NHTSA Complaint #11553566 — 2003 HONDA ELEMENT

SUSPENSION issue reported to NHTSA

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Complaint Details

ODI Number	11553566
Vehicle	2003 HONDA ELEMENT
Component	SUSPENSION
Date of Incident	November 3, 2023
Date Filed	November 4, 2023
Mileage	N/A miles
Crash	No
Fire	No
Injuries	0
Deaths	0
Vehicle Towed	No
State	MA

Consumer Description

Inspection of the underbody revealed complete rusting away of the frame mount point for the passenger side lower control arm. The mounting has not failed yet, but the metal surrounding the bolt point is no longer providing any structure. I would not ordinarily have thought inform the NHTSA of this failure, but Internet searching has turned up many other owners of Elements experiencing this same failure and Honda has issued a recall in Canada for Elements for this problem. CR-Vs in the US that use the same chassis have had a recall for the same problem. Why has the recall not been extended to US Elements that are exposed to road salt? I have not yet contacted Honda regarding this issue.

Related Complaints for the 2003 HONDA ELEMENT

Other SUSPENSION Complaints

#11697330 — November 4, 2025 — Please see attachment:

#11691501 — October 5, 2025 — The trailing arm connection that connects to the subframe has completely rusted make the car unsafe to drive. Parts w...

#11681494 — August 19, 2025 — Rear driver side trailing arm separating from body non repairable. Needs professional inspection. Northern state pu...

#11673474 — July 14, 2025 — Rust corrosion

#11633928 — January 3, 2025 — in 2023 while driving my 2003 Honda Element the control arm ripped out of the frame I had it fixed to the tune of $18...

Recent Complaints for the 2003 HONDA ELEMENT

#11698521 — STRUCTURE — November 10, 2025 — The contact owns a 2003 Honda Element. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an ab...

#11691501 — STRUCTURE:BODY — October 5, 2025 — The trailing arm connection that connects to the subframe has completely rusted make the car unsafe to drive. Parts w...

#11691501 — UNKNOWN OR OTHER — October 5, 2025 — The trailing arm connection that connects to the subframe has completely rusted make the car unsafe to drive. Parts w...

#11674334 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — July 17, 2025 — I was driving and my odometer light and dash lights went dim on me. I changed the bulbs it didn't make a difference....

#11674334 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING — July 17, 2025 — I was driving and my odometer light and dash lights went dim on me. I changed the bulbs it didn't make a difference....