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.

7.1

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$410
Average Mileage:
36,250 miles
Total Complaints:
18 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (10 reports)
  2. dealer "resurfaced" the rotors (6 reports)
  3. replace inferior rotors (2 reports)
2008 Honda Accord brakes problems

brakes problem

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2008 Honda Accord Owner Comments

problem #18

Dec 072011

Accord LX 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 159,000 miles

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

I have the brakes and pads and rotors replaced every year. I don't know what keeps causing them to wear so fast. Help .

- rwpolston, Stewartstown, US

problem #17

May 012017

Accord LX 2.4L V4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 44,444 miles

I have recently noticed when braking in my Accord, which just had its brake pads replaced the month prior, that there is violent vibration coming from the car that you can feel in the steering wheel. I contacted Honda and they decided to take a look at it and refused to just fix that they came back basically saying I needed all the fluids in my car flushed which can't be right cause I work as a mechanic and just finished replacing the fluids in my car last month. Very disappointed and upset with Honda.

- Alexander G., Williamsburg, VA, US

problem #16

Mar 142016

Accord EX-L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 67,250 miles

The car would shake when the brakes where applied. Most notable above 40MPH speeds.

- otadeo, Oxnard, CA, US

problem #15

Dec 012013

Accord ES 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,000 miles

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

Replaced the rotors at 50k and started doing it again.

- Tom T., Melbourne, FL, US

problem #14

Mar 012012

Accord EX L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles

I have had to replace brake pads in the front right after I purchased and then at 35,000 replace them again and now at 55,000 had to have the rotors replaced to a tune of $600. This car is crap and I won't ever buy one again. I had a graduate class on how Honda would test and re-test their cars before selling them to have limited recalls. Well, this isn't true, this year of car should be recalled completely. My co worker has the same car, same loud squeaky brake problems right after she purchased it. Wouldn't cover it under warranty and finally recalled it 2 years later after I had fixed them twice already. Now, the wearing of the rotors was the recent brake problem.

- Wendy B., Hudson, WI, canada

problem #13

Jun 272011

Accord EX 4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 25,483 miles

At first I notice this sort of whistling sound, when I would slow down then the shaking started not all the time at first, then it seem like every time I braked the shaking was getting worse and worse. I asked my friend if she felt it,she did, but was to nice to say anything! She mentioned it to her husband, He suggested I take it to a mechanic they used for their repairs, The mechanics asked "Do you ride your brakes?" because back brakes don't normally wear out before the front, and I had so few miles. I said ,No, because I don't ride my brakes. I didn't have any knowledge at that time of this rear brake defect.

I'm not really a ranter or yeller, but I am very pissed off about is whole Honda rear braking defect situation more to come..

- ddearltx, San Antonio, TX, US

problem #12

Jul 202011

Accord

  • Automatic transmission
  • 21,205 miles

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

THE CAR SHAKES WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED WHEN DOING 60 mph

- arhin, Bronx, NY, US

problem #11

Jul 012009

Accord 2.4L

  • Manual transmission
  • 12,427 miles

there is a problem in braking in latest honda accord,, what is the solution,, also in India what is the legal remedy since Honda is not rectifying and charging very much

- Radhakrishnan G., Coimbatore, Tamilnadu, India

problem #10

Jan 082011

Accord EX-L 2.4L V4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 21,000 miles

FOR SUCH A new car this is not something that should be an issue.

- reynoldsj037, Woodstock, GA, US

problem #9

Sep 012010

Accord EXL V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 38,000 miles

There is a vibration when applying the brakes. Problem started after my car just went out of warranty at 36000 miles.

- hh2008, Bronx, NY, US

problem #8

Jun 042009

Accord EX-L 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 11,185 miles

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

Well the dealer rotate the tires but I told them it has the problem and will not fix it.

- vaua70, Miami, FL, US

problem #7

Nov 142008

Accord EX-L 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 21,000 miles

I own a 08 accord ex-l v6. At 21k miles my brakes started to scream and every time I broke at high speeds coming off the freeway my front end vibrated. I brought my car in to get looked at and was told that my front brakes were fine, but my rear brakes were worn almost metal on metal. Found that odd because Hondas are front wheel drive and one would think the fronts would wear first. NOT covered under warranty because it was "wear and tear".

At 49k miles same problem,but front and back were replaced and rotors were turned because of "a glaze" which was so called causing the vibration problem.

Now 63k miles the rear break pads need to be replaced again. I called Mel Rapton Honda in Sacramento today and asked them about my situation and a gentleman from the service department said it is NOT UNCOMMON to have brake pads replaced at 18k to 24k miles ESPECIALLY the rear. He said the rear pad are smaller than the front therefore they would wear faster. Obviously there is a serious construction issue.

