2004 Honda Element complaints

WINDSHIELD CRACKED DUE TO STRESS AT THE BOTTOM EDGE ON 2004 HONDA ELEMENT. DEALERSHIP AND HONDA USA DO NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM AND REFUSE TO REPAIR IT. CRACK DOES NOT ORIGINATE FROM A ROCK IMPACT BUT HONDA USA POLICY IS TO RULE ALL CRACKS AS RESULTING FROM ROCK IMPACT.

ABOUT A MONTH AGO, I NOTICED A CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD OF MY HONDA ELEMENT. THE CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD IS ABOUT 4 WEEKS OLD; IT HAD STARTED OVERNIGHT - IT WASN'T THERE WHEN I PARKED IT, BUT WAS THERE THE NEXT MORNING. I THOUGHT THAT I WOULD JUST HAVE TO DEAL WITH A SMALL CRACK, BUT DECIDED TO DO SOME RESEARCH ON PROBLEMS WITH THE HONDA ELEMENT AND FOUND SEVERAL INCIDENCES OF A CRACK IN THE WINDOW STARTING IN THE SAME PLACE. I EVEN FOUND A HONDA SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB 03-028) THAT ADDRESSED THIS EXACT PROBLEM. I PURCHASED MY 04 HONDA ELEMENT IN MID-DECEMBER OF 2004, AND AT THE TIME OF THE CRACK THE CAR HAD LESS THAN 10,000 MILES. I HAVE READ THAT IF THERE WAS AN IMPACT POINT THAT CAUSED THE CRACK, THAT IMPACT POINTS ALWAYS HAVE A STAR CRACK PATTERN AROUND THEM. MINE HAS NO CRACK PATTERN EXCEPT THE LARGER CRACK THAT MOVED UPWARD AND THEN TOWARDS THE MIDDLE OF MY WINDSHIELD - NO STAR SHAPE. I HAVE ALSO READ ABOUT THE SURFACE OF THE WINDSHIELD BEING UNEVEN AND THAT A HIGH SPOT APPLIES UNEVEN PRESSURE TO THE GLASS CAUSING A STRESS CRACK. FURTHER, THAT A STRESS CRACK IS IDENTIFIED BY A HORIZONTAL CRACKS ORIGINATING IN THE LOWER CORNERS OF THE AND RADIATING TOWARD THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD. THIS IS EXACTLY MY PROBLEM. I REPEAT, THE PIT WAS SMALLER THAN THE SIZE OF A GRAIN OF SALT AND LOCATED DIRECTLY UNDER THE WIPER BLADE. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY, AND WAS TURNED AWAY WHEN I TRIED TO HAVE MY WINDOW REPAIRED. THIS SITUATION IS NOT UNIQUE TO MY HONDA ELEMENT. THERE ARE

WHILE PARKED IN A SECURED PARKING LOT WINDSHIELD CRACKED OVERNIGHT. THE CRACK WAS IN THE LOWER RIGHT HAND CORNER. OWNER CONTACTED THE DEALER, AND WAS ADVISED TO BUY ANOTHER. OWNER LATER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO FIX THE CRACKED WINDSHIELD WHICH IS UNDER WARRANTY. MANUFACTURER BELIEVED THAT ROAD DEBRIS WAS THE CAUSE OF THE CRACK. THIS WAS NOT THE CASE.*AK

CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AS STATED IN TECHNICAL SERVIC EBULLETIN 100929. A LONG CRACK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FRONT WINDSHIELD APPEARED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.*AK

WINDSHIELD CRACKED AFTER NO APPARENT IMPACT. IT WAS A COLD MORNING/AFTERNOON. CAR WAS GARAGED AT HOME AND AT WORK. THE CRACK WAS NOTICED UPON RETURNING TO THE VEHICLE AFTER WORK. CRACK STARTED 12-14 INCHES FROM LOWER EDGE OF PASSENGER SIDE. EXTENDED FROM BENEATH WINDOW SEAL VERTICALLY FOR 5-6 INCHES AND TURNED ABRUPTLY TOWARD PASSENGER SIDE EDGE FOR 6-8 INCHES. DEALER IDENTIFIED IT AS A STRESS RELATED CRACK WITH NO APPARENT IMPACT POINT. REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. *JB

