2003 Honda Element: doors won't lock, open or latch

Filed Mar 18, 2021 · Body · 204,862 miles · WA · 1 injury

The door lock cylinders for the driver/passenger/tailgate will not accept a key to unlock the doors. The locks are immovable from the outside and inside, requiring a locksmith to open the doors or complete removal of the doors to safely enter and exit the vehicle. The key, when inserted into the lock in attempt to enter the vehicle, often will not release from the seized lock cylinder resulting in the key firmly lodged in the lock of the door, rendering it impossible then to drive the vehicle. The above mentioned cylinder locks are safety hazards for the following reasons: children and adults entering and exiting the vehicle may be prone to injury from oncoming traffic due to door cylinder locks not operating properly and causing the door to jam requiring forceful pressure to be applied from the interior and exterior of the vehicle in order for the door to open. Infants and elderly individuals incapable of the motor skills necessary to open doors and locks may be locked inside of the vehicle with uncontrollable in cabin temperatures resulting in excessive heat/cold for an extended amount of time that could result in injury or death. Quick and safe entry and exit to and from the vehicle is impossible, resulting in an increase of the probable instances of theft or damage to persons/property attempting to enter/exit the vehicle in less than perfectly safe conditions. The fee involved with servicing the replacement of this door lock cylinder is exorbitant. A quote from the dealership put me at $200.00 just for them to open the door panel and look at it. To replace the cylinder and re-key it would cost upwards of $400.00 more. $600.00 to replace a cylinder lock on a car door. There are many other 2003 honda element owners who have had this issue as well, often paying the money to have the cylinders replaced, only to have them fail again a year later.

Filed Dec 11, 2016 · Body, Lights · TN

I have replaced everything possible that would control the headlights. As I drive or after the car heats up while parked, whether on dim or bright the lights dim and brighten themselves causing it hard to see sometimes. I myself and other people that have talked about this online are having problems with the key fob. It stopped working and then it starts working again but the driver door lock wont work after that.

Filed Oct 2, 2016 · Electrical · 202,005 miles · CA

Driver side door lock no longer working when alarm is activated. Key gets stuck sometimes in the lock. I then have to go around to passenger side to get in to open driver side door from the inside.

Filed Aug 6, 2016 · 195,000 miles · NY

Door locks are defective- cannot insert my key in driver's side door. My remotes don't lift the locks any more. Lights flash ok, but I have a feeling that the driver's side door lock is involved. I understand that this is common in this vehicle

Filed Jun 4, 2015 · 130,000 miles · AR

Door lock on the drivers door stopped working. Honda said I needed a key fob. It worked for a while. Now my key fob will not open drivers door. The only way to lock or unlock my door is to pull up on the handle and push lock down and to go to the other door and crawl across to unlock it. I have read of many owners being locked out of their cars totally. A repairman thought it was the actuator. When he went to install it, it was not. I have spoken to several honda service departments and they have no clue they said.

Filed Jan 28, 2015 · Locks · 67,000 miles · MD

Driver's side door lock tumblers seized my key when I tried to unlock the car. They key was stuck midway - I could not remove the key nor turn it either way. Since the key was caught in the lock, the key fob would not open the passenger's door or rear latch. I was locked out of the car with my little girl trapped inside. After a pop-a-lock visit, I was able to get my spare key to drive the vehicle, but I still had the original key stuck in the door lock. I drove to honda service center; they were unable to remove the key also. They said I would have to pay $450 to have the lock tumbler replaced. I asked them if they would remove the door panel because the key in the door was a theft issue. They said I would have to pay $112.50 for them to remove the panel. When I asked if they would remove the panel for free so I could try to remove the key, they refused, citing liability issues. The service center is only willing to help when paid astronomical rates like $112.50 to remove a door panel (without being asked to put it back on) and $450 to replace a $40 part that is malfunctioning. I have never heard any other car manufacturers' cars seizing a key in the door lock ever in my life! We could have been in great danger if we had been in a remote area of if it had been nighttime. Honda customer service refuses to fix my problem because there is no recall, despite the problems of others. Even when I asked that the repair be done as "goodwill' the representative refused to consider. Poor quality workmanship on door locks -- something as inexpensive and low tech as a lock, yet so critical to safety and theft -- reflects poorly on honda and draws into question their reputation for quality. That honda refuses to stand by their work when their poor quality endangers drivers and passengers, demonstrates their disregard of human beings safety. Profit over people is honda's motto.

