2003 Honda Element Problems and Repair Histories
2003 Honda Element problems reported via the Car Repair History and Car Reliability Surveys
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Honda Element
2003 Honda Elements for which no problems have been reported are not displayed. So the 2003 Honda Element problems and repair histories you see here should not be used to infer car problem frequency.
For 2003 Honda Element problem frequency, check the Car Reliability Survey result. For the problems behind the score, check the 2003 Honda Element problems and repair histories that follow it.
Honda Element Reliability through December 31, 2012
General NotesModels and statistics marked with an asterisk (*) have very low sample sizes. These results, visible only to logged-in members, provide only a rough estimate of car reliability.Any result under 20 repair trips per 100 cars is likely a result of the small sample size, and should be expected to increase to 20 or so in future updates.
New models often start out with high repair rates, and then improve as the manufacturer identifies and addresses common problems. MethodologyOnly successfully completed repairs are currently included in the analysis. Routine maintenance, most wear items, recalls, and problems fixed with just a reflash or warning light reset are not included.
| Year | Make/Model | Trips/Year/100 Cars | Compared to all models for the same year | |
| 2003 | Honda Element | 33 Elements, 8.3 months of data per Element, average 106800 miles First model year.70 |
Fewest Trips
Most Trips
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see reported repairs |
Non-members can see only ten 2003 Honda Element problems and repair histories. Log in or join us to see them all.
Repair costs are in local units.
2003 Honda Element
Engine not specified
| Honda Element in Kentucky, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| May | 2011 | 79000 | First odometer entry | |
| Jun | 2011 | 80000 | 640 | Car had been unsteady at high speeds, a flat tire was fixed, and tires were rebalanced when mechanic noticed the condition of brakes. Pads and rotors were shot and were replaced immediately due to safety concerns voiced by mechanic. |
| Oct | 2011 | 84000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Honda Element in Quebec, Canada | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Nov | 2010 | 88660 | First odometer entry | |
| May | 2011 | 90520 | 0 | Seatbelt light on when sold. |
| Honda Element in New York, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Aug | 2012 | 139000 | First odometer entry | |
| Sep | 2012 | 142000 | 150 | the exhaust pipe needed to be replaced |
| Oct | 2012 | 142000 | 200 | it's rusted all over and shouldn't be. |
2003 Honda Element 4dr SUV
160-horsepower 2.4L I4 5-speed manual FWD
| Honda Element in Pennsylvania, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Nov | 2009 | 187000 | First odometer entry | |
| Jan | 2010 | 189000 | 450 | air conditioner would not hold charge |
| Jun | 2011 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
| Honda Element in Ontario, Canada | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jan | 2009 | 60760 | First odometer entry | |
| Nov | 2009 | 68200 | 150 | Rear stablizer links |
| Jul | 2010 | 72700 | 1200 | Left front ball joint. Replaced. |
| Jul | 2011 | 83700 | 100 | Lower ball joint boot split. |
| Sep | 2012 | 90520 | 300 | Idle control valve replacement |
| Mar | 2013 | 92380 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Honda Element in Massachusetts, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jan | 2009 | 35 | Code trip | |
| Dec | 2012 | 51000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
2003 Honda Element 4dr SUV
160-horsepower 2.4L I4 5-speed manual AWD
| Honda Element in Colorado, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Oct | 2008 | 1200 | transmission rebuilt | |
| Dec | 2012 | 163000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Honda Element in Iowa, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jun | 2011 | 88000 | First odometer entry | |
| Jul | 2011 | 90000 | 0 | AC compressor failed right away. |
| Jul | 2012 | 121000 | 730 | Rotor stuck on left rear wheel & pretty much wrecked the works. Ended up replacing rear brakes altogether. |
