Just a quick poll to get a rough idea of how Element windshields are holding up.

Thanks for the replies so far guy!

I'm kinda surprised by the numbers -- maybe they'll really swing around when more folks vote. :shock:

Jason

I really believe that the glass is crap. 3 chips and one crack in first 3 weeks. Dads sopy no chips but the glass looks like it has been sand blasted. Note: Installed the nose mask and have not been hit by a rock since. (however, hood is damaged.)

The E's windshield size/angle doesn't look too different from the Honda Odyssey or the Pilot -- I'm not sure why the E's windshield is doing so poorly. :(

I haven't had any problems yet, but I sure hope responding to this poll doesn't jinx me! :(

I've had my E for almost three months now (and 5500 miles). My VIN is way outside of the range addressed by the TSB for Windshields, so everytime I read a thread about another windshield crack, I was like "thank god I don't have to deal with that". That mantra lasted until Monday when a 7+ inch crack appeared sometime between when I got to work and left for lunch. :(

This makes me wonder if the nose mask even does anything since a lot of people w/ the nose mask have windshield probs too.

Driving down the interstate yesterday, a/c on, CRACK! Rock hits my windshield and stars it pretty good -- right above steering wheel where I see out. DANG, dang, dang!

My E is brand new (1 mo.) and outside of the tsb -- it will be interesting to see what the dealer says. Looks to me from how many posts I've read on cracked / rock chips -- maybe Honda cheaped out on the ws glass. Scratching my head and not happy about it. Been driving 19 years, have never had this happen. Anyone else with a rock chip get covered by Honda?

Steve

After about the second week of owning the car (truck?), I was on the highway when I heard a rock hit my windshield on the lower passenger side. It did leave a miniscule chip but so far (knock on easily cleaned, easily scratched plastic) it has not gotten any worse. However, after reading all the posts on this site about windshields, I will certainly keep an eye on it.

No cracks in the windshield after 3.5 months. But insects hitting the windshield make a hell of a noise!!

Has anyone with a crack been outside the VIN range in the TSB notice?

I wonder if they fixed it for the later 2003s (and for 2004)...

Yeah, mine was a couple of thousand past the TSB VIN, and it 'cracked' from an impossible to see flaw. First dealer gave me crap, but second dealer fixed it (Thursday, actually) without any issue (other than waiting 3 weeks for the windshield to come in!).

I heard a large rock hit while driving on the freeway. Went home, looked, didn't see a thing. Since I only drive the E on the wEEkEnds, I covered it with the Wolf car cover and when I "unbagged" it a week later, wham! about a 9-inch crack, lower driver's side.

Upon examination, I saw the chip from the rock. Had to call about four places, since most did not have/have access to an immediate replacement.

Guy came out two days later, I quizzed him based on correct procedures info posted elsewhere on this site (at first he was slightly defensive, then he was cool when he found out I was interested in the process, not trying to "pin him down").

Insurance covered part of it. New windshield is fine so far.

Is your new glass Honda (did the replacement guy get it from a dealer), or is it their brand of glass made to fit an Element?

Just trying to track if other glass does better than Hondas. :)

Just had windshield replaced due to a crack and now new one rattles. Didn't realize there were problems.

[quote:4aa32684e1="aristoBrat"]Just a quick poll to get a rough idea of how Element windshields are holding up.[/quote:4aa32684e1]

[quote:4be6645348="caschl"]Just had windshield replaced due to a crack and now new one rattles. Didn't realize there were problems.[/quote:4be6645348]
Exact same experience here.

My E sorta-kinda had a dashboard rattle (mostly on cooler days), then the windshield cracked <two completely unrelated things>. When the dealer replaced it, the dashboard rattle happens pretty much all of the time now. I don't think that's coincidence. :)

There's been quite a few threads where owners were able to have the dealers fix the rattles, so I'm going to try to track those down, print 'em out, and then drop my E off at my dealer and see what they can do.

When they were having the glass company come out to fix the windshield, I asked them about noisy dashes and they said they've never had any Elements in this area come in with this problem, so ... I'm a little worried about them not taking this too seriously. We'll see!

My Element is about 6 weeks old and after first having a rocking drivers seat problem (that is after repair...STILL ROCKING!!) now my windshiled cracked......I can see a tiny tiny mark of what might have been a rock, but it is so tiny and it is under the wiper on the passenger.....have to go to the dealer and fight AGAIN! This is my first Japanse car and I am beginning to hate it....all the plastic inside scratches very easily and and panels that cover the speakers in the front doors starting to come off.....

I thought Honda made great, solid cars!! To me they are still, like 20 years ago, cheap ripp offsss. I am longing for my BMW and Mercedes..........

