2005 Honda Element EX 2.4 from North America

Summary:

Best all round vehicle for everyday practical use and for single person or a couple and a dog or two

Faults:

Rear brake caliper seized, requiring new caliper and pads.

General Comments:

It's a love hate relationship when it comes to whether you like the looks of the Element, or "Elephant" as I affectionately call it. It has a window sticker on the back that says "you've just been passed by a toaster", which pretty well explains the looks. In any case I've always liked the looks and the fact it was a Honda; I knew it would be well engineered. Voted dog vehicle of the year, tells you about the robust and practical interior of the "elephant".

It's a large vehicle and people are amazed when I tell them it only has a 2.4L, 4 cylinder engine. Has lots of power and and great fuel economy at about 27-29 miles to an imperial gallon.

I've just come back from a 4 week trip, 8900km, Vancouver BC to Baja Mexico. I removed the rear seats and had a 4" foam mattress made up and camped out of the back. Worked out great as I could park the Element anywhere without attracting attention that it was a camping vehicle. It ran like a trooper with no problems at all.

I'm disappointed though that they've discontinued the Element as I would consider buying another with low miles. Also, as I have the standard FWD, I would consider the automatic as it gets about the same MPG as the standard and they are proven to be reliable.

I do all my own work on my vehicles and it will need new rotors and pads soon. Parts are very reasonable and can be bought online at eBay or Amazon at discount prices.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 13th March, 2016

31st Mar 2018, 16:25

Just an update on my posting, I've had to replace sway bar bushings and end links, which was quite simple to do and cost about $100 in parts off eBay. New rotors and ceramic pads were $200 for all 4, and were also easy to install.

I've since sold my "Elephant" because of higher mileage and bought a 07 SC Element. As it had about 80k miles, it too needed end links and bushings installed. Seems to be underbuilt suspension on Honda's part. Have put on 30k and no other problems noted. Just checked my gas mileage and it got 30.1 MPG (imperial gallons).

Not too shabby for a box on wheels...

2005 Honda Element LX from North America

Summary:

I still love my Element. I just wish they would fix the key

Faults:

I have had to replace the driver's side door locks 3 times, and passenger's also, plus the ignition twice. Now I won't take the key out, because I'm afraid it won't go back in, and cost me another $500. I have to crawl in the back. Looking at the complaints on this site, this seems to be a common problem; a recall should in order, this is ridiculous.

General Comments:

I love my Element, but I don't know if I would buy another.

Also, the dealerships show no compassion; they are terrible.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 12th December, 2010

31st Mar 2018, 16:12

You must be doing something wrong with your keys, as I've never heard this predicament in other posts.

2005 Honda Element from North America

Summary:

Pretty good car so far

Faults:

Been having problems getting the key to open the driver's door when locked. Has been acting up now and then since the first year. Have been very gentle, not forcing the key, but now it will not open the locked door at all.

Driver's seat material started cracking after the first year. Now after five years it's cracked badly.

General Comments:

Good car other than this, and the odometer light being intermittent.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 21st April, 2010

22nd Apr 2010, 09:42

I had a problem with the drivers side door lock on my 2003 Element. It would work with the key anymore at around 80K miles. Got it fixed then and has been fine since.

Had a couple other problems around 80-84K miles (a bad engine mount and the passengers side power window motor). But other than that, nothing other than routine maintenance, and I now have almost 112K miles on my Element. With the original brake pads still.

All in all, I love my Element and plan to keep it for at least 300K miles.

Mine has a 5 spd. manual and is loads of fun to drive.

Very handy as well, one of the most useful vehicles around.

I am planning on buying my dream car (one of the new Chevy Camaros) in a couple of years, but will keep my Element as a spare rather than trade it, I love it that much, and plan on keeping it forever.