Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VISIBILITY - DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER SYSTEM | |||||
| 040103 | 04/01/2003 | 10003133 | Air conditioning indicator off in defrost mode - information. *tt | 10/09/2003 | |
| VISIBILITY - GLASS, SIDE/REAR | |||||
| 111403 | 05/18/2004 | 051804 | 10005346 | Rear (tailgate) glass broken. *tt | 02/23/2004 |
| VISIBILITY - WINDSHIELD | |||||
| 06-084 | 02/05/2008 | 10024564 | Warranty extension: 2003-04 element windshield. csc was received. *nj | 04/24/2008 | |
| 04012004 | 04/01/2004 | 10009029 | What caused that windshield crack. honda. servicenews. april 2004. *tt | 09/08/2004 | |
| 03028 | 05/06/2003 | 10001628 | Cracks in the windshield at the lower corner(s). *tt | 06/17/2003 | |
| VISIBILITY - WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER | |||||
| 040103 | 04/01/2003 | 10003136 | Troubleshooting windshield washer nozzle problems. *tt | 10/09/2003 | |
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| VISIBILITY | |||
| 01/15/2012 | 140000 | ||
| Tl- the contact owns a 2003 honda element. the contact started the ignition and the windshield wipers failed to function when they were engaged. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated the windshield wiper motor needed to be replaced. the vehicle was not repaired. there was a recall related to the similar defect pertaining to the 2003 honda accord and the nhtsa campaign id number was 08v169000 (visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor). the manufacturer was not made aware of the malfunction. the approximate failure mileage was 140,000. rvk | |||
| 01/15/2012 | 140000 | ||
| Tl-the contact owns a 2003 honda element. the contact started the ignition and the windshield wipers failed to function upon engaging. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated the windshield wiper motor would need to be replaced. the vehicle had not been repaired. there was a recall related to the similar defect pertaining to the 2003 honda accord and the nhtsa campaign id number was 08v169000 (visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor). the manufacturer had not been made aware of the malfunction. the approximate failure mileage was 140,000. js | |||
| 01/11/2008 | 63000 | ||
| 2003 honda element windshield cracked at bottom of passenger side while sitting in my driveway so i had it replaced. a couple months later cracked same location and eventually split all the way across the windshield blocking view. called mfg and was told due to being over 60,000 miles i will have to pay for repairs. what does the milage have to do with the windshield. my vehicle had 63,000 miles on it at the time, which was 2008. now i find that it would have been replaced due to being within the 6 years or 60,000 miles but they withheld that information. honda should be responsible for all these defective windshields!! what is being done about this problem and why is honda not giving all the details? do we need to hire a lawyer to handle this situation?. | |||
| VISIBILITY - DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER SYSTEM - WINDSHIELD - HEATER CORE | |||
| 01/09/2008 | 50000 | 2 | 11/11/2003 |
| Poor heating due to restricted heater core. an identical problem was identified in the 2004,and 2005 element (ref. honda service bulletin 07-076 dated 11/28/2007) and the heater core is thus replaced under the normal warranty. although the problem began on my 2003 element in 2006 and the vehicle is still covered under warranty, honda service personnel refuse to recognize the trouble as a factory defect and will charge in excess of $1,500 dollars to replace the heater core. *tr the consumer stated a tsb had been issued regarding contamination of the engine coolant which could cause restrictions in the heater core and radiator and sometimes corrosion. updated 03/05/09. *jb | |||
| VISIBILITY - GLASS, SIDE/REAR | |||
| 11/23/2003 | 5650 | 1 | 06/07/2003 |
| Problems with windshield, cd player, horn and alarm.*mr the windshield cracked after a small piece of debris hit it. the cd player stopped working after it had been playing for 5 hours. the right side bumper fell off. *nm | |||
| 03/21/2004 | 7500 | 0 | 04/04/2003 |
| Driving 70 mph on interstate 65 degree clear condiditons driver side rear window shattered | |||
| 03/13/2004 | 1 | ||
| The rear driver's side window shattered while driving approximately 70 mph. nothing had hit the window. will be taking vehicle to mechanic for replacement.*ak | |||
| 02/07/2004 | 1 | 08/30/2003 | |
| Defective windshield. these were actually two events in february, 2004. about 2-3 weeks apart. both involve what appear to be stress fractures of windshield. each emanates from the very bottom of windshield below the wiper cowl on outer windshield. both rise directly vertical upward about three inches then veer toward side pillars. both near center of windshield. first one was towards passeger side and veered to passenger pillar. second one was towards driver side and veered to driver pillar. dealer claims tiny fleck in each line near bottom of windshield and behind wiper arm mechanism/blade is rock hit and is cause and will not warranty. both of these happenned in the mountains during freezing temperatures. i suspected that windhield washer fluid was collecting between the outer wiper cowl and base of winshield and freezing/expanding and causing fracture lines. no star effect normally associated with rockhits. my second suspicion is that the curve in the lower windhield is in opposition to the staightness of the upper windhield and causing stress on bottom of windshield. if those are rock hits at the bottom (and not flakeage from the effect of the cracks) they should have never cause these significant fracture lines or any crack at all. in fact i never heard a rock hit and the second crack happenned while my vehicle was parked in a ski area parking lot and the crack was not there when i parked the car but was fully 8-12 inches long when i returned. honda has either a defective design or perhaps that urethane rimming the window has something to do with it. either way they need to warranty lifetime free glass replacement or fix this defect. this is likely to happen again after i replace this windshield. compel honda to rectify this matter please.*ak | |||
| 02/05/2004 | 1000 | 1 | 03/31/2003 |
| I have a 2003 element. i have had two broken windows already. the most recent documented below. *ak | |||
| VISIBILITY - POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS | |||
| 02/03/2010 | 88574 | 2 | |
| Drivers side window regulator fails with loud bang and window falls into door while driving. this has happened to my vehicle twice, once in april 2008 and again february 2010. on-line research with element owners club indicates this has happened to many others. *tr | |||
| VISIBILITY - WINDSHIELD | |||
| 09/01/2008 | 70000 | 1 | |
| Stress cracks on front windshield on 2003 honda element as described by other honda owners. *tr | |||
| 11/01/2007 | 1 | 08/22/2003 | |
| Have already replaced the windsheild once. it currently has 3 seperate cracks at the moment that were not from anything hitting plus one that is. that is a total of 4. *tr | |||
| 08/01/2004 | 28000 | 1 | 08/16/2003 |
| I purchased my car in august 2003, and this honda element windshield crack occurred in august of 2004 from no obvious reasons such as something hitting my windshield. i was having other issues with the element and i asked my honda advisor about the crack and she told me that honda would not replace the windshield and that it would be out of pocket for me. now i have found a honda service bulletin from may 6, 2003 concerning the windshield and it was to be replaced. my car is 118,000 miles now and i am so livid that my honda advisor refused to fix this crack which has grown to more than 4 inches. please help. *jb | |||
| 05/01/2004 | 1 | 02/01/2003 | |
| My 2003 element developed a crack in the lower right hand corner approximately 1 year after i bought it new (i can't remember the date exactly). *jb | |||
| 05/10/2006 | 51000 | 2 | 06/16/2003 |
| 2003 honda element windsheild. this will be the 3rd windshield that i have had to replace on the is vehicle. each time it cracks in the location that honda says there is a problem. i've had to pay for the windshield repairs. | |||
| 01/08/2007 | 1 | ||
| Cracked windshield...driver's side...just showed up one afternoon like an unexpected visitor...*jb | |||
| 02/20/2007 | 27950 | 1 | 08/08/2003 |
| My 2003 honda element windshield cracked with no apparent reason. the crack starts below the rubber strip near the pivot of the driver windshield wiper. the crack is migrating upwards into my viewing area. *jb | |||
| 07/30/2003 | 4 | 07/26/2003 | |
| We bought our 2003 honda element 7/03 new and since then we've had cracks from the top to the bottom of the windshield. we had to replace the windshield in 2003. recently 8/06 we had to have another replacement and had to take it back for leaks and the repair shop tried to fix in 10/06. windshield was still leaking so the same repair shop replaced the windshield 11/06 again and now there are more leakage. i don't see how honda can justify this with another windshield when the real problem exists in the manufacturing of this vehicle for the 2003-2004 models. the class-action lawsuit that is going on only states the repair and reimbursement of the windshield(s) not the defect itself. so we have a vehicle that leaks, not worth the amount we still owe on it and cannot see an end to this windshield problem without fixing the original defect problem. *nm | |||
| 02/01/2005 | 1 | 06/03/2003 | |
| Windshield on my element 2003, developped a crack. dealer would not replaced under warranty. no sign of hit by rock or other. was parked at work all day then when leaving work noticed that crack? *nm | |||
| 10/16/2005 | 5 | 10/12/2005 | |
| 2003 honda element defective windshield. easily cracks. *nm | |||
| 02/14/2006 | 37000 | 1 | |
| My honda element had a stress fracture in the windshield and the dealership refused to replace it. *nm | |||
| 07/14/2006 | 72000 | 1 | 01/01/2005 |
| Cracked windshield in my 2003 honda element stemming from the driver side bottom corner. burns honda in cherry hill, nj says it is not their problem and will not fix it free of charge. *jb | |||
| 07/10/2006 | 1 | ||
| My 2003 element with 30,000 miles was parked for 3 weeks in an indoor parking structure near the airport. i returned from my trip to find the same kind of crack in the windshield that others on this site have described. it started from the lower right corner of the passenger side and went up about 12 inches. i have no recollection of any stones having hit the windshield prior to leaving. *jb | |||
| 01/01/2006 | 54000 | 2 | 01/01/2003 |
| Dt*: the contact stated the windshields cracked twice. both windshields cracked within the same spot on the lower level passenger side of the front window. the first incident occurred on thanksgiving of 2005 at 50000 miles. the windshield was replaced at the dealer in january of 2006. and at 4000 miles after the replacement in april of 2006, the replacement windshield suffered the same damage. the colorado regional dealer manager came out on 06/21/06 and inspected the windshield. the manager determined the windshield looked like a rock crack. there were no tools or equipment utilized by the manager to determine the final decision. the final decision was the manufacturer will not be responsible for the windshield. on june 12th, the vehicle was taken into the dealership for an oil change and the windshield crack was worse. there was a class action lawsuit regarding the windshields (filed in los angeles california superior court case # bc319600, filed in 2004, no verdict yet). | |||
| 06/12/2006 | 3 | ||
| My honda element 2003 has now had 3 cracked windows under a year. this seems very excessive and i have never had a similar problem with other vehicles. i found many people having the same problem online. please advise. thanks. *jb | |||