The car drives great, but all the trouble....rocking seat for crying out loud!! That is so dinky and now a cracked windshield??? And I am not the only one and my car is outside the VIN that gets free replacement........

I am starting to hate this car..I want a car that gets my to where I want to go! and that is not the Honda dealer fro rocking driver seats and cracked windshields..have been driving german cars for 20 years and never had these stupid problems..windshield problem is a big one...but come on Honda get it fixed already and than the dinky rocking driverseats??? Most people must think by now that this is a free added option, or are to heavy to notice!

The cars drives and handles very well, but the inside gets scratched up very easily and the speaker panels in the front doors starting to come off


I hope there is a Honda coperate spy reading all these messages, because a major lawsuit is pending...I will get the people and the money together....Honda is taking advantage of ignorance right now.....but that is going to be over soon.....to make a car a classic and the element has that potentional you have to deliver quality OR great service and haven't experienced both!

Wife just called stating that a small star crack appeared on her front windshield, passenger side while she was driving our E. She didn't notice anything hitting it and she wasn't following anyone on the highway. I brought this issue up to the dealer prior to purchasing and he waffled. It'll be interesting to see if he steps up to the plate.

I have had my E for 6 months and have had no windshield problems - but, I can't seem to get the glass clean no matter what I use.......Actually, I haven't had any of the problems I read about...... :lol:

Defnately a quailty issue - mine cracked

crack, outside vin range, late 03, same line from Honda, same defect everyone else has..

sigh. I don't get why Honda is wearing blinders on this. It goes against everything "Honda" that I have know in the past. Thats why I have been a loyal customer.

Now, I am having second thoughts.

How do I find out about the TSB? I'm about to put my second windshield in due to a rock from the road. Any help would be great






[quote:4e11a4b327=" "]Yeah, mine was a couple of thousand past the TSB VIN, and it 'cracked' from an impossible to see flaw. First dealer gave me crap, but second dealer fixed it (Thursday, actually) without any issue (other than waiting 3 weeks for the windshield to come in!).[/quote:4e11a4b327]

Okay, I've been reading this thread holding my breath and last week got into my car and saw a five inch crack in my windshield!! I wasn't even going to bother with my insurance since I have a $500 deduct. but decided to check. Apparently I have comprehensive? and I can get it replaced for free and it won't be counted as a claim (wow, something good about an insurance company!). But I will definitely let Honda know about it.

[quote:fbba7ef604=" "]<snip> But I will definitely let Honda know about it.[/quote:fbba7ef604]

NHTSA, too, please.

I just had my wife's E windshield replaced by the dealer, a small stress crack started while I was warming up her vehicle....no impact points and was a clean transaction with the dealer....(psst how do I vote?? :?: )

bump

I thought I would bump this up because the topic is still hot. I am interested in how many members have any problems with their windshields. There seems to be a feeling that it is just a few of us complianing a lot. I would like to know if that is true. So if you have no problems please respond to the poll.

bone

[quote:08b4d4c196=" "]So if you have no problems please respond to the poll.
[/quote:08b4d4c196]
Shouldn't people just vote the way that they experiened it?

Nobody can vote more than once, so it's not like a small group of bitching people can skew this vote. BUT, telling people who've had problems NOT to vote would...

Sorry, my point was that you should vote even if you had no problems.

[quote:b2cea47156=" "]Sorry, my point was that vote even if you had no problems.[/quote:b2cea47156]
Ah, gotcha -- that makes sense .. :)

how do you vote? Is the poll closed?

I have had two nice size rocks hit my windshield hard. No cracks!!!

[quote:7011d90e9b=" "]how do you vote? Is the poll closed?[/quote:7011d90e9b]

Scroll up to the top of the window! If you see results, then you already voted.

-brendan

I drive on the I-25 to work daily and my windshield gets hit by rocks, sand etc. at least once a day. No cracks. Late VIN 2003. By the way I know people with other make and model cars that have gotten cracks commuting on the I-25. My previous vehicle had 2 cracked windshields commuting to work. I don't think theres much of a case for lawsuits. Go get that German car there perfect right?

Scroll up to the top of the window! If you see results, then you already voted.

Thanks.

I do see result so I must have already voted...but I don't recall voting. Which means I must have voted a while ago, *before* my windshield cracked. I need to change my vote! :wink:

Yeah, that's what makes the polling on windshields using this software not such a great idea...I'm afraid I might end up having the same problem! :)

-brendan

design defect

Yes. My windshield has a crack in it that originates from the lower corner on the passenger side and I was not hit by a rock. I took it to the dealer and got a very nasty service manager who claims that the crack was caused by a rock. The crack isn't typical of a rock hit. I have also had two men who are with other dealerships look at it and they say it is not a typical rock hit crack.

