Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2004 Honda Element owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Driver's seat rocks forward and backward while driving - braking rocks forward - accelerating rocks backward. Was rear-ended two days ago and realized that the seat or head restrant would not provide support to prevent injury.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Honda Element. The contact stated that a vehicle crashed into the rear of the vehicle, causing the contact to crash into a preceding vehicle. The front driver side seat belt did not restrain the contact and caused the contact to be injured. A passenger was also reported injured. In addition, the air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was destroyed and was not inspected to for the seat belt and air bag failures. The failure and the current mileage was 108,000. Updated 03/05/12 the consumer also stated the seat went from an upright position to a reclining position. Updated 03/07/12
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Honda Element. The contact stated that the driver was in a head on collision and driver's seat moved forward and the seat belt failed to restrain the driver. The driver moved forward hitting the steering wheel and dash board. The driver suffered injuries to the chest, the knee, and minor bruising. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure and current mileage was 132,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Honda Element. The contact stated that the vehicle's front driver seat would rock similar to a rocking chair. The first team Honda dealer diagnosed that the track for the seat failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that there was no recall for the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 44,000.
Purchased vehicle from a dealer about a year ago+. Driver and passenger front seat always rocked slightly and today I was driving came to a traffic light and driver seat unlocked and pushed forward! If there have been a vehicle in front there would have been an accident! Major safety issue! Please help...what would these cost me to repair? How do I proceed?
The driver's seat in my 2004 Element rocks noticeably. The dealer recommended replacing the seat frame. Cost was $2300. Searching the internet, I found that this is a common problem, and that Honda issued a service bulletin #03-032 (attached). The work involves replacing seat bushings. I took the sb to the dealer, and the mechanic said that the damage to the frame was too bad, and that the work would not fix the problem. Looking at the service bulletin, the bushings that should have been replaced protect the frame. They recognized that the design flaw required them to be replaced. I am not the original owner, and cannot say if the work was ever done. In either case, the failure of the bushings resulted in damage to the frame. Presently, there is significant movement and the seat is loose. …
Driver's seat is rocking on Honda Element 04. I am the first owner of this car. The seat began rocking while still in warranty but it wasn't "bad" enough to require repair - finally the dealer "replaced a bolt" 11/02/06. All further info based on repair date because I didn't record original rocking date. It began rocking again and the dealer "will do his best" to do a non permanent "bolt fix" again, but it really requires a complete replacement of the back or the seat and the parts that hold it to the floor "because we can't get the component we need separately" - it's out of our hands - the full repair - over $900.00! For something Honda knows is poorly designed. Completely unsatisfactory and reason enough never to buy a Honda again. I thought it was just a bolt - but it's the entire design - and can't possibly be safe. They are going to 'rig it" again. …
The driver's seat in my '04 Honda Element ex rocks back, especially on the right side. It feels like it is going to come right off the track or that the bolt will come completely loose causing the seat of move in some unsafe anner. This seems to me to be a very dangerous situation, especially if involved in a crash where it might just shear right off. The seat was loose when I purchased the used car. The dealer tightened it and never mentioned that this was a recurring, unsolved problem. I told the salesman that I would not buy if the seat was not fixed. Within two months it was loose and rocking. The dealerships technician said it was "a problem with this model." that is an unsatisfactory answer. Honda should fix this problem without charge.
My 2004 Element light came on while driving one day. I had it serviced by a mechanic with set belt replacement. Did not help with the light came back on. Had it looked at by someone else who told me it was the airbag sensors. I really don"t want to keep spending money but it failed inspection because of this along with my driver side seat that is rocking. Driving and coming to a stop with any type of force causes the seat to jump forward. Even if I am sitting and if I move around my seat will move. Is there any type of permanent fixes for these problems. Our daughter loves her Element but, these are major issues for our family as they are and can have serious problems now and in the future
The front edge of the driver's seat rocks up and down when accelerating and braking. This past week a gold-colored nut rolled out from under the seat, I looked under the seat and it matches the other's that fasten the seat to the slide rails and height adjusting mechanism. The seat now has a bit more rocking motion and the front right corner drops down more, along with a metallic clunking noise, when making right turns and especially if I'm braking at the same time. The seats "looseness" does affect both braking and accelerating so hopefully the dealer will replace the nut and tighten any other loose nuts, at no charge, when I take it in.
Seat complaints in other Element years
Frequently asked questions
How common are seat problems on the 2004 Honda Element?
NHTSA has 26 complaints about the seats of the 2004 Honda Element, 9% of the model year's 281 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2004 Honda Element seat problems?
No. NHTSA lists no seats recall for the 2004 Honda Element, though it has 9 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2004 Honda Element seat problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 3 injuries to seats problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.