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ProblemsByVin File / 2008-HONDA-ELEMENT
2008 · honda

honda Element problems

3 safety recalls. 110 owner complaints. We mapped every trouble spot before you sign the papers.

0 5 10
Reliability score
7.2 / 10

Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.

0
Critical
3
Severe
0
Moderate

Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints

brakes
30 reports · avg $450
severe
airbags
23 reports · avg $1,100
severe
suspension
23 reports · avg $900
moderate
body
8 reports · avg $1,500
moderate
visibility
6 reports · avg $350
moderate
electrical
5 reports · avg $850
moderate
powertrain
4 reports · avg $2,500
moderate
tires
3 reports · avg $150
moderate

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2008 Element · visibility
WHILE STANDING NEXT TO OUR 2008 HONDA ELEMENT, WHICH WAS PARKED BESIDE OUR HOUSE UNDER THE CARPORT, THE REAR SIDE WINDOW OF THE CAR SPONTANEOUSLY SHATTERED AND STRUCK BOTH MY WIFE AND I WITH GLASS. WE WERE NOT INJURED BY THE SAFETY GLASS. THE WINDOW SEEMED TO EXPLODE, FROM THE…
12/22/2009 · NHTSA ODI #10296685.0
2008 Element · visibility
I JUST NOTICED I HAVE A CRACKED WINDSHIELD ON MY NEW 2008 HONDA ELEMENT. I DON'T RECALL ANY DEBRI OR ANYTHING HITTING MY WINDSHIELD BUT I NOTICED A CRACK? IN MY 37 YEARS OF DRIVING I HAVE HAD ONLY 1 CRACKED WINDSHIELD AND IN THAT CASE I SAW AND HEARD THE ROCK HIT MY WINDSHIELD…
12/06/2007 · NHTSA ODI #10211051.0
2008 Element · brakes
RECENTLY BECAME SECOND OWNER OF VEHICLE. NOTICED IT HAD A SOFT BRAKE PEDAL. RECALL PERFORMED BY FIRST OWNERS DEALER, BUT, THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.
12/02/2015 · NHTSA ODI #10807900.0
2008 Element · airbags
2008 HONDA ELEMENT CONSUMER IS REQUESTING A RECALL EXPANSION REGARDING TAKATA AIR BAGS. *CN
11/20/2014 · NHTSA ODI #10653317.0

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

0 mi 200k mi
At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
$0

Active recalls showing 3 of 3

severe NHTSA 08V349000 29/07/2008

HONDA IS RECALLING 241 MY 2008 ELEMENT VEHICLES

A SEPARATED BUSHING BRACKET COULD CAUSE THE SUSPENSION TO RELEASE THE LOWER PORTION OF THE WHEEL HUB, CAUSING A LOSS OF CONTROL AND DAMAGE TO THE BRAKE SYSTEM WHICH COULD LEAD TO A CRASH.

Fix: OWNERS WILL BE CONTACTED BY PHONE AND ADVISED TO STOP DRIVING THEIR VEHICLES UNTIL THEY HAVE TAKEN THEIR VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE LEFT REAR TRAILING ARM AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE IT FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 25, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009.
severe NHTSA 10V098000 16/03/2010

HONDA HAS NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A DEFECT IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007 AND 2008 ODYSSEY AND ELEMENT PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JULY 28, 2006 AND AUGUST 21, 2008

IF THE OWNER DOES NOT HAVE ANY BRAKE SERVICE OR MAINTENANCE PERFORMED OVER A PERIOD OF MONTHS OR YEARS, THE SYSTEM CAN CONTINUE TO ACCUMULATE ENOUGH AIR TO AFFECT BRAKING PERFORMANCE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Fix: HONDA WILL NOTIFY OWNER AND HONDA DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VSA MODULATOR BY REMOVING ANY EXISTING AIR IN THE BRAKE SYSTEM THEN APPLY SEALANT AND CAPS TO PREVENT AIR FROM ENTERING THE BRAKE SYSTEM FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 3, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009.
severe NHTSA 10V271000 15/06/2010

ALL IN ONE MOBILITY IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1997 THROUGH 2008 CONVERSION VANS EQUIPPED WITH VMI/RICON 6-WAY POWER SEAT BASES

THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY BE INJURED IF THE SEAT BASE PIN WERE TO BREAK.

Fix: ALL IN ONE MOBILITY WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE VEHICLES WILL BE REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 22, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ALL IN ONE MOBILITY AT 1-503-255-5005.

Common questions

Is the 2008 Honda Element reliable?

Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.2 out of 10 based on 110 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2008 Honda Element is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.

What's the most common problem on the 2008 Honda Element?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is brakes, with 30 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $450 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The brakes is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $450 at an independent shop. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Honda Element has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2008 Honda Element?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 110 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $450, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans aren't always better value.

Related vehicles

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 7 hours ago. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with honda. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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