The Lemon Index
200320051st generation
Avoid · most complaints: visibility
123 owner complaints, first 3 years 20–21 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2004 Toyota RAV4 382004 Honda CR-V 1152004 Ford Escape 51
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
Engines & versions
What breaks most on the 2004 Honda Element
- Rust / frame corrosion14 complaints
- Airbag light / sensor11 complaintsmostly at 80,000–145,000 miles (129,000–233,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 282 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2004 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 2,500 and 20,000 miles (4,000–32,000 km) (the middle half of the 77 complaints, of all 123 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 19V501000 (airbags), 19V499000 (airbags) and 19V182000 (airbags) done? It has 11 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 136 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Request for visit”?
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 123 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 2K to 20K miles (4K to 32K km) on the car (77 of all 123 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
Consumer had problem with the front windshield on cold weather it cracked. Dealer replaced the front windshield about one month ago. Once again the windshield cracked, but a this time dealer refused to replace the windshield.
2004 Honda Element owner · NHTSA complaint 10061801
More owner reports
Windshield developed a crack starting from below the right wiper blade and goes up 4 inches and then toward the right pillar 12 inches no visible "hit" mark crack just appeared.
NHTSA complaint 10143951
Very small stone hit the windshield of my 2003 Honda Element, and the windshield cracked.
NHTSA complaint 10082841
Problems Honda told dealers about
Honda sent dealers 136 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Request for visit
- Engine oil leak at the head cover, r/side cover, oil pan, oil pump, chain case cover, oil…
- Engine oil leak at the head cover, the rear seal, or the oil pan dated 11/13/2003
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 11
- 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
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 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 11 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
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. 2004 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 2004 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/honda-element/?y=2004" 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/2004/">Lemon Index</a> (2004 Honda Element reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2004 Honda Element reliable?
No, it is one of the worst by government complaints. It drew about twice the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 241; 100 is average, lower is better). The Honda Element year with the fewest complaints per car sold is 2005.
What are the most common 2004 Honda Element problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are visibility (79%), body structure (5%) and electrical (5%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2004 Honda Element have?
11 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 2004 Honda Element get?
20 to 21 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2004 Honda Element problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 2,500 and 20,000 miles (4,000–32,000 km) (the middle half of the 77 complaints, of all 123 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2004 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 2004 Honda Element have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2004 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 2004 Honda Element have?
2.4L 4-cyl.
What Honda Element year is better than the 2004?
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