Summary:
Good concept, but poor execution
Faults:
Tire wear has been excessive and the dealer cannot solve the problem. Front tires wear along the outside edge. This is an ongoing problem after rotation and the second set of tires.
Plastic tailgate has been replaced twice. The driver's door post came loose and then fell off disabling the driver's seat belt. In both cases the parts had to be ordered by the dealer. The use of the car was lost for five days after the seat belt problem.
General Comments:
Car is wonderfully roomy and has adequate pick-up for a four cylinder.
The Element has lots of room. After the Element, riding in some larger cars can make one feel cramped.
Four wheel drive is user friendly and effective.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No
Review Date: 11th February, 2004
22nd Mar 2005, 12:06
I bought my son a brand new 2004 Honda Element in March 2004. He has driven it a lot (true) but it is now needing a 4th set of new tires in a year and somewhere between 25 and 30,000 miles. We finally got Honda involved and they are now saying the car was in an accident and they won't fix it. But it never was in an accident (only had 5 miles on it when we purchased). I'm trying to find other folks who are having problems to see how common this might be. Thanks.
Lkgoodwin@yahoo.com.
