My windshield cracked at 1200 miles. It can't be replaced because they are not available. The good news is that my insurance will cover 3 replacements a year. So in a perfect world I could drive 3600 miles a year without a brocken (or defective) windshield. Honda will do what ? about this. :evil:
Any news on the windshields?
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How much of this is going on?
Ok, I have seen many concerned customers asking about the windshield problems and I will do my best to explain the problem the way my service manager explained it to me. He didn't give me specifics and I am certain I won't be able to convey the same information the way he did, but here goes:
Some windshields are indeed cracking due to a flaw in the design. A stress crack may form on some windshields. He said he would show me tomorrow, but basically there are two pieces on each side of the windshield (he had a name for them) that are creating extra stress on the windshields, which can lead to cracks. The way he explained these pieces was that they were too sharp and the likely fix would be to replace the windshield and these two pieces with something different. Honda is looking into this further and we expect to see some type of resolution if necessary. I am certain part of the trouble is determining how widespread the problem is. I don't have the data on the number of reported problems.
Second, my service manager compared this problem to something similar we had a few years back with the Honda Civics. I don't recall that problem, but he said it was a fairly simple fix and that Honda issued bulletins and customers were informed and the repairs were done at no charge to the customers.
Finally, many of these cracks, etc are just everyday rock chips and such. The concern many have is legitimate, but this also contributes to generalizations and misdiagnosis. There has not yet been any proof that the design of the windshield itself, catches more rocks or anything, but I unerstand some of the logic there. I will continue to inform those here as I get more information, but this is the best I have been able to come up with over the past several weeks.
Some windshields are indeed cracking due to a flaw in the design. A stress crack may form on some windshields. He said he would show me tomorrow, but basically there are two pieces on each side of the windshield (he had a name for them) that are creating extra stress on the windshields, which can lead to cracks. The way he explained these pieces was that they were too sharp and the likely fix would be to replace the windshield and these two pieces with something different. Honda is looking into this further and we expect to see some type of resolution if necessary. I am certain part of the trouble is determining how widespread the problem is. I don't have the data on the number of reported problems.
Second, my service manager compared this problem to something similar we had a few years back with the Honda Civics. I don't recall that problem, but he said it was a fairly simple fix and that Honda issued bulletins and customers were informed and the repairs were done at no charge to the customers.
Finally, many of these cracks, etc are just everyday rock chips and such. The concern many have is legitimate, but this also contributes to generalizations and misdiagnosis. There has not yet been any proof that the design of the windshield itself, catches more rocks or anything, but I unerstand some of the logic there. I will continue to inform those here as I get more information, but this is the best I have been able to come up with over the past several weeks.
Hi there,
It sounds to me like some of you may not realize that Honda has released a TSB regarding this issue.
There is a subforum here entitled Recalls, TSB's, & Notices - so whenever you have concerns about what is percieved as a widespread problem, that's a good place to check for confirmation.
Anyway, here is the link to the forum thread that has the actual windshield TSB posted inside:
http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=2212
It sounds to me like some of you may not realize that Honda has released a TSB regarding this issue.
There is a subforum here entitled Recalls, TSB's, & Notices - so whenever you have concerns about what is percieved as a widespread problem, that's a good place to check for confirmation.
Anyway, here is the link to the forum thread that has the actual windshield TSB posted inside:
http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=2212
[quote:0ac4f58f0e="Johnny99"]I notice the TSB re the cracking was issued in May. Does this mean that the problem has be solved on the production line and that any vehicles produced since that date will not have that problem?[/quote:0ac4f58f0e]
The TSP applies to the vehicles in the vin ranges on the TSB only. Vehicles with a higher VIN that were made later should not have the same problem.
The TSP applies to the vehicles in the vin ranges on the TSB only. Vehicles with a higher VIN that were made later should not have the same problem.
My windshield cracked after only 3500 miles... the culprit... a 1 mm in dia. "pencil tip" size pit at the bottom right hand corner of the windshield. It was SO small...you could hardly see it with the naked eye. This pit caused a 15" stress crack all the way up the middle of the windshield. Fine.. I take it to my Honda Dealer whom immediately tells me the pebble hit in the worst possible spot and too bad... it's on my dime. I get the windshield replaced... TWO days later......it is CRACKED again. This time... even a SMALLER "pencil-tip" size pit on the top RIGHT hand corner..... which spread to a 10" crack in a matter of minutes. I have owned over 10 cars in my lifetime and have had pebbles twice the size hit the windshield .. .never had this problem. I want to know what is going on... for I am NOT paying to replace this 2nd windshield only to have every small pebble that hits my windshield cause a stress crack. This is RIDICULOUS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Todays Paper states:
Honda makes quality, not quantity, its Focus
Tokyo- Honda Motor Co. is going to focus on creating quality cars rather
than pursuing quick growth in sales, the new president of Japan's No. 2
aultomaker said Thursday. "I'm not setting sales targets," said Takeo Fukui,
who took office as president and cheif executive last month. He said Honda has no plans to add plants in North America and will concentrate on increasing capacity at its Alabama plant to 300,000 vehicles a year from 150,000 vehicles to meet growing demand.
This is good new, now how do we get his email to let him know Libertyvillle has some serious quality control issues regarding defective glass design, squeeks, etc. Anybody got any ideas? I think the first step is to call Customer Service:
if you have had a windshield crack for any reason and ask for Fukui's email address - in the U.S.A. the phone # is 1-800-999-1009 in Canada it is
888-946-6329. I think this will get corporates attention - and register your complaint while you speak with the representative.
Like the previous poster stated that their insurance covers 3 windshields per year, well think about it folks at over $500 U.S. per replacement, what do you think the insurance companies will start doing when they connect the dots and determine that they need to raise your rates $500 to $1500 per year because you bought a Honda Element. Honda needs to address this
issue and cover all replacements!
FUKUI is the at the top and that is where we need to start. Let the game begin.
Best of Luck - I ordered my Blue EX 5sp AWD in March and still no word on
delivery,
Lightship
Honda makes quality, not quantity, its Focus
Tokyo- Honda Motor Co. is going to focus on creating quality cars rather
than pursuing quick growth in sales, the new president of Japan's No. 2
aultomaker said Thursday. "I'm not setting sales targets," said Takeo Fukui,
who took office as president and cheif executive last month. He said Honda has no plans to add plants in North America and will concentrate on increasing capacity at its Alabama plant to 300,000 vehicles a year from 150,000 vehicles to meet growing demand.
This is good new, now how do we get his email to let him know Libertyvillle has some serious quality control issues regarding defective glass design, squeeks, etc. Anybody got any ideas? I think the first step is to call Customer Service:
if you have had a windshield crack for any reason and ask for Fukui's email address - in the U.S.A. the phone # is 1-800-999-1009 in Canada it is
888-946-6329. I think this will get corporates attention - and register your complaint while you speak with the representative.
Like the previous poster stated that their insurance covers 3 windshields per year, well think about it folks at over $500 U.S. per replacement, what do you think the insurance companies will start doing when they connect the dots and determine that they need to raise your rates $500 to $1500 per year because you bought a Honda Element. Honda needs to address this
issue and cover all replacements!
FUKUI is the at the top and that is where we need to start. Let the game begin.
Best of Luck - I ordered my Blue EX 5sp AWD in March and still no word on
delivery,
Lightship
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