10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 3 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 3 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 56,782 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
Driver's seat rocks back and forth.
- Malvern, AR, USA
My 2004 Element light came on while driving one day. I had it serviced by a mechanic with set belt replacement. Did not help with the light came back on. Had it looked at by someone else who told me it was the airbag sensors. I really don"T want to keep spending money but it failed inspection because of this along with my driver side seat that is rocking. Driving and coming to a stop with any type of force causes the seat to jump forward. Even if I am sitting and if I move around my seat will move. Is there any type of permanent fixes for these problems. Our daughter loves her Element but, these are major issues for our family as they are and can have serious problems now and in the future
- Fredericksburg, VA, USA
The contact owns a 2004 Honda Element. The contact stated that the vehicle's front driver seat would rock similar to a rocking chair. The first team Honda dealer diagnosed that the track for the seat failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that there was no recall for the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 44,000.
- Suffix, VA, USA
Purchased vehicle from a dealer about a year ago+. driver and passenger front seat always rocked slightly and today I was driving came to a traffic light and driver seat unlocked and pushed forward! if there have been a vehicle in front there would have been an accident! major safety issue! please help...what would these cost me to repair" how do I proceed"
- Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA
Front drivers seats has been rocking back and forth, I asked about the service bullletin, since not a recall I would have to fix, Element is one owner with 70,000 miles
- Little Rock, AR, USA
Driver seat rocks back and forth when braking and accelerating. This seems very unsafe.
- Saline, MI, USA
The driver's seat in my 2004 Element rocks noticeably. The dealer recommended replacing the seat frame. Cost was $2300. Searching the internet, I found that this is a common problem, and that Honda issued a service bulletin #03-032 (attached). The work involves replacing seat bushings. I took the sb to the dealer, and the mechanic said that the damage to the frame was too bad, and that the work would not fix the problem. Looking at the service bulletin, the bushings that should have been replaced protect the frame. They recognized that the design flaw required them to be replaced. I am not the original owner, and cannot say if the work was ever done. In either case, the failure of the bushings resulted in damage to the frame. Presently, there is significant movement and the seat is loose. In the event of an accident, it is my concern that the movement of the seat could result in shearing of the bolts, causing the seat to come apart. Since the original problem was not a recall, but a service bulletin, it is my belief that there may be many of these vehicles with loose seats. As a safety concern there should be a recall to inspect the frame for damage and replace if damaged. I am putting today's date in the date field below, but this is a chronic issue that has been going on for some time.
- Cleveland, TN, USA
Driver's seat rocks forward and backward while driving - braking rocks forward - accelerating rocks backward. Was rear-ended two days ago and realized that the seat or head restrant would not provide support to prevent injury.
- Malvern, AR, USA
Early this year, approximately March, my driver's side seat began to rock. It continues to get worse. I have taken it to the dealer and was informed that the bushings - there are six of them in each seat - are worn. They can be replaced - at a pretty high cost - but the issue will recur. Replacing the bushings is not a fix, just alleviates the symptoms temporarily. If my seat rocks, which it is not designed to do, how long before something fails? I would like this issue corrected before people are injured due to failure of seat bolts due to unanticipated stress to them.
- Salem, OR, USA
The contact owns a 2004 Honda Element. The contact stated that the driver was in a head on collision and driver's seat moved forward and the seat belt failed to restrain the driver. The driver moved forward hitting the steering wheel and dash board. The driver suffered injuries to the chest, the knee, and minor bruising. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure and current mileage was 132,000.
- Defuniak Srings , FL, USA
The front edge of the driver's seat rocks up and down when accelerating and braking. This past week a gold-colored nut rolled out from under the seat, I looked under the seat and it matches the other's that fasten the seat to the slide rails and height adjusting mechanism. The seat now has a bit more rocking motion and the front right corner drops down more, along with a metallic clunking noise, when making right turns and especially if I'm braking at the same time. The seats "looseness" does affect both braking and accelerating so hopefully the dealer will replace the nut and tighten any other loose nuts, at no charge, when I take it in.
- Rancho Murieta, CA, USA
The contact owns a 2004 Honda Element. The contact stated that a vehicle crashed into the rear of the vehicle, causing the contact to crash into a preceding vehicle. The front driver side seat belt did not restrain the contact and caused the contact to be injured. A passenger was also reported injured. In addition, the air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was destroyed and was not inspected to for the seat belt and air bag failures. The failure and the current mileage was 108,000. Updated 03/05/12 the consumer also stated the seat went from an upright position to a reclining position. Updated 03/07/12
- Lillian , AL, USA
The contact owns a 2004 Honda Element. The contact stated that the front drivers seat would rock back and forth. The manufacturer was unable to assist the contact and the dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 80,000 and the current mileage was 133,000.
- Stanleandro, CA, USA
I am the original/only owner of a 2004 Honda Element. Under normal driving conditions, driver's side seat has become very loose on seat track and now "rocks" on its track. Seat is so loose that control of vehicle is compromised when driving. Honda service inspection indicates seat bushings have failed and need to be replaced. Check online shows problem is widespread for this model and year. Indications are that even following repairs, seat will become loose again, pointing to safety design flaw. The current mileage is approximately 50,000. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000.
- Tx, TX, USA
My 2004 Honda Element has a front driver's seat that rocks front to back.
- Saint Petersburg, FL, USA
Under normal driving conditions, driver's side seat has become very loose on seat track and now "rocks" on its track. Seat is so loose that control of vehicle is compromised when driving. Honda service inspection indicates seat bushings have failed and need to be replaced. Check online shows problem is widespread for this model and year. Indications are that even following repairs, seat will become loose again, pointing to safety design flaw.
- Jupiter, FL, USA
The contact owns a 2004 Honda Element. The contact noticed that the drivers seat spacer bushing was broken and caused the seat to become mobile while driving. Both the dealer as well as the manufacturer was notified who advised the contact that the vehicle was not under warranty and that it was his responsibility to repair it. The vehicle was not repaired. The current mileage was approximately 68,000. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000.
- South Bend, IN, USA
2004 Honda Element: (I have 2 and both have the following exact problems)1. Airbags warning lights indicating problems 2. drivers seat is loose and rocks 3. passenger seat causes extreme discomfort to hip and back on long tips (this is occurs with all passengers, young and older) 3. under carriage brushes failure 4. A/C air compressor failure 5. straps in back seats pulled out and seat cannot be reclined 6. engine decelerates without warning. Power cutback during passing makes this very dangerous. 7. drivers seatbelt buckle is difficult to secure (only 1 car with this problem) 8. loud clanking noise when cars are being turned.
- Victoria, TX, USA
The contact owns a 2004 Honda Element. The drivers seat bolts have become loose. Consequently while driving, the seat moves out of position. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and a fractured rail was replaced. The failure mileage was 120,000. The current mileage was 124,289.
- Tucker, GA, USA
- Cranesville, PA, USA