2003 Honda Element EX AWD from North America - Comments

First the driver's side, then the passenger's side a year later. Is it just coincidence that so many people have this happen to their 03 Elements? There is definitely no guarantee that this won't happen everytime, over time, after already paying for the repairs. I was the biggest Element enthusiast, but don't feel valued enough to get this taken care of by the dealership without paying a couple hundred each time.

This driver's side door lock problem is on Civics too - I've had mine repaired with in the last year (something about 'split wafers') and now it has gone out again. No problem with the passenger door yet, but I'm just holding my breath. It is frustrating to say the least.

Same exact key problem with the Honda Accord 2003 - Driver side lock replaced after 36,000 miles and now again at 72,000 - this time both the trunk and door went at the same time - I thought the car had been attempted broken into, but the dealer seems to think I am to blame for unlocking my car too much! - I am livid at being treated like a criminal by a rude dealer.

I got my 2003 Element new, and 3 years later both door locks would not work with key. So instead of paying for replacement of the locks. I bought the keyless remote and... love it. But I never had a auto that had a key issue like this in my life.

Another issue Element owners should be aware of is the flaw in design on the windshields. I am on my 3rd windshield... after 1st year I was just sitting in my SUV and saw it crack below passengers side wiper. Told the dealer and called (complained) headquarters in CA about it... they replaced it FREE.

Several months later it cracked again about the same place and found that there was a Class Action Law Suit on the problem... Honda would not fix it this time so I went through my auto insurance company for 50 bucks. And again it happen another 50 bucks. But I did apply to join in on law suit and got my 50 bucks back for the cost to me... but my insurance company got stuck with $450.

I still love my Element and the places it took and still takes me.

MY 2003 element has also had driver side door lock problems replaced once, now a problem again. Also ignition cylinder went about a year ago. Besides these issues the element has been great, but these issues have cost me close to $1000 when it should never be an issue.

Any work on the legal front?

Our 2003 Honda Element has done the same thing with the key lock on the drivers side door. We paid to have it replaced in 2006 and now have the identical problem. I'm not paying again! I do agree, reading all these comments, that Honda must know about the problem and should be fixing these for free.

O.K.so we just bought our 2003 Element and we have door lock problems. The drivers side will not unlock with a key from the outside. We can still unlock from the inside. Next part: when using the power locks the drivers side lock slowly pops back up after activation. We can still lock the door by pushing down the door lock manually and shutting the door with the outside door handle pulled out. Anybody else going through this?

Grey with anxiety.