Walked out to vehicle in the afternoon, noticed windshield was cracked. Crack grew over the next few hours to about 9". Started in lower part of windshield (near VIN marker)went vertical for about 3" then ran horizontal for 6".
2004 Honda Element visibility complaints
Page 2 of 5: complaints 11 to 40 of 107, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Cracked windshield on the passenger side, broken driver's side visor and a horn that has one broken pitch, leaving the pitch very low, almost not noticeable. It has been that way for a year, but did not find this site until now. Too expensive to repair.
My windshield has cracked about 4 times-we have given up-brought it to 2 honda dealers-acted as if they knew nothing about the problems.
Went into shopping mall , came out and found windshield cracked in lower left corner on driver's side. I had received a recall letter from honda concerning windshield cracking resulting from little or no impact". A few months earlier I took it to dealer. They said it was from an unknown impact, and was my responsibility. I showed them the letter and asked them to define"little or no impact which was in the letter - they declined and said they wouldn't fix it.
2004 honda element windshield cracking in front of driver.
Windshield cracked while in the garage overnight!
Heater core is defective. Needs to be replaced @ $1100. Did not notice trouble until weather turned cold so it probably started well before my 36000/36 months warranty ran out,plus we had a mild winter in md in 2006/07. Vehicle had 39,377 when taken into dealer. Mostly, I cannot believe the heater core would wear out so soon. It was most likely defective from the factory. I always noticed very little heat from the floor vents when vehicle was purchased but thought it was just a design issue, not a mechanical issue. The service manager @ another dealer was shocked it need replacement so soon.
My front windshield chipped for no apparent reason. The honda dealer acknowledged that 2003 and 2004 honda elements are prone to this problem but claimed he has no authority to make the repair. I have now found this to be a widespread problem. Honda even sent a service bulletin to its dealers (03-028 dated may 6, 2003) detailing how to correct the uneven windshield flange surface causing the windshields to crack. The uneven windshield flange surface and upright angle of the windshield cause stresses in the windshield that make it unnecessarily likely to chip or crack. This design flaw is honda's responsibility and should have been corrected.
Stress crack(s) in windshield . Honda replaced one, refused to do more. Now on 4th windshield. Second element has picked up 4 cracks in 6 months.
My windshield has started to crack, very similar to problems that have been reported on this website about earlier model year honda elements. The crack started at the bottom of the front of the driver's side dash about 12 inches from the left side of the left edge. There are no, repeat no chips or dings that may have contributed to this event. It is very clear that honda is having similar problems on the additional model year elements. Those problems were reported that the welded seams along where the windshield rests on the frame had high spots that were causing the stress cracks. Currently, the crack is about 12 inches long, but grows a little more every week. Sure, I could have my insurance company replace it, and I pay the deductible, but this is a documented problem that honda has been having and I expect honda to fix it, especially since according to the state on maryland, cracked windshields are a safety concern, so I expect this agency to forward this complaint to honda.
2004 honda element windshield cracked while sitting in parking lot behind my home. Vehicle was not being driven at the time the crack occurred. Crack begins at top of the windshield on the driver's side and curves toward the outside of the car.
2004 honda element. Cracked windshield x3 fixes.....cracked again by no fault of rocks.
2004 honda element : 2nd windshield replacement in 6 months . The cracks always start in the black area from below the windshield wiper blades. *jb honda denies any known problem with the design of the windshield frame . Honda replaced first winshield approx. 6 months ago . The 2nd replacement honda refused to cover/warranty. I have a signed statement from the window technichian that came out and replaced my 2nd windshield stating; the crack in my winshield was caused by stress and that the bottom corners of the pinchweld on both sides are broke away from the welds and are loose . My insurance policy covered the 2nd replacement however, I feel honda should have. After researching my vehicle today on line, I have learned that there is a pending class action lawsuit against american honda and an alarming number sites with honda element owners or leasers sharing my same concerns . I want honda in writting, assure me that this defect in design or, the way they will attempt to fix it will not cause injury to me or my passengers or loss of life to myself or my passengers in the event of a vehicle accident . I would also like them to waranty the windshield for the life of the vehicle .
A stress crack appeared in the windshield of my 2004 honda element. Crack began from below the plastic molding and below the left windshield wiper. There was no impact point from a rock or other object. Dealer attempted to blame it on a small chip in the area of the crack--chip was 1/2 mm in diameter and 1/4 of a mm in depth. I have numerous small chips like this and none have caused a crack. The dealer at first claimed the crack was caused by the small chip. After I pointed out other chips and also talked about the 2003 service bulletin and current lawsuit, the manager called the honda rep. The honda rep said they would replace it as a one time good will gesture--thus, relieving themselves of any liability.
Honda needs to admit fault on their windshields and recall their elements. My windshield cracked and dealer will not make good on their defects.
Bought a new 2004 honda element in may 2004 and have had to replace windshield due to crack once plus repaired two stone chips. Paid for the replacement windshield out of own pocket as dealer would not replace after examining with pen. Once again received another cracked windshield yesterday after being hit by a rock on the highway on the way home.
