The Lemon Index
200720091st generation
Worse than average · most complaints: brakes
39 owner complaints, first 3 years 20–22 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2008 Toyota RAV4 1042008 Honda CR-V 462008 Nissan Rogue 76
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
Engines & versions
What breaks most on the 2008 Honda Element
- Rust / frame corrosion19 complaintsmostly at 127,000–148,000 miles (204,000–238,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 113 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2008 Honda Element (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 1,800 and 22,000 miles (2,900–36,000 km) (the middle half of the 34 complaints, of all 39 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 19E068000 (speed control), 19V501000 (airbags) and 19V499000 (airbags) done? It has 13 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- NHTSA has an open investigation into desiccated air bag inflator rupture. Has this car had that problem?
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Do the wipers, washers, defrost and mirrors all work?
- Honda sent dealers 47 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “On some model vehicles, there is an alternator/starter tester (ast) module capable of testing”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Honda's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 39 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 1K to 22K miles (3K to 36K km) on the car (34 of all 39 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
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.) contacted Honda and still no response. Always we will call you back.
2008 Honda Element owner · NHTSA complaint 10262239
More owner reports
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.
NHTSA complaint 10268478
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.
NHTSA complaint 10311947
Problems Honda told dealers about
Honda sent dealers 47 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- On some model vehicles, there is an alternator/starter tester (ast) module capable of testing
- The mil comes on with one of these dtcs: p2646/p2651 (rocker arm oil pressure switch
- There are several A/C leak detection tools available
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 13
- Speed control · recall issued 2019
The rotating portion of the accelerator pedal assembly may bind.
- Airbags · recall issued 2019
The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high …
- Airbags · recall issued 2019
These vehicles are equipped with driver frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high a…
Show all 13 recalls
- Airbags · recall issued 2019
The affected vehicles received a replacement driver air bag inflator as part of a previous Takata inflator recall remedy or a replacement driver air bag module containi.
- Airbags · recall issued 2018
The front passenger air bag may have been installed incorrectly during replacement.
- Airbags · recall issued 2017
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Airbags · recall issued 2016
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Airbags · recall issued 2015
The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion and other factors, including manufacturing variability that, over time, could cause the inflator t…
- Electrical · recall issued 2012
The wire that supplies power to the trailer turn signal lights was inadvertently switched with the stop lamp wire.
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2011
HONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 ACCORD, 2007-2010 CR-V, AND 2005-2008 ELEMENT PASSENGER CARS MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 1, 2004, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 3, 2010.
- Equipment adaptive/mobility · recall issued 2010
ALL IN ONE MOBILITY IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1997 THROUGH 2008 CONVERSION VANS EQUIPPED WITH VMI/RICON 6-WAY POWER SEAT BASES.
- Service brakes, air · recall issued 2010
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.
- Suspension · recall issued 2008
HONDA IS RECALLING 241 MY 2008 ELEMENT VEHICLES.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Government investigations
- OpenDesiccated air bag inflator rupture2021
- OpenAir bag inflator rupture2015
- ClosedAir bag inflator rupture2014–2015
- ClosedAir in brake system2009–2010
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★☆☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,750–$3,000 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.4L 4-cyl.
Every Honda Element year. 2008 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2008 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/honda-element/?y=2008" title="Honda Element reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="330" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/honda-element/2008/">Lemon Index</a> (2008 Honda Element reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2008 Honda Element reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew about one and a half times the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 147; 100 is average, lower is better). The Honda Element year with the fewest complaints per car sold is 2005.
What are the most common 2008 Honda Element problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (59%), visibility (10%) and brakes (8%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2008 Honda Element have?
13 safety recalls (latest: speed control). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2008 Honda Element get?
20 to 22 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2008 Honda Element problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 1,800 and 22,000 miles (2,900–36,000 km) (the middle half of the 34 complaints, of all 39 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2008 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2008 Honda Element have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2008 Honda Element cost in fuel a year?
About $2,750 to $3,000 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2008 Honda Element have?
2.4L 4-cyl.
What Honda Element year is better than the 2008?
Nearby, the 2005 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (somewhat fewer complaints than the average car).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works