Problems with 2003 Honda Element VISIBILITY

The consumer stated the windshield was begining to crack. the cause had not been determined. please provide additional information. *jb windshield cracked for no apparent reason while the vehicle was parked. *eh *jb

Windshield cracked at lower left corner while parked in the garage; no sign of any impact; crack originating from outside to inside. *ak

Cracked windshield initiating below trim starting in the passenger side of the car with no cause. *ak

The first crack came on the drivers side lower part of w/shield starting by the cowl vent panel and the crack went to the lt. the second crack came while driving down the road, i heard some cracking noises and then the crack appeared and did the same thing but the crack went to the right side. *ak

After only 10,000 miles of normal use, my windshield has accumulated 2 or 3 dings and one crack that is now 2 feet long. i use the car for normal travel within seattle, and on wa highways and expressways. the cracks have all occurred while travelling on the expressway. i believe this to be the result of a flaw, because my previous car was used in the same manner, in the same area, (seattle wa) for 130,000 miles, and only had one or two dings and no cracks. i suspect that it is a result of the window being angled too perpendicular to the travel of rocks and gravel thrown up by other vehicles, or defective glass.

1) no event, went to car in morning and cracks were already there. 2) windshield cracked in three places starting in lower left side of windshield. 3) contacted american honda, waiting for reply. *nm

I've had my 2003 honda element for slightly less than a year. it was sitting in my garage for about 3 days over the 2004 christmas weekend. upon getting in my car to go somewhere i noticed a crack about 8 inches in length going down toward the passenger side corner of the windshield. i know this was not there the last time i drove it since it was so big and so obvious. it had apparently just cracked while sitting in the garage. anyway, over the next day the cracked started to curve off to the side of the windshield. contacted my dealer and dropped it off for them to check out. i explained to them that i had read about many other issues with the windshields. they checked it out and said they will replace it under warranty. *ak

Stress fracture in windshield that started from the lower driver side and stretches across about 24" to 36". *nm

My 2003 honda element windshield cracked. i have herd some about that in past. when i went to a honda dealer they declined replacement of the windshield. stating there is no recalls on it. however i did found out some information on www.hondaelementscrack.com there was a service bulletin on this problem.

While the vehicle was parked consumer noticed that the windshield was cracked. vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that windshield needed to be replaced. *ak.....crack grew from the bottom moulding while the vehicle was parked. there was no impact point. there have been numerous reports of cracks eminating from the exact same spot. *ak

Car was parked in driveway thursday evening at 4pm. at 6 am the following morning crack had appeared during the night in the lower windshield drivers side. crack went vertical for appox. 3 inches. then went horizontal toward passanger side appox. 6 inches. by friday evening crack had lenghtend and dropped down to center of windshield.dealer said too bad must have been a rock. plan to keep windshield as evedence when it is replaced. odometer has 14k miles.*ak

My windshield cracked in the lower right corner for no reason. i replaced it after only 3 months of owning my car. after another 4 months my second windshield cracked in the same exact spot. i brought it to honda both times and they basically told me that there was nothing that they could do about it. i have owned cars before and i never had this happen. two windshields in one year! honda has not been a help at all, and according to a lot of web sites for honda elements, this is a huge problem for all element owners.*ak

2003 element deveoped a crack in the widshield starting at the edge of the glass in the center of the windshield and spreading across the glass. i took it to my dealer, and they refused to take any responsibility and kept trying to tell me that it was caused by a stone chip. they pointed out a tiny one the size of a pin head midway down the crack. when i asked how the crack managed to start at the edge of the winshield and meet the chip, they just kept saying that it was caused by the chip and they didn't want to have anything else to do with it. they had no interest at all in resolving what appears to be a serious defect.*ak

Defective windshield. cracked for no apparent reason.*ak

Windsheild developed crack overnight. the vehicle was not even driven in 5 days prior to appearance of the crack. the crack appeared to start from the lower edge of the driver's side corner and snaked up to about 10 inches. *ak

