I have a 2007 Honda Element. When I am driving at slower speeds (<20mph) and turn sharply the vehicle shudders very hard. Any ideas what is causing this?
Have your mechanic check the CV joints–both the outer and the inner ones.
It is also possible that the center differential for the AWD system is not working properly, and is causing the front wheels to bind-up. Honda has had some significant problems with the center diff on the CR-V model, so I wouldn’t be surprised if the Element shares that problem.
Even if the mfr’s maintenance schedule does not specify it, the differential oil should be changed every 60k miles, and ONLY genuine Honda Dual-Pump Fluid should be used. Failure to change the fluid and/or using anything other than the genuine article can lead to binding of the center differential.