[Bonster]

I searched but didn't see a reference on forum about this. The USDOT/NHTSA has launched a defect inquiry into the mushy brake problem around 13 May 2009. This may be why dealers are now trying to pretend the mushy brake issue doesn't exist. Anyone that needs a little more proof for their dealers to belly up to the parts counter might want to print out this info to take with:


http://nhthqnwws112.odi.nhtsa.dot.g...ublic/Pursuits/2009/PE/INIM-PE09024-35215.pdf

http://nhthqnwws112.odi.nhtsa.dot.g...ublic/Pursuits/2009/PE/INOA-PE09024-35164.pdf

www.Safercar.gov is the easy to remember main link address.

But I found this info from do a search from this page:
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/defect/defectsearch.cfm

If you HAD a problem or currently HAVE a problem do us all a favor & enter your complaint (from the main page) about it. Currently if you search for defects from the above search page, you won't find anything but the Odyssey listed, but the ELEMENT is on the inquiry as a PEER vehicle with similar problems.

I've only put 75 miles on my E since I got it a month ago (2nd owner) & I've noticed the mushy brake thing so know this fight is probably in my future.

Hope this may help someone

Bonster
That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

 

[Jackson49]

Thanks so much for the information.

 

[gibroni]

Didn't notice mushy brakes and my LX is 4 years old. One of the reasons I bought the LX is that I didn't want ABS. I think Honda should have just put on larger diameter brakes on the front. WIsh I could afford a big break kit but the stock brakes don't bother me.

 

[Bonster]

Mushy Brakes - Element 2007-08 model years included

This "preliminary evaluation" by the NHTSA only solicits information from Honda for the 2007-2008 Element model years. A complaint may be filed online for any model year with this type of problem. The narrowness of scope could be due to Honda's own TSB.

I believe this "evaluation" is the first step in determining whether a TSB is enough (vs a recall, which would be costly to Honda.)

Please note the mushy brake topic is in several other EOC threads which you can find via the search feature.

Bonster
That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

 

[dorienc]

Hmm. I had to slam on the brakes a couple days ago (one way street, moron in the right lane makes a left turn. I was at about his rear bumper) and while I stopped OK, the brakes did feel awfully mushy. I figured it's cause of 72K on the original pads. But it's an actual problem?

 

[fly104857]

Mine generally feel o.k., until I go to stop fast/hard (not hardest) but this is when I feel that my pedal is almost to floor w/ no more room to apply. I'll be getting oil change very soon and plan on having them see my copy of the bulletin.

 

[Dom.five]

I searched but didn't see a reference on forum about this. The USDOT/NHTSA has launched a defect inquiry into the mushy brake problem around 13 May 2009. This may be why dealers are now trying to pretend the mushy brake issue doesn't exist. Anyone that needs a little more proof for their dealers to belly up to the parts counter might want to print out this info to take with:


http://nhthqnwws112.odi.nhtsa.dot.g...ublic/Pursuits/2009/PE/INIM-PE09024-35215.pdf

http://nhthqnwws112.odi.nhtsa.dot.g...ublic/Pursuits/2009/PE/INOA-PE09024-35164.pdf

www.Safercar.gov is the easy to remember main link address.

But I found this info from do a search from this page:
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/defect/defectsearch.cfm

If you HAD a problem or currently HAVE a problem do us all a favor & enter your complaint (from the main page) about it. Currently if you search for defects from the above search page, you won't find anything but the Odyssey listed, but the ELEMENT is on the inquiry as a PEER vehicle with similar problems.

I've only put 75 miles on my E since I got it a month ago (2nd owner) & I've noticed the mushy brake thing so know this fight is probably in my future.

Hope this may help someone

Bonster
That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Good information! We need to see that all our members with 06 to 08 Elemets see this.

Although it looks like it only pertains to the ody, not the E.

Dom

 

[ZOMBIEinvader]

unless I read the bulletins incorrectly it would only apply to 07-08 Elements.

 

[hapyface]

and some dealers are subjecting us to a diagonstics fee!

 

[jsitar]

I would strongly recommend that anyone who has had a problem with mushy brakes on an Element (regardless of year or mileage) go to the National Highway Safety Transportation Agency web site and fill out and submit an incident report. http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/index.cfm.

 

[TonyS]

Thanks bonster - that's what this club is all about! Nothing mushy yet...
Of course we had the instrument cluster RECALL and now a minor ac leak, but we still love the E - and believe it or not, our dealer!