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 stop.
2008 Honda Element brakes complaints
Page 2 of 2: complaints 11 to 34 of 34, newest first, as owners wrote them.
2008 honda element, 21,000 miles, needed new rear brake job for 600$. This was 2500 miles after it was taken to dealer for brake recall modification of some sort.
My 2008 honda element had the recall work done in june 2010 re; soft brake pedal. Back to dealer on august 24 for recurring soft pedal issue. Diagnosis was air in brake system. System bled again. Brake pedal firm for now. Service manager could not offer an explanation other than maybe we did not get all the air out during the recall work. Honda has known about this safety defect in certain models since 2003. I have no confidence in the fix.
Previously filed a complaint (odi # 10321852) via email with the federal safety agency regarding the "soft brake pedal" issue with my 2008 honda element. A recall was issued in 2010, the work was performed in june 2010, a positive improvement. Brakes are slowly but surely returning to their previous soft pedal defect. I am having to pump the brake pedal one time to get a firm pedal. This defect on certain honda models has been going on since 2003. Honda re- issued a service bulletin # 07-045 on march 5, 2009 regarding "brake pedal is low and feels soft" covering certain models from 2003-2008. Apparently there were previous service bulletins issued as early as 2007, the 07 in the above referenced service bulletin (07-045) indicates 2007 issue. I am a retired career police officer who spent over half of my 25 year career in the traffic division investigating traffic collisions including those involving fatalities. I consider this brake problem a serious safety defect, that could ultimately lead to serious injury or loss of life unless a permanent repair or total recall of the affected honda vehicles is required by the federal safety agency. Honda has known about the problem for years and has not found a permanent repair. I have researched the internet and found many reports regarding this defect. There are hundreds of posts regarding the soft brake issue @http://www.elementownersclub.com under the thread titled recalls, tsb's and notices. Thank you
Tl*the contact owns a 2008 honda element. The vehicle was serviced for the federal safety agency recall campaign id number 10v098000. After the recall repair was performed, the contact stated that the brake pedal was soft and when they were applied, the pedal continued to extend to the floor. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The failure mileage was 17,200 and the current mileage was 17,300.
2008 honda element has had very soft brake pedal from day one. Dealer replaced vsa modulator per tsb with no change in pedal feel. Dealer did a recall placing caps on plugs in ABS unit and bled brakes with no change in pedal feel. Pedal will still go almost to the floor with very little pressure applied.
Brakes were soft almost to the floor,my vehicle would not stop and ended up hitting another vehicle. Have contacted honda and they are recalling my model of car but not mine for the same reason.
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. The contact drove the vehicle from the scene. The body damage was repaired by an authorized dealer. On another occasion, while driving approximately 20-25 MPH, the failure recurred and when the brakes were applied they failed to engage and the contact crashed into the rear of a vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the damaged body was repaired. The contact stated that he had previously received a recall notice for recall 10v098000 (service brakes, air). Police reports were filed for each crash that occurred. The contact did not report any injuries. The failure mileage was approximately 11,000. The current mileage was approximately 48,000.
Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6) I purchased a new 2008 honda element ex all wheel drive [xxx] on april 24, 2009. From dobbs honda, 2785 mendenhall, memphis tn. I returned to service dept immediately after stopping at 2nd traffic light because the brake pedal was soft and went completely to floor. Service rep advised me the soft pedal was normal. Returned to the dealership a couple weeks later on another issue and complained about the softness of the brake pedal, again was told it was normal. Returned to the dealership on july 20, 2009 and presented the service rep with a copy of honda service bulletin 07-045 titled " brake pedal is low and feels soft" (exact symptoms I had described 3 times). My element falls in the VIN #'s covered. I asked that the service mgr road test my element. The work order # 368081 written narrative states "service manager test drove the veh and found veh operating to factory spec at this time). Commencing on the first day I purchased the element I have been compelled to pump the brake pedal at least once to feel comfortable stopping, when I depress the pedal and it falls to the floor a sense of panic is felt. I recently learned from the honda element owners club web site that a recall had been issued for late april along with an immediate stop sell order on 07 and 08 elements. Apparently honda has been aware of this brake defect since 2007 (sb 07 indicates 2007 issue date). Between april 09 and july 09 the dealership on 3 separate occasions denied any problems with the soft pedal and pedal hitting the floor although the service bulletin clearly states the necessary part #'s and steps required to correct this defect. What has taken honda so long to admit to and issue a recall to correct this known unsafe brake defect?
I own a 2008 honda element and the brake pedal has become even softer and the pedal travel longer than it was when we purchased it.....similar to what I noticed on the used element we test drove prior to our purchase.
I am an owner of a 2008 honda element which recently came out with a media release from honda that there was a problem with brake failure. One year ago I filed a complaint with you regarding brake failure on my element. The dealer at that time found that I had very spongy brakes and air bubbles in the line but could not give me an answer of why this would happen and not guarantee that it could not happen again. I have worried constantly about this and so I still continued to feel the spongy brakes so I took it to a different dealer that checked out and said that is just the way honda element brakes are. So 2 months ago the brakes went completely to the floor again ( I have to pump them quickly several times and they finally grab) I called the dealer and they once again checked it and found nothing, well since this media release came out that there was going to be a recall on 410,000 honda vehicles I immediately called the dealer service manager he was very apologetic and said that was exactly my vehicle, and agreed with me that it is not safe to drive until they get the parts to repair it; he had me call honda an they treated me very very rudely they told me just to take it to the dealership, I told them I already had and that it is not safe to drive since I've already experienced this problem, they told me that they won't give me a rental car and just kept repeating to take it to the dealer. They said that I could not be certain that my vehicle had this malfunction. I'm very frustrated this car is not safe on the road and even the dealer agrees with me ,it is still under warranty but honda basically just does not care and they treated me like I'm making a big deal about this. Please help!
