Ive had my 2004 element for about three weeks. Surprise surprise when i woke up to go to work and found a foot long crack starting at the base of my driver side windshield and spreading to the upper middle. It grew as I drove. Took the car in to get fixed for another problem...my check engine light is now on and i hear a slight screeching every time i ease up on the gas pedal. Hopefully they will fix that and the windshield. In the meantime Im driving a loaner. Ill let u know what happens.

Wow...That sucks.

Gee Jen, that does suck....I thought they took care of the windsheild problem with the '04 models. When I bought mine 4 weeks ago the dealer said that Honda took care of the problem in '04. I found out about the windsheild problem thanks to this board and I hope that everything goes good with your problem. Good Luck.

Well, I just got the call from Honda. They fixed the check engine light which was a coolant problem. However, they are not fixing the windshield claiming that there was impact below the wiper. This is BS. I am so pissed I wish i never bought the element. 23000 dollars later. There was def no impact. I dont know what to do. Call HONda? Write them? Is it even worth it? It is such ashame because I was really into this car. Fun and easy to drive, cool looking...etc. Jen

Jen-

Print out the windshield TSB and find the various *very large* threads on this board about broken Element windshields on this site and print them out too. I Think some of the threads are "sticky" and should be easy to find (tmac?). Find the SCORES of complaints at the NHTSA web site and print those out too.

Go down to the dealer and show them all your backup material. Tell them it's clearly not an impact, but a defect and that if they do not fix it under warranty, you will take all your future business elsewhere.

If they say no, take it elsewhere and start again. Any Honda service department should want your business and, as a new customer, they may make it easier to get it warranty fixed.

If they say "well...the honda rep will be here in (somewhat short term, less than 3-4 weeks) time...they might be able to take a look at it" say "OK!". From what I understand, no honda rep has denied a windshield claim like this (assuming it's a crack with a very very small pit). Again, if you do this, bring all your documentation.

I strongly recommend *not* giving up and getting it fixed by a 3rd party (even if covered under your car insurance). Why? It won't be Honda warranteed any more *and* if wind noise/creaks start due to the work, you might be SOL.

I also recommend taking some pictures of the crack as it is currently, just in case it does something catastrophic in the meantime.

Good luck and don't give up! Honda needs to fix this!

-brendan

Jen, I totally agree with brendan plus I would call the Honda 800 number and make yourself a pest. Just don't give up. By the way, what dealer did you buy the car from? Good Luck ~Vinny

Well i got the call from Honda today (Nardy in smithtown NY). After telling them that I was going to never buy from them again and how dissapointed I was with the way m y new car was working, they fixed it for me. They had some Honda rep come in to look at the windshield and they fixed it. It took a little bit of pestering and a few trips to the dealership, but it worked out in the lonf run. A good way to end my day after teaching 13 and 14 yr olds! I'm alot happier now and cant wait to take my element back on the road. Everytime i was in my loaner car and would pass an element all i could think about was how much I missed my car! Thanks for all your feedback! Jen

Go Jen!

Seems like the dealers are still trying to push off the problem until being forced to deal with it. Glad to hear it is working out!

-brendan

i bought my E there also. My salesman was Andy Costas ,he was very good i brought my brother-in-law there and he cut him a great deal on a new CRV. I'm glad the dealership did the right thing and now you can enjoy your car. By the way, did they mention that there is a problem with the 04's windsheild or did they just shrug it off?

I was driving back to the office after lunch today and spotted a black Element coming towards me, with Blue Tape around the windshield. I don't know what year this E was? I was surprized to see this, and crossing my fingers that I am spared this grief.

I wonder if this driver is a member of the Element Owners Club?

Hello black E on East Don Julian Road, in Industry, CA. Are you a member? Can you share your story with us?

Well today Im back on the road with my new windshield. Whwn i stopped a the dealer to pick it up, I saw another element getting serviced with a HIGE crack across the shield just like mine! The service detp told me it was "just getting serviced". Although Honda did a great job fixing my windshield, tehy dont seem to acknowledge there is a problem with the shields........back in my E and loving it, Jen

Don't want to look like a dope! Sorry about the all typos. I just type fast and dont really proofread what I type.......i meant to spell HUGE not HIGE....and other typos........Jen

Do you know when your 2004 was built? The Month and Year should be on a sticker on the Passenger Door (don't remember if it's the front or rear one).

I have my fingers crossed that I don't get a crack. Mine was built in January and I've had it three weeks.

Mine was built in Jan too.

<<Mine was built in Jan too>>

Oh No! Well, I still love my new car and will just say to myself "Don't Worry, be Hap E".


Glad to hear they fixed it for you.