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 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
71,405 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 9 of 9)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #17

Feb 072013

Accord 6-cyl

  • 95,851 miles

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

Back in August I took my car to southeastern Honda dealer like I routinely do to have my oil changed. It was suggested by service rep to change my transmission fluid, which I did. On my way home from work one night my engine light started flashing and my car was driving like it is going to shut off. I took my car to the dealer and they hooked it up to a machine and said it was 2 of my spark plugs, it's a common problem with the Accord V6 so it's best to change all of plugs which I agreed too and this will solve the problem. On 2/7/13 I took my car to southeastern Honda for my routine oil change and again the service rep suggested my power steering fluid and brake fluid needed to be changed which I agreed too. On my way home the vsa, brake light and ABS light came on in the car. As so as I was able to I took it back to southeastern Honda, the same service rep said they hook it up and it was the spark plugs which was change back in August and it should not be occurring because all the plugs were changed and it's a defect in the engine. He will speak with the good will Honda person because the car needs an engine. He called back a couple of days later and say it's the engine and I will be required to pay half for the engine. I left my car at the dealer for a week, paid a few dollars short of $3000 dollars and my engine vsa, brake and ABS lights is still coming on. I googled this problem and alot of the Honda have this problem. I will like to know what is the status of this problem.

- Viera, FL, USA

problem #16

Jan 232013

Accord 4-cyl

  • 59,000 miles
Subject: Sudden unintended acceleration at about 9:25 pm, on Wednesday January 23, 2013 I was parked in the North parking lot of the vienna metro station, in fairfax, Virginia, awaiting arrival of my wife. I had parked in the first parking space, across from the waiting area in front of the metro station entrance. When I saw my wife emerge from the entrance of the metro station, I started my car and shifted to drive. The engine suddenly revved up and the car lunged forward, accelerating at high speed and out of control. I remember reacting by applying the brakes with all my might and engaging the hand brake without much effect.the car lunged forward about 100 feet and hit a concrete barrier which smashed the front and engine and totaled the vehicle. Luckily there were no other cars or pedestrians in the vicinity otherwise there would have been more severe consequences. When I regained consciousness, I had been transported to the fairfax hospital and had suffered severe trauma to the neck, throat, larynx and mouth area and was bleeding from a cut on the chin. Two days of intense examination at the hospital and several follow-up medical exams found no evidence of any physical or medical condition that could have possibly contributed to the accident. It must be noted that I did not receive any citation for the accident from the fairfax police.

- Fairfax, VA, USA

problem #15

Jan 042013

Accord

  • 120,000 miles
The contact owns a 2007 Honda Accord. The contact stated that she started the vehicle and heard a rattling noise near the engine. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection and they stated that the vt actuator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 120,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Elmo, TX, USA

problem #14

Jan 012013

Accord

  • 115,000 miles

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

Engine has a loud rattling noise at a cold start up.

- Arlington, TX, USA

problem #13

Jun 202012

Accord 4-cyl

  • 68,000 miles
Car cut off while in store for five minutes was told that if you leave keys in ignition while off it drains the battery. No car in my life that ever happened after leaving the radio in the car on and drained the battery. Had a problem within 3 months of buying a 2008 Honda. Car cut off and wouldn't start. And it did it again last night took it in before and the first time I took it in battery was fine and they check the battery today and they said it was no good but it happened a total of 4 times and there was a recall on the car and it happened to other people and which shouldn't happened cut off last night and no key in the ignition and battery died. Spoke to [xxx] store manager and spoke to service manager and refuse to change the battery. All they did was charge up battery. Cause they wanted me to purchase a battery for $159 which there is a problem. Because there was a problem few months after I bought the car. And brought in for same thing now less than a year. Honda told me that if you leave key in car that the car still is drawing power even though key is off. I kid you not my mom was in the car for five mins and battery died. Honda of roanoke rapids don't care about customer service and doing what is right to satisfy the customer. Battery was going bad before. I will never buy a car again from them. And I have the power train warranty and american Honda forced me to get it and wont cover squat. I was forced to take it by american Honda or else they would approve my loan. This was Honda of roanoke rapids. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Roanoke Rapids, NC, USA

problem #12

Dec 122012

Accord 6-cyl

  • 79,500 miles
Driving on the highway, felt a slight hesitation and then check engine light came on. Immediately exited and when I came to a stop, the car was idling very rough. Did research and it's very evident that this is a known issue by Honda because several people have complained that cylinder #3 spark plug is so damaged that ceramic pieces are completely missing! I can't believe that there hasn't been a recall with so many incidents. I am being told that Honda will not cover this as my car is no longer under warranty! this should be a recall! there is also an issue with engine oil being low but yet there are no leaks. This too appears to be a known issue. I was told at my last oil change that my oil level was extremely low but yet there were no signs of any leaks. This too should be a recall!

- Sarasota, FL, USA

problem #11

Dec 062012

Accord 6-cyl

  • 38,300 miles

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

Unintended acceleration. Driving slowly in a parking lot looking for a space, the car suddenly took off, accelerating, the engine racing, heard a clicking noise. Stepped hard on the brake, the engine stopped racing, the car stopped, but not before the car rammed some bushes, scratching the paint.

- Rye, NY, USA

problem #10

Nov 272012

Accord 4-cyl

  • 86,000 miles
Noticed vehicle using excessive oil. Needed 3.25 quarts within 4,000 miles. Engine noise on cold start up. Honda dealership confirmed and said a computer update is required to resolve oil consumption and a defective vtc actuator, timing chain, and tensioner with updated parts are required to resolve engine noise. $1125 for repairs. Dealership acknowledged frequent issues with the defective original vtc actuator.

- Lexington, OH, USA

problem #9

Apr 112012

Accord

  • 60,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Honda Accord. The contact stated that as he attempted to start the vehicle, it exhibited an abnormal grinding noise and the vehicle failed to start. The failure recurred whenever the vehicle was started in cole weather. The dealer was notified but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 60,000 and the current mileage was 69,000.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #8

Sep 012010

Accord

  • 45,000 miles
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

problem #7

Dec 302009

Accord 4-cyl

  • 53,000 miles

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

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

problem #6

Jul 292011

Accord 4-cyl

  • 36,320 miles
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

problem #5

Aug 132012

Accord

  • 34,794 miles
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

problem #4

Mar 282011

Accord

  • 68,000 miles
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

problem #3

Feb 112009

Accord

  • 30,000 miles
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

problem #2

Jun 252012

Accord 6-cyl

  • 65,000 miles
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

problem #1

Jul 302008

Accord

  • 52,000 miles
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

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