8.4

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$300
Average Mileage:
48,000 miles
Total Complaints:
5 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. replace brake pads (2 reports)
  2. replace brake pads and rotors (2 reports)
  3. replace rear calipers (1 reports)
2008 Honda Element brakes problems

brakes problem

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2008 Honda Element Owner Comments

problem #5

Apr 042014

Element EX 2.4L 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Bought my vehicle used as second owner at 60k miles. After putting on 70 miles I am now having to put on my fourth set of front brakes and rotors which is inexcusable. The rear brakes seem to hold up alright except for a rear caliper that went on me (replaced once but then again for 2x total due to a caliper failure). I am searching Honda Element User group solutions on Facebook. My mechanic claims to have used quality rotors and brake pads? This is ridiculous for someone who drives mostly highway mileage.

- Thomas S., Yorktown Heights, US

problem #4

Oct 202016

Element EX 2.4L

  • Manual transmission
  • 102,526 miles

Purchased car with 48000 km, love it very reliable except for the issue at hand. A standard set of brake pads last me on average 90000 km+. Since acquiring the Element ( used mostly for highway driving ) I am now on my third set of rear pads and rotors and they are finished, have to change them again, found posts on Element owners site, several complaints to which reply's stating that problem is known and some series of Honda's in 2008 were affected by this problem ( outside of the known issue regarding the Accord rear brakes which Honda agreed to settle Class action lawsuit filed ), the replies seem to be posted by professional mechanics who probably work for Honda dealerships or specialized Honda garages. Just annoyed that this issue seems to be known, all Honda recommends is to have brakes cleaned every year but this does not address the issue or correct problem of premature rear brake wear. This time I will replace the pads, rotors, calipers and hoses, don't wanna wind up with a fifth rear brake job to do. I note or technical bulletin by NHSTA or TSB would have been helpful to address the problem earlier.

Update from Aug 20, 2018: Let's put if this way, since purchasing my E approx 5-6 years ago I have had to replace the brake pads ( front and rear ) every single year and this on only 20 000km per year average, have tried all the different vendors and quality, the ''premium'' brakes i.e. high end Raybestos and Akebono only give an extra 2000-3000km of driving. Have had to replace the rotors 4 times now.

I believe the nature of the issue also has to do with the recall by Honda for the VSA modulators, very pissed off with Honda brought in my E for the recall, the specified work required is 4-6 hours according to Honda, 30 minutes after dropping of the truck at the dealer I get a call stating the work is done..turns out Honda only did a ''cheap fix" which did nothing to improve the issue however Honda records show my vehicle as ''recall completed". In my books it's pretty simple, it's way more important to have proper working brakes than a faulty airbag ( which is also on recall ) however seems like Honda have a different opinion maybe someone somewhere figured that if you total your car because of bad brakes but make it out alive it may help sell more Honda's...

- dave_s, Sherbrooke, QC, canada

problem #3

Mar 302012

Element EX 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 15,377 miles

I purchased a used 2008 Honda Element with 15,300 miles on 3/30/2012 not realizing the brakes were actually that bad until I took it to my mechanic and I found out the rear brakes were completely gone. I nor my mechanic could not understand how they could be completely worn out on that low of mileage! Is this going to happen in the next 15,000

miles? I will never purchase another Honda!

- jwitte, Omaha, NE, US

problem #2

Dec 172009

Element EX 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 27,000 miles

2nd time in less than a year with only 28000 miles need new brake pads and rotors

- Paul B., Liverpool, NY, US

problem #1

Jan 152009

Element EX 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 15,000 miles

rear brakes worn out at 15 k front brakes still 80-90%

- Paul B., Liverpool, NY, US

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