I bought the 2005 honda element in october 2006, as a new 4 wheel drive, standard transmission. after using it for a short period i noticed the brakes were like putty. they pressed nearly to the floor, and not too effective. the dealer fixed the brakes for free, they told me at the same time another customer had their honda element there for brake problems. after about 2 weeks, the brakes were like putty again. i drove it till the brakes squealed. ( i learned to drive with little use of brakes, shifting down and slowing down at stops and turns. ) i had my local mechanic fix the brakes the second time. again the brakes worked about 2 weeks before they were like putty again. i was at the honda dealer last month for 60000 mile transmission fluid change. they told me the brakes were bad. i told them i know they are bad, they are always bad.