10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
12,902 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 windows / windshield problems

windows / windshield problem

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2003 Honda Element Owner Comments (Page 3 of 11)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #177

Jan 312004

Element 4WD 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 3,891 miles

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

7 windshield replacements so far since purchase date on 12/10/2003. The first 2 replacements were done by the huntington Honda dealership. The other 5 replacements were done by safelite. The most recent replacement was done on April 13, 2005.

- Mastic Beach, NY, USA

problem #176

Feb 012005

Element

  • miles
Windshield cracked for no apparent reason.

- Decatur, GA, USA

problem #175

Mar 272005

Element 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 17,900 miles
This is the second windshield that cracked in less than two years, they both apeared to be stress cracks. Both times I was not in the car when crack appeared and both times the crack is on the passanger side.

- Woonsocket, RI, USA

problem #174

Mar 312005

Element 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 24,000 miles

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

Windshield cracked in lower left hand corner down below the seal & is now bending horizontally across the windshield. No apparent rock hits (no starring), dealer refuses to cover damage under warranty.

- Saco, ME, USA

problem #173

Mar 222005

Element 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 31,440 miles
Windshield cracking from passenger side corner, edge, approx. 18". happened overnight as vehicle sat. Honda service manager claims crack was caused by an impact whose site is barely visible and the size of a pin point. Honda would not replace under warranty.

- Farmington, CT, USA

problem #172

Mar 242005

Element 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Element windshield crack document 1. Thursday (3/24/05) noticed crack in windshield that had not been there the previous night. Crack appears to have started at point where windshield meets car body and goes up about 3 inches, was not able to see a dived where a pebble or rock could have impacted it 2. Friday(3/25/05) took vehicle to joyce Honda for evaluation. Was given an info sheet regarding windshield cracks that stated (basically) if you can feel anything on the glass itself it is caused by rock, if not could be flaw service manager looked at windshield. Ran a pen at the point of initiation and stated he could feel a dived. After 10 minutes of trying I still could not feel. He stated that it was not warranty problem and anyway he "did not do glass unless forced to when it is warranted". he did not offer any info regarding price, I asked him if there any requirements from Honda regarding replacement (I.e. brands, who should do it, etc). He said "no anyone who does auto glass is fine" 3. Monday (3/28/05) called Honda customer service 1-800-999-1009 spoke to chris to whom I related the events so far including the fact that the crack has now traveled almost completely across the windshield. I mentioned the tsb that includes my VIN number (03-028) he opened a case number so this situation can be evaluated by a district manager. He stated I would be contacted in 24-48 hours by a Honda district manager.

- Denville, NJ, USA

problem #171

Mar 142005

Element

  • miles

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

Windshield is cracked twice. One crack in front of passenger seat, makes an arch to lower passenger corner. Oticed second crack in March, begins in front of driver, very bottom of the glass, extends to middle of windshield.

- Mesquite, TX, USA

problem #170

Oct 052004

Element 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 8,000 miles
(1) normal everyday driving; (2) cracked windsheild, originating lower corner passenger side, curving up and to middle, (3) plan to take to dealer soon.

- Bay Village, OH, USA

problem #169

Feb 282005

Element 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 49,400 miles
Windshield cracked from lower passanger side corner and is spreading rather rapidly accros teh entire windshield. This was not instigated from any impact.

- Cresco , PA, USA

problem #168

May 052004

Element 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 8,500 miles
While attending a conference last may, my Honda Element was parked in a public garage. When I retrieved it there was a crack starting from the bottom center edge. Over the next two days it continued to crack vertically and then horizonally across in front the the driver's side. I had the window replaced by a windhsield repair shop that is used by my Honda dealer. My insurance paid for it as the dealer said it was not covered under warranty.

- Lorton, VA, USA

problem #167

Feb 282005

Element 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 22,400 miles

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

2003 Honda Element windshield cracked on its own.

- Cedar Rapids, IA, USA

problem #166

Feb 222005

Element

  • miles
As I got in my Honda Element, the windshield cracked from the bottom of the drivers side, up 16 inches almost to the middle of the windshield. Nothing hit my windshield. This is a stress crack that is probably poor design on Honda's part.

