What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2003 Honda Element

Typical pattern

9.6% of complaints about the 2003 Honda Element came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2003 vehicle — around the middle of the 228 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 2.8 yr in service. The most-reported system is visibility (223 complaints), typically at 1.5 yr or about 9,200 miles.

Complaints
471
Median age at failure
2.8 yr
Median mileage
27,950 n=300
Crash / fire / tow
10.6% of reports
Safety recalls
10

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Visibility
223 reports · 9,200 mi
1.5 yr
1.3%
Air bags
49 reports · 90,000 mi
12.3 yr
28.6%
Electrical system
34 reports · 98,000 mi
11.8 yr
8.8%
Structure
30 reports · 119,000 mi
11.3 yr
23.3%
Latches / locks
26 reports · 90,000 mi
7.8 yr
0%
Suspension
25 reports · 180,000 mi
20.1 yr
16%
Other
15 reports · 123,000 mi
13.7 yr
13.3%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

19V499000 2019-06-27
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2003-2006 MDX, 2001-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot and 2006 Ridgeline vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with driver frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

19V501000 2019-06-27
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2012 RL, 2003-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

19V182000 2019-03-06
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling specific 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2013-2016 ILX, 2013-2014 ILX Hybrid, 2003-2006 MDX, 2007-2016 RDX, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 TL, 2010-2013 ZDX and 2001-2007 and 2009 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2007 and 2010-2011 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. The affected vehicles received a replacement driver air bag inflator as part of a previous Takata inflator recall remedy or a replacement driver air bag module containi

An explosion of an inflator within the driver frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver, front seat passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

18V268000 2018-04-26
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2012 Honda Accord and Pilot, 2010 Accord Crosstour, 2001-2011 Civic, 2002-2011 CR-V, 2003-2004, 2006-2008 and 2011 Element, 2007 and 2009-2013 Fit, 2010-2012 Insight, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2012 Ridgeline vehicles. The front passenger air bag may have been installed incorrectly during replacement.

An incorrectly installed air bag may deploy improperly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

16V344000 2016-05-23
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2011 Acura RL, 2005-2006 Honda CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2006-2011 Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or that have ever been registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Honda is recalling certain model year 2003-2006 Ac

An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

15V370000 2015-06-15
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2001-2005 Honda Civic vehicles manufactured March 21, 2000, to January 20, 2005, 2001-2004 Honda Civic GX vehicles manufactured June 14, 2000, to August 19, 2004, 2003-2005 Honda Civic Hybrid vehicles manufactured February 24, 2002, to January 18, 2005, 2003-2007 Honda Accord vehicles manufactured February 21, 2002, to August 28, 2007, 2002-2004 Honda CR-V vehicles, 2002-2003 Honda Odyssey vehicles manufactured June 19, 2001, to July 12, 2003, 2003 Acura MDX vehicles manufactured September 19, 2002, to June 19, 2003, 2003 Honda E

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the passenger seat occupant or other occupants possibly causing serious injury or death.

15V320000 2015-05-28
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2001-2007 Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2001-2004 Honda Civic GX, 2003-2005 Honda Civic Hybrid, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2006 Ridgeline, 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2003-2006 Acura MDX, and 2002-2003 Acura 3.2TL vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion and other factors, including manufacturing variability that, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

14V700000 2014-11-04
Air bags

American Honda Motor Co. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2001-2005 Honda Civic, 2003-2004 Civic CNG and Element, 2002-2005 CR-V, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2005 Accord, Pilot, Civic Hybrid, and Acura MDX, 2005 Acura RL and 2006 Honda Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in geographic locations associated with high absolute humidity. Specifically, vehicles sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Saipan, Guam, and American Samoa are addressed by this recall. Upon dep

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger’s frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

14V353000 2014-06-20
Air bags

American Honda Motor Company, Inc.'s (Honda) is conducting a limited regional recall for certain model year 2003-2005 Accord, Civic, CR-V, Pilot and Acura MDX, model year 2003-2004 Odyssey and Element, and model year 2005 Acura RL, and 2006 Honda Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or ever registered in California, and equipped with Takata-brand air bag inflators. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger’s frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

10V364000 2010-08-05
Electrical system:ignition

HONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2003 HONDA ACCORD, CIVIC TWO AND FOUR DOOR, AND MODEL YEAR 2003-2004 HONDA ELEMENT VEHICLES. THE INTERLOCK LEVER OF THE IGNITION SWITCH MAY UNEXPECTEDLY DEFORM, WHICH CAN ALLOW THE INTERLOCK FUNCTION OF A VEHICLE WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION TO BE DEFEATED.

REMOVAL OF THE IGNITION KEY WHEN THE GEAR SELECTOR OF A VEHICLE WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HAS NOT BEEN SHIFTED TO THE PARK POSITION CAN ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO ROLL AWAY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

In owners’ own words

Visibility 147 mi 9 mo in service
DEFECTIVE WINDSHIELD IS NOW CRACKING. THE DEALER, CLASSIC HONDA, REFUSES TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM, STATING THAT THE MANUFACTURER, HONDA, DOES NOT WARRANTY GLASS. I HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER, AMERICAN HONDA, CASE # N01200-06-0401190. THE VEHICLE IS A NEW 2003 HONDA ELEMENT. THE ODOMETER READING IS 147 MILES.*AK
Visibility mileage not reported 11 mo in service
CRACKED WINDSHIELD: I BOUGHT 6 DAYS AGO A BRAND NEW 2003 HONDA ELEMENT EX 2WD SUV. IT STILL HS LESS THAN 400 MILES ON IT. TODAY IT DEVELOPED A SPONTANESOUS 5 INCH CRACK ON THE WINDSHIELD. THE CRACK STARTS AT THE WINDOSHIELD EDGE ON THE DRIVER SIDE AND EXTENDS TOWARDS THE CENTER AT ABOUT EYE LEVEL. TTHIS IS A PERSISTENT ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE 2003 HONDA ELEMENT WINDSHIELDS. THERE ARE MANY POSTS WITH SIMILAR COMPLAINT TO MINE ESPECIALLY AT THE HTTP://WWW.ELEMENTOWNERSCLUB.COM/FORUMS/INDEX.PHP "EXTERIOR" WEBSITE. A CLASS-ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST HONDA IS BEIMG CONSIDERED.
Visibility mileage not reported 9 mo in service
WINDSHIELD CRACKS EXTREMELY EASILY. I'VE REPLACED MINE TWICE IN THREE MONTHS, AND THE LATEST ONE HAS THREE CRACKS ON IT ALREADY.*AK
Structure 2,100 mi 10 mo in service
LEASED THIS VEHICLE MAY 27, 2003. RATTLES, POPPING NOISES AT WINDSHIELD AREA. POPPING NOISE AT DRIVER'S SIDE PILLAR. HAD WINDSHIELD REPLACED, FRAMEWORK WELDED, DASHBOARD REMOVED TWICE, FOAM INSTALLED, AND WINDSHIELD MOLDING REPLACED. PILLAR ADJUSTED. NOISES CONTINUE. VERY FEARFUL WHEN DRIVING THIS VEHICLE KNOWING THAT FRAME HAS BEEN REPAIRED AND THERE ARE PROBLEMS WITH THE WINDSHIELD. THE NOISES ARE DISTRACTING. HONDA SERVICE TECH, SERVICE MANAGER,AND FACTORY REPRESENTATIVE HEARD ALL SOUNDS. HONDA WILLING TO ATTEMPT PILLAR REPAIR ONLY. *LA

Other Element model years

200820072006200520042003

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