2003 Honda Element body problems

Filed Oct 28, 2026 · Body · WI

Component/System: Unibody frame rails and structural rocker panels have suffered severe internal interlamellar delamination, heavy corrosion, and complete metal-through structural failure. The vehicle and components are available for inspection upon request. Safety Risk: Severe rust-through compromises the unibody structural integrity, creating a critical risk of frame collapse, compromised crash energy management, and loss of vehicle control during normal driving or an accident, endangering occupants and others on the road. Confirmation: Structural corrosion and metal failure have been confirmed through direct physical inspection of the undercarriage. Previous Inspections: None by manufacturer, police, or insurance. Symptoms/Warnings: No dashboard warning lamps. Physical symptoms included surface blistering, flaking, and subsequent structural metal tearing as internal rust expanded over time.

Filed Nov 10, 2025 · Body · 115,000 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2003 Honda Element. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormally loud sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. Upon inspecting the vehicle, the contact discovered that the rear trailing arm was severely corroded. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the rear trailing arm had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 115,000.

Filed Oct 5, 2025 · Body, Suspension · MN

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

Filed Jul 14, 2025 · Body, Suspension · PA

Rust corrosion

Filed Sep 14, 2024 · Body, Suspension · WI

Vehicle has extreme corrosion of the frame near the rear trailing arm which is nearing catastrophic failure. Trailing arm is in danger of separating from the frame. This is similar to NTSB Campaign # 23V-22800 for the CR-V which shares suspension parts with the Element on these model years. If the trailing arm separates at highway speeds it could be fatal. This is a pre-emptive report of failure/loss, as I just attempted to jack up my vehicle on the drivers' side in the rear and had a great deal of the rusted frame detach near the point of the trailing arm attachment. I fear that it won't be long before the rest of the frame rusts through and if this occurs, that it may occur at highway speed and cause injury or death.

Filed Mar 11, 2024 · Body, Suspension · 180,000 miles · MO

The contact owns a 2003 Honda Element. The contact stated that while the contact's wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the trailing arm fractured. In addition, the rear of the vehicle dropped to the ground and the driver's rear side of the vehicle was dragging on the ground. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.

Filed Nov 4, 2023 · Body, Suspension · MA

Inspection of the underbody revealed complete rusting away of the frame mount point for the passenger side lower control arm. The mounting has not failed yet, but the metal surrounding the bolt point is no longer providing any structure. I would not ordinarily have thought inform the federal safety agency of this failure, but Internet searching has turned up many other owners of Elements experiencing this same failure and Honda has issued a recall in Canada for Elements for this problem. CR-Vs in the US that use the same chassis have had a recall for the same problem. Why has the recall not been extended to US Elements that are exposed to road salt? I have not yet contacted Honda regarding this issue.

Filed Oct 29, 2023 · Body, Suspension · MN

Same as the recalls for Honda ELEMENT of Canada and American Honda CRV of America In Honda’s words: SUMMARY: American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (Honda) is recalling certain 2007-2011 model year CR-V vehicles. In salt-belt states where de-icing agents are used to maintain the roadway, the de-icing agents, along with mud and water, could enter the rear frame through drainage/positioning holes when the vehicle is driven through flooded areas or puddles at high speeds. Over time, the accumulated de-icing agents/mud/water mixture could cause corrosion to the frame's internal structure. If this occurs, the rear trailing arm can fall off. SAFETY RISK: The corrosion to the frame's internal structure can cause the rear trailing arm to fall off, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

Filed Oct 11, 2023 · Body, Suspension · 140,000 miles · CT

The contact owns a 2003 Honda Element. The contact stated that upon inspecting the vehicle, the independent mechanic informed him that the trailing arm mount was corroded, and that the subframe needed to be replaced. The mechanic advised the contact that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

Filed Apr 20, 2023 · Airbags, Body · FL · crash · 1 injury

Seems Honda is hiding specific vin needing recal replacement of airbag fue to fact it's deployed. Attempt to cover up recall regarding this specific vin possibly aware that damage is done and if airbag deployed, vin check results "no current recalls" for vehicle. 2003 Honda Element had first recall replacement done. At that time Honda had person come to house to notify. This time, second recall, too late. It deployed and air bag is on recall list. Please provide honest facts. Correct me please if I misunderstood.