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.
Front rotors started showing problems around 47k miles or so. Car would vibrate when braking under certain speeds. It eventually became annoying enough that I just bought new rotors and pads for it.
I bought this vehicle used with about 38000 miles on it. Unfortunately I traded in a perfectly good 2008 Toyota Camry with 98000 miles on it. NEVER had brake or oil consumption problems. I less than 7 months this vehicle has had valves, rings and this being the second front brake job. Service manager told me it was due to driving conditions and/or habits. I asked what he meant and he told me even if the brakes aren't being applied the rotors are heating up and are susceptible to warping. So I guess I have to slow down???? I have NEVER heard of anything so absurd. This will be my first and last Honda. I thought the days of refinishing rotors was over or how about replacing them with a BETTER one and Honda taking over some of the responsibility. NOT a safety issue??? Who are they trying to kid. I almost feel bad watching them have to say what Honda tells them to say even though they know its all a bunch of crap.
Our Honda seems to have warped rear rotors. We did not receive the recall in time and were way out of town when the rear brakes started singing. We had PEP Boys (mistake #1) replace the rear pads. The Boys resurfaced our rear rotors (mistake #2) too. Then the class action recall notice appears so we have the rear pads replaced with Honda recommended pads. I think this was a good move... A clicking sound recently appeared from the right rear tire. I pulled the tire and used a dial gauge to check what is called runout, measuring about 0.010" warping. The rotors were checked using a micrometer, measuring 8.2mm, above minimum, below lower specification. We took the car to the Dealer who did the same measurements and told us the rotors aren't warped... If they were, we'd be feeling a lot of shimmy in the rear. We are feeling that now with the brakes applied at higher speeds. Shakey. We are following up with the Boys, regardless what the Dealer says....
Since about 2000 miles after I had my rear brakes replaced from the "recall" on them, my front brakes have been acting pretty crappy. I had a 2000 honda and never had to do anything with the brakes until 85000 miles. With this car, at 30K I feel like my rotors are completely warped. I have 47,000 miles on the car now and have yet to have it fixed since I have no time to do it and Honda charges $100 just to inspecty and if they find "nothing wrong" then i am out $100, if they do, God only knows how much it will cost to have my rotors replaced, I have no squeaking, so i am thinking my front pads are still good...
- Jodie G.,
Royse City, TX, US
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I was driving down the mountain road in snowy conditions and when I braked, the steering started to vibrate and I panicked and nearly lost control of my car and went over the edge of the road down into the ravine. It ruined my ski trip.
Took my car to Honda (Burt Kuni Honda) and they looked at and said they could make it happen. They wanted me to pay $400 to get it fixed. I told them that my car had only 32,000 miles and this should have been covered under warranty as the pads are still good and it it a real safety issue. They said NO. Either pay up or it won't get fixed. I don't have $400 to fix my car. I thought Honda and Toyota made good cars. Not anymore. They are the future Detroit fat cats that think consumers will keeping buying their cars no matter what. They are in for a shock down the road. I am disappointed in Honda. 20 years of loyalty and this is how they treat their customers. Never again.
Front rotors started to chutter around 25,000 miles. Replaced rotors with Autozone specials. New rotors began to chutter around 40,000 miles. Had OEM rotors turned to replaced aftermarket rotors. Worried this fix will not last!! I will bet no longer than 10,000 miles. My next fix will be aftermarket cross-drilled and slotted rotors and high performance brakes.
Talked to dealership and they told me they have only seen issue with back rotors (I have had issues with both front and back). The dealer told me I could request a refund by joining the class action law suit (for rears only).
Honda had a serious design issue and does not stand behind their product. I will not buy another Honda and will make sure everyone I know looking for a vehicle knows about their quality. Honda could have stood behind their product and kept a customer (my 2nd Honda).
I bought my 2008 Honda Accord in July 2010 (Certified Pre-Owned) now in October I find out my brakes are 90% worn in the back. Honda is telling me that the brakes are known to be no good, didn't tell me when I bought the car and didnt fix the problem before they sold me the used car with the problem but now 90 days later they will not cover the repair. The lawsuit states Honda had 60 days to inform owners, they never informed me and sold it to me knowing the issue was there. Honda service refused to even inspect my brakes without a $58 fee.
When I applied the brakes,my front end would wobble and vibrate.my car had approximately 24000 miles.I had taken it back to a Honda dealer where they resurfaced the front rotors.I can't believe that I'm having so much problems with this car with only 24,000 miles.
Startted noticing a vibration and shimmy in the stearing wheel about 6 weeks ago. Took the car into Honda and they advised that the rotors were warped and that we would have to get a front brake job. Had the dealer give me the old pads and they are hardly worn. Asked why the rotors are warped and they said it was my driving habits and tried to sidestep the issue. They also said that they see quite a bit of this, but it is not a problem.
