2008 Honda Element Complaint Log

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. THE MAN SAID PEOPLE WAITED FROM MARCH UNTIL SEPT TO GET DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAGS, AND THE HAVE NO IDEA WHEN THEY WILL GET THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG TO FIX MY CAR. FURTHER, IN DIRECT CONFLICT WITH THE RECALL LETTER FROM HONDA, THE SERVICE PERSON SAID THERE IS NO RISK OF METAL COMING OUT OF THE AIRBAG. THE DEALER ALOS REFUSED TO PROVIDE A LOANER CAR. I THEN CALLED AMERICAN HONDA, THEY GAVE ME A CASE NUMBER AND ALSO COULD NOT TELL ME WHEN I CAN GET MY CAR FIXED. I SPOKE TO GLORIA WHO SAID THERE IS NO ROSK TO THE BACK SEAT. I RECEIVED THE HONDA RECALL LETTER IN JULY 2016 AND HONDA STILL CANNOT PROVIDE A ESTIMATE FOR WHEN I CAN HAVE THE CAR FIXED, OR PROVIDE A LOANER CAR.

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V344000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PART DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V344000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V344000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO PERFORM THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V344000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

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.

RECENTLY BECAME SECOND OWNER OF VEHICLE. NOTICED IT HAD A SOFT BRAKE PEDAL. RECALL PERFORMED BY FIRST OWNERS DEALER, BUT, THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA ELEMENT. THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO OPERATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,000.

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 *BF

THERE HAS BEEN NO CRASH AS SUCH--I AM COMPLAINING ABOUT HONDA'S LACK OF RESPONSIVENESS TO THE AIRBAG INFLATOR RECALL. I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET THIS RECALL TAKEN CARE OF FOR SOME TIME. CURRENTLY, A HONDA DEALERSHIP HAS MY CAR BUT I CAN GET NO INFORMATION FROM THEM ABOUT WHEN THE PART WILL BE IN--THEY DID NOT EVEN SEEM FAMILIAR WITH THE RECALL WHEN I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE & SHOWED THEM THE LETTER. I DO HAVE A RENTAL CAR FOR NOW, BUT THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE AS A LONG-TERM SOLUTION. A CALL TO CUSTOMER SERVICE RESULTED IN MY BEING TOLD (POLITELY!!) THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO, IT WAS A BIG RECALL, IT WAS ALL IN THE HANDS OF THE DEALERSHIP. I DID RECEIVE A CASE NUMBER TO ASSIST IN GETTING A BETTER RENTAL, BUT WAS TOLD THEY WOULD CALL AS SOON AS POSSIBLE--??WHENEVER THAT IS. I FEEL THAT I AM RECEIVING THE RUNAROUND FROM THIS HONDA DEALERSHIP, THAT POSSIBLY HONDA IS STALLING ON THE RECALL, HOPING PEOPLE WILL JUST GET TIRED AND GIVE UP. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V320000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES; HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

I PRESSED DOOR UNLOCK BUTTON. THE UNLOCK BUTTON ROSE UP, BUT DOOR REMAINED LOCKED. I TRIED THIS A FEW TIMES MORE. THEN I TRIED MY REMOTE SEVERAL TIMES BY PRESSING THE LOCK AND UNLOCK BUTTONS SEVERAL TIMES. THE ONLY WAY I COULD UNLOCK THE DOOR WAS BY OPENING THE WINDOW, AND USING THE HANDLE TO OPEN THE DOOR.

I AM FOLLOWING UP ON MY RECENT REPLACEMENT OF THE RECALLED DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG. WORRIED THAT THE SAME PROBLEM COULD EXIST ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, I HAVE CONTACTED HONDA TO INQUIRE IF THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG IS SIMILAR TO THE RECALLED ITEM AND ALSO IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT. HONDA HAS TOLD ME THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG IS A TAKATA BRAND BUT A DIFFERENT MODEL. UPON RESEARCH ON YOUR SITE, I FOUND THAT HONDA ELEMENT YEARS 2003-2004 HAVE HAD A RECALL FOR A SIMILAR DESIGN AND VINTAGE AIR BAG UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN 14V700000. THIS RECALL IS FOLLOWING THE SAME DECISION MAKING PROCESS THAT HAS LED TO THE LARGER DRIVER SIDE RECALL. RATHER THAN WAIT FOR SIMILAR EVENTS TO OCCUR, WOULDN'T IT BE PRUDENT TO REPLACE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG IN MY VEHICLE NOW INSTEAD OF WAITING FOR THE REPORT OF INJURIES IN BOTH HIGH HUMIDITY AND MORE NORTHERN SITES? AS THESE VEHICLES AGE, THEY HAVE MORE EXPOSURE TO HIGH TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY WEATHER AND WILL VERY LIKELY HAVE SIMILAR PROBLEMS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V351000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT DID NOT EXPERIENCE A FAILURE.

