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EnginePart report

2003 Honda Element Engine Problems

Complaints
5about this part
Share
1%of 423 total for the year
Median mileage
131,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the engine of the 2003 Honda Element, 1% of the 423 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 131,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“I stopped to check my mail and turned off my vehicle to use the mail box key and when I tried to start my car again, it would not start. All I got was a buzzing noise from under the steering column. Prior to this incident over the last week there were times my car would not start. I would make several attempts and it would finally start. The battery and starter were checked and in working condition.”

NHTSA complaint #10622402, filed 2014-08, 144,000 miles

“I was traveling north on nc hwy 12 on my way to work, alone, and I rear ended another vehicle traveling between 35-40 MPH, when I glanced down to scratch my leg and when I glanced back down, the car in front of me was at a dead stop and I rear ended it. My passenger airbag deployed, however I had no passenger with me, my drivers side airbag failed. Luckily I was wearing my seatbelt and only received minor injuries.”

NHTSA complaint #10560672, filed 2014-01, 131,000 miles

“Excessive vibration where you can see the stick shift shimmy and shake. Both driver and passenger can feel car vibrating like it has a bad wheel alignment but wheels have brand new tires and are aligned. Mechanic says it seems to be a broken motor mount. I have read on several Honda and Honda Element community forums reporting that motor mounts break with low mileage. I believe this is a defect.”

NHTSA complaint #10470408, filed 2012-08, 65,000 miles

“The contact owns a 2003 Honda Element. While driving 45 MPH, the engine warning light illuminated and the vehicle lost power. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 227,590. The VIN was unavailable.”

NHTSA complaint #10789151, filed 2015-11, 227,590 miles

“The contact owned a 2003 Honda Element. While driving 30 MPH, the check engine light illuminated. The contact heard a loud pop and black smoke emitted through all of the vents inside the vehicle. The brakes became inoperable and the vehicle ignited into flames. The contact was able to escape the vehicle without injuries. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 124,000.”

NHTSA complaint #10731796, filed 2015-07, 124,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2010310%
200811%
200776%
200632%
200543%
200431%
200351%

Other parts of the 2003 Honda Element

Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
226 complaints
Air bags
49 complaints
Electrical system
35 complaints
Body and structure
32 complaints
Latches, locks and linkages
27 complaints
Suspension
25 complaints
Other or unknown
16 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
12 complaints
Brakes
11 complaints
Exterior lighting
6 complaints
Seats
6 complaints
Steering
6 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2003 Honda Element

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology