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).
The contact owns a 2008 Honda Element. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the contact lost control of the vehicle. The contact was able to regain control of the vehicle and pulled over to the shoulder of the roadway. Upon inspection, the contact discovered that the rear driver's side tire was leaning outward from the vehicle. The contact called a friend with a trailer and had the vehicle towed to a friend's residence. Upon further inspection, it was discovered that the front mounting bracket on the rear trailer arm had become severely corroded which led to the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and was informed that there were no recalls on the vehicle, but offered no further assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 127,000.
The contact owns a 2008 Honda Element. The contact stated that while the vehicle was in for an inspection, it was discovered that the rear suspension front bushing bracket trailing arm was rusted. The vehicle failed the inspection due to the failure. The contact was informed by the mechanic that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was informed that the same failure had been recalled in Canada but not in the United States. No further information was available. The local dealer was not notified. The failure mileage was 200,000.
The contact owns a 2008 Honda Element. The contact stated that while reversing out of a parking spot, the driver's side rear trailing arm fractured. There were no warning lights illuminated. Upon researching the failure, the contact linked the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 08V349000 (Suspension). The vehicle was towed to the husband's place of employment. The contact called the local dealer, who confirmed there was no recall coverage on the VIN for the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.
The contact owns a 2008 Honda Element. The contact stated while driving 20-30 MPH over a bump, the vehicle started fish tailing. The contact was able to pull to the side of the road. The contact stated that he noticed that the rear driver's side tire was sideways. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the vehicle was not covered under NHTSA Campaign Number: 08V349000 (Suspension) because the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 225,000.
The contact owns a 2008 Honda Element. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the contact heard an abnormal rubbing underneath the vehicle. The contact was able to park the vehicle. The vehicle was inspected by an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the rear driver's side trailing arm had detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 170,000.
The contact owns a 2008 Honda Element. The contact stated while changing the rear driver's side tire, the contact became aware that the trailing arm link rail on the rear driver's side had separated from the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that they were aware of the failure but there was no recall for the failure. The failure mileage was 197,000.
I took my very well maintained Honda Element into the shop for routine maintenance and a pre-spring/summer driving check. They indicated that the driver's side subframe where it meets the rear trailing arm has a dangerous hole and that I should not drive this car any more. We live in Michigan where snow/salt are factors. This specific area has been known to fail in Elements and CR-V's and there was a recall on this specific issue for Honda Elements in Canada and CR-V owners in the US and Canada: "The 2007-2011 Honda CR-V is being recalled because the rear trailing arm can fall off due to excessive corrosion, the NHTSA disclosed Thursday. …
My Honda Element unibody has rusted out resulting in the real axle trailing arm separating from the vehicle. This happened while my daughter was driving - luckily she was not injured. This is a known issue at Honda. Honda Elements years 2003-2011 have already been recalled for a repair or reimbursement in Canada (see recall # 2021024) and all Honda CR-Vs in the United States model years 2007-2011 have also been recalled in the Unites States for the same issue (NHTSA # 23V-228). This issue represents an extremely hazardous risk in the Honda Elements, as well as the potential complete loss of the vehcile. The recall for the Elements should be extended to the United States immediately.
The rear trailing arm mounts rust right off the car and the entire piece falls off out of nowhere. I was lucky to be going about 10 mph when this happened to me and it slide the car sideways .I have no doubt I would have flipped at highway speeds. I've seen hundreds of other elements with the same issues on forums it's bad enough that in Canada they have a buyback. The police where there quickly and saw it and said the same but. Insurance won't do anything cause it's a part that broke. Away from the body and I was going slow enough. No warning even had tires installed a few days prior and they didn't see anything that was scary.
The driver side rear trail arm broke off bending the strut with the tire hanging, it happened in my apartment parking lot, I could have lost my life if this had happened at high speeds or killed somebody else. I'm very lucky to be alive!! Currently it is not inspectable due to the damage. The problem has not been reproduced by a dealer or an independent service centre. The vehicle has not been inspected by anyone or manufacturer. No warning light were present before the failure.
Related recalls
Suspension › Rear
Honda is recalling 241 my 2008 element vehicles. 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.
Remedy: Owners will be contacted by phone and advised to stop driving their vehicles until they have taken their vehicle to a dealer for inspection.
Suspension complaints in other Element years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 2008 Honda Element?
NHTSA has 24 complaints about the suspension of the 2008 Honda Element, 21% of the model year's 113 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2008 Honda Element suspension problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 08V-349 (rear, Jul 29, 2008). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2008 Honda Element suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 130,000 miles, and 9% before 25,000 miles.
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.