Brake pedal is soft and goes to the floor when the engine is running. When the engine is off the pedal is hard and does not go to the floor.
2009 Honda Element brakes problems
severe 8 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450 · see brakes across all vehicles →
Complaints
8
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
1crash
When does it fail?
Of the 8 brakes complaints filed for the 2009 Honda Element, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
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
Among the 5 model years of Honda Element in our records for brakes problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
Brakes accounts for 28% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 4 categories tracked.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
A failed modulator. Service advisory a52 mushy brakes.
The brake pedal is very soft and the brakes wear unevenly and clappers lock up even after replacement of pads roters, clappers, hoses,and bleeding brake system
2009 Honda element, under 2000 miles after certification suffered a brake failure without warning leading to accident. *kb
Had brakes trouble with your 2009 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 2009 Honda Element?
It's a meaningful issue. 8 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $450.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Based on the 8 complaints filed, brakes issues most often appear around 33,000 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
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?
No active recalls currently cover brakes issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
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/2009/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.