My 2003 honda element sustained a cracked front windshield without anything contacting it. this is the second time this has happened since i purchased the car new from the dealer iin january of 2004. the honda dealer repaired the first cracked window gratis in march of 2004. i brouight the car into the dealer on monday oct. 25. the district service manager put a pen down the crack which started from the bottom of the window and told me again that something hit the window and it was my responsibility to fix it this time because they fixed the first one. *ak

(1) normal everyday driving; (2) cracked windsheild, originating lower corner passenger side, curving up and to middle, (3) plan to take to dealer soon. *ak

While the vehicle was parked, the driver noticed that the windshield was cracked. the vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection. the mechanic informed the driver that the windshield needed to be replaced. *nm spontaneous crack occurred in windshield right lower side . then a spontaneous crack occurred in left lower windshield . there was no evidence of rock or other object striking windshield. *bf *nm

2003 honda element with a windshield that has starting cracking for no reason and it is starting to travel into my driving view. there is a major defect with these windshields. *ak

Windshield cracked. the cause had not been determined. *ak the consumer stated that the windsheild continued to crack. *tc

Windshield cracked inadvertently. while driving on a deserted rural road windshield cracked. this was the second windshield to crack. it was a mystery as to why this happened.*ak

Front windshield cracked, no collision. crack continued to grow. had to replace on my own expense.*ak

This is the 3rd cracked windshield for my 2003 honda element. none of the cracks were caused by anything hitting the windshield, they just appeared and all in the same place. the cracks have been located on the passenger side, beginning where the windshield meets the body of the vehicle, go straight up about 6 inches and then hook to the right (as you face the vehicle). the first and third cracked windshields the dealer wouldl not replace because there is a small pit the size of a pin head towards the bottom of the crack (although nothing struck the windshield) but the 2nd one they did replace because the pit did not appear. they called it a "stress crack". the dates of the windshield replacements are 12/3/03, 7/15/04, and 9/14/04. *ak

The windshield on my 2003 honda element is breaking for no apparent reason. t appears that there is a developing history of this problem with this particular model. see link below, california class action suit. *ak http://www.autosafety.org/article.php?did=950&scid=90

Windshield cracked as has occurred on thousands of honda elements, service manager is biligerent and insists it is a stone chip even though there is a service bulletin issued regarding this and thousands of people online complaining!*ak

1) driving my 2003 honda element on the highway 2) windshield cracked; this is the 4th replacement on that windshield in 1 year; 3) windshield will be replaced. *ak

Windshield:tiny impact crack located right above the wiper blade on passenger side that has spread about 24" to the edge of the windshield caused by the slightest impact of a tiny pebble traveling ~45 mph on 880 north in fremont ,california during rush hour morning traffic. tiny chip would not have spread if there wasn't so much stress placed on the windshield by the "uneven windshield flange surface" that is stated in honda service bulletin 03-028 which my vin falls within. honda dealership will not replace the windshield because the they said the impact started the crack. i contacted honda customer service directly as stated in the warranty manual and they said they could do nothing based on the dealership findings. i mentioned several times to the dealership and honda customer service that the windshield design is weak and flawed but both the dealership and honda cs did not even think that was the cause of the problem. there is a presistant problem with 2003 honda element windshields such as http://www.autosafety.org/article.php?did=956&scid=103. there is a class action suit (bc319600) that was filed in la, ca: http://www.hondaelementscrack.com/. *jb

While driving a rock from the street hit the windshield, causing a crack three to four inches in diameter. consumer drove the vehicle to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the rock was the cause of the problem. consumer informed the mechanic that this problem occurred less than a year ago, and problem recurred.*ak

While driving on hwy 1, no traffic anywhere, windshield on my 2003 honda element with 8000 plus miles on it cracked from under the windshield wiper on the driver's side up about 5 inches. car has a bug/rock shield on it. no visible mark on windshield just this crack inside the glass. dealer refuses to fix. entire windshield needs to be replaced cannot just repair. i am in my sixties and have owned lots of cars. had many things hit other windshields, never replaced a whole windshield before and never when no traffic around or anything to cause crack except what i believe is a defective windshield, design or something inherent in the car. honda should come forward and admit there is a problem with its windshield and the stress that is placed on it causing it to be unfit for the purpose for which it was intended. we have a high deductible so must absorb the cost ourselves. if the next windshield fails and the one after that goodbye any tax refunds or anything else that is supposed to help consumers. please open an investigation on this matter. i just learned we are not alone. many other people have had the same problem in the same unusual way. the crack is in the glass and not caused by an external event. it sure looks like a defect in the vehicle. please help. thank you.*ak

Front windshield was cracked. dealer stated that a rock cracked the windshield. consumer stated that he found lots of complaints on the web pertaining to this defect.*ak

There is a ten inch crack going across the front windshield. dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. *ak

i was driving out of the seatac airport, i had heard my dash creaking on and off for a while and just figured it was one of those things, however this time after the creak i noticed a very small hairline crack the crack came on the drivers side lower part of w/shield starting by the cowl vent panel and the crack went to the lt. after the crack appeared the creaking stopped for a while, now it has started again. i could not afford a new windshield, and after reading all the complaints -http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4189&page=5&pp=10 honda element owners club > honda element > *problems & issues reload this page windshield issues- i was not expecting much help from the dealer. i will call theealer today and request a replacement windshield and take copies of yopur reports. *nm

Cracked windshield on honda element, it started last summer at edge of windshield and has progressively gone straight across the windshield to point where it now needs to be replaced. there is a recall but because my vin # does not match the recall honda will not necessarily cover. the dealership is charging $85.00 just check to see if they will cover. there are numerous complaints of honda element windshields cracking. i have lived in ak for over 20 years and have never had to replace a windshield before. *nm

Cracked windshield. dealership unwilling to help.*ak

Cracked windshield, driver did not hear/see anything hit windshield, crack is below wiper blade, many other drivers of honda element 2003 have similar cracked windshield stories. *ak

2003 honda element, front window cracked under the seal up on the right hand passenger side. popping noise in steering column developed after approx 15k miles. power steering rod replaced in aug 04. returned to dealer in september. was told they were unable to duplicate; however, service technician was able to hear it and said it sounded as if the airbag spring were loose. was not fixed, report claimed that they were unable to duplicate. returned to dealer the following week. had two service technicians ride in the vehicle, they both heard the noise and replaced a turn signal switch. popping noise is still present. there is a clicking noise when the steering wheel turns in either direction and at times even when driving in a straight line!*ak

I purchased my car in august 2003, and this honda element windshield crack occurred in august of 2004 from no obvious reasons such as something hitting my windshield. i was having other issues with the element and i asked my honda advisor about the crack and she told me that honda would not replace the windshield and that it would be out of pocket for me. now i have found a honda service bulletin from may 6, 2003 concerning the windshield and it was to be replaced. my car is 118,000 miles now and i am so livid that my honda advisor refused to fix this crack which has grown to more than 4 inches. please help. *jb

Windshield creaking repaired per honda tsb 03-028 maintenance bulletin. 2 bulls-eye chips repaired, but were soon followed by 3 more in 4 months time. all were from small pebbles. today, a small pebble hit the edge of the window which grew to 8-10 inches over the course of the day. replacement estimates range from $550 - $800, but i don't want another honda windshield if it's predisposed to cracking. *jb

My 2003 honda element windshield has been broken 3 times. it was hit by rocks all 3 times. i watched the 2nd crack splinter up the windshield as i drove to the dealer. it was not covered by the warranty and had to pay $400 to replace. i'm 52 and have had many, many cars and haven't had 3 broken windshields in the lot. i feel there is a design flaw or sub-standard glass is used. *nm

2003 honda element cracked windshield. same as many other owners. definite design defect, honda must be held accountable for this expensive, troubling and potentially dangerous situation they created. they just blow off most consumers saying "rock hit it." however, most cracks are in same spots and no star burst evidencing a rock impact. way too many complaints to chalk up to road debris impact. don't just sit on your duffs and do nothing. you have over 100 complaints about this on a new vehicle that has only been on the road for less than 2 years. statistically that is huge. so, don't just ignore this, sit back and do the typical government thing, worry about your time off, sick days, and do the beurocratic ignorance dance. come down on honda with all your muscle and protect the comsumer who has no power against this hugely profitable goliath.*ak

Crack appered on the windshield, beginning at the bottom of the windshield, below the wiper blade.

