The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has released a recall notice today for 241 2008-model-year Honda Elements due to an improperly welded front bushing bracket on the rear suspension. NHTSA is advising owners of the recalled vehicles to stop driving them immediately until they have been taken to a dealer, inspected, and had any faulty components replaced free of charge, if needed.
The issue is with the welds on the front bushing bracket on the left trailing arm of the rear suspension. If the weld fails, the trailing arm will separate from the suspension at the wheel hub and cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle. The separation can also potentially cause damage to the brake system and prevent the driver from being able to stop the vehicle.
Affected Element owners will be contacted by phone by Honda. The Honda Recall number is 08-053 and owners can contact the NTHSA's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 or online at http://www.safercar.gov/. The recall went into effect in July.
If you own a 2008 Element, you may want to keep an eye on the phone, or check with the NHTSA to see if your vehicle is affected by the recall.
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration