2003 Honda Element complaints

CAR WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY THURSDAY EVENING AT 4PM. AT 6 AM THE FOLLOWING MORNING CRACK HAD APPEARED DURING THE NIGHT IN THE LOWER WINDSHIELD DRIVERS SIDE. CRACK WENT VERTICAL FOR APPOX. 3 INCHES. THEN WENT HORIZONTAL TOWARD PASSANGER SIDE APPOX. 6 INCHES. BY FRIDAY EVENING CRACK HAD LENGHTEND AND DROPPED DOWN TO CENTER OF WINDSHIELD.DEALER SAID TOO BAD MUST HAVE BEEN A ROCK. PLAN TO KEEP WINDSHIELD AS EVEDENCE WHEN IT IS REPLACED. ODOMETER HAS 14K MILES.*AK

WINDSHIELD CRACKED. THE CAUSE HAD NOT BEEN DETERMINED. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE WINDSHEILD CONTINUED TO CRACK. *TC

2003 ELEMENT DEVEOPED A CRACK IN THE WIDSHIELD STARTING AT THE EDGE OF THE GLASS IN THE CENTER OF THE WINDSHIELD AND SPREADING ACROSS THE GLASS. I TOOK IT TO MY DEALER, AND THEY REFUSED TO TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY AND KEPT TRYING TO TELL ME THAT IT WAS CAUSED BY A STONE CHIP. THEY POINTED OUT A TINY ONE THE SIZE OF A PIN HEAD MIDWAY DOWN THE CRACK. WHEN I ASKED HOW THE CRACK MANAGED TO START AT THE EDGE OF THE WINSHIELD AND MEET THE CHIP, THEY JUST KEPT SAYING THAT IT WAS CAUSED BY THE CHIP AND THEY DIDN'T WANT TO HAVE ANYTHING ELSE TO DO WITH IT. THEY HAD NO INTEREST AT ALL IN RESOLVING WHAT APPEARS TO BE A SERIOUS DEFECT.*AK

2003 HONDA ELEMENT, FRONT WINDOW CRACKED UNDER THE SEAL UP ON THE RIGHT HAND PASSENGER SIDE. POPPING NOISE IN STEERING COLUMN DEVELOPED AFTER APPROX 15K MILES. POWER STEERING ROD REPLACED IN AUG 04. RETURNED TO DEALER IN SEPTEMBER. WAS TOLD THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE; HOWEVER, SERVICE TECHNICIAN WAS ABLE TO HEAR IT AND SAID IT SOUNDED AS IF THE AIRBAG SPRING WERE LOOSE. WAS NOT FIXED, REPORT CLAIMED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE. RETURNED TO DEALER THE FOLLOWING WEEK. HAD TWO SERVICE TECHNICIANS RIDE IN THE VEHICLE, THEY BOTH HEARD THE NOISE AND REPLACED A TURN SIGNAL SWITCH. POPPING NOISE IS STILL PRESENT. THERE IS A CLICKING NOISE WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL TURNS IN EITHER DIRECTION AND AT TIMES EVEN WHEN DRIVING IN A STRAIGHT LINE!*AK

WINDSHIELD CRACKED WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. THIS WAS ON A NEW VEHICLE. *JB

FRONT WINDSHIELD CRACKED, NO COLLISION. CRACK CONTINUED TO GROW. HAD TO REPLACE ON MY OWN EXPENSE.*AK

MY 2003 HONDA ELEMENT SUSTAINED A CRACKED FRONT WINDSHIELD WITHOUT ANYTHING CONTACTING IT. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR NEW FROM THE DEALER IIN JANUARY OF 2004. THE HONDA DEALER REPAIRED THE FIRST CRACKED WINDOW GRATIS IN MARCH OF 2004. I BROUIGHT THE CAR INTO THE DEALER ON MONDAY OCT. 25. THE DISTRICT SERVICE MANAGER PUT A PEN DOWN THE CRACK WHICH STARTED FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDOW AND TOLD ME AGAIN THAT SOMETHING HIT THE WINDOW AND IT WAS MY RESPONSIBILITY TO FIX IT THIS TIME BECAUSE THEY FIXED THE FIRST ONE. *AK

