2004 Honda Element Consumer Reviews

I simply love the reliability and low maintenance

Vehicle

2004 Honda Element EX Fwd 4dr SUV w/Side Airbags (2.4L 4cyl 4A)

Review

I love to drive it It's extremely easy to maintain It has very low cost to maintain Brakes are great It's tow-able (behind an RV) and I've towed it quite a bit with not even the slightest issue I don't think I mentioned reliable - it is! EXTREME head clearance easy to add towing package with lights (simply plug in for trailer lights)
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My Element saved my life.

Vehicle

2004 Honda Element DX AWD 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 4A)

Review

I'm writing this review in respect for Ellie, my Element. The accident wasn't my fault, I was hit by a man that ran a stop sign at a 2 way. I didn't have a sign, so we were both going around 40. My driver's side hit his passenger side. Both air bags were deployed. The whole front left side of Ellie was crushed. The part underneath the wheel that connects it to the dash was cracked in half. I had my little sister in the front seat, 14, im 16. Didnt feel a thing. Neither of us were injured. My Ellie stayed right where we had hit, though it was raining really hard and i turned ridiculoulsy fast when we hit. He was knocked into a neighbor's house. Thank you Ellie, love you and miss you <3
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Totaled my Element. I barely felt a thing.

Vehicle

2004 Honda Element EX Fwd 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I was cruzin around Denver, not paying enough attention and WHAMO! I nailed a solid concrete barrier and totaled the car but I came out without a scratch. The only thing that hurts is that I don't have my Element anymore. I never had one maintenance problem with it while I had it and when I wrecked it, it very well could have saved my life or saved me from getting injured. If you have the money, get one.
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Avoid this SUV like the plague!

Vehicle

2004 Honda Element EX AWD 4dr SUV w/Side Airbags (2.4L 4cyl 4A)

Review

Very reliable driving; always starts even when it's -20. Not too aerodynamic because of boxy shape, so when you're driving in high wind, hard to control & you feel it! Rough riding, only fits 4 people because of cup holders between 2 back bucket seats. Terrible MPG; we only got about 20m., hwy. Drivers side airbag deployed while it was parked; no collision or impact, apparently a common problem in Elements that Honda won't fix! Very costly! Seat also are already splitting at seams on Driver's side. On our 3rd windshield.
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Poor customer service/backseat danger

Vehicle

2004 Honda Element EX AWD 4dr SUV w/Side Airbags (2.4L 4cyl 4A)

Review

Wrote Honda that backseats do not lock, will not take child car seats, very dangerous, was like this when we bought it but did not know as we did not use the back seats until our granddaughter was born 2rs ago when we tried to install her car seat, discovered locks do not lock, never did since purchase. Local dealer said cost would be over $700. Wrote national Honda. Got uncaring follow-up phone call, they hung up when I explained this was NOT about a part under warranty needing repair, but a life threatening problem existing since purchase. We cannot take passengers/children in backseats ever--a huge flaw. But worse was lack of concern by Honda. Probably my last Honda. Safety matters most.
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I love this car!

Vehicle

2004 Honda Element LX Fwd 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 4A)

Review

I went to Honda to buy an accord. Some how the sales dude got me to test drive the Element and from then on I was hooked. So many cars make you feel cramped, not with this car. More than enough head room (my husband is 6'4"), great stereo. Love the iPod hookup. Fun to drive. A little more hp would be nice but it's not slow. The amount of stuff that you can fit in this thing is absolutely amazing. 900 sq ft of wood floors. Baseboards. 2 bikes. Patio table (not taken apart) the list goes on and on. It's like having a truck with the stuff I have crammed in there. Very cold a/c. I've had it now for 2 years and besides oil changes, new tire and brakes, it has been a dream car.
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Quirky

Vehicle

2004 Honda Element EX AWD 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 4A)

Review

I still can't say that I like the way the Element looks. It's ugly, and it hasn't really grown on me yet. However, it has more interior space than I expected. Rear seat passengers have tons of space and 2 cup holders, as well as 2 more for the front seat passengers. Great sound system. AWD is great in the snow! Acceleration isn't astounding, but it isn't slow. No carpeting means cleaning up spills is the best. Front pillars make big blind spots, and the "suicide doors" are a pain in a parking lot. The brakes took some getting used to for me, the pedal is a little soft and positioned strangely. Smooth and gentle steering and ride. AC began squeaking recently and cranks VERY slow in the cold.
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Beautifully Used

Vehicle

2004 Honda Element EX AWD 4dr SUV w/Side Airbags (2.4L 4cyl 5M)

Review

This is the 7th Honda I have owned. I was curious about the Element when they first came out and was glad to finally purchase a used one with a manual "yeah!" and 100k on it. Of course it has been flawless since I have owned it. So many possible ways to use this vehicle. As a competitive triathlete I am looking forward to this summer and using it for fun weekends. I am going to keep up on the maintenance and do a big service here in the spring (plugs, fluids, etc.). As long as I take care of it, the E should go another 100k for me easy. The skylight is way cool! Stereo is more than adequate and iPod friendly. I might even go camping with my son and sleep on the seats that make beds!
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The best in a life full of great cars!

Vehicle

2004 Honda Element EX AWD 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I've been a mechanic all my life. I have worked on everything from fords to Ferraris. I was the team leader of the crew that built Jay Leno's Ariel Atom. I have to tell you that I have never had as great a car as my Element! It is an '04 EX AWD in Fiji Blue, and we call it Gimli, after the steadfast, squat, ugly companion to the hobbits. Now with 56K, it is quiet, sweet to drive and has had absolutely no problems requiring repair. We get 27+ on the highway, and 24 in town, which ain't bad for a phone booth on wheels. we sleep in it when camping or skiing, and it hauls more than any vehicle I've ever owned. The Real-Time AWD is amazing. Can't say enough about this vehicle!
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Love My Element Except for AC Issue

Vehicle

2004 Honda Element EX AWD 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I love this little SUV...the AWD is grippy when you need it, the performance is okay for what I need (it can get out of its own way at least), the roominess inside can only be described as CAVERNOUS. It is super fun to drive because you can turn it on a dime and put it anywhere...it's very responsive for a box on wheels, surprisingly so. It has been reliable and dependable on everyday jaunts and on long trips. The seats, while not cushy, are VERY comfortable, like sitting in a chair rather than in a car. 1000 miles doesn't even fatigue you! One bad thing...AC compressor went at 36K miles and it will cost $1200 to fix (lowest estimate). CR-Vs and E's of these years have been known for this.
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