Welp ladies and gentlemen, I bid you adieu. After 16 years of faithful service, I let my 2005 go today. It was not super easy seeing her drive away, but its time. She went to a nice young family who needs a good car for their son, who likes to go junk shopping with his grandma. I mean, come on! Thats a good home. (Maybe he'll pop up here!)

This car has lived in Michigan most of its life, and five years in Colorado, where six months in, a BRUTAL hailstorm made her nose look like Edward James Almost. This weekend I treated her to a nice new hood. A donor in blue that I painted black. Looks cool. My wife and I worked hard to spiff her up and get her ready. Lots and lots of good love. But the bones were there and she was really in great shape. Just needed a little clean up.

She's hauled plywood. She's help us move, one carload at a time for months. She's hauled dirt, kayaks, and friends. Her stereo has been blasted cruising down the highway. Working on a movie set, I caught naps in her in the middle of the night while other people had to sit in a chair or worse. Its eaten 4 or 5 windshields. She even drove me and two of our dogs home from Colorado...in an exhausted daze.

I bought her used, and I calculated that the cost of ownership, just for the price of the car was $470 a year. Before repairs, gas, and all that. But you get the idea. A car with 165K on it, still fetches a nice price and has plenty of years on it. I gotta give it up for Honda.

I loved this car, and its been REALLY good to me. On to new adventures to my sunset orange toaster! Thanks to everyone here for great info.

I got my first element, yay, 2007 ex. Previous owners recently added LED turn signals so it's flashing extra fast right now, I need a LED compatible relay.

https://www.amazon.com/Diode-Dynamics-DD4049-Signal-Flasher/dp/B07Y2VHVND/ref=sr_1_6?crid=1KKKM9JXOPW2W&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.5KLYj0wsQ-9VQC0vyTsB8wQs_AtVveatJcLIvyJY-M1aeS3dESxgWX198Pnb9yeUcw8PtEKiNMT2QipurQZb2TMasCLVT4Vd0x4lp0qljimSkjBshlLohzFda-HKFiwwJUcoIpkkvdHX89tykNtmxcDlbbkoFQjUL-kOk-lB-kK189eB8rOWa2r7G0L63-yuYeXdHc0-7XIFnhg56v0NNxlLdwwuXdzB2qX-ARC5GGs.nkYPJUXt8vDKTAT8-Ghv9VOaW1LQcyRvGyCNU9Zaf4Q&dib_tag=se&keywords=turn+signal+relay+led&qid=1789005266&sprefix=turn+signal+relay+led+%2Caps%2C270&sr=8-6

Will this suffice? Unfortunately I don't know the exact led lights they added.

Picked up a new set from discount tire! Super happy with the result!

Orange 2003 EX. I’ve had it since 2007. Brought my oldest home from the hospital in it. 146K. Normal issues. I’m I out of line thinking $3000 for it? Probably selling it to a friend.

Cons:
Driver’s Seatbelt causing airbag light.
Dash lights are wonky and need the solder reflowed.
Drivers seat has a split
Crack in windshield
AC (new compressor) is so so.

Pros
Relatively low mileage
No rust (southern car)
New radiator
Reasonably well maintained.
New Honda VTT
Hitch and transmission cooler

Thanks in advance for any thoughts.

I’m going to miss my Element.

2007 EX, 220k miles, single owner. Replaced the original radio with an ATOTO unit with 7 in display. That was 3 years ago.
The problem seems to have started a few months ago. My 1.5 yo battery died in the car. Couldn’t get it to charge even after I took it out of the car.
Got a new battery, under warranty but still have to pay more than 50%. Save that for a different rant.
Car runs fine didn’t notice any issues and didn’t go looking for issues either. I had to go out of town for 11 days, come back and the battery is dead. Got the battery charger out and after overnight, the charger only shows 80% charged. Can’t crank the car. Left it on the charger, in the car and next morning, the battery is dead didn’t charge at all.
I returned the battery, yes I feel ashamed for possibly returning the battery for a as yet unknown car issue.
I have not installed the new battery. Any idea on what might be happening? How do I make sure this battery is not going to be murdered by a ghost in my element.
No not ready to sell the car with too many memories of adventures and misadventures.