2008 HONDA ELEMENT CONSUMER IS REQUESTING A RECALL EXPANSION REGARDING TAKATA AIR BAGS. *CN

[XXX] - SPEEDOMETER GAUGE NEEDLES FELL OFF BOTH THE TAC AND SPEEDOMETER. NOW BRIGHT LIGHTS IN YOUR EYES! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

HEARD CLUNKING NOISE FROM UNDER CARRIAGE OF VEHICLE. BROUGHT INTO HONDA DEALERSHIP. THEIR INSPECTION REVEALED WORN BALL JOINTS(PREMATURELY). BALL JOINTS COULD SEPARATE CAUSING THE VEHICLE SUSPENSION TO COLLAPSE. THIS CONDITION WOULD RESULT IN VEHICLE DECELERATION AND A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER, ALSO STEERING CONTROLLABILITY WOULD BE REDUCED. *TR

HEAVY SNOW CONDITIONS (CT FEB. 6, 2015) CAR TRANSMISSION LIGHT APPEARED, PULLED OVER, READ MANUAL WHICH INSTRUCTED DRIVER TO PROCEED MODERATELY, WITHOUT RAPID ACCELERATION, TO EITHER A SERVICE GARAGE OR SAFE PLACE. DROVE HOME (4.5 MILES) BUT DRIVE IS STEEP. SOME WHEEL SLIPPAGE THEN CAR STALLED AND WOULD NOT START. TOWED FEBRUARY 6 TO CHAMPAGNE MOTORS OF MANSFIELD, CT. RESEARCHED PROBLEM ON LINE AND DISCOVERED A RECALL FOR TCM THAT WAS NOT PERFORMED ON CAR. CHAMPAGNE COULD NOT DO REPAIRS AND CAR ENDED UP AT HONDA OF MANCHESTER,CT. AFTER 4 WEEKS CALLED HONDA TO MENTION THE RECALL (NHTSA # 11V-395) AND SERVICE CLERK SAID THEIR REPAIRS HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE PROBLEM UNLESS I WAS SHIFTING FROM D-N-R TO ROCK THE CAR IN SNOW. I SAID I WAS IN DRIVE UP A HILL, SLIPPED, SHIFTED TO N THEN R TO BACK UP, THEN D, AND IT FAILED. DEALER NEVER CHECKED FOR OPEN RECALLS WHEN CAR (BOUGHT USED) WAS PURCHASED. NOT SURE IF THEY ARE REQUIRED TO BY LAW. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 60 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE THROTTLE BODY WAS CLEANED; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY AND THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,883 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 94,000. *TR

IGNITION SWITCH SEIZED LOCKING ALL CONTROLS. *TR

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. CLEARLY HONDA IS AWARE OF THEIR FAULTY ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS AND CHOOSES TO OVERLOOK THIS PROBLEM. I DID NOT EXPECT TO PAY 400.00 FOR A PROBLEM OF THIS MAGNITUDE FOR A CAR WELL MAINTAINED WITH SUCH LOW MILEAGE. I INTEND TO GO AFTER HONDA TO BE FULLY RE-IMBURSED FOR THEIR NEGLIGENCE. *TR

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.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA ELEMENT. WHILE HAVING THE OIL CHANGED BY THE AUTHORIZED DEALER, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR BRAKES HAD BECOME WORN. THE CONTACT NOTICED WHILE DRIVING THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD EXTEND TO THE FLOORBOARD WHEN DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 22,644.

