2003 HONDA ELEMENT Unknown Or Other Problems
16 NHTSA complaints on file
Unknown Or Other Issues in the 2003 HONDA ELEMENT
16 unknown or other complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2003 HONDA ELEMENT. Of these, 1 involved a crash, 0 involved a fire, and 1 resulted in injury.
16
Complaints
1
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths
All Unknown Or Other Complaints
The trailing arm connection that connects to the subframe has completely rusted make the car unsafe to drive. Parts will break and driver will lose control of the car. These same parts were recalled in Canada many years ago.
The drivers side mount for the rear trailing arm has rusted to the point it may be unsafe to drive according to my mechanic. I looked online and saw that Honda has issued a recall campaign in Canada but not the US. I do know from my local dealer that Honda did have them bring in several customer cars for inspection and several of those also had the same problem. These cars that have been affected certainly are not safe to drive in my opinion.
The rear frame brace of my Honda element is rusted. Same exact situation as the recalls on 2007-2011 Honda CRV
The car was being driven at a low speed across a school parking lot when there was a loud bang, the car dropped in the back and stopped movong. The rear trailing arm came apart from the body causing it to be inoperable. If I the car wasn't in a school zone and traveling at a high rate of speed this could have been a very serious accident. If there was a vehicle behind they would have rear ended the honda. If this happens on going down a hill it would have rolled over. If this happened on a busy highway it would have caused a multi car accident. Honda is aware of this issue in Canada but has done nothing to address it here in the United States. The vehicle is available for inspection for now. I can't have a vehicle sitting in my driveway that's inoperable due to...
This car was recalled in the past for a faulty ignition switch. I had the recall done, then paid for one from the dealer a second time as it happened again, and now I am having the issue a third.time. I believe the replacements are also faulty.
THE DOOR LOCK CYLINDERS FOR THE DRIVER/PASSENGER/TAILGATE WILL NOT ACCEPT A KEY TO UNLOCK THE DOORS. THE LOCKS ARE IMMOVABLE FROM THE OUTSIDE AND INSIDE, REQUIRING A LOCKSMITH TO OPEN THE DOORS OR COMPLETE REMOVAL OF THE DOORS TO SAFELY ENTER AND EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE KEY, WHEN INSERTED INTO THE LOCK IN ATTEMPT TO ENTER THE VEHICLE, OFTEN WILL NOT RELEASE FROM THE SEIZED LOCK CYLINDER RESULTING IN THE KEY FIRMLY LODGED IN THE LOCK OF THE DOOR, RENDERING IT IMPOSSIBLE THEN TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE ABOVE MENTIONED CYLINDER LOCKS ARE SAFETY HAZARDS FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS: CHILDREN AND ADULTS ENTERING AND EXITING THE VEHICLE MAY BE PRONE TO INJURY FROM ONCOMING TRAFFIC DUE TO DOOR CYLINDER LOCKS NOT OPERATING PROPERLY AND CAUSING THE DOOR TO JAM REQUIRING FORCEFUL PRESSURE TO BE APPLIED FROM THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE IN ORDER FOR THE DOOR TO OPEN....
THE LOCK ON THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR DOES NOT WORK WITH THE KEY. THIS IS A 2003 AND A REMOTE LOCKING DEVICE WAS NOT OFFERED BY THE MANUFACTURER ACCORDING TO THE LOCAL DEALER. THIS PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE SINCE WE OWN THIS VEHICLE DATING BACK TO 10/2015. THE ABILITY TO RELIABLY LOCK AND UNLOCK YOUR VEHICLE IS A FUNDAMENTAL COMPONENT TO AUTOMOTIVE SAFETY
DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCK NO LONGER WORKING WHEN ALARM IS ACTIVATED. KEY GETS STUCK SOMETIMES IN THE LOCK. I THEN HAVE TO GO AROUND TO PASSENGER SIDE TO GET IN TO OPEN DRIVER SIDE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE.
DOOR LOCKS ARE DEFECTIVE- CANNOT INSERT MY KEY IN DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. MY REMOTES DON'T LIFT THE LOCKS ANY MORE. LIGHTS FLASH OK, BUT I HAVE A FEELING THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR LOCK IS INVOLVED. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS COMMON IN THIS VEHICLE
DEALERSHIPS ROLLING THE MILAGE BACK 3000AND SCAMS DISABLE PEOPLE OUT OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS AND 28% LAWSUIT CRIMMAL AND CIVIL PLEASE CALL ME.
DOOR LOCK ON THE DRIVERS DOOR STOPPED WORKING. HONDA SAID I NEEDED A KEY FOB. IT WORKED FOR A WHILE. NOW MY KEY FOB WILL NOT OPEN DRIVERS DOOR. THE ONLY WAY TO LOCK OR UNLOCK MY DOOR IS TO PULL UP ON THE HANDLE AND PUSH LOCK DOWN AND TO GO TO THE OTHER DOOR AND CRAWL ACROSS TO UNLOCK IT. I HAVE READ OF MANY OWNERS BEING LOCKED OUT OF THEIR CARS TOTALLY. A REPAIRMAN THOUGHT IT WAS THE ACTUATOR. WHEN HE WENT TO INSTALL IT, IT WAS NOT. I HAVE SPOKEN TO SEVERAL HONDA SERVICE DEPARTMENTS AND THEY HAVE NO CLUE THEY SAID.