DEFECTIVE WINDSHIELD. CRACKED FOR NO APPARENT REASON.*AK

WINDSHEILD DEVELOPED CRACK OVERNIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT EVEN DRIVEN IN 5 DAYS PRIOR TO APPEARANCE OF THE CRACK. THE CRACK APPEARED TO START FROM THE LOWER EDGE OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE CORNER AND SNAKED UP TO ABOUT 10 INCHES. *AK

WINDSHIELD:TINY IMPACT CRACK LOCATED RIGHT ABOVE THE WIPER BLADE ON PASSENGER SIDE THAT HAS SPREAD ABOUT 24" TO THE EDGE OF THE WINDSHIELD CAUSED BY THE SLIGHTEST IMPACT OF A TINY PEBBLE TRAVELING ~45 MPH ON 880 NORTH IN FREMONT ,CALIFORNIA DURING RUSH HOUR MORNING TRAFFIC. TINY CHIP WOULD NOT HAVE SPREAD IF THERE WASN'T SO MUCH STRESS PLACED ON THE WINDSHIELD BY THE "UNEVEN WINDSHIELD FLANGE SURFACE" THAT IS STATED IN HONDA SERVICE BULLETIN 03-028 WHICH MY VIN FALLS WITHIN. HONDA DEALERSHIP WILL NOT REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD BECAUSE THE THEY SAID THE IMPACT STARTED THE CRACK. I CONTACTED HONDA CUSTOMER SERVICE DIRECTLY AS STATED IN THE WARRANTY MANUAL AND THEY SAID THEY COULD DO NOTHING BASED ON THE DEALERSHIP FINDINGS. I MENTIONED SEVERAL TIMES TO THE DEALERSHIP AND HONDA CUSTOMER SERVICE THAT THE WINDSHIELD DESIGN IS WEAK AND FLAWED BUT BOTH THE DEALERSHIP AND HONDA CS DID NOT EVEN THINK THAT WAS THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THERE IS A PRESISTANT PROBLEM WITH 2003 HONDA ELEMENT WINDSHIELDS SUCH AS HTTP://WWW.AUTOSAFETY.ORG/ARTICLE.PHP?DID=956&SCID=103. THERE IS A CLASS ACTION SUIT (BC319600) THAT WAS FILED IN LA, CA: HTTP://WWW.HONDAELEMENTSCRACK.COM/. *JB

2003 HONDA ELEMENT WITH A WINDSHIELD THAT HAS STARTING CRACKING FOR NO REASON AND IT IS STARTING TO TRAVEL INTO MY DRIVING VIEW. THERE IS A MAJOR DEFECT WITH THESE WINDSHIELDS. *AK

WINDSHIELD CRACKED INADVERTENTLY. WHILE DRIVING ON A DESERTED RURAL ROAD WINDSHIELD CRACKED. THIS WAS THE SECOND WINDSHIELD TO CRACK. IT WAS A MYSTERY AS TO WHY THIS HAPPENED.*AK

THE WINDSHIELD ON MY 2003 HONDA ELEMENT IS BREAKING FOR NO APPARENT REASON. T APPEARS THAT THERE IS A DEVELOPING HISTORY OF THIS PROBLEM WITH THIS PARTICULAR MODEL. SEE LINK BELOW, CALIFORNIA CLASS ACTION SUIT. *AK HTTP://WWW.AUTOSAFETY.ORG/ARTICLE.PHP?DID=950&SCID=90

THERE IS A TEN INCH CRACK GOING ACROSS THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

THIS IS THE 3RD CRACKED WINDSHIELD FOR MY 2003 HONDA ELEMENT. NONE OF THE CRACKS WERE CAUSED BY ANYTHING HITTING THE WINDSHIELD, THEY JUST APPEARED AND ALL IN THE SAME PLACE. THE CRACKS HAVE BEEN LOCATED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, BEGINNING WHERE THE WINDSHIELD MEETS THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE, GO STRAIGHT UP ABOUT 6 INCHES AND THEN HOOK TO THE RIGHT (AS YOU FACE THE VEHICLE). THE FIRST AND THIRD CRACKED WINDSHIELDS THE DEALER WOULDL NOT REPLACE BECAUSE THERE IS A SMALL PIT THE SIZE OF A PIN HEAD TOWARDS THE BOTTOM OF THE CRACK (ALTHOUGH NOTHING STRUCK THE WINDSHIELD) BUT THE 2ND ONE THEY DID REPLACE BECAUSE THE PIT DID NOT APPEAR. THEY CALLED IT A "STRESS CRACK". THE DATES OF THE WINDSHIELD REPLACEMENTS ARE 12/3/03, 7/15/04, AND 9/14/04. *AK

