general problems of the 2003 Honda Element

The trailing arm connection that connects to the subframe has completely rusted make the car unsafe to drive. Parts will break and driver will lose control of the car. These same parts were recalled in canada many years ago.

The rear frame brace of my Honda Element is rusted. Same exact situation as the recalls on 2007-2011 Honda crv.

The car was being driven at a low speed across a school parking lot when there was a loud bang, the car dropped in the back and stopped movong. The rear trailing arm came apart from the body causing it to be inoperable. If I the car wasn't in a school zone and traveling at a high rate of speed this could have been a very serious accident. If there was a vehicle behind they would have rear ended the Honda. If this happens on going down a hill it would have rolled over. If this happened on a busy highway it would have caused a multi car accident. Honda is aware of this issue in canada but has done nothing to address it here in the united states. The vehicle is available for inspection for now. I can't have a vehicle sitting in my driveway that's inoperable due to city codes. The safety of the driver, passengers, pedestrians walking and other vehicles on the road are in danger. This is a very top heavy vehicle that could easily flip and roll over causing seriously injury even death. I had the vehicle towed from where it broke, the tow truck driver is a mechanic who looked at it. He said what broke. I had another mechanic stop and look because he is a welder and said it can't be repaired at this point. There were no warning lights or signs of this happening. Unless you live in canada where they sent owners a recall in the mail as long as they live in areas that have high salt usage on their roads. . . . . . . Not sure why that just pertains to canada because, michigan, new york, vermont, new hampshire, maine all get bad winters where salt is used. A vehicle should not disintegrate and fall apart like the Hondas are. They are a danger on the road right now. This is the recall for this exact same problem in canada https://wwwapps. Tc. Gc. Ca/saf-sec-sur/7/vrdb-bdrv/search-recherche/detail. Aspx?lang=eng&mk=1954!4785!35936!42257!39379&mkname=Honda&MD=element&fy=2003&ty=2003&ft=&LS=0&sy=0&syname=all%20systems&all=0&rn=2021024&cf=searchresult&pg=0.

The drivers side mount for the rear trailing arm has rusted to the point it may be unsafe to drive according to my mechanic. I looked online and saw that Honda has issued a recall campaign in canada but not the us. I do know from my local dealer that Honda did have them bring in several customer cars for inspection and several of those also had the same problem. These cars that have been affected certainly are not safe to drive in my opinion.

This car was recalled in the past for a faulty ignition switch. I had the recall done, then paid for one from the dealer a second time as it happened again, and now I am having the issue a third. Time. I believe the replacements are also faulty.

The door lock cylinders for the driver/passenger/tailgate will not accept a key to unlock the doors. The locks are immovable from the outside and inside, requiring a locksmith to open the doors or complete removal of the doors to safely enter and exit the vehicle. The key, when inserted into the lock in attempt to enter the vehicle, often will not release from the seized lock cylinder resulting in the key firmly lodged in the lock of the door, rendering it impossible then to drive the vehicle. The above mentioned cylinder locks are safety hazards for the following reasons: children and adults entering and exiting the vehicle may be prone to injury from oncoming traffic due to door cylinder locks not operating properly and causing the door to jam requiring forceful pressure to be applied from the interior and exterior of the vehicle in order for the door to open. Infants and elderly individuals incapable of the motor skills necessary to open doors and locks may be locked inside of the vehicle with uncontrollable in cabin temperatures resulting in excessive heat/cold for an extended amount of time that could result in injury or death. Quick and safe entry and exit to and from the vehicle is impossible, resulting in an increase of the probable instances of theft or damage to persons/property attempting to enter/exit the vehicle in less than perfectly safe conditions. The fee involved with servicing the replacement of this door lock cylinder is exorbitant. A quote from the dealership put me at $200. 00 just for them to open the door panel and look at it. To replace the cylinder and re-key it would cost upwards of $400. 00 more. $600. 00 to replace a cylinder lock on a car door. There are many other 2003 Honda Element owners who have had this issue as well, often paying the money to have the cylinders replaced, only to have them fail again a year later.

Driver side door lock no longer working when alarm is activated. Key gets stuck sometimes in the lock. I then have to go around to passenger side to get in to open driver side door from the inside.

Door locks are defective- cannot insert my key in driver's side door. My remotes don't lift the locks any more. Lights flash ok, but I have a feeling that the driver's side door lock is involved. I understand that this is common in this vehicle.

The lock on the driver side door does not work with the key. This is a 2003 and a remote locking device was not offered by the manufacturer according to the local dealer. This problem that has been getting progressively worse since we own this vehicle dating back to 10/2015. The ability to reliably lock and unlock your vehicle is a fundamental component to automotive safety.

