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.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
65,350 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2008 Honda Accord brakes problems

brakes problem

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2008 Honda Accord Owner Comments (Page 1 of 3)

problem #54

Feb 192024

Accord

  • miles

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

Very, very common issue on 8th generation AND 9th generation Honda Accords (as well as other Honda models from this era). ABS modules throw solenoid codes (usually consisting of VSA, ABS, traction control, and parking brake lights on the gauge cluster). Sure, the vehicle's ABS may still operate, however this is still a problem and generally not safe. My 2008 Accord EX-L V6 w/ Nav recently had this problem and I have resolved it by swapping over a used part. Honda wants to charge $2500 on average for both the part and labor. What the problem is, is that the circuit board in these modules have been using the wrong gauge of wire according to many mechanics. According to my mechanic, this thing can be triggered with something as simple as an automated car wash. Honda generally makes great, mostly reliable vehicles that are fun to drive. It's a shame that these modules have not been engineered correctly. I hope that the NHTSA can take initiative and force Honda to do a recall on these Aisin modules and fit the cars with better engineered ones. Brakes are an ABSOLUTE NECESSITY in cars and it is IMPERATIVE to have a reliable ABS system. Again, this is a widespread issue and hopefully can be resolved by the NHTSA, working with Honda. Thank you.

- St Johns, FL, USA

problem #53

Mar 112021

Accord

  • miles
Brakes: ABS system has been feeling funny for some months. Engine: Consistent P3497 Code which has turned into a check light ON.

- Ave Maria, FL, USA

problem #52

Dec 022020

Accord

  • 188,000 miles
Transmission shifts hard on acceleration, causing hard jerks. When braking rpms is still high and engine is high. It is truly an unsafe situation. It seems the car doesn't know what gear to be in. And when you turn it does the same.

- Forest, MS, USA

problem #51

Jun 202019

Accord

  • 140,000 miles

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

I own 2 Honda's an Accord and a Pilot it is insane the visa modulator went bad on both them. A 1500+ part that also is associated with the ABS and emerg brake. I have 2 relative who also have this problem. The more research I do the more this seems to be a faulty part issue. How is everyone E having this issue? very unhappy with the cost of this and being forced to utilize a dealership for this fix only. As Honda does not allow any other mechanic to fix or reset this code. 121-01. &. 121-21

- Sicklerville, NJ, USA

problem #50

Apr 032018

Accord

  • 170,000 miles
The brake light continues to go on and off on the dashboard. I have changed my brakes, replaced the brake fluid and the problem persists. I have went to Honda and they can only tell you the cost for the repair. I have seen quite a few complaints on other websites with the same problem. I have found multiple websites with the same problem for the 2008, 2009 and 2007 Honda Accord, I cannot understand how it's affecting a significant amount of vehicles for the Honda Accord and there is not a recall listed. Especially when it can cause hazardous driving conditions. The light comes on within a minute or two of driving and turns off after reaching 40 mph. Other times it stays on and the vsa light comes on.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #49

Aug 122016

Accord

  • 18,800 miles
I am the original owner, my car has approx. 24000 miles, I having break problem that is developed approx. Good 5000 miles ago. When the break is applied the font end of the car starts vibrating and shaking, also can filled in the starring wheel.

- Hartsdale, NY, USA

problem #48

Aug 312017

Accord

  • 106,000 miles

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

The takata airbags don't work well and also the brake doesn't work well sometimes

- Newcastle, WA, USA

problem #47

Nov 152017

Accord

  • miles
Takata recall sometimes my sideairbag signal blinks and when I press the brake paddle hardly it sounds like rough and also sometimes when I touch the door I feel little bit electric shock.

- Somerville, MA, USA

problem #46

Aug 252017

Accord

  • 135,000 miles
I had my car for a year since 8/13/2016 now my car is knocking ticking and when I accelerate it's loud in the morning I got all my oil changes transmission flush and engine flush I need help what's going on I went to get a diagnostics test yesterday (8/25/17) now my engine light is blinking on my dashboard plus the TPMS light and also vsa indicator with the triangle with the exclamation mark in it I turned the car on this morning drove it to the store it cut off on me help it only let me go up to 25 mph

- Hartford, CT, USA

problem #45

Jul 302017

Accord 4-cyl

  • 1 miles
Car caught fire doors locked would not let me out.car shut off no brakes.

