2004 Honda Element Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 1%of 281 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 80,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the fuel system of the 2004 Honda Element, 1% of the 281 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 80,000 miles.
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 have a 2004 Honda Element. I noticed for the past two years every time that I fill the tank completely, I smell strong gasoline fumes until I use about 4 or 5 gallons. I failed a chattanooga, tn emissions check. They said that I have a leak in the fuel tank. I noticed the web that others have reported leaks at the top of the fuel tank near the filler cap for the same model year. Can you issue a safety recall? The vehicle is garage kept. The underside of the vehicle is relatively clean, and corrosion does not appear to be a factor that caused the leak near the filler cap.”
NHTSA complaint #10250035, filed 2008-11, 52,650 miles“My wife was coming to a stop at a traffic light. The engine suddenly started accelerating and she pressed the brakes to try to stop it. She eventually put it in park to stop the car, but the engine continued to go to maximum RPM. The car was towed to the Honda dealer where it was still exhibiting the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10461412, filed 2012-06, 110,000 miles“2004 Honda Element: (I have 2 and both have the following exact problems)1. Airbags warning lights indicating problems 2. Drivers seat is loose and rocks 3. Passenger seat causes extreme discomfort to hip and back on long tips (this is occurs with all passengers, young and older) 3. Under carriage brushes failure 4. A/c air compressor failure 5. Straps in back seats pulled out and seat cannot be reclined 6. Engine decelerates without warning. Power cutback during passing makes this very dangerous. 7. Drivers seatbelt buckle is difficult to secure (only 1 car with this problem) 8. …”
NHTSA complaint #10348937, filed 2010-08, 80,000 miles“The fuel filler neck has rusted through. If pumping gas into the vehicle, gasoline runs onto the ground by the rear tire. The rear trailing arm of the suspension has significant rust. I am concerned this suspension part could fail and become unattached to the vehicle frame/body. The Canadian transportation board has ordered a recall to repairs these issues. from Transport Canada: Toronto, Ontario — Honda is recalling all 2003-2011 Element SUVs, warning of rusting rear frames that could result in the complete separation of the rear trailing arm.”
NHTSA complaint #11539053, filed 2023-08Related service bulletins
- 10015277Feb 1, 2005Checking the short-term fuel trim when a diagnostic trouble code (dtc) p0171 is set.
Fuel system: other model years
Other parts of the 2004 Honda Element
107 complaintsAir bags
73 complaintsSeats
26 complaintsElectrical system
18 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 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 Honda Element
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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