I cannot publish my opinion of this car
Front end collision, estimated speed less than 15 mph. The whole front end buckled, transmission cracked, engine mounts broken. Air bags did not deploy.
Damage estimate over $10,000! Insurance would not total a new Element with only 7500 miles. Still in the repair shop, 40 days and counting...
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No
Review Date: 8th July, 2006
I love my fun, practical, economical hauler!
Nothing.
Honda has perfected the economical SUV. My first tankful averaged 29 mpg.
Seating is firm, spacious and comfortable. Cargo handling ability is amazing. The factory roof racks are strong and convenient.
The real-time 4WD works exceptionally well in Florida's "ball-bearing" sand.
The Element handles beautifully, and acceleration is brisk enough for all, but the sports car set.
Fit and finish are typical of Honda's high quality.
The sound system is top quality, and allows playing GPS or MP3s through an auxiliary input. The XM radio works perfectly.
According to Consumer Reports, don't buy this vehicle without side air bags, which mine has.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 31st May, 2006
Skeptical now that this happened after reading the 2003-04 windshield design flaw was addressed
Cracked windshield, no apparent reason. 20,000 miles.
Location: directly in front of the driver starting at about three inches from windshield wiper and stops at about on inch from top of window. Only noticed it because it started raining and the water collected along the invisable hairline crack. I got the car new in July 2005 and it has about 20,000 miles. I will head off to the dealership to see if they do me right. Since the dealership is sensitive to how I report my service satisfaction when Honda does their follow up survey, if they don't make it right (i.e. replace at no cost), I will politely decline having them replace it and let them know I plan to go directly to Honda. This is the third Honda in my family and 10th Honda among my extended family. So the count is 13 Honda cars, I would say it is in their best interest to make this right. Concerns I have with my plan are if I have a third party replace the windshield will it in anyway effect my warranty and second; from doing internet searches, it seeems like this design flaw was not effectively addressed and perhaps the 2005, like the 2003 and 2004 models should be addressed through a revision of the warranty to cover this issue. What do you folks think?
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know
Review Date: 13th April, 2006
I test drove an Element and liked the vehicle, but after noticing so many reports of cracked windshields, I didn't buy one. I think this has to be a design problem. Maybe because it lacks a center pillar the body flexes too much causing cracks. Who know for sure, but Honda should come up with a repair for the problem.
28th Nov 2021, 15:40
Sounds like the problem is with the insurance company. Also there is an airbag recall on Elements and most cars, and I wonder if this was a factor.