- Steelton, PA, USA

problem #44

May 142017

Accord

  • 11,300 miles

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

I had to crashes and noone of the two accidents the air bags came out the supension dont know what itsactaly happen its really damage.and also the brakes of the car

- South Gate, CA, USA

problem #43

Jul 012017

Accord

  • 540,055 miles
I hear a grinding sound every time I brake. I saw that Honda settle a class action lawsuit regarding replacing or reimbursing for brake pads that wore out twice as fast. But I called Honda and they told me my car was not covered by this. I have a proximately 54,000 miles on my vehicle. Secondly, my vehicle vibrates or shakes a bit at higher speeds of 65 mph and above on the highway. Not sure if this is a common problem or should be addressed by Honda. Finally, I develop backaches due to the discomfort of the seats which I suspect are not correctly or ergonomically designed. After about 30 to 40 minutes of driving I experience lower back pain which I normally never have. This dissuades me from driving for much longer distances as I remain stiff and need to rest in order to recover from the back pain after driving the vehicle.

- Rutherford, NJ, USA

problem #42

Jan 012011

Accord

  • 50,000 miles
2008 Honda Accord issues, spark plugs, battery light, and traction light indicator turn on and engine pulsates and stutters, door lock actuator fail before 50K in both driver door and rear driver side. Brake rotors are worn down very easily and rear pad wear down faster than front with uneven wear.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #41

Mar 302017

Accord

  • 110,000 miles
3.5 V-6 engine rattling loudly

- Sicklerville, NJ, USA

problem #40

Mar 022017

Accord

  • 102,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Honda Accord. The contact stated that the vsa and ABS indicators remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the rear driver side speed sensor failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. In addition, the technician indicated that the vsa modulator failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The yaw rate sensor failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired again. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 102,000.

- Laurel, DE, USA

problem #39

Feb 172017

Accord

  • 126,000 miles
Losing braking power and pedal not functioning properly continually getting air in brake lines from faulty ABS vsa modular pump this happens when stopped at a light and while in moving traffic

- Saratoga Springs, UT, USA

problem #38

May 212016

Accord

  • miles
Vsa/brake/check engine/and ABS light.

- East Orange, NJ, USA

problem #37

Mar 212016

Accord

  • 47,441 miles
"takata recall" Honda usa does not honor the NHTSA 16V-056 (corrosion of the ECU unit) air bag recall. They said they would send a remedy letter in the fall of 2016. Never received the letter, and closed their recall campaign. They will not replace the ECU unit unless it's corroded to a point where a warning light comes on. The whole point of the NHTSA 16V-056 recall is to replace the ECU unit, so no corrosion will occur in the future. Honda usa refuses to replace the ECU unit. They bully their dealers not to replace it too. I have never encountered a business that is this deceiving in my life. I' M stuck without any pull or power to have them liable for this issue. Please, I beg you, please help me NHTSA! there was a litigation that was settled in the past regarding premature wear on the rear brakes. They just replaced one set of rear brakes per litigation, but the actual defect was never addressed and never fixed. The defect is in their braking system. I'm still driving with defective braking, with extremely high anxiety. Honda usa deceived NHTSA and the customers again. Seats are so uncomfortable, it detracts attention away from driving safely on the road.

- Anaheim, CA, USA

problem #36

Oct 012016

Accord

  • 135,000 miles
Vsa brake and ABS light come on and off intermittently. Braking test with lights on show ABS does not work. Numerous complaints on web sites about moisture entering the control module. No response from Honda other than replace the $1200 module.

- Turlock, CA, USA

problem #35

Jul 132016

Accord

  • 58,000 miles
This is a safety raised issue on a 2008 Accord-lxp that I purchased used (which had about 29K originally when I purchased it as a certified Honda Accord) from herb chambers boston. Since I purchased the car, I started hearing an odd grinding noise when starting the car on cold days - Honda said just keep oil full. I then find out that a recall had been issued to fix the oil consumption, that Honda had finally agreed there was an issue with the engine design and would fix it and at the same time would not cause other issues to emerge such as vtc and the timing chain issues. Recently my engine light came on, I started researching the problem. It was the first time I knew about the following issues which I will be detailing/describing below. Results were bad: A timing chain failure. My car has stopped in the middle of road causing a very dangerous situation which could led to me losing my life. Not, only that, when I tried to just drive the car a mile back to my house it was accelerating and decelerating by it self. In addition, I decided to take it to the dealership for a diagnoses, I almost ended up in couple accidents. The car was uncontrollable and won't stop and the brakes won't respond due to issues caused by oil consumption, to vtc actuator to a timing chain failure: The car keep accelerating and decelerating by it self on the road or highway. Note: Ideally the timing chain should not fail on 58K miles. Simplified sequence of problems: Oil consumption issue vtc (valve timing control) actuator timing chain (either loose or broken) safety issue

- Winthrop, MA, USA

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