Argh!!
Why couldn't I vote??
My windshield cracked and spiderred after having it for only like 2 months!!
I was so pissed! and the rock that hit me and did it was like a freaking pebble. a really small one!
And now the one that I replaced it with makes a freaky creaking noise.
When I called my dealer to tell them about it and try to get them to replace it when it happened they said it wasn't covered.
what crap!!
and though insurance covers it, with a $500 deductable, its cheaper to get it done myself!

We were planning to buy an Element until we started to read the windshield horror stories. With all the interested and active EOC members, I have a few questions: Are any of the club members actual employees of Honda, at any level, and can they get some real answers from Honda concerning any remedies for this problem? Does Honda USA support or acknowledge the EOC, and if so, would they respond to the club's inquiries about a REAL fix for the windshield problem? Have any of the club members found out the ACTUAL design/materials flaw that causes so many windshields to crack, even second and third windshields? I guess we'll just keep waiting, and reading, and hoping for a fix before spending $19K - $21K for the Element.

Well, I must have voted a long time ago, before my windshield cracked. Go ahead and put me down for "Crack or chip - felt windshield design/quality was an issue.".
We were cruising along the freeway yesterday (no other traffic nearby) and hit a small bump and heard a pop. Next thing you know there is a 6" crack coming down just to the left of the rear-view mirror. No noticable impact mark. It looks to me like a stress crack. We'll see what Honda has to say about it.
It's such a hassle to take the thing to the service department because it's over an hour away. Oh well... I went ahead a lodged a complaint on the old NHTSA site.

[quote:ed098bc114=" "]We were planning to buy an Element until we started to read the windshield horror stories. With all the interested and active EOC members, I have a few questionsAre any of the club members actual employees of Honda, at any level, and can they get some real answers from Honda concerning any remedies for this problem? Does Honda USA support or acknowledge the EOC, and if so, would they respond to the club's inquiries about a REAL fix for the windshield problem? Have any of the club members found out the ACTUAL design/materials flaw that causes so many windshields to crack, even second and third windshields? I guess we'll just keep waiting, and reading, and hoping for a fix before spending $19K - $21K for the Element.[/quote:ed098bc114]

Chin - You can add me to the list of potential buyers who have NOT bought yet because of this issue. Glad I found this site. I really like all aspects of the E, but am fearful of this design issue. Until these sort of threads die down, I probably will not buy an E. 2005 model maybe?

Yes, and rocking seat...and loose passenger door.....what's next?

today it happened did not use car today but when I returned HOLY COW cracked at the bottom under the wiper of the passenger side no marks just a squiggly crack what thw hell! brand spanking new vehicle and this happens. never in my car onwing life has this hapened. Im gonna run it by the dealer tommorow. hope it is covered

john

See my response to Jen earlier this evening on the right way to get it taken care of. Be patient and make sure Honda does you right!

-brendan

I few months back I got a crack on the right side and I was told that sinc there was a tiny point of impact, I would have to pay $700.00 for a new glass. Now sinc the crack was on the right side and was out of the way, I was going to put it off as long as possible to replace it. Guess what, one day I noticed a new crack that rose from right above the steering wheel up to the middle which meant that I had to replace it now. I went to the dealer and explained that since the second crack happened, it is now a safety hazzard and is now obstructing vision and it was clearly a stress crack with no point of impact. The service mannager was very accomidating. He said that Honda will replace this one because there is a stress crack. I guess I went on the right day.

Cracked Windshield yesterday :( DARN TRUCK kicked up stone, BOOM, CRACK, FROWN

2003EX, SOP, just out of VIN range for TSB.

Last week, I heard what sounded like a rock hit my windshield. I looked around and didn't see anything. Coming out of the house later that day, I spotted a crack weaving it's way from the base of the windshield just under the right wiper. I called my insurance company and they asked if the crack area was smaller than a dollar bill. I confirmed that it was and they scheduled me for an appointment (no charge) to fix the crack. Scared of expanding the crack, I didn't drive it unto the repairman showed up. He injected some glue in it and I can barely see it. Knock on wood.

