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ProblemsByVinFile / 2008-HONDA-ELEMENTNHTSA data synced 9 hours ago
2008 · Honda
Honda Element problems
110 owner complaints and 3 active recall campaigns on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, what a working mechanic would actually do about it.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
0
Critical
3
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2008 Element?
Acceptable — with caveats
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
Brakes: 30 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 8,500–23,000 mi
Reliability score 7.2/10 — around the segment average
3 recall campaigns on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2008 Honda Element? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
brakes — 30 owner reports
· tends to show around 25,352 mi · ~$450 to fix
airbags — 23 owner reports
· tends to show around 112,106 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
suspension — 23 owner reports
· tends to show around 148,989 mi · ~$900 to fix
body — 8 owner reports
· tends to show around 117,600 mi · ~$1,500 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: brakes is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 25,352 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 3 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 7.2/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
powertrain (~$2,500) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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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…
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…
Had a problem with your 2008 Honda Element?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
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.
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.
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.
Under investigation
2 open at NHTSA
EAAir Bags › Frontal · opened September 2021
NHTSA has an open defect investigation covering this vehicle — the step that can precede a recall, not a finding of fault. EA21002 on NHTSA →
EAAir Bags › Frontal · opened February 2015
NHTSA has an open defect investigation covering this vehicle — the step that can precede a recall, not a finding of fault. EA15001 on NHTSA →
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.
Should you avoid the 2008 Honda Element?
The 2008 Honda Element is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Brakes: 30 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 8,500–23,000 mi; Reliability score 7.2/10 — around the segment average; 3 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2008 Honda Element?
Inspect the brakes first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 30 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 25,352 miles. Average repair cost runs about $450 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2008 Honda Element a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.2 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 110 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is brakes. Typical failure occurs around 25,352 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
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. Typical failure occurs around 25,352 miles. 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. Typical failure occurs around 25,352 miles. 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 are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 9 hours ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2008/Honda/Element.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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