repaired · 2020 Q4
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
2008 Honda ElementProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 113 owner complaints about the 2008 Honda Element, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 12 safety recalls, and for recall 19V-499 the manufacturer reports only 22% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through September 29, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: 2001FordRangerXLT, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2008 Honda Element has problems
113 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
24Air bags1 crash/fire/injury
24Suspension
23Service brakes, hydraulic2 crash/fire/injury
14Structure
7Service brakes
6Electrical system
6Visibility
4Tires
4Power train
1510 other systems1 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 24 | 1 |
| Suspension | 24 | 0 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 23 | 2 |
| Structure | 14 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 7 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 6 | 0 |
| Visibility | 6 | 0 |
| Tires | 4 | 0 |
| Power train | 4 | 0 |
| 10 other systems | 15 | 1 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
12 recalls
2008 Honda Element recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2020 Q4
Driver side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
repaired · 2020 Q3
Driver side: inflator module
Risk. An explosion of an inflator within the driver frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver, front seat passenger or other…
repaired · 2019 Q3
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An incorrectly installed air bag may deploy improperly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Show 8 more recalls
repaired · 2018 Q2
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
repaired · 2017 Q3
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
repaired · 2017 Q4
Driver side: inflator module
Risk. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other…
no report yet
Electrical system: wiring
Risk. Without trailer turn signal illumination, the driver's intent is not communicated, potentially increasing the risk of a crash.
no report yet
Automatic transmission: control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
Risk. THIS COULD RESULT IN A SHORT CIRCUIT CAUSING THE ENGINE TO STALL.
no report yet
Equipment adaptive/mobility
Risk. THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY BE INJURED IF THE SEAT BASE PIN WERE TO BREAK.
no report yet
Service brakes, air
Risk. IF THE OWNER DOES NOT HAVE ANY BRAKE SERVICE OR MAINTENANCE PERFORMED OVER A PERIOD OF MONTHS OR YEARS, THE SYSTEM CAN CONTINUE TO ACCUMULATE ENOUGH AIR TO…
no report yet
Suspension: rear
Risk. A SEPARATED BUSHING BRACKET COULD CAUSE THE SUSPENSION TO RELEASE THE LOWER PORTION OF THE WHEEL HUB, CAUSING A LOSS OF CONTROL AND DAMAGE TO THE BRAKE SYSTEM…
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Honda.
Best & worst years
2008 vs. every other Element year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Element median. How we score
'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2008 Honda Element safety ratings
2008 Honda Element 4-DR. w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
Frontal crashNot rated
Side barrierNot rated
- Rollover: 3 stars (20.4% risk)
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
4 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2008 Honda Element, and the recalls they led to.
- Air in brake systemLed to recall 10V-098
- Air Bag Inflator RuptureLed to recall 22V-945
- Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureOpen
- Air Bag Inflator RuptureLed to recall 14E-073
In owners' words
What Element owners report
Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
Airbag warning light stays on. Dealer indicates that the problem is a weight sensor. Dealer stated that seat belt issues and airbag issues were warranted by Honda. Dealer indicated that the weight sensor issue, which is used to deploy the airbag is not warranted. If seatbelts and airbags are…
while driving 65 mph on the freeway my side passenger curtain airbag and the airbag in the from passenger seat deployed. We did not hit anything nor is there any visible damage to the exterior or underside of the car
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 TO ONLY HAVE AN EXCUSE OR NO SHOW, AS I TYPE THIS I…
Own a 2008 Element?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.