Problems · NHTSA complaints

2008 Honda Element problems

Owners filed 113 complaints about the 2008 Honda Element with NHTSA between Nov 2007 and Sep 2026. The most-cited component is suspension (24).

Complaints
113
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
5
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
2
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Suspension24
  2. Air bags24
  3. Service brakes, hydraulic23
  4. Structure14
  5. Service brakes7
  6. Visibility6
  7. Electrical system6
  8. Tires4
  9. Power train4
  10. Service brakes, air3
  11. Electronic stability control (esc)2
  12. Seat belts2
  13. Exterior lighting2
  14. Wheels1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20072
20081
200912
201020
20114
20121
20131
20144
20158
201613
20175
20183
20193
20201
20212
20227
202311
20249
20252
20264

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Suspension

24 reports1 related recall
“The front bushing bracket on the left (driver's side) rear trailing arm may have an improper weld and could separate from the arm. I am noticing some rust in this area. I have rustproofed the vehicle to help prolong the life and to avoid a separated bracket which can release the lower portion of the wheel hub and damage the brake system, leading to a loss of vehicle control and an increased risk of a crash.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 29, 2026SuspensionODI 11767821

Air bags

24 reports1 crash7 related recalls
“Airbag warning light stays on. Dealer indicates that the problem is a weight sensor. Dealer stated that seat belt issues and airbag issues were warranted by Honda. Dealer indicated that the weight sensor issue, which is used to deploy the airbag is not warranted. If seatbelts and airbags are warranted, why would the weight sensors that are an integral part of the SRS not be warranted? Dealer has estimated the cost of repairs at $1,240.47. Part to complete the repair is not available at this time. Per the dealer, it has been ordered with shipping date TBD.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 13, 2022Air bagsODI 11479122

Service brakes, hydraulic

23 reports2 crashes
“SINCE PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE NEW IN JUNE 2008, I HAVE EXPERIENCED A SOFT BRAKE PEDAL AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE APPROXIMATELY 2000-5000 MILES. BLEEDING THE BRAKES SEEMS TO CORRECT THE SOFT BRAKE PEDAL. HOWEVER, AFTER DRIVING FOR APPROXIMATELY ANOTHER 2000-5000 MILES THE PEDAL IS AGAIN SOFT AND CONTINUES TO GET SOFTER. I HAVE BEEN BACK TO THE DEALER REPEATEDLY AND THEY HAVE REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER AND MODULATOR WHICH DID NOT CORRECT MY SOFT PEDAL. I WENT THROUGH SEVERAL TRIPS TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY TOLD ME "NO PROBLEM FOUND" AND BASICALLY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS MY IMAGINATION. FINALLY, HONDA CAME OUT WITH THE RECALL FOR EXACTLY THE ISSUE I HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING ABOUT. HONDA PERFORMED THE RECALL "SAFETY RECALL: BRAKE PEDAL MAY BE SOFT OR LOW" AND IT DID NOT CORRECT MY SOFT PEDAL. AFTER DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 2000-5000 MILES THE PEDAL IS ONCE AGAIN SOFT AND CONTINUING TO GET SOFTER. I HAVE OPENED A CASE ([XXX]) WITH AMERICAN HONDA COMPLAINING ABOUT MY BRAKES IN AN EFFORT TO GET THEM TO CORRECT MY BRAKE ISSUE. THE DEALER HAS RECHECKED THE BRAKES AND STATES "NO PROBLEM FOUND" SINCE THERE IS NOT A BRAKE "FAILURE". I AM STILL EXPERIENCING A VERY SOFT BRAKE PEDAL…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 19, 2011Service brakes, hydraulicODI 10430765

Structure

14 reports
“There is a massive rust spot under the driver side seating position where your feet would rest while driving. Seems as there isn't significant drainage holes in this area.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 17, 2025StructureODI 11667334

Service brakes

7 reports
“WE JUST BOUGHT A USED 2008 HONDA ELEMENT AND WE THOUGHT THE BRAKE PEDAL NEEDED TO BE PUSHED TO THE FLOOR BECAUSE OF LOW BRAKE FLUID THAT THE HONDA SERVICE OF BATON ROUGE APPARENTLY DID NOT FILL, BUT IT STILL WAS NOT WORKING. WE BROUGHT IT IN AND OUR MECHANIC PULLED UP A SAFETY RECALL FOR AIR IN THE VSA MODULATOR, WHICH IS EXACTLY WHAT THE BRAKES ARE DOING. THE HONDA DEALERSHIP SAYS THAT THE RECALL HAS ALREADY BEEN DONE IN 2016, SO THERE'S NOTHING THEY CAN DO, EXCEPT GO IN AND CHARGE US TO DO THE SAME PROCESS AGAIN.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 3, 2021Service brakesODI 11394486

Visibility

6 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 67,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 20, 2011VisibilityODI 10413814
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.