FIRE OCCURRED IN DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR OF 2004 HONDA ELEMENT WHILE IT WAS PARKED OVERNIGHT IN THE DRIVEWAY. FRONT UPPER QUARTER OF DOOR COMPLETELY BURNED/MELTED AWAY, DOWN TO BARE EXTERIOR METAL. EXTENSIVE SMOKE DAMAGE TO INTERIOR. VEHICLE WAS IN CONSUMER'S POSSESSION FOR ONLY 12 DAYS AND HAS FEWER THAN 300 MILES ON ODOMETER. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER WHERE IT IS STILL UNDER EXAMINATION. NO EXPLANATION OR RESOLUTION AT THIS TIME.

A CRACK STARTED ON THE LOWER PASSENGER SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD JUST LIKE OTHER ELEMENTS.*AK

2004 HONDA ELEMENT - DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY (NO GRAVEL) IN LIGHT-SUNDAY TRAFFIC AND HEARD A "POP". NEXT DAY, NOTICED A CRACK EMERGING FROM THE BOTTOM, PASSENGER SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD THAT ARCED ABOUT A FOOT ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD WITHIN TWO DAYS. JOE MARINA HONDA SAID IT WAS AN IMPACT ISSUE AND REFUSED TO REPAIR.*AK

2004 HONDA ELEMENT, AFTER ABOUT 2 MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP A CRACK IN WINDOW STARTED FROM LOWER RIGHT CORNER. DEALER CLAIMED A SMALL PEBBLE MUST HAVE STRUCK IT AND REFUSED TO REPLACE IT. HAD INSURANCE REPLACE IT.*AK NEXT DAY A SECOND PEBBLE STRIKES WINDSHIELD AND A STAR CRACK FORMS NON MY NEW WINSHIELD. TWO WEEKS LATER AND I HEAR A NOISE AND ANOTHER CRACK STARTS AT THE TOP OF THE WINDSHIELD AND GROWS ABOUT 12 INCHES IN AN HOUR. HOW MANY WINDSHIELDS WILL I NEED IN A YEAR?

I OWN A 2004 HONDA ELEMENT. AS WITH THOUSANDS OF OTHERS, I HAVE A STRESS CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD WITH NO DISCERNIBLE CAUSE. HONDA REFUSES TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IN ACCIDENT NOR IS THERE A ROAD STONE INCIDENT. THE CRACK GOES FROM JUST UNDER THE LEFT SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER, UP AND TO THE LEFT TO THE SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD. IT HAS A VERTICAL COMPONENT OF APPROX. 6 INCHES AND THEN A HORIZONTAL COMPONENT OF 3 INCHES. THE CRACK CANNOT BE FELT ON THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD. *JB

I AM AN OWNER OF A 2004 HONDA ELEMENT. LIKE MANY OTHER ELEMENT OWNERS, I'VE JUST HAD MY FIRST CRACKED WINDSHIELD, 3 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE. I'VE ALSO HAD MY FIRST EXPERIENCE TRYING TO GET HONDA TO ADMIT THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE WINDSHIELD IN THIS VEHICLE. THERE IS NO IMPACT MARK, BUT A CRACK RUNNING FROM UNDER THE RUBBER SEAL , UP AND ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. THE SERVICE MANAGER WAS VERY SURE THAT AN IMPACT MUST HAVE CAUSED THIS, EVEN THOUGH HE COULD NOT FIND A SPECIFIC MARK USING THE IMFAMOUS "PEN TEST". I'VE READ NUMEROUS OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS SITE AND OTHERS ABOUT THIS ISSUE. WHEN IS THE NHTSA GOING TO FORCE HONDA TO ADMIT THEY HAVE A DESIGN PROBLEM?!? *NM

