We have classified the 4 complaints from 2003 Honda Element about SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC into the following categories.
Windshield leaked water, dealership refused to fix. windshield cracked and was cited by police officer for not fixing, dealership refused to fix. upon replacement the repair guys just laughed and said that that glass was seated improperly and asked who had replaced it. i responded that it was the original, they told me not to buy any more hondas. key would no longer work in the driver side door. replaced something at dealership for $800 as well as the driver side window as it stopped moving due to the motor dying at around 60,000 miles. now the keys don't work in the passenger side of vehicle nor does the window. in another incident the vehicle failed to stop after fully depressing the brake when traveling about 5-10 mph and drifting into another vehicle causing moderate damage. honda has not responded to any inquires made by consumer. nor has dealership. i still owe 10,000 dollars on this car, have spent over 3000 in repairs and at this point want to drive it into a tree at a high speed. *kb
Brakes on 2003 honda element. when having my car serviced recently they said my brake pads needed to be replaced because one of the pads had stuck and worn down to the point of slightly damaging the rotor. the brakes were adjusted on a previous service call by another dealership. this service probably occurred around 20,000 miles. the dealership even admitted that for some reason the one stuck after that service had been done. i feel that honda should have paid for this repair as obviously either the technician didn't adjust the brakes properly or the equipment failed to perform properly. *nm
2003 honda element rear brakes are totally shot needing new pads, rotors etc. and honda is blaming "rust buildup," and saying that it is our fault for not servicing the brakes. the brakes have been inspected each time the oil has been changed or tires rotated. honda's contention that the brakes should be "taken apart and cleaned due to "severe conditions" is ridiculous. we do live in northeastern ohio but even the owners manual says driving in severe conditions occasionally doesn't necessarily put you in that category. i have never heard of any vehicle that the brakes needed to be disassembled and cleaned every 10,000 miles. cost to repair is $450.00. in addition, my wife called the dealership twice, first time was about a year and a half ago with complaints about brake noise and was told both times to go out and "jam on the brakes hard to release dirt buildup on the brakes." at no time was she ever advised to bring the car in for inspection. *nm
My ignition on my 2003 honda element,was no longer working, not only could you pull out the key when the engine was running after awhile the key would no longer even turn in the ignition even if you have warranty and paid extra for apparently the best coverage, they find a way the you have to pay out of your pockets, my ignition replacement cost me $1,000.00 and now there is a recall out on it , and again apparently my vin number is not included in the recall. the brakes and the brake disc had to be replaced every 6 month. the service for honda is the [xxx] , i personally would never buy a honda again. my windshield also cracked i have been a honda service dept often for follow up on the truck they seen my windshield was cracked but would never tell me it was under warranty until the warranty expired. this was my first time ever to buy a brand new vehicle i wanted to feel safe and security, being stuck in a public parking lot a night because the stupid key wouldn't work did not impress me at all, there was a little garage close buy but he couldn't help me because apparently honda does not deliver there parts to other garages, had to get the vehicle towed and stuck with out a car for a couple of days, because honda do not have loaners. information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr
My rear brakes went at 29,000 miles and then again at 50,000 miles. honda replaced the rotors and pads under warranty at 29,000 miles. i brought the element back several times after complaining about the brakes and they blamed it on dirt buildup. at 50,000 miles the rear brakes went again. this time they weren't going to cover it but after complaining they covered the rotors and i had to pay for the pads and labor. i don't go off road or travel on dirt roads. i had my brakes checked a couple of times when i had my tires rotated. i have recently found out that my friend who also owns an element had his rear brakes replaced at 18,000. i believe there is a problem with the rear brake system. my front brakes are still the originals. *nm