After spending $230, it is their problem. I am looking to find out if there are any plans for a class action law suit like there was on the rear brakes. I am alos looking into filing a small claims suit as this should have been covered under warranty.
It seems that whenever you take a vehicle into Honda under warranty, they try to get around doing the warrant repair and say it's your driving habits. I have been driving for 40 years and have had several Honda vehicles, but this is the first time I have ever had the rotors warp on a 2 1/2 year old vehicle.
Update from Sep 8, 2010: After the repair work was done I contacted the service manager about the situation. He agreed to refund the full amount. Took 2 weeks to get my money back, but it is now in the bank.
It is good to know that I am not the only one experiencing this problem. They had me believing it was the way I drove. I am on my way to the dealership for my third time to deal with warped rotors. Just had the front ones resurface, the last of June. The told me at that time my back are warping as well. I had my back rotors resurface a year ago. This is my last Honda!
Rotors warped at less than 20,000 miles. What a joke. This is my wife's car. Her work is only about 15 minutes away and she does no highway driving. She drives the car like a baby. Had a Mazda RX-8 that had the same issue. Had the rotors resurfaced at the dealer twice with the same warping problem coming back again and again (within 20,000 mile time period). I finally changed out the rotors with a autoparts replacement and never had another issue. I suspect the problem was with the cheap steel that the rotors were cast from.
At approximately 25,000 miles the steering wheel started shaking when I applied the brakes. This is my 4th new Honda and I've put many more miles and driven them all the same and have never had any brake issues. Had the rotors resurfaced and the difference is night and day.
I am inquiring about the class action lawsuit against Honda Accord for 2008 models concerning the brakes. My husband had the rear brakes replaced in under 2 years and they squealed badly until doing so. Now I have coughed up 200.00 dollars to fix the front roaters that the dealership said were warped. They said they must be resurfaced since my steering wheel vibrates and shutters when you hit the brakes over 40 mph. The dealership said the resurface would fix the vibration in the steering wheel since the roaters were warped. I waited 3 hours and paid my 200.00 to drive off into traffic and feel the vibration in the wheel just like before. I have my receipt and will be going back on Saturday to try to get this fixed. It is wrong to charge for this when the car is just 2 1/2 years old. My husband is deployed to war and Honda is ripping off the wife of a stressed military spouse. Can you direct me to anyone with information on the class action suit or if there is one?
Honda uses the worst parts knowing the problem on their cars and it has snow balled in their face. If you had to spend a lot to fix the brake rotors, just take them to small claims and sue them over it that is the only way they will learn. just use this site and others like Edmunds and print out complaints, also get a print out from the deal stating the problem of warped rotors. This problem should not occur in a new car to start with. sue them for the full cost get it repaired before you go to small claims and bring in your prof of work done, that is how you should get a full reimbursement. In most states it only cost $30-40 to file small claims. They have hurt the consumer in the wallet and its time we pay them back by get the cost covered for what should have not happened in the first place.
Brought my car to the dealership my car was shaking really bad. they said the rotors were warped. The mechanic machined the rotars. Picked up the car and was on the express way within 5 minutes realized there was a problem with the brakes. Got home my husband looked at it and said they machined the rotars wrong there were chatta markes all over the rotar. My husband brought the car back and told the mechanic that he was a master mechanic and told him the problem with the rotars
my husband stated to the mechanic that if they machine the rotars again for a second time they have to be within minimal specs and that he was going to check them when done. Well needless to say they are under spec.
Spoke to Honda Customer Service that was a total waste of time. Now I have to pay out of pocket to put brakes on my car the right way. After reading the complaints of Honda it is obvious that Honda does not stand behind there products and it is sad to say that this will most likely be my last Honda. I am kinda glad I found this problem out before I went to and purchased the Honda Ridge Line.
this is the second time to do the rotors and my car is only 1 year and 6months. the first time is like i only have 10,000 miles when it happend and with squeaking brakes too, the dealership said warped rotors and how many honda cars i owned and this is like the worst honda accord i got, as much as possible i dont want to step on my brakes, or use it , and the dealership is telling me the way i drive thats why my rotors warped, and one more thing my brake pads are still ok....honda dealership are just making money from poor 2008 honda accords owners....
This is our 6th and probably last Honda. Since doing research, were discovering this is a huge problem with Honda. Customer service idea of the fix is to say your braking to hard or too often. There needs to be another law suit to replace the funds spent to fix the rotor problem.
It was necessary to machine the rotors on the front and rear brakes on my accord and replace the rear brake pads. We took it in after receiving information concerning a pending lawsuit against Honda concerning the rear brakes. I asked them to look at the front brakes because they have squeaked since we purchased the car NEW. This is my first Honda, I am not impressed . I have owned other cars and have traveled much further than 24,875 miles before needing any brake work performed.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
My brakes were vibrating a lot. Rotors had to be machined.
- Sonya N., Broken Arrow, OK, US