2004 Honda ELEMENT: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
281 owner complaints analyzed
9 distinct recall campaigns
47,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2004 model year. Data snapshot: . 177 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Visibility:Windshield is the most frequently named component, appearing in 100 of 281 complaints (35.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 11 | 3.9% |
| Steering behavior | 7 | 2.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 5 | 1.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 1.4% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 0.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 0.4% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Visibility:Windshield | 100 |
| Air Bags | 59 |
| Seats | 26 |
| Seat Belts | 14 |
| Electrical System | 12 |
| Suspension | 12 |
| Air Bags:Side/Window | 8 |
| Structure:Body | 7 |
Visibility:Windshield: 100; Air Bags: 59; Seats: 26; Seat Belts: 14; Electrical System: 12; Suspension: 12; Air Bags:Side/Window: 8; Structure:Body: 7
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 68 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 21 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 19 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 14 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 32 |
| 150,000 and above | 23 |
Under 25,000: 68; 25,000 to 49,999: 21; 50,000 to 74,999: 19; 75,000 to 99,999: 14; 100,000 to 149,999: 32; 150,000 and above: 23
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (68). 104 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 55 |
| 2005 | 39 |
| 2006 | 18 |
| 2007 | 11 |
| 2008 | 13 |
| 2009 | 9 |
| 2010 | 15 |
| 2011 | 16 |
| 2012 | 6 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 10 |
| 2015 | 18 |
| 2016 | 14 |
| 2017 | 13 |
| 2018 | 6 |
| 2019 | 8 |
| 2020 | 4 |
| 2021 | 4 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 8 |
| 2024 | 7 |
| 2025 | 3 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2004: 55; 2005: 39; 2006: 18; 2007: 11; 2008: 13; 2009: 9; 2010: 15; 2011: 16; 2012: 6; 2013: 1; 2014: 10; 2015: 18; 2016: 14; 2017: 13; 2018: 6; 2019: 8; 2020: 4; 2021: 4; 2022: 2; 2023: 8; 2024: 7; 2025: 3; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Visibility:Windshield leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 11 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 7 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 5 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10054885 · 2004-01-26 (January 26, 2004)
CRACK STARTED GROWING FROM LOWER LEFT CORNER OF WINDSHIELD. IS NOW ABOUT 12" AND GROWING. NO IMPACTED MARKED VISIBLE. *LA
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10054885 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10054894 · 2004-01-26 (January 26, 2004)
04 HONDA ELEMENT EX WITH SIDE AIRBAGS AND 5 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION. WINDSHIELD CRACKED OVERNIGHT WHILE PARKED IN OUR DRIVEWAY. VEHICLE IS LESS THAN 2 WEEKS OLD WITH ONLY 450 MILES ON THE ODOMETER WHEN IT OCCURRED. *LA
Owner-reported narrative. 450 miles reported. Look up ODI 10054894 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10057836 · 2004-03-11 (March 11, 2004)
THE FRONT WINDSHIELD DEVELOPED A CRACK IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE CORNER NEAR THE BOTTOM. *AK THE CRACK OCCURRED SPONTANEOUSLY WITHOUT AN IMPACT FROM AN OBJECT. *SC
Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10057836 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10058132 · 2004-02-13 (February 13, 2004)
WINDSHIELD ON 2004 HONDA ELEMENT SPONTANEOUSLY CRACKED. STARTED BELOW DRIVERS SIDE WIPER BLADE AND HEADED STRAIGHT UP. NO ROCK OR SAND PITS. THE HONDA ELEMENT OWNER CLUB WEBSITE HAS HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WHO ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM WITH MIXED RESPONSES FROM HONDA AND THEIR DEALERS. EVEN IF COVERED BY WARRANTY WHAT DO WE DO WHEN IT EXPIRES? DRIVE AROUND WITH CRACKS ALL OVER OUR WINDSHIELDS? DEALER SAID THERE ARE NO TSBS ON THIS BUT OWNERS CLUB WEBSITE HAS THEM. DEALER DID SAY ON PHONE THAT IF A STRESS FRACTURE THEY WILL REPLACE BUT WARNED IF THERE …
Owner-reported narrative. 1,245 miles reported. Look up ODI 10058132 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10058297 · 2004-02-16 (February 16, 2004)
DEFECT IN WINSHIELD AFTER 500 MILES (CRACKED). *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10058297 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10059459 · 2004-02-19 (February 19, 2004)
SERVICE MANAGER DISCREDITED CONSUMER'S CLAIM THAT TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN OR WARRANTY TO CORRECT CRACK ON THE WINDSHIELD. (NAR) *LA *CB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10059459 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10060146 · 2004-03-02 (March 2, 2004)
RATTLES COMING FROM THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD/DASHBOARD WHEN HITTING SMALL POT HOLES. CREAKING NOISES COMING THE RIGHT REAR SIDE OF THE VEHICLE AT ANY SPEED. SLIGHT RATTLES COMING FROM THE LEFT PASSENGER DOOR BEHIND THE DRIVER SEAT. SEATBELTS DO NOT RETRACT COMPLETELY. THEY'RE OFTEN GET CAUGHT BETWEEN DOORS CAUSING PAIN AND BODY DAMAGES. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10060146 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10060339 · 2004-03-04 (March 4, 2004)
CRACKED '04 ELEMENT WINDSHIELD FROM NO APPARENT CAUSE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 1,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10060339 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
9 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
10V364000 · Electrical System:Ignition
Reported: 2010-08-05 (August 5, 2010)
HONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2003 HONDA ACCORD, CIVIC TWO AND FOUR DOOR, AND MODEL YEAR 2003-2004 HONDA ELEMENT VEHICLES. THE INTERLOCK LEVER OF THE IGNITION SWITCH MAY UNEXPECTEDLY DEFORM, WHICH CAN ALLOW THE INTERLOCK FUNCTION OF A VEHICLE WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION TO BE DEFEATED.