THE WINDSHIELD IS EXPERIENCING MAJOR CRACKS WITHOUT ANY CAUSE, WHICH CAN AT ANYTIME BREAK. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED BY CONSUMER. *NM

CRACKED WINDSHIELD. SAME COMPLAINT AS EVERYONE ELSE. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY IN THE GARAGE AND THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED FROM THE SEAM HALF WAY UP ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE DEALER INSISTED THIS WAS NOT A FLAW OF THE VEHICLE AND WAS DUE TO A ROCK HITTING THE SEAM THOUGH THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO EVIDENCE OF THIS. IN THE MEANTIME, THE LEFT SIDE HAS DONE THE EXACT SAME THING. THE WINDSHIELD IS ON BACK ORDER FOR OVER A MONTH. AFTER SEEING ALL OF THE LISTINGS HERE I CAN SEE WHY THERE AREN'T ANY LEFT. THIS IS CLEARLY A SIGNIFICANT ISSUE FOR MANY OWNERS. SPOKE TO HONDA CUSTOMER SERVICE AGAIN TODAY AND THEY STILL DENY THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW AND CLAIMED THEY'VE NOT HEARD OF THIS BEING A COMMON PROBLEM. VERY DISAPPOINTING. THIS IS MY 4TH HONDA AND AS A RESULT OF ALL THE PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE (THIS IS MINOR IN COMPARISON) I WON'T BE BUYING ANOTHER HONDA AGAIN AND WILL BE GETTING RID OF THIS ONE. *NM

WEEKS AFTER PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE NEW FROM THE DEALER. IT BEGAN TO LEAK TRANSMISSION FLUID. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WITH THE COMPLAINT. THEY SAID THEY'D TAKE A LOOK AT IT, BUT IT WAS A WASTE OF TIME. THEY CLAIMED IT COULD NOT POSSIBLY BE LEAKING AND ANY FLUID I SAW WAS CONDENSATION FROM THE AC. THE GAVE IT BACK TO ME IN A FEW HOURS CLAIMING IT WAS FINE AND AGAIN SAID THE FLUID WAS CONDENSATION. I ARGUED AND SAID IT WAS OILY. THEY CLAIMED THIS WAS BECAUSE MY GARAGE FLOOR WAS OILY. THE RESPONSE TO ME WAS: "I'M SO CONFIDENT IT IS WATER I'LL COME OVER AND LICK OF THE GARAGE FLOOR. NEW CARS DON'T LEAK." WELL, IT DID LEAK AND LOADS OF TRANSMISSION FLUID. I HAD TO MOP UP THE FLUID AND RETURN WITH THE SOAKED RAG AND THE VEHICLE TO GET THEM TO TAKE A CLOSER LOOK. I HAD TO HAVE AN ENTIRELY NEW TRANSMISSION INSTALLED. THIS IS MY 4TH HONDA. I'VE NEVER HAD SO MANY PROBLEMS WITH A VEHICLE AS I'VE HAD WITH THIS ELEMENT. I'VE ONLY HAD IT 3 MONTHS NOW. VERY DISAPPOINTING. *NM

I HAVE A 2004 HONDA ELEMENT. IT HAS LESS THAN 5000 MILES ON IT. THE WINDSHIELD IS CRACKED BUT NOTHING EVER HIT THE WINDSHIELD. THE CRACK STARTS UNDER THE PASSENGER SIDE WIPER GOES UP ABOUT 6-8 INCHES AND THEN SPREADS TOWARD THE DRIVER'S SIDE ABOUT 12 INCHES. THIS IS A DEFECT AND HONDA SHOULD STEP UP AND TAKE CARE OF IT. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AS THIS CRACK WAS NOT THERE LAST NIGHT WHEN I PARKED MY CAR, BUT WAS THERE THIS MORNING WHEN I GOT BACK IN MY CAR. *NM

