2003 Honda Element Reliability Report

NHTSA data as of Oct 15, 2026Published Oct 23, 2026

Caution

Ranks 9th of 9 Element years we score.

Owner complaints: 423; 24 are recall notices
Per 10,000 cars: 52.3; 76,286 made for the U.S.
Vs the average car: 1.2×; same age, 1× is average
Serious outcomes: 64; crash, fire, injury, stall or tow
Recalls: 10
NHTSA crash rating: Not rated; no overall rating before 2011

2004 Element →

Should You Buy the 2003 Honda Element?

Only after careful checks. Our reliability score for the 2003 Honda Element is 66 out of 100, which rates Caution. Owners reported about as many problems as for the average car of the same age. It ranks 9th of the 9 Element years we score.

The most reported problem is the windshield, mostly shattering or cracking (217 of 423 complaints). Owners also complain about the door latch or lock and the ignition or push-button start. 64 of the 423 complaints describe a serious outcome, such as a crash, a fire, an injury or stalling while driving.

It has 10 recalls. Honda also offers a warranty extension that may still apply, for a problem with the airbags. For comparison, the 2004 scores 67.

Before you buy, check that the recalls were done, ask a Honda dealer about warranty extension 06-009 and get an independent inspection. The full checklist is at the end of this page.

Pros

No do-not-drive or park-outside recalls
1 Honda warranty extension may cover repairs

Cons

Windshield: shattering or cracking217 complaints
Door latches: not opening or unlocking42 complaints
Ignition or push-button start: the car not starting19 complaints

How the 2003 Element Earned Its Score

Every model year starts at 100. Each part takes points away when this year has more problems than the average car of the same age. How we score

Score breakdown
Item	Vs average	Points lost
Starting score		100
Serious problems64 complaints · average car: about 91	0.71×	−15
Everyday problems335 complaints · average car: about 148	2.3×	−11
Problems in the last two years0 complaints · average car: about 0.5	Not counted	–
Recalls10 recalls · average car: about 3.1	2.3×	−8
Score		66

The last two years are not counted for the 2003 Element. Honda made 76,286 of them, and at this age an average car made in that number would get only about 0.9 complaints of any kind in two years. We need at least 5 to compare, so we leave this part out. Its 30% goes to serious and everyday problems instead, so they make up 80% of the score rather than 50%.

Each part shows two counts: this year's so far, and what an average car would have at the same age. For complaints, that average car was made in the same number as this one. “Vs average” compares the two counts, but in our scoring system we first add a little to both, so a few complaints cannot swing the result. That is why it is not simply one count divided by the other. The last two years count only complaints about five systems: the engine and fuel system, transmission, brakes, steering, and airbags and seat belts.

What Owners Report

We read all 423 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2003 Honda Element, one by one, and grouped them by the problem they describe. The most reported problems come first. A complaint that describes more than one problem is counted under each, so the counts add up to more than 423.

Windshield: shattering or cracking
217 complaints (51%)
Shattering or cracking, unusual noises and damage. In 31 complaints, the problem came back after a repair. Median mileage when it started: about 10,000 miles.
Door latches: not opening or unlocking
42 complaints (10%)
Not opening or unlocking, sticking or stiffness and a feature that stopped working. 1 of these 42 complaints describes a serious outcome: being stranded. Median mileage when it started: about 94,000 miles.
Ignition or push-button start: the car not starting
19 complaints (4%)
The car not starting, a failure that needed a new part and a feature that stopped working. 10 of these 19 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often a car that would not start. In 6 complaints, the problem came back after a repair. Median mileage when it started: about 119,000 miles.
Frame or structure: rust or corrosion
18 complaints (4%)
Rust or corrosion, unusual noises and parts breaking or coming apart. 7 of these 18 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often loss of steering control. Median mileage when it started: about 25,000 miles.
Frontal airbags: no deployment in a crash
12 complaints (3%)
No deployment in a crash and deployment with no crash. 5 of these 12 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often an airbag problem. Median mileage when it started: about 78,000 miles.
Airbag warning light
11 complaints (3%)
Warning lights. Median mileage when it started: about 146,000 miles.
Brakes: early wear
10 complaints (2%)
Early wear, loss of braking and locking up. 1 of these 10 complaints describes a serious outcome: a crash. In 3 complaints, the problem came back after a repair. Median mileage when it started: about 51,000 miles.
Seats: parts breaking or coming apart
7 complaints (2%)
Parts breaking or coming apart and damage. Median mileage when it started: about 100,000 miles.
Airbags: no deployment in a crash
6 complaints (1%)
No deployment in a crash and deployment burns. 1 of these 6 complaints describes a serious outcome: an airbag problem. Median mileage when it started: about 112,000 miles.
Ball joints and control arms: parts breaking or coming apart
5 complaints (1%)
Parts breaking or coming apart, a failure and rust or corrosion. 3 of these 5 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often a tow. Median mileage when it started: about 190,000 miles.
Key fob: works on and off
5 complaints (1%)
Problems that come and go and a feature that stopped working. Median mileage when it started: about 110,000 miles.
Steering: slippery surface
5 complaints (1%)
Slippery surface, unusual noises and locking up. 2 of these 5 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often a crash. Median mileage when it started: about 81,000 miles.
Headlights: works on and off
4 complaints (under 1%)
Problems that come and go and a feature that stopped working.
Horn: works on and off
4 complaints (under 1%)
Problems that come and go, unusual noises and a feature that stopped working. Median mileage when it started: about 9,000 miles.
Instrument cluster: works on and off
4 complaints (under 1%)
Problems that come and go and the car not starting. 1 of these 4 complaints describes a serious outcome: a car that would not start.

Show 22 more problems

Shifter or park: the car rolling away
4 complaints (under 1%)
The car rolling away and not releasing. All 4 describe a serious outcome, most often a crash. Median mileage when it started: about 158,000 miles.
Body seals (water leak): water leaking in
3 complaints (under 1%)
Water leaking in and air and debris intrusion.
Problem not described (cause not stated)
3 complaints (under 1%)
Vehicle alarm: stopped working
3 complaints (under 1%)
A feature that stopped working.
Window glass (location not stated): shattering or cracking
3 complaints (under 1%)
Shattering or cracking.
Paint and rust: rust or corrosion
3 complaints (under 1%)
Rust or corrosion and damage.
Side or curtain airbags: deployment with no crash
3 complaints (under 1%)
Deployment with no crash. 1 of these 3 complaints describes a serious outcome: an airbag problem.
Side window glass: shattering or cracking
3 complaints (under 1%)
Shattering or cracking. 1 of these 3 complaints describes a serious outcome.
Tailgate: sticking or stiffness
3 complaints (under 1%)
Sticking or stiffness and a failure. Median mileage when it started: about 145,000 miles.
Transmission: slipping
3 complaints (under 1%)
Slipping, failure or loss of drive and unusual noises. 1 of these 3 complaints describes a serious outcome: stalling or losing power while driving.
Unintended acceleration (cause not stated)
3 complaints (under 1%)
Sudden acceleration. All 3 describe a serious outcome, most often sudden acceleration or braking.
AWD or rear differential: stopped working
2 complaints (under 1%)
A feature that stopped working and the system acting on its own. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome: a crash.
Check engine light (cause not stated)
2 complaints (under 1%)
Warning lights.
Cooling system: damage
2 complaints (under 1%)
Damage and a leak.
Engine: surging
2 complaints (under 1%)
Surging and stalling. Both describe a serious outcome, most often sudden acceleration or braking.
Exterior trim: parts breaking or coming apart
2 complaints (under 1%)
Parts breaking or coming apart.
Loss of power (cause not stated)
2 complaints (under 1%)
A loss of power. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome: stalling or losing power while driving.
Noise (cause not stated)
2 complaints (under 1%)
Unusual noises.
Door lock actuators: stopped working
2 complaints (under 1%)
A feature that stopped working.
Power windows or regulator: parts breaking or coming apart
2 complaints (under 1%)
Parts breaking or coming apart and a feature that stopped working.
Seat belts: sticking or stiffness
2 complaints (under 1%)
Sticking or stiffness and a feature that stopped working.
Tires: parts breaking or coming apart
2 complaints (under 1%)
Parts breaking or coming apart and shattering or cracking. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome.

Reported Once (22)

Show the 22 problems reported once

Airbag inflator (rupture risk or Takata): deployment with no crash
Battery drain: draining the battery
Brake calipers: sticking or stiffness
CV axles failure
Engine air intake failure
Fuel gauge or level sensor: wrong readings
Fuel leak
Fumes in cabin (cause not stated)
Heater: stopped working
Hood latch: parts breaking or coming apart
Screen and audio: stopped working
Interior trim: unusual noises
Fire (cause not stated)
Rear torsion bar: parts breaking or coming apart
Parking brake: stopped working
Poor acceleration (cause not stated)
Sway bar links: parts breaking or coming apart
Car not starting (cause not stated)
Unexplained crash (cause not stated)
Vibration (cause not stated)
Wheel rim: vibration or shudder
Windshield wipers: stopped working

How the 2003 Honda Element Compares With Other Years

Every Element year is here: the Element was made in one generation, 2003 to 2011.

Year	Rating	Score	Vs average	Per 10k cars	Recalls	Most reported problem
2011	Excellent	88	0.17×	5.2	10	–
2010	Good	79	0.40×	13.9	10	Brakes: loss of braking
2009	Good	72	0.72×	24.3	8	Brakes: soft pedal
2008	Good	75	0.53×	22.6	12	Brakes: soft pedal
2007	Good	72	0.67×	27.6	10	Instrument cluster: parts breaking or coming apart
2006	Good	70	0.83×	24.8	9	Side or curtain airbags: deployment with no crash
2005	Good	70	0.90×	26.5	7	Frontal airbags: deployment with no crash
2004	Caution	67	1.1×	46.6	9	Windshield: shattering or cracking
2003 This year	Caution	66	1.2×	52.3	10	Windshield: shattering or cracking

See every Element year

2003 Honda Element Recalls

Ten recalls cover the 2003 Honda Element. The most recent was issued in June 2019: “Driver Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode.” A VIN check at NHTSA shows which are still open on a given car.

Driver Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode, June 2019
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
NHTSA 19V499000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jun 27, 2019. By the fourth quarter of 2020, 22% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
NHTSA 19V501000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jun 27, 2019. By the fourth quarter of 2020, 42% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Driver Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode, March 2019
An explosion of an inflator within the driver frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver, front seat passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
NHTSA 19V182000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Mar 6, 2019. By the third quarter of 2020, 49% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Improperly Installed Passenger Air Bag
An incorrectly installed air bag may deploy improperly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
NHTSA 18V268000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Apr 26, 2018. By the third quarter of 2019, 85% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
NHTSA 16V344000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued May 23, 2016. By the third quarter of 2017, 58% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Passenger Side Front Air Bag Inflator May Rupture
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the passenger seat occupant or other occupants possibly causing serious injury or death.
NHTSA 15V370000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jun 15, 2015. By the fourth quarter of 2017, 65% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.

Show 4 more recalls

Driver's Frontal Air Bag May Rupture
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
NHTSA 15V320000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued May 28, 2015. By the fourth quarter of 2017, 68% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Passenger Air Bag Inflator May Rupture
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passengers frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
NHTSA 14V700000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Nov 4, 2014. By the first quarter of 2016, 70% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Passenger Side Air Bag Inflator May Rupture
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passengers frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
NHTSA 14V353000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jun 20, 2014. By the fourth quarter of 2015, 70% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Ignition Interlock
Removal of the ignition key when the gear selector of a vehicle with an automatic transmission has not been shifted to the park position can allow the vehicle to roll away, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA 10V364000 Owner letter (PDF)Issued Aug 5, 2010.

2003 Honda Element Warranty Extensions and Programs

Honda has one warranty extension and five customer support programs for the 2003 Honda Element, separate from its recalls. All six are for problems with the airbags. Three have ended. Whether one applies to a car depends on its VIN, which a Honda dealer can check.

Warranty extensionHonda 06-009
Passenger airbag sensor (airbag warning light stays on)
The problem:
The passenger airbag sensor can fail and keep the airbag warning light on.
The fix:
A Honda dealer repairs the passenger airbag sensor and its control unit for free.
Who qualifies:
The airbag warning light must be on with a listed fault. Other airbag faults are not covered. Cars with a salvage or branded title are not covered. The VIN must show as eligible.
Coverage:
10 years or 150,000 miles, whichever comes first.
Honda's bulletin (PDF)
Customer support programHonda 20-009
Driver's airbag inflator
The problem:
The driver's airbag inflator can be faulty, and the airbag warning light comes on.
The fix:
A Honda dealer replaces the driver's airbag inflator for free.
Who qualifies:
The airbag warning light must be on. A Honda dealer test must show the inflator is faulty. Only replacement inflators that fail later are covered. Open inflator recalls must be done first. Salvage or branded titles are not covered.
Coverage:
Covered until January 31, 2030.
Another program for the same problem, Honda 18-046, has ended.
Honda's bulletin (PDF)
Customer support programHonda 20-014
Front passenger's airbag inflator
The problem:
The front passenger's airbag inflator can be faulty, and the airbag warning light comes on.
The fix:
A Honda dealer replaces the front passenger's airbag inflator for free.
Who qualifies:
The airbag warning light must be on. A Honda dealer test must show the inflator is faulty. Only replacement inflators that fail later are covered. Open inflator recalls must be done first. Salvage or branded titles are not covered.
Coverage:
Covered until January 31, 2030.
Other programs for the same problem, Honda 18-049 and 18-051, have ended.
Honda's bulletin (PDF)

2003 Honda Element NHTSA Investigations

NHTSA has opened four investigations that cover the 2003 Honda Element. Two are still open and two led to a recall.

