2008 Honda Element brakes problems

34 complaints (30% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 17,200. 3 crashes reported.

owner complaints: 34
of this car's complaints: 30%
typical mileage: 17,200
crashes: 3
recalls: 1

Which part fails

Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module
1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k

25k-50k

50k-75k

75k-100k

100k-125k

125k-150k

150k-175k

175k-200k

200k+

Honda Element brakes problems in other years

Specific symptoms reported on the 2008 Honda Element brakes

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Spongy pedal 10

Related recalls

Service brakes, airReported March 16, 2010 · 412,000 vehicles affected

What is wrong: Honda has notified the federal safety agency 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 pump during an initial self-check process that occurs shortly after each time the engine is started. It is possible for enough air to enter the system to result in a brake pedal that feels soft or lower to the floor.
Risk: 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.
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 of charge. The safety recall began on may 3, 2010. Owners may contact honda at 1‑800‑999‑1009.

Recall number 10V098000 · Recall details

Related investigations

Air in brake systemOpened October 19, 2009, closed May 11, 2010

By letter dated March 15, 2010, American Honda Motor Corp. (HMC) notified the federal safety agency that it will conduct a safety recall (the federal safety agency Recall No. 10V‑098) to address a defect in approximately 412,000 model year (MY) 2007 and 2008 Honda Odyssey and Element vehicles equipped with an ABS/VSA/TCS modulator. The recalled Odyssey vehicles were built from August 2006 August 2008.The recalled Element vehicles were built from July 2006 to July 2008. According to Honda, during an initial self-check process that occurs shortly after each engine ignition cycle, the self-diagnostic software for the VSA modulator allows a vacuum condition that can exist for several hours, allowing air to enter the VSA modulator pump.Over time, and thousands of engine ignition cycles, it is possible for enough air to enter the system to result in a brake pedal that feels soft or lower to the floor.If the customer 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.To correct the safety defect, Honda dealers will remove existing air in the brake system then apply sealant and caps to the VSA modulator to prevent air from entering the brake system, free of charge. The action taken by Honda is sufficient to resolve the issues raised by this investigation. The agency will continue to monitor this issue and reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.

EA09014

What 2008 Honda Element owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Mar 2, 2022 · Brakes · VA

No incident, Soft Brake Pedal all the time

Filed Feb 3, 2021 · Brakes · 108,000 miles · LA

We just bought a used 2008 honda element and we thought the brake pedal needed to be pushed to the floor because of low brake fluid that the honda service of baton rouge apparently did not fill, but it still was not working. We brought it in and our mechanic pulled up a safety recall for air in the vsa modulator, which is exactly what the brakes are doing. The honda dealership says that the recall has already been done in 2016, so there's nothing they can do, except go in and charge us to do the same process again.

Filed Apr 17, 2019 · Brakes, Seat belts · 200 miles · MA

Brake system needs replacement constantly. Calipers get stuck causing brakes and rotors to get stuck and freeze up. Also brakes are on when driving

Filed Mar 27, 2017 · Brakes, Steering · 70,000 miles · GA

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 honda element. While making left and right turns and depressing the brake pedal, the accelerator pedal and steering wheel locked up, which caused the vehicle to shake. The dealer could not replicate the failure or repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 70,000.

Filed Feb 25, 2017 · Brakes · 75,000 miles · PA

Honda element 2008 began experiencing soft pedal when applying brakes, 2 lights came on vsa and ABS! . I continued to drive that particular day and when I tuned off engine and turned it back on lights disappeared for a smal amount of time. Brakes felt as though I would be unable to stop because of such play in them. I was driving on highway for approx 15 miles and also city driving for about 10 miles.

Filed Dec 2, 2015 · Brakes · 140,000 miles · IL

Recently became second owner of vehicle. Noticed it had a soft brake pedal. Recall performed by first owners dealer, but, the problem still exists.

Filed Jun 18, 2015 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 48,944 miles · MA

My cars brake pedal had been soft for some time. Yet no problem with the brakes or with the vsa. I started my car on saturday morning (6/13/2015) and the vsa, ABS and triangle exclamation light came on and would not go out. The vehicle was checked on the 30th of april 2010 and no change was made to the vsa since no problem was reported. I am disabled and do not use the vehicle that often. It is well maintained and in excellent running order. I took the car to my regular mechanic and he tested the car quickly and told me to take to the dealer for recall repair. It is doing exactly what service bulletin 10-017 was reporting. I called honda of america on the 17th of june 2015 to speak with them and they told me to take it to the dealer. I have a case number from them... .updated 07/22/15

Filed Oct 19, 2011 · Brakes · 2,015 miles · OH

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 cylinder and modulator which did not correct my soft pedal. I went through several trips to the dealer where they told me "no problem found" and basically told me that it was my imagination. Finally, honda came out with the recall for exactly the issue I have been complaining about. Honda performed the recall "safety recall: brake pedal may be soft or low" and it did not correct my soft pedal. After driving approximately 2000-5000 miles the pedal is once again soft and continuing to get softer. I have opened a case ([xxx]) with american honda complaining about my brakes in an effort to get them to correct my brake issue. The dealer has rechecked the brakes and states "no problem found" since there is not a brake "failure". I am still experiencing a very soft brake pedal and cannot get anyone at honda to correct the situation. I am afraid that if the pedal continues to get softer that I will experience a brake failure resulting in a collision. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Jan 5, 2011 · Brakes · 22,294 miles · NC

At 22,294 miles my 2008 honda element, has severe premature brake pad, rotor wear. I heard and felt a severe grinding noise coming from the brakes. I had tires put on my car and the brake pads inspected and mechanic found nothing unusual. Two weeks later the noise returned louder and when I took my vehicle to the dealer, they found no rear brake pad on right rear wheel and my rotor was completely ruined. My front brake pads were fine and was given no explanation by honda why this could've occurred. Honda would not cover the repairs under warranty and I have since discovered many other owners have had exact same problem occurring around the same mileage. I recently heard that honda has recalled accords of the same year for the same problem, but not my model or year. I'm appalled at the audacity of honda to ignore the same problems from the same manufacturer on different models. Clearly honda is aware of their faulty rotors and brake pads and chooses to overlook this problem. I did not expect to pay 400.00 for a problem of this magnitude for a car well maintained with such low mileage. I intend to go after honda to be fully re-imbursed for their negligence.

Filed Oct 28, 2010 · Brakes · 22,644 miles · NJ

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.

Questions about the 2008 Honda Element brakes

Does the 2008 Honda Element have brakes problems?

Owners have filed 34 complaints about the brakes of the 2008 Honda Element, 30% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.

At what mileage do 2008 Honda Element brakes problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 17,200 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2008 Honda Element brakes?

Yes, 1 recall: 10V098000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Honda Element have bad brakes?

The Honda Element model years with the most brakes complaints are 2008 (34 complaints), 2007 (18 complaints) and 2003 (11 complaints).