2008 Honda Element
This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 423 |
| 2004 | 281 |
| 2005 | 157 |
| 2006 | 121 |
| 2007 | 112 |
| 2008 | 110 |
| 2009 | 29 |
| 2010 | 30 |
| 2011 | 11 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
21% of complaints: suspension — 23 distinct reports on file.
Show complaint excerpts
My Honda Element unibody has rusted out resulting in the real axle trailing arm separating from the vehicle. This happened while my daughter was driving - luckily she was not injured. This is a known issue at Honda.
NHTSA ODI report, 20231016
RECALL NEVER DONE ON RECALL NO 08V349000
NHTSA ODI report, 20180410
21% of complaints: air bags — 23 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA ELEMENT. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE CONTACT WAS STRUCK HEAD ON BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED.
NHTSA ODI report, 20181113
20% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 22 distinct reports on file.
CRASHShow complaint excerpts
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA ELEMENT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE CONTACT TRIED TO STOP ABRUPTLY TO AVOID HITTING A VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HIM; HOWEVER, HE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE OTHER VEHICLE WHEN THE BRAKES DID NOT ENGAGE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20100421
9% of complaints: structure — 10 distinct reports on file.
Show complaint excerpts
My Honda Element unibody has rusted out resulting in the real axle trailing arm separating from the vehicle. This happened while my daughter was driving - luckily she was not injured. This is a known issue at Honda.
NHTSA ODI report, 20231016
6% of complaints: service brakes — 7 distinct reports on file.
SAFETY TIMELINE
HONDA IS RECALLING 241 MY 2008 ELEMENT VEHICLES. THE FRONT BUSHING BRACKET OF THE LEFT TRAILING ARM OF THE REAR SUSPENSION MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY WELDED AND COULD SEPARATE FROM THE TRAILING ARM.
Remedy: 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 NE
Campaign 08V349000 — check if this car was fixed
Air in brake system
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. AIR CAN ENTER THE VSA MODULAR P
Remedy: 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
Campaign 10V098000 — check if this car was fixed
ALL IN ONE MOBILITY IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1997 THROUGH 2008 CONVERSION VANS EQUIPPED WITH VMI/RICON 6-WAY POWER SEAT BASES. THERE IS A POSSIBILITY OF A DEFECTIVE WELD AT THE JOINT BETWEEN T
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 10V271000 — check if this car was fixed
HONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 ACCORD, 2007-2010 CR-V, AND 2005-2008 ELEMENT PASSENGER CARS MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 1, 2004, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 3, 2010. THE OUTER RACE OF THE SECONDARY
Remedy: HONDA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL UPDATE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE SOFTWARE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 27, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AUTOMOBILE CU
Campaign 11V395000 — check if this car was fixed
Honda is recalling certain model year 2007 through 2011 Element passenger vehicles equipped with an accessory trailer hitch wiring harness. The wire that supplies power to the trailer turn signal lig
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall began on September 20, 2012. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009.
Campaign 12V436000 — check if this car was fixed
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2001-2007 Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2001-2004 Honda Civic GX, 2003-2005 Honda Civic Hybrid, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2006 Ridgeline, 2003...
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.
Campaign 15V320000 — check if this car was fixed
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2011 Acura RL, 2005-2006 Honda CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2006-2011 Ridgeline vehicles originally sold,...
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began June 27, 2016. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.
Campaign 16V344000 — check if this car was fixed
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Acura MDX and Honda CR-V vehicles, 2005-2011 Honda Element vehicles, 2005-2012 Acura RL vehicles, 2006-2012 Honda Ridgeline vehicles, 2007-2008 Honda Fit vehicles and 2005-2008 Honda...
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall bagan March 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KD9 and KE0.
Campaign 17V029000 — check if this car was fixed
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2012 Honda Accord and Pilot, 2010 Accord Crosstour, 2001-2011 Civic, 2002-2011 CR-V, 2003-2004, 2006-2008 and 2011 Element, 2007 and 2009-2013 Fit, 2010-2012 Insight, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and...
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began June 22, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.
Campaign 18V268000 — check if this car was fixed
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling specific 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2013-2016 ILX, 2013-2014 ILX Hybrid, 2003-2006 MDX, 2007-2016 RDX, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 TL, 2010-2013 ZDX and 2001-2007 and 2009 Honda Accord, 2001-2005...
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began April 10, 2019. Honda owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138.
Campaign 19V182000 — check if this car was fixed
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2003-2006 MDX, 2001-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey,...
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are Q5A and Y58.
Campaign 19V499000 — check if this car was fixed
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2012 RL, 2003-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey,...
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal airbag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.
Campaign 19V501000 — check if this car was fixed
Dorman Products, Inc.
Remedy: Dorman will notify owners, and qualified service facilities will replace the affected accelerator pedal assemblies, free of charge. The recall began December 9, 2019. Owners may contact Dorman customer service at 1-800-523-2492, using option 5.
Campaign 19E068000 — check if this car was fixed
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2008 Honda Element — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for suspension issues (23 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (23 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for service brakes, hydraulic issues (22 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 08V349000 (suspension) has been completed.
- Verify recall 10V098000 (service brakes, air) has been completed.
- Verify recall 10V271000 (equipment adaptive/mobility) has been completed.
- Verify recall 11V395000 (power train) has been completed.
- Verify recall 12V436000 (electrical system, trailer hitches) has been completed.
- Verify recall 15V320000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 16V344000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 17V029000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 18V268000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 19V182000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 19V499000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 19V501000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 19E068000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
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FAQ
Is the 2008 Honda Element reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2008 Honda Element is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Honda Element?
The most-reported component is suspension, accounting for 21% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2008 Honda Element have?
13 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.