| Mar | 2013 | 133000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Honda Element in Virginia, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Mar | 2008 | 3000 | replaced manual transmission and clutch replaced manual transmission/clutch | |
| Nov | 2011 | 127500 | 950 | Right front suspension linkage and both rear trailing arms replaced. |
| Dec | 2012 | 136000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Honda Element in Texas, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Sep | 2009 | 74000 | First odometer entry | |
| Jan | 2011 | 111000 | 140 | Had starter rebuilt. |
| Dec | 2012 | 138000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Honda Element in Virginia, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| May | 2005 | 0 | Passenger Seat Belt Sensor failed causing error message. Repaired under warranty. | |
| Sep | 2008 | 188 | Replace Oxygen Sensor, Conduct VA Safety Inspeciton | |
| Feb | 2010 | 425 | Replace both front shocks because left front shock blew out prematurely. | |
| Jul | 2010 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
| Honda Element in Wisconsin, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Mar | 2011 | 177000 | First odometer entry | |
| May | 2011 | 178500 | 793 | Propeller shaft linkage for AWD was cracked, replaced with new part. Also rear right sway bar/bushings repaired (different issue). |
| Oct | 2011 | 185000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
2003 Honda Element 4dr SUV
160-horsepower 2.4L I4 4-speed automatic FWD
| Honda Element in Oklahoma, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jan | 2011 | 174000 | First odometer entry | |
| Feb | 2011 | 174000 | 60 | replaced Front Swaybar links |
| Mar | 2011 | 174000 | 350 | Replaced Water pump, Alternator,idler bearing & serpentine belt |
| Nov | 2011 | 189300 | 850 | Replaced all 4 struts, ball joints, tie rod ends and bushings. Replaced all 4 brake rotors and rebuilt the calipers. |
| Oct | 2012 | 205000 | 160 | PS Pump started making some noise. I thought I'd replace it before it went out. It was the original pump. |
| Honda Element in Texas, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jun | 2010 | 17000 | First odometer entry | |
| Jul | 2010 | 17000 | 1500 | Ac compressor failed. Sold car as repair cost was 50% of car value. |
| Honda Element in New York, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Feb | 2010 | 101000 | First odometer entry | |
| Mar | 2010 | 102000 | 100 | Power Steering line rotted out. Replaced with new one. |
| Apr | 2010 | 103000 | 40 | Bottom Drivers Door Hinge worn out. Replaced. |
| Jun | 2010 | 104000 | 0 | bolt rotted out of exhaust manifold, more engine noise, replaced bolt |
| Sep | 2010 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
| Honda Element in Oklahoma, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Sep | 2005 | 0 | Windshield made loud pop noise and a week later started a long crack from passenger side, bottom. I see there is legislation over this. | |
| May | 2006 | 2100 | Air conditioning compressor bad. After complaining about quality and requesting bad compressor to establish why it went bad, I was only charged 1/2 of the $2,100 repair price. | |
| Honda Element in Ontario, Canada | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Aug | 2009 | 107880 | First odometer entry | |
| Sep | 2009 | 109120 | 100 | Windshield washer pump replaced. |
| Mar | 2010 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
| Honda Element in California, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jul | 2010 | 600 | Brakes: pads, rotors, or drums, repair | |
| Sep | 2011 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
| Honda Element in Pennsylvania, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Feb | 2009 | 52000 | First odometer entry | |
| Dec | 2009 | 59000 | 311 | Third gear pressure switch needed to be diagnosed and replaced. |
| Nov | 2010 | 71000 | 120 | Flange rusted between the tailpipe and the muffler and the tailpipe needed to be replaced. |
| Oct | 2011 | 80000 | 52 | The hinge or as Honda likes to call it the stiffener failed on the gas fill cover. By failing I mean it fell off in my hand whenever I went to get gas. |
| Dec | 2011 | 82000 | 75 | Replaced the rear sway bar links. |
| Feb | 2012 | 83500 | 50 | replaced front sway bar links |
| Jul | 2012 | 88700 | 245 | Replaced left and right compliance bushings. replaced serpentine belt and belt tensioner |
