This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
Windshield cracked inadvertently. While driving on a deserted rural road windshield cracked. This was the second windshield to crack. It was a mystery as to why this happened.
The windshield on my 2003 Honda Element is breaking for no apparent reason. T appears that there is a developing history of this problem with this particular model. See link below, California class action suit. www.autosafety.org/article.php?did=950&scid=90
This is the 3rd cracked windshield for my 2003 Honda Element. None of the cracks were caused by anything hitting the windshield, they just appeared and all in the same place. The cracks have been located on the passenger side, beginning where the windshield meets the body of the vehicle, go straight up about 6 inches and then hook to the right (as you face the vehicle). The first and third cracked windshields the dealer wouldl not replace because there is a small pit the size of a pin head towards the bottom of the crack (although nothing struck the windshield) but the 2nd one they did replace because the pit did not appear. They called it a "stress crack". the dates of the windshield replacements are 12/3/03, 7/15/04, and 9/14/04.
Front windshield was cracked. Dealer stated that a rock cracked the windshield. Consumer stated that he found lots of complaints on the web pertaining to this defect.
- Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Windshield cracked as has occurred on thousands of Honda Elements, service manager is biligerent and insists it is a stone chip even though there is a service bulletin issued regarding this and thousands of people online complaining!
1) driving my 2003 Honda Element on the highway 2) windshield cracked; this is the 4th replacement on that windshield in 1 year; 3) windshield will be replaced.
Cracked windshield, driver did not hear/see anything hit windshield, crack is below wiper blade, many other drivers of Honda Element 2003 have similar cracked windshield stories.
My 2003 Honda Element has been victim of 2 cracked windshields within the time period of 1 year. The first crack occurred without any contributing force. The second crack occurred 2 weeks after the first windshield was replaced. A small pebble hit the windshield and instantly cracked the windshield. It seems obvious that there is both a design flaw and lack of quality with Honda Element windshields.
While driving a rock from the street hit the windshield, causing a crack three to four inches in diameter. Consumer drove the vehicle to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the rock was the cause of the problem. Consumer informed the mechanic that this problem occurred less than a year ago, and problem recurred.
While driving on hwy 1, no traffic anywhere, windshield on my 2003 Honda Element with 8000 plus miles on it cracked from under the windshield wiper on the driver's side up about 5 inches. Car has a bug/rock shield on it. No visible mark on windshield just this crack inside the glass. Dealer refuses to fix. Entire windshield needs to be replaced cannot just repair. I am in my sixties and have owned lots of cars. Had many things hit other windshields, never replaced a whole windshield before and never when no traffic around or anything to cause crack except what I believe is a defective windshield, design or something inherent in the car. Honda should come forward and admit there is a problem with its windshield and the stress that is placed on it causing it to be unfit for the purpose for which it was intended. We have a high deductible so must absorb the cost ourselves. If the next windshield fails and the one after that goodbye any tax refunds or anything else that is supposed to help consumers. Please open an investigation on this matter. I just learned we are not alone. Many other people have had the same problem in the same unusual way. The crack is in the glass and not caused by an external event. It sure looks like a defect in the vehicle. Please help. Thank you.
Windshied broke for no apparrent reason while riding with my wife, nice weather, no traffic windshield made a loud popping noise and then we both watched as the crack spread from just below the passenger side wiper arm upward about 12".
My 2003 Honda Element has been in the shop 3 times with regards to the same complaint. The car will not shift out of park. The first time they replaced a internal part and the other times I was told it was just a loose calbe. This has been very frustrating for us. After reading other complaints on this web site I realized that the cracked windshield we have may not have been due to a stone but that the Honda Element has a defect problem with their windshields. How interesting that they do not respond to the consumer! everyone should continue to write in about their problems.
My windshield cracked as explained in the service bulletin 03-028. I know two other Element owners that have the same problem. I hear service representatives for Honda are lying about the damage to their customers maybe at Honda's direction. Will this have to turn into a class action lawsuit for Honda to take care of its customers? I'm taking mine in this Friday 7/30/2004, I hope my dealer will be honest about this. I plan to follow up with the results next week.
Windshield creaking repaired per Honda tsb 03-028 maintenance bulletin. 2 bulls-eye chips repaired, but were soon followed by 3 more in 4 months time. All were from small pebbles. Today, a small pebble hit the edge of the window which grew to 8-10 inches over the course of the day. Replacement estimates range from $550 - $800, but I don't want another Honda windshield if it's predisposed to cracking.
2003 Honda Element cracked windshield. Same as many other owners. Definite design defect, Honda must be held accountable for this expensive, troubling and potentially dangerous situation they created. They just blow off most consumers saying "rock hit it." However, most cracks are in same spots and no star burst evidencing a rock impact. Way too many complaints to chalk up to road debris impact. Don't just sit on your duffs and do nothing. You have over 100 complaints about this on a new vehicle that has only been on the road for less than 2 years. Statistically that is huge. So, don't just ignore this, sit back and do the typical government thing, worry about your time off, sick days, and do the beurocratic ignorance dance. Come down on Honda with all your muscle and protect the comsumer who has no power against this hugely profitable goliath.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Cleveland, OH, USA