Crash Test Rating
Source   NHTSA
MPG (up to)
21 City / 24 HWY
Horsepower
160
Seats
4
Front angle view.

Positive Owner Reviews

accountCircle Shanti B
One highlight of my vehicle is that it's so comfortable and has so many uses.
I think that this car isn't really newer, but it has tons of room and brings back memories from when I was little. It has room to put the seat up and have bikes, dogs, or even camp. It's all around perfect travel car. It's very comfortable and is perfect for cleaning out. Going to the beach is no problem, after we're done and get sand everywhere, I can just spray it out and its dries off. It's really just an amazing car.
accountCircle Kristina M
Honda element/ STORAGE BOX
I love my car... It's very economical, and has lots of room. My car is made for people who are outdoors and travel. Best for camping .. Not to bad on gas. The only con is that it sits only 4 passengers. They stopped making this car in 2011. I hope to see them remake this car that sits at least 5 to 6 passengers.
accountCircle Allison S
The Honda Element: a reliable car after 25 years.
I have been the sole owner of a 2004 Honda Element. I have driven all over the USA and parts of Canada with this car with few problems: one of the pro's of this vehicle. Other pros include, a very spacious cab with ample room for 4 to sit very comfortably. Cargo space is roomy and able to fit 4 suitcases, plus more. Back seats are removable to haul bigger items or even use to sleep. Rubber flooring in the cab allows for easy clean up to keep the interior looking fresh.. After 15 years, routine maintenance, and over 175000 miles, with no major mechanical issues. We have lived in extremely hot and extremely cold areas that have caused minor damage. For example, I have replaced the AC 3 times in this vehicle because our region would see months of over 100 degrees. On the flip side, We lived in extremely frigid climate with days as low as -40 degrees Celsius where the outside trim, windshield wipers, and antenna turned brittle and crumbled from the cold. We have also replaced the motors for the power windows . Other issues we have had were normal wear and tear: brakes, belts, filters, shocks, etc. Some cons of the car: Boxy shape creates large blind spot which you need to be mindful of. While the frame of the car is small, the suicide door design can make it hard to release your backseat passengers in tight parking lots, we get around 25 miles to the gallon in town, but I wish that number was better. & unfortunately, the road noise inside the cab is fairly audible. This car has been through many road trips, adventures in Nature, 2 children, and multiple cats and dogs. All in all the Honda Element has been a workhorse of a car that has served us very well and still looks great! If they still made The Element I would certainly consider buying again. Especially if they were to make a Hybrid version!
accountCircle Ann T
Really versatile car. Great for camping and hauling things.
Reliability has been great. The car holds a ton of stuff, making it great for camping trips, bicycling, and taking the dog around. The rear seats are best for short trips. They fold up easily to keep them out of the way when you want to load the car. The biggest complaint is probably that there is a lot of road noise. Otherwise, it is an excellent car.
accountCircle Michelle W
This car is perfect for kids and animals. There is plenty of room and it is easy to clean.
I love that the seats are waterproof. I love that the back seats can be taken completely out to make more room to move things. I also enjoy the amount of room that there is in the car.
accountCircle john B
Well made, Worth every penny I spent to purchase it and to keep it running for 14 years and 175000 miles.
Totally awesome. Good on gas. It has plenty of head room. Plenty of cargo space.
accountCircle Alicia D
Honda elements are fun, square spacious cars.
Honda elements usually have a glass breaking broken. My windshield has a small crack in it. Other than that it's a great car. I can pack lots of items in it and the ac is wonderful. I recently lifted it so I can go riding around without worrying.
accountCircle Annette P
Perfect for pets, kids, and the outdoors!
I love the gas mileage, reliability, look, no carpet, and the amount of room inside. I dislike the center console, the seat belt alarm, and that I could not get a leather seat upgrade. I am very happy with my purchase and it makes me sad that they no longer make the Element,

