6.8

fairly significant
Typical Repair Cost:
$530
Average Mileage:
85,200 miles
Total Complaints:
12 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (5 reports)
  2. paid lots to have it replaced (3 reports)
  3. replace driver's door lock (3 reports)
  4. it cost $600.00 both locks and ignition re-keyed (1 reports)
2003 Honda Element accessories - exterior problems

accessories - exterior problem

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2003 Honda Element Owner Comments

problem #12

Nov 202011

Element EX 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles

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

When the actuator goes out twice like it has, this is no fun.

- Maria P., Fountain Valley, CA, US

problem #11

Sep 012015

Element LX V4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 125,000 miles

As most of your the initial problem started with the remote not working then the key in the drivers side door started getting jammed. After a while I was unable to even get the key out of the door and had to get the door taken apart to get the key out. What a nightmare. This should have been a recall the part is not really expensive it the labor time. Poor job by Honda

- Ronald C., Colonia, NJ, US

problem #10

Jun 102015

Element

  • Automatic transmission
  • 165,500 miles

LIKE MANY OTHERS I SEE ON GOOGLE AND OTHER WEB THE HAVE SAME PROBLEM THAT I HAVE,THE LOCK ON DRIVER SIDE DOOR NO LONGER ACCEPTS THE KEY. I HAVE TO UNLOCK FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE. WHEN TRYING TO LOCK OR UNLOCK FROM THE DRIVER SIDE, MY KEY GETS STUCK IN THE LOCK AND DOES NOT TURN. IT SHOULD BE RECALL ASAP.

- Sam S., Downingtown, PA, US

problem #9

Oct 022007

Element

  • Automatic transmission
  • 45,000 miles

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

I could not believe the driver side door broke after 4 years thank god it was covered under my warranty.

- Kathy S., Toms River, NJ, US

problem #8

Oct 242012

Element EX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 114,000 miles

After replacing the driver's side door locks TWICE, now the passenger side does not work. I refuse to pay another $300 to get it fixed. Very rarely do I even unlock the passenger door with the key. Honda really dropped the ball on this one.

- hopsdog, North Mankato, MN, US

problem #7

May 172006

Element EX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40,000 miles

Ok, a door lock failing at only 40,000 miles? Get real Honda. The dealer chastised me asking why I didn't get key-less entry. Not Happy with Honda!

- hopsdog, North Mankato, MN, US

problem #6

Aug 012012

Element DX 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 71,458 miles

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

All 2003 Element owners have known enough without saying any much more than willing to call this 2003 Honda Lemon I have ever owned.

Honda can forget my return business on the next car as I am the market shopping for one.

- tom newin, Brampton, Ontario, canada

problem #5

Oct 052006

Element EX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 52,000 miles

it took me for ever to break down and pay $600.00 to get fixed...first it was the drivers door then the passenger door was getting hard to put the key in the door for 3 years i had to crawl over the seat and get out if i wanted my truck locked... Honda should pay for this!!!!

- KellyJo F., Utica, NY, US

problem #4

Sep 012008

Element EX 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 59,000 miles

It was a gradual problem that got worse over the course of 6-7 months. I put lubricant in the key hole but it only worked for a couple of days. i have to climb over the passenger seat to unlock the door. This is fun when it is raining out and you have your teenage son and his pals with us and i"m trying to get them in the car so they don't get soaked. I have taken my vehicle in for service and purpposly locked all the doors to see if anyone mentions it,but they never do.. When I pick it up its unlocked. I'm afraid to even ask about it as it cost an arm and a leg for labor. For now I will have to climb to get in or leave my vehicle unlocked.

- Dan B., Milltown, NJ, US

problem #3

Apr 002008

Element EX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 30,000 miles

The window broke soon after I got the vehicle, then the driver-side lock broke, then, the passenger lock broke. now I have to get in through the back/tailgate. of all things...you don't expect the locks to break. annoying!!!! who is going to pay to replace the locks or to fix it? I bought the car thinking that I was buying a quality vehicle...why should I have to pay to replace poor craftsmanship? just make keys that work!!!

- capaldir, Schwenksville, PA, US

problem #2

Jun 012006

Element ES 4cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40,000 miles

The door lock on the drivers side stopped working. Sometimes I'd have to open the passenger door and crawl through. I mentioned it when it would go in for service, and they'd "grease" it and it would work for a day or two. They also acknowledged that others had this problem, however if I wanted it fixed, I'd have to pay because it's not an official recall.

- Diane H., Riverside, RI, US

problem #1

Apr 152009

Element LX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 200,000 miles

I already replaced driver door entry because key no longer fit. This is a pain. Now cannot open passenger door with key and it is difficult to get key into ignition. Have problems with all 4 keys.

- ssherrick, Sanford, NC, US

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