0tl* the contact owns a 2008 honda element lx. The contact was traveling at speeds of 10 MPH depressing the brake pedal. The brake pedal fell closer to the floorboard than usual. The dealer performed a diagnostic test on the vehicle and stated that the brake seal tested normal. The approximate failure mileage was 10,000 and the current mileage was 13,000. Updated 05/10/10 *bf updated 05/12/10.
Soft, mushy brake pedal. When stopped at a stop light or stop sign, pedal slowly goes to the floor and must be pumped to maintain brake pressure.
Due to loose brake, it takes time to stop (at speed of 15 MPH). I felt it could be dangerous if I were to be driving faster.
Bought 2008 honda element new in dec. 2009. At about 5000mi. (8mo.) brakes became increasingly mushy and pedal soft. Eventually brakes did not engage until about an inch off floor. Dealer confirmed and replaced brake module. Within a week they were bad again. Dealer rebled brakes said rear pads were worn excessively and unevenly, rotors showed signs of excessive heat, they replaced pads. Solid when picked up, lasted less than a week. Now car has periods of a few hundred miles of solid braking, then periods of soft, fading braking with wild swings of rpms from the vacuum boost. Have had six close calls during these periods.
Rear brakes failed 2008 honda element heard whining noise 5 months prior in rear brakes. Dealer checked and said nothing found. 5 months later dealer said rear brakes 'gone' and unsafe to drive. 1/3 of one of rear rotors was missing/eroded away. Vehicle only had 24000 miles. Rotor and pads replaced. Internet search reveals multiple similar problems with element . See: elementownersclub.com.
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 an authorized dealer for repairs. The failure was contributed to the anti- lock brake system computer module. The insurance company was notified. The failure and current mileages were 4,000.
I have an 08 honda element that I bought new. From 1st day I've owned it I thought the brakes felt soft/mushy. I thought it was just me getting used to a new vehicle, at times now brakes when I've stopped hard it felt like element pedal was at the floor and I wondered if vehicle was going to stop. I now know that several other element owners have this same problem and honda has issued a tsb on it. Several that have had the tsb done are saying that they still have the same problem. I brought mine in and the dealer has ordered the vsa modulator. I just want to be on record that this is a big problem that honda may have to do more than they are currently doing to resolve this problem. Brakes are not a problem to take lightly. I bought my element new in apr 08.
2008 honda element brake pedal travel is excessive and the brakes are at times soft.
Mushy brakes.
Purchased new 2008 honda element on 23 sep 2008 during family emergency visit to ohio while traveling to florida. The car was to be licensed in florida where I have a home so a thirty day tag was issued with arrangements for another thirty day tag to be sent to location in route if needed. After picking up the car I immediately noticed a brake noise and vibration when stopping. I was traveling to florida the next day but did call the salesman, who advised me that as the car has been sitting, this was normal and I should drive the car and \"burn in\" the brakes. I then traveled in the car to boston to visit friends and then worked my way down the east coast. I stopped at a honda dealer in virginia beach, va where they were kind enough to make arrangements to have the second thirty day tag sent but they could not look at the car for a few days. My schedule would not permit a delay so I continued the travel to florida. The car was parked in a garage in my home in florida during december 2008 to february 2009 while I returned to germany to tie up loose ends. I returned to florida in late february 2009 and took the car to blount honda in leesburg, fl for 6000 mile checkup in early march. I asked them to specifically look at the brakes. As I was waiting for the car, the mechanic advised me that their was rotor distortion caused by the car sitting, the rotors would have to be turned, and it was not covered by warranty. The car did sit for two and a half months while in my possession but I dismissed this as the cause as the brake problem was noticed the instant I got the car in september 2008. It wound up costing me $160.00 to fix the problem. I have since found out that the car was received by jay honda dealer in january 2008 and they had in their possession for almost nine months. I filed a complaint with american honda who said that it was up to the selling dealer to reimburse me. Needless to say, they would not.
Premature right rear brake wear (out boad 2.9mm inboard tapered from 6mm)requiring resurfacing and new pads at approx 22,500 miles. Left rear out/inboard expected nominal 6mm.
Tl*the contact owns a 2008 honda element. While attempting to pull into a parking space at no more than 8 MPH, the contact depressed the brake pedal and it extended to the floor. The vehicle drove over a curb and into a lawn. She had to pump the brakes numerous times before the vehicle finally came to a stop. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and they stated that there was air in the brake lines. They drained and replaced all the fluid from the brakes and pressurized the brake lines. The dealer could not explain why the failure occurred or if it would recur. The contact feels that a recall should be issued because the dealer has dealt with this issue in the past. She was advised to constantly pump the brakes to prevent the failure from recurring. The current and failure mileages were 13,000.
I have a 2008 honda element with brake problems. I took the car to one dealer in south hill virginia who told me not to drive the car because it was too dangerous and needed a new master cylinder. Someone else picked the car up for me after they said it was fixed. I drove the car and thought they were still "soft", so a couple of weeks later I took the car to a dealer in danville virginia and asked that they test drive the car. They said , you better not drive this car , it is dangerous, and ordered another master cylinder. I pocket the car up today and guess what? The brakes are the same. What do I do? This car is dangerous. The brakes do not react as soon as applied and they loose pressure under foot.
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