2004 HONDA ELEMENT Seats Problems

MY DRIVER SIDE SEAT WILL ROCK BACK AND FORTH. I HAVE TIGHTENING BOLTS UNDER SEAT BUT CAME LOOSE AGAIN. BEEN LIKE THIS FOR AWHILE.

DRIVER'S SEAT ROCKS BACK AND FORTH.

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

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.

Mileage: 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?

Mileage: 176,694

FRONT DRIVERS SEATS HAS BEEN ROCKING BACK AND FORTH, I ASKED ABOUT THE SERVICE BULLLETIN , SINCE NOT A RECALL I WOULD HAVE TO FIX, ELEMENT IS ONE OWNER WITH 70,000 MILES

DRIVER SEAT ROCKS BACK AND FORTH WHEN BRAKING AND ACCELERATING. THIS SEEMS VERY UNSAFE.

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. IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT, IT IS MY CONCERN THAT THE MOVEMENT OF THE SEAT COULD RESULT IN SHEARING OF THE BOLTS, CAUSING THE SEAT TO COME APART. SINCE THE ORIGINAL PROBLEM WAS NOT A RECALL, BUT A SERVICE BULLETIN, IT IS MY BELIEF THAT THERE MAY BE MANY OF THESE VEHICLES WITH LOOSE SEATS. AS A SAFETY CONCERN THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL TO INSPECT THE FRAME FOR DAMAGE AND REPLACE IF DAMAGED. I AM PUTTING TODAY'S DATE IN THE DATE FIELD BELOW, BUT THIS IS A CHRONIC ISSUE THAT HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR SOME TIME.

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.

Mileage: 160,000

EARLY THIS YEAR, APPROXIMATELY MARCH, MY DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BEGAN TO ROCK. IT CONTINUES TO GET WORSE. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE BUSHINGS - THERE ARE SIX OF THEM IN EACH SEAT - ARE WORN. THEY CAN BE REPLACED - AT A PRETTY HIGH COST - BUT THE ISSUE WILL RECUR. REPLACING THE BUSHINGS IS NOT A FIX, JUST ALLEVIATES THE SYMPTOMS TEMPORARILY. IF MY SEAT ROCKS, WHICH IT IS NOT DESIGNED TO DO, HOW LONG BEFORE SOMETHING FAILS? I WOULD LIKE THIS ISSUE CORRECTED BEFORE PEOPLE ARE INJURED DUE TO FAILURE OF SEAT BOLTS DUE TO UNANTICIPATED STRESS TO THEM. *TR

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.

Mileage: 132,000

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. *TR

Mileage: 175,000

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*LJ THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE SEAT WENT FROM AN UPRIGHT POSITION TO A RECLINING POSITION. UPDATED 03/07/12

Mileage: 108,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVERS SEAT WOULD ROCK BACK AND FORTH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS UNABLE TO ASSIST THE CONTACT AND THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 133,000.

Mileage: 80,000

I AM THE ORIGINAL/ONLY OWNER OF A 2004 HONDA ELEMENT. UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS, DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT HAS BECOME VERY LOOSE ON SEAT TRACK AND NOW "ROCKS" ON ITS TRACK. SEAT IS SO LOOSE THAT CONTROL OF VEHICLE IS COMPROMISED WHEN DRIVING. HONDA SERVICE INSPECTION INDICATES SEAT BUSHINGS HAVE FAILED AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. CHECK ONLINE SHOWS PROBLEM IS WIDESPREAD FOR THIS MODEL AND YEAR. INDICATIONS ARE THAT EVEN FOLLOWING REPAIRS, SEAT WILL BECOME LOOSE AGAIN, POINTING TO SAFETY DESIGN FLAW. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS APPROXIMATELY 50,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 35,000. *TR

Mileage: 35,000

MY 2004 HONDA ELEMENT HAS A FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT THAT ROCKS FRONT TO BACK. *TR

Mileage: 100,000

UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS, DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT HAS BECOME VERY LOOSE ON SEAT TRACK AND NOW "ROCKS" ON ITS TRACK. SEAT IS SO LOOSE THAT CONTROL OF VEHICLE IS COMPROMISED WHEN DRIVING. HONDA SERVICE INSPECTION INDICATES SEAT BUSHINGS HAVE FAILED AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. CHECK ONLINE SHOWS PROBLEM IS WIDESPREAD FOR THIS MODEL AND YEAR. INDICATIONS ARE THAT EVEN FOLLOWING REPAIRS, SEAT WILL BECOME LOOSE AGAIN, POINTING TO SAFETY DESIGN FLAW. *TR

Mileage: 60,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE DRIVERS SEAT SPACER BUSHING WAS BROKEN AND CAUSED THE SEAT TO BECOME MOBILE WHILE DRIVING. BOTH THE DEALER AS WELL AS THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND THAT IT WAS HIS RESPONSIBILITY TO REPAIR IT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 68,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 45,000.