Filed Dec 19, 2014 · Locks · WV

Driver's side door lock has malfunctioned and would not unlock. Sometimes would not lock. I had same problem several years ago and had lock replaced at honda dealer however recently it started again. Apparently this is a common honda problem. I really like the element however these types of problems leave me to probably never buy another honda. Now the airbag recall which has not even recognized the need to replace in wv.

Filed Dec 6, 2014 · Locks · TX

The driver side lock stopped working from the outside. First the alarm and automatic door lock stopped working. It would arm and unarm the alarm and unlock the back and side door but not the driver side door. That was annoying but I have the key and would then just unlock the driver side door but the lock would stick and not allow the key to turn. I would then have to take the key out and try again. Over a few weeks it got worse and worse eventually not allowing the key to even completely enter. It would also get stuck in the locked position and I would have to manually unlock it to get out. Eventually it stopped working all together. To get in I would have to unarm the alarm and from the passenger side use an umbrella to reach access the seats to manually unlock the door. I would then have to walk around the car to get in. I would also have to manually lock the door before driving as it would not lock on its own. To get out I would have to do the whole process again but in reverse order. If I locked the door with the door open it would not shut completely. It progressively got worse over about a year. I had it repaired almost two years ago and have not had issues since. I did not have to change keys, electronic locks, or alarms. This was some time ago so I do not remember what they had to do to fix it but I remember it not being cheap and taking much of the day as they had to take the door apart. I am not sure if the dealer or my regular repair place fixed it but more information can be requested from them if needed. The repair guys had not mentioned this being an issue with 2003 honda elements but after seeing multiple reports on here I decided to add my information for more context and details in how the problem started and advanced.

Filed Oct 28, 2014 · Locks · 40,000 miles · CO

Driver side exterior door lock does not accept a key. This is extremely problematic due to the fact that the element did not include auto locks. This is a safety hazard because I have been in a parallel parking situation where my driver door was facing a busy street. I was trying to get into the car when the light behind me turned green and the cars came whipping by. It is also scary at night walking to my car in a parking lot as I don't know if my lock will work and someone could easily follow me out to my car and have plenty of time to attack me. I have a daughter and her safety is most important. This issue needs to be fixed not only for convenience but also peace of mind.

Filed Aug 10, 2014 · Locks · FL

Front door lock will not work. It is jammed and will not accept the key going in. This needs to be recalled and fixed. It's unbelievable.

Filed Aug 5, 2014 · Body, Locks · 190,000 miles · NJ

Both door locks (driver and passenger) are jammed. At times the key goes in and others it doesn't but do not turn. I have two keys and neither of them open either door. I have to enter through the back door, climb over the back seats to get to the driver's seat. This appears to be an issue with many honda elements made in 2003. I have read many reviews and see that many people have this same issue. I have back problems and cannot be climbing in through the back of my car to open the driver side door to enter my car. I think honda should be responsible for replacing these locks.

Filed Jul 17, 2014 · Locks · 180,000 miles · TX

Driver's side door lock began to not unlock the door on first attempt. After approximately one year the lock became stuck at a 45 degree angle and would not release the key. Forced the key out of the lock by placing my knee against the door and pulling on the key until the key finally came out. Lock continues to be at about 20 degrees and will not allow the key to enter and/or turn. Have tried liquid wrench, but no improvement. Have to unlock the driver's door by entering through the passenger door.