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2008 Honda Element Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2008 Honda Element has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 5 recurring issue clusters, led by “Rear trailing arm corrosion and separation.” Honda vehicles use the Maintenance Minder system — your dashboard displays a Code A (oil change) or Code B (oil change plus inspections) along with sub-codes 1-6 for additional services. Intervals adjust based on how you drive. The schedule below reflects Honda's underlying targets.

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No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2008 Honda Element.

Reported to NHTSA

Rear trailing arm corrosion and separation

SUSPENSION, STRUCTURE

26 NHTSA complaints · 2010-03 → 2026-04

“Rotted and rusted out trailing arms”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11729158
“Rear wheel suspension broke while driving. Wheel forced into wheel well. ( Rear Trailing arm Broke?)”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11538030
“Was just about to drive on a 55mph road when the drivers side rear trailing arm fell off from the frame, no prior indication of failure as it passed inspection the previous year. Had checked by my mechanic and says it is not repairable. Excessive corrosion into frame”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11572588

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Soft or spongy brake pedal travel to the floor

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

27 NHTSA complaints · 2009-02 → 2022-03

“No incident, Soft Brake Pedal all the time”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11454926
“BRAKES WERE SOFT ALMOST TO THE FLOOR,MY VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP AND ENDED UP HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10328009
“2008 HONDA ELEMENT BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL IS EXCESSIVE AND THE BRAKES ARE AT TIMES SOFT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10275092

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Spontaneous windshield cracking

VISIBILITY

3 NHTSA complaints · 2007-12 → 2011-07

“I JUST NOTICED I HAVE A CRACKED WINDSHIELD ON MY NEW 2008 HONDA ELEMENT. I DON'T RECALL ANY DEBRI OR ANYTHING HITTING MY WINDSHIELD BUT I NOTICED A CRACK?”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10211051
“GOT INTO THE CAR AND SAW A CRACK ON THE FRONT WINDSHIELD THAT IS COMING FROM THE MIDDLE PORTION, UNDER THE MOLDING LEFT TO RIGHT. (IF SITTING IN CAR.)”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10262239
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 67,000”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10413814

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Tire pressure monitoring system malfunction

TIRES

3 NHTSA complaints · 2008-03 → 2012-11

“THE TPMS LIGHT ON MY 2008 HONDA ELEMENT EX WILL NOT TURN OFF. IT HAS BEEN THIS WAY SINCE NOVEMBER OF 2007. AFTER FIVE VISITS, THE HONDA DEALER CONCLUDED THAT IT WAS THE TIRES AND NOTHING TO DO WITH THEIR TPMS. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 2,000 MILES ON IT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10220113
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT PURCHASED FOUR NEW RIMS AND A TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR MONITOR. LAST FALL, THE TPMS ICON FLASHED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, WHICH INDICATED THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR WAS NOT WORKING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10268385
“I REPLACED THE TIRES ON MY NEW 2008 HONDA ELEMENT ON 10/21/2007 AT 869 MILES SINCE THE TIRES THAT THE CAME WITH THE VEHICLE HAD POOR TRACTION IN RAIN. A MONTH LATER, THE TPMS LIGHT CAME ON AND I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER ON 11/26/2007 AT 1056 MILES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10485279

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Delayed parts availability for Takata airbag recall

AIR BAGS

19 NHTSA complaints · 2014-11 → 2019-09

“TAKATA RECALL - I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP (STUART, FL HONDA) TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. I WAS TOLD THEY CAN ORDER THE PART BUT HAVE NO IDEA WHEN IT WILL BE IN AND THAT IT COULD BE WEEKS OR MONTHS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10906297
“TAKATA RECALL- I FEEL THAT HAVING TO WAIT AN ESTIMATED ONE TO TWO MONTHS FOR A REPLACEMENT OF THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG IS UNACCEPTABLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10892153
“TAKATA INFLATORS, I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET HONDA TO FIX THE AIRBAG PROBLEM SINCE WE GOT THE FIRST LETTER IN THE MAIL AND EVEN HAD PEOPLE FROM HONDA COME TO OUR HOUSE AND WE HAVE SET UP VARIOUS APPOINTMENTS FOR THEM TO COME OUT TO REPLACE AIRBAGS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11253380

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter (Code A)

Every 7,500 mi

Replace 0W-20 full-synthetic oil and filter. The Maintenance Minder triggers Code A between 7,500 and 10,000 miles depending on driving conditions.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation (Sub-code 1)

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate tires front-to-back to even out wear. Honda triggers Sub-code 1 alongside every other oil change.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection (Code B)

Every 15,000 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, and parking brake. Code B includes a multi-point inspection of brakes, suspension, and fluids.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid (Sub-code 5)

Every 45,000 mi

Replace DOT 3 brake fluid every 3 years regardless of mileage to prevent moisture absorption and corrosion of ABS components.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Automatic Transmission / CVT Fluid (Sub-code 3)

Every 30,000 mi

Replace ATF or CVT fluid. Honda CVT models (Civic, HR-V, Accord LX) use Honda HCF-2 — do not substitute. The Maintenance Minder triggers earlier under heavy stop-and-go.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Rear Differential Fluid (AWD models, Sub-code 5)

Every 30,000 mi

AWD CR-V, Pilot, Passport, Ridgeline: replace rear diff fluid every 30,000 miles, sooner if towing.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Drain plug + fill plug — straightforward DIY. AWD vehicles have two; budget for both.

Engine Air Filter (Sub-code 4)

Every 30,000 mi

Replace the engine air filter every 30,000 miles. Honda uses a long-life cellulose element on most port-injected engines.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Spark Plugs (Sub-code 6)

Every 105,000 mi

Honda uses iridium-tipped plugs rated for 100,000+ miles. Replace at 105,000 miles or whenever Sub-code 6 displays.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Engine Coolant (Sub-code 5)

Every 60,000 mi

Honda Long-Life Type 2 (blue) coolant: first change at 120,000 miles, then every 60,000 miles. Do not mix with other coolant types.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter (Sub-code 3)

Every 15,000 mi

Replace the cabin air filter — accessible behind the glove box on most Hondas. Honda recommends 15,000 miles in dusty conditions, longer in clean climates.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Valve Clearance Adjustment (Sub-code 6)

Every 105,000 mi

Inspect and adjust valve clearances at 105,000 miles. Critical on K-series and L-series engines to prevent valve recession.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$495–$535

Shop

~$345–$375

DIY

Pro only

Mechanical-bucket valvetrains (many Honda 4-cyls, older Toyotas) need this. Hydraulic lifters don't. Shop work — feeler-gauge precision required.

Timing Chain — No Replacement

On condition / lifetime

Modern Honda engines (K-series, L-series, R-series, plus all Earth Dreams 1.5T and 2.0T) use a timing chain designed to last the life of the engine. No scheduled replacement.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Pro only

Timing chains are normally lifetime. Listen for rattle on cold start — that's the actionable signal. Replacement is major work, quote separately.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

24 crashes 1990–2024

How the 24 occupant deaths break down

20

driver deaths

4

passenger deaths

24

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2009 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

5

complaints mentioning a crash

0

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2008 Honda Element reflects Honda's published service intervals and the Maintenance Minder system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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