The Lemon Index
20041st generation
Avoid · most complaints: visibility
254 owner complaints, first 3 years 20–21 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2003 Toyota RAV4 352003 Honda CR-V 1302003 Ford Escape 106
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
Engines & versions
What breaks most on the 2003 Honda Element
- Rust / frame corrosion19 complaintsmostly at 50,000–168,000 miles (80,000–270,000 km)
- Engine stalling11 complaintsmostly at 17,000–109,000 miles (27,000–175,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 424 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2003 Honda Element (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 3,600 and 19,000 miles (5,800–31,000 km) (the middle half of the 170 complaints, of all 254 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 19V499000 (airbags), 19V501000 (airbags) and 19V182000 (airbags) done? It has 12 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- NHTSA has an open investigation into desiccated air bag inflator rupture. Has this car had that problem?
- Do the wipers, washers, defrost and mirrors all work?
- Any rust or damage underneath, or doors and hatches that don't close right?
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Honda sent dealers 172 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Noise from upper rear door latch”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Honda's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 254 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 3K to 19K miles (6K to 31K km) on the car (170 of all 254 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Windshield cracked, according to a service release from Honda cause is stress related, but service rep at dealership says it is from impact...no chip...no star.
2003 Honda Element owner · NHTSA complaint 10052378
More owner reports
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.
NHTSA complaint 10096299
Sand cracked windshield bottom passenger side corner.
NHTSA complaint 10056749
Problems Honda told dealers about
Honda sent dealers 172 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Noise from upper rear door latch
- Request for visit
- Engine oil leakat the head cover, the rear seal, or the oil pan
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 12
- Airbags · recall issued 2019
These vehicles are equipped with driver frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high a…
- Airbags · recall issued 2019
The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high …
- Airbags · recall issued 2019
The affected vehicles received a replacement driver air bag inflator as part of a previous Takata inflator recall remedy or a replacement driver air bag module containi.
Show all 12 recalls
- Airbags · recall issued 2018
The front passenger air bag may have been installed incorrectly during replacement.
- Airbags · recall issued 2016
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Airbags · recall issued 2015 Hybrid only
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the passenger seat occupant or other occupants possibly causing serious injury…
- Airbags · recall issued 2015
The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion and other factors, including manufacturing variability that, over time, could cause the inflator t…
- Airbags · recall issued 2014
Specifically, vehicles sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, U.S.
- Airbags · recall issued 2014
American Honda Motor Company, Inc.'s (Honda) is conducting a limited regional recall for certain model year 2003-2005 Accord, Civic, CR-V, Pilot and Acura MDX, model year 2003-2004 Odyssey and Element, and model year 200…
- Electrical · recall issued 2010
HONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2003 HONDA ACCORD, CIVIC TWO AND FOUR DOOR, AND MODEL YEAR 2003-2004 HONDA ELEMENT VEHICLES.
- Lights · recall issued 2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
- Lights · recall issued 2009
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Government investigations
- OpenDesiccated air bag inflator rupture2021
- OpenAir bag inflator rupture2015
- ClosedAir bag inflator rupture2014–2015
- ClosedIgnition shift interlock2009–2010
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★☆☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,850–$3,000 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.4L 4-cyl.
Every Honda Element year. 2003 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2003 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/honda-element/?y=2003" title="Honda Element reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="330" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/honda-element/2003/">Lemon Index</a> (2003 Honda Element reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2003 Honda Element reliable?
No, it is one of the worst by government complaints. It drew about 5 times the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 456; 100 is average, lower is better). The Honda Element year with the fewest complaints per car sold is 2005.
What are the most common 2003 Honda Element problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are visibility (84%), body structure (4%) and electrical (3%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2003 Honda Element have?
12 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2003 Honda Element get?
20 to 21 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2003 Honda Element problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 3,600 and 19,000 miles (5,800–31,000 km) (the middle half of the 170 complaints, of all 254 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2003 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2003 Honda Element have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 2% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2003 Honda Element cost in fuel a year?
About $2,850 to $3,000 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2003 Honda Element have?
2.4L 4-cyl.
What Honda Element year is better than the 2003?
Nearby, the 2005 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (somewhat fewer complaints than the average car).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works