While driving in the freeway; the low beam lights went out and would no longer work. For visibility purposes, I was forced to use high beam lights to make it home while impairing the driving ability of others. The low beams and high beams run on the same light bulb. While using the high beams, the bulbs work as intended. The light bulbs and relays were promptly replaced and the issue is not fixed. It is often caused the a malfunctioning multiswitch that controls lighting and blinkers. The issue is well known within Honda elements and a previous recall have been issued for other Honda models including the Honda civic. Oftentimes the wiring goes back due to the switch malfunctioning. This is extremely unsafe toward everyone on the road as we lack visibility and by using high beams, we unwantingly blind other drivers which could result in injury by other drivers, passengers, and even pedestrians.
Honda Element headlights problems
20 of the 1,284 owner complaints about the Honda Element describe headlights failing or too dim, most of them for the 2004 model year.
- owner complaints
- 20
- worst model year
- 2004
- typical mileage
- 111,000
By model year
Often reported together
Overheating 2Stalling 1Key fob 1Fuel gauge 1Door locks 1Airbag light 1
What owners say
Airbag warning lights will come on for no reason saying passenger airbag is off and it is not off. This happens at least once a week. This happens at various times, cranking vehicle, driving vehicle, there is really no specific situation . It's sporadic. Headlights have always been dim. Sometimes I can't even tell if they are on. The cargo lights, front middle and back work sometimes and most times they don't. Also brake lights seem to have a mind of there own and work when they want to but definitely not when I want them to. In fact I am pretty sure there is an electrical shortage somewhere.
Drivers side door key ceased to work as stated numerous times by others. Only way to get in and lock the door is from passenger side...placing driver in unsafe and vunerable position. Also when driving slowly approx 10 MPH car has frequently irractically accelerated of its own accord. Have to stand on the brakes to get car to stop. With the car at a stop, and in drive it will self accelerate...very dangerous!!! As others have noted there is a serious electrical short?? As dash lights are dull then and have to hit dash to get them to light up. Headlights are constantly surging from limited lighting visibility to normal.
2006 honda element approx 114,000 miles. Vehicle low beams both stop working simultaneously while vehicle is in motion at various speeds increasing likelihood of crash. This is recurrent issue with this model and other honda models including pilot and fit. Issue relates to burning contact in wiring harness. This is clearly a defect in manufacturing/ design that puts drivers and other motorists at risk of accident.
Owner was driving for roughly 30 minutes when she stopped for gas and after restarting car neither one of her headlights were working. Her high beams continued to work and had to be used. Owner was told by mechanic that the headlight switch had over heated and burned the wiring within the switch. Honda has already issued recalls for civics and accords for this very problem but not for honda elements. Repair cost $200.00
While driving down the county road at 60 MPH at night the headlights turned off. I turned the headlight switch off and then back on and everything was fine for a couple days. This happened 5 or 6 more times and now the headlights will not turn back on unless I switch to high beams. High beam works fine, this is an electrical issue not bulb failure. "this could have been deadly".
I received a letter from honda stating that my instrument panel may need to be replaced. I contacted renner honda, columbus, indiana where I purchased my element sc new and told them that my gauges were falling out. They said they would order the panel and replace it. I never heard from them again and the time for replacement closed. Next, I received the brake recall notice and decided to try clarksville, in neil huffman honda. They said they only did recalls during the week and if I needed a loaner vehicle to get back to work...that it would be $100/day and they would need my vehicle 2-3 days. I said so you are charging me for my inconvenience and they said that's our policy. So, I let that recall go. Here it is 2018, my gauges do not work at all and it looks like I'm doing 55 sitting still. My gas gauge is broke as well, my headlights are dim and my fans both quit working, part of the top panel has flown off--and my visor is broke. But, I did finally get honda world, louisville, ky to replace the airbags and the brake recall. But, no dice on the instrument panel. I think that is wrong considering all the recalls on this by honda. They will not budge on price yet there have been over 11 recalls on this vehicle and now I am stuck paying for the gauges, not to mention if the brakes had went out years ago...I could have been injured over clarksville neil huffman trying to charge me for a rental car! Thanks to honda world, but I will not recommend a honda to anyone else considering all the complaints over the instrument panel, visors, lights, etc that I am reading on here. Shame on you honda!
The headlight switch connector overheated and melted at its terminal with the headlight switch resulting in the random failure of my headlights while driving at night. After searching more about this particular issue, I found that the same issue resulted in a recall of the part in 2001/2002 honda civics (export service bulletin 04-015, april 2004). The solution, "replace the combination light switch, the red/wht wire in the headlight wire harness and, if needed, the 16p headlight wire harness connector." I verified that it is the same red/wht wire that overheated in the connector. Why is my 2004 honda element not covered by this recall?
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 honda element. The low beam headlights failed to operate without warning. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 111,000.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the Honda Element headlights
Which Honda Element years have headlights failing or too dim problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2004 (5 complaints), 2006 (5 complaints) and 2003 (4 complaints).
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