THE HORN AND THE ALARM SYSTEM FAILED TO OPERATE PROPERLY. THE DEALER MADE REPAIRS BACK IN DEC. 15, 2003 AND NOW THE PROBLEM HAS RECURRED, THE SOUND OF THE HORN DIMINISHED WHEN USED AND THE AUTO REMOTE WAS FAILING TO ACTIVATE THE ALARM SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *JB *MR

WINDSHIELD CRACKED AS HAS OCCURRED ON THOUSANDS OF HONDA ELEMENTS, SERVICE MANAGER IS BILIGERENT AND INSISTS IT IS A STONE CHIP EVEN THOUGH THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN ISSUED REGARDING THIS AND THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ONLINE COMPLAINING!*AK

FRONT WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED. DEALER STATED THAT A ROCK CRACKED THE WINDSHIELD. CONSUMER STATED THAT HE FOUND LOTS OF COMPLAINTS ON THE WEB PERTAINING TO THIS DEFECT.*AK

1) DRIVING MY 2003 HONDA ELEMENT ON THE HIGHWAY 2) WINDSHIELD CRACKED; THIS IS THE 4TH REPLACEMENT ON THAT WINDSHIELD IN 1 YEAR; 3) WINDSHIELD WILL BE REPLACED. *AK

WINDSHIELD CRACKED. THE CRACK IS NOT IMPACT RELATED. HONDA REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.*AK

MY 2003 HONDA ELEMENT HAS BEEN VICTIM OF 2 CRACKED WINDSHIELDS WITHIN THE TIME PERIOD OF 1 YEAR. THE FIRST CRACK OCCURRED WITHOUT ANY CONTRIBUTING FORCE. THE SECOND CRACK OCCURRED 2 WEEKS AFTER THE FIRST WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED. A SMALL PEBBLE HIT THE WINDSHIELD AND INSTANTLY CRACKED THE WINDSHIELD. IT SEEMS OBVIOUS THAT THERE IS BOTH A DESIGN FLAW AND LACK OF QUALITY WITH HONDA ELEMENT WINDSHIELDS.*AK

CRACKED WINDSHIELD, DRIVER DID NOT HEAR/SEE ANYTHING HIT WINDSHIELD, CRACK IS BELOW WIPER BLADE, MANY OTHER DRIVERS OF HONDA ELEMENT 2003 HAVE SIMILAR CRACKED WINDSHIELD STORIES. *AK

WHILE DRIVING A ROCK FROM THE STREET HIT THE WINDSHIELD, CAUSING A CRACK THREE TO FOUR INCHES IN DIAMETER. CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE ROCK WAS THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. CONSUMER INFORMED THE MECHANIC THAT THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED LESS THAN A YEAR AGO, AND PROBLEM RECURRED.*AK

WINDSHIED BROKE FOR NO APPARRENT REASON WHILE RIDING WITH MY WIFE, NICE WEATHER, NO TRAFFIC WINDSHIELD MADE A LOUD POPPING NOISE AND THEN WE BOTH WATCHED AS THE CRACK SPREAD FROM JUST BELOW THE PASSENGER SIDE WIPER ARM UPWARD ABOUT 12". *AK

