2004 Honda Element Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 18about this part
- Share
- 6%of 281 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 90,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 18 complaints about the electrical system of the 2004 Honda Element, 6% of the 281 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 90,000 miles. 2 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The horn on my 2004 Honda Element does not work properly anymore, this is a safety issue. I did research and found that many Honda Element owner have been having problems with the horn in there car and have had to replace the system, it seems that the horn stops working after 36, 000 miles.”
NHTSA complaint #10178844, filed 2007-01, 42,500 miles“The headlight switch connector overheated and melted at its terminal with the headlight switch resulting in the random failure of my headlights while driving at night. After searching more about this particular issue, I found that the same issue resulted in a recall of the part in 2001/2002 Honda civics (export service bulletin 04-015, april 2004). The solution, replace the combination light switch, the red/wht wire in the headlight wire harness and, if needed, the 16p headlight wire harness connector. I verified that it is the same red/wht wire that overheated in the connector. …”
NHTSA complaint #10950143, filed 2017-02, 248,000 miles“The car shut down while driving and came to an instant stop. The first time this happened the vehicle shut down completely while pulling into a business. Thankfully there was no one behind me. It has been maybe a year from the first incident and now the car will flash off and on within a nano second while driving at different speeds and also while coming to a stop and turning corners. The headlights also dim at different times while driving. This is very scary and will eventually cause an accident. I will be making an appointment with the local dealer asap. …”
NHTSA complaint #10661522, filed 2014-12, 101,000 miles“While driving or out of park position ignition key can be removed.also while in park eith switch in on podsition the ignition key can be removed. I have had ignition switch fixed twice within a 6 month period. First time occurred september 9 , 2019 other time was march,2020.”
NHTSA complaint #11340295, filed 2020-07, 268,000 miles“Cracked windshield on the passenger side, broken driver's side visor and a horn that has one broken pitch, leaving the pitch very low, almost not noticeable. It has been that way for a year, but did not find this site until now. Too expensive to repair.”
NHTSA complaint #10203990, filed 2007-09, 30,000 milesRelated recalls
- 10V364000Aug 5, 2010Honda is recalling certain model year 2003 honda accord, civic two and four door, and model year 2003-2004 honda element vehicles. The interlock lever of the…Covers: Honda Element 2003–2004, Civic 2003, Accord 2003
Related service bulletins
- 10037384Aug 4, 2010Honda: the ignition lock becomes worn and allows the key to be removed in positions other than park. This could cause the vehicle to roll if it's not in park.
- 10032953May 9, 2008Honda: warranty extension-vehicle warranty mileage. Class action lawsuit alleging that the odometers on certain 2002-2006 honda models were overstating mileage. Federal court…
- 10017428Dec 14, 2005Headlights dim or diagnostic trouble code p1298 is stored in the ecm/pcm.
- 10018021Jul 1, 2005Speedometer shops can transfer odometer mileage. Honda service news.
- 10018176Jun 16, 2005Alternator condition ( no or low output).
- 10016355Apr 16, 2005No or low alternator output - dealer visit request.
- 10016353Apr 16, 2005Transferring odometer mileage at odometer r&r.
- 10015291Feb 16, 2005Diagnostic trouble code (dtc) p2646, p2647, p2649 or p1009.
- 10014746Jan 16, 2005BANK 1 TOO LEAN.
- 10018089Dec 16, 2004Alternator condition (no or low output) dealer visit request.
Electrical system: other model years
Other parts of the 2004 Honda Element
107 complaintsAir bags
73 complaintsSeats
26 complaintsSuspension
16 complaintsSeat belts
15 complaintsBody and structure
13 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
10 complaintsOther or unknown
6 complaintsSteering
6 complaintsVehicle speed control
6 complaintsBrakes
5 complaintsTires
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 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