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.

7.6

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$230
Average Mileage:
26,150 miles
Total Complaints:
1094 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. replaced brakes (567 reports)
  2. have 2008 Honda brake system recalled (278 reports)
  3. not sure (85 reports)
  4. replaced brakes and rotors (44 reports)
  5. repaired under warranty - sort of.. (25 reports)
  6. replacing rear OEM pads with ceramic pads (23 reports)
2008 Honda Accord brakes problems

brakes problem

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2008 Honda Accord Owner Comments (Page 6 of 55)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #994

Jul 262011

Accord EXL 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 43,000 miles

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

Took vehicle in for oil change, tire rotation, & inspection. Was told that the rear brake pads were 95% worn with only 43,000 miles on the vehicle. Just found out there was a class action suit against Honda for excessive brake wear, but had to be reported within 3 years from date of purchase. My 3 years was up June, 2011 - now it's July 2011 & as usual does not appear I will get any reimbursement from the class action suit. Very dissatisfied with this car - will not be purchasing another Honda!!

- eshelley, Durham, NC, US

problem #993

Feb 272009

Accord V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 26,611 miles

Rear brakes (and rotors) replaced second time at 66,438 miles. The original front brakes had maybe 70% pad left! Replaced them anyway with ceramic pads all around. Car stops smoother then ever before.

- Robert F., Phoenix, AZ, US

problem #992

Sep 262008

Accord ES

  • Automatic transmission
  • 18,000 miles

OK, well I bought my car in December of 2007. It was brand spankin' new!! The following year in September of 2008 I heard a very loud squeaking noise coming from my car I took it in and my brakes were gone. So, I had them fixed at 18000 miles. I was upset because I thought this was to soon. Well lets just say this has happened every year since then!! I have to replace my brakes every year!! This last time I replaced my rotors and brakes and all I hear now is a constant squeak!! I'm not sure what to do. I hate this car and its brake problems. Everyone has always said how much they love HONDA well I would have to say I hate HONDA!! I will not be buying another Honda as long as I live!

- Veronica L., Auberry, CA, US

problem #991

Jun 012011

Accord

  • Automatic transmission
  • 25,000 miles

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

2008 Honda Accord. Got only 25,000 miles. Weird noise came up a couple of months ago and it is very annoying. Will never consider Honda again if Honda does not reimburse the cost for fixing the brake system issue.

- shnglu, Yukon, OK, US

problem #990

Oct 212011

Accord EX-L NAV 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 57,500 miles

Like other Accord owners, I took my car in for maintenance - I needed an oil change, rear brakes were squealing even when not being applied after only 18000 miles/1.5 years of ownership (bought certified at 39500 miles, now at 57500 miles with brand new brakes applied during the certification process) and I needed my yearly state inspection. I also reported to the dealer that I felt like there was a problem with the transmission jerking or the engine with the VCM and to report a rattle underneath the car whenever going over a bump or pothole. I was told to drop the car off at 7am and it would be ready later in the day which I did.

About lunchtime, I got a call from one of the service guys, and we had a 10-15 minute conversation about he thinks something could be wrong with the torque converter - he is going to do some more testing, and possibly order either a new torque converter or transmission depending on how bad things are - either way, he said that I could he would complete my work order for today (the inspection, brakes and oil) and to come get the car in the next few hours and he would speak with me about setting up a time after he orders any parts needed to bring the car back and give me a loaner to complete the repair.

When I arrive to pay for my service and to talk to the service guy - he acts as if we hadn't spoke earlier - and proceeds to say "I think I got you mixed up with another customer, it happens sometimes, everything with your car is fine". After raising hell for number 1, acting so nonchalant about the situation and for not even mentioning the rattle I spoke about and for having a 15 minute convo with me, when he should have been talking to another customer - I was pissed. He explained that checking the suspension was part of the state inspection process, plus they road-tested the car after putting on the new brake pads in the rear, and they heard nothing - everything was perfect, nothing making noises or loose related to under the car. Then another service adviser stepped in, and said "lets take a drive and see if we can hear the noise", so we did and sure enough he heard the noise and felt the rough jerk of the car and said he wanted to go back, get me a loaner and leave the car with them overnight so the service manager could drive it home that evening and back to Honda in the morning to replicate the noises himself.

