2008 HONDA ELEMENT Structure Problems

There is a massive rust spot under the driver side seating position where your feet would rest while driving. Seems as there isn't significant drainage holes in this area.

My mechanic informed me that this car will no longer pass NYS inspection due to body rust/corrosion holes where the rear trailing arms attach to the car's body. Honda has issued a recall for the same model year CR-V, which has a nearly identical trailing arm attachment design, due to the risk of losing control of the vehicle if the trailing arm mount separates from the body.

The driver side rear trail arm broke off bending the strut with the tire hanging, it happened in my apartment parking lot, I could have lost my life if this had happened at high speeds or killed somebody else. I’m very lucky to be alive!! Currently it is not inspectable due to the damage. The problem has not been reproduced by a dealer or an independent service centre. The vehicle has not been inspected by anyone or manufacturer. No warning light were present before the failure.

I just purchased a 2008 Honda Element and took it for inspection and the entire undercarriage is rusted. I know Honda of Canada will fix or buy back the vehicle. However as I am in the USA my understanding is that for now only the CRV’s are affected. The car cannot be driven as it is a very dangerous concern. Please help.

I am writing to formally lodge a complaint regarding a serious safety concern involving the Honda Element model years 2003 through 2011. Specifically, this issue pertains to the rear trailing arm mounting area, which has been observed to rust through on numerous vehicles, including my own 2008 Honda Element. The rusting of the rear trailing arm mounting area poses a significant safety risk, as it can compromise the structural integrity of the vehicle's suspension system. This deterioration can lead to potential failure of the rear trailing arm, resulting in loss of control of the vehicle, particularly at higher speeds or during emergency maneuvers. The prevalence of this issue across multiple model years suggests a systemic problem that warrants investigation and potential recall. My vehicle, like many others, has experienced this issue despite regular maintenance and care. The rusting has occurred in a manner that is not typical of normal wear and tear, indicating a possible manufacturing or design defect. Given the safety implications of this problem, I urge the NHTSA to conduct a thorough investigation to determine the root cause and ensure the safety of all affected Honda Element owners. I appreciate your attention to this matter and look forward to your prompt response and action.

The drivers side rear trailing arm mounting point on my Honda Element has completely rotted out, making my car a seriously unsafe vehicle to drive. This is a well known issue to both Honda and the NHTSA as Honda has already recalled both the Element and CR-V in Canada, and the CR-V here in the USA, but not the Element. NHTSA # 23v-228, Transport Canada Recall - 2021024 - HONDA

My Honda Element unibody has rusted out resulting in the real axle trailing arm separating from the vehicle. This happened while my daughter was driving - luckily she was not injured. This is a known issue at Honda. Honda Elements years 2003-2011 have already been recalled for a repair or reimbursement in Canada (see recall # 2021024) and all Honda CR-Vs in the United States model years 2007-2011 have also been recalled in the Unites States for the same issue (NHTSA # 23V-228). This issue represents an extremely hazardous risk in the Honda Elements, as well as the potential complete loss of the vehcile. The recall for the Elements should be extended to the United States immediately.

The contact owns a 2008 Honda Element. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the rear driver's side trailing arm fractured without warning. The contact was able to veer the vehicle off the road and turned off the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the rear driver's side trailing arm was rusted and needed to be replaced. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 124,000.

Mileage: 124,000

The contact owns a 2008 Honda Element. The contact stated while receiving a routine service at the dealer, the mechanic became aware that the rear driver’s side sub frame was rusted. The contact was informed that sub frame needed to be replaced and that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 136,999.

Mileage: 136,999

The contact owns a 2008 Honda Element. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for brake repair however, the mechanic became aware of corrosion on the driver's side rear trailing arm. The independent mechanic informed the contact that the vehicle was unsafe to drive and could not be repaired. The vehicle was awaiting an appointment with the local dealer. The contact was relating the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V228000 (Structure) however, the vehicle was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened but had since closed as the vehicle was not included in the recall. The approximate failure mileage was 148,000.