WHILE DRIVING ON HWY 1, NO TRAFFIC ANYWHERE, WINDSHIELD ON MY 2003 HONDA ELEMENT WITH 8000 PLUS MILES ON IT CRACKED FROM UNDER THE WINDSHIELD WIPER ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE UP ABOUT 5 INCHES. CAR HAS A BUG/ROCK SHIELD ON IT. NO VISIBLE MARK ON WINDSHIELD JUST THIS CRACK INSIDE THE GLASS. DEALER REFUSES TO FIX. ENTIRE WINDSHIELD NEEDS TO BE REPLACED CANNOT JUST REPAIR. I AM IN MY SIXTIES AND HAVE OWNED LOTS OF CARS. HAD MANY THINGS HIT OTHER WINDSHIELDS, NEVER REPLACED A WHOLE WINDSHIELD BEFORE AND NEVER WHEN NO TRAFFIC AROUND OR ANYTHING TO CAUSE CRACK EXCEPT WHAT I BELIEVE IS A DEFECTIVE WINDSHIELD, DESIGN OR SOMETHING INHERENT IN THE CAR. HONDA SHOULD COME FORWARD AND ADMIT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH ITS WINDSHIELD AND THE STRESS THAT IS PLACED ON IT CAUSING IT TO BE UNFIT FOR THE PURPOSE FOR WHICH IT WAS INTENDED. WE HAVE A HIGH DEDUCTIBLE SO MUST ABSORB THE COST OURSELVES. IF THE NEXT WINDSHIELD FAILS AND THE ONE AFTER THAT GOODBYE ANY TAX REFUNDS OR ANYTHING ELSE THAT IS SUPPOSED TO HELP CONSUMERS. PLEASE OPEN AN INVESTIGATION ON THIS MATTER. I JUST LEARNED WE ARE NOT ALONE. MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM IN THE SAME UNUSUAL WAY. THE CRACK IS IN THE GLASS AND NOT CAUSED BY AN EXTERNAL EVENT. IT SURE LOOKS LIKE A DEFECT IN THE VEHICLE. PLEASE HELP. THANK YOU.*AK

CRACK APPERED ON THE WINDSHIELD, BEGINNING AT THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDSHIELD, BELOW THE WIPER BLADE.

CRACKED WINDSHIELD. DEALERSHIP UNWILLING TO HELP.*AK

MY 2003 HONDA ELEMENT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 3 TIMES WITH REGARDS TO THE SAME COMPLAINT. THE CAR WILL NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK. THE FIRST TIME THEY REPLACED A INTERNAL PART AND THE OTHER TIMES I WAS TOLD IT WAS JUST A LOOSE CALBE. THIS HAS BEEN VERY FRUSTRATING FOR US. AFTER READING OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS WEB SITE I REALIZED THAT THE CRACKED WINDSHIELD WE HAVE MAY NOT HAVE BEEN DUE TO A STONE BUT THAT THE HONDA ELEMENT HAS A DEFECT PROBLEM WITH THEIR WINDSHIELDS. HOW INTERESTING THAT THEY DO NOT RESPOND TO THE CONSUMER! EVERYONE SHOULD CONTINUE TO WRITE IN ABOUT THEIR PROBLEMS.*AK

MY WINDSHIELD CRACKED AS EXPLAINED IN THE SERVICE BULLETIN 03-028. I KNOW TWO OTHER ELEMENT OWNERS THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. I HEAR SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES FOR HONDA ARE LYING ABOUT THE DAMAGE TO THEIR CUSTOMERS MAYBE AT HONDA'S DIRECTION. WILL THIS HAVE TO TURN INTO A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FOR HONDA TO TAKE CARE OF ITS CUSTOMERS? I'M TAKING MINE IN THIS FRIDAY 7/30/2004, I HOPE MY DEALER WILL BE HONEST ABOUT THIS. I PLAN TO FOLLOW UP WITH THE RESULTS NEXT WEEK.*AK

WINDSHIELD CREAKING REPAIRED PER HONDA TSB 03-028 MAINTENANCE BULLETIN. 2 BULLS-EYE CHIPS REPAIRED, BUT WERE SOON FOLLOWED BY 3 MORE IN 4 MONTHS TIME. ALL WERE FROM SMALL PEBBLES. TODAY, A SMALL PEBBLE HIT THE EDGE OF THE WINDOW WHICH GREW TO 8-10 INCHES OVER THE COURSE OF THE DAY. REPLACEMENT ESTIMATES RANGE FROM $550 - $800, BUT I DON'T WANT ANOTHER HONDA WINDSHIELD IF IT'S PREDISPOSED TO CRACKING. *JB