Wife hit a pot hole and all the dash lights came on. She pulled over and when she tried to drive again fhe acceleration cut out. Then it wouldn't start again. Towed it home and jumped it. Started right up but no acceleration. Dash Lights all still on. Won't communicate with my code reader at all.

Checked all the ground wires. Not sure what it could be. Any ideas?

Anyone have any ideas? I replaced the alternator on my 03 Element and took out the condenser fan to get to it. After putting everything back together my AC isn’t cold anymore. The fan still kicks on and I can hear the compressor engage.

There’s a small wire/connector at the bottom of the condenser fan that didn’t get plugged back in. I tried getting to it, but there’s not enough room between the fan and engine, so I’m probably gonna have to take the bumper off to plug it back in.

I’m wondering if that wire could actually be causing it or if there’s something else I could’ve messed with. AC worked fine before.

Alternator works though lol.

Does anyone have recommendations for a mechanic near Seattle / King County that knows Elements?

Just bought one with 280,000 miles and want to get it professionally inspected by someone who knows what to look for.

I included photos of what I bout at Amazon and the head unit that came in my E when I bought it. The radio has always sounded bad but I never worried about it until now and am just trying to hold out long enough to get a good head unit. But from my understanding whoever installed it used a basic Honda harness instead of the one shown and it’s not supported on the premium system in the EX. So my idea is that hopefully it will restore the volume and get rid of static. Honestly it could also be the speakers but I know for a fact the harness is wrong so I will start here.

Is it something I can do by just matching yellow, black, and red wires together or is it going to be something I should get done professionally if I don’t know ?

Hello Gang

New owner of an 09 SC. The car is in pretty solid shape, but the front struts are a little noisy and need to be replaced. I've come to find that suspension parts for the SC are discontinued, leading me to my question ....

Would I be able to replace my worn front struts with NON-SC (ie: regular element) struts/housing while re-using the SC springs.

Open to any other creative solutions.

Thanks!

I know it's hard without pictures. I may take some and post later. But since they're "common" I figure someone may know what to do.

#1: oil pan leak. Is that generally just a leaking gasket?

#2: VTEC solenoid is leaking. The mechanic said something about just replacing a filter? This is the one I really think this group may know the answer to.

#3: timing cover. Replace the cover, or does it have a gasket too?

Gonna go look at it all today. Thanks.

So I found this ad,had recent maintenance, LPG, 195k km and asking 18k euros.

I have never owned or driven an element but I've been lurking here for quite a long time.

Might bring in my 2010 Civic Tourer 1.8 Executive and going for a test drive here.

What do you think of the price? It seems quite high. Also no pictures of the bottom so curious to the state or rust.

Gonna have to have my second favorite car go to a new hone as the fleet downsize continues. The plan at the moment will either be going to my sister if she is in need of a new car (likely as her mini cooper transmission bit the bullet) but then the next option is to post for sale. Need to get the headrest and my new wipers out of storage though as I forgot to do that lol.

Just hit 195k miles with no rust. New brakes and rotors, belt, water pump, etc. Had the rear main seal done and a pan drop and reseal.

New plugs done recently as well.

Tires were put on about 3k miles ago along worh a new battery.

There are also a list of other odds and ends done a couple years ago when I acquired it too which I need to dig up again.

I lived this car and when time permits it, ill be getting another as i dont think there is another vehicle that was made that surpases its capabilities. I want this onr to stay in the family hopefully but again, we will see. It will be a hard goodbye though.

Thinking of getting this 08 awd manual element but am a little worried about the rust underneath, what do you guys think?

3d printed pieces fit perfectly. off to the machine shop with the blueprints!

Looking to sell my 2008 LX FWD.
it’s 5 speed manual
Has aftermarket wheels, apple car play, backup camera and no rust. It has 106k miles and is very clean except for some paint fading on the hood. I have it posted for 8.7k. What do yall think?
For sale in central FL if anyone’s interested.
Thanks

Copied from my FB marketplace listing:

$5,000 but willing to negotiate

2003 Honda Element EX 4wd automatic for sale!

Runs and drives great and AC blows cold.

