2003 Honda Element from North America

Summary:

Wonderful design, but too many mechanical problems

Faults:

Tires wore out before 30,000 miles.

Front brakes replaced twice in five years.

Drivers side lock replaced under 3 year warranty.

Ignition lock cylinder replaced at 38,000 miles.

Ignition lock cylinder going bad one year after replacement.

General Comments:

I was so happy when Honda made this car as it suits my needs perfectly, but mechanically it has defects that make me seriously doubt if I would buy another Honda.

The biggest problem is the door and ignition locks. These are expensive and ongoing repairs. I have had two replaced in five years and the ignition cylinder is acting up again. My mechanic cleaned it out and it works now, but I can feel there is still something wrong. Honda should be held responsible for fixing this problem.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 12th June, 2009

2003 Honda Element 4wd EX from North America

Summary:

Fix the webbing and we'll be happy

Faults:

Back seats that are supposed to drop down have webbing that releases each seat from the upright position. The left seat has the webbing completely missing, so I cannot put the seat upright. The dealer wants close to $300 to fix the webbing.

The right seat has a webbing problem also, this webbing is the webbing that releases the seat from the floor so that you can put the seat up out of the way or take the seat out. That webbing just sheared when I pulled on it. Also an approx quote of $300.

Now for a car that suggests 64 ways to configure the seats and the fact that we really don't raise and drop the seats all that often, shouldn't the webbing be much stronger and durable if it is an actual selling point for use of the car seating (64 ways)?

General Comments:

We love the car, but currently cannot take out one seat, and cannot have a 4th rider in the car due to the fact that the other back seat cannot be put in the upright seated position. Seems awfully expensive to pay nearly $600 or so dollars to get those seats fixed when they advertise so heavily about the multiple ways of configuring them, with unsuspecting folks finding out that the webbing is not very strong or durable.

We just want what is promised -a durable car with durable inner parts. Not webbing that breaks after very few uses.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 19th January, 2009

2003 Honda Element LX 4 cylinder AWS from North America

Summary:

Very useful vehicle, fix the key cylinders

Faults:

Driver side doors lock replaced a couple years ago, as well the the ignition cylinder.

The driver side door lock that I had replaced isn't working properly once again. Very frustrating, as the engine and vehicle have been great except for these problems. It seems like a lot of people have had this problem!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 20th October, 2008

2003 Honda Element ex 2.4 Gas from North America

Summary:

A big disappointment

Faults:

Cracks in the windshield.

Drivers seat shredded.

Plastic panels scratch easily.

4 Wheel drive is a joke.

Rear sunroof is useless.

Short wheel base make for bumpy ride. Especially in rear seats.

Huge outside and inside yet seats only 4.

Low ground clearance.

Poor gas mileage.

Brakes are "lumpy" even after a resurfacing.

No passengers side arm rest.

Won't hold alignment.

General Comments:

This Honda was a let down.

It has a bumpy ride. It gets poor gas mileage (19 - 24). It won't hold an alignment. It gets bad gas mileage. The drivers seat wore out. The brakes are "lumpy" even after a resurfacing. The 4 wheel drive system is weak.

It has been dependable.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 17th June, 2008

2003 Honda Element EX 2.4 from North America

Summary:

I love my element

Faults:

Nothing at all.

General Comments:

I bought my 2003 Element used in march of '07 and have driven it daily since. I have put 10,000 miles on this vehicle and I have not had one problem.

The windshield is not the original so perhaps the previous owner had to deal with the cracking problem, I have had no cracks.

I do wish it got better gas mileage, I get about 23 miles to a gallon.

The huge interior space is what sold me on this car. I fly radio control airplanes and I can easily get 2 quarter scale planes in the back of this car with all the equipment needed to support them at the field.

The stereo is excellent and everything has a solid feel to it. I love this box on wheels.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 7th April, 2008