| 08/15/2005 | 28500 | 2 | 09/01/2003 |
| Hello, i purchased a 2003 honda element with a cracked windshield in february, 2006. i had the windshield replaced and now it is cracked once again in pretty much the same place. *jb | |||
| 02/07/2006 | 26000 | 1 | 01/01/2004 |
| Dt*: the contact stated while the vehicle was pulling out, a crack formed in the corner of the front windshield. there was no debris present that caused the crack. the dealership determined the crack was caused by stress from the vehicle's structure. there were two tsb for the windshield, nhtsa item numbers 10009029 and 10001628. the vehicle is not included in either tsb because of the mileage. | |||
| 12/26/2005 | 1 | 03/15/2004 | |
| One morning i got into car and windshield was cracked top center. the car is always garaged. *jb | |||
| 12/02/2005 | 2 | 09/28/2003 | |
| 2003 honda element...front windshield is cracked from one side to the other...will have to pay for a 2nd replacement...bought the car in september 2003...1st windshield replacement april 2004...2nd replacement december 2005. *jb | |||
| 12/04/2005 | 1 | ||
| Windshield on 2003 honda element developed a crack (without any impact) which originated from lower edge (below wiper, drivers side) and within 24 hours had spread across the entire width of the windshield. *jb | |||
| 05/01/2005 | 32000 | 1 | 11/01/2003 |
| Dt: the contact states there is a crack in the windshield. the crack came up from the bottom of the window bead. it first began as a tiny crack and is now about two and half feet long. the dealership and the manufacturer explained to him there were no other related problems with this vehicle. *nm updated 12/7/2005. in late november the consumer found a honda service bulletin referencing a windshield defect. although the consumer's vehicle falls with the range of vins the dealer refused to replace the windshield. *nm | |||
| 08/08/2005 | 1 | ||
| My 2003 honda element developed a crack below the driver side wiper that goes up three inches then does a 90 degree right turn then travels approxiamately two feet horizontally then does another 90 degree turn down into window bead. there is a very very slight dink in the windshield along the crack but your fingernail barely catches in it. i believe as do many other 2003 element owners that there is undue stress on the corners of the windshield and this is what caused the damage. i believe this is a design flkaw that should be covered by honda. *nm | |||
| 10/10/2005 | 32400 | 1 | 12/19/2003 |
| Cracked windshield - passenger side - low area. *nm | |||
| 01/14/2004 | 35588 | 4 | 01/10/2003 |
| Consumer had windshield replaced on four occasions, because it made a howling noise. *ts the company that replaced the windshield blamed the manufacturer for not fixing a bad weld. the manufacturer claimed the consumers model was prone to breakage because of the vertical position when struck by even the slightest impact within the black area on the outside edge of the glass, however the consumer disagreed with that theory, stating there had been other vehicle down through the years that had this type of windshield positioning without excessive windshield breakage. *jb | |||
| 08/07/2004 | 1 | 06/27/2004 | |
| Cracked windshield on honda element, it started last summer at edge of windshield and has progressively gone straight across the windshield to point where it now needs to be replaced. there is a recall but because my vin # does not match the recall honda will not necessarily cover. the dealership is charging $85.00 just check to see if they will cover. there are numerous complaints of honda element windshields cracking. i have lived in ak for over 20 years and have never had to replace a windshield before. *nm | |||
| 08/26/2005 | 26065 | 1 | 07/10/2003 |
| The windshield on my 2003 honda element cracked in the center rising up from the bottom edge. the crash is 18 long approx. the dealer said it was from a rock and not covered. the rock chip is barely visible. it's more like a tiny pit from a piece of sand. i believe the element has a design flaw which causes cracks from the flexing of the frame or cheap glass. *jb | |||
| 12/22/2002 | 3 | 12/22/2002 | |
| Dt: the windshield has 3 cracks, one was on he first day of owning the vehicle. got it on sunday and huge crack was down the middle. there was crack on the passenger's side that started about 8 months ago. have not contacted the dealer. there is another crack eye level on the driver's side. this started on december 22, 2005. *ak | |||
| 08/09/2004 | 3800 | 1 | 10/01/2003 |
| I was driving out of the seatac airport, i had heard my dash creaking on and off for a while and just figured it was one of those things, however this time after the creak i noticed a very small hairline crack the crack came on the drivers side lower part of w/shield starting by the cowl vent panel and the crack went to the lt. after the crack appeared the creaking stopped for a while, now it has started again. i could not afford a new windshield, and after reading all the complaints -http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4189&page=5&pp=10 honda element owners club > honda element > *problems & issues reload this page windshield issues- i was not expecting much help from the dealer. i will call theealer today and request a replacement windshield and take copies of yopur reports. *nm | |||
| 01/01/2005 | 8000 | 10/01/2003 | |
| After only 10,000 miles of normal use, my windshield has accumulated 2 or 3 dings and one crack that is now 2 feet long. i use the car for normal travel within seattle, and on wa highways and expressways. the cracks have all occurred while travelling on the expressway. i believe this to be the result of a flaw, because my previous car was used in the same manner, in the same area, (seattle wa) for 130,000 miles, and only had one or two dings and no cracks. i suspect that it is a result of the window being angled too perpendicular to the travel of rocks and gravel thrown up by other vehicles, or defective glass. | |||
| 07/09/2005 | 18000 | 1 | 03/15/2005 |
| Dt: consumer says that he has a cracked windshield on his vehicle. consumer says that there is a class action suit going on for this same reason. consumer found suit on internet. consumer says that windshield cracked by itself. consumer took vehicle to dealer and dealer told consumer that a pebble or rock hit window and caused crack. consumer says that place dealer pointed out on window was the size of a pin head. consumer believes that windshield was not struck by anything. consumer has no ideal what caused the crack. consumer is the only person to drive vehicle and he is not aware of anything ever striking window. consumer first noticed crack after arriving at work, going into office, and a coworker who had road to work with consumer, told consumer about noticing the crack. this was morning july 9, 2005. office is located in verona, new jersey. consumer has looked on internet to find that there are many complaints regarding cracked windshields of same make and model vehicle. consumer is not aware of where the windshield crack may have happened. *nm | |||
| 05/07/2005 | 11800 | 1 | 03/01/2003 |
| Dt: consumer stated that her vehicle's windshield cracked from the bottom and the crack moved up about one foot. the consumer indicated that there did not appear to be a starting point to the crack. the vehicle was taken to the dealer who said that they found a ding that consumer says is about as big as the head of a pin. dealer says this is where something struck vehicle. the consumer is confident that nothing struck window, window cracked under stress from vehicle. consumer says that she believes that windshield cracked while vehicle was in her garage. consumer said she did not notice crack until she got vehicle out of garage in the morning. consumer also states that another vehicle that is in her work parking lot, is the same vehicle but different color, this vehicle has same crack. consumer says that the crack is very close. it also starts in the same place in the bottom of window. consumer says that she takes care of vehicle, vehicle only has 12,000 miles, consumer drives 3 miles to work, consumer mostly drives on local roads, does not travel on highways much. *nm | |||
| 06/15/2005 | 1 | 07/18/2003 | |
| Windshield cracked from beneath passenger wiper blade up approximately 6 inches and then turns toward driver's side. | |||
| 06/26/2005 | 26300 | 2 | 06/10/2003 |
| For the second time my windshield has cracked on my 2003 honda element. the cracks are considered stress fractures caused by a manufacturing defect. | |||
| 06/11/2005 | |||
| I bought a 2003 honda element ex september 2004, have about 30k on it, no problems until i came out to the parking lot and found the windshield cracked (the now classic design, lower passenger side, no impact mark, spreading from black area, right now about ten inches long and moving straight across the middle of the windshield. i am having cascade auto glass come this morning to replace it since the crack is growing and i do not feel safe driving my car. | |||
| 06/12/2005 | 14950 | 1 | 10/15/2003 |
| Honda element -- crack in windshield. started at bottom passenger side of windshield. there was a small pin size hole at the base of the crack - almost below the edge of the hood. the crack went up about 7 inches and then started spreading across the windshield. this was definitely not from a rock chip. it took 2 full days of negotiating with american honda to get them to cover the defective windshield under warranty. | |||
| 05/17/2005 | 1 | 09/23/2003 | |
| Dt: 2003, honda element, the windshield cracked out of the blue. nothing struck the glass, no accident. while driving, heard popping noise and a 5-6 round circle crack appeared on the front windshield. took vehicle to a dealer, and they had never seen anything like it. no repairs have been made. *ak | |||
| 05/03/2005 | 87230 | 2 | 01/07/2003 |
| An object hit the windshield and was too small to see. the object nicked the windshield and cracks formed. the windshield was replaced once already, and was being replaced again the day the consumer sent this letter. *ak *sc *jb | |||
| 03/22/2004 | 6000 | 2 | 11/29/2003 |
| Windshield cracked in two spot on driver side during high winds. had a glass repair shop fix the cracks, but one has continued to spread across the windshield. design/angle of windshield is at issue as the windshield has 4 star fractures as well as the cracks in the 16 months we have owned this vehicle. *jb | |||
| 03/16/2005 | 19000 | 1 | 02/17/2004 |
| Windshield stress crack with no evidence of impact located on lowers driver's side. went out to the car one morning and the crack was had appeared over night. started about three inches long and has since branched off and extended to over 12 inches. *ak | |||
| 01/31/2004 | 3891 | 7 | 12/10/2003 |
| 7 windshield replacements so far since purchase date on 12/10/2003. the first 2 replacements were done by the huntington honda dealership. the other 5 replacements were done by safelite. the most recent replacement was done on april 13, 2005. *ak | |||
| 02/01/2005 | 1 | ||
| Windshield cracked for no apparent reason. *ak | |||
| 03/27/2005 | 17900 | 2 | 08/14/2003 |
| This is the second windshield that cracked in less than two years, they both apeared to be stress cracks. both times i was not in the car when crack appeared and both times the crack is on the passanger side.*ak | |||
| 03/31/2005 | 24000 | 1 | 05/30/2003 |
| Windshield cracked in lower left hand corner down below the seal & is now bending horizontally across the windshield. no apparent rock hits (no starring), dealer refuses to cover damage under warranty.*ak | |||
| 03/22/2005 | 31440 | 1 | 08/06/2003 |
| Windshield cracking from passenger side corner, edge, approx. 18. happened overnight as vehicle sat. honda service manager claims crack was caused by an impact whose site is barely visible and the size of a pin point. honda would not replace under warranty. | |||
