Honda Element spongy pedal problems

Filed Mar 2, 2022 · Brakes · VA

No incident, Soft Brake Pedal all the time

Filed Jan 15, 2020 · Brakes · 20,000 miles · FL

Spongy brake pedal goes almost to floor. Have new rotors & pads and just had the system flushed and bled. No change in operation. Still spongy and travel almost to floor. Symptoms have existed for years.

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 Feb 26, 2016 · Brakes · 51,000 miles · MD

Brakes very spongy, going almost down to floor, causing a dangerous increase in stopping distance on the highway my mechanic bled the system several times to no avail. Then changed the master cylinder. Still spongy, then the mechanic checked for honda service bulletins regarding this problem. He found a service bulletin that addresses a similar problem on 2007-2008 elements (https://www.skidmore.edu/~pdwyer/e/files/campaign_and_recall_bulletins/a10-017.pdf). There is also a the federal safety agency recall regarding this problem (the federal safety agency campaign number: 10v098000 ). I think the problem with my 2010 honda element may be similar to that of the 2007-2008 year models and require a similar recall and fix. I feel this should be investigated because the loss of braking power ability put myself and family in a very dangerous situation.

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 Nov 25, 2012 · Brakes · 117,500 miles · OK

The ABS brake system has always had a nice firm pedal pressure. Recently when coming to a stop I noticed the pedal to feel spongy, soft and travel close to the floor. I checked fluids etc. And all seem normal. Still have adequate pad thickness on all pads. This problem with the soft, spongy pedal seems to be consistent now. Checked the internet and see this seems to be a problem on 2007 and 2008 elements. Believe it might also be showing up on other years also. We also have a 2004 element and the pedal pressure is as the 2003 used to be. The 2003 is an ex 2wd auto and the 2004 is an ex auto awd model.

Filed Aug 14, 2012 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 70,000 miles · FL

The honda element has a recall for a soft, spongy brake pedal that has to be pushed to the floor to get the brakes to engage. There is a recall for this symptom, related to the vehicle stability assist module. The recall work was done, and the pedal feel improved, but after time, the issue returns. My brakes are soft and spongy and I get no brakes unless the pedal goes most of the way to the floor. It feels as if the car is not going to stop each time I brake.

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 4, 2011 · Brakes · 15,000 miles · MN

This complaint is about my 2007 honda element ex. In 2008 I started experiencing very soft brakes, and complained to the dealer. The dealer proceeded to replace the vsa modulator twice, and bleed the brakes over 12 times and it came back worse than when I took it in. Took it to another dealer who replaced the modulator again, bled brakes, felt better temporarily but the issue returned. Honda finally issued a recall for the soft brake pedal issue that involved simply gluing caps over vents on the vsa modulator (not redesigning a critical part of the vehicle's safety system mind you). I had the recall performed and my brakes have again become soft (sometime dangerously soft). This was all while my car was under warranty. My car is now no longer under warranty and honda of north america doesn't seem to have an issue with the fact their "fix" didn't fix anything. I've got a baby on the way and don't feel safe having my wife drive my car. This is a serious issue that honda isn't taking seriously, especially in light of other companies recent quality control issues and recalls.

Filed Oct 18, 2010 · Brakes · 29,000 miles · IA

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.