Windshield problems of the 2004 Honda Element - part 1

I own a 2004 Honda Element. A little over a month ago my windshield cracked. The crack started under my wiper blade and spread up very quickly. I had the windshield replaced, not knowing that this was a known common problem on 03-04 Honda Elements. Last night I went out to my car and noticed another crack in my windshield, with the crack occurring while the car was not in motion. This is the second time in two months I have to replace the windshield, though this time I will do it through a Honda dealer as a class action lawsuit has caused them to cover all windshields up to 60,000 miles on the car. Which leads me to the cause for my complaint. Honda is covering a known design flaw up to 60,000 miles, but not after. My car is currently at 48k miles, leaving me with 12k miles of coverage. Once I reach 60k miles I will have to pay for the costs out of pocket, and with the replacement being $250-300 each time, that is not something I can afford. Now I must trade in my car, a car known to have a faulty design by Honda, for far less than a 05 model would be worth with similar mileage. Honda put a band aid on a gaping financial wound for a consumer. Their shady business practice will cause me further financial loss, hence the reason for this complaint.

Multiple windshield replacements.

Windshield has cracked 3 times while driving down to road. Insurance has replaced the windshield.

2004 Honda Element windshield cracking in front of driver.

Went into shopping mall , came out and found windshield cracked in lower left corner on driver's side. I had received a recall letter from Honda concerning windshield cracking resulting from little or no impact". A few months earlier I took it to dealer. They said it was from an unknown impact, and was my responsibility. I showed them the letter and asked them to define"little or no impact which was in the letter - they declined and said they wouldn't fix it.

Windshield cracked while in the garage overnight!.

My front windshield chipped for no apparent reason. The Honda dealer acknowledged that 2003 and 2004 Honda Elements are prone to this problem but claimed he has no authority to make the repair. I have now found this to be a widespread problem. Honda even sent a service bulletin to its dealers (03-028 dated may 6, 2003) detailing how to correct the uneven windshield flange surface causing the windshields to crack. The uneven windshield flange surface and upright angle of the windshield cause stresses in the windshield that make it unnecessarily likely to chip or crack. This design flaw is Honda's responsibility and should have been corrected.

My windshield has started to crack, very similar to problems that have been reported on this website about earlier model year Honda Elements. The crack started at the bottom of the front of the driver's side dash about 12 inches from the left side of the left edge. There are no, repeat no chips or dings that may have contributed to this event. It is very clear that Honda is having similar problems on the additional model year Elements. Those problems were reported that the welded seams along where the windshield rests on the frame had high spots that were causing the stress cracks. Currently, the crack is about 12 inches long, but grows a little more every week. Sure, I could have my insurance company replace it, and I pay the deductible, but this is a documented problem that Honda has been having and I expect Honda to fix it, especially since according to the state on maryland, cracked windshields are a safety concern, so I expect this agency to forward this complaint to Honda.

2004 Honda Element windshield cracked while sitting in parking lot behind my home. Vehicle was not being driven at the time the crack occurred. Crack begins at top of the windshield on the driver's side and curves toward the outside of the car.

2004 Honda Element : 2nd windshield replacement in 6 months . The cracks always start in the black area from below the windshield wiper blades. Honda denies any known problem with the design of the windshield frame . Honda replaced first winshield approx. 6 months ago . The 2nd replacement Honda refused to cover/warranty. I have a signed statement from the window technichian that came out and replaced my 2nd windshield stating; the crack in my winshield was caused by stress and that the bottom corners of the pinchweld on both sides are broke away from the welds and are loose . My insurance policy covered the 2nd replacement however, I feel Honda should have. After researching my vehicle today on line, I have learned that there is a pending class action lawsuit against american Honda and an alarming number sites with Honda Element owners or leasers sharing my same concerns . I want Honda in writting, assure me that this defect in design or, the way they will attempt to fix it will not cause injury to me or my passengers or loss of life to myself or my passengers in the event of a vehicle accident . I would also like them to waranty the windshield for the life of the vehicle .

A stress crack appeared in the windshield of my 2004 Honda Element. Crack began from below the plastic molding and below the left windshield wiper. There was no impact point from a rock or other object. Dealer attempted to blame it on a small chip in the area of the crack--chip was 1/2 mm in diameter and 1/4 of a mm in depth. I have numerous small chips like this and none have caused a crack. The dealer at first claimed the crack was caused by the small chip. After I pointed out other chips and also talked about the 2003 service bulletin and current lawsuit, the manager called the Honda rep. The Honda rep said they would replace it as a one time good will gesture--thus, relieving themselves of any liability.

Stress crack(s) in windshield . Honda replaced one, refused to do more. Now on 4th windshield. Second Element has picked up 4 cracks in 6 months.

Bought a new 2004 Honda Element in may 2004 and have had to replace windshield due to crack once plus repaired two stone chips. Paid for the replacement windshield out of own pocket as dealer would not replace after examining with pen. Once again received another cracked windshield yesterday after being hit by a rock on the highway on the way home.

Cracked windshield on the passenger side, broken driver's side visor and a horn that has one broken pitch, leaving the pitch very low, almost not noticeable. It has been that way for a year, but did not find this site until now. Too expensive to repair.

I have a 2004 Honda Element, I had to replace the windshield within the first 6 months of ownership. . . Fortunately the dealer considered it a "stress crack" & replaced the windshield at no cost to me. Within a few months, I noticed another crack, I have chosen not to repair it as it was in a non-critical area. It has now been about 1 year & there are now 3 cracks in the "new" windshield. . . Clearly this is a design flaw. I have owned several other vehicles & have never had to replace windshields like this?.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Windshield cracked started from below passenger side wiper and spreading toward middle and upward. Just as everyone else.

Walked out to vehicle in the afternoon, noticed windshield was cracked. Crack grew over the next few hours to about 9". Started in lower part of windshield (near VIN marker)went vertical for about 3" then ran horizontal for 6".

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.

Honda needs to admit fault on their windshields and recall their Elements. My windshield cracked and dealer will not make good on their defects.

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.

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!.

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.

A crack started on the lower passenger side of the windshield just like other Elements.

2004 Honda Element, after about 2 months of ownership a crack in window started from lower right corner. Dealer claimed a small pebble must have struck it and refused to replace it. Had insurance replace it. Next day a second pebble strikes windshield and a star crack forms non my new winshield. Two weeks later and I hear a noise and another crack starts at the top of the windshield and grows about 12 inches in an hour. How many windshields will I need in a year?.

I have a 2004 Honda Element. It has less than 5000 miles on it. The windshield is cracked but nothing ever hit the windshield. The crack starts under the passenger side wiper goes up about 6-8 inches and then spreads toward the driver's side about 12 inches. This is a defect and Honda should step up and take care of it. This is a safety hazard as this crack was not there last night when I parked my car, but was there this morning when I got back in my car.

I am an owner of a 2004 Honda Element. Like many other Element owners, I've just had my first cracked windshield, 3 months after purchase. I've also had my first experience trying to get Honda to admit that there is a problem with the windshield in this vehicle. There is no impact mark, but a crack running from under the rubber seal , up and across the windshield on the drivers side. The service manager was very sure that an impact must have caused this, even though he could not find a specific mark using the imfamous "pen test". I've read numerous other complaints on this site and others about this issue. When is the NHTSA going to force Honda to admit they have a design problem?!?.