Brake complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
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 NHTSA recall regarding this problem (NHTSA 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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Honda Element. While driving at approximately 40 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and extended to the floorboard. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the vsa module control unit needed to be repaired. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 46,400. Updated 02/05/16; updated 04/23/18
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.
Since new (day one) have had soft brake peddle. Dealer says normal, but I don't think so as I have driven 100s of vehicles in my 50 years of driving and only felt this mushy brake pedal when experiencing a master cylinder internal leak.
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
I was just driving my 2007 Honda Element to work in the north end of seattle, and all of the sudden my vehicle started jerking and the check engine light, vsa and steering light came on the "triangle with a lightning bolt in it" it started running rough. When I would step on the gas it would cause the car to jerk and the speedometer would idle up and down. It was very intense. I would lift off the gas patel and try to let it smoothin out. It definitely is a safety issue. I looked online and saw a recall on the 2007 and 2008 Honda Element, over 68,000 of them. I went to Honda of seattle and they told me there wasn't a recall, I then told him to look online and he tried to tell me that my car wasn't covered. He started to quote some numbers of what the diagnostic would cost and then they would go from there. I then told them to return my vehicle and brought it to my mechanic. …
We have had to replace our brakes & rotors every year,starting in year 3. (I drove only 3,000 miles a year) then gave it to my husband who drives to work. When the miles got up to 14,000 - that was the first brake & rotor replacement. Asked Honda about this while under warranty and no word about problems, just their answer that it was from a 'street sweeper' or 'the way we drove.' several times the rotors were so bad, that the car screeched. 2 years ago, had to have them replaced twice in the same year-in March and again in October twice now our calipers had to be changed as well as the brakes & rotors. Have put a lot of $ out for all these repairs. Not happy with Honda or their customer service anymore.
Related recalls (1)
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.
Frequently asked questions
Which Honda Element years have brake problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2008 (34), 2007 (18), 2003 (11), 2009 (8) and 2005 (6) model years. Brake complaints make up 30% of all complaints for the 2008.
Is there a recall for Honda Element brake problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 10V-098 (service brakes, air, Mar 16, 2010). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Honda Element brake problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 29,000 miles; 74% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the foundation components (1 mentions), followed by the foundation components › disc › pads (1).
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.