MY 2008 HONDA ELEMENT HAD THE RECALL WORK DONE IN JUNE 2010 RE; SOFT BRAKE PEDAL. BACK TO DEALER ON AUGUST 24 FOR RECURRING SOFT PEDAL ISSUE. DIAGNOSIS WAS AIR IN BRAKE SYSTEM. SYSTEM BLED AGAIN. BRAKE PEDAL FIRM FOR NOW. SERVICE MANAGER COULD NOT OFFER AN EXPLANATION OTHER THAN MAYBE WE DID NOT GET ALL THE AIR OUT DURING THE RECALL WORK. HONDA HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS SAFETY DEFECT IN CERTAIN MODELS SINCE 2003. I HAVE NO CONFIDENCE IN THE FIX. *TR

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. I AM A RETIRED CAREER POLICE OFFICER WHO SPENT OVER HALF OF MY 25 YEAR CAREER IN THE TRAFFIC DIVISION INVESTIGATING TRAFFIC COLLISIONS INCLUDING THOSE INVOLVING FATALITIES. I CONSIDER THIS BRAKE PROBLEM A SERIOUS SAFETY DEFECT, THAT COULD ULTIMATELY LEAD TO SERIOUS INJURY OR LOSS OF LIFE UNLESS A PERMANENT REPAIR OR TOTAL RECALL OF THE AFFECTED HONDA VEHICLES IS REQUIRED BY NHTSA. HONDA HAS KNOWN ABOUT THE PROBLEM FOR YEARS AND HAS NOT FOUND A PERMANENT REPAIR. I HAVE RESEARCHED THE INTERNET AND FOUND MANY REPORTS REGARDING THIS DEFECT. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF POSTS REGARDING THE SOFT BRAKE ISSUE @HTTP://WWW.ELEMENTOWNERSCLUB.COM UNDER THE THREAD TITLED RECALLS, TSB'S AND NOTICES. THANK YOU *TR

2008 HONDA ELEMENT, 21,000 MILES, NEEDED NEW REAR BRAKE JOB FOR 600$. THIS WAS 2500 MILES AFTER IT WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR BRAKE RECALL MODIFICATION OF SOME SORT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA ELEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED FOR THE NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V098000. AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS SOFT AND WHEN THEY WERE APPLIED, THE PEDAL CONTINUED TO EXTEND TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,200 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 17,300.

I PURCHASED A USED HONDA CERTIFIED 2008 HONDA ELEMENT FROM HONDA DEALERSHIP IN DECEMBER 2009. ATTEMPTED TO USE AIR CONDITIONER FOR THE FIRST TIME MAY 2010. AIR CONDITIONER DID NOT WORK. I TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT A ROCK DAMAGED CONDENSER. TO MY AMAZEMENT, THE CONDENSER IS IN THE FRONT OF THE CAR, AND OEM GRILL IS TOTALLY NON EFFECTIVE IN OFFERING PROTECTION. THE COST OF REPAIR IS APPROXIMATELY $750.00. I LOOKED ON THE INTERNET AND DISCOVERED THAT NUMEROUS OWNERS HAVE THE SAME COMPLAINT. THIS IS CLEARLY A DESIGN FLAW. IT IS HIGHLY LIKELY THAT I WOULD PAY FOR THE REPAIR ONLY TO HAVE IT HAPPEN AGAIN. *TR

2008 HONDA ELEMENT HAS HAD VERY SOFT BRAKE PEDAL FROM DAY ONE. DEALER REPLACED VSA MODULATOR PER TSB WITH NO CHANGE IN PEDAL FEEL. DEALER DID A RECALL PLACING CAPS ON PLUGS IN ABS UNIT AND BLED BRAKES WITH NO CHANGE IN PEDAL FEEL. PEDAL WILL STILL GO ALMOST TO THE FLOOR WITH VERY LITTLE PRESSURE APPLIED. *TR

BRAKES WERE SOFT ALMOST TO THE FLOOR,MY VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP AND ENDED UP HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE. HAVE CONTACTED HONDA AND THEY ARE RECALLING MY MODEL OF CAR BUT NOT MINE FOR THE SAME REASON. *TR

SOFT, MUSHY BRAKE PEDAL. WHEN STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT OR STOP SIGN, PEDAL SLOWLY GOES TO THE FLOOR AND MUST BE PUMPED TO MAINTAIN BRAKE PRESSURE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE HAS IMPROPERLY WELDED A FRONT BUSHING BRACKET ON THE LEFT TRAILING ARM OF THE REAR SUSPENSION. RECALL#08V349000, SUSPENSION:REAR BUT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED; THEREFORE, HE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,400.

