2004 Honda Element Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 2%of 281 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 66,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the steering of the 2004 Honda Element, 2% of the 281 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 66,000 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 took my Honda Element to the dealer complaining of a vibration in the right front of the car. I was told that my compliance bushings needed replaced but axles were fine. I picked up my car only to have the same problem. Upon further examination, the mechanic came to the conclusion that the right axle was bad. I had that replaced still have a vibration. I have now been told to replace the left axle. I came upon an interesting thread on a forum stating that Honda held education meetings about the frame causing the axles to wear incorrectly. …”
NHTSA complaint #10392224, filed 2011-03, 68,000 miles“While driving, the vehicle's steering locked. The vehicle's tire valve was faulty and resulted in a flat tire. When the steering locked for the second time, the vehicle shut down. The consumer was able to pull over to the shoulder and the vehicle restarted without incident. The dealer was unable to find any malfunction.”
NHTSA complaint #10092609, filed 2004-09, 6,846 miles“While driving down expressway, steering wheel tilt lock came loose allowing steering wheel to move up & down. After stopping & raising tilt lever to upward position (lock), I continued on and it did it again (lever falling down). Now lever will not remain in up or locked position. Very un-nerving when braking or turning. Awaiting return call from out of town Honda dealer. Local Honda dealer said they wanted $90.00 up front as a diagnostic fee before they would even look at it........”
NHTSA complaint #10321643, filed 2010-03, 75,830 miles“Air bags and cruise control stopped working. Air bags is a safety issue and brought to dealer. Cable reel assembly in steering column was bad. Dealer said I had to pay for new assembly and labor.”
NHTSA complaint #10217432, filed 2008-02, 64,000 miles“Just like the same era's Honda CR-V (the Honda Element's sibling car with many of the same components), the undercarriage rust on my vehicle is excessive: as described in the same era Honda CR-V's NHTSA Recall (23V-228). Large sections of my car’s rear frame are completely missing, and as shown in the photographs even the rear bumper fell off because of all of the rust. Just like with the CR-V, a recall for the rear frame corrosion first occurred in Canada and then in the US: see NHTSA Recall 23V-228’s chronology. …”
NHTSA complaint #11666870, filed 2025-06Steering: 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 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