Mileage: 45,000

2004 HONDA ELEMENT: (I HAVE 2 AND BOTH HAVE THE FOLLOWING EXACT PROBLEMS)1. AIRBAGS WARNING LIGHTS INDICATING PROBLEMS 2. DRIVERS SEAT IS LOOSE AND ROCKS 3. PASSENGER SEAT CAUSES EXTREME DISCOMFORT TO HIP AND BACK ON LONG TIPS (THIS IS OCCURS WITH ALL PASSENGERS, YOUNG AND OLDER) 3. UNDER CARRIAGE BRUSHES FAILURE 4. A/C AIR COMPRESSOR FAILURE 5. STRAPS IN BACK SEATS PULLED OUT AND SEAT CANNOT BE RECLINED 6. ENGINE DECELERATES WITHOUT WARNING. POWER CUTBACK DURING PASSING MAKES THIS VERY DANGEROUS. 7. DRIVERS SEATBELT BUCKLE IS DIFFICULT TO SECURE (ONLY 1 CAR WITH THIS PROBLEM) 8. LOUD CLANKING NOISE WHEN CARS ARE BEING TURNED. *TR

Mileage: 80,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA ELEMENT. THE DRIVERS SEAT BOLTS HAVE BECOME LOOSE. CONSEQUENTLY WHILE DRIVING, THE SEAT MOVES OUT OF POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND A FRACTURED RAIL WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 124,289.

Mileage: 120,000

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. EVERY ELEMENT ACCIDENT WITH INJURY TO THE DRIVER SHOULD REQUIRE A REVIEW OF THIS DEFECT - MAYBE WHEN SOMEONE GETS HURT THERE WILL BE SOME ACTION TAKEN. *TR

Mileage: 45,351

DRIVER SEAT BEGAN ROCKING BACK AND FORTH. MANY OWNERS ON THE HONDA ELEMENT OWNER'S CLUB WEBSITE REPORT THIS PROBLEM FOR THIS AND OTHER MODEL YEARS. H AND A SELLS HARDWARE KITS TO REPLACE SEAT COMPONENTS, BUT THEY ARE EXPENSIVE AND THIS TYPE OF RECURRING PROBLEM SHOULD NOT FALL ON CONSUMERS' SHOULDERS. *TR

Mileage: 30,000

THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE 04 HONDA ELEMENT. I HAVE SEARCHED ONLINE AND MANY OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE DRIVERS SEAT ROCKING BACK AND FOURTH. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND HONDA NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. *TR

Mileage: 50,500

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. *TR

Mileage: 27,800

THE DRIVER'S SEAT IN OUR '04 HONDA ELEMENT EX IS ACTUALLY ROCKING BACK AND FORTH AND SIDEWAYS! IT FEELS LIKE IT IS GOING TO COME RIGHT OFF THE TRACK. THIS SEEMS LIKE A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION, ESPECIALLY IF INVOLVED IN A CRASH WHERE IT MIGHT JUST SHEAR RIGHT OFF. THIS BEGAN WITHIN THE FIRST 6 MONTHS OF OWNING THE CAR AND HAS PROGRESSED. WE HAVE HEARD MANY OTHERS COMPLAIN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, SO WE KNOW IT'S NOT ISOLATED. ALL THE DEALERSHIPS HAVE TOLD US IT WOULD COST US TO HAVE IT FIXED, SINCE THERE IS NO RECALL. THIS IS CRAZY! *NM

Mileage: 7,000

HONDA ELEMENT - DRIVER SEAT STARTED ROCKING 7 MONTHS OLD. UNSAFE. CLEARLY SOME IS LOOSE AND THERE ARE THE COMPLAINT IS OUT THERE AND REAL. THIS IS TRULY UNSAFE AND SHOULD BE EMBRACED ASAP. *JB