Ignition interlock lever deforming in 2003 Accords
Led to a recall
NHTSA's engineering analysis covered 2003 Accords with automatic transmissions. The ignition switch interlock lever could deform. The key could then come out when the car was not in Park, so it might roll away. Honda recalled about 551,498 vehicles under recall 10V-364, including 2003 Civics and 2003-2004 Elements. NHTSA closed the case in October 2010.
NHTSA EA09001 Opening report (PDF)Closing report (PDF)Jan 5, 2009 to Oct 14, 2010
Takata air bag inflators rupturing, mostly in humid areas
Led to a recall
NHTSA's preliminary evaluation began in June 2014 after six Takata air bag inflator ruptures. It covered Honda Accord, Civic, CR-V, Odyssey and Pilot models from 2001 to 2007, among others. All 10 makers started regional recalls within about two weeks. NHTSA asked them to widen the recalls. It closed in March 2015 and moved to engineering analysis EA15-001.
NHTSA PE14016 Opening report (PDF)Closing report (PDF)Jun 11, 2014 to Mar 2, 2015
Takata air bag inflator ruptures across all makers
Still open
NHTSA's engineering analysis, opened in February 2015, covers Takata air bag inflators that can rupture. It includes Honda Accord, Civic, CR-V, Odyssey and Pilot models from 2001 to 2007, among others. NHTSA is studying the root cause, the affected vehicles and whether repairs are adequate. The record links 194 recall campaigns to it. It is still open.
NHTSA EA15001 Opening report (PDF)Open since Feb 24, 2015
Rupture risk in Takata inflators with a desiccant
Still open
NHTSA's engineering analysis, opened in September 2021, asks whether Takata inflators with a moisture-trapping desiccant could degrade and rupture over time. They are not yet recalled. It covers Honda Accord, Civic, CR-V, Odyssey and Pilot models from 2001 to 2015, among others. No field ruptures have been reported in them. The case is still open.
NHTSA EA21002 Opening report (PDF)Open since Sep 17, 2021

NHTSA Crash Test Ratings

NHTSA gave the 2003 Element no overall, frontal or side rating. It did rate each seat in those tests and lists the seat ratings under Rating Breakdown on its page. We show them the same way below. These tests are from before 2011, so the stars are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and newer models. See the 2003 Element ratings on NHTSA.gov.

4-door

OverallNot rated

Frontal crashNot rated

Driver seat5/5

Passenger seat5/5

Side crashNot rated

Front seat5/5

Rear seat4/5

Rollover3/5

Check Before You Buy

A checklist for the 2003 Element, from its ten recalls, a Honda warranty extension that may still apply and the problems owners report most.

Confirm the Recalls Were Done

Ask the seller for proof that each of these recalls was repaired.

Driver Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode, June 2019 NHTSA 19V499000
Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode NHTSA 19V501000
Driver Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode, March 2019 NHTSA 19V182000
Improperly Installed Passenger Air Bag NHTSA 18V268000
Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture NHTSA 16V344000
Look up the VIN at NHTSA to see all 10 recalls and which are still open.

Ask a Honda Dealer

Ask whether this warranty extension applies to this VIN, and whether the work was done.

06-009: passenger airbag sensor (airbag warning light stays on)

On the Test Drive

Lock and unlock every door with the key fob, the switch and the key.
Confirm every airbag recall on this VIN has been repaired before you buy.

Ask the Seller

Ask whether any of these were ever repaired, and ask to see the receipts.

Windshield
Door latch or lock
Ignition or push-button start
Also ask for the service records, especially oil changes.

Before You Pay

Get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a mechanic you choose.
Decode the VIN to confirm the model year, engine and trim.
Check the title for salvage, flood or rebuilt branding.

What to do next

All Element Years →Best years and years to avoid, side by side.Compare With Other Years →Put up to four model years side by side.Find Warranty Extensions →Repairs Honda may still cover for this year.Decode a VIN →Confirm the exact year, engine and trim of a car.