DUE TO LOOSE BRAKE, IT TAKES TIME TO STOP (AT SPEED OF 15 MPH). I FELT IT COULD BE DANGEROUS IF I WERE TO BE DRIVING FASTER. *TR

I AM AN OWNER OF A 2008 HONDA ELEMENT WHICH RECENTLY CAME OUT WITH A MEDIA RELEASE FROM HONDA THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH BRAKE FAILURE. ONE YEAR AGO I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH YOU REGARDING BRAKE FAILURE ON MY ELEMENT. THE DEALER AT THAT TIME FOUND THAT I HAD VERY SPONGY BRAKES AND AIR BUBBLES IN THE LINE BUT COULD NOT GIVE ME AN ANSWER OF WHY THIS WOULD HAPPEN AND NOT GUARANTEE THAT IT COULD NOT HAPPEN AGAIN. I HAVE WORRIED CONSTANTLY ABOUT THIS AND SO I STILL CONTINUED TO FEEL THE SPONGY BRAKES SO I TOOK IT TO A DIFFERENT DEALER THAT CHECKED OUT AND SAID THAT IS JUST THE WAY HONDA ELEMENT BRAKES ARE. SO 2 MONTHS AGO THE BRAKES WENT COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR AGAIN ( I HAVE TO PUMP THEM QUICKLY SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY FINALLY GRAB) I CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY ONCE AGAIN CHECKED IT AND FOUND NOTHING, WELL SINCE THIS MEDIA RELEASE CAME OUT THAT THERE WAS GOING TO BE A RECALL ON 410,000 HONDA VEHICLES I IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE DEALER SERVICE MANAGER HE WAS VERY APOLOGETIC AND SAID THAT WAS EXACTLY MY VEHICLE, AND AGREED WITH ME THAT IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE UNTIL THEY GET THE PARTS TO REPAIR IT; HE HAD ME CALL HONDA AN THEY TREATED ME VERY VERY RUDELY THEY TOLD ME JUST TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, I TOLD THEM I ALREADY HAD AND THAT IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE SINCE I'VE ALREADY EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM, THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY WON'T GIVE ME A RENTAL CAR AND JUST KEPT REPEATING TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER. THEY SAID THAT I COULD NOT BE CERTAIN THAT MY VEHICLE HAD THIS MALFUNCTION. I'M VERY FRUSTRATED THIS CAR IS NOT SAFE ON THE ROAD AND EVEN THE DEALER AGREES WITH ME ,IT IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY BUT HONDA BASICALLY JUST DOES NOT CARE AND THEY TREATED ME LIKE I'M MAKING A BIG DEAL ABOUT THIS. PLEASE HELP! *TR

WHILE STANDING NEXT TO OUR 2008 HONDA ELEMENT, WHICH WAS PARKED BESIDE OUR HOUSE UNDER THE CARPORT, THE REAR SIDE WINDOW OF THE CAR SPONTANEOUSLY SHATTERED AND STRUCK BOTH MY WIFE AND I WITH GLASS. WE WERE NOT INJURED BY THE SAFETY GLASS. THE WINDOW SEEMED TO EXPLODE, FROM THE INSIDE OUT, AND GLASS PIECES FLEW OVER A WIDE AREA. NO ONE WAS IN THE CAR, AND THE CAR WAS NOT RUNNING. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE SHADE, UNDER THE CARPORT, AND THE TEMPERATURE WAS AROUND 40 DEGREES. THERE IS NO CHANCE THAT ANYTHING COULD HAVE STRUCK THE WINDOW SINCE IT WAS FAR OFF THE STREET IN OUR DRIVEWAY BEHIND OUR IRON GATE. THE SHATTERED WINDOW WAS PROTECTED FROM THE POSSIBILITY OR FLYING OBJECTS BY OUR HOUSE. WE HAVE READ REPORTS ONLINE WHERE THIS SAME SITUATION HAS HAPPENED TO OTHER HONDA ELEMENTS. NO PROPERTY WAS DAMAGED EXCEPT THE WINDOW, WHICH MUST BE REPLACED. HAD THIS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, WE THINK THE SURPRISE AND VIOLENCE OF THE EXPLODING WINDOW COULD HAVE CAUSE A DANGEROUS SITUATION, INCLUDING A CRASH. IF WE HAD A PASSENGER OR CHILD IN THE REAR SEAT, THAT PERSON WOULD HAVE BEEN STRUCK WITH GLASS. APPROXIMATELY 20 PERCENT OF THE GLASS PIECES WERE IN THE VEHICLE, WITH THE REST FALLING OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. *TR

