2008 Honda Element

113 complaints on file, page 1 of 6.

1. Filed Sep 29, 2026Failure Jul 1, 2026Amherst, NYSuspension

   The front bushing bracket on the left (driver's side) rear trailing arm may have an improper weld and could separate from the arm. I am noticing some rust in this area. I have rustproofed the vehicle to help prolong the life and to avoid a separated bracket which can release the lower portion of the wheel hub and damage the brake system, leading to a loss of vehicle control and an increased risk of a crash.

   NHTSA complaint 11767821
2. Filed Sep 16, 2026Failure Sep 15, 2026Carmel, CAAir bags

   We were driving on a bumpy road and our driver side curtain airbag deployed and cracked the windshield

   NHTSA complaint 11764818
3. Filed Aug 7, 2026Failure Jul 12, 2026Castleton, NYUnknown or otherCrash

   I was driving on a 65 mph highway when another vehicle forced me off the road causing my vehicle to spin out and hit a guardrail pretty much head on at about 60-65mph. Should my airbags have gone off? My safety could have been at risk because of how my vehicle went from highway speed into a guardrail, my car bounced off of the guardrail and spun so I was facing traffic coming towards me. I have sent a message to Honda asking about the airbags but I have not received a response, no the vehicle has not been inspected by anyone. I had no airbag sensors light up on my dash. I have a sensor for the passenger airbag as well which said it was off because no one was in the passenger seat. My car is totaled and the frame is bent on the driver side. When my vehicle hit the guardrail my head kept banging on the door, headrest and the beam where the two doors join. I have pretty bad whiplash and have been having some nerve issues on my left side, I am not sure if that constitutes as an injury. I have dash camera footage of me hitting the guardrail as well, my vehicle lost power once I hit it though. With the dash camera footage I do have to get permission from my attorney to release it if you need just because we are pursing the other driver for damages and injuries. I still have the vehicle on my property if it does need to be inspected. My main concern is making sure other drivers will be safe.

   NHTSA complaint 11755441
4. Filed Apr 4, 2026Failure Mar 23, 2026Lake in the Hills, ILSuspension

   Rotted and rusted out trailing arms

   NHTSA complaint 11729158
5. Filed Sep 17, 2025Failure Sep 16, 2025130,000 milesBaraboo, WISuspension

   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.

   NHTSA complaint 11687921
6. Filed Jun 17, 2025Failure Apr 16, 2025Mahopac, NYBody

   There is a massive rust spot under the driver side seating position where your feet would rest while driving. Seems as there isn't significant drainage holes in this area.

   NHTSA complaint 11667334
7. Filed Nov 7, 2024Failure Oct 24, 2024Erieville, NYBody, Suspension

   My mechanic informed me that this car will no longer pass NYS inspection due to body rust/corrosion holes where the rear trailing arms attach to the car's body. Honda has issued a recall for the same model year CR-V, which has a nearly identical trailing arm attachment design, due to the risk of losing control of the vehicle if the trailing arm mount separates from the body.

   NHTSA complaint 11624062
8. Filed Oct 24, 2024Failure Oct 24, 2024Jamesburg, NJBody, Suspension

   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.

   NHTSA complaint 11621850
9. Filed Aug 14, 2024Failure Aug 12, 2024Roslyn Heights, NYBody

   I just purchased a 2008 Honda Element and took it for inspection and the entire undercarriage is rusted. I know Honda of Canada will fix or buy back the vehicle. However as I am in the USA my understanding is that for now only the CRV’s are affected. The car cannot be driven as it is a very dangerous concern. Please help.

   NHTSA complaint 11608412
10. Filed Aug 4, 2024Failure Aug 4, 2024Washington, UTBody

    I am writing to formally lodge a complaint regarding a serious safety concern involving the Honda Element model years 2003 through 2011. Specifically, this issue pertains to the rear trailing arm mounting area, which has been observed to rust through on numerous vehicles, including my own 2008 Honda Element. The rusting of the rear trailing arm mounting area poses a significant safety risk, as it can compromise the structural integrity of the vehicle's suspension system. This deterioration can lead to potential failure of the rear trailing arm, resulting in loss of control of the vehicle, particularly at higher speeds or during emergency maneuvers. The prevalence of this issue across multiple model years suggests a systemic problem that warrants investigation and potential recall. My vehicle, like many others, has experienced this issue despite regular maintenance and care. The rusting has occurred in a manner that is not typical of normal wear and tear, indicating a possible manufacturing or design defect. Given the safety implications of this problem, I urge the NHTSA to conduct a thorough investigation to determine the root cause and ensure the safety of all affected Honda Element owners. I appreciate your attention to this matter and look forward to your prompt response and action.