I WAS DRIVING WEST ON VA. STATE ROUTE 33 WHEN I NOTICED A SMALL DEER IN THE ROAD. AS I MANUVERED TO AVOID THE DEER, THE CAR WENT COMPLETETLY OUT OF CONTROL. CAR STRUCK EMBANKMENT AND ROLLED OVER. CAR LANDED RIGHT SIDE UP. ALL REAR WINDOWS BROKEN OUT.VEHICLE IS TOTAL LOST. I HAVE HAD TO AVOID DEER IN TWO OTHER VEHICLES AND NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM. IF THIS IS A CHARACTERISTIC OF CAR, DRIVERS NEED TO BE NOTIFED.*AK

2003 HONDA ELEMENT CRACKED WINDSHIELD. SAME AS MANY OTHER OWNERS. DEFINITE DESIGN DEFECT, HONDA MUST BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS EXPENSIVE, TROUBLING AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION THEY CREATED. THEY JUST BLOW OFF MOST CONSUMERS SAYING "ROCK HIT IT." HOWEVER, MOST CRACKS ARE IN SAME SPOTS AND NO STAR BURST EVIDENCING A ROCK IMPACT. WAY TOO MANY COMPLAINTS TO CHALK UP TO ROAD DEBRIS IMPACT. DON'T JUST SIT ON YOUR DUFFS AND DO NOTHING. YOU HAVE OVER 100 COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ON A NEW VEHICLE THAT HAS ONLY BEEN ON THE ROAD FOR LESS THAN 2 YEARS. STATISTICALLY THAT IS HUGE. SO, DON'T JUST IGNORE THIS, SIT BACK AND DO THE TYPICAL GOVERNMENT THING, WORRY ABOUT YOUR TIME OFF, SICK DAYS, AND DO THE BEUROCRATIC IGNORANCE DANCE. COME DOWN ON HONDA WITH ALL YOUR MUSCLE AND PROTECT THE COMSUMER WHO HAS NO POWER AGAINST THIS HUGELY PROFITABLE GOLIATH.*AK

1.SMALL PEBBLEW HIT WINDSHIELD 2.WINDSHIELD MOSTLY CHIPS, EXCEPT FOR CHIPS AT EDGE OF WINDSHIELD WHICH CRACKS PROPERGATE QUICKLY. 3.WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED. *AK

MY 2003 HONDA ELEMENT WINDSHIELD HAS BEEN BROKEN 3 TIMES. IT WAS HIT BY ROCKS ALL 3 TIMES. I WATCHED THE 2ND CRACK SPLINTER UP THE WINDSHIELD AS I DROVE TO THE DEALER. IT WAS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY AND HAD TO PAY $400 TO REPLACE. I'M 52 AND HAVE HAD MANY, MANY CARS AND HAVEN'T HAD 3 BROKEN WINDSHIELDS IN THE LOT. I FEEL THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW OR SUB-STANDARD GLASS IS USED. *NM

DURING THE FIRST 10 MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP, THE WINDSHIELD ON MY HONDA ELEMENT 2003 (PURCHASED NEW ON 8/28/03)) HAS BEEN PITTED THREE TIMES AND HAS BEGINNING N 6/17/04 DEVELOPED A HAIRLINE CRACK BEGINNING ONTHE PASSENGER SIDE AND EXTENDING FIFTEEN INCHES TOWARDS THE DRIVER'S SIDE. AS OF 7/2/04, I HAVE MADE CONTACT WITRH THE DEALER (BARON HONDA IN PATCHOGUE, NY) AND AMERICAN HONDA MOTORS BY PHONE AND CERTIFIED MAIL. THE CONDITION IS STILL BEING DISPUTED BY THE MANUFACTURER AS TO WHETHER OR NOT THE WARRANTY APPLIES. *AK

2003 HONDA ELEMENT WINDSHIELD CRACKED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THE CRACK IS ABOUT 7 INCHES LONG COMING UP FROM THE LOWER CORNER ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT WINDSHIELD AND CURVING TO THE SIDE. THE DEALERSHIP TRIED TO TELL ME THAT A ROCK HAD TO HAVE HIT THE WINDSHIELD BECAUSE "THESE WINDSHIELDS DON'T CRACK." THEY SAID THAT THERE WAS A PLACE WHERE THE ROCK HIT JUST BELOW THE WINDSHIELD WIPER THAT, WHILE YOU CAN'T SEE IT, YOU CAN FEEL IF YOUR RUN A PEN ALONG THE CRACK. THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPT (THAT I'VE HAD A PRIOR BAD EXPERIENCE WITH) SAID THE WARRANTY WOULDN'T COVER IT BUT MY INSURANCE SHOULD. I LEARNED VIA THE INTERNET THAT HONDA HAS A SERVICE BULLETIN OUT ON THIS PROBLEM. I PURCHASED A FULL EXTENDED WARRANTEE, AND HONDA SHOULD BE FIXING THIS PROBLEM.*AK

