HondaElement2004Overview/honda/element/2004/base/

2004 Honda Element

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2004 Element.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2004 Honda Element is an SUV that carries a 4.4‑qt capacity of 5W‑20 API‑rated oil under its hood and is paired with an automatic 4‑speed transmission, delivering EPA‑estimated fuel economy of 20 mpg city, 24 mpg highway and 21 mpg combined. Its early‑model complaints focus on visibility issues, contributing to a total of 281 owner reports across the model’s 20032011 span, including 11 recalls, with 2003 marking the peak at 449 complaints and 2011 the low at just 11. Overall, the 2004 model falls near the upper end of the complaint curve but remains within the range that defines the Element’s historically mixed reliability record.

Model year201120102009200820072006200520042003

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.4 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque80 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy20/24/21 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 51R · 410 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 51R · 410 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP215-70SR16OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6.5 inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length169.3 in
Overall width71.7 in
Overall height74 in
Wheelbase101.6 in
Curb weight3596 lb
Track (front / rear)62.2 / 62.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)60/40

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined20 / 24 / 21 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Element of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

8.1–9.5 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.10 sec — 2003 EX
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2003EX 2.4L I-48.10 sec16.20 sec160 hpFWD
2003EX 2.4L I-48.40 sec16.60 sec160 hpFWD
2003EX 2.4L I-48.70 sec16.60 sec160 hpFWD
2006EX-P 2.4L I-49.50 sec17.30 sec156 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.4 qt of 5W-20 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 80 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 33.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity3.3
Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity3.4
Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine Oil5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.4 qt
Manual Transmission FluidHonda part number 08798-9031-A

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs8mm Bolts: 20 ft-lbs, 6mm Bolts: 9 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel BoltsAT: 54 ft-lbs, MT: 76 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts16 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts33 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug33.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs8mm Bolts: 20 ft-lbs , 6mm Bolts: 9 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts80 ft-lbs
Automatic Transmission Drain Plug36.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub181 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub134 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)MT: 700, AT: 800 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerNGK
Spark Plug Gap0.039-0.0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque13.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.10-1.21 lbs
Oil TypePAG 46
Oil Capacity5.33-5.66 oz
Standard BCI Group Number51R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance410 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test14-18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature169-176 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)48.0-55.0 psi
Engine Compression135 minimum PSI. 28 maximum variation PSI.
Engine Oil Pressure10 psi @ idle, 44 psi @ 3000 rpm psi
Intake Valve Lash0.110-0.130 in
Exhaust Valve Lash0.110-0.130 in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket25 ft-lbs / 16 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle80 ft-lbs / 41 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.063; Rear: 0.040 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0006 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.004 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.91 in / 0.358 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To0.91 in / 0.358 in
Rotor Minimum Machining0.83 in / 0.3 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
114 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9014 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
136 ft. lbs., step 2: 9036 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages

Prep Apply engine oil to bolt thread and under-bolt heads, If using old bolts:

129 ft. lbs.29 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
390 degrees; If using new bolts:90 degrees
129 ft. lbs.29 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
390 degrees90 degrees
490

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 10,000 mi; spark plugs at 110,000 mi; coolant at 120,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 120,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 10,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 20,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Parking Brake System (inspect)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 90,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill)
At 110,000 miEngine Valves (inspect valve lash) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 120,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
At 160,000 miUniversal Vehicle Operation (inspect idle speed)
At 180,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2004 model year records 281 complaints, a significant decrease from the 2003 launch year’s 449, while maintaining 11 recalls and 4 investigations—figures consistent with the debut year. This positions 2004 at the leading edge of a sustained downward trend in complaints that continues through 2005 (158) and 2006 (121), even as recall activity remains relatively stable across the generation, ranging from 9 to 13 campaigns annually. While 2004 shows marked improvement over its predecessor, it still carries substantially higher complaint volume than the 2009-2011 model years, which settle into the double digits or below. Federal data identifies Visibility (100 complaints) and Air Bags (63) as the top reported concern areas for this year, with 16 crash-related and 3 fire-related complaints documented, though specific root causes are not specified in the record. Given the steep reduction in complaints from 2003 and recall counts comparable to subsequent years, the 2004 model represents a sound purchase option that avoids the highest-risk debut year while offering mechanical similarity to later production.

11
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
136
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
4
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
281
Owner complaints
16 involved a crash · 3 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 281 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Visibility100
Air Bags63
Seats21
Electrical System11
Seat Belts7
Suspension7
Power Train7
Structure5

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 11 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

19V182000Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator ModuleReported 06/03/2019

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling specific 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2013-2016 ILX, 2013-2014 ILX Hybrid, 2003-2006 MDX, 2007-2016 RDX, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 TL, 2010-2013 ZDX and 2001-2007 and… Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began April 10, 2019. Honda owners may…

19V501000Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator ModuleReported 27/06/2019

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2012 RL, 2003-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element… Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal airbag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 136 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
A18-0512026-06-30Air BagsService Bulletin - Warranty Extension: Customer Support Program For Front Passenger's…
A07-0302021-01-23Equipment"Service Bulletin - There are several A/C leak detection tools available. -Refrigerant…
A20-0092020-03-10Air BagsService Bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating…
A20-0142020-03-10Air BagsService Bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating…
A18-0512018-06-01Air BagsService bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Element. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2004 Element take?

4.4 qt of 5W-20 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2004 Element have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 11 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Element get?

EPA figures are 20 city / 24 highway / 21 combined mpg.