Of the 30 brakes complaints filed for the 2008 Honda Element,
here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
3 (60%)
25-50k
1 (20%)
50-75k
0 (0%)
75-100k
0 (0%)
100-125k
0 (0%)
125-150k
1 (20%)
150k+
0 (0%)
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted.
Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits
and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 5 model years of Honda Element we track for brakes problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 30.
Brakes accounts for 27% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 8 categories tracked.
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.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of the 2008 Honda Element describe a recurring soft-brake-pedal problem present from day one or early ownership. The pedal feels spongy, descends toward the floor with light pressure, and often requires pumping repeatedly to achieve firm braking. Dealers consistently find air in the brake lines and temporarily fix the issue by bleeding the system, but the problem returns within 100–2,500 miles. Owners report replacing master cylinders and VSA modulators without lasting improvement. Honda issued Service Bulletin 07-045 in 2009 and Recall 10V098000 in 2010, but multiple owners confirm the recall did not solve the problem—the soft pedal recurred weeks or months afterward.
In several documented incidents, the pedal went completely to the floor with no braking engagement at speeds of 8–40 mph, resulting in collisions. One crash injured the occupant of the other vehicle enough to require ambulance transport. Owners were advised by dealers to "constantly pump the brakes" as a workaround.
Separately, premature rear brake wear occurred around 20,000–24,000 miles, with complete pad loss on one wheel and severely damaged or missing rotor sections. Owners were charged $400–$600 for repairs that dealers would not warranty. Initial dealership responses dismissed complaints as "normal" or told owners to "burn in" brakes, delaying diagnosis.
Same Honda Element brakes reports on nearby years: 2007
Failure modes owners describe
Soft/Spongy Brake Pedal with Air in System
Brake pedal feels soft or mushy from day one or early ownership, often descends to the floor with light pressure. Owners report having to pump the pedal repeatedly to achieve firm braking or maintain pressure while stopped. Dealers frequently find air bubbles in brake lines. The condition recurs even after bleeding the brakes, master cylinder replacement, or VSA modulator replacement.
When: From new or within first 5,000 miles; recurring after service visits
Symptoms owners cite: Pedal goes soft or to floor with light pressure; Must pump pedal multiple times to feel firm braking; Excessive pedal travel; Air in brake lines confirmed by dealers; Soft/mushy feel described as present from day one; Pedal pressure lost while stopped at traffic light
Repairs/costs cited: Bleeding brakes provides temporary relief (100–200 miles); master cylinder replacement attempted without permanent fix; VSA modulator replacement performed per TSB with no change; recall caps placed on ABS unit plugs with no improvement
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda Service Bulletin 07-045 issued March 5, 2009 'Brake Pedal Is Low and Feels Soft' covering 2003–2008 models; Recall 10V098000 (Service Brakes, Air) issued 2010 for air in VSA modulator; dealers initially denied problem was defect, told owners soft pedal was 'normal'
Complete Brake Failure—Pedal to Floor, No Engagement
Brake pedal extends fully to floor and brakes do not engage or engage only after hard pumping. Incidents documented at speeds of 8–40 mph where drivers could not stop and collided with other vehicles. One collision resulted in ambulance transport of other driver.
When: At 4,000–15,000 miles; recurring episodes after recall service
Symptoms owners cite: Pedal goes completely to floor with no braking action; Must pump brakes hard repeatedly before any engagement; Vehicle coasts or drifts without deceleration; Occurs at low speeds (8–40 mph) in parking lots and traffic; Air in brake lines confirmed after incidents
Repairs/costs cited: Brake lines drained and fluid replaced, lines pressurized; anti-lock brake system computer module implicated in one case; dealers unable to explain cause or guarantee no recurrence; owners advised to constantly pump brakes to prevent failure
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 10V098000 performed; dealers state 'no problem found' after diagnostic despite multiple brake failures reported by same owner
Premature Rear Brake Pad and Rotor Wear
Rear brake pads wear out prematurely and unevenly, often completely missing on one wheel. Rotors show excessive heat damage, distortion, corrosion, or missing sections. Wear occurs at 20,000–24,000 miles on new vehicles with low mileage.
When: At 20,000–24,000 miles on relatively new vehicles
Symptoms owners cite: Severe grinding noise from rear brakes; Rear pad completely missing on one wheel (right rear reported); Rotor completely ruined or 1/3 section eroded away; Rotor distortion caused by extended storage before delivery; Rear rotors show signs of excessive heat; Uneven pad wear (one pad 2.9 mm outboard, tapered from 6 mm inboard); Whining noise in rear brakes 5 months before failure
Repairs/costs cited: Rotor turning/resurfacing cost ~$160; complete rear rotor and pad replacement cost $400–$600; some dealers ordered new VSA modulator in response to soft pedal but wear issue persisted
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Not covered under warranty; Honda declined to explain cause; similar recall issued for 2008 Honda Accord for same problem but not applied to Element
Recurrent Soft Pedal After Recall Service
Even after recall 10V098000 repair (2010), soft pedal returns within 100–2,500 miles. Owners report having to pump brakes again and feeling unsafe. Second and third recall attempts do not provide lasting fix. One owner reports recall performed in 2016 but problem recurred.
When: Within weeks to 2,500 miles after recall service; repeating cycles of ~2,000–5,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Pedal becomes soft again after recall repair; Must pump pedal once or more to get firm braking; Panic when pedal falls toward floor; Air in system found again after previous recall; Pedal slowly descends to floor while stopped at lights
Repairs/costs cited: Recall work performed June 2010; brakes bled again August 2010; dealers cannot explain recurrence, suggest 'maybe we did not get all air out during recall'; no permanent solution offered
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 10V098000 performed but ineffective; dealers dismiss recurrence as 'no problem found' if no active brake failure occurs; Honda treats symptoms, not root cause
Synthesized from 30 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer
allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting
5 most recent
brakes · 140,000 mi
· filed 12/02/2015
Recently became second owner of vehicle. Noticed it had a soft brake pedal. Recall performed by first owners dealer, but, the problem still exists.
brakes · 4,000 mi
· filed 11/12/2009
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Honda element. While driving between 35-40 MPH he applied pressure to the brake pedal, but the vehicle would not stop. Consequently, he rear-ended the proceeding vehicle. The driver in the other vehicle was transported to the hospital in an ambulance. A police report was filed. The front end of the vehicle received $4,000 worth of damages. The vehicle was taken to…
brakes · 22,644 mi
· filed 10/28/2010
Tl*the contact owns a 2008 Honda element. While having the oil changed by the authorized dealer, the contact was informed that the rear brakes had become worn. The contact noticed while driving that the brake pedal would extend to the floorboard when depressed. The vehicle had not been repaired. The current and failure mileages were 22,644.
brakes · 2,015 mi
· filed 10/19/2011
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…
brakes · 29,000 mi
· filed 10/18/2010
Purchased a 2008 Honda element in september 2010. Car had 29k miles on it. Brake pedal was soft during initial test drive (went to floor). Dealer bled brakes. Dealer replaced master cylinder on 10/14 due to soft pedal (goes to floor). Note that dealer confirmed the recall work had already been performed on this vehicle and did not work. This car is a safety hazard. I never know if it will…
Had brakes trouble with your 2008 Honda Element?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the brakes problem on the 2008 Honda Element?
It's a meaningful issue. 30 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $450.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Across the 23 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most brakes failures cluster between 8,500 and 23,000 miles, with the median around 19,500. A quarter of owners report trouble before 8,500; a quarter make it past 23,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $450 for brakes repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to brakes?
Yes — 1 active recall(s) cover brakes issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2008/Honda/Element.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.