I have a 2004 honda element, I had to replace the windshield within the first 6 months of ownership...fortunately the dealer considered it a "stress crack" & replaced the windshield at no cost to me. Within a few months, I noticed another crack, I have chosen not to repair it as it was in a non-critical area. It has now been about 1 year & there are now 3 cracks in the "new" windshield...clearly this is a design flaw. I have owned several other vehicles & have never had to replace windshields like this?.
Honda element windshield cracked spontaneously within a few months of purchase from the bottom edge of the windshield up. Came out one morning and there was the crack. No rock impact as the dealer alleged! They jammed a sharp pen into the crack, and said, look, this was caused by a rock, & refused to repair it. Criminal, if you ask me! Many other element owners have reported this same problem to me. Also, the windshield was prone to attracting rock & pebble off the roads, a separate issue from that common cracking problem. It's a dangerous flaw that honda needs to address and repair. A recall is in order!
I was driving south on highway 395 in califronia coming back from mammoth mountain in my 04 honda element when I heard a loud crack from my windshield and discovered an l shape crack from the passenger side, there was not a car in front of me. After I got home the crack grew 4 inches upward. Went to two different dealers both told me it is cause by a rock hit. I called honda customer service, they will not repair it under warranty since it was cause by a rock, I did a search on google, this seem to be a common problem for honda element. I finally have the windshield replace, old windshield was destroyed by the repair shop.
I own a 2004 honda element ex. In approximately december 2004, the windshield suffered three linear cracks within a two week period of time. I did not observe or hear any road debris struck the windshield or cause these cracks. One crack emanated from the lower corner on the passenger side, one from approximately mid-point on a-pillar on the passenger side, and one from the lower driver's side corner. A service manager reviewed the cracks and determined that two of the cracks were caused by road debris because of a minute pit in each of the two cracks. He did not observe a pit in the third crack and replaced the windshield under warranty. In approximately december 2005 the windshield suffered four cracks within a three week period of time. The cracks occurred at separate times and at different locations. Three of the four cracks were starburst cracks and have not spread. One of the starburst cracks occurred on the driver's side and I observed what appeared to be small stone cause the crack. I heard the subsequent two starburst cracks occur on the passenger side. The fourth crack is a linear crack emanating from the upper corner on the driver's side. It increases in size by approximately 1/4 inch overnight, as it is longer each morning when I get in the car. The crack has traveled into the driver's line of vision. There is a honda tsb for 2003 honda elements noting possible stress fractures in the windshield due to manufacturing defect. I am not aware of a similar notice for 2004 model year, nor am I aware of any recall notice for any model year. I am concerned that there a defect in the mounting surface of the windshield that may result in such stress fractures. I am also concerned that quality of glass used for the windshield not sufficient for road use. The inherent risk caused by this apparent defect warrants investigation and/or remedy.
Cracked windshield on lower passenger side of vehicle. Not caused by flying debris. According to other honda element owners online, this is a common occurrence and is happening in the same general location on windshield. A stress fracture seems to be the common conclusion as to the cause.
Honda element defective windshield has stress cracks at both ends. Honda has refused to admit there is a problem with the windshield design or installation. Both cracks happened while vehicle was parked in a garage, there is no road damage from rocks or other impacts related to the cracks. The vehicle is now unsafe to drive until the windshield is replaced.
Windshield developed a crack starting from below the right wiper blade and goes up 4 inches and then toward the right pillar 12 inches no visible "hit" mark crack just appeared.
Dt: the contact stated the front windshield has cracked on the lower quarter of the passenger's side. The dealership stated something hit the windshield, and will not assist in the repair. The contact stated there was no evidence anything hit the windshield. The vehicle has not been repaired at this time. *ak updated 12/27/05.
Pulled out of a parking lot onto a major street. When pulling out it is across a very uneven spot in the road putting the vehicle in a bind. At this time the windshield "popped" and cracked in the lower right hand corner. *jb windshield is now broken and needs to be replaced. Unsafe for highway usage. Dealership flatly said it was not their problem and sent me on my way.
Windshield cracked started from below passenger side wiper and spreading toward middle and upward. Just as everyone else. *ca
I was waiting to cross over the bay bridge and a crack surfaced out of nowhere from the lower driver side of the windshield. It was extremely hot that day, temperature in excess of 90f.
I have had two window glass issues with my honda element. (1) in dec04 while driving 30 miles to work, 5 windsheld cracks appeared. All started at edges of glass and moved inward. They were located at the bottom and side edges. (2) in july05 I left work to discover that my right rear window had exploded. Police officer reported that this was not a criminal act, but more likely an error with glass installation. I reported the later incident to honda and they refuse to repair/replace under my warrenty. And will not take any responablity for this faulty glass.
I've had 3 cracked windshields in my honda element now. The first was at approximatly 11,000 miles, the second was at approximatly 17,000 miles, and now the third cracked windshield was at approximatly 20,000 miles. The first two were fixed under some sort of "one time" gaurantee. The 3rd crack, I'm debating whether to sell the car or just drive with the cracked windshield until I can no longer see out of it. Why fix it if it is just going to keep on cracking!?! Eventually honda will refuse to fix it for free!
Dt: consumer states there are two cracks that have formed on the windshield of his vehicle. The cracks started out approximately 1-1 1/2 inches, now they are approximately 8 inches. The two cracks seem to be going in the direction where they will meet.
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