR

Latches/Locks/Linkages
Filed Aug 13, 201498,000 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC DOOR SYSTEM FAILED TO OPEN OR LOCK THE DOORS, AND THE DOORS COULD NOT BE OPENED WITH THE KEY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

Latches/Locks/Linkages
Filed Aug 10, 2014FL

FRONT DOOR LOCK WILL NOT WORK. IT IS JAMMED AND WILL NOT ACCEPT THE KEY GOING IN. THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AND FIXED. IT'S UNBELIEVABLE. *TR

Structure › Body › Door
Filed Aug 5, 2014190,000 milesNJ

BOTH DOOR LOCKS (DRIVER AND PASSENGER) ARE JAMMED. AT TIMES THE KEY GOES IN AND OTHERS IT DOESN'T BUT DO NOT TURN. I HAVE TWO KEYS AND NEITHER OF THEM OPEN EITHER DOOR. I HAVE TO ENTER THROUGH THE BACK DOOR, CLIMB OVER THE BACK SEATS TO GET TO THE DRIVER'S SEAT. THIS APPEARS TO BE AN ISSUE WITH MANY HONDA ELEMENTS MADE IN 2003. I HAVE READ MANY REVIEWS AND SEE THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE THIS SAME ISSUE. I HAVE BACK PROBLEMS AND CANNOT BE CLIMBING IN THROUGH THE BACK OF MY CAR TO OPEN THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR TO ENTER MY CAR. I THINK HONDA SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPLACING THESE LOCKS. *TR

Latches/Locks/Linkages
Filed Jul 17, 2014180,000 milesTX

DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR LOCK BEGAN TO NOT UNLOCK THE DOOR ON FIRST ATTEMPT. AFTER APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR THE LOCK BECAME STUCK AT A 45 DEGREE ANGLE AND WOULD NOT RELEASE THE KEY. FORCED THE KEY OUT OF THE LOCK BY PLACING MY KNEE AGAINST THE DOOR AND PULLING ON THE KEY UNTIL THE KEY FINALLY CAME OUT. LOCK CONTINUES TO BE AT ABOUT 20 DEGREES AND WILL NOT ALLOW THE KEY TO ENTER AND/OR TURN. HAVE TRIED LIQUID WRENCH, BUT NO IMPROVEMENT. HAVE TO UNLOCK THE DRIVER'S DOOR BY ENTERING THROUGH THE PASSENGER DOOR. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Jul 1, 2014194,150 milesFL

I WAS DRIVING OUT OF THE PARKING LOT OF MY CONDO, WHEN MY KNEE TAPPED THE KEYS ON MY IGNITION INWARDS. AS THIS HAPPENED THE CAR SHUT OFF. I WAS WORRIED BUT HAD TO GO ON WITH MY DAY. AFTER HEARING ABOUT THE GM ISSUES I BECAME CONCERNED BECAUSE THE ISSUE WITH THEIR IGNITION WAS THE SAME ONE I WAS HAVING WITH MY HONDA ELEMENT. I CALLED HONDA ON JULY 1, 2014 AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. I WAS TOLD I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE INSPECTION AT THE DEALERSHIP AND WOULD HAVE TO FIGURE IT OUT ON MY OWN. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THE IGNITION ON MY HONDA HAS HAD AN ISSUE. A RECALL WAS INITIATED BY HONDA REGARDING THE IGNITION ALLOWING A CAR TO ROLL AWAY IF NOT ON PARK. I FOLLOWED DIRECTION AND HAD MY CAR INSPECTED BY A HONDA AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE DEALER. THE PROBLEM WAS ADDRESSED, BUT NOW WITH A LIGHT BUMP ON THE KEY THE IGNITION TURNS OFF. I AM VERY WORRIED I AM NOT THE ONLY CONSUMER WITH THIS ISSUE AND THAT HONDA DOES NOT TAKE THIS CONCERN SERIOUSLY, ESPECIALLY WITH ALL THE GM ISSUES GOING ON. PLEASE HELP. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Jun 27, 2014130,000 milesNH

THE SRS WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. ABOUT 3 WEEKS LATER HONDA ISSUED A PARTIAL RECALL ON 2003 ELEMENT AIRBAGS. I CALLED HONDA AND WAS TOLD MY VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED. IN LOOKING INTO THE RECALL I SEE THAT IT IS FOR VEHICLES IN HOTTER CLIMATES. I THINK IT SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO ALL CLIMATES. *TR

Electrical System
Filed May 6, 2014232,000 milesCO

I HAVE A 2003 HONDA ELEMENT AND I HAVE TO PAY OVER $700 FOR A NEW IGNITION AND MY DRIVERS SIDE DOOR DOES NOT WORK WITH A KEY OR THE KEYLESS REMOTE. I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE AND HONDA SHOULD DO A BLANKET RECALL. I CANNOT AFFORD TO FIX THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR AT THIS TIME. IT IS EMBARRASSING AND UNACCEPTABLE AND IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM. COME ON HONDA! NOW I WILL HAVE TWO KEYS, ONE FOR THE IGNITION AND ONE FOR THE DOORS. WHEN I GET MY DRIVERS SIDE DOOR FIXED, I WILL HAVE THREE KEYS TO USE. URG. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Apr 24, 201465,000 milesIL

KEYLESS REMOTE WILL NOT WORK FOR ANY DOORS. KEY WILL NOT ALLOW YOU TO MANUALLY TURN WITHOUT GETTING STUCK OR JAMMED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE (FROM THE OUTSIDE). THE DOOR WILL ONLY LOCK IF YOU CRAWL THROUGH FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE AND LOCK IT MANUALLY. THIS IS INCONVENIENT, UNACCEPTABLE AND A COMMON PROBLEM AMONG HONDA ELEMENT OWNERS. THIS ISSUE SHOULD CAUSE A RECALL FOR HONDA TO FIX. *TR

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Full record for the 2003 Honda Element → · Every Element year → · How the figures are calculated →