The engine makes a rattling sound usually on a cold start. The problem has been documented by Honda and others as the vtc actuator. According to mechanical sources this could cause complete engine failure. See Honda tech bulletin 09-010 for further information.

- Idaho Falls, ID, USA

My 2008 Honda Accord ex-L started making a small rattle noise in December 2009, the car sales man said it was because the car needed to warm up and because the car was sitting for a while. A couple years later I brought the vehicle in and had it checked, but the dealer did not hear the sound. This was not documented by the Honda dealership. In June of 2012, I brought the vehicle to the dealer again after I noticed the sound more frequently. They let the vehicle sit over night and informed me the next morning that the vtc actuator needed to be replaced. At this time I had exceeded my extended warranty of 100,000 miles. The vehicle was at approximately 105,000 miles when the dealership diagnosed the problem. On October 3, 2012 my oil light flashed on and then back off. I had my father to check the oil and there was absolutely no oil in the chamber. I immediately went and purchased 3 quarts of oil until the next morning when I was able to bring the vehicle to the Honda dealer. I called sterling mccall Honda and explained the issue that I was experiencing and was scheduled an appointment to have to vehicle checked first thing in the morning. After speaking to the rep, I began researching the issue and found that several complaints were on the exact same issue. (the rattle at a cold start up and oil consumption issues relating the vtc actuator.) after doing more research I obtained a service bulletin about the rattle at cold start up and found a court document relating to a class action lawsuit filed in March 2012 relating to the faulty vtc actuator. The next morning October 4, 2012 I brought the vehicle in, had the oil changed and asked for a goodwill consideration. After speaking to a Honda service rep about the issue he stated that he doubt the possibility of getting a goodwill consideration because of the high mileage on the vehicle. I was not assisted in getting repai.

- Houston, TX, USA

I bought my 2008 Accord used with 32K on it. Honda had a great record with reliability and quality in the past so this car, I figured, would be no different. After about a month of ownership, I noticed the oil was low. I checked the oil when I bought the car and it was full, and it was now down about a half a quart. I took my car to the Honda dealership and told them about the oil consumption. They topped me off, and put me on an oil consumption test. Interestingly enough, there was an oil consumption recall on my car about a month later. The dealership updated the software to prevent oil consumption and I was sent on my way. About a month later, my car was still consuming oil at about a quart per 2290miles. That was the official Honda tally at the end of my oil consumption test. I contacted Honda through written letter and phone call saying that their recall/software update did not work and that my car was still consuming oil. American Honda was unable to provide me with any documentation about what acceptable oil consumption on a car was, but in their words it was 1qt/1000 miles. No where in the bill of sale or owners manual does it say the owner will have to add oil during regular driving to keep the oil at acceptable levels. Talking with both american Honda and dealerships as well, they refuse to fix the problem and they are unable to provide any proof that consuming oil at this rate will not harm the car. I am currently adding about 1qt/1500miles to keep my car from running out of oil, and under the 5year 60K warranty, Honda still has not fixed the problem. I have all of my receipts of repairs and routine maintenance from the dealership along with dated phone conversations to Honda reps including case numbers. People need to know Honda's malicious and greedy intent not to honor its warranty and fix its cars. Mine still has yet to be fixed.

- Greenwood, IN, USA

The contact owns a 2008 Honda Accord. The contact stated that the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to dealer for inspection who stated that a spark plug was misfiring and needed to be replaced. In addition, there was a computer failure that caused the vehicle to burn more oil than normal. The dealer replaced the spark plug and updated the computer. The manufacturer was notified but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 34,794.

- Wilmington, MA, USA

The contact owns a 2008 Honda Accord. While driving approximately 75 mph, the vsa and check engine warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle began to jerk forward and shake vigorously. The contact stopped on the shoulder of the road and restarted the vehicle. The failure recurred approximately six times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostics where the technician replaced the valves within the engine. The failure continued after the repairs. The vehicle was not further repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 68,000.

- Brattleboro, VT, USA

The contact owns a 2008 Honda Accord exl. While the contact started the ignition, a loud rattling noise emitted from the engine. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer on three different occasions for the similar failure and the vtc actuator was replaced each time. The manufacturer was made aware of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 30,000. The VIN was not available.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

Sometimes my car makes a grinding noise when I turn the key to start it. I took my car twice to the metro Honda dealer in montclair, ca; but even though I have the extended guarantee, they refuse to check my car. I do not know what to do. I did some research on the internet, and I found out that a lot of people are having the same problem; and some of them had replaced the vtc actuator, and the problem was fixed. I mentioned this to the maintenance experts at metro Honda, but they still do not care. My concern is that this is a situation that is not on a recall list. What should I do?

- Duarte, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2008 Honda Accord. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming a substantially abnormal amount of oil. The contact stated that he went to check the oil on several occasions and noticed that there was hardly no oil in the engine. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer where they were unable to determine the failure. The dealer stated that there was a technical service bulletin for the vehicle but there was nothing wrong with the vehicle per SE. The manufacturer was notified who recommended having the vehicle complete an oil consumption test. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 52,000.

- Pittsburg, PA, USA