Long story short, the car stayed with Honda from Friday one week to Friday the following week - for a car that was said to have been state inspected and not having any suspension issues that would cause it to fail state inspection and that "DROVE PERFECTLY WITH NO NOISES PRESENT OR DUPLICATED", I ended up having the left front stabilizer bar and the right front wheel bearing replaced....which took them seven days after they said the car was perfect. I still have not had my transmission issue addressed and I guess I won't unless I go to another dealer or it blows up first...

This is my fourth Accord, had an 89, 92, 03 and now this 08. Never did rear brake work on the first two, didn't even need front brakes on the 03 Accord until 87,000 miles, I was still on the original rear brakes when I traded it at 95,000 miles for the 08 Accord. I'll be switching my loyalty to Nissan or Lexus as I am so disappointed in this Accord - which to me has been the best looking generation thus far...really wanted to take this one to the 200-300,000 mile mark, but I don't see that happening as by that point I will have paid for the car twice in brake expenses every 15,000 miles. Make the transmissions like they did in 1992, and get rid of the VCM - it is not so unnoticeable as they proclaim. And for a car that costs pretty close to $40,000 brand new with Navigation - at least offer Traffic and Weather on the Nav - Nissan does even in the Altima, even Toyota does in the Corolla which isn't even close to the $20,000 mark....

- hrguy83, Philadelphia, PA, US

problem #989

Jan 212010

Accord LX 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 17,000 miles

UNBELIEVABLE!!!! A brand new car for it continue UGHHHHH

- Annette R., Oxnard, CA, US

problem #988

Jul 132010

Accord LX 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 22,000 miles

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

I feel they need to recall this problem and fix it and have Honda pay for everything.

- Annette R., Oxnard, CA, US

problem #987

Oct 162011

Accord LX 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 52,000 miles

The brakes don't even wear evenly. One side of the pad has more and the other is completely worn down.

- Annette R., Oxnard, CA, US

problem #986

May 072009

Accord LX 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 8,000 miles

I only had the car 9 MONTHS and had to have the brakes redone...BS

- Annette R., Oxnard, CA, US

problem #985

Jun 012011

Accord EX-L 2.4L

  • Manual transmission
  • 24,000 miles

I am one of the many that have premature brake wear on my 2008 Accord. I have not contacted Honda yet, I will do that tomorrow. I understand there is a class action lawsuit about this and if Honda does not give me a satisfactory answer I will be filing a claim.

- Wesley R., Webster, TX, US

problem #984

Dec 082008

Accord EX-L 3.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 25,000 miles

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

This car has been nothing but a money pit!! Honda recalled brakes took it in to have fixed I HAD TO PAY they cave me like $70 out of the $170 to fix then they did not use the right brakes? Need to do again and want ME TO PAY! Now air conditioning/blower went out! this car is 3 years old and has been nothing but problems!!! From what i have read, other lucky 2008 Honda accord owners have suffered the same problems i have. This car is a LEMON!

- heathertx, Austin, TX, US

problem #983

May 242011

Accord EXL V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40,740 miles

Vehicle was vibrating, clunking noises every time I brake, increase or decrease speed, brake alarm went off again. rear brake lining and brake pads replaced; front brake pad replaced and resurfaced rotors. After one week, all clunking noises are present again. Took vehicle back today but nothing comes up on the "diagnostics" and the techs "cannot duplicate" my complaints. The car does not clunk while it is cold, but after driving for a few miles, it begins to make the noises again.

- lago3kidz, Miami, FL, US

problem #982

Dec 282009

Accord EXL V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 20,266 miles

It all started with a clunking noise, then the alarm for the brakes. Replaced te pads (was never told that 08 Accords were having brake problems until today) and the noise disappeared for a matter of a week or so. Needless to say, clunking noise returned, though mildly, but got increasingly worse.

