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.
Pictures of the problem cannot be taken because oil is burning without smoke from the engine or tail pipe, or leakage. The car is burning 3 quarts a week, even the thicker high mile oil burns and evaporates. Engine sounds like a diesel engine. The oil gauge registers 50% use all the time.
My daughter bought her first car on her own on 6/26/2018 with 80915 miles. August the 1st 2018 this car had a problem cranking up and it wouldn't let her drive over 20mph, it was putt-putting. Called the dealership where the car was brought from. The crank position sensor program ECM was replaced. On 10-16-18 this car is doing it again with check engine light on. These cars need to be recalled and fixed for all the customers that have these complaints.
5.27.2017 Honda performed state safety & emissions inspections; replace air & pollen filters- (cost $255.51) No apparent problems.
6.06.2017 Check Engine light came on while driving, although all other gauges display normal; engine ran rough from stop- engine idle appeared low (est. 650rpm).
6.08.2017 Honda dealer serviced for check engine, claimed spider debris blocking one vacuum hose on emission system. Replaced all other system fluids: transmission drain-fill, brake fluid flush system service, power steering fluid exchange. Total service cost: ($868.58) Engine appeared to run normally for next month.
7.16.2017 Check engine light on, runs rough. Refueled car 7.17.17, No check light on, car fine until 7.21.2017.
7.21.2017 Following refueling, check engine light again came on; all other gauges read normal; following several times turning off and re-starting, VSA light light went out and did not come on again, but check engine remained on constantly. Added STP gas treatment to tank.
7.22.2017 Honda service checked car, determined that cylinders 2 & 3 misfire due to blow by piston rings; recommended piston ring job repair estimated at $3,500 plus. Engine also determined to be two quarts low on engine oil. Owner declined ring job until further investigation is done. (Current mileage 211,00 miles)
So I bought my car used with 123,000. There was 1 previous owner (which is great) minimal driving styles on car.
I am a fan of Honda and have had a couple in the past. I also own a 2003 Honda Civic coupe with 327,000 and still rides great. No issue and is a manual. I love that car!! I keep up the maintenence and so I figure you get out of your car what you put into it.
So yesterday as I was driving to work I felt some light "surging" but it was slight enough that if I wasn't paying attention to it I may have missed it. It continued to do this during my 20 minute ride to work. Got work fine. No lights came on dashboard. I went to go get something to eat at lunch time, started my car and as I started driving off, immediately the Engine light, VSA and (!) light came on, all at the same time. I know I didn't bump the VSA and the lights came on and were NOT flashing. I immediately pulled over and turned car off. I re-started car after a couple min and the VSA and the (!) lights went off. The car was still doing the "surging" thing. I called Elk Grove Honda and scheduled an appt for the diagnostic. I also did some research online to see if anyone else has had or having this issue and it seems the answer is yes.
I will update after I take car to dealer next week with their findings and cost to repair. More to come. I hope it is just the spark plug (#3) and a software needing to be re-installed.
Update from Apr 5, 2016: I wanted to provide an update to my issue.
Turns out after I took it to the dealer for a diagnostic for the Engine Light on and VSA light on I needed to have the following things done:
1) Code: P303 Piston Rings Replacement and Number Spark Plugs Replacement (Covered under the Honda warranty including the $110 diagnostic fee) **Mind you my car has over 100,000 miles and is NOT under warranty.
2) ABS Module
3) Power Steering Rack
SOLUTION:
1) The dealer took care of replacing piston rings and spark plugs.
I paid $2,500 for a new VSA Modulator as well as a new "used" Power Steering Rack. I was able to get a deal for this price since each part is roughly $1,400. After I had the VSA Modulator replaced the computer in the car determined that was the fix.
Between the time I had the diagnostic in Feb 2015 and the time I replaced these things (March 2016) NO lights ever came back on.
- Mikkah J.,
Elk Grove, CA, US
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Check engine light comes on during highway and ECO goes off, then engine runs rough at low speed. The whole car shakes and feels like it will stall. Issue disappears in time after shutting down but then reoccurs. Only occurs during highway driving and not always?? Brought to dealership and diagnostic found nothing. They said further diagnostic required but expensive and could be only bad gas problem. Now use premium gas and fuel injector cleaner and valve cleaner etc. but problem has reoccurred again. Feel like dealership will drain my account if they try to fix the problem.
I feel like I should just trade it in before it gets worse.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Pictures of the problem cannot be taken because oil is burning without smoke from the engine or tail pipe, or leakage. The car is burning 3 quarts a week, even the thicker high mile oil burns and evaporates. Engine sounds like a diesel engine. The oil gauge registers 50% use all the time.
- Ava S., Greensboro, NC, US