| 03/24/2005 | 1 | 04/02/2003 | |
| Element windshield crack document 1. thursday (3/24/05) noticed crack in windshield that had not been there the previous night. crack appears to have started at point where windshield meets car body and goes up about 3 inches, was not able to see a dived where a pebble or rock could have impacted it 2. friday(3/25/05) took vehicle to joyce honda for evaluation. was given an info sheet regarding windshield cracks that stated (basically) if you can feel anything on the glass itself it is caused by rock, if not could be flaw service manager looked at windshield. ran a pen at the point of initiation and stated he could feel a dived. after 10 minutes of trying i still could not feel. he stated that it was not warranty problem and anyway he ?did not do glass unless forced to when it is warranted?. he did not offer any info regarding price, i asked him if there any requirements from honda regarding replacement (i.e. brands, who should do it, etc). he said ?no anyone who does auto glass is fine? 3. monday (3/28/05) called honda customer service 1-800-999-1009 spoke to chris to whom i related the events so far including the fact that the crack has now traveled almost completely across the windshield. i mentioned the tsb that includes my vin number (03-028) he opened a case number so this situation can be evaluated by a district manager. he stated i would be contacted in 24-48 hours by a honda district manager. *jb | |||
| 03/14/2005 | 2 | ||
| Windshield is cracked twice. one crack in front of passenger seat, makes an arch to lower passenger corner. oticed second crack in march, begins in front of driver, very bottom of the glass, extends to middle of windshield.*ak | |||
| 10/05/2004 | 8000 | 1 | 02/03/2004 |
| (1) normal everyday driving; (2) cracked windsheild, originating lower corner passenger side, curving up and to middle, (3) plan to take to dealer soon. *ak | |||
| 02/28/2005 | 49400 | 1 | 04/15/2003 |
| Windshield cracked from lower passanger side corner and is spreading rather rapidly accros teh entire windshield. this was not instigated from any impact.*ak | |||
| 05/05/2004 | 8500 | 1 | 09/20/2003 |
| While attending a conference last may, my honda element was parked in a public garage. when i retrieved it there was a crack starting from the bottom center edge. over the next two days it continued to crack vertically and then horizonally across in front the the driver's side. i had the window replaced by a windhsield repair shop that is used by my honda dealer. my insurance paid for it as the dealer said it was not covered under warranty.*ak | |||
| 02/28/2005 | 22400 | 1 | 05/01/2003 |
| 2003 honda element windshield cracked on its own. *jb | |||
| 02/22/2005 | 1 | ||
| As i got in my honda element, the windshield cracked from the bottom of the drivers side, up 16 inches almost to the middle of the windshield. nothing hit my windshield. this is a stress crack that is probably poor design on honda's part. *jb | |||
| 01/07/2005 | 1 | ||
| Cracked windshield initiating below trim starting in the passenger side of the car with no cause. *ak | |||
| 01/18/2005 | 7200 | 1 | 01/25/2004 |
| My car was parked at work during a snow storm and at the end of the day i came out to the car brushed the snow away and my windshield was cracked in the lower passenger side corner the car had 7300 miles on it. it was fine when i left in the morning . 2 days later i took the car to the dealer and they stated that it was due to a small pit in the windshield the size of a grain of sand and therefore honda would not the repair. i have had cars (hondas) with large stone chips 1/4 inch in size not crack the windshield - the size of this pit is barely visible. i told my dealer that i felt this was a defect in the windshield or installation and he said that honda would not address it since there was a pit in the windshield. he said my insurance would cover it. after checking on the web and the number of complaints my suspicions were verfiied. i have owned 6 hondas and this is the first time that i have any problem with honda - to me this is dangerous, an obvious defect and they need to address the problem!!! a member on the honda elements owners web site stated that he had his windshield replaced by another firm and they could not believe how thin the original windshield was. *ak | |||
| 01/27/2005 | 16897 | 1 | 08/11/2003 |
| My 2003 honda element has developed a stress crack in the lower right corner in that is similar that reported by hundreds of element owners. this occured while the vehicle was parked and is consistent with the description of a honda tsb addressing cracked windsheilds due to a manufacturing defect. two honda dealerships arrogantly dismissed it as being caused by a pebble chip; however the alleged chip was a small pit the size of a grain of sand. the first dealer indicated he located a small dicontinuity in the path of the crack that was pin sized. the second dealership alleged that he located six pinholes, none of which were visable to me or detected by the first dealerhip! the inspection technique and resulting dismissal of the claim appeared to be coached from some honda factory issued directive to avoid documentation of this widespread defect. dozens of website postings are available which documents similar experiences with many also describing the alleged detection of a pinhead size pit on the surface of the crack directly under the windshield wiper arm. it is obvious that honda is attempting to cover up this defect to avoid a recall or asecret warranty situation.*ak | |||
| 10/03/2004 | 2 | 09/23/2003 | |
| While the vehicle was parked, the driver noticed that the windshield was cracked. the vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection. the mechanic informed the driver that the windshield needed to be replaced. *nm spontaneous crack occurred in windshield right lower side . then a spontaneous crack occurred in left lower windshield . there was no evidence of rock or other object striking windshield. *bf *nm | |||
| 12/14/2004 | 09/08/2003 | ||
| My 2003 honda element windshield cracked. i have herd some about that in past. when i went to a honda dealer they declined replacement of the windshield. stating there is no recalls on it. however i did found out some information on www.hondaelementscrack.com there was a service bulletin on this problem. | |||
| 01/27/2005 | 3 | ||
| Broken winshield. *jb | |||
| 02/07/2005 | 13200 | 1 | |
| A windshield problem. there was a crack on the left side just 5 above the lower corner of the windshield. there was no impact mark at the crack on the windshield. however, dealer claimed there was an impact mark, and refused to repair it! there are several bigger debris chips in the middle of the windshield which did not cause crack! i have on the car just 13 000 miles and this is unheard off. i have over 10 years of driving and nothing like this ever happened to me with any of my cars before. i will continue to drive my car with the crack on until the dealer or american honda motor co. decides to replace at their own cost. they have to admit it is a manufacturer's defect and do a national recall. i am ready to sue american honda motor company if my safety is jeopardized due to that particular defect !!! *ak | |||
| 01/05/2005 | 24000 | 1 | 12/30/2003 |
| The first crack came on the drivers side lower part of w/shield starting by the cowl vent panel and the crack went to the lt. the second crack came while driving down the road, i heard some cracking noises and then the crack appeared and did the same thing but the crack went to the right side. *ak | |||
| 01/28/2005 | 12556 | 1 | 09/08/2003 |
| Cracked windshield initiating in the passenger side of the car with no cause such as rock chip damage, etc. crack continues across windshield just above dashboard level.*ak | |||
| 01/25/2005 | 16000 | 1 | 10/30/2003 |
| The infamous window crack appeared on my honda element. just woke up one morning and found a 3 inch crack. it has since expanded.*ak | |||
| 12/16/2004 | 12579 | 0 | 08/13/2004 |
| Stress fracture in windshield that started from the lower driver side and stretches across about 24 to 36. *nm | |||
| 01/13/2005 | 32400 | 1 | 07/01/2003 |
| The consumer stated the windshield was begining to crack. the cause had not been determined. please provide additional information. *jb windshield cracked for no apparent reason while the vehicle was parked. *eh *jb | |||
| 12/28/2004 | 20836 | 1 | 12/13/2003 |
| 1) no event, went to car in morning and cracks were already there. 2) windshield cracked in three places starting in lower left side of windshield. 3) contacted american honda, waiting for reply. *nm | |||
| 11/15/2004 | 1 | ||
| My windshield cracked in the lower right corner for no reason. i replaced it after only 3 months of owning my car. after another 4 months my second windshield cracked in the same exact spot. i brought it to honda both times and they basically told me that there was nothing that they could do about it. i have owned cars before and i never had this happen. two windshields in one year! honda has not been a help at all, and according to a lot of web sites for honda elements, this is a huge problem for all element owners.*ak | |||
| 01/08/2005 | 19960 | 1 | 02/18/2003 |
| Windshield cracked at lower left corner while parked in the garage; no sign of any impact; crack originating from outside to inside. *ak | |||
| 12/13/2004 | 1 | 06/04/2003 | |
| While the vehicle was parked consumer noticed that the windshield was cracked. vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that windshield needed to be replaced. *ak.....crack grew from the bottom moulding while the vehicle was parked. there was no impact point. there have been numerous reports of cracks eminating from the exact same spot. *ak | |||
| 12/24/2004 | 18000 | 1 | 12/31/2003 |
| I've had my 2003 honda element for slightly less than a year. it was sitting in my garage for about 3 days over the 2004 christmas weekend. upon getting in my car to go somewhere i noticed a crack about 8 inches in length going down toward the passenger side corner of the windshield. i know this was not there the last time i drove it since it was so big and so obvious. it had apparently just cracked while sitting in the garage. anyway, over the next day the cracked started to curve off to the side of the windshield. contacted my dealer and dropped it off for them to check out. i explained to them that i had read about many other issues with the windshields. they checked it out and said they will replace it under warranty. *ak | |||
| 12/09/2004 | 14000 | 2 | 01/29/2004 |
| Car was parked in driveway thursday evening at 4pm. at 6 am the following morning crack had appeared during the night in the lower windshield drivers side. crack went vertical for appox. 3 inches. then went horizontal toward passanger side appox. 6 inches. by friday evening crack had lenghtend and dropped down to center of windshield.dealer said too bad must have been a rock. plan to keep windshield as evedence when it is replaced. odometer has 14k miles.*ak | |||
| 11/05/2004 | 30000 | 1 | 06/03/2003 |
| 2003 element deveoped a crack in the widshield starting at the edge of the glass in the center of the windshield and spreading across the glass. i took it to my dealer, and they refused to take any responsibility and kept trying to tell me that it was caused by a stone chip. they pointed out a tiny one the size of a pin head midway down the crack. when i asked how the crack managed to start at the edge of the winshield and meet the chip, they just kept saying that it was caused by the chip and they didn't want to have anything else to do with it. they had no interest at all in resolving what appears to be a serious defect.*ak | |||
| 08/01/2004 | 16000 | 4 | 10/19/2003 |