REAR BRAKES FAILED 2008 HONDA ELEMENT HEARD WHINING NOISE 5 MONTHS PRIOR IN REAR BRAKES. DEALER CHECKED AND SAID NOTHING FOUND. 5 MONTHS LATER DEALER SAID REAR BRAKES 'GONE' AND UNSAFE TO DRIVE. 1/3 OF ONE OF REAR ROTORS WAS MISSING/ERODED AWAY. VEHICLE ONLY HAD 24000 MILES. ROTOR AND PADS REPLACED. INTERNET SEARCH REVEALS MULTIPLE SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH ELEMENT . SEE: ELEMENTOWNERSCLUB.COM. *TR

BOUGHT 2008 HONDA ELEMENT NEW IN DEC. 2009. AT ABOUT 5000MI. (8MO.) BRAKES BECAME INCREASINGLY MUSHY AND PEDAL SOFT. EVENTUALLY BRAKES DID NOT ENGAGE UNTIL ABOUT AN INCH OFF FLOOR. DEALER CONFIRMED AND REPLACED BRAKE MODULE. WITHIN A WEEK THEY WERE BAD AGAIN. DEALER REBLED BRAKES SAID REAR PADS WERE WORN EXCESSIVELY AND UNEVENLY, ROTORS SHOWED SIGNS OF EXCESSIVE HEAT, THEY REPLACED PADS. SOLID WHEN PICKED UP, LASTED LESS THAN A WEEK. NOW CAR HAS PERIODS OF A FEW HUNDRED MILES OF SOLID BRAKING, THEN PERIODS OF SOFT, FADING BRAKING WITH WILD SWINGS OF RPMS FROM THE VACUUM BOOST. HAVE HAD SIX CLOSE CALLS DURING THESE PERIODS. *TR

I BELIEVE THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT ON MY CAR IS A SAFETY HAZARD. THIS BELT CINCHES SO TIGHTLY THAT I MUST REMOVE IT WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION. IT IS EQUIPPED WITH THE RACHETING SYSTEM INTENDED FOR A CHILD SAFETY SEAT. IT IS UNSAFE AND HONDA HAS NO FIX FOR THIS. BMW FIXED MY 5-SERIES, AND GM PROVIDED ME A SEAT BELT EXTENDER WHICH SOMEHOW STOPS THE CINCHING FROM OCCURRING. A FRIEND HAS THE SAME CAR (OLDER MODEL) AND SHE HAS DISABLED HER SEAT BELT BECAUSE SHE CAN'T BREATHE. IS THERE SOMETHING WHICH CAN BE DONE TO AID ME IN GETTING HONDA TO FIX THIS SCARY SITUATION. THE PROBLEM IS ONGOING, THERE HAS BEEN NO ACCIDENT. THANK YOU. *TR

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.

2008 HONDA ELEMENT BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL IS EXCESSIVE AND THE BRAKES ARE AT TIMES SOFT. *TR

PREMATURE RIGHT REAR BRAKE WEAR (OUT BOAD 2.9MM INBOARD TAPERED FROM 6MM)REQUIRING RESURFACING AND NEW PADS AT APPROX 22,500 MILES. LEFT REAR OUT/INBOARD EXPECTED NOMINAL 6MM. *TR

TL*THE 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.

