The 2008 Honda Element has 10 recalls, the most serious being a well-documented airbag inflator defect affecting both the driver and front passenger sides, where the inflator can rupture and send metal fragments into the cabin, causing serious injury or death.
Multiple recalls cover this airbag issue from different filing campaigns, including one that flags the risk of an incorrectly installed replacement passenger airbag that may not deploy properly in a crash. On the chassis side, a small number of 2008 Elements may have a rear suspension trailing arm with a poorly welded bushing bracket that can separate, releasing the lower wheel hub and causing loss of control along with brake system damage. The brake system has its own concern as well: air can enter the stability control pump each time the engine starts, and over months or years without brake service, enough air can accumulate to reduce braking performance. Finally, on vehicles equipped with an accessory trailer hitch wiring harness, the turn signal and brake lamp wires were swapped, so trailer turn signals only light up when the brakes are applied rather than when signaling a turn.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front airbag inflator may explode due to propellant breakdown after prolonged exposure to high humidity, heat, and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger front airbag inflator at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
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At a glance
What can fail
The driver frontal air bag inflator may explode due to propellant breakdown after prolonged exposure to high humidity, temperature, and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Driver air bag inflators installed during previous recalls or as service parts may explode during a crash when the air bag deploys due to a manufacturing defect.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the driver air bag inflator with a different inflator at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger air bag may have been installed incorrectly during replacement, potentially affecting its ability to deploy properly in a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the passenger air bag and replace the module assembly if needed, at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger air bag inflator can rupture during a crash due to chemical breakdown from long-term exposure to heat and humidity.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may rupture during a crash due to propellant breakdown from long-term exposure to humidity and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver air bag inflator may rupture due to moisture and manufacturing variations that develop over time.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the driver air bag inflator at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The trailer hitch wiring harness has the turn signal power wire and brake lamp wire switched. Turn signals only light up when braking, not independently.
What the fix does
Dealers will repair the wiring harness at no charge to restore proper turn signal operation.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Air can enter the VSA brake modular pump during the self-check that runs when you start the engine. Enough air may accumulate to make the brake pedal feel soft or sink lower than normal.
What the fix does
Dealers will remove air from the brake system, then seal and cap the VSA modulator to prevent air from entering again.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front bushing bracket on the left rear trailing arm may have been improperly welded and could separate from the arm.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the left rear trailing arm and replace it at no cost if needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