| 2003 honda element, front window cracked under the seal up on the right hand passenger side. popping noise in steering column developed after approx 15k miles. power steering rod replaced in aug 04. returned to dealer in september. was told they were unable to duplicate; however, service technician was able to hear it and said it sounded as if the airbag spring were loose. was not fixed, report claimed that they were unable to duplicate. returned to dealer the following week. had two service technicians ride in the vehicle, they both heard the noise and replaced a turn signal switch. popping noise is still present. there is a clicking noise when the steering wheel turns in either direction and at times even when driving in a straight line!*ak | |||
| 02/01/2004 | 6234 | 1 | 11/30/2003 |
| Windshield cracked while driving on highway. this was on a new vehicle. *jb | |||
| 09/15/2004 | 1 | 04/15/2003 | |
| Front windshield cracked, no collision. crack continued to grow. had to replace on my own expense.*ak | |||
| 10/24/2004 | 15500 | 1 | |
| Defective windshield. cracked for no apparent reason.*ak | |||
| 10/22/2004 | 15700 | 2 | 01/12/2004 |
| My 2003 honda element sustained a cracked front windshield without anything contacting it. this is the second time this has happened since i purchased the car new from the dealer iin january of 2004. the honda dealer repaired the first cracked window gratis in march of 2004. i brouight the car into the dealer on monday oct. 25. the district service manager put a pen down the crack which started from the bottom of the window and told me again that something hit the window and it was my responsibility to fix it this time because they fixed the first one. *ak | |||
| 10/22/2004 | 1688 | 1 | 10/15/2004 |
| Windsheild developed crack overnight. the vehicle was not even driven in 5 days prior to appearance of the crack. the crack appeared to start from the lower edge of the driver's side corner and snaked up to about 10 inches. *ak | |||
| 08/31/2004 | 33000 | 1 | 06/24/2003 |
| Windshield:tiny impact crack located right above the wiper blade on passenger side that has spread about 24 to the edge of the windshield caused by the slightest impact of a tiny pebble traveling ~45 mph on 880 north in fremont ,california during rush hour morning traffic. tiny chip would not have spread if there wasn't so much stress placed on the windshield by the uneven windshield flange surface that is stated in honda service bulletin 03-028 which my vin falls within. honda dealership will not replace the windshield because the they said the impact started the crack. i contacted honda customer service directly as stated in the warranty manual and they said they could do nothing based on the dealership findings. i mentioned several times to the dealership and honda customer service that the windshield design is weak and flawed but both the dealership and honda cs did not even think that was the cause of the problem. there is a presistant problem with 2003 honda element windshields such as http://www.autosafety.org/article.php?did=956&scid=103. there is a class action suit (bc319600) that was filed in la, ca: http://www.hondaelementscrack.com/. *jb | |||
| 10/01/2004 | 19900 | 2 | 09/01/2004 |
| Windshield cracked. the cause had not been determined. *ak the consumer stated that the windsheild continued to crack. *tc | |||
| 10/03/2004 | 15487 | 1 | 06/28/2003 |
| 2003 honda element with a windshield that has starting cracking for no reason and it is starting to travel into my driving view. there is a major defect with these windshields. *ak | |||
| 09/17/2004 | 30000 | 2 | |
| 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.*ak | |||
| 09/12/2004 | 22 | 2 | 11/24/2003 |
| 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. *ak http://www.autosafety.org/article.php?did=950&scid=90 | |||
| 08/16/2004 | 10000 | 1 | |
| There is a ten inch crack going across the front windshield. dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. *ak | |||
| 09/13/2004 | 23876 | 3 | 10/02/2003 |
| 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. *ak | |||
| 08/18/2004 | 13500 | 2 | |
| 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.*ak | |||
| 09/07/2004 | 9900 | 1 | 03/01/2004 |
| 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!*ak | |||
| 09/02/2004 | 14300 | 1 | 09/05/2003 |
| 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. *ak | |||
| 07/01/2004 | 33000 | 1 | 04/20/2003 |
| Windshield cracked. the crack is not impact related. honda refused to do anything about it.*ak | |||
| 08/01/2004 | 1 | 06/01/2003 | |
| 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. *ak | |||
| 06/15/2004 | 2 | 06/11/2003 | |
| 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.*ak | |||
| 08/25/2004 | 1 | ||
| 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.*ak | |||
| 09/01/2003 | 1 | 07/01/2003 | |
| The front windshield had a very serious crack caused by a very small stone. (nar) *ph *cb | |||
| 08/19/2004 | 8250 | 1 | 05/08/2003 |
| 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.*ak | |||
| 02/01/2004 | 16000 | 1 | 12/19/2003 |
| 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. *ak | |||
| 07/02/2004 | 30000 | 1 | 07/12/2003 |
| Crack appered on the windshield, beginning at the bottom of the windshield, below the wiper blade. | |||
| 08/04/2004 | 3800 | 1 | 01/13/2004 |
| Cracked windshield. dealership unwilling to help.*ak | |||
| 06/06/2004 | 3 | ||
| 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.*ak | |||
| 02/06/2004 | 25000 | 1 | 02/19/2003 |
| 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.*ak | |||
| 07/19/2004 | 14750 | 6 | 08/31/2003 |
| 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. *jb | |||
| 07/03/2004 | 23000 | 1 | 03/03/2003 |
| 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.*ak | |||
| 05/21/2004 | 18000 | 2 | 11/28/2003 |
| 1.small pebblew hit windshield 2.windshield mostly chips, except for chips at edge of windshield which cracks propergate quickly. 3.windshield was replaced. *ak | |||
| 07/04/2004 | 3 | 04/01/2003 | |
| My 2003 honda element windshield has been broken 3 times. it was hit by rocks all 3 times. i watched the 2nd crack splinter up the windshield as i drove to the dealer. it was not covered by the warranty and had to pay $400 to replace. i'm 52 and have had many, many cars and haven't had 3 broken windshields in the lot. i feel there is a design flaw or sub-standard glass is used. *nm | |||
| 06/17/2004 | 15517 | 1 | 08/28/2003 |
| During the first 10 months of ownership, the windshield on my honda element 2003 (purchased new on 8/28/03)) has been pitted three times and has beginning n 6/17/04 developed a hairline crack beginning onthe passenger side and extending fifteen inches towards the driver's side. as of 7/2/04, i have made contact witrh the dealer (baron honda in patchogue, ny) and american honda motors by phone and certified mail. the condition is still being disputed by the manufacturer as to whether or not the warranty applies. *ak | |||
| 06/26/2004 | 13000 | 1 | 08/25/2003 |
| 2003 honda element windshield cracked for no apparent reason. the crack is about 7 inches long coming up from the lower corner on the passenger side front windshield and curving to the side. the dealership tried to tell me that a rock had to have hit the windshield because these windshields don't crack. they said that there was a place where the rock hit just below the windshield wiper that, while you can't see it, you can feel if your run a pen along the crack. the dealership service dept (that i've had a prior bad experience with) said the warranty wouldn't cover it but my insurance should. i learned via the internet that honda has a service bulletin out on this problem. i purchased a full extended warrantee, and honda should be fixing this problem.*ak | |||
| 06/20/2004 | 1 | ||
| 2003 honda element experience a second windshield failure at ~15000 miles. first failure was reported under complaint 10078841. similar to the first failure, the dealer identified a small rock strike and denied coverage under the vehicle warranty. the crack is 12 inches long, running diagonally from the passenger side upper corner toward the driver side corner. the fragility of the windshield in the honda element is unusual and abnormal. honda motor co. is in denial and is costing consumers and insurance companies. in 30 yrs of driving i have never experienced windshield failures like this. the body of this vehicle is quite flexible. warranty work has been required on the body to eliminate squeaks caused by a rubbing at a welded seam under the windshield cowling. the dealer spread the seam (between each weld point) with a screwdriver and filled the cavity with a flexible compound. the squeaks stopped, but, there appears to be a bigger problem. is this windshield going to withstand airbag deployment and keep the bag in the vehicle to cushion occupants? considering the large number of complaints seen in forums, honda motor co. needs to come out of denial and start addressing the design flaw in this vehicle that causes windshields to fracture under normal use. *jb | |||
| 09/30/2003 | 1 | 06/25/2003 | |
| 2003 honda element windshield cracked in the middle. crack appeared after a loud pop with ~4,000 miles. the honda dealer examined the crack and found a small chip from the surface of the glass. the service manager informed me that honda has issued a service bulletin to its dealers, instructing them to roll a ball point pen along the crack searching for indentations. if one is found, a rock strike is deemed to have caused the crack. the service manager said honda will not warranty windshields that have evidence of a rock strike (no matter how minor). honda will fix windshields that meet tsb03-028 which addresses cracks in the lower corners. the fragility of the windshield in the honda element is unusual and abnormal. honda motor co. is in denial and is costing consumers and insurance companies. in 30 yrs of driving i have never experienced windshield failures like this. the body of this vehicle is quite flexible. warranty work has been required on the body to eliminate squeaks caused by a rubbing at a welded seam under the windshield cowling. the dealer spread the seam (between each weld point) with a screwdriver and filled the cavity with a flexible compound. the squeaks stopped, but, there appears to be a bigger problem. is this windshield going to withstand airbag deployment and keep the bag in the vehicle to cushion occupants? considering the large number of complaints seen in forums, honda motor co. needs to come out of denial and start addressing the design flaw in this vehicle that causes windshields to fracture under normal use. *jb | |||
| 04/12/2004 | 420 | 1 | |
| A crack appeared on the front windshield, at the top driver side. dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. *ak | |||
| 03/16/2004 | 3000 | 2 | |
| Less than three thousand miles into owning the vehicle consumer noticed a crack in the windshield. dealer insisted that the crack came from a rock, and the insurance company could not confirm the allegation. dealer replaced the windshield, but the new windshield had a crack also. *ak | |||
| 04/17/2004 | 1 | 10/20/2003 | |
| Windshield cracked. i don't know how this happen because the day it happen i had been in my car all day long. i never heard anything hit the windshield or anything. when i discovered the crack, i was totally surprise because there was nothing i could pinpoint that cause it to crack. i have not repaired it yet b/c i am hoping honda will do a recall of these windshields!! *ak | |||
| 05/31/2004 | 2147 | 1 | 03/07/2004 |
| 1) under normal driving windshield in vehicle cracked..impact questionable...looks stress related 2) caused visibility problem while driving 3) honda has not offered to remedy the problem as of yet. *jb | |||
| 08/18/2003 | 3 | 07/18/2003 | |
