CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2008 Honda Accord has several serious defects: poor brakes, excessive oil consumption, & uncomfortable seats.

BRAKES: There was a class action lawsuit against Honda in 2010 for premature & excessive brake wear. See our page on Honda's brake problems for more info.

OIL CONSUMPTION: Honda issued a TSB about this in late 2011, claiming it could be fixed through a software update to the VCM (variable cylinder management). There are class action lawsuits pending. See our page about the Accord oil consumption.

UNCOMFORTABLE SEATS: Owners have consistently reported uncomfortable seats with the entire 8th generation (2008-2012) of Honda Accords. Complaints range from back pain to leg circulation problems due to bad lumbar support, cushioning, & seat angle. Complaints aren't limited to only a certain body type -- the seat comfort problems are from a wide spectrum of owner height & weight. The common theme we hear is "we never noticed this during the test drive." Unfortunately for unwary buyers, the seat pain is noticeable after 15-20 minutes.

6.6

fairly significant
Typical Repair Cost:
$120
Average Mileage:
11,750 miles
Total Complaints:
16 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (12 reports)
  2. fix solenoid valva a, short circuit (1 reports)
  3. honda has a kit to fix this (1 reports)
  4. replace clutch plate (1 reports)
  5. use synthetic gear lube (1 reports)
2008 Honda Accord accessories - interior problems

accessories - interior problem

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2008 Honda Accord Owner Comments

problem #16

Apr 012009

Accord LX 2.4L

  • Manual transmission
  • 5,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

At about 5k miles, our Accord started to have a problem shifting into 3rd and sometimes, it would pop out and grind on the upshift. Had it do it once downshifting. Took to dealer and received the "we can't duplicate it" answer. They told me there weren't any known issues with the 5 speed, only the 6 speed in the Accord coupe and Civic Si. Guy at the service desk tried to tell me I wasn't shifting it right. Seriously? I've been driving manual transmission cars for thirty plus years...

At 15K they talked me into changing gear lube, but only with Honda lube. Can't put anything else in or it would void the warranty. Roll eyes. It shifted well for another 5k, then started in with the same thing. Told them I wanted to use BG Syncroshift synthetic gear lube. They had no problem with it after I talked to Honda of America. I had a local trusted small shop do the change and it has shifted as smooth as butter ever since. It now has 65k on it and not one bit of a problem yet. I had read several Honda forums and learned people with the 6 speed were using a GM semi-synthetic with good results.

- billygoatiowa, Williamsburg, IA, US

problem #15

Jun 262008

Accord EX-L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 27 miles

While driving on the highway, whenever I take my foot off the gas pedal in order to decelerate gradually, the car revs up immediately & loudly in an effort (I assume) to maintain my faster speed level. The RPMs spike up from around 2,000 to over 4,000 in an instant. It sounds as though the car just wants to take off like a rocket but is fighting itself to not over-accelerate. It is strange and frightening! I fear that someday whatever is preventing the car from over-accelerating will fail and I'll crash into something. Typically, I'll try tapping my gas pedal a few times and this tends to drop the RPMs back down to around 2,000. Again, I just pray that whatever keeps the car from taking off doesn't fail. Despite getting a new short block in my car about 2 weeks ago, this just happened again today but the RPM spike was significantly lower. Then again, I was driving on the highway during rush hour so I was probably only going between 40 - 50 mph. I'll update this note when I next drive at a typical highway speed.

- Yvonne S., Boston, MA, US

problem #14

Sep 302011

Accord EX V4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 68,510 miles

Accord 08, EX V4 , in the morning with cold engine, after tuning ignition a grinding noise comes from the engine, the dealership says it is the belt.

The transmission stalls in the lower gear, the flywheel sounds with high rpm but engine has no power. I took the car to the dealer to update the software, for oil consumption and transmission so far the problem still persist.

- Nazir M., Irvine, CA, US

problem #13

Jun 022010

Accord EX-L 2.4L

  • Manual transmission
  • 27,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

OMG! This Accord 2008 scores really high! So many repairs for just 2 years of ownership... As everybody here says mine just doesn't wont to go to the 3rd gear some times. Sometimes it would kick back. As usual, Honda dealer says that they cannot duplicate the problem. However, I was informed by the dealer that ..."Honda is aware about such transmission issue on some particular Accords 2008... while mine Accord is not on the Honda USA list.." The dealer offered me to get out of the lease earlier and to lease another Accord 2010. Yeah, sure!

- Eduard L., Cordova, TN, US

problem #12

Nov 242007

Accord EXL 2.4L

  • Manual transmission
  • 70 miles

the 2008 Honda Accord which has standard transmission has a problem shifting into 3rd gear and has been doing this from day 2 . I brought it back to dealer 5 times and it never has been fixed . I had it with Honda and will look elsewhere when lease expires

- brianolear, ST. John's, Newfoundland, Canada

problem #11

Aug 182010

Accord 2.4L

  • Manual transmission
  • 5 miles

18th jan,2010 there was rain in the morning for 1hr and i just drive my car from home 2 office which was just-3kms,iparked my car in my factory ,after 4hrs i want to drive out of town and my car was not able to transmit (manual gears),i contacted honda company an a enginear came and checked and said the problem is with clutch plate and the reason been water.the company said the problem is with clutch plate leathers,pressure plate,flywheel and the company is denying to change all the spares under warranty,though the technitions are saying its all due to water

- Manoj P., Ludhiana, Punjab, India

problem #10

Jan 312009

Accord LX-P 2.4L-Liter, 16-valve

  • Manual transmission
  • 18,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have been experiencing trouble changing into 3rd & Reverse. Shifts from 2nd to 3rd gear jam. Occasionally it will reject, or grind when I let off the clutch. Other times I am able to force it into gear. Dealer advised they couldn't duplicate the problem during their test drive, so no solution thus far.

