2003 Honda Element: windshield wiper failure

Filed Jan 17, 2012 · Visibility · 140,000 miles · MI

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 federal safety agency 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.

Filed Feb 23, 2007 · Visibility · 27,950 miles · HI

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.

Filed Dec 9, 2005 · Visibility · IL

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.

Filed Nov 15, 2005 · Visibility · NJ

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.

Filed Jul 1, 2005 · Visibility · NJ

Windshield cracked from beneath passenger wiper blade up approximately 6 inches and then turns toward driver's side.

Filed Feb 19, 2005 · Visibility · 16,897 miles · VA

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 a"secret warranty" situation.

Filed Oct 17, 2004 · Visibility · 33,000 miles · CA

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/.

Filed Aug 26, 2004 · Visibility · NM

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.

Filed Aug 20, 2004 · Visibility · 16,000 miles · VA

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".

Filed Aug 20, 2004 · Visibility · 8,250 miles · CA

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.

Filed Aug 10, 2004 · Visibility · 30,000 miles · NJ

Crack appered on the windshield, beginning at the bottom of the windshield, below the wiper blade.

Filed Jun 28, 2004 · Visibility · 13,000 miles · CA

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.