10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
48,202 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.

2003 Honda Element lights problems

lights problem

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2003 Honda Element Owner Comments

problem #5

Jun 012018

Element

  • miles

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

Drivers side door key ceased to work as stated numerous times by others. Only way to get in and lock the door is from passenger side...placing driver in unsafe and vunerable position. Also when driving slowly approx 10 mph car has frequently irractically accelerated of its own Accord. Have to stand on the brakes to get car to stop. With the car at a stop, and in drive it will self accelerate...very dangerous!!! as others have noted there is a serious electrical short?? as dash lights are dull then and have to hit dash to get them to light up. Headlights are constantly surging from limited lighting visibility to normal.

- Victor, MT, USA

problem #4

Aug 012016

Element 4-cyl

  • miles
I have replaced everything possible that would control the headlights. As I drive or after the car heats up while parked, whether on dim or bright the lights dim and brighten themselves causing it hard to see sometimes. I myself and other people that have talked about this online are having problems with the key fob. It stopped working and then it starts working again but the driver door lock wont work after that.

- Sharps Chapel, TN, USA

problem #3

May 012012

Element 4-cyl

  • 98,000 miles
The dashboard light of the Honda Element goes dark intermittently. At the beginning I thought this was an isolated event - but found hundreds of complaints about the same issue on internet forums. I have taken my car to the dealership and the problem is so inconsistent that they are unable to diagnose it. From reading the complaint of the other Element owners it seems that the problem is with the electrical wiring system of the Elements. I request the NHTSA to perform a detailed investigation into this -as this poses a serious risk with the instruments cluster failing randomly.

- Potomac, MD, USA

problem #2

Jan 252013

Element 4-cyl

  • 90,000 miles
Head lights went out while driving. This also happened on 9/23/2011. Bulbs are ok. Dealer said it was an electrical problem. Honda said it's not a recall. Many people report same problem on web. Also CRV has this problem.

- Mansfield, OH, USA

problem #1

Feb 022012

Element 4-cyl

  • 53,008 miles
I have the same problem with the headlamp low beam that is described in the newest recall announced by Honda. I believe that the same component in my vehicle is in the CRV and other models. How does this issue get addressed.

- Potomac Falls, VA, USA

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