- Morris Plains, NJ, USA

problem #165

Jan 072005

Element

  • miles
Cracked windshield initiating below trim starting in the passenger side of the car with no cause.

- Lees Summit, MO, USA

problem #164

Jan 182005

Element 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 7,200 miles
My car was parked at work during a snow storm and at the end of the day I came out to the car brushed the snow away and my windshield was cracked in the lower passenger side corner the car had 7300 miles on it. It was fine when I left in the morning. 2 days later I took the car to the dealer and they stated that it was due to a small pit in the windshield the size of a grain of sand and therefore Honda would not the repair. I have had cars (Honda) with large stone chips 1/4 inch in size not crack the windshield - the size of this pit is barely visible. I told my dealer that I felt this was a defect in the windshield or installation and he said that Honda would not address it since there was a pit in the windshield. He said my insurance would cover it. After checking on the web and the number of complaints my suspicions were verfiied. I have owned 6 Honda and this is the first time that I have any problem with Honda - to me this is dangerous, an obvious defect and they need to address the problem!!! a member on the Honda Elements owners web site stated that he had his windshield replaced by another firm and they could not believe how thin the original windshield was.

- Liberty, MO, USA

problem #163

Jan 272005

Element 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 16,897 miles
My 2003 Honda Element has developed a stress crack in the lower right corner in that is similar that reported by hundreds of Element owners. This occured while the vehicle was parked and is consistent with the description of a Honda tsb addressing cracked windsheilds due to a manufacturing defect. Two Honda dealerships arrogantly dismissed it as being caused by a pebble chip; however the alleged "chip" was a small pit the size of a grain of sand. The first dealer indicated he located a small dicontinuity in the path of the crack that was pin sized. The second dealership alleged that he located six pinholes, none of which were visable to me or detected by the first dealerhip! the inspection technique and resulting dismissal of the claim appeared to be coached from some Honda factory issued directive to avoid documentation of this widespread defect. Dozens of website postings are available which documents similar experiences with many also describing the alleged detection of a pinhead size pit on the surface of the crack directly under the windshield wiper arm. It is obvious that Honda is attempting to cover up this defect to avoid a recall or a"secret warranty" situation.

- Hampton, VA, USA

problem #162

Oct 032004

Element 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While the vehicle was parked, the driver noticed that the windshield was cracked. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection. The mechanic informed the driver that the windshield needed to be replaced. Spontaneous crack occurred in windshield right lower side. Then a spontaneous crack occurred in left lower windshield. There was no evidence of rock or other object striking windshield.

- Cumberland, MD, USA

problem #161

Dec 142004

Element 4WD 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
My 2003 Honda Element windshield cracked. I have herd some about that in past. When I went to a Honda dealer they declined replacement of the windshield. Stating there is no recalls on it. However I did found out some information on www.hondaelementscrack.com there was a service bulletin on this problem.

- Avenel, NJ, USA

problem #160

Jan 272005

Element

  • miles
Broken winshield.

- Danbury, CT, USA

problem #159

Feb 072005

Element 4WD 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 13,200 miles
A windshield problem. There was a crack on the left side just 5" above the lower corner of the windshield. There was no impact mark at the crack on the windshield. However, dealer claimed there was an impact mark, and refused to repair it! there are several bigger debris chips in the middle of the windshield which did not cause crack! I have on the car just 13 000 miles and this is unheard off. I have over 10 years of driving and nothing like this ever happened to me with any of my cars before. I will continue to drive my car with the crack on until the dealer or american Honda motor co. Decides to replace at their own cost. They have to admit it is a manufacturer's defect and do a national recall. I am ready to sue american Honda motor company if my safety is jeopardized due to that particular defect !!!

- York, ME, USA

problem #158

Jan 052005

Element 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 24,000 miles
The first crack came on the drivers side lower part of w/shield starting by the cowl vent panel and the crack went to the lt. The second crack came while driving down the road, I heard some cracking noises and then the crack appeared and did the same thing but the crack went to the right side.

- Prescott, WI, USA

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