2004 Honda Element: windshield cracks

Filed Apr 30, 2008 · Visibility · 50,000 miles · SC

Windshield has cracked 3 times while driving down to road. Insurance has replaced the windshield.

Filed Apr 28, 2008 · Visibility · 47,000 miles · RI

I own a 2004 honda element. A little over a month ago my windshield cracked. The crack started under my wiper blade and spread up very quickly. I had the windshield replaced, not knowing that this was a known common problem on 03-04 honda elements. Last night I went out to my car and noticed another crack in my windshield, with the crack occurring while the car was not in motion. This is the second time in two months I have to replace the windshield, though this time I will do it through a honda dealer as a class action lawsuit has caused them to cover all windshields up to 60,000 miles on the car. Which leads me to the cause for my complaint. Honda is covering a known design flaw up to 60,000 miles, but not after. My car is currently at 48k miles, leaving me with 12k miles of coverage. Once I reach 60k miles I will have to pay for the costs out of pocket, and with the replacement being $250-300 each time, that is not something I can afford. Now I must trade in my car, a car known to have a faulty design by honda, for far less than a 05 model would be worth with similar mileage. Honda put a band aid on a gaping financial wound for a consumer. Their shady business practice will cause me further financial loss, hence the reason for this complaint.

Filed Jan 19, 2008 · 65,000 miles · FL

2004 honda element windshield cracked at stress point located on driver's side where inspection stickers usually appear. No pitting, no impact point from flying debris. This is a known problem with the honda element. Had driven the car an hour earlier and no crack.

Filed Dec 12, 2007 · Visibility · 37,000 miles · NC

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".

Filed Sep 24, 2007 · Electrical, Visibility · 30,000 miles · NC

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.

Filed May 31, 2007 · Visibility · NY

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.

Filed May 15, 2007 · Visibility · TX

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.

Filed May 14, 2007 · Visibility · 11,790 miles · AK

2004 honda element windshield cracking in front of driver.

Filed Mar 1, 2007 · Visibility · RI

Windshield cracked while in the garage overnight!

Filed Jul 12, 2006 · Visibility · 39,500 miles · MD

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.

Filed May 25, 2006 · Visibility · IL

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.

Filed Mar 29, 2006 · Body, Visibility · CA

2004 honda element. Cracked windshield x3 fixes.....cracked again by no fault of rocks.