repaired · 2020 Q4
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
2003 Honda ElementProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 424 owner complaints about the 2003 Honda Element, most often about the visibility. It is covered by 10 safety recalls, and for recall 19V-499 the manufacturer reports only 22% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through October 28, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2003 Honda Element has problems
424 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
226Visibility3 crash/fire/injury
49Air bags14 crash/fire/injury
35Electrical system3 crash/fire/injury
33Structure6 crash/fire/injury
27Latches/locks/linkages
25Suspension
12Power train
6Vehicle speed control
6Steering
4815 other systems7 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Visibility | 226 | 3 |
| Air bags | 49 | 14 |
| Electrical system | 35 | 3 |
| Structure | 33 | 6 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 27 | 0 |
| Suspension | 25 | 3 |
| Power train | 12 | 6 |
| Vehicle speed control | 6 | 2 |
| Steering | 6 | 2 |
| 15 other systems | 48 | 7 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
10 recalls
2003 Honda Element recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2020 Q4
Driver side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
repaired · 2020 Q3
Driver side: inflator module
Risk. An explosion of an inflator within the driver frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver, front seat passenger or other…
repaired · 2019 Q3
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An incorrectly installed air bag may deploy improperly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Show 6 more recalls
repaired · 2017 Q3
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
repaired · 2017 Q4
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the passenger…
repaired · 2017 Q4
Driver side: inflator module
Risk. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other…
repaired · 2016 Q1
Air bags
Risk. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passengers frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle…
repaired · 2015 Q4
Air bags
Risk. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passengers frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle…
no report yet
Electrical system: ignition
Risk. REMOVAL OF THE IGNITION KEY WHEN THE GEAR SELECTOR OF A VEHICLE WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HAS NOT BEEN SHIFTED TO THE PARK POSITION CAN ALLOW THE VEHICLE…
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Honda.
Mileage at failure
When do visibility problems start?
9kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 155 visibility complaints. 99% were reported before 100,000 miles.
131under 30k miles154under 100k miles1100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs
What owners say repairs cost
Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.
Visibility
8 owners mentioned a cost$500median
Middle half: $321 – $862
If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.
Best & worst years
2003 vs. every other Element year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Element median. How we score
'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2003 Honda Element safety ratings
2003 Honda Element 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
Frontal crashNot rated
Side barrierNot rated
- Rollover: 3 stars (0.0% risk)
- Stability control: No
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
4 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2003 Honda Element, and the recalls they led to.
- Ignition Shift InterlockLed to recall 10V-364
- Air Bag Inflator RuptureLed to recall 22V-945
- Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureOpen
- Air Bag Inflator RuptureLed to recall 14E-073
In owners' words
What Element owners report
Recent visibility complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
WINDSHIELD LEAKED WATER, DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO FIX. WINDSHIELD CRACKED AND WAS CITED BY POLICE OFFICER FOR NOT FIXING, DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO FIX. UPON REPLACEMENT THE REPAIR GUYS JUST LAUGHED AND SAID THAT THAT GLASS WAS SEATED IMPROPERLY AND ASKED WHO HAD REPLACED IT. I RESPONDED THAT IT WAS THE…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED TO FUNCTION WHEN THEY WERE ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THERE WAS A…
2003 HONDA ELEMENT WINDSHIELD CRACKED AT BOTTOM OF PASSENGER SIDE WHILE SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY SO I HAD IT REPLACED. A COUPLE MONTHS LATER CRACKED SAME LOCATION AND EVENTUALLY SPLIT ALL THE WAY ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD BLOCKING VIEW. CALLED MFG AND WAS TOLD DUE TO BEING OVER 60,000 MILES I WILL HAVE…
Own a 2003 Element?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.