Yes, I am convinced after doing a bunch of research that the E has some sort of windshield defect, whether it be the glass itself, the sealant, or the body frame around it that causes the crack, who cares. We only know there is a problem.

What I'm wondering is how widespread everyone thinks it is. I read the TSB covered about 5000 E's, but there are many reports of people outside the VIN range that have had the issue. So...

For it to be a problem, the crack typically has to be WIDESPREAD across the entire windshield.

OK. I'm only kinda sorry. That was just begging to be said! But seriously, last I heard it affects less than, what, 1% of Elements? For what it's worth, if it affects YOURS, it's a definite problem, and I do respect that. See your dealer, and don't stop being a pain-in-the-butt until you're satisfied.

For the record, I'm not an owner. Very close to being one however. Quite seriously this is the one item holding me up. It is really the nhtsa site that seriously got me thinking...

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/complain/complaintsearch.cfm

When you look at the Elements defects, the windshield issue really jumps out at you. Look at both years, and then do some searches on other model vehicles. It is rare to have more then 10 complaints in any category. Element has over 100 combined for both years.

But again, that is the people affected, so yes it is a problem. I'm hoping this poll brings out more of the owners who have not had a problem. All the other windshield polls are written to attract the attention of those with the problem. I'm hoping I worded mine to get the attention of everyone.

[quote:c10c44d8d8=" "]For the record, I'm not an owner. Very close to being one however. Quite seriously this is the one item holding me up. It is really the nhtsa site that seriously got me thinking...

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/complain/complaintsearch.cfm

When you look at the Elements defects, the windshield issue really jumps out at you. Look at both years, and then do some searches on other model vehicles. It is rare to have more then 10 complaints in any category. Element has over 100 combined for both years.[/quote:c10c44d8d8]

That's because there has been a concerted effort here and on the other E bboards to point people to the NHTSA page to report the problem, in an attempt to get Honda to notice.

If the windshield issue is the only thing stopping you from buying, relax...and buy the car, and deal with the crack later if need be.

-brendan

If the windshield issue is the only thing stopping you from buying, relax...and buy the car, and deal with the crack later if need be.


The crackpots, on the other hand, are a whole 'nother issue! What advice would you offer in that regard, Brendan? :wink:

Edit: Nickel II - I don't mean to dismiss your question or your concerns, but the windshield crack thing has been blown pretty much out of proportion. I have a tiny star crack in mine, but it's survived the freeze/thaw cycle without growing, so I'm past worrying about it. Instead, I'm concerned because I'm accumulating almost a quart of water on the floor of mine following heavy rainfalls. Doesn't leak when I'm driving in downpours, and it didn't do this last year, so what's different now? I'm reluctant to take it to the dealer because, well, don't get me started on that line of thought, but even so...it's a small worry compared to how happy I am with the vehicle in total, and I'll find a solution to this latest little problem, even if I have to drive to St. Louis! :wink:

I have to say, I haven't found a more passionate group of consumers since I became an XM subscriber.

www.xm411.com and xmfan.com

Chances are the windshield will not prevent me from buying the E. Might try that edge film protectant that is posted on hondaelement.org, and my insurance policy currently replaces glass with just a $50 deductible. (Geico). I inquired about their rating on the Element and after a 10 minute explanation about the rating system going 1-10 and A-Z, with 1 being very low cost to insure and Z being very expensive to insure, the E is a D.

I also might ask the dealer to give me 3 year coverage on the windshield cracks (not worried about star cracks-I have one in my trucks windshield and it doesn't bother me, just had that special glue sealed into it for safety) and use these sites as reference, just for piece of mind. If they don't think it will be a problem, perhaps they will do it. Worth a try.

[quote]If the windshield issue is the only thing stopping you from buying, relax...and buy the car, and deal with the crack later if need be.


The crackpots, on the other hand, are a whole 'nother issue! What advice would you offer in that regard, Brendan? :wink:

Edit: Nickel II - I don't mean to dismiss your question or your concerns, but the windshield crack thing has been blown pretty much out of proportion. I have a tiny star crack in mine, but it's survived the freeze/thaw cycle without growing, so I'm past worrying about it. Instead, I'm concerned because I'm accumulating almost a quart of water on the floor of mine following heavy rainfalls. Doesn't leak when I'm driving in downpours, and it didn't do this last year, so what's different now? I'm reluctant to take it to the dealer because, well, don't get me started on that line of thought, but even so...it's a small worry compared to how happy I am with the vehicle in total, and I'll find a solution to this latest little problem, even if I have to drive to St. Louis! :wink:[/quote:d895e7340b]

Ahh, no worries. The internet is great for making people paranoid, myself included. Just wnat to cover all the bases.

I had a leaking problem in my 1987 VW Golf way back when I was young. The dealer always asked me if I was driving through rivers. No one could figure out where the leak was from.

Luckily I am now in San Diego and it rarely rains. Best of luck with that.

My convertible leaks like a beeyotch. But then I rarely have the top up...
24,200 miles and no cracks and I am in the VIN range. I still love this car!

[quote:c10c44d8d8=" "]". . . there has been a concerted effort here and on the other E bboards to point people to the NHTSA page to report the problem, in an attempt to get Honda to notice.

-brendan
I'm kind of surprised there has not been a concerted effort on these E bboards to have glass crack victims report triangulation data. What am I suggesting? Use say the top right and left windshield corners as reference points. Measure how many inches from each corner to the point where the crack disappears into bottom cowel. Wouldn't it be interesting if the results turned out to be far from random-even when rocks are involved? Collect numerical data instead of (or in addition to) hard luck stories.

I asked a similar question in the Windshields issues:
Should I be concerned about this if I am going to be buying a new '05 E. I really don't want to be replacing a windshield all the time on a brand new car. Any advise will help-thanks

Everything that has been reported here as far as windshields goes has been problems with early 2003 models only. I have a late 2003 and after almost 27k have my original windshield with nary a crack in site.

I had a rock chip but filled it in and it has not given me any problems. Yes it was a rock that struck the windshield. :)

I would purchase the 2005 and not even worry about the windshield.

I have an early Element within the affected range and have not had a problem with my windshield. I even have a rock chip which didn't turn into a crack.

I asked a similar question in the Windshields issues:
Should I be concerned about this if I am going to be buying a new '05 E. I really don't want to be replacing a windshield all the time on a brand new car. Any advise will help-thanks
I just checked the NHTSA site and NO, NONE, ZERO complaints have been filed on the '05 Element! :-D

I have had my 2003 E since march 2003 and didnt have any windshield problems until this february when a rock hit my windshield. I had a honda windshield put back in and have not had the problems that some others have had.

An interesting observation...

If you look at the responses to the poll,
Those that answered less than 1% (statistically correct) all have 2003 Elements.

Those that responded greater than 10% all have 2004 Elements except one,
who doesn't own an E so I wonder what that vote is based on.
:roll:


My VIN is just outside the range and I haven't had an issue.
Cracks/chips happen on vehicles with a more upright windshield as they are much more vulnerable to rock impact verses, say, an Accord whos windshield is much more raked.

The difference is the E has had a TSB pertaining to a "uneven windshield flange surface" in the lower corners causing stress on the glass making cracks from a rock chip more likely and, in some cases, phantom cracks at the lower corners with no apparent cause.

Because of the TSB, many owners are blaming normal rock chips and cracks on a "defect" that would otherwise be classified as normal wear and tear.
Particularly if you do a lot of highway driving, rural area driving, and/or tailgating.