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.
2004 Honda ElementProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 282 owner complaints about the 2004 Honda Element, most often about the visibility. It is covered by 9 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 November 3, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: Cutlass, CC0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2004 Honda Element has problems
282 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
106Visibility
74Air bags17 crash/fire/injury
26Seats3 crash/fire/injury
18Electrical system
16Suspension
15Seat belts
13Structure
10Power train
6Vehicle speed control
4014 other systems2 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Visibility | 106 | 0 |
| Air bags | 74 | 17 |
| Seats | 26 | 3 |
| Electrical system | 18 | 2 |
| Suspension | 16 | 1 |
| Seat belts | 15 | 3 |
| Structure | 13 | 1 |
| Power train | 10 | 1 |
| Vehicle speed control | 6 | 0 |
| 14 other systems | 40 | 2 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
9 recalls
2004 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 5 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
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?
10kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 69 visibility complaints. 99% were reported before 100,000 miles.
58under 30k miles68under 100k miles1100k miles or more
Best & worst years
2004 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
2004 Honda Element safety ratings
2004 Honda Element 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
Frontal crashNot rated
Side barrierNot rated
- Stability control: No
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
4 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2004 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 14V-772
In owners' words
What Element owners report
Recent visibility complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
MY HONDA ELEMENT HAS HAD TWO WINDSHIELDS REPLACED AND NOW A CRACK AGAIN AT THE BASE MOVING UP. STRESS CRACKS NOT FOREIGN MATERIAL HITTING THE CAR. I SIMPLY CANNOT AFFORD A 500 DEDUCTIBLE TO GET ANOTHER WINDSHIELD..... *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEATING SYSTEM FAILED. THE CONTACT MADE REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE AND INQUIRED WITH THE MANUFACTURER IN REGARDS TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE AND PROVIDED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE…
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW FELL DOWN AND WILL NOT CLOSE. THE MOTOR IN THE WINDOW WAS MOVING, BUT THE WINDOW WOULDN'T. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE WINDOW WAS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY OR ANY RECALLS. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED…
Own a 2004 Element?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.