2003 Honda Element Vehicle speed control Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 1%of 423 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 14,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 2003 Honda Element, 1% of the 423 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 14,000 miles. 1 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.
“Going along highway i90 at 65mph and I decided to engage the cruise control setting on my 2003 Honda Element . When traffic became too congested I decided to shut off the cruise control , only to find out that now I couldn't accelerate. It seems this issue has something to do with a faulty throttle cable . Either way this needs to be fixed immediately .”
NHTSA complaint #11216980, filed 2019-05, 110,000 miles“When engine is cold started(no matter what temp outside), the engine fast idles at about 1500 RPM. When shifted into reverse or drive the engine accelerates to 2500 RPM. Heavy braking and lurching results. Car will reach speed of 20mph. This has been going on for about 6 mos”
NHTSA complaint #10062142, filed 2004-03, 14,000 miles“Car was parked in driveway thursday evening at 4pm. At 6 am the following morning crack had appeared during the night in the lower windshield drivers side. Crack went vertical for appox. 3 inches. Then went horizontal toward passanger side appox. 6 inches. By friday evening crack had lenghtend and dropped down to center of windshield.dealer said too bad must have been a rock. Plan to keep windshield as evedence when it is replaced. Odometer has 14k miles.”
NHTSA complaint #10102886, filed 2004-12, 14,000 miles“The contact owns a 2003 Honda Element. The contact was driving 20 MPH during inclement weather when the vehicle suddenly accelerated. The contact applied the brakes but the brakes did not stop the vehicle. The contact crashed into a tree and flipped the vehicle. No one was injured during the crash. The contact called the manufacturer to make them aware of the crash. The failure mileage was 156,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10445847, filed 2012-01, 156,000 milesVehicle speed control: 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 complaintsSteering
6 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Honda Element
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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