2003 HONDA ELEMENT WINDSHIELD CRACKED IN THE MIDDLE. CRACK APPEARED AFTER A LOUD POP WITH ~4,000 MILES. THE HONDA DEALER EXAMINED THE CRACK AND FOUND A SMALL CHIP FROM THE SURFACE OF THE GLASS. THE SERVICE MANAGER INFORMED ME THAT HONDA HAS ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN TO ITS DEALERS, INSTRUCTING THEM TO ROLL A BALL POINT PEN ALONG THE CRACK SEARCHING FOR INDENTATIONS. IF ONE IS FOUND, A ROCK STRIKE IS DEEMED TO HAVE CAUSED THE CRACK. THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID HONDA WILL NOT WARRANTY WINDSHIELDS THAT HAVE EVIDENCE OF A ROCK STRIKE (NO MATTER HOW MINOR). HONDA WILL FIX WINDSHIELDS THAT MEET TSB03-028 WHICH ADDRESSES CRACKS IN THE LOWER CORNERS. THE FRAGILITY OF THE WINDSHIELD IN THE HONDA ELEMENT IS UNUSUAL AND ABNORMAL. HONDA MOTOR CO. IS IN DENIAL AND IS COSTING CONSUMERS AND INSURANCE COMPANIES. IN 30 YRS OF DRIVING I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED WINDSHIELD FAILURES LIKE THIS. THE BODY OF THIS VEHICLE IS QUITE FLEXIBLE. WARRANTY WORK HAS BEEN REQUIRED ON THE BODY TO ELIMINATE SQUEAKS CAUSED BY A RUBBING AT A WELDED SEAM UNDER THE WINDSHIELD COWLING. THE DEALER SPREAD THE SEAM (BETWEEN EACH WELD POINT) WITH A SCREWDRIVER AND FILLED THE CAVITY WITH A FLEXIBLE COMPOUND. THE SQUEAKS STOPPED, BUT, THERE APPEARS TO BE A BIGGER PROBLEM. IS THIS WINDSHIELD GOING TO WITHSTAND AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND KEEP THE BAG IN THE VEHICLE TO CUSHION OCCUPANTS? CONSIDERING THE LARGE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS SEEN IN FORUMS, HONDA MOTOR CO. NEEDS TO COME OUT OF DENIAL AND START ADDRESSING THE DESIGN FLAW IN THIS

2003 HONDA ELEMENT EXPERIENCE A SECOND WINDSHIELD FAILURE AT ~15000 MILES. FIRST FAILURE WAS REPORTED UNDER COMPLAINT 10078841. SIMILAR TO THE FIRST FAILURE, THE DEALER IDENTIFIED A SMALL ROCK STRIKE AND DENIED COVERAGE UNDER THE VEHICLE WARRANTY. THE CRACK IS 12 INCHES LONG, RUNNING DIAGONALLY FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE UPPER CORNER TOWARD THE DRIVER SIDE CORNER. THE FRAGILITY OF THE WINDSHIELD IN THE HONDA ELEMENT IS UNUSUAL AND ABNORMAL. HONDA MOTOR CO. IS IN DENIAL AND IS COSTING CONSUMERS AND INSURANCE COMPANIES. IN 30 YRS OF DRIVING I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED WINDSHIELD FAILURES LIKE THIS. THE BODY OF THIS VEHICLE IS QUITE FLEXIBLE. WARRANTY WORK HAS BEEN REQUIRED ON THE BODY TO ELIMINATE SQUEAKS CAUSED BY A RUBBING AT A WELDED SEAM UNDER THE WINDSHIELD COWLING. THE DEALER SPREAD THE SEAM (BETWEEN EACH WELD POINT) WITH A SCREWDRIVER AND FILLED THE CAVITY WITH A FLEXIBLE COMPOUND. THE SQUEAKS STOPPED, BUT, THERE APPEARS TO BE A BIGGER PROBLEM. IS THIS WINDSHIELD GOING TO WITHSTAND AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND KEEP THE BAG IN THE VEHICLE TO CUSHION OCCUPANTS? CONSIDERING THE LARGE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS SEEN IN FORUMS, HONDA MOTOR CO. NEEDS TO COME OUT OF DENIAL AND START ADDRESSING THE DESIGN FLAW IN THIS VEHICLE THAT CAUSES WINDSHIELDS TO FRACTURE UNDER NORMAL USE. *JB

A CRACK APPEARED ON THE FRONT WINDSHIELD, AT THE TOP DRIVER SIDE. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

LESS THAN THREE THOUSAND MILES INTO OWNING THE VEHICLE CONSUMER NOTICED A CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD. DEALER INSISTED THAT THE CRACK CAME FROM A ROCK, AND THE INSURANCE COMPANY COULD NOT CONFIRM THE ALLEGATION. DEALER REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD, BUT THE NEW WINDSHIELD HAD A CRACK ALSO. *AK

WINDSHIELD CRACKED. I DON'T KNOW HOW THIS HAPPEN BECAUSE THE DAY IT HAPPEN I HAD BEEN IN MY CAR ALL DAY LONG. I NEVER HEARD ANYTHING HIT THE WINDSHIELD OR ANYTHING. WHEN I DISCOVERED THE CRACK, I WAS TOTALLY SURPRISE BECAUSE THERE WAS NOTHING I COULD PINPOINT THAT CAUSE IT TO CRACK. I HAVE NOT REPAIRED IT YET B/C I AM HOPING HONDA WILL DO A RECALL OF THESE WINDSHIELDS!! *AK

TRAVELING WEST ON RESIDENTIAL ROAD AT APROX. 15 MPH. WAS STRUCK IN REAR PASSENGER PANEL BY A 4 DOOR SEDAN WHO WAS STOPPED ON ROAD TO THE NORTH WAITING TO TURN EAST. MY HONDA ELEMENT SKID UNTIL FACING NORTH AND PROCEDED TO ROLL AND SLIDE ON DRIVERS SIDE, BECAME AIRBORN LANDED ON PASSENGER FRONT ROOF CORNER, THEN ONTO PASSENGER SIDE AND COMMING TO A REST IN THE UPRIGHT POSITION. I WAS DRIVING. TWO YEAR OLD SON IN CAR SEAT BEHIND ME. SEVEN YEAR OLD DAUGHTER IN REAR PASSANGER SEAT. ALL BUCKLED SAFELY. INJURIES CONSIST OF SOFT TISSUE/CONNECTIVE TISSUE DAMAGE THUS FAR. CHILDREN EXPERIENCED NAUSSEA AND VOMMITING FOR SEVERAL DAYS AFTER. THE ELEMENT WAS A TOTAL LOSS. I AM VERY CONCERNED FOR THE SAFETY OF OTHER ELEMENT DRIVERS. *AK

1) UNDER NORMAL DRIVING WINDSHIELD IN VEHICLE CRACKED..IMPACT QUESTIONABLE...LOOKS STRESS RELATED 2) CAUSED VISIBILITY PROBLEM WHILE DRIVING 3) HONDA HAS NOT OFFERED TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM AS OF YET. *JB

PROBLEMS WITH WINDSHIELD, CD PLAYER, HORN AND ALARM.*MR THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED AFTER A SMALL PIECE OF DEBRIS HIT IT. THE CD PLAYER STOPPED WORKING AFTER IT HAD BEEN PLAYING FOR 5 HOURS. THE RIGHT SIDE BUMPER FELL OFF. *NM