- eescala7, Missouri City, TX, US

problem #9

Oct 082009

Accord EX 2.4L

  • Manual transmission
  • 25,000 miles

I have a 2008 Honda accord coupe and it has a slew of problems so here is one more to add to the list. It has had problems going into third gear since around 25,000 miles, sometimes it goes into gear if you force it, other times it will not go in gear at all or grinds really loudly. It also makes a Loud popping noise at times when releasing the clutch. It sounds like someone hitting the car with a sledge hammer, I went to the dealer 3 different times and they say they cannot duplicate the problem. I think it is a broken motor mount. The service adviser laughed in my face and refused to go on a test drive with me so I could try to replicate the noise.

- bed, Vineland, NJ, US

problem #8

Jan 142009

Accord EX V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 6,500 miles

only happened once, but it's the kind of thing you don't ever want to happen.

the R was lit up, indicating the shifter was in the right position, but engine just revved when i pressed the accelerator. having owned a previous generation v6 auto, this one feels sluggish. slow to accelerate. maybe the extra weight just brought this car down.

sad.

- natetron, Washington, DC, US

problem #7

Aug 012008

Accord LX 4 cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 1,243 miles

I have been experiencing trouble changing into 3rd & Reverse. Dealer advised they couldn't duplicate the problem during their test drive, so no solution thus far.

- soutine, St. John's, NL, Canada

problem #6

Oct 022008

Accord I-vtec Vcm 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 1,500 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

When ever the car is been laced on reverse it does not reverse and the Drive light comes up

- Kayode B., Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

problem #5

Oct 022008

Accord EXL V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 10,000 miles

My car makes a horrible noise and shifts hard around 25 mph. Honda will not stand by the problem or offer a solution. Two friends noticed it when driving the car BEFORE I ever mentioned the problem. I went to two dealers who said maybe it will work itself out and its under warranty s bring it back f it gets to be more than annoying. My third Honda and definitely my last. Will go for Toyota next time, Honda quality has suffered and they wont stand y their product.

- Josh K., Atlanta, GA, US

problem #4

Jan 012008

Accord Ex Coupe V6

  • Manual transmission
  • 5,000 miles

I bought the car in November 2008 and it never really shifted smoothly into 3rd gear but was told that it would be better by the time it was 10,000 miles by the service tech at the dealership. I had the gearbox replaced and have had the car for one week and now the transmission is kicking it out of gear in 4th gear and it is making a whinny sound so I will have to take the car in again and have them try to fix it. They gave me a crappy Chrysler rental car that has 2 out of 5 crash rating that I drove for two days from enterprise rent a car. This is the 3rd Honda product I have owned. The first a Honday Prelude which was a great car 45,000 miles when I sold it no problems. Acura TL 3.2 2001 had it for 8 years they replaced the transmission gave me a nice loaner car for one month while they replaced the transmission. I sure hope Wilde Honda can fix this car correctly and will be calling them tomorrow. I am concerned that this problem will continue and I will not be covered under the lemon law since I took delivery of the car on November 2nd. The accord v6 is a sharp car but I don't know how reliable it is. At this point I am very dissatisfied with the quality of this car.

- davidwi, Brookfield, WI, US

problem #3

Sep 292008

Accord EX-L 2.4L I4

  • Manual transmission
  • 11,500 miles

I have reported this problem to the dealership at least four times. Each time the excuse is "We could not duplicate the problem." When the transmission is cold, i.e., has not been run in at least a day or two, the first five to ten shifts from 2nd to 3rd gear jam. Occasionally it will reject, or grind when I let off the clutch. Other times I am able to force it into gear. Then occasionally, after the car has been run for over a hour, with lots of shifting (suburban driving), the problem re-occurs when a downshift from 4th to 3rd is called for. Same effect, when the clutch is let off, there can be grinding or gear rejection. This car is not the 6MT paired with the V6 which has a TSB for nearly the same problem. This is a 5MT with a I-4 engine.

- Matthew P., Upper Marlboro, MD, US

problem #2

Mar 012008

Accord EX-L I4

  • Manual transmission
  • 8,000 miles

Sometimes shifting into third gear does not work. The gear will pop out or grind. The mechanic who test drove the vehicle with me confirmed this.

- e2dragon, Sunnyvale, CA, US

problem #1

Jun 102008

Accord EXL 3.5L

  • Manual transmission
  • 200 miles

Unknown what the fix is yet. But the tranny will not engage at this time. I noticed and initially believed it to be driver error. It didn't want to go into reverse sometimes. Now it just doesn't want to go into gear. It gradually got worse. Much worse. I'll find out soon what the problem and repair will be. Very disappointing to say the least when I've had the car for a week and this major problem arises.

- Michael C., South San Francisco, CA, US

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