Vehicle Data Hub

2003 Honda Element electrical system problems

35 complaints about electrical system have been filed for the 2003 Honda Element, which is 7% of all its NHTSA complaints. It is the 3rd most reported problem area for this model year.

At a glance

Complaints
35 7% of this year's complaints
Typical mileage
94,000 miles 24 complaints with mileage
Crashes and fires
2 and 1
Injuries and deaths
3 and 0

Source: NHTSA owner complaints

When electrical system problems show up

Electrical system complaints by mileage, 2003 Honda Element Complaints by odometer reading in 20,000-mile steps. The median is about 94,000 miles. 0k to 20k miles: 2 complaints 20k to 40k miles: 1 complaints 40k to 60k miles: 4 complaints 60k to 80k miles: 1 complaints 80k to 100k miles: 6 complaints 100k to 120k miles: 3 complaints 120k to 140k miles: 0 complaints 140k to 160k miles: 1 complaints 160k to 180k miles: 2 complaints 180k to 200k miles: 2 complaints 200k+ miles: 2 complaints 040k80k120k160k200k miles Typical: 94,000 miles
Based on 24 complaints that include mileage. 29% were reported before 60,000 miles. The amber marker shows the median: half of these complaints happened before that mileage.
View the numbers
MileageComplaints
0k to 20k miles2
20k to 40k miles1
40k to 60k miles4
60k to 80k miles1
80k to 100k miles6
100k to 120k miles3
120k to 140k miles0
140k to 160k miles1
160k to 180k miles2
180k to 200k miles2
200k+ miles2

What the data shows

Of the 24 electrical system complaints that report mileage, the median is about 94,000 miles, and 29% were reported before 60,000 miles.

These complaints mention 2 crashes, 1 fire, 3 injuries.

What owners wrote

Car was parked, engine turned off, and key removed from the ignition. As I stepped out the car began to roll, my right leg became caught in the car, I was dragged about 80 feet down my driveway until I finally managed to free my foot and roll away. I fractured a finger, tore ligaments in that and another, injured my right knee and ankle, scraped my right arm, and bruised my upper thigh. The car continued to roll over some large rocks, across the road, and into the corn field.

Reported at 39,842 miles, September 2005 CrashInjury

Tumblers in ignition becomes mal aligned, key will not insert or turn, engine will not start. This is not part of the current active recall on the ignition system. I have replaced the ignition lock cylinder twice in 3 years. It is a common occurrence, ask any one who drives a 2003 element, they've replaced this part too. Honda only warranties the part for one year.

Reported at 80,000 miles, August 2011

Other problems reported for the 2003 Honda Element

Electrical system problems in other years

Electrical system problems across all Honda models