2003 Honda Element review from North America
"Wonderful design, but too many mechanical problems"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
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.
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| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Don't Know |
| Model year | 2003 |
| Year of manufacture | 2003 |
| First year of ownership | 2003 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2009 |
| Engine and transmission | Manual |
| Performance marks | |
| Reliability marks | |
| Comfort marks | |
| Dealer Service marks | |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | |
| Distance when acquired | 67 miles |
| Most recent distance | 44000 miles |
| Date of Entry | 12th June, 2009 |