| Sep | 2012 | 90000 | 500 | Alternator needed to be replaced. |
| Jan | 2013 | 92700 | 2000 | Replaced tie-rods and performed alignment replaced front struts rebuilt rear calipers as they were seized replaced 02 sensor replaced catalytic converter |
| Mar | 2013 | 94000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Honda Element in Quebec, Canada | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Feb | 2010 | 107260 | First odometer entry | |
| Aug | 2010 | 109740 | 900 | replaced drums, calipers, brake pads, brake hoses |
| Jun | 2011 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
2003 Honda Element 4dr SUV
160-horsepower 2.4L I4 4-speed automatic AWD
| Honda Element in New York, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jan | 2009 | 115000 | First odometer entry | |
| Nov | 2009 | 131000 | 45 | Replaced rear brake pads. |
| Jul | 2012 | 178000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Honda Element in Ontario, Canada | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Nov | 2011 | 87420 | First odometer entry | |
| Apr | 2012 | 92380 | 0 | Replace links and bushings; Very rattly before repair |
| May | 2012 | 95480 | 140 | Right rear wheel bearing replace Son owns shop |
| Aug | 2012 | 96100 | 0 | Rusted exhaust bolts to catalytic converter and upper exhaust flange. Two sets of boltssprings and new gaskets. |
| Sep | 2012 | 96100 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Honda Element in Arizona, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Nov | 2012 | 155000 | First odometer entry | |
| Dec | 2012 | 156000 | 350 | On intermittent basis cooling fan(s?) failed to come on causing the engine to overheat. Replaced relay, thermostat and temp. sensor. Seems to have solved the problem since no incidents after repair. |
| Feb | 2013 | 158000 | 1380 | When prior cooling system repair was done mechanic failed to observe 3 aged 5/16" coolant hoses in the vicinity of the intake manifold. One of these hoses failed which nearly fried the engine. Replaced these three hoses, $200. Remove and replace oil sending unit due to leaking engine oil, $60. Shocks and struts have been bad since about 60K miles - finally became so bad that work had to be done. Replaced all. Ordered during previous repair trip. Also repalce front rotors and pads. |
| Mar | 2013 | 158000 | 2100 | Compressor clutch failed - inspection revealed leaking seal also so necessary to replace compressor & clutch. Unable to locate vendor who would warrant compressor unless condensor (with integrated valve) was changed - this doubled cost. |
| Apr | 2013 | 158000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Honda Element in California, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jun | 2011 | 123000 | First odometer entry | |
| Oct | 2011 | 130000 | 250 | Tie rod end worn. replaced. Replaced Fan blower relay. For $35. Self repaired. Replaced drive belt per manufacturer recommended maintenance schedule. |
| Nov | 2011 | 131500 | 2 | Dash had squeak on rough roads from A-Pilars. Took off pilar, added felt & wool to buffer contact from the two plastic pieces. Problem resolved. |
| Dec | 2011 | 133000 | 12 | Motor mount would make groan/creak sound. Filled with urethane. Problem alleviated. |
| Mar | 2012 | 139000 | 0 | SRS light intermittent. Took to dealer for diagnosis. Trouble code 9-3, drivers buckle electronics failed. Replaced free of charge under Honda Lifetime Seatbelt warranty. |
| Jun | 2012 | 144000 | 50 | Lower Ball joint split, replaced. Also replaced compliance bushings due to clunk noise. |
| Sep | 2012 | 147000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Honda Element in Alberta, Canada | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Nov | 2012 | 86180 | First odometer entry | |
| Feb | 2013 | 87600 | 500 | Door locks sticking and hard to operate. Not lubrication issue but wear/age of lock mechanism. Mechanism replaced. |
| Mar | 2013 | 88040 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Honda Element in Massachusetts, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| May | 2009 | 49000 | First odometer entry | |
| Mar | 2010 | 55000 | 0 | Both front sway bar links replaced (RF Snapped). |
| May | 2011 | 60000 | 830 | Brake-feel not right, some worn brake sounds, rust on rotors etc. Prior brake work and low miles not enough to prevent rust caused by ocean climate effect on bare metal parts of a never-garaged automobile. |