I OWN A 2004 HONDA ELEMENT. IT WAS SUBJECT A CRACKED WINDSHIELD DUE TO THE FACT THAT HONDA HAS A DESIGN FLAW WITH ITS WINDSHIELD INSTALLATION. THERE ARE STRESS POINTS WHICH CAUSE CRACKS IN THE BOTTOM CORNERS OF THE GLASS. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON OCCURRENCE FOR THE ELEMENT AS HONDA HAS RELEASED A SERVICE REPORT FOR ITS DEALERS, BUT HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL.*AK

2ND OCCURRENCE OF WINDSHIELD CRACK. 1ST EVENT ON 12-05-04. OCCURRED WHILE VEHICLE PARKED-VERTICAL CRACK FROM UNDER TRIM BELOW DRIVER SIDE WIPER; TEE'D AT 6" AND WENT SIDE TO SIDE HORIZONTALLY. DEALER REFUSED TO EVEN LOOK AT CRACK. WINDSHIELD REPLACED ON 12-10-04. 2ND OCCURRENCE ON 02-15-05 WHILE VEHICLE PARKED IN GARAGE. VERTICAL CRACK FROM UNDER TRIM BELOW DRIVER SIDE WIPER FOR 3" THEN TEE'D AND WENT FROM SIDE TO SIDE HORIZONTALLY. CONTACTED DEALER BY PHONE - AGAIN TOTAL LACK OF INTEREST. BOTH EVENTS SHOWED PINHEAD SIZED PIT JUST BELOW WIPER. JB

THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED TWICE, DRIVER DROVE TO THE DEALER ON THE LAST INCIDENT, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DETERMINED AT THIS TIME. *AK

2004 HONDA ELEMENT. WE HAVE OWNED THE CAR LESS THAN 1 YEAR AND ALREADY THERE ARE 2 IMPACT CRACKS AND ONE IN-EXPLICABLE CRACK WHICH COMES FROM THE LOWER PASSENGER SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD AND CURVES UP ABOUT 12 INCHES. DEALERSHIP STATES THAT THERE IS AN IMPACT ON THE CRACK RUNNING FROM LOWER PASSENGER SIDE (SAID THAT RAN A RAZOR OVER CRACK WHICH TELLS THEM THERE IS AN IMPACT). AM WRITING A LETTER TO HONDA AND COPYING NHTSA.*AK

THE CONSUMER NOTICED OIL RUNNING OUT OF HER VEHICLE WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. THE CONSUMERS SON INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE OIL PLUG WAS MISSING. THE CONSUMER INFORMED THE DEALER AND WAITED ON THE TOW TRUCK TO TRANSPORT THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. *JB

WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED. THE CAUSE OF WHY THIS HAPPENED IS UNDETERMINED.*AK

HONDA ELEMENT 2004 WINDSHIELD CRACKED. CHECKED OUT HONDAELEMENTSCRACK.COM TO FIND OTHERS WITH SAME PROBLEM. CLAIMED WAS FIXED ON THE 2004, BUT 3 OTHER CARS IN THE SERVICE BAY WITH SIMILAR CRACKS WHILE AWAITING MINE TO BE SERVICED. ALL 2004 ELEMENTS. THEY CLAIMED INDICATION OF IMPACT, BUT HAPPENED WHILE GARAGED. APPEARED PERFECTLY CONSISTENT WITH STRESS FRACTURE TSB FROM 2003. THEY AGREED TO PAY FOR 1/2 AND I WAS QUOTED 250 AT THE DEALER FOR REPLACEMENT. WHEN THEY REALIZED HONDA AGREED TO PAY 1/2, THEY INSISTED NOW WE MUST USE THE HONDA WINDSHIELD TO RAISE THE PRICE TO 500 TO DROP IT BACK TO THE ORIGINAL 250. WHAT A JOKE. ALTHOUGH THEY INSISTED THEY MUST USE HONDA WINDSHIELDS FOR SAFETY REASONS, THEY COULDN'T EXPLAIN WHY NOT A SINGLE HONDA DEALERSHIP IN THE COUNTRY WILL DELIVER THE LABOR. ITS SUBBED OUT TO GOD ONLY KNOWS WHO AND I'M SURE LIABILITY FOR FUTURE FAILURES OR INJURY DURING AN ACCIDENT IS PASSED ALONG AS WELL. THEY DID INDICATE IF THEY CHANGED TSB TO INCLUDE 2004, I WOULD GET MY MONEY BACK, BUT I PRESUME I'D ALSO HAVE TO PAY 250 SOMEHOW ELSE TO GET THE 250 BACK AND STILL HAVE A FRACTURED WINDSHIELD. *JB

CONSUMER CONCERNED ABOUT WINDSHIELD PROBLEM ON HONDA ELEMENT 2004. *BF BASED ON COMPLAINTS BY OTHER ELEMENT OWNERS THE CONSUMER IS CONCERNED THAT THE WINDSHIELD MAY SHATTER INWARD WHILE DRIVING. A SERVICE BULLETIN HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM (SB 03-028). *NM

2004 HONDA ELEMENT WITH CRACKED WINDSHIELD........NOTHING HIT THE WINDSHIELD, JUST STARTED TO CRACK. *JB

ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS THE FRONT WINDSHIELD CRACKED FOR NO KNOWN REASON. THE DEALER REPLACED IT ON THE FIRST OCCASION. NOW IT HAS CRACK AGAIN. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *JB

WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED. THIS CAUSED POOR VISIBILITY. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD TWICE. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT BOTH CRACKS WHERE IN HER LINE OF VISION. *TC

THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED UNDER THE DRIVER SIDE WIPER WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY. I HEARD NO IMPACT. THE DEALER SAID ROCK HIT IT. *JB

COULD NOT GET THE CAR TO GO IN GEAR. TURNED OFF THE CAR AND THEN RESTARTED IT.STILL COULD NOT GET THE CAR TO GO INTO GEAR. THE NEXT DAY THE CAR WORKED FINE.

CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING. *AK

I NEVER HEARD ANYTHING ACTUALLY HIT MY WINDSHIELD. I DID HEAR THE CRACK, WHICH BEGINS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PASSENGER SIDE UNDER THE WIPER. THE CRACK MOVES UPWARDS ABOUT 4 INCHES AND OVER TOWARDS THE DRIVER SIDE ANOTHER 5-6 INCHES. I HAVE OPENED A CASE WITH AMERICAN HONDA CUSTOMER SERVICE TRYING TO HAVE IT REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY SINCE I UNDERSTAND THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH ELEMENTS.*AK

WINDSHIELD CRACKED BELOW DRIVER'S SIDE WIPER WITH NO IMPACT NOTED.*AK

HONDA ELEMENT WINDSHIELD FAILURE-CRACK. *AK

DEFECTIVE WINDSHIELD IN HONDA ELEMENT. I HAD THE HONDA ELEMENT LESS THAN TWO WEEKS AND DEVELOPED MY FIRST CHIP IN THE WINDSHIELD. I HAVE NOW HAD IT FOR 3 MONTHS AND HAVE ALREADY RECEIVED ANOTHER CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD. I AM NOT THE ONLY HONDA ELEMENT OWNER WITH THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE OWNED MY OTHER CARS FOR 8 AND 11 YEARS AND HAVE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM LIKE THIS WITH THEM. I REALLY DO BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT HONDA NEEDS TO ADDRESS. *AK

BOUGHT 2004 HONDA ELEMENT EX IN FEB 2004. SINCE THEN HAVE HAD 2 STONE CHIPS AND NOW HAVE A CRACK ALONG THE LOWER PASSENGER SIDE EDGE OF THE WINDSHIELD. THE CAR ONLY HAS 6,000 MILES ON IT. I'VE HAD CARS THAT HAVE LASTED 100,000 MILES WITH LESS DAMAGE.*AK

