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:
5 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
74,392 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 engine problems

engine problem

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2008 Honda Accord Owner Comments (Page 2 of 11)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #188

Sep 252019

Accord

  • 300,000 miles

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

2008 Accord 4 cylinder has excessive oil consumption because of factory defect piston ring.

- Lake Zurich, IL, USA

problem #187

Dec 172019

Accord

  • 75,000 miles
I own a 2008 Honda Accord which I purchased brand new in 2008. After I reached about 75,000 miles I started having extreme oil consumption which then lead to me having to replace vtc actuator and piston rings costing me almost $2,000. I have taken my car in multiple times and they tell me there is no issues and Honda refuses to do anything. I now can only go about 1,000 miles without having to replenish the oil. As many reports as there are of this known issue and Honda refuses to support their customers, speaks loudly.

- Christiana, TN, USA

problem #186

Mar 182019

Accord

  • 107,000 miles
I purchased my vehicle one year ago (December 2018) and have had a grinding noise upon starting the vehicle. This grinding noise occurs during or weather and cold weather. I went to a Honda dealership where they ran an oil consumption test and came to the conclusion that the vtc actuator wasn't working properly and there was a high oil consumption. Honda is saying there was never a recall but this is and has been a well known occurring issue with Honda's from years 2008-2012) and I have not been able to fix as the price to fix the vehicle would cost just as much as the price I purchased it for. I'm highly disappointed with a Honda as I've heard excellent things about Honda cars which is why I purchased my Accord. If I had known of the issue I wouldn't have purchased it and I'd rather purchase a different car than to have to come out of pocket. I don't feel I have been treated properly throughout this process and I gabe Honda the chance to make things right but no one is willing to cooperate. I will not be purchasing a new vehicle. I even thought to trade my vehicle in for a 2018 Honda Accord but if I feel I've been treated poorly why would I want to continue giving a company my business if I've been treated poorly? also my dad was considering purchasing a brand new 2021 Honda civic but now I will lead him to a different brand vehicle as Honda has not lived up to its name. And now to top everything off, my motor is going all due to the negligence of the Honda dealer. If they would have fixed the vtc actuator problem my motor wouldn't be consuming so much oil and my motor would not have blown. I think it's a little outrageous that Honda thinks it's normal for me to have to pay for an oil change at least once a month if not sooner when it was a known problem with thousands of Honda's.

- Manchester, CT, USA

problem #185

Jun 012016

Accord

  • 177,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2008 Honda Accord. While driving various speeds, the contact heard a knocking sound coming from the engine without warning. The contact took the vehicle to crown Honda greensboro (3633 w wendover ave, greensboro, nc 27407, (336) 790-9855) to have an oil consumption test performed. The vehicle was listed at 184,000 miles and, after 1,000 miles, the contact was informed that he used a quart and a half of oil during the test. The dealer stated that the vehicle was out of warranty due to its mileage. The manufacturer informed the contact to take the vehicle back to the same dealer for another oil consumption test. The contact refused to have another test performed and informed the representative that he had pictures and documents regarding the original test that was performed. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was 177,000.

- Reidsville, NC, USA

problem #184

Oct 132019

Accord

  • 182,000 miles
While driving tensioner bolt broke leave vehicle without power steering or any power except for the battery until that died.it has happened twice in two years and I don't see a recall on this issue.

- Massapequa, NY, USA

problem #183

Apr 032019

Accord

  • miles
In 2008, I purchase a new Honda Accord V6 paid with financing $25,000. I purchase a brand new vehicle to not have to be bothered with someone else problems. When my car reached 100 thousand miles in the winter, I heard a loud knocking sound under the hood and I was loosing a lot of oil. I took my car to the dealer. My engine light was on and start blinking. The dealer pulled the dtc and the P0301 cold was present. A service bulletin 13-078 and case # 312-cv-01377-S1 told me that would be no cost to me because I was a class member. This was from a class action filing that 1.5 million Honda were defective because of a manufacturer defect. I was told this would fix my $25,000 investment Honda I purchase and paid in full. Since then I went to the community Honda dealership in orland park Illinois and on April 2019 the P0301 code was present again something new and the P0420 dtc. I paid again for tune up which the 1st cylinder was fouled out again the third time this year. The director of the service department name bob stated for this repair again would cost me $8,000 and smiled. I said I could not afford that repair and because now that the first repair which I was lead to believe was going to fix the effect and did not. I was sold a lemon and I need Honda to repurchase this vehicle and give me a brand new vehicle similar to the one I purchase for $25,000. The community Honda service director would not warranty my tune up because he said I need piston rings again. I then contacted Honda corporation and informed them of my issue with the vehicle I purchase with was a defect. Took two weeks for the regional director per dana Honda rep stated no more assistance will be given to this defective vehicle which is a manufacturer defect that I would not have purchase if I had known. I then had to go to pep boys to avoid blowing the engine and catching a fire for repa