    NHTSA complaint 11606365
11. Filed Jun 24, 2024Failure Jun 23, 2024225,000 milesColumbia Heights, MNSuspension

    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.

    NHTSA complaint 11596114
12. Filed May 16, 2024Failure Apr 9, 2024Traverse City, MISuspension, Unknown or other

    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. In some cases, the rear frame may be so corroded that Honda will offer to buy the vehicle back from owners to get the safety hazards off the road." Why have the US Elements not been recalled when this is a known safety hazard and the exact same issue as the CR-V's? I am in numerous online forums of Element owners and have seen photographs where this caused life-threatening issues while people were driving. Thankfully, we caught it before that happened to us, but now my loved daily driver is out of commission for a known safety hazard. No one in our family was harmed, but this could have been life threatening if it had not been discovered. The area has not been inspected by police or insurance. Only by our mechanic who specializes in servicing Hondas, Toyotas and Subarus. There were no warning lamps or other warning signs. It just happened to be discovered during routine inspection/service.

    NHTSA complaint 11589123
13. Filed Apr 9, 2024Failure Apr 7, 2024127,000 milesLone Rock, WISuspension

    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.

    NHTSA complaint 11582000
14. Filed Feb 18, 2024Failure Feb 16, 2024Berlin, NHSuspension

    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. Searched internet and found recall in Canada for this specific issue. We are lucky it happened when it did otherwise it would have been fatal.

    NHTSA complaint 11572588
15. Filed Feb 8, 2024Failure Feb 1, 2024Eau Claire, WISuspension

    The rear trailing arms are rusting faster than anything else on my beloved Honda. Honda has recalled the Elements of similar model years in Canada for this problem, and the CRV of similar model years in US for this exact problem. This suspension issue could cause a catastrophic failure if left unrepaired. My family and I need this vehicle, but it feels unsafe to operate. Why hasn't Honda recalled the Honda Element for this known issue?

    NHTSA complaint 11570805
16. Filed Nov 6, 2023Failure Nov 5, 2023Circle Pines, MNBody, Suspension

    The drivers side rear trailing arm mounting point on my Honda Element has completely rotted out, making my car a seriously unsafe vehicle to drive. This is a well known issue to both Honda and the NHTSA as Honda has already recalled both the Element and CR-V in Canada, and the CR-V here in the USA, but not the Element. NHTSA # 23v-228, Transport Canada Recall - 2021024 - HONDA

    NHTSA complaint 11553903
17. Filed Oct 16, 2023Failure Oct 10, 2023Vestal, NYBody, Suspension, Wheels

    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.

    NHTSA complaint 11550176
18. Filed Aug 11, 2023Failure Aug 10, 2023Chardon, OHSuspension

    Rear wheel suspension broke while driving. Wheel forced into wheel well. ( Rear Trailing arm Broke?)

    NHTSA complaint 11538030
19. Filed Jul 21, 2023Failure Jul 20, 2023124,000 milesMinneapolis, MNStructure

    The contact owns a 2008 Honda Element. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the rear driver's side trailing arm fractured without warning. The contact was able to veer the vehicle off the road and turned off the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the rear driver's side trailing arm was rusted and needed to be replaced. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 124,000.

    NHTSA complaint 11533729
20. Filed Jun 8, 2023Failure Jun 2, 2023136,999 milesTraverse City, MIFrame and members

    The contact owns a 2008 Honda Element. The contact stated while receiving a routine service at the dealer, the mechanic became aware that the rear driver’s side sub frame was rusted. The contact was informed that sub frame needed to be replaced and that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 136,999.

    NHTSA complaint 11525996