2004 Honda Element EX AWD review from North America

The Windshield problem that a lot of us Element owners seem to have. Mine were definitely caused by rocks though... no mysterious cracks appearing from nowhere here I'm afraid. I've had 2 cracked windshields. Insurance replaced both times free. I think its just the vertical angle of the windshield that's at fault. Rocks arch into it almost perpendicular where as sedans have a shallower angled windshield allowing rocks to be deflecting/glance off rather than taking the full impact over a small surface. Oh keep an eye on the exterior plastic covers on the windshield when you get the windshield fixed. I had to take mine back after I traced a sound (that I thought was the tweeter speaker) to a badly refitted (broken plastic connector) plastic cover on the outside after they replaced the glass.

Car looks fine a year and a half later. I have started to notice a little less power in the engine. Nothing major just a little less. It does get buffeted in high winds a bit, but so do other SUV's I have owned. Used it to haul all kinds of stuff. Just wash it down after. All materials seem to be holding up, plastic interior of tail gate a little scuffed up, but that's understandable after my usage. Still going great, I find it hard to find fault unless I'm being unreasonably hard on it. Compared to much of its competition its way better, silly amounts of space. If I had a few improvements I love to have no cup holders in the middle of the back seats so it could seat 3-4 and a V^ would have been cool. Oh and a slightly shallower angle to the front windshield.