| Jul | 2012 | 66000 | 140 | Exhaust noise! Spot weld heat shield on Cat. Replace leaking gasket. Replace flange. |
| Mar | 2013 | 70000 | 60 | Muffler mount bracket broken. Welding used to repair. |
| Honda Element in Georgia, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Oct | 2009 | 139000 | First odometer entry | |
| Jul | 2011 | 185700 | 455 | starter wouldn't work. replaced. car towed to shop. starter replaced. oil change while there. |
| Nov | 2011 | 197000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Honda Element in Texas, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jun | 2010 | 104000 | First odometer entry | |
| Jan | 2011 | 107000 | 20 | power steering groaning. flushed power steering fluid twice. fluid was filthy---seemed to be contaminated with water. installed new ps fluid and groaning has stopped. |
| Mar | 2013 | 118000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Honda Element in Ontario, Canada | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Mar | 2010 | 73780 | First odometer entry | |
| Jul | 2010 | 75640 | 120 | srs light came on |
| Honda Element in Arizona, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Nov | 2010 | 79000 | First odometer entry | |
| Sep | 2012 | 95500 | 9 | brake light switch. could not shift out of park. replaced switch now works fine |
| Mar | 2013 | 103000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Honda Element in New Mexico, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Nov | 2010 | 189000 | First odometer entry | |
| Feb | 2011 | 199000 | 650 | Exhaust system became detached from the engine and chassis, possibly due to road debris. System replace except for catalytic converter, which was reusable. |
| Mar | 2011 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
| Honda Element in Nevada, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Mar | 2011 | 52000 | First odometer entry | |
| Apr | 2011 | 52000 | 750 | Squeaking coming from front suspension. Front struts were replaced. |
| Jul | 2012 | 60000 | 96 | Replaced one upper strut mount. |
| Honda Element in New York, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Apr | 2011 | 119000 | First odometer entry | |
| Jun | 2011 | 121000 | 0 | a/c need some R124 |
| May | 2012 | 133500 | 650 | replace starter |
| Oct | 2012 | 138000 | 197 | cooling leak |
| Feb | 2013 | 143700 | 375 | O2 SENSOR |
| Mar | 2013 | 145000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Honda Element in West Virginia, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Mar | 2010 | 155000 | First odometer entry | |
| May | 2010 | 158000 | 200 | Engine mount had small cracks on left side (driver side). |
| Jun | 2011 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
| Honda Element in California, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| May | 2009 | 71000 | First odometer entry | |
| May | 2010 | 75000 | 600 | rotors replaced in rear |
| Jul | 2010 | 79300 | 150 | Replaced the motor for the drivers side window. |
| Nov | 2010 | 83300 | 125 | Power window control not working on passenger side |
| Mar | 2011 | 85000 | 250 | Passenger side window regulator replaced. Battery being drained by the radio Moon roof leaks |
| Nov | 2011 | 85000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Honda Element in Massachusetts, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Sep | 2009 | 122000 | First odometer entry | |
| Apr | 2010 | 130000 | 350 | 1 rear caliper, 2 rotors and pads |
| Jan | 2011 | 137000 | 220 | oxygen sensor replaced and four new plugs |
| Aug | 2011 | 143000 | 0 | sections of original exhaust pipe were replaced |
| Jul | 2012 | 154700 | 250 | exhaust to manifold gasket and studs |
| Sep | 2012 | 158000 | 350 | rebuilt starter |
| Apr | 2013 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
2003 Honda Element 4-door
4-cylinder manual AWD
| Honda Element in Illinois, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| May | 2009 | 68000 | First odometer entry | |
| Jul | 2009 | 75000 | 180 | Driver side door lock cylinder - replaced |
| Jan | 2010 | 91000 | 400 | Rear strut mounts and new rear struts - due to noise |
| Jun | 2012 | 158000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
Expert 2003 Honda Element Repair Advice
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