| Within the first few weeks of getting my brand new 2003 honda element, i had a crack and star chip in the vehicle's windshield. within the next month, it acquired yet another chip. as a result of the element's windshield's unprecedented vulnerability, i question its safety. at the very least, it represents inferior quality of materials and/or design, which is costing drivers and insurance companies significant amounts of money for repair costs. so far, american honda and the dealership insist that there is no inherent flaw in materials, design, or installation, and want to attribute the chips and crack to bad luck. however, honda owners are documenting this problem in droves on www.hondaelement.org, and on www.epinions. com. honda must acknowledge the problem, replace the defective windshields at their cost, and re-spec the element's windshield.*ak | |||
| 06/15/2003 | 1000 | 2 | 05/04/2003 |
| I have had my element less than 1 year, at 1000 mi i developed a stress crack in the windshield that dealer said was from a rock, but there was no evidence to support it - they did after protest replace it one time. at 10000 mi i now have another crack in almost the same place that seemed to come on with out any impact - we are in the negotiating stages. *ak | |||
| 01/06/2004 | 4000 | 1 | 09/24/2003 |
| The windshield chips very easily. we incurred three chips in just one day, one of which quickly turned into a twelve inch crack. | |||
| 04/21/2004 | 2 | 12/22/2003 | |
| I bought a 2003 honda element in december of 2003. a few days after picking up the brand new car, i discovered a 4 crack on my windshield. the cracked started from a very small pinpoint speck on the right side of the windshield in the black area. i contacted the dealer, but they said it's not covered by warranty since the crack was caused by road debris, regardless of how small that debris may be. two months after that, i discovered a 3 crack on the left side of the windshield. again, the cracked started with a pinpoint on the black area of the windshield. i called the windshield experts in my area, who informed me that they've been replacing an overwhelming number of windshields on honda elements. armed with this information, i contacted honda customer relations. the representative denied any issues with windshields on the elements and refused to provide information on whether they have received similar complaints. the most she could do was submit a complaint on my behalf (complaint number n012004-04-2100773). windshields are expensive to replace and honda needs to own up to this prevalent problem with the windshields on the elements. they need to provide a solution.*ak | |||
| 04/16/2004 | 2050 | 01/21/2004 | |
| Stress crack appeared after nothing hit the windshield. crack starts below the drivers side winshield wiper and curves towards the center of the windshield, stopping about 15 later. service manager at honda calls a hole the size of a pin head just above the wiper a point of impact. how can a rock ever hit there? | |||
| 12000 | 1 | ||
| Consumer complained about a windshield problem. there was a crack on the lower passenger side of the windshield. consumer stated there was no impact mark on the windshield. however, dealer claimed there was an impact mark, and refused to repair it. *ak | |||
| 02/26/2004 | 1 | 08/28/2003 | |
| Windshield crack number 2. *la | |||
| 03/20/2004 | 6901 | 2 | 04/30/2003 |
| Windshield cracked at 6901 miles when there were no other automobiles on the interstate highway when it occurred. now at 7101 miles we have a 12 inch crack starting from the side of the windscreen on the passenger side. appears to be due to the windshield design and stress on the glass. *jb | |||
| 02/15/2004 | 6000 | 5 | 10/16/2003 |
| Starting back in february 2004, my windshield has been cracking for no apparent reason. on 4/3/04, i had my 5th windshield installed due to a microscopic 'impact' right underneath the wiper blade. four cracks in the exact same location is far more then coincidence. *jb | |||
| 02/14/2003 | 9000 | 3 | 08/21/2003 |
| 2003 honda element windshield cracked three times within 12,000 miles. first crack appeared on the passenger's side, starting from the lower edge approximately centered with the wiper blade straight up six inches with a sharp turn outwards to the right. went to dealer for replacement (metro honda, johnston ri) representative said crack was caused by stone or foreign object and was not covered by the warranty. there was no sign of impact. representative, under very close inspection found the smallest speck within crack. it is tiny, i'd say the size of a grain of salt. about three weeks later the second crack appeared on the driver's side from the lower edge centered within the wiper blade. after close inspection, i found an identical salt grain size spec within the crack. this was not caused by impact! i knew this windshield was defected and researched the problem on the internet. there are thousands of element owners describing the same problem. the third crack appeared about two weeks after the second, this time it appears a rock did cause the crack. located on the driver's side left edge eye level continuing across about 18 inches. the impact was slight, leaving a round mark the size of a pea. i read hundreds of complaints, there all the same. this is a huge problem and something must be done. does honda expect me to replace my windshield with every oil change? please look into this as soon as possible. it's wrong and honda needs to not only acknowledge the problem, but rectify it. everyone who is experiencing this problem should file a complaint, not just read about it. *nm | |||
| 02/14/2004 | 9000 | 3 | 08/21/2003 |
| 2003 honda element windshield cracked three times within 12,000 miles. first crack appeared on passenger's side, starting from lower edge approximately centered with wiper blade straight up six inches with a sharp turn to the right. went to dealer for replacement (metro honda, johnston ri) representative said crack was caused by stone or foreign object and was not covered by warranty. there was no sign of impact. representative under close inspection found the smallest spec within crack. it is tiny, i'd say the size of a grain of salt. about three weeks later the second crack appeared starting from the lower edge of the drivers side, directly centered with the wiper blade. after close inspection, i found an identical salt grain size spec within the crack. this was not caused by impact! i knew this windshield was defected. that's when i started doing some research and discovered this is an on going problem with many if not thousands of element owners. the third crack appeared about two weeks after the second, this time it appears a rock did cause the crack. located on the driver's side left edge continuing straight across to the right. the impact was slight, leaving a round mark the size of a pea. i read hundreds of complaints, there all the same. there' s huge problem and something must be done. does honda expect me to get a new windshield with every oil change? please look into this as soon as possible. it's wrong and honda needs to not only acknowledge the problem, but to rectify it. people, don't just read about it, submit a complaint. *jb | |||
| 03/29/2004 | 2250 | 1 | 02/27/2004 |
| 2003 honda element - windshield cracks due to apparent design flaw. *ak | |||
| 03/22/2004 | 17000 | 04/30/2003 | |
| Morning: parked vehicle outside in low temperatures. sun came out during day and when i returned to vehicle in the afternoon there was a 5 inch crack that started in lower passenger side of front windshield. no impact to windshield. | |||
| 03/25/2004 | 6000 | 1 | 11/25/2003 |
| Windshield cracked without an impact in it's lower part. knowing that this is a widespread issue with this model, i would like to see it resolved, since this is a really nice vehicle otherwise.*ak | |||
| 800 | 1 | ||
| Consumer complained about a windshield problem. vehicle had an air bubble in the front windshield. when anything hit the windshield, such as a small stone, it cracked the windshield. *ak | |||
| 02/25/2004 | 6000 | 1 | |
| Cracked windshield origniating from bottom of passenger side. approximately 10 inches from the right side of the vehicle. small pit (sand size) visible.*ak | |||
| 03/20/2004 | 7200 | 1 | 02/18/2004 |
| Crack in windshield on 2003 honda element after owning for only 1 month. rack only appeared no obvious impact from rock or other objects. *ak | |||
| 03/12/2004 | 13400 | 1 | 03/31/2003 |
| On friday march 12, 2004 i went to lunch and returned to my car three hours later to go home for the day. upon entering my honda element i noticed a crack in my windshield that was not there three hours earlier when i had gone to lunch. honda issued a service bulletin back in may 2003 for the 2003 element in certian vin #'s (of which my element falls in) about stress from the flange on the windshield causing it to crack. upon taking my element to stephen vincel honda in ellisville, mo for inspection they have claimed that it was hit by a rock that caused it to crack. this is the second windshield i will have to replace in an 8 month time frame. the first was caused by a rock thrown from a semi, the second was supposed to have been caused by a rock (according to honda). i am dissapointed and angered that honda has admitted a problem and issued a service bulletin, yet refuses to correct the problem. i am angred that due to either poor quality materials or poor design i am forced to present another claim to my insurance when honda should be correcting their own mistakes. *ak | |||
| 03/04/2004 | 1 | ||
| Pin-prick size rock impact resulted in a 12 inch crack in 24 hours. other honda models as well as other manufactures do have this problem. compare the number of visiblity complaints with the element to other makes and models. *ak | |||
| 03/04/2004 | 2006 | 02/09/2004 | |
| Spontaneous strees crack in lower right corner of windsheild. no chipping or other damage from road debris. | |||
| 03/02/2004 | 13000 | 1 | 03/27/2003 |
| Windshield cracks very easily. while driving on the freeway (no surrounding traffic) we heard a pop an a crack appeared just to the left of the rearview mirror, originating from the top of the windshield. the crack has now grown to about 6.*ak upon further inspection i cannot locate any point of impact. it appears that this is simply a stress crack. | |||
| 02/27/2004 | 6500 | 1 | 12/11/2003 |
| 2003 honda element ex 4wd - windsheild cracked at approx 6000 miles. no sign of impact. crack originated on driver's side of windshield. *ak | |||
| 02/19/2003 | 4350 | 1 | 04/01/2003 |
| Windshiled crack. origion of crack is bottom of passenger side of windshiled. windshield had been replaced 2 months prior due to identical crack in identical location.*ak | |||
| 02/09/2004 | 1 | 06/12/2003 | |
| Defect in windshield on 2003 honda element. crack appears in bottom middle of windshield and then moves upward and the across towards the passenger side.*ak honda dealer said it was a rock impact, however, it is not pitted. | |||
| 02/22/2004 | 5980 | 1 | 05/29/2003 |
| Drove vehicle home saturday night no problem. sunday morning discovered 8 inch crack in windshield originating under driver side windshild wiper and traveling upwards to the left. dealer claims it is an impact crack not covered under warrenty, but i am sure there was no impact saturday night. i have read on the internet of others having this identical problem.*ak | |||
| 12/01/2003 | 1500 | 1 | 09/12/2003 |
| Cracked windshield: consistent with hundreds of other honda element owners, on one particularly cold (by ca stds. anyway) morning, i turned on my defroster and the windshield started cracking from the bottom right corner. the crack has traveled across the bottom of the glass in a pattern that mirrors that of the defroster outlets. *jb | |||
| 06/10/2003 | 1 | 06/10/2003 | |
| The windshield has chipped and cracked numerous times over the 9 months we have owned the vehicle. it was brand new and there is a defective part that the dealer will not replace.*ak | |||
| 01/24/2004 | 5000 | 1 | 11/16/2003 |
| Sand cracked windshield bottom passenger side corner. *ak | |||
| 02/04/2004 | 27500 | 1 | 07/15/2003 |
