CarBrief

The 2003 Honda Element has 423 owner complaints on file with NHTSA[1] and 10 recalls[2], most of them about air bag inflators. Check the recall status of any 2003 Element by VIN before you buy or keep one.

423owner complaints[1]
10recalls[2]
20–21MPG combined (EPA)[3]

Most reported problems

NHTSA lists 423 owner complaints for the 2003 Element[1]. Of those, 28 mention a crash, 4 a fire and 23 injuries, and none report a death[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one part.

Component group Complaints
Visibility[4] 226
Air bags[5] 49
Electrical system[6] 35
Structure[7] 32
Latches, locks, linkages[8] 27
Suspension[9] 25
Unknown or other[10] 16
Power train[11] 12

Visibility. This is the biggest group by a wide margin. The median mileage at failure is 9,200[4], so many of these reports come at low mileage. In the sample of complaint texts we read, every one describes a cracked windshield. Owners describe cracks from small stone chips or with no clear impact, repeat replacements, and warranty claims that were turned down[4].

Air bags. Complaints in this group include 10 crashes and 11 injuries[5]. In the sample we read, some owners say the air bags did not deploy in a crash, and more say an air bag went off with no crash at all[5]. Median mileage is 90,000[5].

Electrical system. Owners in our sample describe horns and alarms that stop working, and ignition key trouble, including a key coming out when the car was not in park and the car rolling[6]. That matches the ignition recall below.

Structure. In the sample we read, owners mention windshield cracks and noise, and damage to a bumper, bumper cover or radiator at the front of the car[7].

The power train group is small at 12 complaints[11]. We would not call it a common problem.

Recalls

NHTSA shows 10 recalls for this model year[2]. Nine involve air bags and one involves the ignition[12][13]. Not every recall covers every car. Some depend on where the car was sold or registered, or on build dates, so look up your VIN.

To check your car, call Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138[12] and have your VIN ready.

Fuel economy

EPA rates the 2003 Element at 20 city, 24 highway and 21 combined MPG for the 2WD automatic[3]. The 2WD manual gets 19 city, 24 highway and 21 combined[22]. The 4WD automatic is rated 19 city, 23 highway and 20 combined[23], and the 4WD manual 18 city, 22 highway and 20 combined[24].

EPA estimates annual fuel cost at $3,200 for 2WD[3] and $3,350 for 4WD[23]. That uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new.

Safety ratings

The NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings list a rollover rating of 3 stars for the 2003 Element[25]. Our data has no other star ratings for this model year.

Engine and size

The EPA listings show a 2.4L 4-cylinder engine that runs on regular gas[3][23]. Remove the sentence.

Size figures below are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada and can differ slightly from US models[26][27].

2WD (front-wheel drive) 4WD
Length[27][26] 169 in 169 in
Width[27][26] 72 in 72 in
Height[27][26] 74 in 74 in
Wheelbase[27][26] 102 in 102 in
Curb weight[27][26] 3,384 lb 3,596 lb

How 2003 compares with other years

2003: 423 complaints, 10 recalls42320032004: 281 complaints, 9 recalls20042005: 159 complaints, 7 recalls20052006: 122 complaints, 9 recalls20062007: 112 complaints, 10 recalls20072008: 113 complaints, 12 recalls20082009: 31 complaints, 8 recalls20092010: 30 complaints, 10 recalls20102011: 11 complaints, 10 recalls2011
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Element model year. The 2003 is highlighted[2].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
200342310
20042819
20051597
20061229
200711210
200811312
2009318
20103010
20111110

Among Element model years 2003 to 2011, 2003 has the most complaints on NHTSA file at 423[2]. The next highest is 2004 at 281[2], then 2005 at 159[2]. Later years are lower still, from 122 for 2006 down to 11 for 2011[2].

Recall counts are closer. The 2003 model year has 10 recalls, the same as 2007, 2010 and 2011[2]. The 2008 model year has more, with 12[2]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so read the gap as a rough guide.

Should you buy a used 2003 Element?

Cut to 5 sentences, for example: 'Two things to check. The windshield is by far the most complained about part, and those reports start at low mileage[4], so ask whether the glass has been replaced. Most of the recalls involve air bag inflators, and some depend on region or build date[17][18], so run the VIN and confirm each recall is done, including the ignition interlock one[13]. Fuel economy is 20 to 21 combined MPG, depending on drive[3][23], and the only star rating is 3 stars for rollover[25]. A pre-purchase inspection still matters because this page cannot say how any single car has been kept up.'

Fuel economy is modest at 20 to 21 combined MPG, depending on drive[3][23]. NHTSA's only star rating here is 3 stars for rollover[25]. A car with all recalls completed and a sound windshield is a fairer bet than one with open recalls. This page cannot say how any single car has been kept up, so a pre-purchase inspection still matters.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Honda Element?
Windshield complaints lead, with 226 of 423 complaints in NHTSA's visibility group[1][4]. Air bags follow with 49[5], then electrical system with 35[6].
Does the 2003 Honda Element have recalls?
Yes. NHTSA shows 10 recalls[2]. Nine involve air bag inflators or air bag installation, and one covers the ignition interlock[12][13].
What MPG does a 2003 Honda Element get?
EPA rates the 2WD automatic at 21 combined MPG[3] and the 4WD automatic at 20 combined[23]. Manuals are rated the same combined, 21 for 2WD[22] and 20 for 4WD[24].
Is the 2003 Element the worst Element year for complaints?
It has the most complaints of the Element model years listed, 423 against 281 for 2004[2]. Counts are not adjusted for sales.

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 423 owner complaints on file for the 2003 Honda Element (28 mention a crash, 4 a fire, 23 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Owner complaints and recalls for every Honda Element model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  3. EPA rating for Element 2WD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 24 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  4. 226 complaints name the visibility component group (3 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 9,200). NHTSA vehicle records
  5. 49 complaints name the air bags component group (10 crashes, 1 fires, 11 injuries, median mileage at failure 90,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  6. 35 complaints name the electrical system component group (2 crashes, 1 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 93,679). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 32 complaints name the structure component group (5 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 117,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 27 complaints name the latches/locks/linkages component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 90,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 25 complaints name the suspension component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 174,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 16 complaints name the unknown or other component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 82,650). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 12 complaints name the power train component group (5 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 100,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. Recall 19V499, filed June 27, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  13. Recall 10V364, filed August 5, 2010: Electrical System › Ignition. NHTSA recall database
  14. Recall 19V501, filed June 27, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  15. Recall 19V182, filed March 6, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  16. Recall 18V268, filed April 26, 2018: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  17. Recall 16V344, filed May 23, 2016: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  18. Recall 15V370, filed June 15, 2015: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  19. Recall 15V320, filed May 28, 2015: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  20. Recall 14V700, filed November 4, 2014: Air Bags. NHTSA recall database
  21. Recall 14V353, filed June 20, 2014: Air Bags. NHTSA recall database
  22. EPA rating for Element 2WD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 24 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  23. EPA rating for Element 4WD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 23 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  24. EPA rating for Element 4WD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 22 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  25. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR None: rollover 3 stars. NHTSA vehicle records
  26. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, ELEMENT /Y PACKAGE 4DR SUV 4WD: length 169 in, width 72 in, height 74 in, wheelbase 102 in, curb weight 3,596 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  27. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, ELEMENT/Y PACKAGE 4DR SUV FWD: length 169 in, width 72 in, height 74 in, wheelbase 102 in, curb weight 3,384 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.