We have classified the 9 complaints from 2005 Honda Element about ELECTRICAL SYSTEM into the following categories.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 honda element. while the vehicle was stationary, flames appeared from the dashboard. a fire report was filed. the local fire department extinguished the fire. the vehicle was towed to a local tow lot. the fire investigator and insurance company stated that it was an electrical fire. the vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for diagnostic testing or repairs. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure and provided a case number. the vin was not available. the failure mileage was approximately 111,000.
Tl* the contact owned a 2005 honda element. after the contact parked and exited the vehicle, it caught on fire approximately 20 minutes later. the fire department extinguished the fire and a fire report was filed. the vehicle was destroyed and towed. an investigator with the insurance company determined that the fire was caused by an electrical failure. the manufacturer was notified and did not assist. the local dealer was not notified. the failure mileage was 114,500. the vin was unknown.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 honda element. the contact stated that the key did not fit into the ignition without warning. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the ignition switch needed to be replaced. the technician advised the contact to check for possible recalls. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that there was no recall. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign numbers: 16v344000 (air bags) and15v320000 (air bags). the failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 honda element. when the vehicle was parked on an incline, it independently rolled backwards without warning. as a result, the vehicle failed to shift out of the park position. the contact stated that the ignition key failed to start the vehicle without warning. the contact also stated that the ignition key failed to lock the front driver and passenger side doors. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was notified of the failures. the failure mileage was 127,000. updated 7/14/15*cn
I was driving on a busy street, quite slow (about 20-25 mph) and smoke started to billow out of my drivers side door. the smoke was coming from underneath the switches which control my windows. the smoke got progressively worse in a very short amount of time (30 seconds - 1 minute). i was unable to open my windows to let the black smoke out. i opened my car door while i drove into the first parking lot i saw. as soon as i parked, i could see flames under the window switches, which melted the plastic and caused the flames to get larger. i was able to smolder the fire with a jacket while waiting for the fire department. a fire claim was filed. my car was towed, since the fire department advised me not to drive it. i am now awaiting word from the mechanic it was towed to. i work for a home health care agency, and have to transport small oxygen tanks on occasion. i had one in my car at the time and this electrical malfunction could have been deadly. *tr
Driver seat belt buckle switch for srs air bag system shuts off srs system - red warning light comes on. this has happened several times after resetting, system may work okay for several weeks. repair shop says common problem seen may times . cost to fix $350+. *tr
On saturday, september 10, 2011, upon starting the ignition of my 2005 honda element, i noticed smoke emitting from the power window switch on the driver's side door. after hearing some crackling noises from the power window switch, it soon popped into a small fire which went out on it's own, proceeded by more continuous smoke. *tr
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 honda element. while the vehicle was parked the contact turned the ignition on and noticed smoke and heard a cracking sound coming from the master power window switch on the front drivers side door. the smoke was followed by a small flame. the fire extinguished on its own and caused the door panel to melt. the vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. the technicians were unable to determine the cause of fire and stated the wiring harness and driver side door panel had to be replaced. the vehicle was not repaired. the approximate failure mileage was 80,962.
Tl*the contact owns a 2005 honda element. while driving approximately 55 mph on normal road conditions, the odometer failed without warning. the contact could not determine the distance that was traveled. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing and the technician replaced the instrument panel cluster. the vin was unknown. the failure mileage was 55,000 and current mileage was 57,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 2005 honda element. while driving 55 mph, the contact discovered that her horn was no longer working. she has scheduled an appointment with the dealer to inspect the vehicle. the failure mileage was 44,050. updated 6/2/08 *cn the dealer told the consumer the horn was not working because of a minor fender bender she had 2 months prior. updated 06/02/08
From about march of 2007 we started having problems with our brakes, they had been changed about twice a year. we thought cause we drive around in a city, the brakes wear out faster than normal. then 2 years later we were having problems starting the car. we had to get it jumped start- it several times, before we purchased a new battery. though it has been a year from the time we got a new battery, we still had problems starting the vehicle. we have taken it in to the auto shop several time, and they could not find the problem. then the gear would not shift into drive and we took it in to get that fixed, and now it does not start all. it is not the battery, because the dash board lights still come on. at 74,0000 miles we should not be having so many failures with this vehicle! *tr
Dt*: the contact stated the engine would not start after multiple attempts. the battery was recharged, and afterwards, the engine started. the vehicle was inspected by a dealer, who determined the battery needed to be replaced. afterwards, the problem persisted. the vehicle was inspected by a dealer, who was unable to duplicate the problem.
Have a 2005 honda element covered under the nhtsa campaign #05e035000. trailer hitch was installed by the dealer on a new vehicle. was made aware of the recall through consumers reports magazine. checked the nhtsa web site to learn more. called honda dealer who didn't even know about the recall. called american honda number from the nhtsa recall notice, they said my element was not covered as the trailer hitch was not factory installed but dealer installed. honda doesn't mention any factory installed options in the catalog, just dealer installed accessories. my complaint is that honda didn't notify me or anybody else with a dealer installed trailer hitch of the recall. as far as their concerned, i don't have the problem, even though my car exhibited all of the symptoms the recall notice described. what's the point of a recall if they don't notify anybody? *nm