2003 Honda Element Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 1%of 423 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 16,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the steering of the 2003 Honda Element, 1% of the 423 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 16,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, 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 was driving west on va. State route 33 when I noticed a small deer in the road. As I manuvered to avoid the deer, the car went completetly out of control. Car struck embankment and rolled over. Car landed right side up. All rear windows broken out.vehicle is total lost. I have had to avoid deer in two other vehicles and never had this problem. If this is a characteristic of car, drivers need to be notifed.”
NHTSA complaint #10081279, filed 2004-07, 9,800 miles“Tumblers in ignition becomes mal aligned, key will not insert or turn, engine will not start. This is not part of the current active recall on the ignition system. I have replaced the ignition lock cylinder twice in 3 years. It is a common occurrence, ask any one who drives a 2003 Element, they've replaced this part too. Honda only warranties the part for one year.”
NHTSA complaint #10423145, filed 2011-09, 80,000 miles“The rear trailing arm of the car came off while driving. The part of the frame where the suspension connects rusted through. I looked up related cases and it seams that there is a recall only in Canada and not in the US. This is dangerous and almost sent me off the road with no warning. Everything else on the car works wonderfully and the car rand and drove great until this happened.”
NHTSA complaint #11426047, filed 2021-07“2003 Honda Element, front window cracked under the seal up on the right hand passenger side. Popping noise in steering column developed after approx 15k miles. Power steering rod replaced in aug 04. Returned to dealer in september. Was told they were unable to duplicate; however, service technician was able to hear it and said it sounded as if the airbag spring were loose. Was not fixed, report claimed that they were unable to duplicate. Returned to dealer the following week. Had two service technicians ride in the vehicle, they both heard the noise and replaced a turn signal switch. …”
NHTSA complaint #10100040, filed 2004-11, 16,000 miles“Traveling west on residential road at aprox. 15 MPH. Was struck in rear passenger panel by a 4 door sedan who was stopped on road to the north waiting to turn east. My Honda Element skid until facing north and proceded to roll and slide on drivers side, became airborn landed on passenger front roof corner, then onto passenger side and comming to a rest in the upright position. I was driving. Two year old son in car seat behind me. Seven year old daughter in rear passanger seat. All buckled safely. Injuries consist of soft tissue/connective tissue damage thus far. …”
NHTSA complaint #10074977, filed 2004-06Steering: other model years
Other parts of the 2003 Honda Element
226 complaintsAir bags
49 complaintsElectrical system
35 complaintsBody and structure
32 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
27 complaintsSuspension
25 complaintsOther or unknown
16 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
12 complaintsBrakes
11 complaintsExterior lighting
6 complaintsSeats
6 complaintsVehicle speed control
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