Everything NHTSA's vPIC database knows about this exact vehicle:
Decoding from NHTSA…
Vehicle history — accidents, title & owners
The decode above is what this vehicle is. For what it's been through — accidents, title brands, odometer, theft/total-loss and previous owners — pull a full history report.
NHTSA publishes the first 11 characters of the VIN with every complaint — that identifies the plant, model year, body and engine. So these are reports from cars built exactly like this one, not an average across the whole model.
5J6YH18513L••••••2003 Honda ELEMENT
This build draws 2.6× more complaints than the average 2003 Honda ELEMENT build (11 vs 4).
11on this build
326on the model
77builds in total
Most reportedVisibility 4Electrical System 4Structure 2Equipment 2
What owners of this build wrote
Unknown Or OtherSep 2022
This car was recalled in the past for a faulty ignition switch. I had the recall done, then paid for one from the dealer a second time as it happened again, and now I am having the issue a third.time. I believe the replacements are also faulty
Air BagsDec 2014
Just entering the information concerning the slow response to replacing the airbags on my 2003 honda element (see VIN above). Car was taken to dealership in february 2015, but dealership cannot get parts to repair the vehicle. Recall numbers: 14V-700 and 14V-351. Any assistance…
Latches/locks/linkagesDec 2009
The key first stopped working in my drivers door and I then had to use the passenger door to enter and exit the vehicle until the key actually got stuck in the lock on the passenger door and still cannot be removed and I am forced to crawl in and out through the back hatch if I…
Electrical SystemOct 2006
The contact stated the vehicle's horn died for the fifth time. The horn was quieter in sound until it finally dies. The service dealer installed a new type of horn in the vehicle in april 2005, however this horn had also stopped functioning. Updated 10/25/2006 - the horn has…
VisibilityJan 2005
The infamous window crack appeared on my honda element. Just woke up one morning and found a 3 inch crack. It has since expanded
Read all 11 complaints on this exact buildFull text, search by keyword, and the systems that fail most on cars built like yours.Unlock with Pro →
Owner complaints…
Now the whole model — all 77 builds of it, not just this build. Same NHTSA reports, wider net:
Loading owner complaints…
PRO
Upgrade to Pro
You know what it is. Find out what it's worth.
Exact value for this VIN, adjusted for mileage
The original window sticker and factory options
Full research report as a PDF you can hand to a mechanic
Decoded via NHTSA vPIC. Recalls, complaints and safety from NHTSA; MPG from EPA fueleconomy.gov. Full history reports from our partner. VIN 5J6YH18513L019218 · decoded Oct 2026. — ForCar Reviewed by Denis Kataev, founder of ForCar.