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CarMonitor

Transport Canada + NRCan

2008 Honda Element

Everything Canada’s open data holds on this vehicle: what has been recalled, what it costs to run, and how efficient it is compared with everything else on the road.

Recalls

7

6 current

Combined

11.3L/100 km

Fuel, a year

$3,503

20,000 km, Ontario prices

Recalls

Good news: Recall repairs cost you nothing. Book with any manufacturer dealer and quote the recall number — no time limit, however many owners the vehicle has had.

Structure

Transport Canada recall 2021024 · manufacturer campaign HO65

26 January 2021

Transport Canada lists: Element 2003–2011

What is wrong

On certain vehicles, the rear frame could rust. In extreme cases, this could result in a rear trailing arm separating from the vehicle. This recall applies to vehicles originally sold or currently registered in areas of heavy road salt usage (Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland & Labrador).

Why it matters

A rear trailing arm that separates could cause a loss of control and increase the risk of a crash.

What the dealer will do

Honda will notify owners by mail. Owners will be instructed to take their vehicle to a dealer for an inspection of the rear trailing arm front mount bolts. If the vehicle passes the inspection, the dealer will apply corrosion protection and install support braces. Honda will offer to repurchase vehicles that do not pass the inspection. In the event the repurchase is declined by an owner, a secondary inspection and body shop repair method may be possible.

12,641 vehicles affected in CanadaSUVSafety TC

Airbag

Transport Canada recall 2019117

7 March 2019

Transport Canada lists: CL 2003 · El 2001–2005 · MDX 2003–2006 · TL 2002–2003 · and 7 more

What is wrong

On certain vehicles, there could be a problem with the driver-front airbag inflator. This could cause the airbag to deploy with more force than normal. If the airbag inflator ruptures, pieces could be propelled toward the occupants. This could also cause damage to the airbag assembly and prevent it from inflating properly. Note: This recall only affects certain vehicles that had a Takata airbag inflator installed during a previous airbag recall or collision repair.

Why it matters

In a crash where the airbag deploys, there could be an increased risk of injury.

What the dealer will do

The company will notify owners by mail. Owners will be instructed to take their vehicle to a dealer to have the driver-front airbag inflator replaced.

83,977 vehicles affected in CanadaCarSafety Mfr

Airbag

Transport Canada recall 2017009

10 January 2017

Transport Canada lists: CSX 2006–2008 · MDX 2005–2006 · RL 2005–2008 · Accord 2008 · and 6 more

What is wrong

On certain vehicles, long-term exposure to high absolute humidity and temperature, combined with high temperature cycling, could eventually degrade the propellant contained in the passenger frontal airbag inflator. This could cause the airbag to deploy with more force than normal. As a result, if the vehicle were involved in a collision that warrants airbag deployment, fragments could be propelled toward vehicle occupants, and the airbag assembly could be damaged, preventing proper function. These issues could increase the risk of injury.

What the dealer will do

Dealers will replace the passenger frontal airbag inflator. Note: Canadian climate results in the propellant degrading slowly. The recall is being conducted as a precaution to address future risk, and is expected to replace airbag inflators before their function would be affected.

428,641 vehicles affected in CanadaLight Truck & VanSafety Mfr

Airbag

Transport Canada recall 2015225

27 May 2015

Transport Canada lists: CL 2003 · El 2001–2005 · MDX 2003–2006 · TL 2002–2003 · and 7 more

What is wrong

On certain vehicles, the driver frontal airbag inflator could produce excessive internal pressure during airbag deployment. Increased pressure may cause the inflator to rupture, which could allow fragments to be propelled toward vehicle occupants, increasing the risk of injury. This could also damage the airbag module, which could prevent proper deployment. Failure of the airbag to fully deploy during a crash (where deployment is warranted) could increase the risk of personal injury to the seat occupant. Note: This recall supersedes special service campaign 2014567.

