Honda Element Window & Wiper Problems

Window & Wiper complaints by model year

Which parts fail

• Windshield
  335
• Power window devices and controls
  11
• Glass, side/rear
  8

Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  19978%
• 25k–50k
  3714%
• 50k–75k
  135%
• 75k–100k
  52%
• 100k–150k
  10%
• 150k+
  10%

What owners report

I had arrived home on 7/17/2025 and was sitting in my parked vehicle under my carport talking on the phone when I heard a very loud bang. I was disoriented and worried that my safety may be at risk, so I asked the person I was speaking to if they would stay on the line with me until I made it inside. I stepped out of the vehicle and was walking around the back of it when I noticed the rear quarter panel window on the passenger side was completely shattered. There was glass on the outside and inside of my vehicle, and nothing around my vehicle that would have caused it (i.e. rocks, sticks, people outside, etc.). I called the Honda Service Line to report the problem after reading that others had experienced similar, but I was told there was no recall for this issue currently. …

2/27/10 purchased new Honda Element, delivered with windshield chips, dealer subcontracted. New windshield install & gave guarantee of customer satisfaction. Took delivery 3/8/10, noted excessive dash/windshield rattle. Called dealer next day-was asked to 'monitor through summer mos. As rattle would 'settle'. It only got worse. Contacted dealer several times over summer & was assured if problem persisted they would 'stand behind it until it was done right'. Returned. To dealer for 'repair' 3 times 11/15/10, 12/7/10, 12/29/10 (car was repaired three separate times during this visit (kept at dealership 12/29-1/10/11). Broken windshield clips found/replaced on 11/15/10 & 12/29/10 visit, re-padded dash on 12/7/10 visit. Rattle still persistent. Contacted Honda corp. …

While standing next to our 2008 Honda Element, which was parked beside our house under the carport, the rear side window of the car spontaneously shattered and struck both my wife and I with glass. We were not injured by the safety glass. The window seemed to explode, from the inside out, and glass pieces flew over a wide area. No one was in the car, and the car was not running. The vehicle was in the shade, under the carport, and the temperature was around 40 degrees. There is no chance that anything could have struck the window since it was far off the street in our driveway behind our iron gate. The shattered window was protected from the possibility or flying objects by our house. We have read reports online where this same situation has happened to other Honda elements. No property was damaged except the window, which must be replaced. …

Spontaneous windshield crack on 2007 Honda Element. Lower passenger side crack occurred while I was sitting in car; no impact event, only defroster in cold weather. Dealer examined and claims 'stone pit' and refused to cover on warranty, but there is no visible pit nor anything that can be felt with finger. 19,100K miles. Classic crack story typical of many other Honda elements, and classic 'stonewall treatment' by Honda dealer as reported by other Honda Element owners.

Tl contact owns a 2007 Honda Element. When the contact started the ignition, the automatic air circulation fan activated. Suddenly, the rear tailgate window glass shattered into pieces. There were no prior warnings or injuries. The insurance company was notified. The vehicle is in the process of being repaired. The VIN was unable to be entered into the system. The failure and current mileages were 18,000.

2006 Honda Element problems: I bought this Honda because of the reputation for a solid car with very little maintenance issues. This car has had more maintenance issues than any other I've ever owned! 1. Driver's seat rock. The seat has rocked left to right since about 30,000 miles. I don't think I should have to pay $300 to fix a safety issue that Honda obviously knows about. 2. At about 60,000 miles the air conditioning stopped working-that was a $700+ repair for a new fan motor . 3. I have gone through about 5 windshields in 90,000 miles. Good thing I always get zero deductible glass coverage! The last wasn't even due to a crack, but because it became so pitted it was impairing visibility. 4. This vehicle has a huge blind spot in the driver's left corner. I have had countless near misses-especially pedestrians in parking lots. The blind spot is large enough to block vision completely.

Honda Element (2006) has a power window regulator failure, driver's side (front left). Diagnosed as a problem with the window regulator cable. Repair expected to be around $300 - $400 at a local repair shop ($500 plus at the dealership). This same Honda Element has a cracked windshield that spontaneously cracked while driving down a toll road with no other cars within 20 car lengths and no visible rocks or other objects in the roadway. Honda accord (1998) has all four windows with power window regulator failure. Each repair is just under $500 with tax at the dealership.

I was driving on a busy street, quite slow (about 20-25 MPH) and smoke started to billow out of my drivers side door. The smoke was coming from underneath the switches which control my windows. The smoke got progressively worse in a very short amount of time (30 seconds - 1 minute). I was unable to open my windows to let the black smoke out. I opened my car door while I drove into the first parking lot I saw. As soon as I parked, I could see flames under the window switches, which melted the plastic and caused the flames to get larger. I was able to smolder the fire with a jacket while waiting for the fire department. A fire claim was filed. My car was towed, since the fire department advised me not to drive it. I am now awaiting word from the mechanic it was towed to. I work for a home health care agency, and have to transport small oxygen tanks on occasion. …