2003 Honda Element from North America

Summary:

Company does not admit windshield fault

Faults:

Dealer sold w/repaired star, but later said I'd had repaired! Now crk across driver side, dealer won't replace under class suit... tiny star, but internal memo says they have discretion to replace if not a large rock, baseball, etc. Love car wish I'd known about windshield problem before purchasing.

Driver side lock now difficult.

General Comments:

Great vehicle for me otherwise.

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

Review Date: 23rd January, 2007

25th Jan 2007, 05:52

I'm confused, what exactly is the fault?

That it can't avoid getting hit with rocks?

2003 Honda Element from North America

Summary:

Good value

Faults:

Disappointed in mileage, average 23 mpg mostly on the highway. Drive between 70-80, AC always on (Florida) and no hills. Cannot get it to average over 24mpg on any fill up.

General Comments:

Have put 45k miles on the car in the past 18 months. Have not done anything except change fluids.

Car handles well, great turning radius, very comfortable for me (6'2") great headroom. Very roomy backseats, wish it could seat 5 instead of 4.

You either like the looks or hate it. My 13 year old daughter calls it the Toaster, but she thinks it is cool. Son gets car sick in wife's Accord, but not in Element.

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

Review Date: 13th August, 2006

2003 Honda Element ex from North America

Summary:

Great for work, sport and family

Faults:

Windshield Issues @ 50,000, replacement Windshield creates extreme noise (whistle) on highway at speeds above 45mph. Driver side door lock does not work from outside with key.

General Comments:

Love the versatile space and fuel economy, wish it was powerful (V6?) had an armrest for the passenger side chair and major blind spots need to be addressed (drive side column=pedestrian killer).

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

Review Date: 7th August, 2006

2003 Honda Element EX4wd 2.4 from North America

Summary:

This car is very practical and economical

Faults:

Drivers door lock cylinder went bad.

Annoying "fuel slosh" below drivers seat that sounds like "banging drive shaft."

Took the car to the dealer several times thinking there was something seriously wrong with the vehicle.

General Comments:

Very functional, versatile, finally something different to look at on the road.

Reliable, forgiving at the gas pump for a heavy vehicle.

Excellent alternative to a station wagon or minivan. Perfect for small families.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 24th March, 2006

2003 Honda Element from North America

Summary:

Great versatility, but cracking windshields a major problem

Faults:

The windshield has cracked four times.

Seats tear and wear badly.

Passenger door lock doesn't work.

Driver and passenger windows starting to show stress fractures.

General Comments:

Windshield cracking is not due to stones or pebbles, but manufacture defect which the manufacturer is not addressing.

Seats are wearing badly and are cracking. My 87 Toyota still has seats that have held up.

Passenger doorlock failed shortly after purchased. Supposedly fixed, but still doesn't work.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 24th February, 2006

21st Mar 2007, 08:11

A good idea with the Element is to get the hood fin. It helps deflect the windshear away from the flat windsheild. Baring that I have found the 10 dollar window repair kits work great. I have gotten a few rocks that left a star dink and fixed them right away. The kit keeps it from cracking the windsheild and I even made it through winter (really cold here) with a hitch.

2003 Honda Element LX from North America

Summary:

The Element is a good value for the money, but it has problems.

Faults:

I have had two cracked windshields in 50,000 miles, both during highway driving. Fortunately, my state has no insurance deductible on auto-glass, but the repairs are inconvenient.

The entire horn unit has failed twice. The first time, at 25,000 miles, the car was under warranty. The dealer says that the current failure, at 50,000 miles, is not warrantied.

General Comments:

I love the car. It is reasonable spacious and fuel efficient, handles well, and best of all, it is dog-proof--that is, easy to clean.

The stereo system is awesome.

The Mp3 plug is handy.

I do not like the fact that I have had to replace the windshield twice in 50,000 miles.

I do not like the fact that the horn has had to be replaced twice (once under warranty and once at my expense) in 50,000 miles.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 31st January, 2006

31st Jan 2006, 17:37

I just read your review and wanted to say check your local laws about auto warranties. My state law says if it was replaced once under warranty, then if it fails again within 2 years, I believe, then it has to be repaired at no charge to you since it was a warranty repair. Just a though you may be able to get your money back.

5th Feb 2006, 18:59

How much do you use your horn for it to go out twice? I think the Element is great. We love ours and so does everyone else I know who owns one.

9th Aug 2006, 14:48

Despite how ugly this car is, I bought a 2005 since I got it really cheap.

The windshield also broke by itself!!! I have contacted Honda several times, and have been given the run around. They build great cars, too bad most of them are expensive and they don't stand by them! Besides that, the rest of the car/truck is great for now.