2008 Honda Element: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2008 Honda Element: 12 recalls, 113 owner complaints and up to 22 mpg combined.
Recalls
12 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 1 equipment/tire recall that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Suspension Vehicle recall #08V349000 · 2008 · 241 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: A separated bushing bracket could cause the suspension to release the lower portion of the wheel hub, causing a loss of control and damage to the brake system which could lead to a crash.
The fix: 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 necessary, replace it free of charge. The recall began on July 25, 2008.
Brakes (air) Vehicle recall #10V098000 · 2010 · 412,000 vehicles
What's wrong: 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 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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.
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility Vehicle recall #10V271000 · 2010 · 13 vehicles
What's wrong: There is a possibility of a defective weld at the joint between the pivoting plate and the pivoting plate pin.
Why it matters: The seat occupant May be injured if the seat base pin were to break.
The fix: All in one mobility will notify owners and the vehicles will be repaired free of charge. The safety recall began on June 22, 2010.
Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #11V395000 · 2011 · 1,512,107 vehicles
What's wrong: The outer race of the secondary shaft bearing May be broken during certain driving styles. A broken outer race May cause abnormal noise, the malfunction indicator light to turn on, and allow contact between the transmission idle gear and an electronic sensor housing within the transmission.
Why it matters: This could result in a short circuit causing the engine to stall. Additionally, broken pieces of the outer race or ball bearing from the secondary shaft May become lodged in the parking pawl resulting in the vehicle rolling after the driver has placed the gear selector in the park position. Engine…
The fix: 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.
Trailer hitch, Electrical Vehicle recall #12V436000 · 2012 · 5,216 vehicles
What's wrong: The wire that supplies power to the trailer turn signal lights was inadvertently switched with the stop lamp wire. As a result the turn signals only illuminate when the brake lamps are illuminated. This does not comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
Why it matters: Without trailer turn signal illumination, the driver's intent is not communicated, potentially increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall began on September 20, 2012.
Airbags Vehicle recall #15V320000 · 2015 · 6,281,043 vehicles
What's wrong: 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 Acura 3.2cl, 2003-2006 Acura mdx, and 2002-2003 Acura 3.2tl vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that May be susceptible…
Why it matters: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2015.
Airbags Vehicle recall #16V344000 · 2016 · 1,790,894 vehicles
What's wrong: 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, or that have ever been registered, in alabama, california, florida, georgia, hawaii, louisiana, mississippi, south carolina, texas, puerto rico, american samoa, guam, the…
Why it matters: An inflator rupture May result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began June 27, 2016.
Airbags Vehicle recall #17V029000 · 2017 · 308,884 vehicles
What's wrong: 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 pilot vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in alabama, california, florida, georgia, hawaii, louisiana, mississippi, south carolina, texas, puerto rico, american…
Why it matters: An inflator rupture May result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall bagan March 2017.
Airbags Vehicle recall #18V268000 · 2018 · 1,335 vehicles
What's wrong: 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 2012 ridgeline vehicles. The front passenger air bag May have been installed incorrectly during replacement.
Why it matters: An incorrectly installed air bag May deploy improperly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: 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.
Airbags Vehicle recall #19V182000 · 2019 · 1,101,534 vehicles
What's wrong: 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 civic, 2003-2005 civic hybrid, 2001-2005 civic gx ngv, 2002-2007 and 2010-2011 cr-v, 2003-2011 element, 2007 fit, 2002-2004 odyssey, 2003-2008 pilot, and 2006-2014…
Why it matters: An explosion of an inflator within the driver frontal air bag module May result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver, front seat passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: 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
Airbags Vehicle recall #19V499000 · 2019 · 3,947 vehicles
What's wrong: 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, 2003-2008 pilot and 2006 ridgeline vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with driver frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service…
Why it matters: An inflator explosion May result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019.
Airbags Vehicle recall #19V501000 · 2019 · 1,657,752 vehicles
What's wrong: 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, 2003-2008 pilot, and 2006-2014 ridgeline vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement…
Why it matters: An inflator explosion May result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal airbag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019.
1 aftermarket equipment / tire recall replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Speed control / throttle Equipment recall #19E068000 · 2019 · 3,744 vehicles
What's wrong: Dorman products, Inc. (dorman) is recalling certain accelerator pedal assemblies part numbers 699-114 and 825-5029-1, sold as replacement parts for 2003-2006 Acura mdx, 2004-2008 Acura tl and tsx, 2003-2007 Honda accord, 2005-2006 Honda cr-v, 2007-2011 Honda element, 2005-2008 Honda pilot and 2006-2014 Honda ridgeline vehicles. The rotating portion of the accelerator pedal assembly May bind. As such, these vehicles…
Why it matters: If the accelerator pedal binds, the engine May not quickly return to idle after the pedal is no longer pressed, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dorman will notify owners, and qualified service facilities will replace the affected accelerator pedal assemblies, free of charge. The recall began December 9, 2019.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 2 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Suspension (24): the most common themes are rust / corrosion (13).
- Airbags (24): the most common themes are deploys unexpectedly / inflator (3).
- Brakes (hydraulic) (23): the most common themes are brake failure / soft pedal (13), noise or vibration (3).
- Body & structure (14): the most common themes are rust / corrosion (10).
The 2008 Honda Element has 113 owner complaints, ranking #5 of 9 Element model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 142). Complaints peaked in 2010 (20 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 8 years old, at a median of 26,500 miles. Neighboring years: 2007 (112 complaints, 10 recalls), 2009 (31 complaints, 8 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4 L 4-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 25 | 22 | Regular |
| 2.4 L 4-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 19 | 24 | 21 | Regular |
| 2.4 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 23 | 20 | Regular |
| 2.4 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 18 | 23 | 20 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2008 Honda Element.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 2008 Honda Element have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 12 vehicle recalls for the 2008 Honda Element, plus 1 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2008 Honda Element problems?
Owners have filed 113 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are suspension (24), airbags (24), brakes (hydraulic) (23).
What gas mileage does the 2008 Honda Element get?
EPA ratings run up to 22 mpg combined (2.4 L, Automatic 5-spd), across 4 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2008 Honda Element repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.