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. THE DEALER HAD TO ENTER A NEW CODE INTO EACH SET OF TPMS' TO ENABLE THE SYSTEM. FIVE MONTHS LATER, THE DEALER CHANGED THE TIRES. AFTER LEAVING THE DEALER, THE TPMS LIGHT FLASHED AGAIN. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE DEALER IS RIPPING OFF CONSUMERS BY CHARGING $50 TO ENABLE THE CODE TO ACTIVATE THE TPMS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 8,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,500. UPDATED 5/27/09 *CN UPDATED 06/01/09.*JB

INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) I PURCHASED A NEW 2008 HONDA ELEMENT EX ALL WHEEL DRIVE [XXX] ON APRIL 24, 2009. FROM DOBBS HONDA, 2785 MENDENHALL, MEMPHIS TN. I RETURNED TO SERVICE DEPT IMMEDIATELY AFTER STOPPING AT 2ND TRAFFIC LIGHT BECAUSE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS SOFT AND WENT COMPLETELY TO FLOOR. SERVICE REP ADVISED ME THE SOFT PEDAL WAS NORMAL. RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP A COUPLE WEEKS LATER ON ANOTHER ISSUE AND COMPLAINED ABOUT THE SOFTNESS OF THE BRAKE PEDAL, AGAIN WAS TOLD IT WAS NORMAL. RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP ON JULY 20, 2009 AND PRESENTED THE SERVICE REP WITH A COPY OF HONDA SERVICE BULLETIN 07-045 TITLED " BRAKE PEDAL IS LOW AND FEELS SOFT" (EXACT SYMPTOMS I HAD DESCRIBED 3 TIMES). MY ELEMENT FALLS IN THE VIN #'S COVERED. I ASKED THAT THE SERVICE MGR ROAD TEST MY ELEMENT. THE WORK ORDER # 368081 WRITTEN NARRATIVE STATES "SERVICE MANAGER TEST DROVE THE VEH AND FOUND VEH OPERATING TO FACTORY SPEC AT THIS TIME). COMMENCING ON THE FIRST DAY I PURCHASED THE ELEMENT I HAVE BEEN COMPELLED TO PUMP THE BRAKE PEDAL AT LEAST ONCE TO FEEL COMFORTABLE STOPPING, WHEN I DEPRESS THE PEDAL AND IT FALLS TO THE FLOOR A SENSE OF PANIC IS FELT. I RECENTLY LEARNED FROM THE HONDA ELEMENT OWNERS CLUB WEB SITE THAT A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED FOR LATE APRIL ALONG WITH AN IMMEDIATE STOP SELL ORDER ON 07 AND 08 ELEMENTS. APPARENTLY HONDA HAS BEEN AWARE OF THIS BRAKE DEFECT SINCE 2007 (SB 07 INDICATES 2007 ISSUE DATE). BETWEEN APRIL 09 AND JULY 09 THE DEALERSHIP ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS DENIED ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE SOFT PEDAL AND PEDAL HITTING THE FLOOR ALTHOUGH THE SERVICE BULLETIN CLEARLY STATES THE NECESSARY PART #'S AND STEPS REQUIRED TO CORRECT THIS DEFECT. WHAT HAS TAKEN HONDA SO LONG TO ADMIT TO AND ISSUE A RECALL TO CORRECT THIS KNOWN UNSAFE BRAKE DEFECT? *TR