Driver's side door lock tumblers seized my key when I tried to unlock the car. They key was stuck midway - I could not remove the key nor turn it either way. Since the key was caught in the lock, the key fob would not open the passenger's door or rear latch. I was locked out of the car with my little girl trapped inside. After a pop-a-lock visit, I was able to get my spare key to drive the vehicle, but I still had the original key stuck in the door lock. I drove to Honda service center; they were unable to remove the key also. They said I would have to pay $450 to have the lock tumbler replaced. I asked them if they would remove the door panel because the key in the door was a theft issue. They said I would have to pay $112. 50 for them to remove the panel. When I asked if they would remove the panel for free so I could try to remove the key, they refused, citing liability issues. The service center is only willing to help when paid astronomical rates like $112. 50 to remove a door panel (without being asked to put it back on) and $450 to replace a $40 part that is malfunctioning. I have never heard any other car manufacturers' cars seizing a key in the door lock ever in my life! we could have been in great danger if we had been in a remote area of if it had been nighttime. Honda customer service refuses to fix my problem because there is no recall, despite the problems of others. Even when I asked that the repair be done as "goodwill' the representative refused to consider. Poor quality workmanship on door locks -- something as inexpensive and low tech as a lock, yet so critical to safety and theft -- reflects poorly on Honda and draws into question their reputation for quality. That Honda refuses to stand by their work when their poor quality endangers drivers and passengers, demonstrates their disregard of human beings safety. Profit over people is Honda's motto.

Driver's side door lock has malfunctioned and would not unlock. Sometimes would not lock. I had same problem several years ago and had lock replaced at Honda dealer however recently it started again. Apparently this is a common Honda problem. I really like the Element however these types of problems leave me to probably never buy another Honda. Now the airbag recall which has not even recognized the need to replace in wv.

Both door locks (driver and passenger) are jammed. At times the key goes in and others it doesn't but do not turn. I have two keys and neither of them open either door. I have to enter through the back door, climb over the back seats to get to the driver's seat. This appears to be an issue with many Honda Elements made in 2003. I have read many reviews and see that many people have this same issue. I have back problems and cannot be climbing in through the back of my car to open the driver side door to enter my car. I think Honda should be responsible for replacing these locks.

I was driving out of the parking lot of my condo, when my knee tapped the keys on my ignition inwards. As this happened the car shut off. I was worried but had to go on with my day. After hearing about the gm issues I became concerned because the issue with their ignition was the same one I was having with my Honda Element. I called Honda on July 1, 2014 and was told there was nothing they could do. I was told I would have to pay for the inspection at the dealership and would have to figure it out on my own. This is not the first time the ignition on my Honda has had an issue. A recall was initiated by Honda regarding the ignition allowing a car to roll away if not on park. I followed direction and had my car inspected by a Honda automotive service dealer. The problem was addressed, but now with a light bump on the key the ignition turns off. I am very worried I am not the only consumer with this issue and that Honda does not take this concern seriously, especially with all the gm issues going on. Please help.

The driver's-side key lock routinely does not accept the key without multiple efforts. Sometimes these efforts fail, and I must try the back hatch or passenger side door. As a single female, I find this disturbingly dangerous. It is obvious that I can't get into the car, marking me as vulnerable. This basically sets me afoot, often at night, often in uncertain circumstances. Should I find myself needing to move the car for any emergency whatsoever, a great deal of time will be lost as I struggle with entry. Until I checked for the airbag recall, I had not known about this site. I am appalled to find that this key failure is a common issue. My next car will be a Toyota, the brand I drove for many, many miles and years without trouble.

Front door lock will not work. It is jammed and will not accept the key going in. This needs to be recalled and fixed. It's unbelievable.

Driver's side door lock began to not unlock the door on first attempt. After approximately one year the lock became stuck at a 45 degree angle and would not release the key. Forced the key out of the lock by placing my knee against the door and pulling on the key until the key finally came out. Lock continues to be at about 20 degrees and will not allow the key to enter and/or turn. Have tried liquid wrench, but no improvement. Have to unlock the driver's door by entering through the passenger door.

Door lock on the drivers door stopped working. Honda said I needed a key fob. It worked for a while. Now my key fob will not open drivers door. The only way to lock or unlock my door is to pull up on the handle and push lock down and to go to the other door and crawl across to unlock it. I have read of many owners being locked out of their cars totally. A repairman thought it was the actuator. When he went to install it, it was not. I have spoken to several Honda service departments and they have no clue they said.

The lock on driver side door no longer accepts the key. I have to unlock from the passenger side. When trying to lock or unlock from the driver side, my key gets stuck in the lock and does not turn.

Dealerships rolling the milage back 3000and scams disable people out of thousands of dollars and 28% lawsuit crimmal and civil please call me.

I like many other 2003 Honda Element owners have an issue with my driver side lock. Key wont alays go in and if does go in wont un lock the door. I have to go through the passsenger side door. I have seen many complaints online about this and hope to see more on here so we can get a recall on this issue.

Driver side exterior door lock does not accept a key. This is extremely problematic due to the fact that the Element did not include auto locks. This is a safety hazard because I have been in a parallel parking situation where my driver door was facing a busy street. I was trying to get into the car when the light behind me turned green and the cars came whipping by. It is also scary at night walking to my car in a parking lot as I don't know if my lock will work and someone could easily follow me out to my car and have plenty of time to attack me. I have a daughter and her safety is most important. This issue needs to be fixed not only for convenience but also peace of mind.