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #182

Aug 142019

Accord

  • miles

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

The contact owns a 2008 Honda Accord. The contact stated that the vehicle made a rattling sound when cold started. The failure was similar to the failure referenced in Honda's service bulletin number: SB09-010. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted. The dealer was not notified. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Roseville, CA, USA

problem #181

Jul 222019

Accord

  • 128,000 miles
At 90,000 car shook and was misfiring. Codes pulled were P301 and 304. Spark plugs 1-4 were replaced free of charge due to Honda service bulletin 13-078 which extended the warranty to 8 years on engine misfires. My complaint is that the pistons and the piston rings were not inspected at that time. Why not" who knows what condition they were in" the car was returned to us with spark plugs as band-aids! it happened again at 103,000 miles (which we paid for) and now at 128,000 the dealership says we need a complete lower engine rebuild to replace pistons 1-3. of course as a 2008, even though low miles, it's outside of warranty. I thought in buying an Accord, I could drive it for at least 150,000- at least! I would like the warranty further extended, or at least for american Honda Corp to pay for half of the repairs as it's only 3,000 miles outside of the original service bulletin extended warranty of 125,000. If Honda acknowledged something was wrong with this particular V6 vtec engine, why does the warranty expire" shouldn't there be a grace period or a compromise? we are getting punished for caring for our car and having low miles on it. Many folks benefitted from the extended warranty because their cars failed within the 8 year time frame because they had high miles- higher than ours! what about those 08 Accord that are still failing outside of the 8 year mark that have lower miles than the ones Honda covered under warranty??? C'mon american Honda, take care of all your customers! I have purchased 6 Honda in my lifetime and am a loyal customer at my local Honda service center with an extensive service history. On this car alone I've purchased new brakes, new starter, new alternator, drive train belts, water pump, new vtec spool valves, vtec solenoid, and every service as recommended by- at the dealership- and my Accord only lasted 128,000? how"

- Minnetonka, MN, USA

problem #180

Jul 242018

Accord

  • 212,454 miles
Have to top off engine oil every week. Discovered problem last year when oil was almost drained out and fear it will destroy the engine if not addressed.

- Tracy, CA, USA

problem #179

May 212019

Accord

  • 104,123 miles
My vehicle's piston rings are damaged and my vehicle is burning oil. I noticed that after checking my oil one day that there was no oil on my dip stick. I had just recently gotten an oil change less than 2 weeks ago. I check my fluid levels frequently due to I just purchased this vehicle about 3 months ago. I took it back to walmart where I had the oil change done at and they performed another oil change and replaced the oil filter, where I was able to watch them do the entire process. About a week and a half goes by and I went to check the fluid level and again the dip stick was bare. There is no indication of any oil leaking underneath the vehicle, nor is there any oil present on the ground underneath the vehicle after sitting overnight. There is no white smoke coming out of anywhere, no oil burning smell, absolutely nothing visible to see what might be going on with the vehicle. I took it to a mechanic that is in town where they did a thorough examination of the vehicle and stated that the oil burning is being caused by the piston rings. They are in their opinion faulty piston rings that have developed an abnormal amount of deb-re on them and they need to be replaced. I feel this is something that should be in the recall list due to this vehicle only has 104,123 miles on it and the pistons should not have to be replaced.

- Round Rock, TX, USA

problem #178

Mar 242019

Accord

  • 100,103 miles

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

Every time are start my vehicle it makes a grinding rattling noise, this issue has been going on for some time now and the noise it makes seems to be lasting longer every time we start it. The vehicle is not moving, it is in park, it only occurs when I start it up.

- Round Rock, TX, USA

problem #177

May 222019

Accord

  • 150,000 miles
When I start the vehicle in the morning after it has set all night it rattles for about 3 seconds. This is a problem that has been on going.

- Grimsley, TN, USA

problem #176

Jun 012018

Accord

  • 145,000 miles
Vtc (variable timing control) actuator, horrible grinding noise at start up and I do know that Honda is aware of this and has had many many complaints. That has got to be a 'lemon law' issue and I believe it needs to be fixed promptly. On a cold start, is when it makes the terrible noise. If it's driven for a while and then started up again, it is a 50/50 chance that it will make the noise again.

- Elton, LA, USA

problem #175

May 072019

Accord 4-cyl

  • 104,700 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Honda Accord. The contact stated that the oil indicator illuminated and there was oil leaking underneath the vehicle. The oil leak became more constant. The vehicle was taken to Toyota South austin where it was diagnosed that an oil change was needed. The oil change was performed, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where another oil change was performed and a new air filter was installed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 104,700. Consumer stated the actual owner of this vehicle is my fiance I submitted the complaint on his behalf. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'

- Round Rock, TX, USA

problem #174

May 202019

Accord

  • 125,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Honda Accord. When the vehicle was cold started, a croaking noise emerged from the engine compartment. The contact stated that the failure occurred every morning for approximately four months. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 125,000.

- Victorville, CA, USA

problem #173

Mar 022019

Accord

  • 100,000 miles
Check engine lit. Engine room 1500--2000. Computer indicate transmission sensor. I replaced it but doesn't help. Removed minus battery. Check engine disappears after 40 miles check engine appear again.

- Staten Island, NY, USA

problem #172

Mar 012019

Accord

  • miles
The vehicle has good compression, but a strange noise is coming from the engine. It is also losing oil while leaving no oil markings. The vehicle has never missed an oil change, and was getting one when the mechanics said that the noise meant that the engine had problems. Multiple mechanics have told us to replace the V6 engine. The tire rods also need to be replaced, and the tsm light never goes off

- Aiken, SC, USA

problem #171

Jan 032018

Accord

  • miles
The car is excessively burning oil. I have to add a quart of oil at least once a month. Before that I was getting oil changes frequently because the car was saying the oil was low.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

problem #170

Jan 232019

Accord

  • 45 miles
My car is pulling codes 339, 303, and 302. Misfiring and from time to time the check engine light flashes and won't go above 30mph. Click link below for the information about a recall for all 2008 Honda Accord engines. ricksfreeautorepairadvice.com/Honda-service-bulletin-09-050/

- Bossier City, LA, USA

problem #169

Jan 012015

Accord

  • 121,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Honda Accord. While driving 45 mph, the engine seized and the check engine and service indicators illuminated. The contact was able to drive the vehicle, but it would not accelerate over 15 mph. The vehicle was taken to bianchi Honda (8430 peach St, erie, pa 16509, (814) 868-9678) where it was diagnosed that the engine piston rings needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and did not assist. The failure mileage was 121,000.

- Jamestown, NY, USA

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