- Jasen K., Sacramento, CA, US

problem #6

Aug 202008

Accord LX 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 8,000 miles

I am extremely disappointed with this experience, brakes started pulsating at @ 8K. Dealer turned my rotors (for no charge) and blamed my "driving habits" which torqued me. (I have never warped any rotors in my life, I am easy on brakes). The problem quickly returned. I will now replace the rotors with a higher quality brand. As I can see, the problem is not unique to me. This is not what I expected from Honda (I owned a Civic that was a great car)-especially with something so critical to safety.

2008 Honda Accord: FAIL

- rbugbee56, Leesburg, VA, US

problem #5

Aug 152009

Accord EX-V6 V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 31,000 miles

I had to replace both sets of brakes last November because they stated that the brakes had worn down after just a year of normal driving. I had not driven through the mountains since I bought this car, and last weekend when I took it up for a getaway, the brakes started rattling and it seemed to be catching and the car just seemed very unstable. I'm going to check with the dealer to see what is going on, but after seeing some of these posts on the new Accord, I'm more than a little peeved at this issue now.

- kube24, Thornton, CO, US

problem #4

Jan 302009

Accord 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 10,000 miles

My brakes are not fixed. The dealer resurfaced the rotors, replaced the pads and recently replaced the rotors and pads. My brakes still vibrate when applied, sometimes the vibration is felt through the passenger floorboard. It feels like my brakes will not stop all of the time. I turned off the VSA and my brakes seemed a little better. Could the VSA be my problem? I now have 32,000 miles and I have had this problem since before 10,000 mile. I am calling the dealer again.

- dduvall, Stockbridge, GA, US

problem #3

May 142009

Accord EX V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 17,391 miles

First things first, the Honda Dealer service advisers and service manager were terrific, very empathic, very respectful, truly wanted to "do the right thing". After only 17000 miles on the 2008 honda accord, when braking, the car would shake severely, service techs said resurfacing the rotors would eliminate the shaking. All brake pads were fine. The cost to resurface 4 rotors was $372., after discussing with service manager, he reduced the cost to $110. I was very impressed with his offer, he was obviously trying to do the right thing. I am completely satisfied with the honda dealer/service center (Crown Honda in Greensboro, NC). Larry Neil was very professional. On the other hand, Honda America could care less! I called Honda America to see how they would handle my issue, and let me say from the very beginning of the conversation to the end...the honda america customer service reps are horrible. They care absolutely nothing about us, the consumer. They (Gus was his name), has the personality of a robot. He was not interested in my problem, I could feel the coldness through the phone. I told Gus I was 100 % happy with my local honda dealership/service center/service manager, on the flip side, I was 100% completely dissatisfied with Honda America. He told me what everyone else on this site has confirmed: Honda America does not stand behind their products, period. But please everyone complain, ie to the BBB and Honda America, because unless you voice your concerns, nothing will change. Again, I am very satisfied with my local Honda Dealership (Crown Honda of Greensboro, NC), as everyone treated me with curtousy, respect, understanding and professionalism. Honda America needs to take lots of lessons from the good folks at Crown Honda of Greensboro.

- rbnc, Greensboro, NC, US

problem #2

Oct 022008

Accord EXL 3.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 12,500 miles

My wife's 2008 Honda Accord brake rotors are warped. The problem began at approx 12,000 miles. I noticed the shuttering two months ago. I called the service department today and was told this problem is not covered under the 3/36 warranty. I am surprised the service department did not offer me a reasonable solution to this defect only blame. I will never buy a Honda vehicle again where service ends after the sale!! I will be purchasing my two kids domestic cars..

- chm, San Antonio, TX, US

problem #1

May 202008

Accord EX-L 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 2,000 miles

Since birth of my 2008 Honda Accord EX-L, the brakes have made a low rumble when applied going around 30+ mph. It's really noticeable on the highway, no matter how hard the brakes are applied. As soon as the pads hit the rotors, there it is. I tried gently pulling up the parking brake a little, and it does it as soon as the brake pads touch the rotors. So, I suspect the rear brakes are the culprit, but the front brakes may be the cause as well. A brand new $25,000 car should not be making this kind of noise. I just hope the dealership will cover the repair under warranty, considering there is only 1300 miles on it, and it's been doing it since day one. We'll see. Other than that, the mileage could be better, and the headlights dimming when the A.C. kicks on is annoying, but overall, a nice car.

- Tim T., Dumfries, VA, US

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