| 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
2003 Honda Element repairs by problem area
Engine (28%)
Transmission and Drivetrain (8%)
Brakes and Traction Control (7%)
Suspension and Steering (29%)
Electrical and Air Conditioning (23%)
Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (2%)
Other (4%)
Chart based on 184 repairs.
2003 Honda Element repair cost distribution
$2500+ (1%)
$1000 - $2499 (8%)
$500 - $999 (14%)
$100 - $499 (48%)
< $100 (30%)
Chart based on 159 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.
2003 Honda Element
Engine not specified
| Honda Element in Quebec, Canada Nov 2010 - May 2011 | |||
| May 201190520 mi | Seatbelt light on when sold. | ||
| Honda Element in Alberta, Canada Jun 2016 - Sep 2016 | |||
| Sep 2016161820 mi | Replaced alternator. | ||
2003 Honda Element 4dr SUV
160-horsepower 2.4L I4 5-speed manual FWD
| Honda Element in Pennsylvania, United States Nov 2009 - Mar 2010 | |||
| Jan 2010US $450 | air conditioner would not hold charge | ||
| Honda Element in Massachusetts, United States May 2009 - Jul 2018 | |||
| Jan 200930000 miUS $35 | Code trip | ||
| Feb 201351300 miUS $35 | sway bar link | ||
| Honda Element in California, United States Aug 2014 - Dec 2015 | |||
| Apr 2015193200 miUS $1280 | Check engine light came on,O2 sensor failed, throttle body cleaned, power steering dirty and replaced, manual transmission fluid replace, synthetic oil change | ||
| Aug 2015202700 miUS $1200 | brought vehicle in because of a loud clicking noise when turning steering wheel. Mechanic said it was bad axles and replaced them both. Problem was not solved, brought back to dealer and they said it was probably something in the tie rod end | ||
| Honda Element in Connecticut, United States Jun 2017 - Jul 2018 | |||
| Jul 201829000 miUS $400 | Replaced the vtc solenoid and actuator. | ||
| Honda Element in New York, United States Aug 2012 - Oct 2012 | |||
| Sep 2012142000 miUS $150 | the exhaust pipe needed to be replaced | ||
| Oct 2012142000 miUS $200 | it's rusted all over and shouldn't be. | ||
| Honda Element in New York, United States Dec 2011 - Jan 2014 | |||
| Jan 201478000 miUS $300 | Alternator bearings went bad. Replaced with rebuilt. | ||
| Honda Element in Ontario, Canada Jan 2009 - Aug 2015 | |||
| Nov 200966960 miC $150 | Stablizer rod Rear stablizer links | ||
| Jul 201072200 miC $1200 | Left front ball joint. Replaced. | ||
| Jul 201183700 miC $100 | Lower ball joint boot split. | ||
| Sep 201290520 miC $300 | Idle control valve replacement | ||
| Oct 201496820 miC $600 | Clutch linkages rusted out. Serpentine belt replaced Engine temperature sensor wires rusted out | ||
2003 Honda Element 4dr SUV
160-horsepower 2.4L I4 5-speed manual AWD
| Honda Element in Colorado, United States Nov 2008 - Jun 2013 | |||
| Oct 2008100000 miUS $1200 | transmission rebuilt | ||
| Honda Element in Virginia, United States Jan 2008 - Jun 2018 | |||
| Mar 200888120 miUS $3000 | replaced manual transmission/clutch replaced manual transmission and clutch | ||
| Nov 2011125000 miUS $950 | Both front and rear suspension linkage control arms replaced. Right front suspension linkage and both rear trailing arms replaced. | ||
| Jun 2013140000 miUS $300 | Left front suspension/steering assembly. | ||
| Apr 2014148800 miUS $45 | windshield side cover flew off on highway. It had been making vibrating noise for a while at highway speed, and looks like some of the clips had been broken before since the windshield had been replace twice before. | ||
| Sep 2014155000 miUS $50 | Windshield trim on passenger side flew off, bought trim and clips on line and replaced myself. Both sides flying off due to windshield replaces not replacing broken side cover clips. | ||
| May 2015162900 miUS $50 | common problem of rocking driver seat. Took driver seat out and replaced bushings. | ||
| May 2016174000 miUS $50 | driver side power lock stopped working, replaced power lock actuator. | ||
| Sep 2017186000 miUS $400 | right rear brake caliper replaced, rear pads replaced and flush/fill brake fluid | ||
| Honda Element in Iowa, United States Jun 2011 - Aug 2016 | |||
| Jul 201190800 mi | AC compressor failed right away. | ||
| Jul 2012121000 miUS $730 | Rotor stuck on left rear wheel & pretty much wrecked the works. Ended up replacing rear brakes altogether. | ||
| Jul 2013137800 miUS $450 | Replacement of front struts. | ||
| Nov 2013142000 miUS $303 | Blower fan & resister failed Blower motor and resister were replaced | ||
| Nov 2014151000 mi | Airbag failure light remained on. Problem traced to failed sensor in driver's seatbelt buckle. Dealer repaired under "warranty" | ||
| Aug 2015159000 miUS $290 | Clutch master cylinder failed dramatically. Mechanic indicated it "exploded". It was replaced and all was well. | ||
| Sep 2015161000 mi | The clutch master cylinder failed again after just 800 miles. Replaced by shop at no charge. Used stronger bolts per a post the mechanic had seen on an online forum. | ||
| Oct 2015161700 miUS $54 | The clutch master cylinder failed a third time. Replaced this time with an OEM part. No one knows why it keeps failing. Driver side door lock rebuilt | ||
| Feb 2016166400 miUS $220 | Knock sensor failed | ||
| May 2016170000 miUS $220 | Ignition switch failed | ||
| Honda Element in Texas, United States Sep 2009 - Sep 2013 | |||
| Jan 2011124300 miUS $140 | Had starter rebuilt. | ||
| Honda Element in Virginia, United States - Jul 2010 | |||
| May 200515000 mi | Passenger Seat Belt Sensor failed causing error message. Repaired under warranty. | ||
| Sep 200855500 miUS $188 | Replace Oxygen Sensor, Conduct VA Safety Inspeciton | ||
| Feb 201075000 miUS $425 | Replace both front shocks because left front shock blew out prematurely. | ||
| Honda Element in Wisconsin, United States Mar 2011 - Oct 2011 | |||
| May 2011179000 miUS $793 | Propeller shaft linkage for AWD was cracked, replaced with new part. Also rear right sway bar/bushings repaired (different issue). | ||
| Honda Element in New York, United States Dec 2020 - Jan 2022 | |||
| Jan 2022142000 miUS $480 | Brake caliper was replaced (but new noise has started) transmission fluid replaced to hope for smoother shifting ABS light on for wheel speed sensor (decided not to repair) | ||
2003 Honda Element 4dr SUV
160-horsepower 2.4L I4 4-speed automatic FWD
| Honda Element in New York, United States Feb 2010 - Sep 2010 | |||
| Mar 2010102000 miUS $100 | Power Steering line rotted out. Replaced with new one. | ||
| Apr 2010103000 miUS $40 | Bottom Drivers Door Hinge worn out. Replaced. | ||
| Jun 2010104000 mi | bolt rotted out of exhaust manifold, more engine noise, replaced bolt | ||
| Honda Element in Texas, United States Jun 2010 - Jul 2010 | |||
| Jul 201017000 miUS $1500 | Ac compressor failed. Sold car as repair cost was 50% of car value. | ||
| Honda Element in Ontario, Canada Aug 2009 - Mar 2010 | |||
| Sep 2009109120 miC $100 | Windshield washer pump replaced. | ||
| Honda Element in Florida, United States Jan 2015 - Jan 2016 | |||
| Mar 2015134000 miUS $150 | noisy handling | ||
| Jan 2016138000 miUS $600 | Noise from front end when car hits bumps. Struts and wheel bearing failed. | ||
| Honda Element in Pennsylvania, United States Feb 2009 - Dec 2014 | |||
| Dec 200959000 miUS $311 | Third gear pressure switch needed to be diagnosed and replaced. | ||
| Nov 201071000 miUS $120 | Flange rusted between the tailpipe and the muffler and the tailpipe needed to be replaced. | ||
| Oct 201180000 miUS $52 | The hinge or as Honda likes to call it the stiffener failed on the gas fill cover. By failing I mean it fell off in my hand whenever I went to get gas. | ||
| Dec 201182000 miUS $75 | Replaced the rear sway bar links. | ||
| Feb 201283800 miUS $50 | replaced front sway bar links | ||
| Jul 201288300 miUS $245 | Replaced left and right compliance bushings. replaced serpentine belt and belt tensioner | ||
| Sep 201290000 miUS $500 | Alternator needed to be replaced. | ||
| Jan 201384000 miUS $700 | Replaced tie-rods and performed alignment replaced front struts rebuilt rear calipers as they were seized replaced 02 sensor replaced catalytic converter | ||
| Sep 201398000 miUS $680 | replaced front calipers, resurfaced front rotors. replaced resonator on exhaust | ||
| Nov 2013101000 miUS $275 | banging sound from front end, had lower tie rod replaced | ||
| Nov 2014108300 miUS $120 | replaced abs wheel sensor | ||
| Honda Element in Hawaii, United States Jan 2013 - Jun 2018 | |||
| Nov 201499000 miUS $75 | Rear sway bar bushings and end links were replaced. | ||
| Honda Element in Oklahoma, United States - May 2006 | |||
| Sep 200555000 mi | Windshield made loud pop noise and a week later started a long crack from passenger side, bottom. I see there is legislation over this. | ||
| May 200670000 miUS $2100 | Air conditioning compressor bad. After complaining about quality and requesting bad compressor to establish why it went bad, I was only charged 1/2 of the $2,100 repair price. | ||
| Honda Element in Virginia, United States Jun 2011 - Jun 2014 | |||
| Jul 201396200 miUS $800 | issue with suspension/alignment | ||
| Honda Element in Quebec, Canada Feb 2010 - Jun 2011 | |||
| Aug 2010109740 miC $900 | replaced drums, calipers, brake pads, brake hoses | ||
| Honda Element in California, United States Aug 2010 - Sep 2011 | |||
| Jul 201090000 miUS $600 | Brakes: pads, rotors, or drums, repair | ||
| Honda Element in Oklahoma, United States Jan 2011 - Jun 2018 | |||
| Feb 2011160000 miUS $60 | replaced Front Swaybar links replaced Front Swaybar links | ||
| Mar 2011160000 miUS $350 | Replaced Water pump, alternator, idler bearing and serpentine belt Replaced Water pump, Alternator,idler bearing & serpentine belt | ||
| Nov 2011190000 miUS $850 | Replaced all 4 struts, ball joints, tie rod ends and bushings. Replaced all 4 struts, ball joints, tie rod ends and bushings. Replaced all 4 brake rotors and rebuilt the calipers. | ||
| Oct 2012205800 miUS $160 | PS Pump started making some noise. I thought I'd replace it before it went out. It was the original pump. | ||
| Apr 2013215800 miUS $350 | Replaced bushings | ||
| Feb 2014249000 miUS $150 | Replaced the Starter. This required Removing the Intake manifold. (The starter is nestled underneath) So---Starter + Manifold Gasket. | ||
| Nov 2017294350 miUS $110 | the Vtek Solenoid/Pressure Switch was sticking, causing the engine to stay below 2500 rpms. Ordered a new part, then YouTube and I changed it out. | ||
| Honda Element in New York, United States Jun 2014 - Jul 2014 | |||
| Jun 2014118000 miUS $1200 | Replaced front end exhaust system, gaskets | ||
2003 Honda Element 4dr SUV
160-horsepower 2.4L I4 4-speed automatic AWD
| Honda Element in Virginia, United States Dec 2014 - May 2024 | |||
| Mar 2018136000 miUS $110 | The VTEC soleniod sensor was showing a high voltage error. Instead of replacing just the sensor I replaced the entire spool valve assembly. Part 15810-RAA-A03 | ||
| Honda Element in New Jersey, United States Oct 2013 - Nov 2017 | |||
| Oct 2014185000 miUS $400 | Vtec sensor went bad. The check engine light came on and the vehicle was bucking similar to an oxygen sensor type problem. dealer replaced the part and she's running great. | ||
| Jul 2016212800 miUS $425 | Lost power when driving all electrical systems slowly shut down. They replaced my alternator and a computer module. It happened again after an hour of driving and they replaced a throttle control computer. | ||
| Honda Element in Washington, United States Oct 2014 - Jun 2015 | |||
| Oct 2014180000 mi | Driver window ceased to roll down, needed small motor replacement | ||
| Honda Element in Wisconsin, United States Sep 2022 - Sep 2022 | |||
| Sep 2022281000 miUS $125 | Left Upper, Rubber Strut Mount | ||
| Honda Element in Wisconsin, United States Dec 2014 - Jun 2015 | |||
| Jan 2015US $400 | Misfires on 2nd cylinder. Coil packs and spark plugs had already been replaced. Needed a valve adjustment | ||
| Honda Element in New Jersey, United States Sep 2015 - Jun 2017 | |||
| Nov 2015158200 miUS $3500 | Needed to rebuild transmission. Shift from 1st to 2nd gear was slamming, and other gears shifts were flaring. | ||
| Mar 2016164000 miUS $200 | Exhaust needed welding. | ||
| May 2016165000 miUS $400 | Radiator was leaking and needed to be replaced. | ||
| Feb 2017179000 miUS $200 | Rear swaybar end link snapped. Replaced both end links in the rear. | ||
| Honda Element in Wisconsin, United States Oct 2020 - Jun 2022 | |||
| Feb 2021173000 miUS $450 | Alternator was weak to charge battery. Was OEM original alternator from 2003. Replaced with another new OEM Denso from Honda. | ||
| Honda Element in Georgia, United States Dec 2015 - Jun 2018 | |||
| Sep 2017203000 miUS $589 | Replaced all 4 struts front cv joints 4 motor mounts | ||
| Feb 2018207000 miUS $69 | Rear differential mounts Front ball joints | ||
| Honda Element in California, United States Dec 2014 - Feb 2016 | |||
| Sep 2015163000 miUS $80 | Replacement for faulty Genuine Honda 79330-S5A-942 Heater Blower Transistor | ||
| Dec 2015167000 miUS $300 | Rear struts needed replacing | ||
| Honda Element in Alberta, Canada Nov 2012 - Jun 2017 | |||
| Feb 201387700 miC $500 | Door locks sticking and hard to operate. Not lubrication issue but wear/age of lock mechanism. Mechanism replaced. | ||
| Honda Element in Arizona, United States Nov 2010 - Jul 2017 | |||
| Sep 201295000 miUS $9 | brake light switch. could not shift out of park. replaced switch now works fine brake light switch. could not shift out of park. replaced switch now works fine | ||
| Sep 2013100000 miUS $90 | Window regulator on passgr. side. for the third time! Once on the driver's side. These regulators are horrible | ||
| Jul 2016125300 miUS $151 | a/c switch went bad | ||
| Jul 2017135000 miUS $80 | Recharge ac | ||
| Honda Element in New Mexico, United States Nov 2010 - Mar 2011 | |||
| Feb 2011199000 miUS $650 | Exhaust system became detached from the engine and chassis, possibly due to road debris. System replace except for catalytic converter, which was reusable. | ||
| Honda Element in Nevada, United States Mar 2011 - Jul 2012 | |||
| Apr 201152000 mi | Squeaking coming from front suspension. Front struts were replaced. When the front struts were replaced a week or two before, the mechanic did not tighten the nut enough and the struts started squeaking. On the second trip he just torqued down the nut to fix the noise. | ||
| Jul 201260000 miUS $96 | Replaced one upper strut mount. | ||
| Honda Element in Georgia, United States Oct 2009 - Nov 2011 | |||
| Jul 2011184500 miUS $455 | starter wouldn't work. replaced. car towed to shop. starter replaced. oil change while there. | ||
| Honda Element in Massachusetts, United States Sep 2009 - Apr 2013 | |||
| Apr 2010130000 miUS $350 | 1 rear caliper, 2 rotors and pads | ||
| Jan 2011137000 miUS $220 | oxygen sensor replaced and four new plugs | ||
| Aug 2011143000 mi | sections of original exhaust pipe were replaced | ||
| Jul 2012153800 miUS $250 | exhaust to manifold gasket and studs | ||
| Sep 2012158000 miUS $350 | rebuilt starter | ||
| Honda Element in West Virginia, United States Mar 2010 - Jun 2011 | |||
| May 2010159500 miUS $200 | Engine mount had small cracks on left side (driver side). | ||
| Honda Element in Ontario, Canada Mar 2010 - Jul 2010 | |||
| Jul 201075640 miC $120 | srs light came on | ||
| Honda Element in Texas, United States Jun 2010 - Apr 2018 | |||
| Jan 2011107000 miUS $20 | power steering groaning. flushed power steering fluid twice. fluid was filthy---seemed to be contaminated with water. installed new ps fluid and groaning has stopped. | ||
| Dec 2013119000 miUS $50 | Check engine light came on---ran OBD-ll scan--got code p0141--bad O2 sensor. Replaced Cat sensor. | ||
| Jan 2014119000 miUS $180 | Replaced electric radiator fan and condenser fan because of they had both quit working. This caused overheating when running AC while sitting still. | ||
| May 2014122000 miUS $160 | rear differential mount assembly replaced replaced rear stabilizer links and sway bar bushings | ||
| Jun 2014123000 miUS $200 | replaced front and side engine mounts, also replaced transmission/motor mount | ||
| Jun 2015127000 miUS $750 | replaced 2 front shock/strut assemblies replaced front lower control arms (both) | ||
| Sep 2015130000 miUS $380 | replaced both rear shock/struts with new Honda complete asemblies | ||
| Jan 2016US $95 | driver side window stopped working. replaced regulator assemble (including new motor) | ||
| Jul 2016139000 miUS $100 | Passenger side window rolled down on it's own while I was driving down the street. Would not roll up. Replaced regulator assembly. | ||
| Honda Element in Rhode Island, United States Feb 2014 - Jul 2016 | |||
| Jul 2016149000 mi | Major transmission issues we decided not to repair | ||
| Honda Element in New York, United States Apr 2011 - Jul 2014 | |||
| Jun 2011121000 mi | a/c need some R124 | ||
| May 2012133700 miUS $650 | replace starter | ||
| Oct 2012138000 miUS $197 | cooling leak | ||
| Feb 2013142100 miUS $375 | O2 SENSOR | ||
| Honda Element in Arizona, United States Nov 2012 - Oct 2013 | |||
| Dec 2012156000 miUS $350 | On intermittent basis cooling fan(s?) failed to come on causing the engine to overheat. Replaced relay, thermostat and temp. sensor. Seems to have solved the problem since no incidents after repair. | ||
| Feb 2013158500 miUS $1120 | When prior cooling system repair was done mechanic failed to observe 3 aged 5/16" coolant hoses in the vicinity of the intake manifold. One of these hoses failed which nearly fried the engine. Replaced these three hoses, $200. Remove and replace oil sending unit due to leaking engine oil, $60. Shocks and struts have been bad since about 60K miles - finally became so bad that work had to be done. Replaced all. Ordered during previous repair trip. Also repalce front rotors and pads. | ||
| Mar 2013158000 miUS $2100 | Compressor clutch failed - inspection revealed leaking seal also so necessary to replace compressor & clutch. Unable to locate vendor who would warrant compressor unless condensor (with integrated valve) was changed - this doubled cost. | ||
| Sep 2013166000 miUS $532 | One cooling fan failed - replaced both since access time was significant. | ||
| Honda Element in New York, United States Mar 2014 - Apr 2015 | |||
| Apr 201580000 miUS $480 | Rack leak. Replaced with aftermarket | ||
| Honda Element in California, United States Aug 2013 - Jun 2017 | |||
| Jan 2014154300 miUS $220 | cooling fan broke which caused over heating and eventually a cracked radiator | ||
| Jul 2014149700 miUS $2000 | replaced engine | ||
| Jul 2016174500 mi | back lowering springs snapped, replaced with originals replace alternator | ||
| Aug 2016176000 miUS $20 | replaced water pump | ||
| Honda Element in California, United States Jun 2011 - Nov 2014 | |||
| Oct 2011130000 miUS $250 | Tie rod end worn. replaced. Replaced Fan blower relay. For $35. Self repaired. | ||
| Nov 2011131500 miUS $45 | Starter wouldn't always reliably start the car. Got Slower and slower, until it would not turn fast enough to start car. Replaced with used starter, problem resolved. Dash had squeak on rough roads from A-Pillars. Took off pillar, added felt & wool to buffer contact from the two plastic pieces. Problem resolved. | ||
| Dec 2011133000 miUS $12 | Motor mount would make groan/creak sound. Filled with urethane. Problem alleviated. | ||
| Mar 2012139000 mi | SRS light intermittent. Took to dealer for diagnosis. Trouble code 9-3, drivers buckle electronics failed. Replaced free of charge under Honda Lifetime Seatbelt warranty. | ||
| Jun 2012144000 miUS $50 | Lower Ball joint split, replaced. Also replaced compliance bushings due to clunk noise. | ||
| Aug 2013162600 miUS $500 | Replaced all struts and springs with KYB struts. | ||
| Sep 2013164000 miUS $100 | Replaced all motor mounts, all worn out. | ||
| Sep 2014183000 miUS $250 | Replaced upper strut mounts. Replaced failing front calipers. New pads. New brake lines. | ||
| Honda Element in California, United States May 2009 - Nov 2011 | |||
| Jul 201079200 miUS $150 | Replaced the motor for the drivers side window. | ||
| Nov 201080000 miUS $125 | Power window control not working on passenger side | ||
| Mar 201180000 miUS $250 | Passenger side window would not go up. Passenger side window regulator replaced. Battery being drained by the radio Moon roof leaks | ||
| Honda Element in Ontario, Canada Nov 2011 - Sep 2012 | |||
| Apr 201292380 mi | Replace links and bushings; Very rattly before repair | ||
| May 201295480 miC $140 | Right rear wheel bearing replace Son owns shop | ||
| Aug 201296100 mi | Rusted exhaust bolts to catalytic converter and upper exhaust flange. Two sets of boltssprings and new gaskets. | ||
| Honda Element in Massachusetts, United States May 2009 - Oct 2016 | |||
| Mar 201055000 mi | Both front sway bar links replaced (RF Snapped). | ||
| Jul 201266000 miUS $140 | Exhaust noise! Spot weld heat shield on Cat. Replace leaking gasket. Replace flange. | ||
| Mar 201370000 miUS $60 | Muffler mount bracket broken. Welding used to repair. | ||
| May 201580000 miUS $300 | Replace front brake calipers (for extreme rust) and bleed brakes. Two new calipers $110 each New brake fluid $5 Labor $80 | ||
| Feb 201683000 miUS $700 | Oil Pan replaced due to rust and starting to leak. | ||
2003 Honda Element 4-door
4-cylinder manual AWD
| Honda Element in Illinois, United States May 2009 - Jun 2012 | |||
| Jul 200975000 miUS $180 | Driver side door lock cylinder - replaced | ||
| Jan 201091000 miUS $400 | Rear strut mounts and new rear struts - due to noise | ||
2003 Honda Element 2-door
4-cylinder automatic 2WD
| Honda Element in Florida, United States Apr 2015 - Apr 2015 | |||
| Apr 2015152000 miUS $1500 | Needed to be replaced | ||
See TrueDelta's information for all SUVs
See TrueDelta's information for all Honda models.