Mileage: 148,000

The rear trailing arm mounts rust right off the car and the entire piece falls off out of nowhere. I was lucky to be going about 10 mph when this happened to me and it slide the car sideways .I have no doubt I would have flipped at highway speeds. I’ve seen hundreds of other elements with the same issues on forums it’s bad enough that in Canada they have a buyback. The police where there quickly and saw it and said the same but. Insurance won’t do anything cause it’s a part that broke. Away from the body and I was going slow enough. No warning even had tires installed a few days prior and they didn’t see anything that was scary.

AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE, I HEARD A SLIGHT RATTLING SOUND. I THEN SAW THE LEFT SIDE WINDSHIELD MOLDING GARNISH COMPLETELY BREAK OFF OF MY CAR AND FLY INTO THE ROAD. I INSPECTED THE PART AND NOTICED THAT THE PLASTIC BRACKETS THAT HELD IT TOGETHER WERE WORN OUT FROM NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR, AND BECAME WEAK. THIS CREATED A ROAD HAZARD THAT NEARLY HIT THE VEHICLE BEHIND ME, AND I WAS NOT IN A SPOT WHERE I COULD SLOW DOWN AND RETRIEVE THE PART WITHOUT CAUSING A GREATER TRAFFIC HAZARD MYSELF, AS THIS OCCURRED DURING RUSH HOUR.

Mileage: 100,000

DESPITE NORMAL MAINTENANCE AND CARE THE PAINT HOOD OF MY CAR BEGAN CRACKING. THE CRACKING CONTINUES TO SPREAD. AFTER SOME RESEARCH I LEARNED THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH CERTAIN HONDA VEHICLES, INCLUDING MY '08 ELEMENT. ONE EXAMPLE: HTTP://WWW.HONDAPROBLEMS.COM/TRENDS/PEELING-PAINT/ HONDA WIPES THEIR HANDS CLEAN OF THIS DESPITE KNOWINGLY PUTTING FAULTY PAINT AND CLEAR COAT ON THEIR VEHICLES. THIS IS UNFAIR BUSINESS PRACTICE AND SWINDLES CONSUMERS.

Mileage: 79,000

WHILE STANDING NEXT TO OUR 2008 HONDA ELEMENT, WHICH WAS PARKED BESIDE OUR HOUSE UNDER THE CARPORT, THE REAR SIDE WINDOW OF THE CAR SPONTANEOUSLY SHATTERED AND STRUCK BOTH MY WIFE AND I WITH GLASS. WE WERE NOT INJURED BY THE SAFETY GLASS. THE WINDOW SEEMED TO EXPLODE, FROM THE INSIDE OUT, AND GLASS PIECES FLEW OVER A WIDE AREA. NO ONE WAS IN THE CAR, AND THE CAR WAS NOT RUNNING. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE SHADE, UNDER THE CARPORT, AND THE TEMPERATURE WAS AROUND 40 DEGREES. THERE IS NO CHANCE THAT ANYTHING COULD HAVE STRUCK THE WINDOW SINCE IT WAS FAR OFF THE STREET IN OUR DRIVEWAY BEHIND OUR IRON GATE. THE SHATTERED WINDOW WAS PROTECTED FROM THE POSSIBILITY OR FLYING OBJECTS BY OUR HOUSE. WE HAVE READ REPORTS ONLINE WHERE THIS SAME SITUATION HAS HAPPENED TO OTHER HONDA ELEMENTS. NO PROPERTY WAS DAMAGED EXCEPT THE WINDOW, WHICH MUST BE REPLACED. HAD THIS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, WE THINK THE SURPRISE AND VIOLENCE OF THE EXPLODING WINDOW COULD HAVE CAUSE A DANGEROUS SITUATION, INCLUDING A CRASH. IF WE HAD A PASSENGER OR CHILD IN THE REAR SEAT, THAT PERSON WOULD HAVE BEEN STRUCK WITH GLASS. APPROXIMATELY 20 PERCENT OF THE GLASS PIECES WERE IN THE VEHICLE, WITH THE REST FALLING OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. *TR

Mileage: 20,527