2004 Honda Element Reliability Report

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

Caution

Ranks 8th of 9 Element years we score.

Owner complaints: 281; 18 are recall notices
Per 10,000 cars: 46.6; 56,402 made for the U.S.
Vs the average car: 1.1×; same age, 1× is average
Serious outcomes: 53; crash, fire, injury, stall or tow
Recalls: 9
NHTSA crash rating: Not rated; no overall rating before 2011

← 2003 Element 2005 Element →

Should You Buy the 2004 Honda Element?

Only after careful checks. Our reliability score for the 2004 Honda Element is 67 out of 100, which rates Caution. Owners reported about as many problems as for the average car of the same age. It ranks 8th of the 9 Element years we score.

The most reported problem is the windshield, mostly shattering or cracking (98 of 281 complaints). Owners also complain about seats and airbag warning lights. 53 of the 281 complaints describe a serious outcome, such as a crash, a fire, an injury or stalling while driving.

It has 9 recalls. For comparison, the 2003 scores 66 and the 2005 scores 70.

Before you buy, check that the recalls were done and get an independent inspection. The full checklist is at the end of this page.

Pros

No do-not-drive or park-outside recalls

Cons

Windshield: shattering or cracking98 complaints
Seats: parts breaking or coming apart27 complaints
Airbag warning light22 complaints

How the 2004 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 problems53 complaints · average car: about 68	0.78×	−15
Everyday problems210 complaints · average car: about 109	1.9×	−10
Problems in the last two years3 complaints · average car: about 0.5	Not counted	–
Recalls9 recalls · average car: about 3.2	2.1×	−8
Score		67

The last two years are not counted for the 2004 Element. Honda made 56,402 of them, and at this age an average car made in that number would get only about 1.0 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 281 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2004 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 281.

Windshield: shattering or cracking
98 complaints (35%)
Shattering or cracking, damage and a failure that needed a new part. In 21 complaints, the problem came back after a repair. Median mileage when it started: about 8,000 miles.
Seats: parts breaking or coming apart
27 complaints (10%)
Parts breaking or coming apart, early wear and damage. In 3 complaints, the problem came back after a repair. Median mileage when it started: about 69,000 miles.
Airbag warning light
22 complaints (8%)
Warning lights and a failure. In 3 complaints, the problem came back after a repair. Median mileage when it started: about 110,000 miles.
Frame or structure: rust or corrosion
14 complaints (5%)
Rust or corrosion and parts breaking or coming apart. 4 of these 14 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often loss of steering control.
Frontal airbags: deployment with no crash
12 complaints (4%)
Deployment with no crash and no deployment in a crash. 5 of these 12 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often an airbag problem. Median mileage when it started: about 70,000 miles.
Seat belts failure
12 complaints (4%)
A failure, sticking or stiffness and not closing or latching. 4 of these 12 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often an injury. Median mileage when it started: about 100,000 miles.
Side or curtain airbags: deployment with no crash
11 complaints (4%)
Deployment with no crash. 3 of these 11 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often an airbag problem. Median mileage when it started: about 140,000 miles.
Airbags: no deployment in a crash
8 complaints (3%)
No deployment in a crash and deployment with no crash. 2 of these 8 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often an airbag problem. Median mileage when it started: about 108,000 miles.
Ignition or push-button start: sticking or stiffness
7 complaints (2%)
Sticking or stiffness and a failure. 5 of these 7 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often a car that would not start. Median mileage when it started: about 134,000 miles.
Ball joints and control arms: parts breaking or coming apart
4 complaints (1%)
Parts breaking or coming apart, a failure that needed a new part and rust or corrosion. 2 of these 4 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often a tow.
Brakes: early wear
4 complaints (1%)
Early wear, unusual noises and sticking or stiffness. In 3 complaints, the problem came back after a repair. Median mileage when it started: about 49,000 miles.
Headlights: stopped working
4 complaints (1%)
A feature that stopped working and problems that come and go. 1 of these 4 complaints describes a serious outcome: loss of visibility. Median mileage when it started: about 200,000 miles.
Horn: stopped working
3 complaints (1%)
A feature that stopped working, problems that come and go and damage. Median mileage when it started: about 42,000 miles.
Noise (cause not stated)
3 complaints (1%)
Unusual noises.
Fire (cause not stated)
3 complaints (1%)
A fire. All 3 describe a serious outcome, most often a fire.

Show 11 more problems

Tires: damage
3 complaints (1%)
Damage, unusual noises and early wear.
Transmission: failure or loss of drive
3 complaints (1%)
Failure or loss of drive, a leak and unusual noises. 2 of these 3 complaints describe a serious outcome.
Shifter or park: sticking or stiffness
3 complaints (1%)
Sticking or stiffness and the car rolling away. 1 of these 3 complaints describes a serious outcome. Median mileage when it started: about 154,000 miles.
Door latches: not opening or unlocking
2 complaints (under 1%)
Not opening or unlocking.
Engine: a loss of power
2 complaints (under 1%)
A loss of power and stalling. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome: stalling or losing power while driving.
Fuel leak
2 complaints (under 1%)
A leak.
Heater failure
2 complaints (under 1%)
A failure.
Power windows or regulator: stopped working
2 complaints (under 1%)
A feature that stopped working.
Steering: locking up
2 complaints (under 1%)
Locking up and parts breaking or coming apart. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome: loss of steering control.
Struts or shocks: parts breaking or coming apart
2 complaints (under 1%)
Parts breaking or coming apart and early wear. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome: a crash.
Unintended acceleration (cause not stated)
2 complaints (under 1%)
Sudden acceleration. Both describe a serious outcome, most often sudden acceleration or braking.

Reported Once (26)

Show the 26 problems reported once

A/C: stopped working
A/C compressor failure
ABS failure
AWD or rear differential: unusual noises
Control arm bushings failure
CV axles failure
Engine oil leak
Interior trim: parts breaking or coming apart
Loss of power (cause not stated)
Passenger airbag sensor: warning lights
Oil drain plug: parts breaking or coming apart
Accelerator pedal: sticking or stiffness
Clock spring or cable reel failure
Courtesy lights: stopped working
Cruise control: stopped working
Electrical system (part not stated): works on and off
Impact sensor failure
Sun visor: parts breaking or coming apart
Suspension (part not stated): unusual noises
Suspension bar: shattering or cracking
Tire valve failure
Under carriage brushes failure
Side window glass: shattering or cracking
Stall (cause not stated)
Car not starting (cause not stated)
Sunroof glass (shattered): shattering or cracking

How the 2004 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 This year	Caution	67	1.1×	46.6	9	Windshield: shattering or cracking
2003	Caution	66	1.2×	52.3	10	Windshield: shattering or cracking

See every Element year

2004 Honda Element Recalls

Nine recalls cover the 2004 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.
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.

Show 3 more recalls

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.

2004 Honda Element Warranty Extensions and Programs

Honda has four customer support programs for the 2004 Honda Element, separate from its recalls. All four are for problems with the airbags. Two have ended. Whether one applies to a car depends on its VIN, which a Honda dealer can check.

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.
Another program for the same problem, Honda 18-051, has ended.
Honda's bulletin (PDF)

2004 Honda Element NHTSA Investigations

NHTSA has opened four investigations that cover the 2004 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 2004 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 2004 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

RolloverNot rated

Check Before You Buy

A checklist for the 2004 Element, from its nine recalls 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 9 recalls and which are still open.

On the Test Drive

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
Seats
Airbag warning lights
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.