PURCHASED NEW 2008 HONDA ELEMENT ON 23 SEP 2008 DURING FAMILY EMERGENCY VISIT TO OHIO WHILE TRAVELING TO FLORIDA. THE CAR WAS TO BE LICENSED IN FLORIDA WHERE I HAVE A HOME SO A THIRTY DAY TAG WAS ISSUED WITH ARRANGEMENTS FOR ANOTHER THIRTY DAY TAG TO BE SENT TO LOCATION IN ROUTE IF NEEDED. AFTER PICKING UP THE CAR I IMMEDIATELY NOTICED A BRAKE NOISE AND VIBRATION WHEN STOPPING. I WAS TRAVELING TO FLORIDA THE NEXT DAY BUT DID CALL THE SALESMAN, WHO ADVISED ME THAT AS THE CAR HAS BEEN SITTING, THIS WAS NORMAL AND I SHOULD DRIVE THE CAR AND \"BURN IN\" THE BRAKES. I THEN TRAVELED IN THE CAR TO BOSTON TO VISIT FRIENDS AND THEN WORKED MY WAY DOWN THE EAST COAST. I STOPPED AT A HONDA DEALER IN VIRGINIA BEACH, VA WHERE THEY WERE KIND ENOUGH TO MAKE ARRANGEMENTS TO HAVE THE SECOND THIRTY DAY TAG SENT BUT THEY COULD NOT LOOK AT THE CAR FOR A FEW DAYS. MY SCHEDULE WOULD NOT PERMIT A DELAY SO I CONTINUED THE TRAVEL TO FLORIDA. THE CAR WAS PARKED IN A GARAGE IN MY HOME IN FLORIDA DURING DECEMBER 2008 TO FEBRUARY 2009 WHILE I RETURNED TO GERMANY TO TIE UP LOOSE ENDS. I RETURNED TO FLORIDA IN LATE FEBRUARY 2009 AND TOOK THE CAR TO BLOUNT HONDA IN LEESBURG, FL FOR 6000 MILE CHECKUP IN EARLY MARCH. I ASKED THEM TO SPECIFICALLY LOOK AT THE BRAKES. AS I WAS WAITING FOR THE CAR, THE MECHANIC ADVISED ME THAT THEIR WAS ROTOR DISTORTION CAUSED BY THE CAR SITTING, THE ROTORS WOULD HAVE TO BE TURNED, AND IT WAS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. THE CAR DID SIT FOR TWO AND A HALF MONTHS WHILE IN MY POSSESSION BUT I DISMISSED THIS AS THE CAUSE AS THE BRAKE PROBLEM WAS NOTICED THE INSTANT I GOT THE CAR IN SEPTEMBER 2008. IT WOUND UP COSTING ME $160.00 TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I HAVE SINCE FOUND OUT THAT THE CAR WAS RECEIVED BY JAY HONDA DEALER IN JANUARY 2008 AND THEY HAD IN THEIR POSSESSION FOR ALMOST NINE MONTHS. I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH AMERICAN HONDA WHO SAID THAT IT WAS UP TO THE SELLING DEALER TO REIMBURSE ME. NEEDLESS TO SAY, THEY WOULD NOT. *TR

I HAVE A 2008 HONDA ELEMENT WITH BRAKE PROBLEMS. I TOOK THE CAR TO ONE DEALER IN SOUTH HILL VIRGINIA WHO TOLD ME NOT TO DRIVE THE CAR BECAUSE IT WAS TOO DANGEROUS AND NEEDED A NEW MASTER CYLINDER. SOMEONE ELSE PICKED THE CAR UP FOR ME AFTER THEY SAID IT WAS FIXED. I DROVE THE CAR AND THOUGHT THEY WERE STILL "SOFT", SO A COUPLE OF WEEKS LATER I TOOK THE CAR TO A DEALER IN DANVILLE VIRGINIA AND ASKED THAT THEY TEST DRIVE THE CAR. THEY SAID , YOU BETTER NOT DRIVE THIS CAR , IT IS DANGEROUS, AND ORDERED ANOTHER MASTER CYLINDER. I POCKET THE CAR UP TODAY AND GUESS WHAT? THE BRAKES ARE THE SAME. WHAT DO I DO? THIS CAR IS DANGEROUS. THE BRAKES DO NOT REACT AS SOON AS APPLIED AND THEY LOOSE PRESSURE UNDER FOOT. *TR

BRAKE SYSTEM NEEDS REPLACEMENT CONSTANTLY. CALIPERS GET STUCK CAUSING BRAKES AND ROTORS TO GET STUCK AND FREEZE UP. ALSO BRAKES ARE ON WHEN DRIVING

MUSHY BRAKES. *TR

PURCHASED A 2008 HONDA ELEMENT IN SEPTEMBER 2010. CAR HAD 29K MILES ON IT. BRAKE PEDAL WAS SOFT DURING INITIAL TEST DRIVE (WENT TO FLOOR). DEALER BLED BRAKES. DEALER REPLACED MASTER CYLINDER ON 10/14 DUE TO SOFT PEDAL (GOES TO FLOOR). NOTE THAT DEALER CONFIRMED THE RECALL WORK HAD ALREADY BEEN PERFORMED ON THIS VEHICLE AND DID NOT WORK. THIS CAR IS A SAFETY HAZARD. I NEVER KNOW IF IT WILL STOP. *TR

I OWN A 2008 HONDA ELEMENT AND THE BRAKE PEDAL HAS BECOME EVEN SOFTER AND THE PEDAL TRAVEL LONGER THAN IT WAS WHEN WE PURCHASED IT.....SIMILAR TO WHAT I NOTICED ON THE USED ELEMENT WE TEST DROVE PRIOR TO OUR PURCHASE. *TR