NHTSA Complaint #10588117 — 2007 HONDA ELEMENT

TOOK VEHICLE INTO HONDA SERVICE DEPT. AS NEEDLES HAD FALLEN OFF OF TACHOMETER AND HEAT INDICATOR AND SPEEDOMETER WAS NOT READING CORRECTLY. SERVICE TECH TOOK CAR FOR DRIVE TO TEST BRAKES FOR A RECALL ISSUE AND HIT THE DASHBOARD WHEN TOLD OF NEEDLE ISSUE. REST OF NEEDLES FELL OFF SO NOW I HAVE NO IDEA OF SPEED OR GAS AND THE LIGHTS SHINE DIRECTLY IN DRIVERS FACE WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT WHICH MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE. HONDA SAYS THERE WAS AN UPDATE (WHICH HAS EXPIRED) AND IT WILL COST ME $1,000. TO FIX THE GAUGE ISSUE. I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL AND MERELY AN 'UPDATE'! THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY HONDA AS THIS IS NOT A MAINTENANCE ISSUE BUT A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. CHECKING ONLINE HAS REVEALED THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE FOR THIS PARTICULAR MODEL. *TR