Negative Owner Reviews

accountCircle Jordan H
Honda Element Description
The Honda Element is a very spacious car. It is a box car which may not be what some people would like to purchase. However the car runs well and is decent on gas mileage. The stock music system is good. The center console is a little weird because it's on the floor of the car.
accountCircle meghan W
Fun car with lots of space but issues for taller people
If you are a tall person the windshield is so far away when you are pulled up to a light you have to tilt your head to see the light. The middle console is really low that items will fall out and fly around your feet. The doors both open outward which is great when loading items in an open space, but if you are parked between two cars in a parking lot you have to do a sort of shimmy dance to get one door open, load item, close another door etc.
accountCircle Stephanie R
It's very loud AND there's that large blind spot between the side windows & the front window
My biggest complaint about the Element is that there is a HUGE blind spot where the front window meets the side windows. It's VERY dangerous
accountCircle Nick F
Good on gas and the tank is easy to full.
Very good on gas, it has a lot of space in the back. Good for carrying stuffs. Can't think of anything bad about it really.
accountCircle Amy C
2004 Honda element that basically just looks like a box on wheels.
The transmission feels like it is slipping sometimes, like when I go to take off it acts like it is going to cut off for a minute. It is really good on gas and runs great other than that. The radio sounds really good and it passed emissions and there is not a check engine light.
accountCircle Gracie K
It is very roomy inside, I'm 5'2 and can basically stand up in the back
I love my vehicle. The only complaint i have is that it is top heavy
accountCircle julie p
Runs good for having over 200,000 miles on it
Not enough cargo space in the back way to much leg room in back seats
accountCircle Michelle L
The look. The handling of the car is good.
The clutch. The brakes. The body of the car is not sturdy. The clutch keeps going out and the passenger airbag goes up instead of out. Other than that it is a good car to drive. Great for camping easy to handle. It is a pleasure to drive like the car.

Honda Element Models

Models also known as Trim Levels, are used to identify a vehicle's level of equipment or special features.

car
DX
160 HP 23-23 MPG 4 Seats
car
LX
160 HP 23-23 MPG 4 Seats
car
EX
160 HP 23-23 MPG 4 Seats
Photos may not match model

2004 Honda Element Owner Reviews

4.45
83 Reviews
close Write Review
5 stars 57%
4 stars 31%
3 stars 12%
2 stars 0%
1 star 0%
accountCircle Dj S on April 4, 2021
Love to drive a Honda element.
The element is fun and easy to drive from it is short easy to park nose to is versatile cargo area. The sound system is great, the seats are roomy and comfortable and the heating and cooling engage quickly. Three members of my family have purchased this vehicle and all of us are hooked!
accountCircle Lori E on March 31, 2021
Honda element: the practical vehicle.
It is great for cargo, very practical, can be converted to a camper. It is not a luxury vehicle. It is very comfortable to drive. It does have some blind spot issues. The seats can be easily removed. Very reliable for long distance driving. Easy to maintain.

Ranks #5 Compact SUV by Owners

The 2004 Honda Element has an average owner rating of 4.44 out of 5 which ranks it #5 of 16 other Compact SUVs.

1
car
4.67
2
car
4.52
5
Tie
car
4.42

Ranks #9 Compact SUV by Fuel Economy

The 2004 Honda Element has a combined MPG of 26 which ranks it #9 of 17 other Compact SUVs.

1
car
38 MPG
2
car
35 MPG
9
car
24 MPG

Is The 2004 Honda Element A Good Car?

Yes. it's dependable. Very flexible because you can lay the seats down and use it almost like a mini truck when hauling stuff. It gets decent gas mileage.
Casey O.

How Reliable Is The 2004 Honda Element?

Yes it is reliable. It does have 1 problem, when you first start the car in the morning it tends to die at stop signs. It usually does this for about the first 5 to 10 minutes in the morning. There is... Read More
Julie S.

Related Articles for 2004 Honda Element

From the Vehicle History blog

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Best Honda Element Year

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the 2004 Honda Element fuel filter location?

Answer: The fuel filter on the 2004 Honda Element is not considered to be a serviceable part. There is no scheduled replacement interval, and it's expected to last for the lifetime of the vehicle. It's built directly...

What's the 2004 Honda Element code p0325?

Answer: The OBD fault code P0325 in the 2004 Honda Element likely indicates a bad knock sensor. The knock sensor is basically a microphone that listens to and detects knocking noises coming from the engine. The...

What's the 2004 honda element radio code?

Answer: If You've recently disconnected the battery in Your 2004 Honda Element, the radio may need to be reset. To generate a reset code, lock all doors and turn the key in the ignition to the "on" position without...

Answers are provided by third parties. We do not guarantee accuracy of responses

Safety & Reliability

NHTSA Logo
NHTSA Crash Test

Overall

Front

Rollover

Not Rated

Side

*National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
IIHS Logo
IIHS Crash Test

Moderate Overlap Front

Side

Roof Strength

Driver-side Overlap Front

Not Rated
*Insurance Institute for Highway Safety