I WAS DRIVING ON THE PARKWAY WITH NO ONE IN FRONT OF ME, HEARD A POP AND A 5" CRACK APPEARED ON MY WINDSHIELD(DRIVERS SIDE). THE CRACK HAS GROWN AN ADDITIONAL 3-4 INCHES IN THE PAST WEEK. THERE IS "NO EVIDENCE" OF ROAD OR ROCK DEBRIS HAVING HIT IT. *JB THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED WARRANTY COVERAGE ALTHOUGH A SERVICE BULLETIN WAS ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM. *NM *TC

WITH VEHICLE IN DRIVE AND WITH ENGINE RUNNING, THE CAR WILL ROLL BACKWARD DOWN HILL. MY DRIVEWAY HAS A SMALL INCLINE - VEHICLE ROLLS BACKWARD WHILE IN GEAR (DRIVE) WITH ENGINE RUNNING. 2004 HONDA ELEMENT EX.

THE OTHER DAY I WAS LEAVING FROM WORK, AND UPON ENTERING MY HONDA ELEMENT I NOTICED A 4"-6" CRACK ON THE PASSENGERS SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD, STRETCHING FROM JUST BELOW THE WIPER BLADE TO APPROXIMATELY 4" UP THE PILLAR. UPON NOTICING THIS I IMMEDIATELY TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I HAD PURCHASED THE ELEMENT. THE SERVICE MANAGER CAME OUT AND DID THE "PEN TEST" AND THE "PEN TEST FOUND A SMALL PIT ALONG THE CRACK." THE SERVICE MANAGER EXPLAINED TO ME THAT THIS PIT WAS CAUSED FROM POSSIBLY A ROCK THAT HIT THE WINDSHIELD JUST ON THE EDGE OF THE WEATHER STRIPING. WITH THIS ANSWER SEEMING A LITTLE STRANGE TO ME I DECIDED TO INVESTIGATE FURTHER. IN SEARCHING THE INTERNET I FOUND A LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM. EVEN MY COWORKER HAD THE SAME PROBLEM BUT HE DIDN'T THINK TWICE ABOUT THE HONDA ELEMENT, TRUSTING THAT THE SERVICE MANAGER WAS CORRECT HE TURNED IT INTO HIS INSURANCE. I ALSO CAME ACROSS A CLASS ACTION SUIT THAT WAS FILED AUGUST. 04, 2004 AGAINST HONDA SITTING THE SAME PROBLEMS. ON TOP OF THIS FINDING I ALSO NOTICED THAT MAY 6TH, 2003 (ONLY SEVERAL MONTHS AFTER THE ELEMENT WAS ON THE MARKET FOR THE PUBLIC) HONDA ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN SITTING THE SAME PROBLEM IN ONLY A SELECT FEW OF THE ELEMENTS. I FEEL THAT HONDA SHOULD BE BACKING THERE PRODUCT WHETHER IT BE A DESIGN FLAW, WEAK GLASS, OR A ROCK THAT DAMAGED MY WINDSHIELD DUE TO UN UNSEEN AMOUNT OF STRESS. *AK

CRACKED WINDSHIELD. NO APPARENT IMPACT OCCURED.

CRACKED WINDSHIELD

FIRST DAY OF OUR VACATION, WE MADE OUR FIRST STOP FOR GAS. I WENT IN TO BATHROOM WHILE MY HUSBAND FILED TANK. WHEN WE GOT BACK IN CAR, WE NOTICED 5" CRACK COMING UP FROM UNDER TRIM STRIP,LEFT OF CENTER NEAR WIPER ATTACHMENT. NOTHING HAD IMPACTED WINDSHIELD DURING 2HR DRIVE FROM HOME TO THIS POINT. THE CAR WAS PARKED UNDER A CANAPY & MY HUSBAND OR I WERE WITH CAR THE ENTIRE TIME IT WAS AT THE STATION. DURING THE REST OF OUR 5,000 MILE TRIP, THE CRACK SPREAD SLOWLY. WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WE PURCHASED IT FROM. THEY SAY IT WAS CAUSED BY IMPACT OF ROCK OR BUG. WE SEARCHED INTERNET & FOUND A SERVICE BULLETIN FROM HONDA SENT OUT IN 2003 FOR ON HOW TO FIX WINDSHIELDS IN 03 MODELS AS THEY WERE HAVING PROBLEMS W/STRESS CRACKS IN SAME PLACE OURS CRACKED. WE INFORMED OUR DEALER OF THIS-STILL NO WORD ON REPAIR/REPACEMENT OF OURS.