| Element bought july 2003. i drive alot of highway miles, allready 28,000 miles. i have probably drove close to 800,000 miles in my 25 years of driving. once that i know off did a windshield crack.....maybe twice. i have four incidents of rock chips allready. one of the cracks spans the width of the window. as a statistical manager for my job, there was obviously a purchasing mess up with sub-standard glass quality. there has to be a recall on this windshield to an upgraded quality of glass. it is not so much the safety factor as it is the $500 replacement and insurance costs. somebody made a major mistake in a vendor and most likely is not supplying windshields to honda anymore and is probably out of business or changed their name for liability sake. this issue will not go away!! *ak | |||
| 01/28/2004 | 11200 | 1 | 10/11/2003 |
| While sitting in a hospital parking ramp my windshield started cracking and spread until it went from directly in front of the driver at the bottom of the glass up about four inches and across to the passenger side and back down to the bottom of the glass. between my wife and myself we have owned close to twenty vehicles and never had anything like this happen. *jb | |||
| 01/30/2004 | 40000 | 2 | 04/05/2003 |
| Cracked windshield.....again. 2nd cracked windshield in two months. told this was impact damage from dealer. dealer pointed out microscopic chip at the seal line. 20+ years of driving never had a cracked windshield now have two. *jb | |||
| 01/21/2004 | 27125 | 2 | 03/11/2004 |
| After a lot of complaining, to several dealers and honda customer service, i finally had my windshield replaced after a 12 crack appeared from underneath the driver's side wiper blade one night in june 03. it took until december 03 to get this issue resolved. honda customer service (800 number) was terrible and after a while they just kept repeating the same things over and over again. my dealership stepped up after i complained to the sales manager and let him know how many people ask about the car and exactly what i was going to start telling them-that we were getting treated poorly by honda. they replaced it under goodwill. a few weeks ago there was a small ding in the center of the windshield, no star, and we turned on the defrost and the windshield cracked from corner to corner before our eyes. dealer claims this is totally normal behavior for a windshield. i let state farm know what was going on and they're looking into it. we are really disappointed--no, irate--with honda, and not afraid to talk about it until the problem is taken care of for good.*ak | |||
| 02/02/2004 | 1 | 07/28/2003 | |
| A crack developed in the passenger's side lower corner at the base behind the windshield wiper that eventually spread up 8 inches and across 8 inches and back down to the base. there was never any type of evidence of any type of rock chipping or damage. i took the vehicle in to my local dealership, and they assured me that it would be covered under warranty to replace the windshield. the day it was to be replaced they called and said there was a problem. now there is evidence of some magic rock chip and they went ahead and installed the new windshield anyway without my consent. now they want their $553.00. go figure. i also want to mention that this is the third such crack in under 7 months of owning my honda element. my vin falls under the honda service bulletin # 03-028 as having the defective windshield as well. it's all a scam! they want you to claim it on your insurance so they do not have to pay for all of these repairs. then they try to hold your vehicle hostage if you don't pay them immediately. something needs to be done about these gestapo tactics. they knowingly sold me a defective vehicle, and now they want to pass the buck to whomever will pay excluding themselves. *jb | |||
| 01/10/2004 | 15740 | 1 | 02/28/2003 |
| Windshield on 2003 honda element found in garage with a crack near the bottom corner on the drivers side. the honda dealer and regional service manager refused to replace the windshield under warranty even though there was no damage from any impact. this has become a growing problem with many of these vehicles which honda has thusfar not taken care of. *jb | |||
| 01/24/2004 | 4100 | 1 | 10/13/2003 |
| I purchased a 2003 honda element in oct-03 and currently have 4400 miles on the vehicle. on 1-24-04 a very small pebble nicked my windshield ( no star) at the base ( just under the drivers side windshield wiper blade) causing a windshield crack that has grown to about 12 inches in length. i have driven vehicles over 35 years and have never had this experience with such a minor pebble hit. i checked the honda website - see tech advisory( 03-028) but honda authorizations are only for windshield cracked without any type of impact. i don't buy honda's explanation. glass stress is just that & stress on glass that is not properly installed, fitted, or designed will lead to cracks from minor impacts at a higher rate. i visited the http://www.hondaelement.org/showthread.php website and noted that 25 to 30 % of new element owner complaints had to do with cracked windshields. in some cases owner had already replaced their windshields twice ($500.00 a pop). honda's current policy is to side step the problem. this is unacceptable. this is a brand new vehicle and honda has a responsibility to step up and work to solve the problem. i am also greatly concerned about having the windshield replaced before the problem is identified and solved. there are also a number of problems reported on the web site noted above regarding problems with improper installation/fit of new windshields (several attempts, persistent rattles, & cracks) after replacement. if honda isn't going to step up - someone ( hopefully nhtsa) will. accordingly, i am surprised at honda's head in the sand attitude about this issue. i would like to receive feedback from nhtsa on the evolution of this problem if that is within your policy. *jb | |||
| 01/24/2004 | 12965 | 2 | 01/19/2003 |
| 12-inch crack in windshield originating from driver's side cowl branching upwards. a copy of honda tsb 03-028, indicating that the windshield may crack in the lower corners, was shown to the dealer's service department. they were unaware of the tsb and stated that a grain-sized pit in the glass under the wiper blade was the cause of the crack. as my auto falls within the vin # range of affected vehicles, this would indicate that my suv is suceptible to windshield cracking. i can understand if a large rock caused the damage, but the pit in the windshield was no larger than the period at the end of this sentence. this windshield appears weaker than the industry norm and cannot handle even minute stresses. honda needs to resolve this issue, not keep having their customers continually pay for new windshields.*ak | |||
| 01/24/2004 | 23500 | 1 | 02/11/2003 |
| On 1/24/04, i noticed a crack in my windshield while parked. the crack is in the lower right portion of the windshield, beginning approximately 4 inches from the bottom, extends 2 inches toward the center of the windshield, then makes a 90 degree bend straight down to the bottom. i took my vehicle to the dealer based on the tsb regarding the improper installation of windshields on '03 honda elements. the improper installation creates undue stress that results in cracking. the service manager identified a pinhead size impact mark under the side molding strip that he says caused the damage. even with the tsb that i believe caused the crack to spread beyond repair, the dealer refuses to replace the glass and repair the defect under warranty.*ak | |||
| 12/12/2003 | 1 | ||
| Spontaneous windshield crack. *ak | |||
| 09/07/2003 | 1 | ||
| Less than a 1000 miles on the car - cracked windshield passenger side bottom corner- did not pass the pen test done at a dealer. no coverage so we replaced windshield at our own cost- *ak | |||
| 12/20/2003 | 42000 | 1 | 08/10/2003 |
| Windshield cracked under wiper on right hand side. my dealer said they would not cover it under warrinty, said there is a small pit in crack from rock. the windshield is full of small pits. there is so many complaints on the element message boards about cracked windshields more than any thing else there must be something wrong with the design.*ak | |||
| 01/08/2004 | 1700 | 1 | 12/26/2003 |
| Windshield has a stress crack in the bottom right corner. manufacturer has agreed to fix the problem without cost to the owner. *ak due to malfunctioning and improperly finished rivets in the lower section of the window frame. *sc | |||
| 01/14/2004 | 2390 | 1 | 12/20/2003 |
| I have a 2003 honda element. it has approximately 2400 miles on it. my windshield has a crack, approximately 6 inches long, that began under the passenger side windshield wiper and curls to the right. *cb | |||
| 12/28/2003 | 8215 | 1 | 10/03/2003 |
| Windshield crack of about 3-4 inches from bottom under passenger windshield wiper was just there in the morning after heavy snowfall and major defroster use. in two days, before i got to dealer to have it inspected, it had extended upwards about 6 more inches, in two more days, all the way across windshield to within 2 inched of windshield edge on driver's side. now extended to lower driver's side corner. there was cold weather through out. dealer pointed out miniscule pit on crack below passenger windshield wiper, said not covered under warranty because cause by rock chip, etc. there may have been a minor impact there, who is to say, but the evidence nearly requires magnifying glass to see&in fact i scraped ice away on windshield that very morning. in fact there are many other pits on windshield, including others on crack. a piece of grit/tiny gravel may have impacted, near original area of crack, but should never have caused damage that ensued. there is a manufacturer's service bulletin for windshield cracks starting at lower corners caused by excessive stress due to design or installation of windshield/flanges, however my vehicle is outside the vin range for that bulletin. my observation or belief is that excessive stress may still a factor, making windshield unacceptably susceptible to cracking during scraping ice of windshield and/or if there are chances of extremely minor impacts that would in other circumstances not cause problems. *cb | |||
| 12/28/2003 | 1200 | 2 | 12/13/2003 |
| Windshield piys and cracks. i have 2 cracks in less that 1 month of ownership. the glass is easily pitted as i have driven mine on sanded roads briefly and have several hundred small pits, this is far in excess of any car or truck i have owned in over 30 years of thriving and ownership. these windshield are sticking poor!!! *cb | |||
| 12/24/2003 | 1 | ||
| Windshield cracked below both wipers. started below plastic trim, both went vertical, and finally a horizontal crack connected them. windshield has other star cracks that have remained static. dealer is replacing is as goodwill, says its not the same as listed in the honda tsb. *cb | |||
| 12/10/2003 | 3000 | 0 | 10/27/2003 |
| Crack on lower left side of windshield. crack on lower right side of windshield. no objects hit the windshield. nhtsa bulletin showed problems with cracks on windshields of honda elements with no apparent cause. windshields are apparently defective! *cb | |||
| 12/10/2003 | 1 | ||
| Problems with the windshield on a 2003 honda element. *mr cracks appeared in the windshield with no apparent trigger. (9 inch crack appeared on the lower left section of the windshield) *sc *jb | |||
| 01/06/2004 | 1500 | 2 | 10/03/2003 |
| I just bought a honda element 2003 in october '03. the windshield has cracked twice. the crack goes from the bottom and spreads in the line of my driving vision. there is a flaw in the manufacturing; however, the dealer and honda says that only the early models has this problem and mine doesn't. i disagree. i suggest no one buy a honda element 'cause they are not fixing this problem. | |||
| 01/12/2004 | 0 | 06/20/2003 | |
| Cracked windshield twice in 6 months time | |||
| 01/08/2004 | 1 | 12/20/2003 | |
