Problems · by component

2003 Honda Element electrical system problems

36 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2003 Honda Element cite electrical system, 8% of all 450 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 1 recall on this component.

Complaints
36
8% of all complaints
Crashes
3
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
4
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the electrical system

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“I was driving and my odometer light and dash lights went dim on me. I changed the bulbs it didn't make a difference. I had to replace the instrument cluster. Other complaint is drivers seat keeps loosening from the floor”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 17, 2025Electrical system, Exterior lightingODI 11674334
“The contact owns a 2003 Honda Element. The contact stated that after parking and turning off the vehicle, the vehicle would roll forward or backward. The contact stated that he restarted the vehicle and shifted into park(P), and the vehicle responded as needed. The contact stated that the failure occurred intermittently. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving and unintendedly striking the gear shifter, the vehicle shifted out of gear. The contact stated that he would manually shift back into the intended gear. The check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that the ignition switch had failed to turn and was repaired by a locksmith; however, the failure recurred. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired free of charge because it was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V364000 (Electrical System). The contact stated that the vehicle was undrivable. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 179,000. The VIN was unavailable.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 5, 2023Power train, Electrical systemODI 11520563
“2003 HONDA ELEMENT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG AND IGNITION SWITCH SAFETY RECALL. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS IMPROPERLY REPAIRED DURING THE RECALL REPAIR PROCESS. *JS THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT, DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE.*JS *JS”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 20, 2020Electrical system, Air bagsODI 11349432
“2003 HONDA ELEMENT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO HONDA SAFETY RECALL CONCERNING IGNITION INTERLOCK SYSTEM FAILURE. *AS THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED THE RECALL. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE COST OF REPAIRS.*JS”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 10, 2019Electrical systemODI 11206710
“DRIVERS SIDE DOOR KEY CEASED TO WORK AS STATED NUMEROUS TIMES BY OTHERS. ONLY WAY TO GET IN AND LOCK THE DOOR IS FROM PASSENGER SIDE...PLACING DRIVER IN UNSAFE AND VUNERABLE POSITION. ALSO WHEN DRIVING SLOWLY APPROX 10 MPH CAR HAS FREQUENTLY IRRACTICALLY ACCELERATED OF ITS OWN ACCORD. HAVE TO STAND ON THE BRAKES TO GET CAR TO STOP. WITH THE CAR AT A STOP, AND IN DRIVE IT WILL SELF ACCELERATE...VERY DANGEROUS!!! AS OTHERS HAVE NOTED THERE IS A SERIOUS ELECTRICAL SHORT?? AS DASH LIGHTS ARE DULL THEN AND HAVE TO HIT DASH TO GET THEM TO LIGHT UP. HEADLIGHTS ARE CONSTANTLY SURGING FROM LIMITED LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO NORMAL.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 31, 2019Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Vehicle speed controlODI 11173203
“IGNITION WILL ALLOW KEY TO BE REMOVED WHILE CAR IS IN MOTION. WAS TAKEN IN FOR RECALL ON 11/13/15 AND PROBLEM STILL PERSISTED AND NOW IGNITION SWITCH IS INOPERABLE. CONTACTED DEALER AND THEY SAID PROBLEM WAS FIXED AND NOT WILLING TO LOOK OVER IT AGAIN. WAS INSTRUCTED TO CONTACT COOPERATE NUMBER AND THEY JUST TRIED TO TALK CIRCLES AROUND ME ABOUT IT. JUST OVER A YEAR LATER AND RECALL IS WORSE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 11, 2017Electrical systemODI 10984955

Showing 6 of 36 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 31, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

1 recall on this component

Electrical system: ignition

Free remedy

HONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2003 HONDA ACCORD, CIVIC TWO AND FOUR DOOR, AND MODEL YEAR 2003-2004 HONDA ELEMENT VEHICLES. THE INTERLOCK LEVER OF THE IGNITION SWITCH MAY UNEXPECTEDLY DEFORM, WHICH CAN ALLOW THE INTERLOCK FUNCTION OF A VEHICLE WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION TO BE DEFEATED.

Electrical systemReported Aug 5, 2010NHTSA 10V364000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 31, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.