DRIVING ON THE ROAD AND AGAIN MY WINDSHIELD CRACKED. THIS WILL BE MY FOURTH WINDSHIELD IN 12K MILES. OBVIOUS A DESIGN FLAW SINCE I HAVE BEEN DRIVING FOR OVER 30 YEARS AND DURING THAT TIME ONLY ONE WINDSHIELD NEEDED TO BE REPLACE. HONDA STATES THAT THE WINDSHIELD IS UPRIGHT AND CANNOT DEFLECT ROAD HAZZARD LIKE A CAR CAN I GUES I NEED TO REPLACE A WINDSHIELD EVERY 3K MILES OR NOT DRIVE IT ON THE HIGHWAYS. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION AND HONDA NEEDS TO TAKE RESPSIBILTY FOR THIER DESIGN FLAW.*AK

I PURCHASED MY 2004 HONDA ELEMENT IN LATE AUGUST. SINCE TAKING OWNERSHIP OF THE ELEMENT, I HAVE NOT HAD MY VEHICLE AVAILABLE TO ME FOR MORE THAN 2 WEEKS AT A TIME DUE TO A LINGERING OIL LEAK. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE IN TO THE DEALERSHIP FIVE TIMES, TO DATE, (FOR THE OIL LEAK) AND THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. THE FIRST TIME, I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS A LOOSE FILTER. I SPOKE DIRECTLY WITH THE MECHANIC. HE ADVISED THAT THE OIL POURED OUT FROM THE FILTER UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, BUT AFTER HE TIGHTENED IT, IT STOPPED. TIME NUMBER TWO, THE DEALER REPLACED THE OIL PAN, STATING THAT THIS WAS DEFINITELY THE PROBLEM. TIME NUMBER THREE, A DYE WAS PLACED IN THE OIL TO TRACK ITS BEGINNINGS. TIME NUMBER FOUR, THE DEALER HAD A HIGHER-RANKING INSPECTOR FROM HONDA VIEW THE LEAKING DYE, AND IT WAS DEEMED TO BE A "PRESSURE VALVE" PROBLEM OF SOME SORT. DAYS AGO, THE OIL PUDDLES BELOW MY VEHICLE BEGAN AGAIN. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY HAVE HAD IT FOR FOUR DAYS ONLY TO LEARN THAT THEY CANNOT LOCATE THE SOURCE OF THE LEAK; SO I AM TO PICK MY ELEMENT UP FROM THE DEALER TOMORROW WITH NO REPAIR. WILL A PROBLEM OF THIS SORT MEET THE CRITERIA OF THE LEMON LAW? I HAVE NOT LOST FAITH IN HONDA, BUT I'M THINKING THAT MAYBE I SHOULD HAVE GONE WITH A SIMPLE BUT RELIABLE CIVIC.*AK

MAJOR (DEADLY) FLAW IN 2004 HONDA ELEMENT. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE DESIGN FLAW THAT WAS DISCOVERED WHILE SITTING INSIDE THE VEHICLE ON THE DAY OF PURCHASING MAY RESULT IN THE ENTRAPMENT OF OCCUPANTS. *JB

WINDSHIELD DAMAGE. HONDA CASE NUMBER #N012004092702375 (COMPLAIN FILED 9/12/04). DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN MY WINDSHIELD GOT A DING BOTTOM LEFT THEN IMMEDIATELY THE GLASS CRACKED ABOUT 12 INCHES. HONDA 2004 ELEMENT WITH LESS THAN 3,700 MILES. *AK

CRACK IN WINDSHIELD BEGINS UNDER DRIVER'S SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER GROWS UPWARD AND THE FLARES OFF IN DIRECTION OF PASSENGER WIPER. NO IMPACT, CRACK APPEARS WHILE CAR IS PARKED. CAR 3 WEEKS OLD WITH 1100 MILES. AFTER MUCH DISCUSSION WITH SERVICE DEPARTMENT, WINDSHIELD REPLACED BUT SAID IT WOULD BE A ONE TIME ONLY REPLACEMMENT BASIS AS A GOOD WILL GESTURE.

WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE'S STEERING LOCKED. THE VEHICLE'S TIRE VALVE WAS FAULTY AND RESULTED IN A FLAT TIRE. *NM WHEN THE STEERING LOCKED FOR THE SECOND TIME, THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER AND THE VEHICLE RESTARTED WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO FIND ANY MALFUNCTION. *JB

MY 2004 HONDA ELEMENT (SUV) BURST INTO FLAMES WHILE UNDER OPERATION. THIS VEHICLE HAD LESS THAN 10,000 MILES OF USE. ON THE DATE MENTIONED AT ABOUT 1450 HOURS I AND MY WIFE WERE OCCUPANTS IN THE VEHICLE WHICH HAD BEEN IN USE FOR ABOUT FIVE MINUTES. WHEN A CLOUD OF SMOKE BEGAN TO EMINATE FROM THE LOWER ENGING COMPARTMENT. UPON EXAMINATION, A FIRE WAS DISCOVERED IN THE LOWER PORTION OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT NEAR THE FIRE WALL. POLICE AND FIRE UNITS WERE SUMMONED. THEY RESPONDED, BUT NOT BEFORE THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN CONSUMED BY FLAMES. I HAVE READ TODAY THAT THIS APPEARS TO BE A CHRONIC PROBLEM WITH HONDA SUV'S. I WAS NOT GIVEN NOTICE OF THIS CONDITION AND I AM ADVISING YOU THAT THIS PROCLIVITY TO BURN, IN CONJUNCTION WITH REAR DOORS THAT CANNOT EASILY OPEN. IS A HIGHLY HAZARDOUS CONTITION. THIS WILL ULTIMATELY RESLULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. N WHY ISN'T HONDA NOTIFYING ANYONE OR RECALLING THE VEHICLES? PLEASE RESPOND.*AK

THE WINDSHIELD ON MY ELEMENT CRACKED AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET. AS THERE WERE FEW CARS ON THE ROAD AND NONE IN FRONT OF ME FOR PERHAPS A 1/4 MILE, I AM CONFIDENT THAT THERE WAS NO ROAD DEBRIS OR ANYTHING ELSE WHICH HIT THE WINDSHIELD. OVER THE COURSE OF THE NEXT 30 MINUTES I WATCHED AS THE CRACK EXPANDED AN ADDITIONAL 3 INCHES, TOTALLING ABOUT 7 INCHES. THIS IS TROUBLING SINCE THERE ARE REPORTS OF THIS BEING A PROBLEM WITH HONDA ELEMENTS AND HONDA DENIES THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM.*AK

VERY SMALL STONE HIT THE WINDSHIELD OF MY 2003 HONDA ELEMENT, AND THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED.*AK

TODAY, I FOUND AN 8 INCH CRACK ON MY WINDSHIELD OF MY 2004 HONDA ELEMENT. I DON'T RECALL ANYTHING HITTING MY WINDSHIELD RECENTLY AND THERE IS NO STAR OR CHIPPING ON THE WINDSHIELD, INDICATING AN IMPACT. I HAVE ANOTHER CAR THAT HAD WINDSHIELD DAMAGE, BUT THAT WAS DUE TO A BOLT THAT CAME FLYING AT THE CAR. THE CRACK SEEMS TO START ON THE EDGE (UNDER THE RUBBER SEAL) ABOUT 6 INCHES ABOVE THE BOTTOM AND EXTENDS UP IN A "J" SHAPE. I BELIEVE THIS IS DUE TO THE DEFECTIVE WINDSHIELD PROBLEM I HAVE READ ABOUT. *AK