KnownCarProblems2004 Honda Element Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 281 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Honda Element, most often about the visibility and wipers (38% of complaints, typically around 10,000 miles). It is the 2nd most complained-about Element model year since 2000 and has 9 recalls.
Most common 2004 Honda Element problems
Visibility and wipers
107 complaints · 38%Half of these problems showed up before 10,000 miles. Parts named most often: windshield, defroster/defogger/hvac system, power window devices and controls.
Today, I found an 8 inch crack on my windshield of my 2004 Honda Element. I don't recall anything hitting my windshield recently and there is no star or chipping on the windshield, indicating an impact. I have another car that had windshield damage, but that was due to a bolt that came flying at the car. The crack…
2004 Honda Element : 2nd windshield replacement in 6 months . The cracks always start in the black area from below the windshield wiper blades. Honda denies any known problem with the design of the windshield frame . Honda replaced first winshield approx. 6 months ago . The 2nd replacement Honda refused to…
Air bags
73 complaints · 26%Half of these problems showed up before 108,000 miles. Parts named most often: side/window, frontal.
While driving less than 10 MPH turning into my driveway, my passengers seat, side air bag deployed. There was no impact, pot hole, etc. To cause deployment. Honda of america says the warranty has expired and they will not pay to repair.
Passengers seat, side airbag, deployed while traveling less than 10 MPH. I was turning into my driveway and getting ready to park. Vehicle was not involved in an accident, did not hit a pot hole, etc. Honda states that the vehicle is out of warranty and will not repair. Cost of repair estimated at over $2400.
Seats
26 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 70,000 miles.
2004 Honda Element: (I have 2 and both have the following exact problems)1. Airbags warning lights indicating problems 2. Drivers seat is loose and rocks 3. Passenger seat causes extreme discomfort to hip and back on long tips (this is occurs with all passengers, young and older) 3. Under carriage brushes failure 4.…
Under normal driving conditions, driver's side seat has become very loose on seat track and now "rocks" on its track. Seat is so loose that control of vehicle is compromised when driving. Honda service inspection indicates seat bushings have failed and need to be replaced. Check online shows problem is widespread for…
Electrical
18 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 90,000 miles. Parts named most often: horn, wiring, instrument cluster/panel, ignition.
The contact owns a 2004 Honda Element. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, he noticed the ignition key was loose while positioned in the ignition switch. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer, who stated that the ignition switch would need to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired by an…
The contact owns a 2004 Honda Element. Upon entering the vehicle and inserting the key into the ignition, the key failed to turn to start the vehicle. The contact was unable to remove the key from the ignition. The vehicle was taken to nalley Honda brunswick (178 altama connector, brunswick, ga 31525 ([phone]) where…
Suspension
16 complaints · 6%Parts named most often: rear, front.
2004 Honda Element: (I have 2 and both have the following exact problems)1. Airbags warning lights indicating problems 2. Drivers seat is loose and rocks 3. Passenger seat causes extreme discomfort to hip and back on long tips (this is occurs with all passengers, young and older) 3. Under carriage brushes failure 4.…
Tl contact owns a 2004 Honda Element. While driving 65 MPH, the contact had to swerve to avoid hitting a deer and the left rear struts snapped causing the vehicle to roll over 250 feet. The frontal air bags did not deploy but the side air bags did. The contact suffered injuries. The vehicle was destroyed. A police…
Seat belts
15 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 98,000 miles. Parts named most often: front.
Female seat belt connection does not lock properly on a consistent basis. There is a national back order for this warrantied part suggesting there is a large problem with this part that Honda is not resolving.
The contact owns a 2004 Honda Element. The contact stated that a vehicle crashed into the rear of the vehicle, causing the contact to crash into a preceding vehicle. The front driver side seat belt did not restrain the contact and caused the contact to be injured. A passenger was also reported injured. In addition…
Body and structure
13 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 24,500 miles. Parts named most often: body.
On a resent trip to colder climates, where there was still some snow on the ground, while parking in a parking lot, I hit a small patch of snow and slid into a tree. Normally I would expect no damage due to the low speed I was traveling at around 5 MPH and car bumpers to protect the vehicle in low speed mishaps.…
2004 Honda Element : 2nd windshield replacement in 6 months . The cracks always start in the black area from below the windshield wiper blades. Honda denies any known problem with the design of the windshield frame . Honda replaced first winshield approx. 6 months ago . The 2nd replacement Honda refused to…
Transmission
10 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 80,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, driveline.
2004 Honda Element: (I have 2 and both have the following exact problems)1. Airbags warning lights indicating problems 2. Drivers seat is loose and rocks 3. Passenger seat causes extreme discomfort to hip and back on long tips (this is occurs with all passengers, young and older) 3. Under carriage brushes failure 4.…
Sudden depression of accelerator, with a rapid RPM to 7000. Second occurrence, multiple episodic occurrence, defeating the possibility of driver error. Rapid shift to neutral setting helped to reduce the sudden acceleration. It may be a systemic problem akin to toyota. The accelerator problem may an electronic…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2004 Honda Element recalls
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An incorrectly installed air bag may deploy improperly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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 rec
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passengerâs frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passengerâs frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Electrical: ignition
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Desiccated air bag inflator rupture
Summary
From 2000 through 2017, takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("psan") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004l. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 blomquist report at www.NHTSA.gov/sites/NHTSA.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substa
Air bag inflator rupture
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened pe14-016 in june 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers.all six vehicles were operated in florida or puerto rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their service life, and were equipped with inflators produced by takata, a tier-one supplier of automotive air bag systems.during the course of pe14-016, odi determined that five additional vehicle manufacturers used inflators of a similar design and vintage also supplied by takata. No evidence of field failures was found in vehicles produced by these five additional manufacturers.nonetheless, at odi's in
Air bag inflator rupture
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened pe14-016 in june 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers.all six vehicles were operated in florida or puerto rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their service life, and were equipped with inflators produced by takata, a tier-one supplier of automotive air bag systems.during the course of pe14-016, odi determined that five additional vehicle manufacturers used inflators of a similar design and vintage also supplied by takata. No evidence of field failures was found in vehicles produced by these five additional manufacturers.nonetheless, at odi's in
Ignition shift interlock
Summary
On august 4, 2010, american honda motor co. (honda) submitted a defect information report (dir) to NHTSA regarding a ignition interlock defect in approximately 384,220 model year (my) 2003 honda accord and civic and my 2003 and 2004 honda element vehicles with automatic transmissions (recall 10v-364).in a september 22, 2010 supplemental dir, honda expanded the scope of the recall population based on manufacturing and complaint data.the total population for the complete recall is approximately 551,498 vehicles.the information listed in this closing report refers only to the subject vehicles, my 2003 accords with automatic transmissions.according to honda's dir, under certain conditions the in
Questions about the 2004 Honda Element
- What are the most common problems with the 2004 Honda Element?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: visibility and wipers (107 complaints, typically around 10,000 miles); air bags (73 complaints, typically around 108,000 miles); seats (26 complaints, typically around 70,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2004 Honda Element have?
- 9 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from June 27, 2019 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2004 a bad year for the Honda Element?
- It is the 2nd most complained-about Element model year since 2000, with 281 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.