2004 Honda Element Seats Problems
- Complaints
- 26about this part
- Share
- 9%of 281 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 70,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 26 complaints about the seats of the 2004 Honda Element, 9% of the 281 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 70,000 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Purchased vehicle from a dealer about a year ago+. Driver and passenger front seat always rocked slightly and today I was driving came to a traffic light and driver seat unlocked and pushed forward! If there have been a vehicle in front there would have been an accident! Major safety issue! Please help...what would these cost me to repair? How do I proceed?”
NHTSA complaint #10991420, filed 2017-05, 176,694 miles“Driver's seat is rocking on Honda Element 04. I am the first owner of this car. The seat began rocking while still in warranty but it wasn't bad enough to require repair - finally the dealer replaced a bolt 11/02/06. All further info based on repair date because I didn't record original rocking date. …”
NHTSA complaint #10274729, filed 2009-06, 45,351 miles“The front edge of the driver's seat rocks up and down when accelerating and braking. This past week a gold-colored nut rolled out from under the seat, I looked under the seat and it matches the other's that fasten the seat to the slide rails and height adjusting mechanism. The seat now has a bit more rocking motion and the front right corner drops down more, along with a metallic clunking noise, when making right turns and especially if I'm braking at the same time. …”
NHTSA complaint #10523283, filed 2013-07, 175,000 miles“The driver's seat in our '04 Honda Element ex is actually rocking back and forth and sideways! It feels like it is going to come right off the track. This seems like a very dangerous situation, especially if involved in a crash where it might just shear right off. This began within the first 6 months of owning the car and has progressed. We have heard many others complain about this problem, so we know it's not isolated. All the dealerships have told us it would cost us to have it fixed, since there is no recall. This is crazy!”
NHTSA complaint #10175453, filed 2006-12, 7,000 miles“Driver's seat rocks forward and backward while driving - braking rocks forward - accelerating rocks backward. Was rear-ended two days ago and realized that the seat or head restrant would not provide support to prevent injury.”
NHTSA complaint #10819093, filed 2016-01, 160,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10019417Dec 21, 2005Front seat-back makes a squeaking, chafing, or rubbing noise.
Seats: other model years
Other parts of the 2004 Honda Element
107 complaintsAir bags
73 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 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 28, 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