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.
Honda Element windshield cracked spontaneously within a few months of purchase from the bottom edge of the windshield up. Came out one morning and there was the crack. No rock impact as the dealer alleged! they jammed a sharp pen into the crack, and said, look, this was caused by a rock, & refused to repair it. Criminal, if you ask me! many other Element owners have reported this same problem to me. Also, the windshield was prone to attracting rock & pebble off the roads, a separate issue from that common cracking problem. It's a dangerous flaw that Honda needs to address and repair. A recall is in order!
I was driving South on highway 395 in califronia coming back from mammoth mountain in my 04 Honda Element when I heard a loud crack from my windshield and discovered an L shape crack from the passenger side, there was not a car in front of me. After I got home the crack grew 4 inches upward. Went to two different dealers both told me it is cause by a rock hit. I called Honda customer service, they will not repair it under warranty since it was cause by a rock, I did a search on google, this seem to be a common problem for Honda Element. I finally have the windshield replace, old windshield was destroyed by the repair shop.
I own a 2004 Honda Element ex. In approximately December 2004, the windshield suffered three linear cracks within a two week period of time. I did not observe or hear any road debris struck the windshield or cause these cracks. One crack emanated from the lower corner on the passenger side, one from approximately mid-point on A-pillar on the passenger side, and one from the lower driver's side corner. A service manager reviewed the cracks and determined that two of the cracks were caused by road debris because of a minute pit in each of the two cracks. He did not observe a pit in the third crack and replaced the windshield under warranty. In approximately December 2005 the windshield suffered four cracks within a three week period of time. The cracks occurred at separate times and at different locations. Three of the four cracks were starburst cracks and have not spread. One of the starburst cracks occurred on the driver's side and I observed what appeared to be small stone cause the crack. I heard the subsequent two starburst cracks occur on the passenger side. The fourth crack is a linear crack emanating from the upper corner on the driver's side. It increases in size by approximately 1/4 inch overnight, as it is longer each morning when I get in the car. The crack has traveled into the driver's line of vision. There is a Honda tsb for 2003 Honda Elements noting possible stress fractures in the windshield due to manufacturing defect. I am not aware of a similar notice for 2004 model year, nor am I aware of any recall notice for any model year. I am concerned that there a defect in the mounting surface of the windshield that may result in such stress fractures. I am also concerned that quality of glass used for the windshield not sufficient for road use. The inherent risk caused by this apparent defect warrants investigation and/or remedy.
Cracked windshield on lower passenger side of vehicle. Not caused by flying debris. According to other Honda Element owners online, this is a common occurrence and is happening in the same general location on windshield. A stress fracture seems to be the common conclusion as to the cause.
Honda Element defective windshield has stress cracks at both ends. Honda has refused to admit there is a problem with the windshield design or installation. Both cracks happened while vehicle was parked in a garage, there is no road damage from rocks or other impacts related to the cracks. The vehicle is now unsafe to drive until the windshield is replaced.
- Charleston, SC, USA
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Windshield developed a crack starting from below the right wiper blade and goes up 4 inches and then toward the right pillar 12 inches no visible "hit" mark crack just appeared.
The contact stated the front windshield has cracked on the lower quarter of the passenger's side. The dealership stated something hit the windshield, and will not assist in the repair. The contact stated there was no evidence anything hit the windshield. The vehicle has not been repaired at this time. Updated 12/27/05.
Pulled out of a parking lot onto a major street. When pulling out it is across a very uneven spot in the road putting the vehicle in a bind. At this time the windshield "popped" and cracked in the lower right hand corner. Windshield is now broken and needs to be replaced. Unsafe for highway usage. Dealership flatly said it was not their problem and sent me on my way.
I was waiting to cross over the bay bridge and a crack surfaced out of nowhere from the lower driver side of the windshield. It was extremely hot that day, temperature in excess of 90F.
I have had two window glass issues with my Honda Element. (1) in dec04 while driving 30 miles to work, 5 windsheld cracks appeared. All started at edges of glass and moved inward. They were located at the bottom and side edges. (2) in july05 I left work to discover that my right rear window had exploded. Police officer reported that this was not a criminal act, but more likely an error with glass installation. I reported the later incident to Honda and they refuse to repair/replace under my warrenty. And will not take any responablity for this faulty glass.
I've had 3 cracked windshields in my Honda Element now. The first was at approximatly 11,000 miles, the second was at approximatly 17,000 miles, and now the third cracked windshield was at approximatly 20,000 miles. The first two were fixed under some sort of "one time" gaurantee. The 3rd crack, I'm debating whether to sell the car or just drive with the cracked windshield until I can no longer see out of it. Why fix it if it is just going to keep on cracking!?! eventually Honda will refuse to fix it for free!
Consumer states there are two cracks that have formed on the windshield of his vehicle. The cracks started out approximately 1-1 1/2 inches, now they are approximately 8 inches. The two cracks seem to be going in the direction where they will meet.
Windshield cracked due to stress at the bottom edge on 2004 Honda Element. Dealership and Honda usa do not acknowledge the problem and refuse to repair it. Crack does not originate from a rock impact but Honda usa policy is to rule all cracks as resulting from rock impact.
About a month ago, I noticed a crack in the windshield of my Honda Element. The crack in the windshield is about 4 weeks old; it had started overnight - it wasn't there when I parked it, but was there the next morning. I thought that I would just have to deal with a small crack, but decided to do some research on problems with the Honda Element and found several incidences of a crack in the window starting in the same place. I even found a Honda service bulletin (tsb 03-028) that addressed this exact problem. I purchased my 04 Honda Element in mid-December of 2004, and at the time of the crack the car had less than 10,000 miles. I have read that if there was an impact point that caused the crack, that impact points always have a star crack pattern around them. Mine has no crack pattern except the larger crack that moved upward and then towards the middle of my windshield - no star shape. I have also read about the surface of the windshield being uneven and that a high spot applies uneven pressure to the glass causing a stress crack. Further, that a stress crack is identified by a horizontal cracks originating in the lower corners of the and radiating toward the middle of the windshield. This is exactly my problem. I repeat, the pit was smaller than the size of a grain of salt and located directly under the wiper blade. I was told that it was under warranty, and was turned away when I tried to have my window repaired. This situation is not unique to my Honda Element. There are many other Element owners that have encountered the same problem with the windshield cracking under the windshield wiper on the passenger side of the car. Honda has systematically "found" that these cracks were caused by rocks, although admitting in a service bulletin to its dealers that this is a symptom of Honda Elements, and that it is probably caused by the windshield flange surface being uneven.
While parked in a secured parking lot windshield cracked overnight. The crack was in the lower right hand corner. Owner contacted the dealer, and was advised to buy another. Owner later contacted the manufacturer, and was informed that the manufacturer refused to fix the cracked windshield which is under warranty. Manufacturer believed that road debris was the cause of the crack. This was not the case.
Consumer concerned about windshield problem on Honda Element 2004. Based on complaints by other Element owners the consumer is concerned that the windshield may shatter inward while driving. A service bulletin has been issued for this problem (sb 03-028).
Consumer's vehicle was having the same problem as stated in technical servic ebulletin 100929. A long crack in the middle of the front windshield appeared. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.
Windshield cracked after no apparent impact. It was a cold morning/afternoon. Car was garaged at home and at work. The crack was noticed upon returning to the vehicle after work. Crack started 12-14 inches from lower edge of passenger side. Extended from beneath window seal vertically for 5-6 inches and turned abruptly toward passenger side edge for 6-8 inches. Dealer identified it as a stress related crack with no apparent impact point. Replaced under warranty.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- San Jose, CA, USA