2008 Honda Element EX
5J6YH28778L003927
Vehicle history report for the 2008 Honda Element EX (VIN 5J6YH28778L003927). Gray, sport utility vehicle [suv]/multipurpose vehicle [mpv], 2.4L 4-cyl, gasoline. 55,177 mi reported. Registered in Fl. No open recalls. Unlock full title, salvage, lien & accident history.
![2008 Honda Element EX, Gray, Sport Utility Vehicle [SUV]/Multipurpose Vehicle [MPV] — representative vehicle photo for VIN 5J6YH28778L003927](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/34/%2703-%2706_Honda_Element_%28Orange_Julep%29.JPG?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=original)
At a glance
Vehicle identity & specifications
What's a 2008 Honda Element worth?
What comparable 2008 Honda Element vehicles are listed for — a quick gut-check before you negotiate.
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What a full report checks for VIN 5J6YH28778L003927
A full report searches national title databases (NMVTIS) and licensed history providers for this VIN and shows whatever records are on file — not every vehicle has every record type. The decode, safety recalls and owner complaints above are always free.
Safety recalls None found
No open NHTSA recall campaigns were found for this 2008 Honda Element.
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Common problems & what to inspect
Based on 111 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2008 Honda Element, here are the most-reported problem areas — and exactly what to check before you buy.
💥 1 involved a crash
🔍 Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.
🔍 Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.
🔍 Inspect wheels for bends, cracks and curb rash, and feel for vibration at highway speed.
Pre-purchase checklist
- Match the VIN on the dash, door jamb and title — they must be identical.
- Cold-start the engine; listen for knocks and check for blue or white exhaust smoke.
- Test-drive through all gears at low and highway speed — no slipping, shudder or pulling.
- Confirm every warning light clears at startup (none should stay on).
- Check fluids — oil, coolant, transmission — for level, color and leaks.
- Look underneath for rust, fresh undercoating or signs of collision repair.
- Always get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a trusted mechanic.
Owner complaints 111
Complaints filed with NHTSA by owners of the 2008 Honda Element.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I was driving on a 65 mph highway when another vehicle forced me off the road causing my vehicle to spin out and hit a guardrail pretty much head on at about 60-65mph. Should my airbags have gone off? My safety could have been at risk because of how my vehicle went from highway speed into a guardrail, my car bounced off of the guardrail and spun so I was fac…
Crash · NHTSA ODI #11755441SUSPENSION
Rotted and rusted out trailing arms
NHTSA ODI #11729158SUSPENSION
The contact owns a 2008 Honda Element. The contact stated that while reversing out of a parking spot, the driver’s side rear trailing arm fractured. There were no warning lights illuminated. Upon researching the failure, the contact linked the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 08V349000 (Suspension). The vehicle was towed to the husband's place of employment…
NHTSA ODI #11687921STRUCTURE
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.
NHTSA ODI #11667334SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE
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 separat…
NHTSA ODI #11624062SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE
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 serv…
NHTSA ODI #11621850STRUCTURE
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.
NHTSA ODI #11608412STRUCTURE
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 are…
NHTSA ODI #11606365+ 103 more complaints on record.
