VehicleVerdict

2003 Honda Element electrical system problems

The 2003 Honda Element has 37 electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA — 8% of the year's total, and the first year with meaningful reports in this category.

37

Electrical System complaints

8%

Share of year

2

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Electrical System complaints by year

Element electrical system complaints by model year37 complaints2003: 37 complaints2004: 18 complaints2005: 17 complaints2006: 13 complaints2007: 28 complaints2008: 8 complaints2009: 2 complaints2010: 2 complaints2011: 1 complaints
Element electrical system complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

10V364000Electrical SystemAugust 5, 2010 · 551,498 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE ORIGINAL INTERLOCK PIN AND LEVER WITHIN THE IGNITION SWITCH, AND REPLACE THEM WITH NEW, DESIGNED COMPONENTS. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 7, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009.

What owners report

“CAR WAS PARKED, ENGINE TURNED OFF, AND KEY REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. AS I STEPPED OUT THE CAR BEGAN TO ROLL, MY RIGHT LEG BECAME CAUGHT IN THE CAR, I WAS DRAGGED ABOUT 80 FEET DOWN MY DRIVEWAY UNTIL I FINALLY MANAGED TO FREE MY FOOT AND ROLL AWAY. I FRACTURED A FINGER, TORE LIGAMENTS IN THAT AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · September 10, 2005 · crash

Common questions

How many electrical system complaints does the 2003 Honda Element have?

NHTSA has 37 complaints about the 2003 Honda Element electrical system — 8% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2003 Honda Element electrical system?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the electrical system: 10V364000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.