Honda Element suspension problems and repair descriptions on TrueDelta (2023)

FAQs

Does a Honda Element have struts or shocks? ›

At the heart of the suspension is the strut assembly, a mechanism that combines a shock absorber and a coil spring into one unit to absorb bumps in the road and to keep the tires in contact with the ground at all times. The top of the strut is also used as the upper pivot point of the steering system.

The average total annual cost for repairs and maintenance on a Honda Element is $491, compared to an average of $521 for compact SUVs and $652 for all vehicle models.

If your vehicle dives when braking, bottoms out (scrapes loudly) when going over a speed bump, the rear-end squats when accelerating, or your vehicle bounces more than usual after going over a bump, it could be signs of bad shocks or struts.

The issue with most reports by owners is about the door lock not working after a certain amount of time. Honda only made the SUV from 2002 until 2011, so most of the Elements on the road are at least 10 years old or more.

In fact, you can typically expect to get from 250,000 to 300,000 miles out of an Element before retiring it. Considering the average American drives 15,000 miles a year, that's a good 15 to 20 years. But keep in mind that cars only last that long with proper maintenance.

With the right care and maintenance, Honda Elements are commonly expected to last between 200,000 and 300,000 miles over their lifetimes. could potentially last 13 to 20 years. Of course, other factors like the conditions it's exposed to over time will also play a role in how long a Honda element lasts.

Worn shocks and struts aren't able to effectively absorb road impacts and soften the bump. Vehicle rolls or sways when cornering – Feeling like your vehicle is swaying or rolling when making a turn is not only annoying, it is unsettling because you can feel like you aren't in control of your car.

Loss of handling and control – Driving with failing shocks or struts has a direct impact on your ability to control your vehicle. You may notice that your vehicle bounces excessively, rolls or sways abruptly when making a turn, or that you feel out of control when hit by a cross wind.

If you are replacing a strut on a vehicle, you need to inspect the sway bar links and look up if there are cam bolts that can make camber adjustable. The sway bar links will make sure the suspension is silent after the strut is replaced and they probably need replacement due to wear.

Will replacing shocks improve ride quality? ›

These parts wear out over time just like any other part of your car that wears out like tires. If it's been a while since your struts or shocks have been changed or if you can't remember the last time you got new ones, a new set can greatly improve your ride quality compared to your old, worn-out ones.

Bad strut sounds are usually described as a hollow clunking or banging type of sound. You'll typically hear the noise when the vehicle is traveling over irregularities in the road. Most front strut assemblies also have a bearing at the top.

Any unusual shaking or vibrating forces coming from the engine is cause for concern. It could be something as simple as old spark plugs producing an uneven power delivery, it could be something serious like worn or broken engine mounts, or it could be even more serious in the case of internal engine damage.

Also known as 'limp home mode', limp mode is a security feature in cars which activates when the engine or transmission control unit picks up a fault. Once it detects a problem, limp mode will cause the less important parts of the car, such as air conditioning, to switch off, and the speed of the car will be reduced.

An engine that is hesitating to accelerate is most likely dealing with a fuel/air mixture that is too lean. Engine's that are running inefficiently will begin to show signs like hesitation which will only become worse over time.

Additionally, there are plenty of current Honda Element owners that have easily spun their car's odometers to the tune of 200,000 or more. In fact, it's not uncommon to read about owners reaching over 300,000 miles on their Elements without doing many large repairs in addition to simple maintenance.

To keep your Honda vehicle's ignition system working its best, experts recommend changing your spark plugs about every 30,000 miles.

The Honda Element was too expensive for its target audience around 21 years old. The ability to be perfect for moving, camping, and more wasn't enough to motivate younger people to take out massive loans for this SUV.

While Honda Element camper conversions are excellent options for full-time van life if you don't need much space, they're even better for part-timers. If you're mostly planning on weekend or seasonal camping trips, Honda Elements are great daily drivers that are easily convertible to small camper vans.

Are Honda Elements reliable cars? ›

Overall the Honda Element reliability is 80.45 and that makes it very reliable. The chart below illustrates exactly how this ranks compared to some other cars, but the average overall rating is 57 as some comparison.

Generally, shocks and struts wear out every 50,000-100,000 miles. If you're a more aggressive driver and/or frequently drive on rough roads, they will wear out faster. Shocks and struts don't go out all at once; they deteriorate slowly over time.

Struts and shocks may need to be replaced anywhere between 50k and 100k miles. If at any time the struts or shocks are leaking, broken, or damaged, they should be replaced immediately.

While both can help with your vehicle's ride and handling, these parts work in different ways. Shocks are individual components of the suspension system while struts are a major structural component of the chassis and suspension system.

A strut is a structural component commonly found in engineering, aeronautics, architecture and anatomy. Struts generally work by resisting longitudinal compression, but they may also serve in tension.

Loss of handling and control – Driving with failing shocks or struts has a direct impact on your ability to control your vehicle. You may notice that your vehicle bounces excessively, rolls or sways abruptly when making a turn, or that you feel out of control when hit by a cross wind.

The suspension has many components, and, thus, you can expect the check to be around $1,000-$5,000. However, it's important to be aware of the more costly replacements and procedures: Shock absorber replacement: $200-$1,500.

Bad strut sounds are usually described as a hollow clunking or banging type of sound. You'll typically hear the noise when the vehicle is traveling over irregularities in the road. Most front strut assemblies also have a bearing at the top.

Typically, it takes around one to two hours to change struts, according to most professional mechanics. Even if you decide to replace them on your own, the estimated time is the same as long as you have previous mechanical skills and follow the process correctly.

Do you have to replace both shock absorbers or struts if only one is bad? It's not necessary, but it's usually recommended to replace them in pairs, for example, both front struts or both rear shocks. This is because a new shock absorber will absorb road bumps better than the old one.

What causes struts to go bad? ›

The obvious cause is poor road conditions and how you drive—smooth or aggressive. Driving consistently on roads filled with bumps and potholes will cause struts to wear down quicker than if you drive on smooth paved roads. As the struts wear, they lose their tension and support capabilities.

Can I drive with a damaged strut? No. It needs to be repaired as soon as possible. A strut works by absorbing the bounce of your car driving over bumps in the road.

What happens when shocks and struts go bad? You'll notice increased stopping distances, reduced ability to maneuver the vehicle safely, especially at speed, and increased wear on other suspension components like springs.

The Average Cost to Replace Struts at a Mechanic is $742 to $826. The Average Strut Replacement Labor Cost Is $197 to $248, Which You Can Save if You DIY. This price range is based on national averages for all vehicles and does not factor in taxes, fees, or your particular make and model.

Signs Of Faulty Struts And Replacement Costs

Struts come in pairs; thus, you'll need to replace both. This will usually cost you anywhere from $300 to $900. Depending on what kind of driver you are, you should go through with the procedure every 50,000-100,000 miles.

Struts cannot be refilled or rebuilt. However, some struts have a replaceable cartridge. These repairable struts can be identified by a large hexagonal shaped nut at the top of the strut body. Please remember that struts are usually gas charged and that replacement should only be performed by a qualified technician.