Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 Honda Element owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl 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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
Previously filed a complaint (odi # 10321852) via email with NHTSA 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. …
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. …
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. …
Tl 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.
Related recalls
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.
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.
NHTSA investigations
Air in brake system
By letter dated March 15, 2010, American Honda Motor Corp. (HMC) notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that it will conduct a safety recall (NHTSA 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.
Brake complaints in other Element years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2008 Honda Element?
NHTSA has 34 complaints about the brakes of the 2008 Honda Element, 30% of the model year's 113 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › control unit/module (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Honda Element brake problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 10V-098 (service brakes, air, Mar 16, 2010). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2008 Honda Element brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 17,000 miles, and 77% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.