VehicleVerdict

2008 Honda Element suspension problems

The 2008 Honda Element has 23 suspension complaints filed with NHTSA — 18% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

23

Suspension complaints

18%

Share of year

0

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Suspension complaints by year

Element suspension complaints by model year25 complaints2003: 25 complaints2004: 16 complaints2005: 12 complaints2006: 10 complaints2007: 14 complaints2008: 23 complaints2009: 6 complaints2010: 6 complaints2011: 1 complaints
Element suspension complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

08V349000SuspensionJuly 29, 2008 · 241 units

Defect

HONDA IS RECALLING 241 MY 2008 ELEMENT VEHICLES. THE FRONT BUSHING BRACKET OF THE LEFT TRAILING ARM OF THE REAR SUSPENSION MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY WELDED AND COULD SEPARATE FROM THE TRAILING ARM.

Consequence

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 WHICH COULD LEAD TO A CRASH.

Remedy

OWNERS WILL BE CONTACTED BY PHONE AND ADVISED TO STOP DRIVING THEIR VEHICLES UNTIL THEY HAVE TAKEN THEIR VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE LEFT REAR TRAILING ARM AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE IT FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 25, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009.

What owners report

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · August 18, 2014

Common questions

How many suspension complaints does the 2008 Honda Element have?

NHTSA has 23 complaints about the 2008 Honda Element suspension — 18% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2008 Honda Element suspension?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the suspension: 08V349000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.