2.8

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
50,225 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2004 Honda Element steering problems

steering problem

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2004 Honda Element Owner Comments

problem #3

Feb 232011

Element

  • 68,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I took my Honda Element to the dealer complaining of a vibration in the right front of the car. I was told that my compliance bushings needed replaced but axles were fine. I picked up my car only to have the same problem. Upon further examination, the mechanic came to the conclusion that the right axle was bad. I had that replaced still have a vibration. I have now been told to replace the left axle. I came upon an interesting thread on a forum stating that Honda held education meetings about the frame causing the axles to wear incorrectly. Inner joint bearings rolling out of joint, abnormal wear. Not outside of the surface of the bearings but actual inside bearings octagoned. My vehicle has only 68, 000 miles on it and I have been told by a Honda service manager that it is extremely rare for one axle to go bad and unheard of for 2 to go bad. I am wondering if anything can be done if Honda is covering up a faulty axle problem and possibly faulty design of the vehicle being that the frame is too heavy for the components. I have also been told that my rear struts as well as rear compliance bushings will need to be replaced as well but are not bad enough yet. I also have a driver's seat that rocks back and forth and Honda claims to know nothing about this problem as well. This is also my 4th set of tires on this car. It literally eats the tires until they are bald. I am not the only person with these problems as they are on forums on the internet. Can anything be done about this?

- Mcdonough, GA, USA

problem #2

Mar 222010

Element

  • 75,830 miles
While driving down expressway, steering wheel tilt lock came loose allowing steering wheel to move up & down. After stopping & raising tilt lever to upward position (lock), I continued on and it did it again (lever falling down). Now lever will not remain in "up" or "locked" position. Very un-nerving when braking or turning. Awaiting return call from out of town Honda dealer. Local Honda dealer said they wanted $90 up front as a "diagnostic fee" before they would even look at it........

- Harlingen, TX, USA

problem #1

Jul 242004

Element 4WD

  • 6,846 miles
While driving, the vehicle's steering locked. The vehicle's tire valve was faulty and resulted in a flat tire. When the steering locked for the second time, the vehicle shut down. The consumer was able to pull over to the shoulder and the vehicle restarted without incident. The dealer was unable to find any malfunction.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

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