I truly can't say if the design had anything to do with my crack. I did hear what sounded like a pebble hit the windshield, but it could have been a cracking sound also. There was no star, but there seemed to be a tiny pit. That could have been caused by the cracking, though. A real mystery.

my windshield craced again march 27, on my sons birthday. The first one was
feb. honda replaced it no charge. this time i have to wait till april 12, thats when the representive from honda will be in, then i ll know if they are going to go round two with me i hope no charge. ther service manager did not want to make that decision. go figure: I wrote honda corp a letter, called them also i now have a case number. if they dont fix this one. then next letter will be to the attorney general. I DONT MESS AROUND. when ever it gets fixed, i plan to trade the E IN. for what i have no clue as of yet.ill keep
all of you posted....feat98. :?

I have read where some feel surprised that there is not a higher percentage of chip / crack dissatisfaction.

I would mention here that I work for a manufacturing company and when we get a disatisfied indication of more than 5% on any topic area of customer surveys or a field failure rate of more than 10% we investigate both engineering and manufacturing functions as well as conduct customer interviews to determine specific use patterns.

I wonder if Honda is in that mode just now? One can only hope.

elementaly challenged. Thank you, I posted that point awhile back.. no one got it.

I am in the same type of employment as you. Our rate for sending out a service bulletin is 3% and a recall at 5%.

We are making musical instruments, hardly anything that has major safety concerns, (in most cases, amps are the exception) or as high dollar (In most cases as well) as a small SUV.

I voted no crack on this poll, but came out this morning to find a stress crack on my wife's element. She thinks it may have happened when she hit a pothole.

My 2003 cracked after 2300 miles while sitting in the parking lot of my workplace between 1 and 5 pm (in the typical location under the passenger wiper) - - also outside the VIN for the TSB - still negotiating with dealer after being turned away after the first attempt - no question it's a design problem - even if the flange is not at fault then the glass definitely is.

[quote:0f6f5f1f18=" "]I really believe that the glass is crap. 3 chips and one crack in first 3 weeks. Dads sopy no chips but the glass looks like it has been sand blasted. Note: Installed the nose mask and have not been hit by a rock since. (however, hood is damaged.)[/quote:0f6f5f1f18]

Can't believe it. I shouldn't have been reading the boards about windshields. My LX is only a week old and on the highway saturday I got hit by a rock the size of a nat. It left a deep pit and two wings that will soon become full cracks. Getting it filled today by the autoglass company. I hope it doesn't spread because it sounds like honda won't be owning up to weak glass. No way that little stone should have done so much damage. I have stones with the diameter of a half dollar hit windshields before and leave less of a crack.

errrrrrr

THESE WINDSHIELDS ARE TOTAL CRAP!. My wife took her E in to get the crack looked at by the dealer, he tried to call a hole the size of a grain of salt a point of impact. Even if something did hit the window, it should not leave a 15" crack. It starts below the drivers side wiper and goes at a 45 deg angle to the center of the windhield.

I have driven my Toyota Tacoma truck that has about the same pitch windshield on the same roads out here in southern md for 8 years and 130,000 and never had anything crack or chip the windshield. My wife drives for 2 months and about 2,000 miles and she has a 15" crack?

I had to have the windshield fixed on my truck once when some teenagers that were going the opposite direction threw some rocks or marbles at me. We were both going about 60 mph and the impact sounded like a shotgun went off inside the cab (120 mph x the weight of the object) . It made about 3 round small chips on the windshield and after SEVERAL MONTHS spread out about to about 3-4" at the most.

I don't know if it is Honda's glass or the frame or what, but there is definitely a problem that Honda needs to admit to.

Had my E for 3 months, took it to the dealer today because last week I kept hearing a wind noise from the top of the windsheild. Turns out my VIN was included in the TBS 09-024, so dealer fixed it under warranty. Hopefully now I wont get cracks!:rolleyes:

I have 2 chips but I seem to have a whole mess of small, dust like chips.

This is my story,
At 4,300 miles the first windshield cracked and American Honda Replaced it under their "Good Will Policy" then at 17,900 miles the second windshield cracked I called American Honda again and they would not replace it and said if it cracked again to give them a call whatever that meant so I called my local Honda rep. and he aggreed that there was an issue and replaced it. that windshield lasted till 56,700 miles and it cracked again I haven't done anything yet not sure what to do call American Honda or local rep.
Thanks for listining to my rant.
Dave

4th on my 03',,, honda replaced with no problems.
still on my first with my 06',,, dinged though.

I currently have 6 chips in my windshield. I got 2 in the first month back in 03. Then basically nothing for a while. IN the last 6 month I have gotten 3 new ones (which I need to have filled or maybe just replace the darn thing)

wow, five years between posts!! what a find! :rolleyes:

I don't know if it's just my horrible luck but I'm about to put in my fourth windshield. First was the funky Element random mystery crack (while E sat over night), and the others were all rocks/ice chunks. Bummer huh?