YearToAvoid

2008 Honda Element Brakes Problems

NHTSA has 35 owner complaints about brake problems in the 2008 Honda Element, 31% of all 112 complaints for this model year. That is the highest brake complaint count among 7 Element model years. These complaints report 3 crashes and 1 injury. Median mileage at failure: 18,350 miles.

Brakes complaints
35
31% of 112
Crashes reported
3
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
1
Median mileage
18,350 mi
Related recalls
1

When 2008 Honda Element brake complaints were filed

First complaint Feb 7, 2009, latest Apr 12, 2023.

2008 Honda Element brakes complaints: complaints filed per month5Feb 2009Nov 2009Mar 2010Jul 2010Oct 2010Jun 2015Mar 2017Mar 2022
35 complaints filed with NHTSA from Feb 2009 to Apr 2023; peak Mar 2010 (5).

Brakes recalls for the 2008 Honda Element

  1. NHTSA 10V098000Mar 16, 2010Brakes412,000 vehicles

    Service brakes, air

    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.

    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.

Brakes complaints by Element model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 20057 (4%)
  2. 20063 (2%)
  3. 200721 (19%)
  4. 200835 (31%)
  5. 20099 (30%)
  6. 20105 (17%)
  7. 20111 (9%)

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2008 Honda Element have brake problems?
NHTSA has 35 owner complaints about the brake in the 2008 Honda Element, 31% of all complaints for this model year, including 3 that report a crash. Median mileage at failure is 18,350 miles.
Which Honda Element year has the most brake complaints?
The 2008 Honda Element has the most brake complaints (35), compared with 35 for the 2008.
Is there a brake recall for the 2008 Honda Element?
Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for the 2008 Honda Element concerns the brake: 10V098000.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.