With 1 recalls and 449 complaints, the 2003 Honda Element rates as elevated on the safety concern scale. Always run the VIN through NHTSA's lookup tool before signing.

Recalls

449

Complaints

Crashes

Fires

Recall Findings

10V3640002010-05-08

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

HONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2003 HONDA ACCORD, CIVIC TWO AND FOUR DOOR, AND MODEL YEAR 2003-2004 HONDA ELEMENT VEHICLES. THE INTERLOCK LEVER OF THE IGNITION SWITCH MAY UNEXPECTEDLY DEFORM, WHICH CAN ALLOW THE INTERLOCK FUNCTION OF A VEHICLE WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION TO BE DEFEATED.

REMOVAL OF THE IGNITION KEY WHEN THE GEAR SELECTOR OF A VEHICLE WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HAS NOT BEEN SHIFTED TO THE PARK POSITION CAN ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO ROLL AWAY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

View at NHTSA

Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

Top Complaint Areas

The 2003 Honda Element's biggest weak point? VISIBILITY. It leads 449 total complaints spanning 1 years. Budget for a thorough pre-purchase inspection, especially in that area.

01Visibility224

02Air Bags48

03Latches/locks/linkages23

04Electrical System20

05Suspension12

449 total across 1 model years (2003–2003)Full data at NHTSA.gov

Honda Element Fuel Economy

20–21mpg combined

18-20city

22-24hwy

$3,200-$3,400/yr

Fuel economy for the 2003 Honda Element ranges from 20 to 21 MPG combined across 4 setups. The table below breaks it down by trim so you know exactly what you're signing up for.

By Trim

Element 2WD - Automatic 4-spd

21mpg

2.4L 4-cyl · Front-Wheel Drive

20 city24 hwy~$3,200/yr-1/10 Poor

Element 2WD - Manual 5-spd

21mpg

2.4L 4-cyl · Front-Wheel Drive

19 city24 hwy~$3,200/yr-1/10 Poor

Element 4WD - Automatic 4-spd

20mpg

2.4L 4-cyl · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive

19 city23 hwy~$3,400/yr-1/10 Poor

Element 4WD - Manual 5-spd

20mpg

2.4L 4-cyl · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive

18 city22 hwy~$3,400/yr-1/10 Poor

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Where to Find 2003 Honda Element

38States

26%in top 3

The biggest cluster of inventory is in Oregon (10%), but the remaining listings are spread across 37 other states nationwide.

OROregon

1510%

FLFlorida

138%

WAWashington

128%

TXTexas

117%

COColorado

106%

GAGeorgia

85%

ILIllinois

64%

DCWashington DC

64%

MIMichigan

64%

CACalifornia

64%

CTConnecticut

53%

NYNew York

43%

OHOhio

43%

KYKentucky

43%

NCNorth Carolina

43%

DEDelaware

32%

MDMaryland

32%

VTVermont

32%

WIWisconsin

32%

PAPennsylvania

32%

MA2

MO2

VA2

NE2

AZ2

NH2

NJ2

NV2

KS2

ID1

UT1

MN1

AL1

ND1

SC1

OK1

WY1

TN1

Geographic distribution reflects all active listings for this model, not just 2003.

2003 Honda Element Buyer FAQ

What to know before you buy

Is the 2003 Honda Element a good car to buy?

The 2003 Honda Element has 1 recall on record. There is 1 recall on record, so check that they've been completed before buying. The most commonly reported issue area is visibility, which is worth inspecting during a test drive. Review the safety data and pricing breakdown above.

Are there recalls on the 2003 Honda Element?

NHTSA shows 1 recall campaign for the 2003 Honda Element. Before buying, verify all recalls are complete. The dealer must fix them at no charge. See the safety section for the full list.

What's the gas mileage of the 2003 Honda Element?

Depending on configuration, the 2003 Honda Element delivers 20–21 MPG combined. Choose wisely. The full comparison shows how engine choice affects your wallet.

What are common problems with the 2003 Honda Element?

VISIBILITY is the number-one complaint area for the 2003 Honda Element, based on 449 NHTSA filings. During a test drive, pay extra attention to this system. See the known issues section for the full breakdown.