| Unexplained passenger side windshield cracked, no impact apparent. was about 8 the first day, continues to grow.*ak | |||
| 12/23/2003 | 6700 | 0 | 07/09/2003 |
| Windshield defect. too many similar occurences here and honda even issued a tsb. however, took it to the dealership and they insisted that is was impact. the mark was just below the wiper blade and is about the size of the head of a pin. i called for the district service manager to have a look and he identified another small spot as the impact point. he offered to split the cost with me. do i have any other options?*ak | |||
| 12/21/2003 | 800 | 0 | 12/02/2003 |
| Windshield cracked at about 800 miles on odometer, starting at the bottom, in the center of the passenger side, no impact but crack spread up windshield. dealer claims tiny impact pit below wiper blade caused crack, but no star impact pattern, just a long crack starting at bottom of windshield.ak | |||
| 01/08/2004 | 1 | ||
| Windshield cracked in lower right corner. *la | |||
| 01/08/2004 | 800 | 3 | |
| Consumer stated in last past three months dealer had replaced windshield twice. *ak consumer telephoned odi and reported that the lower-right corner of the windshield on the vehicle has a crack in it. third time this problem has occurred. *mjj (04-20-2005) | |||
| 01/03/2004 | 3000 | 1 | 12/17/2003 |
| Windshield cracked under passenger side wiper while vehicle parked. less then 4000 miles on car, no rock impact caused crack.*ak | |||
| 01/04/2004 | 7900 | 1 | 04/14/2003 |
| Stress crack on windshield, driver side, starting at bottom edge traveling towards the left side of the windshield. *ak | |||
| 06/27/2003 | 8000 | 1 | 02/27/2003 |
| Windshield cracked, according to a service release from honda cause is stress related, but service rep at dealership says it is from impact...no chip...no star.*ak | |||
| 01/03/2004 | 1 | 04/15/2003 | |
| Cracked windshield, from the bottom of the dash 5 inches going upward on the driver side, while vehicle was warming up in the driveway. *la | |||
| 12/21/2003 | 9680 | 1 | 06/09/2003 |
| 2003 honda element windshield cracked due to stress. there is no visible impact point. the crack began near the lower part which is black, and continues above the drivers side windshield wiper towards the drivers door. after reviewing other complaints by element owners, it is clear there is an issue with this models windshield and stress cracks.*ak | |||
| 10/28/2003 | 3700 | 1 | 03/15/2003 |
| Cracked windshield at 3700 miles. *la | |||
| 12/23/2003 | 17400 | 07/11/2003 | |
| Crack windshield on honda element. dealer refused to fix. claimed impact caused, but only pointed out a subjective pinhead sized pit at start of crack, claiming it was from an impact. based on frequent similar complaints from other elemnt owners with identical cracks in identical locations, i do not believe the crack was from an impact. especially since the crack appeared while the car was parked. | |||
| 06/01/2003 | 2500 | 1 | 05/01/2003 |
| Cracked windshield lower passenger side. *ak | |||
| 10/01/2003 | 0 | 1 | |
| Cracked windshield. purchased my 2003 honda element in january 2004. 4th windshield was recently installed in october 2003. i contacted honda in october and i was turned away stating that my windshielf was another case of a rock hit.*ak | |||
| 12/18/2003 | 6490 | 1 | 08/08/2003 |
| I am in the process of requesting replacement of the windshield in my honda element (purchased at majestic/lincoln on 08/08/03). it is obvious that no impact to the windshield has occurred and the crack (lower right, passenger sidebeneath the wiper) was first noticed on the morning of 12/18/03 when i got in the car. originally about five inches in length, and crawling up from the base of the windshield and then over to the right corner, the crack actually grew another three inches in the ten minutes we were in the car. i have done extensive research and discovered by way of the honda service bulletin dated may 6, 2003 (tsb 03-028: windshield is cracked at the lower corners found at the following url: http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=2212 that this is a widespread problem affecting the element windshields and replacement would be covered by honda. it appears that my vin is not among those featured in the bulletin, but the damage is identical to that of other element owners who have registered complaints: no sign of impact, and a crack in the lower right corner of the windshield. *ak | |||
| 12/17/2003 | 1700 | 1 | 11/05/2003 |
| Cracked windshield. discovered a crack in winshield, just below the wiper blade , driverside. no reason for this. except faulty product.*ak | |||
| 12/11/2003 | 3600 | 1 | 09/06/2003 |
| 2003 honda element has developed a crack in the windshield. the crack starts at the base of the windshield on the passenger side, just about in the middle of the wiper blade. the crack extends upward about four inches and is now extending to the right about the same distance. this is consistent with complaints from other owners of the 2003 honda element.*ak | |||
| 12/15/2003 | 9000 | 1 | 05/31/2003 |
| Windshield cracked on bottom of passenger side of the vehicle with no impact. *ak | |||
| 12/12/2003 | 1 | ||
| Rock hit and chipped windsheld. *ak | |||
| 06/08/2003 | 750 | 1 | 05/10/2003 |
| While driving windshield cracked. was not following any traffic at the time. crack originated from under driver's side windshield wiper and runs vertically eight inches and then turns horizontal for another eight to ten inches. *ak | |||
| 04/29/2003 | 1500 | 1 | 04/14/2003 |
| I want to report a sudden crack in my windshield of my honda element. it is in the bottom right hand corner. *la | |||
| 12/09/2003 | 10200 | 1 | |
| Ticking in windshield as soon as drove off lot. dealer replaced within weeks. now window makes ticking noise only after driving extended distances. windshield cracked early december 2003. *ak | |||
| 1 | |||
| While traveling 65 mph windshield cracked on the passenger's side underneath the windshield wiper. *ak | |||
| 12/01/2003 | 2980 | 1 | 10/10/2003 |
| 13 windshield crack on 2003 honda element ex with only 3000 miles logged. there was a pin-head sized pit that expanded to a 13 (and growing) crack. *nlm | |||
| 10/28/2003 | 9200 | 1 | 03/09/2003 |
| The windshield of my honda element ex, 2003 has crack after been hit by a small object for second time. for the first time i pay $50 for repair. now i am not sure it's worth to repair or replacement in view of so many complains by others elements owners. *nlm | |||
| 10/15/2003 | 1 | ||
| Honda element windshield cracked for no reason. *ak | |||
| 11/30/2003 | 7500 | 2 | 07/22/2003 |
| Windshield cracked at lower driver side corner, no impact of any kind can be found. there is a service bulletin on stress crack on corner for the one i recieved today so i will take to dealer tomorrow, hopefully they will repair under warranty. i also had another star type crack 2 months prior while driving but whatever that hit the windshield must have been a spec of sand. dealer said at time would not repair since it was a impact crack. there is obviously something wrong with the windshield and design for it to pit and crack so easily.*ak | |||
| 11/28/2003 | 1600 | 1 | 10/10/2003 |
| Cracked windshield, driving on a widely divided interstate at lawful speed, in heavy rain, no automobiles in sight in front of me, heard a pop sound, and saw a small crack about 5 inches to left of passenger side wiper axis. doubtful it was road debris, as there were no vehicles in front of me. results of dealer contact to be resolved pending meeting tomorrow. this automobile has approximately 1800 miles on it . has been in possession approximately 6 weeks. (since oct 10 2003) . *ak | |||
| 10/13/2003 | 1 | ||
| Honda element windshield cracked without any impact of any type. start top of driver's side, is now about 20 long . *ak | |||
| 03/20/2003 | 900 | 1 | 03/05/2003 |
| Windshield cracked with 900 miles on the odometer. location of crack: left side, mid-height. small pebble struck windsheid with no chip or indentation noted.*ak | |||
| 11/29/2003 | 1 | ||
| Stress crack in windshield. *ak | |||
| 11/23/2003 | 4800 | 1 | 08/16/2003 |
| The windshield on my 2003 honda element has developed a crack that starts on the bottom part of the passenger side and grew up 6-8 inches over the last few days. we took it to the dealer we bought it from (bill gatton honda in bristol, tn) and they said there was a chip in it and it was an impact damage and they would not consider it for warranty replacement. we told the dealer that nothing had hit the windshield and we were aware on numerous people who have had the same problem but they would not listen. i was referred to this site (nhtsa) by a fellow owner who had the same problem. *la | |||
| 09/24/2003 | 30000 | 1 | 02/15/2003 |
| Honda element windshield crack starting from lower driver side across the windshield. honda has a tsb on this problem but will not resolve it - i am a member of honda suv which also has several complaints. the service representative stated this was caused by a 1 mm rock chip (which there is no implosion) - reading the honda tsb it is obvious that if one even sustains a rock chip that the pressure from the incorrect manufactured window will cause it to crack not giving the owner a chance to fix a chip. *la | |||
| 10/19/2003 | 1 | 10/30/2003 | |
| Windshield possibly hit by a rock (although i didn't see one) and large star with cracks forming at base of windshield on driver's side. i heard this was a problem with the element before i purchased, but was assured that this was fixed for later released models. i have had this car less than a month and it has only 600 miles on it. *la | |||
| 07/20/2003 | 400 | 1 | |
| Large crack in lower-right corner of windshield 6 days after purchasing vehicle. numerous accounts of similar cracking issues among owners of same vehicle (2003 honda element). *la | |||
| 07/31/2003 | 4000 | 1 | 05/23/2003 |
| My 2003 honda element windshield cracked after 4000 miles, the crack started below the driver side windshield wiper and expanded upward, most likely the result of a small rock impact but never heard any noise. talked to honda america and the csr said i should contact local dealership and see. took the car to the honda of lisle (illinois) dealership where i purchased the element from, and several service managers looked at it and said it can not be covered by warranty because it was a rock chip. at least two service managers claimed they have no knowledge of any windshield problem with element. paying $100 insurance deductible is a small price to pay, but this seems to be an obvious manufacturer defect and can haunt the consumers by replacing windshield on a very frequent basis. does honda america stands by its product and warranty rather than repeated denials? does honda want to see hundreds and hundreds of consumer complaints before accepting responsibilities and taking concrete actions? this is not the honda i know. i had a 84 honda civic dx and put 100+k on it with no major problem whatsoever. *la | |||
| 10/11/2003 | 5500 | 1 | 09/06/2003 |
| Honda element windshield cracking. there is a crack running from the bottom of the passenger's side of the glass up 4 inches and then running out to the edge of passengers side. there appears to be a pit (like a piece of sand made it) in the middle of the crack just below the passenger windshield wiper. i agree with the comments made by others here that if there is undo stress on the windshield then it stands to reason that any impacts, no matter how slight, will cause the windshield to crack. there are plenty of other pits the same size at other spots on the windshield with no cracking. dealer will not replace. *la | |||
| 10/21/2003 | 1 | ||
| Windshield cracked while driving on highway. was not following another vehicle. no debris was seen hitting the windshield but after hearing a light click a star shaped crack appeared on the windshield. if the windshield was hit by debris, it was extremely small and should not have caused a crack. *la | |||
