2003 Honda Element Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 226about this part
- Share
- 53%of 423 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 9,200miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 226 complaints about the visibility of the 2003 Honda Element, 53% of the 423 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 9,200 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The windshield on my 2003 Honda Element cracked in the center rising up from the bottom edge. The crash is 18 long approx. The dealer said it was from a rock and not covered. The rock chip is barely visible. It's more like a tiny pit from a piece of sand. I believe the Element has a design flaw which causes cracks from the flexing of the frame or cheap glass.”
NHTSA complaint #10134360, filed 2005-08, 26,065 miles“Windshield cracks very easily. While driving on the freeway (no surrounding traffic) we heard a pop an a crack appeared just to the left of the rearview mirror, originating from the top of the windshield. The crack has now grown to about 6 . Upon further inspection I cannot locate any point of impact. It appears that this is simply a stress crack.”
NHTSA complaint #10060266, filed 2004-03, 13,000 miles“I have had my Element less than 1 year, at 1000 mi I developed a stress crack in the windshield that dealer said was from a rock , but there was no evidence to support it - they did after protest replace it one time. At 10000 mi I now have another crack in almost the same place that seemed to come on with out any impact - we are in the negotiating stages.”
NHTSA complaint #10068158, filed 2004-05, 1,000 miles“Drove vehicle home saturday night no problem. Sunday morning discovered 8 inch crack in windshield originating under driver side windshild wiper and traveling upwards to the left. Dealer claims it is an impact crack not covered under warrenty, but I am sure there was no impact saturday night. I have read on the internet of others having this identical problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10058916, filed 2004-02, 5,980 miles“While sitting in a hospital parking ramp my windshield started cracking and spread until it went from directly in front of the driver at the bottom of the glass up about four inches and across to the passenger side and back down to the bottom of the glass. Between my wife and myself we have owned close to twenty vehicles and never had anything like this happen.”
NHTSA complaint #10056633, filed 2004-02, 11,200 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10115792Dec 11, 2014Service bulletin - Certain Honda vehicles operated in areas known for high absolute humidity may contain a front passenger?s airbag that, over time, may be affected by exposure…
- 10115788Dec 11, 2014Service bulletin - Certain Honda vehicles operated in areas known for high absolute humidity and high heat may contain a front passenger?s airbag that, over time, may be affected…
- 10024564Feb 5, 2008Honda service campaign: see document search button for owner letter. Warranty extension: 2003-04 element windshield. Csc was received.
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 2 | 18% |
| 2010 | 3 | 10% |
| 2009 | 1 | 3% |
| 2008 | 6 | 5% |
| 2007 | 7 | 6% |
| 2006 | 13 | 11% |
| 2005 | 13 | 8% |
| 2004 | 107 | 38% |
| 2003 | 226 | 53% |
Other parts of the 2003 Honda Element
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 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