Windshield cracked. the crack is not impact related. honda refused to do anything about it.*ak

2003 honda element windshield cracked for no apparent reason. the crack is about 7 inches long coming up from the lower corner on the passenger side front windshield and curving to the side. the dealership tried to tell me that a rock had to have hit the windshield because "these windshields don't crack." they said that there was a place where the rock hit just below the windshield wiper that, while you can't see it, you can feel if your run a pen along the crack. the dealership service dept (that i've had a prior bad experience with) said the warranty wouldn't cover it but my insurance should. i learned via the internet that honda has a service bulletin out on this problem. i purchased a full extended warrantee, and honda should be fixing this problem.*ak

2003 honda element experience a second windshield failure at ~15000 miles. first failure was reported under complaint 10078841. similar to the first failure, the dealer identified a small rock strike and denied coverage under the vehicle warranty. the crack is 12 inches long, running diagonally from the passenger side upper corner toward the driver side corner. the fragility of the windshield in the honda element is unusual and abnormal. honda motor co. is in denial and is costing consumers and insurance companies. in 30 yrs of driving i have never experienced windshield failures like this. the body of this vehicle is quite flexible. warranty work has been required on the body to eliminate squeaks caused by a rubbing at a welded seam under the windshield cowling. the dealer spread the seam (between each weld point) with a screwdriver and filled the cavity with a flexible compound. the squeaks stopped, but, there appears to be a bigger problem. is this windshield going to withstand airbag deployment and keep the bag in the vehicle to cushion occupants? considering the large number of complaints seen in forums, honda motor co. needs to come out of denial and start addressing the design flaw in this vehicle that causes windshields to fracture under normal use. *jb

During the first 10 months of ownership, the windshield on my honda element 2003 (purchased new on 8/28/03)) has been pitted three times and has beginning n 6/17/04 developed a hairline crack beginning onthe passenger side and extending fifteen inches towards the driver's side. as of 7/2/04, i have made contact witrh the dealer (baron honda in patchogue, ny) and american honda motors by phone and certified mail. the condition is still being disputed by the manufacturer as to whether or not the warranty applies. *ak

My 2003 honda element has been victim of 2 cracked windshields within the time period of 1 year. the first crack occurred without any contributing force. the second crack occurred 2 weeks after the first windshield was replaced. a small pebble hit the windshield and instantly cracked the windshield. it seems obvious that there is both a design flaw and lack of quality with honda element windshields.*ak

My 2003 honda element has been in the shop 3 times with regards to the same complaint. the car will not shift out of park. the first time they replaced a internal part and the other times i was told it was just a loose calbe. this has been very frustrating for us. after reading other complaints on this web site i realized that the cracked windshield we have may not have been due to a stone but that the honda element has a defect problem with their windshields. how interesting that they do not respond to the consumer! everyone should continue to write in about their problems.*ak

1) under normal driving windshield in vehicle cracked..impact questionable...looks stress related 2) caused visibility problem while driving 3) honda has not offered to remedy the problem as of yet. *jb

1.small pebblew hit windshield 2.windshield mostly chips, except for chips at edge of windshield which cracks propergate quickly. 3.windshield was replaced. *ak

While attending a conference last may, my honda element was parked in a public garage. when i retrieved it there was a crack starting from the bottom center edge. over the next two days it continued to crack vertically and then horizonally across in front the the driver's side. i had the window replaced by a windhsield repair shop that is used by my honda dealer. my insurance paid for it as the dealer said it was not covered under warranty.*ak