2008 Honda Element Honda Element 2008

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2008 Honda Element repairs by problem area

Engine (6%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (6%)

Brakes and Traction Control (19%)

Suspension and Steering (16%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (50%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (0%)

Other (3%)

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Chart based on 32 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the 2008 Honda Element.

2008 Honda Element repair cost distribution

$2500+ (0%)

$1000 - $2499 (7%)

$500 - $999 (10%)

$100 - $499 (41%)

< $100 (41%)

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Chart based on 29 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

2008 Honda Element 4dr SUV

166-horsepower 2.4L I4 5-speed manual FWD

Honda Element in Michigan, United States
- Sep 2009
Sep 2009

19107 mi
Alternator completely failed and caused battery to also fail due to lack of charging over period of time. Alternator and battery both replaced under warranty. No further problems after repair. 
Honda Element in North Carolina, United States
Jul 2014 - Jun 2016
Oct 2014

59000 mi

US $270
Seemed like an alternator starter issue but was a simple battery replacement. Also had oil changed while there. 
Honda Element in California, United States
May 2014 - Jun 2022
Aug 2015

32000 mi

US $1
The Honda dealer replaced both ball joint boots. Original boots had started to cracked and leak grease. One Honda service adviser quoted $950 for the repair because he stated both steering knuckles had to be replaced. Not so. 
Honda Element in Ontario, Canada
Mar 2013 - Aug 2015
Sep 2014

45880 mi

C $420
front brake pads& rotors replaced - also left rear strut replaced as fluid leaked out of original 

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2008 Honda Element 4dr SUV

166-horsepower 2.4L I4 5-speed manual AWD

Honda Element in Pennsylvania, United States
Mar 2010 - Feb 2014
Jun 2010

28500 mi

US $250
replace rotors 
Jan 2014

US $1500
VSA/ABS control module failed and had to be replaced 
Honda Element in Maryland, United States
Mar 2013 - Jan 2017
Jan 2017

35000 mi
Battery would go dead overnight. New battery under warranty. problem persisted. Pulled the fuses one at a time, and measured the current draw. There was a zombie load. Dealer replaced a relay, did not solve. Widely discussed on Internet 
Honda Element in New Hampshire, United States
Jun 2014 - May 2017
Apr 2017

126000 mi

US $635
Sensor for vehicle stability system went, which also caused damage to wheel bearing and magnetic strip. 
Honda Element in Minnesota, United States
Feb 2017 - Feb 2018
Jul 2017

175000 mi

US $500
New rear struts 

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2008 Honda Element 4dr SUV

166-horsepower 2.4L I4 5-speed automatic FWD

Honda Element in Ohio, United States
- Jan 2008
Jan 2008

3000 mi
The right rear tail light went out for the 2nd time!! The dealer checked the electricial system and replaced the bulb under warranty.They advised it was a "freak" problem with the bulb. 
Honda Element in California, United States
Mar 2013 - Jul 2018
Oct 2014

46200 mi

US $300
Passenger window regulator failed. 
Oct 2016

54000 mi

US $20
Bad ELD (electronic load detector) causing lights to flicker. Easily replaced. 
Honda Element in Florida, United States
Mar 2013 - Feb 2015
Sep 2013

114000 mi

US $180
Transmission fluid leak. Determined that the drain plug was leaking. Flushed transmission and replaced the plug. 
Jun 2014

125000 mi

US $350
Replaced driver side window regulator 
Dec 2014

134000 mi

US $1025
Replace front strut assemblies. 
Honda Element in Florida, United States
Jan 2014 - Oct 2015
Jul 2014

91000 mi
error code P1009, Variable valve timing control. My E ran rough. I pulled the 2 bolts off holding the cam phaser on the timing belt side rear of engine. Cleaned the screens and inner plunger, tested with 12 volts, installed,15mins tot. easy. 
Jun 2015

108000 mi
replaced main ground to motor and chassis from battery. 
Honda Element in Connecticut, United States
Apr 2014 - Jun 2018
Mar 2015

86000 mi

US $110
Car would not start, battery had no power. Replaced battery with a new one. 
Nov 2015

98000 mi

US $20
Headlight bulb (low beam) was out on passenger side. Replaced both headlight bulbs. 
Dec 2015

99000 mi

US $120
Driver side power window would not go up. The regulator and motor were broken and required replacement. Driver side front brake pads seized up and dragging on the rotor once car is driven for a few miles. Replaced the front rotors and brake pads for both front wheels. 
May 2018

109000 mi

US $175
Brakes making loud scraping sound. Replaced all 4 brake discs and brake pads for front and rear wheels. 
Jun 2018

113000 mi

US $10
Passenger side brake light not working. Replaced both passenger and driver side brake light bulbs. About 15 minutes for both sides. 
Honda Element in Texas, United States
Feb 2017 - Feb 2018
Aug 2017

175000 mi

US $50
3rd gear pressure switch 

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2008 Honda Element 4dr SUV

166-horsepower 2.4L I4 5-speed automatic AWD

Honda Element in Michigan, United States
Mar 2022 - Jun 2022
Jun 2022

211000 mi

US $650
Valve adjustment 
Honda Element in Alabama, United States
Sep 2016 - Jul 2017
Jan 2017

US $15
replace bulb 
Honda Element in Maine, United States
Sep 2013 - Jun 2022
Apr 2014

61300 mi

US $25
Tpms valve snapped when checking pressure. Dealer machine is needed to re-program it. $45.00. Bought a tire machine to break bead, remove tpms unit, and install rubber stem. Buying my own tpms resetter and sender before inspection time. 
Mar 2016

71000 mi

US $100
Unable to economically repair oem TPMS. Installed aftermarket system. Many better features than oem anyway. 
Dec 2017

77000 mi
Replaced brake pads and rotors. Replaced all calipers and brake hoses just so I wouldn't have to deal with brakes for a few years. 
Feb 2018

77000 mi
One of rebuilt calipers leaked around seals. Warranty replacement by O'Reilly's. 
Nov 2020

81000 mi

US $100
Replaced 8 yr old working battery for repair prevention. Replaced right headlight bulb during inspection. 18.00 

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See TrueDelta's information for all Honda models.

2008 Honda Element Repair Histories

See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how frequently 2008 Honda Element problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.