2.9

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
50,033 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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problem #6

Mar 072016

Element

  • 174,000 miles
The steel frame in the drivers seat completely cracked and broke, causing the seatback to become separate from the vehicle. Local Honda dealer acknowledged the break and offered a $2,400 new seat option. I am the original owner and the car is well maintained. This is a significant safety issue and a front/rear collision would have caused bodily injury. Photos and video are available.

- Hilliard, OH, USA

problem #5

Jul 152004

Element

  • 25,000 miles
Honda has a tsb for the driver side front seat. The issue is the seat rocks as you accelerate or brake like a rocking chair. I had my local dealer fix the seat under the tsb, however soon after it was fixed the rocking returned and I was told the work is no longer covered. The other issue is the bottom of the seat where you sit along the left side is worn and the fabric is cracked. I realized the wear and tear is above the seat base where the tsb repair was made. The wear and tear is from the inside of the seat, not from the driver. I was told that it isn't covered and I tried to explain how it is directly related to the seat rocking. None of the other seats have a problem and this is along the seat from the front to back, same as the base of the seat where the rocking takes place. I would like this investigated and the base of the seat recalled. Thank you.

- Lynnfield, MA, USA

problem #4

Jun 012011

Element 4-cyl

  • 100,000 miles
The passenger head rest foam has deteriorated. You can now feel the metal frame sticking out against the back of the skull. In a collision, instead of the headrest protecting the head and neck, it seems as this defect in the headrest could potentially cause a fatal injury.

- Portland, OR, USA

problem #3

Mar 042008

Element 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Front driver's seat is loose and it rocks. Dealer fixed it once under warranty and now wants $ 130 to fix the problem. No injury yet, but why want until one occurs. There is a website of other Honda owners with the same problem. You do not list the Honda Element in your complaint system for 2003. Shame on you.

- Lee Center, NY, USA

problem #2

Dec 102006

Element 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
My 2003 Honda Element ex driver's seat rocks back and forth whenever I stop or start moving forward. It turns out many other Honda Element owners are having this issue. I found more than 30 owners on www.elementownersclub.com, complaining about this issue. When my vehicle comes to a stop, my driver seat rocks forward by about 0.5 inch. When I accelerate, the seat rocks backwards by another 0.5 inch. My dealer tells me there is nothing wrong with it, but I feel like it's a serious safety issue.

- Belleveu, WA, USA

problem #1

Oct 022003

Element

  • 1,200 miles
Driver's side seat material/its structure or both caused the driver to have severe back pains. Dealership indicated that the seat was poorly structured. Consumer spoke to 5 other owners of this vehicle and they all are experienced the same back pains.

- Burtonsville, MD, USA