10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
80,429 miles

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problem #3

Mar 312014

Element

  • 163,000 miles
I was driving on a busy street, quite slow (about 20-25 mph) and smoke started to billow out of my drivers side door. The smoke was coming from underneath the switches which control my windows. The smoke got progressively worse in a very short amount of time (30 seconds - 1 minute). I was unable to open my windows to let the black smoke out. I opened my car door while I drove into the first parking lot I saw. As soon as I parked, I could see flames under the window switches, which melted the plastic and caused the flames to get larger. I was able to smolder the fire with a jacket while waiting for the fire department. A fire claim was filed. My car was towed, since the fire department advised me not to drive it. I am now awaiting word from the mechanic it was towed to. I work for a home health care Agency, and have to Transport small oxygen tanks on occasion. I had one in my car at the time and this electrical malfunction could have been deadly.

- Greenwich, NY, USA

problem #2

Mar 252013

Element 4-cyl

  • 78,288 miles
While driving in traffic at 40 mph on paved city streets, the passenger side window suddenly fell into the door cavity and was left inoperable. Had to continue to drive the car in cold weather without a side window. Took to dealer for repair of window regulator. Dealer had vehicle for 24 hours. Repair was it appears this premature failure could occur at any time, leaving the car vulnerable to weather and break ins. This should not happen to a car of this age. Repair was $244.32.

- Mckinney, TX, USA

problem #1

Sep 102011

Element

  • miles
On Saturday, September 10, 2011, upon starting the ignition of my 2005 Honda Element, I noticed smoke emitting from the power window switch on the driver's side door. After hearing some crackling noises from the power window switch, it soon popped into a small fire which went out on it's own, proceeded by more continuous smoke.

- Brooklyn, NY, USA