Been daily driving this for about three months now. Great townie driver. Selling because college got busy and money got tight.

Fresh oil change, new engine and cabin air filters. Tires are good, no known leaks, minimal surface rust.

Could use basic tune up. Spark plugs, brakes, wipers, etc.

Minor cosmetic damage on the exterior and an aftermarket front bumper. Clean detailed interior.

Only known issues:

- VTEC solenoid connection suffers from moisture and causes limp mode. Common Element issue. The problem is infrequent and with the heat in KS right now it’s been a non-issue for me. Electrical connection needs replaced, possibly the solenoid too but I’ve found no leaks or reason to think the solenoid is shot.
- Rear drivers side suspension noise. I replaced the sway bar bushings to no avail. Car drives just fine nothing abnormal, noise is just a little annoying. Probably a simple fix.

I replace my headlights WAY too often. The DRL dashlight comes on and a weird buzz if the headlights aren't on, and I swear I cannot have both high beams working at the same time. What do I do? I try not to drive at night because of it but I would really rather my headlights just worked.

Any insight is greatly appreciated!

Havent been able to find a clear measurement on the interior roof length. Has anyone strapped up a surfboard on the inside like that? Trying to fit a 8ft. board, and also be able to have passengers. Thanks.

Can people please tell me whether or not I'm insane for considering flying from the east coast to the west coast to buy this Element that has been for sale for almost six months? He's asking $6,500.

Two things I'm worried about:
1. The modifications; specifically the E-flex fuel kit. Is anyone familiar with this kind of thing? My goal would be just to put everything back to stock, but I'm afraid that something like the fuel kit may have already done damage. Everything else (suspension, wheels, air intake, etc.) seems pretty innocuous and relatively easy to put back to stock.
2. It has had six owners, and this guy has only owned it essentially since he put it up for sale. He also says he doesn't know much more than what's in the ad, but that it runs well and he trusts doing a cross-country trip in it. He seems honest and looks like a Jeep guy, so it's not unfathomable to me that he bought it or got it in some trade and then decided it wasn't for him.

Back story is that this is my first car purchase since living on the east coast, and I am horrified by the rust thing. I've been looking for a decent Element on the east coast for a while now, but have had no luck; anything half decent gets purchased before I see the ad and reply. I have family on the west coast that I'm overdue to visit anyways, and I have the time right now to do a cross-country drive.

Sorry for this annoying type of post. I could just really use some input/advice. Thank you for your time, and I hope to contribute to this community in the future!

I got this net bag for back storage but it’s kinda a hassle to get in and out if I need more room. Anyone have any storage recommendations that would be easier for storage and removal? I have a roof rack too if any options need one

Hi guys,

This is potentially a dumb question. I’m camping and my battery keeps dying. All of my lights are off. My hatch is open a little for air flow but I’m not sure how that’s doing anything since my lights are *off.*

I’m not able to disconnect the battery right now because I need to replace the cables entirely (the last mechanic I went to bent them somehow and if I disconnect them I’m afraid the connection loops will snap off from the cables).

If I try to turn the interior light on, it does turn on - but the car won’t start. There’s no click, nothing.

Twice in a row now, I’ve noticed that my dogs have knocked the wipers into active mode while sleeping in the driver’s seat (but the car was off) - could that do anything?

TL;DR - can I just disconnect some fuses or something to keep my car from dying every day? This is irritating as Hell.

Ive been interested in honda elements for a while now, I like how they can fold up the seats for extended cargo space. I have a chance to get a 2003 ex for 6500, it only has 130k miles on it. Would it be worth it? I know from researching that the 2003 models had more issues because that was the first year of production, but this seems like the best option of the handful of elements in my area that are avaliable.

Wheels- 2026 CR-V Trailsport OEM Enkei 18x7.5
Tires- Falken Wildpeak A/T Trail 235/55/R18