| 07/30/2003 | 1 | 04/01/2003 | |
| I've had multiple windshield cracks on my honda element. these cracks start around the left corner and bottom perimeter. i took the element in to two dealers and the claim were from a rock impact. the points of impacts are barely visible from the naked eye. that's why the service rep at the dealer will run a pen down the crack and find the tiny point of impact. these windshields are defective. 3 cracks and two stars in less than 10,000 miles. this is not the normal. the cracks are right in the line of site and are a slight safety concern. honda needs to fix this problem on the honda elements and not give a person the run around at the dealer claiming a rock hit it. *la | |||
| 11/10/2002 | 2500 | 1 | 09/06/2003 |
| Windshield cracked while vehicle parked. dealer said windshield crack was probably from road hazard. initially, said it would not be covered under warranty, but could find no mark from debris impact and agreed to replace under warranty. *la | |||
| 07/07/2003 | 2100 | 1 | 05/26/2003 |
| Leased this vehicle may 27, 2003. rattles, popping noises at windshield area. popping noise at driver's side pillar. had windshield replaced, framework welded, dashboard removed twice, foam installed, and windshield molding replaced. pillar adjusted. noises continue. very fearful when driving this vehicle knowing that frame has been repaired and there are problems with the windshield. the noises are distracting. honda service tech, service manager,and factory representative heard all sounds. honda willing to attempt pillar repair only. *la | |||
| 10/05/2003 | 2350 | 1 | 08/19/2003 |
| I have a barely 2 month old 2003 honda element and at about 2k miles... have suffered a cracked windshield from a very small rock/pebble that should have caused a 8 inch crack. honda has even issued a service bulletin (tsp #03-028) specifically referring to stress areas within the corner of windshield which in turn would make glass vunerable to any object coming in contact while driving. the dealer blames the crack on the debris and refuses to replace via warranty. numerous other element owners throughout country are experiencing the same problem with the new element. *jb | |||
| 09/11/2003 | 600 | 1 | 08/22/2003 |
| The front windshield had a crack that started at the bottom /middle and reached upward. dealership said the crack was caused by road debris. *ak tsb 03-028 which pertains to faulty windshield construction. *sc | |||
| 08/18/2003 | 995 | 1 | 08/05/2003 |
| We have a defect in the driver's field of vision which occurred over night. my husband was the last to drive the vehicle and did not notice any pit or star at the time he parked the vehicle. we have less than 1,000 miles on our new 2003 honda element and purchased it about two weeks ago. we checked the honda element owner's website and found others having the same problem. i am a former auto and home damage insurance adjuster and have some expertise. new glass should not be brittle and should withstand most hail damage i.e. greenhouse glass and windshield glass. i have never had a new windshield with such problems before. i've owned and driven vehicles in excess of 150,000 miles without any problems to the windshield.*ak | |||
| 08/17/2003 | 1 | ||
| Windshield on 2003 honda element cracked on its own. *ak | |||
| 07/25/2003 | 4845 | 1 | 03/28/2003 |
| Front windshield cracked in lower driver side corner and curved up and over towards center of drivers view. dealer says rock impact caused collision and will not honor technical service bulletin 03-028 even though my vehicle's identification number is within the tsb call out. *ak | |||
| 05/01/2003 | 2500 | 1 | 04/12/2003 |
| Honda element, model 2003, purchased april 2003, has severe windshield issues. it creeks, pops and taps. many honda element owners report cracked windshields due to a design problem. i cannot go on any long trips for fear our family will be stranded. i have called honda's dealers and they play as if they don't know. i've called honda's customer service hotline and, at first, they said they hadn't ever heard of the problem, then after digging in my heals with them, they found a honda tsb about the problem. they want me to bring my car into the dealership, but admit the dealer may just take it apart and charge me for it. i wrote honda corporate a month ago and have not received even a form letter reply.*ak | |||
| 06/20/2003 | 1 | 03/20/2003 | |
| Very small rock chip caused the window to crack all the way up. i didn't hear anything hit the windshield but the dealer said that it was a rock chip and wouldn't fix it under warranty. the window cracked immediately - didn't even have time to see about getting the chip fixed. if the window cracks this easily i'm afraid to see what would happen in a crash!!! see hondaelement.org - lots and lots of complaints about the windshield. honda needs to address this problem!!!! this is the first honda i've owned. would think twice about buying another one.*ak | |||
| 08/01/2003 | 6200 | 1 | 05/22/2003 |
| Windshield cracked on its own while parked.*ak | |||
| 06/13/2003 | 1 | 02/12/2003 | |
| A six-inch crack seemed to spontaneouisly appear one morning in the windshield of our 2003 element dx. we made an appointment and specified that we didn't want it fixed unless it was covered under warranty, we soon received a call informing us that there was a pebble that hit the windshield under the hood, and since there was an impact, it was not covered under our warranty. the point of impact is so miniscule it is ridiculous. we still haven't had it fixed, it's not growing very much, and we won't fix it until honda owns up to the defect and replaces the windshield at their expense. *ak | |||
| 07/09/2003 | 748 | 2 | 05/22/2003 |
| Due to defective manufacturer(honda) safety related product, this new honda element has had two windshield failures in just 750 miles on the odometer due to cracks because of defective honda windshield materials and basic defective honda design & engineering of the windshield mounting and installation. the windshield failures on my element happened on june, 3, 2003, at 140 odometer mileage, and july 9, 2003 at 748 odometer reading. honda will not pay for the repairs. total cost for both added up to $1047.00. honda is being allowed to continue to produce and sell a vehicle, for which they are aware contains a basic safety related design and engineering flaw, and for which they are making customers pay for all repairs and related expenses, ie, rental cars, because the honda windshields are in such demand and are backordered because of the number of failures. if all the honda element owners who have had defective windshield failures had filed complaint forms with the nhtsa, the number of complaints would be overwhelming, surely in the thousands. there are many posts on web sites, ie, edmunds.com , elementownersclub.com, plus others. the nhtsa has a responsibility to stop honda from furthur sales of the honda element to unsuspecting buyers, because such a sale is a violation of federal laws governing sale of a product with a designed-in safety defect and not informing the customer of the defect. such a sale also constitutes fraud, for misrepresenting a product as safe and without defects, when the manufacturer and seller are completely aware of the defects. additionally, honda must be made to reimburse element owners who have had to pay for windshield replacements. honda is profiting in the billions of dollars at customer expense and unawareness of the existense of the windshield defects. honda is profiting not only on the sales of the element, but on the sales of windshields, windshield mounting parts, windshield installations labor and rental cars. *ak | |||
| 06/04/2003 | 2 | 03/30/2003 | |
| Windshield cracks extremely easily. i've replaced mine twice in three months, and the latest one has three cracks on it already.*ak | |||
| 08/24/2003 | |||
| The windshields on the 2003 honda element's are faulty, they crack with litte or no impact, many people are complaining. a pebble, and i mean pebble tapped my windshield on august 24th and instantly i had an eleven inch crack. i've had 6 cars do date in my life, and with all 6 i've had rocks strike the windshield at on toime or another leaving nothing, or at most a star that can be fixed by a rock chip repair facility. the windshield appears to be under undo stress and that is exactly what these cracks appear to be,.. stress fractures. honda addmits to having a tsb issued for the windshields claiming an uneaven flange surface causing the cracks, however honda claims if it is evedent that something has struck your windshield leaving a impact point regardless of that impacts size you are at fault. the problem with this is anything that hits this glass can cause it to break regardless of it's size because of this uneaven flange surface ! honda has a known issue with their vehicle and they aren't owning up to this ! | |||
| 04/02/2003 | 03/03/2003 | ||
| Cracked windshield by small pebbles. windshield has to much stress. | |||
| 08/05/2003 | 0 | 0 | 07/29/2003 |
| Cracked windshield: i bought 6 days ago a brand new 2003 honda element ex 2wd suv. it still hs less than 400 miles on it. today it developed a spontanesous 5 inch crack on the windshield. the crack starts at the windoshield edge on the driver side and extends towards the center at about eye level. tthis is a persistent ongoing problem with the 2003 honda element windshields. there are many posts with similar complaint to mine especially at the http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/index.php exterior website. a class-action lawsuit against honda is beimg considered. | |||
| 07/03/2003 | 2500 | 1 | 04/16/2003 |
| My windshield has a tiny 1mm spot where a tiny pebble must have hit it and from that i now have a 18 crack stretching from the lower left hand corner to the center of the windshield. i'm certain that the tiny spot would not have spread into that size of a crack if there wasn't so much stress placed on the windshield by the uneven windshield flange surface that honda itself admits to on their service bulletin 03-028. my element vin #falls into the range on the service bulletin but honda will not cover it because of the impact that started the crack. i've had rocks hit other vehicles i've owned and they have never spread into a crack, much less one this size. if honda element owners have to replace their windshield everytime a pebble hits it, our insurance companies will end up raising our rates. honda needs to come to a resolution to this problem. *ak | |||
| 07/09/2003 | 748 | 2 | 05/22/2003 |
| This is a 2003 honda element, purchased may 22nd, 2003. the mileage is now 752 miles.i am currently in the process of having the windshield replaced for the second time. the first replacement was at 150 miles on the odometer. both were because of damage from small stone chips that would not normally damage the glass on most other vehicles. the 733 miles i have driven this car was on paved urban local roads at speeds between 35 and 50 mph. it appears to me that one of, or both of, the following, could be responsible factors: a) the windshield glass is possibly thinner and mor fragile than others. b) the aerodynamics of this vehicle possibly causes a higher rate of debris hits to the windshield area than other vehicles. whatever the cause, i would consider it a safety issue warranting investigation. additionally, if the trend were to continue, requiring windshield replacements, who could afford the maintenance on this vehicle? *ak | |||
| 06/03/2003 | 147 | 1 | 05/22/2003 |
| Defective windshield is now cracking. the dealer, classic honda, refuses to correct the problem, stating that the manufacturer, honda, does not warranty glass. i have filed a complaint with the manufacturer, american honda, case # n01200-06-0401190. the vehicle is a new 2003 honda element. the odometer reading is 147 miles.*ak | |||