THE DOOR LOCKS ON THE HONDA ELEMENT ARE FAULTY. SO FAULTY IN FACT THAT A YEAR AFTER THE ELEMENTS WERE ADVERTISED, A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (06-068) WAS ISSUED FOR "DOOR LOCK CYLINDER BINDS". THIS TSB APPLIED TO 2003-2004 CIVICS, 2002-2003 CR-V, 2003 ELEMENTS. THE TSB INCLUDES THE AFFECTED VIN NUMBERS. ONCE THE DOOR CYLINDER STOPS WORKING YOU CANNOT GAIN ENTRY INTO THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE AFFECTED DOOR. FOR ME IT WAS THE DRIVERS DOOR AND I WAS FORCED TO ENTER THE VEHICLE VIA THE PASSENGER DOOR. THE HONDA SITE STATED THAT YOU SHOULD CONTACT THE DEALER AND ASK FOR RE NUMERATION AS THIS WAS A KNOWN FAILURE. THE HONDA DEALER LOCAL TO ME STATED THAT SINCE IT WASN'T A RECALL THEY WOULDN'T "GIVE ME A BREAK" ON THE COST TO FIX THE PROBLEM. HONDA SHOULD BE MADE ACCOUNTABLE SINCE THEY KNEW THIS WAS A PROBLEM. THE SAFETY ISSUE HERE LIES...
THE DRIVER'S SIDE OUTER LOCK AND AUTOMATIC LOCK FAILS ON THE CAR. PASSENGER MUST ENTER THROUGH PASSENGER SIDE ONLY. INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH MULTIPLE INSTANCES OF THIS OCCURRING
THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE WINDSHIELD. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE IT TWICE SINCE JANUARY AND IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN DUE TO CRACKS. I CHECKED AROUND AND I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. IT SEEMS THAT THE WINDSHIELD IN THE ELEMENT IS VERY SUSCEPTABLE TO CRACKS DUE TO THE FLANGE CREATING TOO MUCH STRESS WHICH RENDERS THE GLASS VERY PRONE TO CRACKING BY ROAD DEBRIS. I GOT HIT BY A TINY PEBBLE WHICH SHOULD NEVER HAVE CRACKED THE GLASS. AND IN MY 18 YEARS OF DRIVING VARIOUS VEHICLES, I HAVE NEVER, EVER HAD THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM, SO I KNOW IT IS NOT JUST "BAD LUCK" AS THE DEALER HAS TOLD ME.
COMPLAINT REGARDING HONDA AMERICAN MOTORS AND THE PURCHASE OF A 2003 HONDA ELEMENT.*MR CONSUMER STATED EXPERIENCE AT THE DEALERSHIP WAS LESS THAN GOOD. HIS VEHICLE WAS SPRAYED WITH "ARMOR OIL TYPE GREASE" ALL OVER THE DOOR PANEL WITH SPRAY SPRINKLES. ALL OVER THE FRONT AND BACK SEATS AND CONSOLE. THEY SPRAYED STUFF ALL OVER THE PLACE TO THE POINT WHERE HIS HAND SLIPPED OFF THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE SEATS WERE DESTROYED. DEALERSHIP PROMISED THE PERMA PLATE, LOW JACK AND KEYLESS ENTRY. CONSUMER WAS TOLD HE WOULDN'T RECEIVE HIS KEYLESS ENTRY DESPITE IT BEING PART OF THE DEAL. CONSUMER STATED THE DEALERSHIP JACKED UP HIS VEHICLE. *PH
BOUGHT THE CAR WITH 264 MILES ON IT ON AUG. 15TH, 2003. ON AUG. 23RD, A NOISE BEGAN CONSISTANTLY FROM THE REAR PART OF THE VEHICLE EACH & EVERY TIME WHEN MAKING TURNS. *AK
Other 2003 HONDA ELEMENT Problem Areas
Visibilitywindshield
217 complaints
Air Bags
40 complaints
Electrical System
25 complaints
Latcheslockslinkages
24 complaints
Suspension
23 complaints
Structurebody
14 complaints
Structure
7 complaints
Air Bagssidewindow
6 complaints
Exterior Lighting
6 complaints
Seats
6 complaints
Structurebodydoor
6 complaints
Vehicle Speed Control
6 complaints
Engine
5 complaints
Power Trainautomatic Transmission
5 complaints
Visibilityglass Siderear
5 complaints
Electrical Systemhorn
4 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling
4 complaints
Service Brakes Hydraulic
4 complaints
Air Bagsfrontal
3 complaints
Electrical Systemignition
3 complaints
Electrical Systemignitionswitch
3 complaints
Latcheslockslinkagesdoorslatch
3 complaints
Power Train
3 complaints
Service Brakes
3 complaints
Steering
3 complaints
Equipment
2 complaints
Parking Brake
2 complaints
Power Traintransfer Case 4 Wheel Drive
2 complaints
Seat Belts
2 complaints
Steeringhydraulic Power Assist System
2 complaints
Structurebodybumpers
2 complaints
Structureframe And Members
2 complaints
Visibility
2 complaints
Wheels
2 complaints
Back Over Preventionwarningsexternalpedestrian Alert
1 complaint
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust System
1 complaint
Equipmentelectricalanti Theft Devices
1 complaint
Equipmentelectricalradiotape Deckcd Etc
1 complaint
Forward Collision Avoidance Warnings
1 complaint
Fuel System Gasoline
1 complaint
Fuel System Otherstoragefuel Gauge System
1 complaint
Power Trainautomatic Transmissioncontrol Module Tcmpcmtecm
1 complaint
Power Trainautomatic Transmissionparkneutral Start Interlock Switch
1 complaint
Seat Beltsfront
1 complaint
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Components
1 complaint
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdiscpads
1 complaint
Steeringcolumn
1 complaint
Structurebodyhoodhinge And Attachments
1 complaint
Suspensionfront
1 complaint
Suspensionrear
1 complaint
Tires
1 complaint
Tiressidewall
1 complaint
Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac Systemheater Core
1 complaint
Visibilitypower Window Devices And Controls
1 complaint