I have an Element Ex for 2 weeks now and lately I'm finding that the brakes are very soft. The vehicle stops but you have to press the brake hard specially in start/stop traffic. Is this normal ??

I feel like I've been having to press the pedal harder than I thought as well. I just figured it was the difference in actually having disc brakes!

nope should not be the case, i have 4 wheel disc brakes for years (prelude, integra now element).. and they brakes have never been soft, they are not super sensitive but they are hardly requiring you to slam for effect..

might wanna have your dealer check it out.. keep us posted..

I think it's just the different feel of different manufacturer's brakes.

After driving my new E for several days, I had to drive my old Mazda B2300 to my credit union to transfer my title to the new owners. I only had to slightly depress the brake pedal on the Mazda before the brakes started to catch and the braking is very immediate compared to the Honda feel.

With the Honda, the brake pedal needs to be depressed a little further and the braking starts off very light. The plus to this is that it's easier to have controlled, light braking at higher speeds. If I was a little fast on the brakes with the Mazda at high speed, I'd be slammed forward quite a bit.

It's just a different feel, requiring different pressure and a little time to adjust to it. Other than that, the brakes seem strong to me...

I've had the opposite experience with my E. My brakes are great; I hardly have to put my foot on them to get a response. They do click and make a little noise that I've never had brakes make before but they are probably the best brakes I've ever had on a car.

snowman882 description is what i'm talking about.The brakes are responsive when you press them but they apply soft. This is good on high speeds but to come on a complete stop I have to press it hard.
Anyway, I will go and pick up my plates today and I will ask the dialer to ride the demo car and compare the brakes.

Most 4-wheel disc brake systems I have driven feel more digital than analog. It's either on/off. Now, this is mostly Ford/GM cars, so I can't say much for Hondas except for the one Accord I have driven, and yes, the pedal did feel very soft. It felt like the brake booster was slacking on its job. I think it's just the design of Honda brakes.

If it is very excessive, have the brake lines bled. Air can get caught up in the lines since the braking fluid is hydroscopic (Absorbs water). Maybe Honda's calipers are spaced farther from the rotors requiring more braking pressure, or maybe the boosters are just weak? *shrugs* This Accord had 70K miles on it, so I think partly to blame was my friend trashing his brakes. I always take good care of my brakes. Trust me, going 90K miles on stock Ford rotors makes anybody deserve some kind of Lifetime achivement award. :wink: