2004 Honda Element Reviews from North America

The car runs reasonable well for a cheap car. However, it wears out the tires fast. I am on my third set of tires, and it only has 40,000 miles.

The latest problem is that the key will not go into the driver's side door. I have to open the passenger door, and reach in to unlock the driver's side door.

I have read the comments, and I am surprised about the number of complaints about the key problem. I am worried that if I spend money on repairing the door, it will get worse, affecting eventually the ignition key.

Basically a good runaround car to carry my junk and my dog.

Not crash worthy.

I bought this SUV new in 2004. If you own one of these, beware of the suicide door design. I was involved in a serious accident where I was side swiped by a young girl that lost control and struck my door with a Ford Explorer. I suffered critical injuries and barely survived the wreck. The main fault was the doors and not true side pillars. The "hooks" that hold the door gave way and allowed the other vehicle to intrude into my door more, which in turned caused all the damage to my body.

I am not out for money in this review. The lawsuit was settled many years ago, but I would never own this type of vehicle ever again. If anyone wants dispute these facts, I have the photos from the re-constructionist to prove my point. The door support will not hold in a bad crash, that is my point.

Good luck to all that own one of these, I will never be in one again.

Honestly, so far -- nothing has been wrong with the car except for a time when the car totally wouldn't start at all (after attempting to jump it a few times). Had it towed to shop. It was just a DEAD battery.

Had to have new tires around 43,000.

New brakes at 47,000.

Can't really blame on the tires and brakes, considering we live in Washington, D.C. and it requires a lot of braking, so probably reasonable for its age.

This is actually my partner's Element. I met him in 2008, Element was 4 years old. I am a Honda fan, but always had Civics, and never was a fan of the Element until I met him.

Of course, the best thing about the Element is the SPACE! My friend had a baby shower and needed help bringing the crib, mattress, chest, and all that she got from the shower. My partner offered to use his Element, so we helped her -- surprisingly all the big things fit in perfectly with some extra room!

The gas is pretty good for it being a SUV, I think. I still like the gas in my little Civic though.

Acceleration isn't too bad -- I guess I'm used to it. My Civic feels a bit faster though, but again I guess that is because I "ride" on the ground in my Civic.

Seats are pretty comfortable for long trips.

I had a light out in the shift console when I bought it, annoying, though the dealer fixed it no problem. I also had an alignment problem which happens, again annoying, but car dealer fixed it no problem.

The most recent thing is a rattling noise when I turn to the right, and a little rattle noise when accelerating, and a little rattle in the muffler?!? Wow I guess I am rattling a lot! The mechanic has NOT heard any of these rattles and thinks I am making them up.

Also... Here's the good one!! My gas cap cover fell off in my hand as I was getting gas one day!!! Weird!

They, at the dealership are trying, to tell me my bumper to bumper won't cover it because it

I quote: "seems to have been ripped off, or opened violently, or vandalized".

I am a 100 pound female and I do not go around "ripping" or "opening violently" anything. (not that I can't I just don't)

Just wondering if anyone else had a problem like this so I can tell them that it is not me, it is the car?

I like the car, It is the best car I have ever owned!

I think that it is the dealership that's out to get me.