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.
Honda Element wipers problems
63 of the 1,284 owner complaints about the Honda Element describe windshield wiper failure, most of them for the 2003 model year.
- owner complaints
- 63
- worst model year
- 2003
- typical mileage
- 6,058
Is there a fix? No recall or service bulletin covers this area of the car yet.
By model year
Often reported together
What owners say
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Windshield cracked started from below passenger side wiper and spreading toward middle and upward. Just as everyone else. *ca
Windshield cracked from beneath passenger wiper blade up approximately 6 inches and then turns toward driver's side.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the Honda Element wipers
Which Honda Element years have windshield wiper failure problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2003 (38 complaints) and 2004 (25 complaints).
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