WITHIN THE FIRST FEW WEEKS OF GETTING MY BRAND NEW 2003 HONDA ELEMENT, I HAD A CRACK AND STAR CHIP IN THE VEHICLE'S WINDSHIELD. WITHIN THE NEXT MONTH, IT ACQUIRED YET ANOTHER CHIP. AS A RESULT OF THE ELEMENT'S WINDSHIELD'S UNPRECEDENTED VULNERABILITY, I QUESTION ITS SAFETY. AT THE VERY LEAST, IT REPRESENTS INFERIOR QUALITY OF MATERIALS AND/OR DESIGN, WHICH IS COSTING DRIVERS AND INSURANCE COMPANIES SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF MONEY FOR REPAIR COSTS. SO FAR, AMERICAN HONDA AND THE DEALERSHIP INSIST THAT THERE IS NO INHERENT FLAW IN MATERIALS, DESIGN, OR INSTALLATION, AND WANT TO ATTRIBUTE THE CHIPS AND CRACK TO BAD LUCK. HOWEVER, HONDA OWNERS ARE DOCUMENTING THIS PROBLEM IN DROVES ON WWW.HONDAELEMENT.ORG, AND ON WWW.EPINIONS. COM. HONDA MUST ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM, REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE WINDSHIELDS AT THEIR COST, AND RE-SPEC THE ELEMENT'S WINDSHIELD.*AK

I HAVE HAD MY ELEMENT LESS THAN 1 YEAR, AT 1000 MI I DEVELOPED A STRESS CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD THAT DEALER SAID WAS FROM A "ROCK", BUT THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT IT - THEY DID AFTER PROTEST REPLACE IT "ONE" TIME. AT 10000 MI I NOW HAVE ANOTHER CRACK IN ALMOST THE SAME PLACE THAT SEEMED TO COME ON WITH OUT ANY IMPACT - WE ARE IN THE NEGOTIATING STAGES. *AK

DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT MATERIAL/ITS STRUCTURE OR BOTH CAUSED THE DRIVER TO HAVE SEVERE BACK PAINS. DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THE SEAT WAS POORLY STRUCTURED. CONSUMER SPOKE TO 5 OTHER OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE AND THEY ALL ARE EXPERIENCED THE SAME BACK PAINS. *AK *LA

THE WINDSHIELD CHIPS VERY EASILY. WE INCURRED THREE CHIPS IN JUST ONE DAY, ONE OF WHICH QUICKLY TURNED INTO A TWELVE INCH CRACK.

I BOUGHT A 2003 HONDA ELEMENT IN DECEMBER OF 2003. A FEW DAYS AFTER PICKING UP THE BRAND NEW CAR, I DISCOVERED A 4" CRACK ON MY WINDSHIELD. THE CRACKED STARTED FROM A VERY SMALL PINPOINT SPECK ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD IN THE BLACK AREA. I CONTACTED THE DEALER, BUT THEY SAID IT'S NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY SINCE THE CRACK WAS CAUSED BY ROAD DEBRIS, REGARDLESS OF HOW SMALL THAT DEBRIS MAY BE. TWO MONTHS AFTER THAT, I DISCOVERED A 3" CRACK ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD. AGAIN, THE CRACKED STARTED WITH A PINPOINT ON THE BLACK AREA OF THE WINDSHIELD. I CALLED THE WINDSHIELD EXPERTS IN MY AREA, WHO INFORMED ME THAT THEY'VE BEEN REPLACING AN OVERWHELMING NUMBER OF WINDSHIELDS ON HONDA ELEMENTS. ARMED WITH THIS INFORMATION, I CONTACTED HONDA CUSTOMER RELATIONS. THE REPRESENTATIVE DENIED ANY ISSUES WITH WINDSHIELDS ON THE ELEMENTS AND REFUSED TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ON WHETHER THEY HAVE RECEIVED SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. THE MOST SHE COULD DO WAS SUBMIT A COMPLAINT ON MY BEHALF (COMPLAINT NUMBER N012004-04-2100773). WINDSHIELDS ARE EXPENSIVE TO REPLACE AND HONDA NEEDS TO OWN UP TO THIS PREVALENT PROBLEM WITH THE WINDSHIELDS ON THE ELEMENTS. THEY NEED TO PROVIDE A SOLUTION.*AK

STRESS CRACK APPEARED AFTER NOTHING HIT THE WINDSHIELD. CRACK STARTS BELOW THE DRIVERS SIDE WINSHIELD WIPER AND CURVES TOWARDS THE CENTER OF THE WINDSHIELD, STOPPING ABOUT 15" LATER. SERVICE MANAGER AT HONDA CALLS A HOLE THE SIZE OF A PIN HEAD JUST ABOVE THE WIPER A "POINT OF IMPACT." HOW CAN A ROCK EVER HIT THERE?