Ugly
The car is a big plastic box. Every time I go through my local car wash, which I have gone through since 1992, the rear wiper ripples off. So now before I go through a car wash I need to get out and take the wiper off before going in, which is a pain to do when it's 20F in January.
It's ugly.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No
Review Date: 17th January, 2006
Sure it's a cute car but a financial nightmare and whimpy engine.
In the last 1.5 years, I have replaced the windshield 3 times, the lock on the driver side door jams up frequently, due to ease with which the doors swing open wildly in wind, has caused me having to pay $600 worth of damage to another car. Now I must go through efforts to see if I can get reimbursed for the poorly designed windshield.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No
Review Date: 12th January, 2006
I thought about buying an Element, but after seeing all the compliants about broken windshields I gave up on the idea. The excuse I read was that the windshield for the Element is more upright so it gets hit by rocks easier. Maybe so, but old Chevy van I had an upright windshield and it never got cracked or broken after a rock hit. Honda must be making cheap windshields.
Until it nearly killed me, I loved it
The ignition key could be removed in any gear when turned off, causing the car to roll unless in Park and/or emergency brake applied.
This car with the ignition problem is extremely dangerous, since the car could roll after key removed and car exited.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No
Review Date: 6th January, 2006
I look forward to getting a different car
3 broken windshields in less than one year.
Plastic scratches very easily and breaks.
The car is roomy with plenty of leg room in the back.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No
Review Date: 16th December, 2005
The Element is the ugliest car that I've seen since the AMC Gremlin.
Japan is rich enough. Buy American.
There is no more "American" or "Japanese" unless you buy the really exclusive, expensive cars. Cars are now designed and built in the continent that they are to be sold in. Most Japanese cars in America are designed and built there, so whether you buy a Chevrolet (which has many cars built by Korea - Deawoo) or a Honda, you still are supporting the place you live in.
That's all I wanted to say.
Excellent car
I wish that the rear window passenger seats could be open like the front seat's window. Also, the coffe tray on the rear seats could be utilized as third person's seat instead of putting the tray in between.
You would love this car if you are adventurous and sporty, despite of the bread toaster appearance on exterior. It is very spacious inside which the thing that I like most, you don't feel claustrophobic unlike other SUV's. The fabric use in car seats are also excellent, it is stain proof and wet proof, good if you have kids and do messy stuffs. Non carpet floor is very good too, you can just wipe and go, but don't rinse it with water hose or else you will mess up with the wirings. The Front panel design was done perfectly and impressive. I hope they produce a hybrid version too.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 9th December, 2005
The Element is a great car to run around town in to do errands
I've replaced the Element windshield 3 times. Every replacement made loud wind noises and rattled.
The first windshield broke from a small rock on the freeway. It chipped the glass and a large crack developed. I went to the auto glass vendor a total of 8 times and 2 times to the Honda dealership trying to get the noise fixed. The auto vendor replaced the 2nd windshield free, but the windshield still rattled and the whistling noise continued.
Then while driving on the freeway another rock hit the windshield and cracked the glass again! Right away a a long horizontal crack developed, but the noise went away. I drove with the huge crack for over a year. Last week I finally replaced the windshield again because the crack was almost completely across the windshield. I went to a different glass vendor. I did't tell the new glass vendor anything about the trouble I had with the other windshields. After he did the work, he told me he replaced the windshield on one Element 5 times because of the noise!
My newest windshield is whistling and rattling. I called the Honda dealership I bought the vehicle from. I spoke to the service manager and the assistant manager. Then I called the Honda corporate headquarters. No one seems to have heard of this problem before.
I like the vehicle, the seats are comfortable and the interior is roomy. I feel pretty safe in it while driving. It's not a car to drive too fast as it doesn't seem to grip the road as much as I'd like it too. I was by a semi truck on the freeway and the front end seemed to lift up, not leaving me with much control as it's a front wheel drive.
The radio/cd player is great!
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 28th November, 2005
What year is your Element? I am wondering if the cracking is occurring in the 2005 and 2006's as well. I am interested in buying one, but after reading so many unhappy reviews I am second guessing my decision. Any advice?
I agree with the whistling part on the windshield. I thought I was the only having this problem, I haven't brought it to anywhere to get a replacement for my windshield. It'll sure cost me a lot.
I am an owner of a 2005 Element. First windshield cracked after 10K miles drivers side. 5K later a whistling noise followed by a crack passenger side. I am about to call the dealer today. Will keep you informed.
I am the owner of a 2003 Element EX. My windshield also was replaced and know I have a wind noise that sounds like a kazoo. It appears when the temperature is above 65 degrees, at approx. 60 mph. I taped up the molding around the windshield, took off the wipers and surrounding molding, taped up any possible thing that could move under the hood and gravel shields under the truck. I even taped the hood down where no wind could go and still I have the same noise. Please give me another solution if you have one. I have 103,000 miles and loved it until know. mjm13@doc.state.nc.us Raleigh North Carolina.
1st Jul 2006, 21:40
Why did you buy a vehicle you think is ugly?