- lago3kidz, Miami, FL, US

problem #981

Sep 052011

Accord 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 26,846 miles

I have read that it is a problem with many 2008 Hondas that the rear brakes wear out at less than 30,000 miles when they should last twice as long, and the front brakes should wear out first. It is dangerous because it is unexpected, driving could cause damage to the rotors, and of course brake problems are dangerous.

- David P., Brooklyn, NY, US

problem #980

Sep 012011

Accord EX-L 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 55,000 miles

i have a 2008 honda accord and the rear breaks are crap!!

I had my rear brakes replaced at holeman Honda in fort lauderdale fl at 27K miles. After i complained about all i had read they cost me 0.00. Now at 55K miles and at Coral Springs Honda they are telling me i need new rear breaks again!!! $230. They won't cover the repair. Some crap about brakes being thin, and i'll have to do this every 25K miles. Class action suit being over and not covered. I tell you want i'm taking this to Honda Corp. You should not have to pay to replace rear breaks every 25K miles. Now way will i give HONDA a dime, i'll have 3rd party replace them. Or they are doing them for free again! Extend warranty does not cover this either.

- Dina L., Boca Raton, FL, US

problem #979

Jun 112011

Accord LX 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 46,544 miles

Why are the rear breaks worn out every 23K, (this is the second time i had to replace the rear breaks), and Front breaks are still in very good condition at 46K. I have never changed front breaks since I bought the car. Can someone from Honda explain this?

- ntamanyile, Lomita, CA, US

problem #978

Apr 022011

Accord EX 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 18,904 miles

I finally had to change my rear brakes at 18,904 since the wear sensor was squeaking. No rotor turning (cutting) was needed (I never turn my rotors). I did the job myself with the appropriate Honda brakes (43022-TA0-A40); the new pads also have a spring clip to help separate the pads. Honda pads also come with M77 Molykote brake grease for the shims. I don’t like to use aftermarket brakes since the one time I did for my previous Honda my rotors warped. Since the class action suit for the rear brakes was over I tried to collect by sending a letter to Honda with documented proof of mileage and cost of brakes. Honda reimbursed me for the cost of the brakes with shipping. Honda called me to confirm some information. The Honda rep said that before the lawsuit the dealers were authorized to reimburse the owners but because of the lawsuit owners must go through that route. To be honest I never trusted the service department of any dealer since they are a huge profit center. I try to do the work myself since I know I will do the job right.

- Ed C., Rego Park, NY, US

problem #977

Jun 072011

Accord

  • Automatic transmission
  • 39,146 miles

Had the brake pads done after receipt of letter from Honda (following I would say partially successful lawsuit) at 43,000KM on Aug. 4/10. Now at 63,000km needed to replace caliper. Make that 2 calipers as Honda apparently wants both calipers replaced at same time according to dealer.Surprise, surprise.!! Is this replacement by the owner of 2 calipers at his expense of $600.00 to $1,000. remove the problem for Honda? I believe the brake problem stems from the calipers and other flaws in the newly designed braking system and replacing the pads every 30-40,000KM will continue as long as we own our cars. Is that the only answer?

- peplin, Barry's Bay, Ontario, Canada

problem #976

Aug 142011

Accord EX 4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 42,000 miles

The front brake pads are 30% worn. Both the rear pads were worn through to the metal. Had to replace pads, replace caliper hardware. Repair shop indicated that he has repaired a few other 2008 Honda Models and feels it is a design problem, the rear pads wearing sooner than the rear. He suggested that I complain with Honda.

- a fair texan, Mesquite, TX, US

problem #975

Aug 242011

Accord

  • Automatic transmission
  • 37,319 miles

My opinion of Honda has gone way down after our interactions with them over our premature brake wear issues. After doing a little research online, this is obviously a defect in the 2008 and 2009 Accords, so why isn't Honda covering repairs under their warranty? Spending $600 out of pocket on this issue is guaranteeing that I won't purchase a Honda in the future...so they're saving $600 to lose $22,000.

- wrh11, Gardnerville, NV, US

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