What the dealer will do

Dealers will inspect/replace the driver's frontal airbag inflator. All vehicles having received a replacement inflator as part of any previous driver's inflator campaign will have a replacement inflator installed. Note: Honda Canada has created a special Airbag Inflator Hotline for immediate assistance. For more information, please contact: For Honda Owners: 1-877-445-7754 For Acura Owners: 1-877-445-9844

704,770 vehicles affected in CanadaCarSafety Mfr

Powertrain

Transport Canada recall 2011286 · manufacturer campaign HL27, HL24

5 August 2011

Transport Canada lists: Accord 2005–2010 · CR V 2007–2010 · Element 2005–2008

What is wrong

On certain vehicles, the secondary shaft bearing in the automatic transmission may fail. This could cause abnormal noise, the malfunction indicator lamp to turn ON, and allow contact between the transmission idle gear and an electronic sensor housing within the transmission, resulting in a short circuit that causes the engine to stall. Engine stalling would result in lost vehicle propulsion which, in conjunction with traffic and road conditions, and the driver's reactions, could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, broken pieces may become lodged in the parking pawl resulting in the vehicle rolling after the driver has placed the gear selector in the PARK position. These issues could result in property damage and/or personal injury.

What the dealer will do

Dealers will update the automatic transmission control module software.

135,142 vehicles affected in CanadaSUVSafety Mfr

Brakes

Transport Canada recall 2010079 · manufacturer campaign HK96, HK95

16 March 2010

Transport Canada lists: Element 2007–2008 · Odyssey 2007–2008

What is wrong

On certain vehicles, during the self-check process that occurs shortly after each time the engine is started, the self-diagnostic software for the Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) brake modulator causes a condition that can allow air to enter the modulator pump. Over time, and after starting the engine numerous times, it is possible for enough air to enter the system to change the brake pedal feel and affect braking performance. Reduced braking performance could lead to a crash causing property damage, personal injury or death.

What the dealer will do

Dealers will remove existing air in the brake system then apply sealant and caps to the VSA modulator to prevent air from entering the brake system.

28,827 vehicles affected in CanadaSUVSafety TC
1 replaced by later campaigns

Airbag

Transport Canada recall 2014567

15 December 2014

Replaced: This recall has been replaced by a later campaign. Check the newer one — the repair may have changed.

Transport Canada lists: CL 2003 · El 2001–2005 · MDX 2003–2006 · TL 2002–2003 · and 7 more

What is wrong

Honda Canada is conducting a voluntary Safety Improvement Campaign concerning the driver's airbag inflator on certain vehicles equipped with Takata airbags. Honda will replace the driver's inflator on affected vehicles. This action is not being conducted under the requirements of the Motor Vehicle Safety Act. Note: This special service campaign was replaced by recall 2015225. Please see recall 2015225 for more information: <a href="http://wwwapps.tc.gc.ca/Saf-Sec-Sur/7/VRDB-BDRV/search-recherche/detail.aspx?lang=eng&&rn=2015225">Click here for more information</a>

704,770 vehicles affected in CanadaSUVSuperseded

Efficiency and running cost

Class
Sport utility vehicle
In its class
More efficient than 78% of 267 2008 vehicles in this class
Tailpipe CO₂
260 g/km

Set your own distance and pump price · Full efficiency ranking

Watch this vehicle

Recall letters go to whoever owns the car on paper, which may not be you. Save your 2008 Honda Element and we will email you the day Transport Canada issues a new recall for it.

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Common questions

Does the 2008 Honda Element have any recalls?
Transport Canada has 7 recalls on record for the 2008 Honda Element, of which 6 are current and 1 has been replaced by later campaigns. Recall repairs are free at any manufacturer dealer.
What fuel economy does the 2008 Honda Element get?
NRCan rates the 2008 Honda Element at 11.3 L/100 km combined, emitting 260 g of CO2 per kilometre. There are 4 rated versions; this is the median.
What does it cost to run a 2008 Honda Element for a year?
At 20,000 km a year and Ontario average prices, about $3,503 in fuel, producing roughly 5,221 kg of CO2. Your own distance and prices will change this — the calculator lets you set both.

Source: Transport Canada — Vehicle Recalls Database; NRCan — Fuel consumption ratings. Data current as of 30 July 2026. Running cost uses Ontario average prices (155 ¢/L, 14.5 ¢/kWh), which are hand-maintained estimates. 30,784 rated vehicles on file.