Consequence: REMOVAL OF THE IGNITION KEY WHEN THE GEAR SELECTOR OF A VEHICLE WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HAS NOT BEEN SHIFTED TO THE PARK POSITION CAN ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO ROLL AWAY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE ORIGINAL INTERLOCK PIN AND LEVER WITHIN THE IGNITION SWITCH, AND REPLACE THEM WITH NEW, DESIGNED COMPONENTS. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 7, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009.
NHTSA campaign record ↗14V353000 · Air Bags
Reported: 2014-06-20 (June 20, 2014)
American Honda Motor Company, Inc.'s (Honda) is conducting a limited regional recall for certain model year 2003-2005 Accord, Civic, CR-V, Pilot and Acura MDX, model year 2003-2004 Odyssey and Element, and model year 2005 Acura RL, and 2006 Honda Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or ever registered in California, and equipped with Takata-brand air bag inflators. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passengers frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inflators in all affected vehicles, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during August 2014. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.
NHTSA campaign record ↗14V700000 · Air Bags
Reported: 2014-11-04 (November 4, 2014)
American Honda Motor Co. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2001-2005 Honda Civic, 2003-2004 Civic CNG and Element, 2002-2005 CR-V, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2005 Accord, Pilot, Civic Hybrid, and Acura MDX, 2005 Acura RL and 2006 Honda Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in geographic locations associated with high absolute humidity. Specifically, vehicles sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Saipan, Guam, and American Samoa are addressed by this recall. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passengers frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 26, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.
NHTSA campaign record ↗15V320000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2015-05-28 (May 28, 2015)
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2001-2007 Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2001-2004 Honda Civic GX, 2003-2005 Honda Civic Hybrid, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2006 Ridgeline, 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2003-2006 Acura MDX, and 2002-2003 Acura 3.2TL vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion and other factors, including manufacturing variability that, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Owners may contact Acura customer service at 1-800-382-2238, select option 4. Note: Vehicles that have had their driver frontal air bag replaced previously as part of a recall remedy prior to September 12, 2014 need to have their air bag replaced under this recall as well. Vehicles that, on or after September 12, 2014, received a remedy for a prior driver frontal air bag inflator recall already received an inflator of a different design, and therefore are not included in this recall and do not require additional servicing. Note: This recall fully supersedes recalls 08V-593, 09V-259, 10V-041, 11V-260, 14V-351 and 15V-153. Honda's numbers for this recall are JQ9, JR0, JR1, JR2, JR3, JR4, JR5, JR6, JR7, and JR8.
NHTSA campaign record ↗16V344000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2016-05-23 (May 23, 2016)
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2011 Acura RL, 2005-2006 Honda CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2006-2011 Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or that have ever been registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Honda is recalling certain model year 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2008 Acura RL, 2005-2006 Honda CR-V, 2003-2008 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2006-2008 Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or that have ever been registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Lastly, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Honda is recalling model year 2002-2004 Odyssey and model year 2003-2004 Acura MDX, Honda Element, and Honda Pilot vehicles originally sold, or registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began June 27, 2016. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KA0, KA1, KA2, and KA3.
NHTSA campaign record ↗18V268000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2018-04-26 (April 26, 2018)
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2012 Honda Accord and Pilot, 2010 Accord Crosstour, 2001-2011 Civic, 2002-2011 CR-V, 2003-2004, 2006-2008 and 2011 Element, 2007 and 2009-2013 Fit, 2010-2012 Insight, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2012 Ridgeline vehicles. The front passenger air bag may have been installed incorrectly during replacement.
Consequence: An incorrectly installed air bag may deploy improperly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began June 22, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are K1P, and M1O.
NHTSA campaign record ↗19V182000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2019-03-06 (March 6, 2019)
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling specific 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2013-2016 ILX, 2013-2014 ILX Hybrid, 2003-2006 MDX, 2007-2016 RDX, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 TL, 2010-2013 ZDX and 2001-2007 and 2009 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2007 and 2010-2011 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. The affected vehicles received a replacement driver air bag inflator as part of a previous Takata inflator recall remedy or a replacement driver air bag module containing the same inflator type as a service part. Due to a manufacturing error, in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver frontal air bag, these inflators may explode.
Consequence: An explosion of an inflator within the driver frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver, front seat passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began April 10, 2019. Honda owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is O41. Acura owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's number for this recall is U40.
NHTSA campaign record ↗19V499000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2019-06-27 (June 27, 2019)
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2003-2006 MDX, 2001-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot and 2006 Ridgeline vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with driver frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are Q5A and Y58.
NHTSA campaign record ↗19V501000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2019-06-27 (June 27, 2019)
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2012 RL, 2003-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal airbag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are E5D and X5C.
NHTSA campaign record ↗