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.

7.9

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$1,260
Average Mileage:
67,500 miles
Total Complaints:
394 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (229 reports)
  2. per Honda consuming 1qt per 1k miles normal (42 reports)
  3. I heard that Honda replaced worn rings and engine short block (21 reports)
  4. call American Honda corporation to complain (14 reports)
  5. rebuilt the engine (14 reports)
  6. replace engine (13 reports)
2008 Honda Accord engine problems

engine problem

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2008 Honda Accord Owner Comments (Page 9 of 20)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #234

Dec 152013

Accord LX V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,000 miles

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

At 65,000 miles and only a month past an oil change I find that my car has hardly any oil in it. The indicator light never came on. It was just by chance that the oil was checked at all.

- Kristy B., Deer Lodge, MT, US

problem #233

Nov 072013

Accord LX V4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 97,832 miles

On Nov. 7, 2013, the oil pressure light on my 2008 Accord LX flashed between oil changes for the first time. I was on my way to work and after a couple of hours checked the oil level and saw that there was about 1 qt left. The oil life reading was 60 percent. Not wanting to damage my engine I had my car towed to the Honda dealer whose service dep't. I'd been using for fourteen years. Service checked for leaks and found none. It also found no other obvious causes for this excessive oil consumption. Service committed an oil change and immediately prescribed an oil consumption test consisting on 3 separate 1000 mile intervals. After each I was supposed to bring my car in to have the head mechanic evaluate the rate of oil consumption. The first one came and went with no discernible change in oil level. On Dec. 22, 2013, during the 2nd 1000 mile interval, I had to add 1 quart of oil. The mileage was 99,578 or 1,746 miles since the test began. Friday Jan. 10, 2014 was when I brought my Accord for the 2nd 1000 mile check by the head mechanic. He told the service writer to tell me that since I had added a quart of oil - to stave off damage to my engine - I had nullified any possible results indicating the rate of oil consumption during this time. Currently I am progressing through the 3rd 1000 mile interval. I can't wait for the results. I believe the dealer will tell me that consumption is normal and that there is no problem. In that case, will sell my problem-free car back to Honda.

During the testing period, the oil pressure light flashed reliably at low RPMs (600 or less) while idling at traffic lights or in stop-and-go traffic. It does not flash while driving at higher RPMs. To stop the light from blinking while idling I shift form D or D3 to neutral thus slightly increasing the RPMs. The oil life reading was anywhere between 100 percent and 70 percent. Also I consistently checked the oil level which was always at or above the upper mark on the dipstick, except when I had to add oil on 12/22/13.

After doing some research at my public library, I found that excessive oil consumption in Accords is a consistent problem. The following Honda Service Bulletin seems to apply to this chronic condition: 12-087 "2008-11 Accord L4: Sticking rings Resulting in Unusually High Engine Oil Consumption." dated 4/30/2013. According to this TSB, vehicles affected include 2008-09 Accord L4 -all.

I have written a letter to Tetsuo Iwamura, president of American Honda Motor Co. Inc 1919 Torrance Bl. Torrance, CA 90501. The contents reiterated my recent experiences with excessive oil consumption and reminded him that this is a manufacturer's problem since I had had my Accord serviced regularly with the records to prove it. As of this writing, I have received no answer.

- Scott W., Los Angeles, CA, US

problem #232

Jan 262014

Accord EX 4 C

  • Automatic transmission
  • 121,000 miles

The car has a 40 % remaining of life of the oil. I me checked the stick to measure the oil and it it's very low. We have to add more oil.

- salgv001vero, Houston, TX, US

problem #231

Jan 252014

Accord LX-P 2.4L 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 105,561 miles

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

Over the summer of 2013, we had an oil leak fixed and had the oil consumption test done, saying it was normal for 1 quart of oil to be consumed per 1,000 miles. I then went ahead and had the oil changed on Veteran's Day in November of 2013, and here I am on January 25th, 2014, only 2,000 miles later and I'm almost out of oil! My Maintenance Minder still claims 70% of engine oil life is still good. It is consuming way more than I quart for every 1,000 miles.

Yes, my car is out of warranty, but V6 customers received their solution, where's the equality for 4 cylinder customers? Considering that MOST Honda customers end up buying 4 cylinders in their cars. This needs to be fixed NOW!

- Cory M., St. Albans, WV, US

problem #230

Oct 312013

Accord EX 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles

2008 Honda Accord burning massive amount of oil. Engine making funny noise when started. Ohio Valley Honda monitoring vehicle oil consumption (14-1217 Christopher ) Oil consumption rate listed as 1 qt every 1,278.33 miles per check. Extended warranty on vehicle. Dealer wants to tear down engine and remove cylinder head to inspect cylinder walls as car may need new rings and pistons or have engine short block installed. If local inspector determines carbon build up Honda will not cover problem I will be responsible for repairs anywhere from $2,800 to $6,800(if short block needed plus tax. Called Honda care and a Mr. Matt Cladarella indicated I would need to gather all service records for vehicle and then he would review Honda's position on the matter. Local dealer is demanding a tear down date but also saying open up the wallet cause you may be stuck for all payments needed. Really, this from Honda!!! Shocker!!!Regional Manager stated Honda's don't have oil consumption problem. Then I looked online-Biggest problem these cars have? (OIL CONSUMPTION)!!!!!!!!!!!

- 3kukri999, Weirton, WV, US

problem #229

Nov 022012

Accord EX-L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,000 miles

I've noticed that my oil change has been needed more and more often. When it's time for an oil change, it makes a bad rattling noise but I never remembered when I changed it last. This time I left the odometer blank to see how many miles. Around 1900 miles I needed to change my oil. It makes a grinding noise when I need an oil change

- paintballer003, Santa Ana, CA, US

problem #228

Jan 072013

Accord EX-L Coupe 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 88,800 miles

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

I have a 2008 Honda Accord Coupe EX-L I4 and my car is burning oil excessively. It becomes worse when you hit VTC which is at 5K RPM. I did the software update for the VTC but it didn't help with the oil consumption and now I have no clue what to do. I guess I have to constantly check my oil every 1K and just keep adding oil during my ownership.

Honda needs to admit that this is a common issue not only the v6 models with the VCM but also the 2.4L K Series engines. Honda needs to step up and offer and recall and find a solution to the oil consumption....

- jetboy585, Livingston, NJ, US

problem #227

Oct 122013

Accord EX-L 2.4L

  • Manual transmission
  • 95,000 miles

I've added 2 quarts of oil since my last oil change just to stay above the lower dot on the dip stick. It has been 1500 miles since my last oil change.

- Jeremy S., Bethesda, MD, US

problem #226

Oct 302012

Accord EX 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 34,000 miles

When I first encountered the problem I took it to the Honda dealer where I purchased it and they said it needed a software update. Two months later, the oil light came on again and mind you this car was bought new and at that point only had about 34,000 miles on it. I told my dealer I read on the internet about many others complaining of the 08 Accord burning oil and that they said switching to synthetic oil seemed to help the problem. They did switch to synthetic oil and it seemed to be running well for a few thousand miles on it .

However, my Accord now has about 54,000 miles on it and the oil light came on again after driving it 2000 miles since the last oil change at my dealer. Since all my service has been done strictly at my Honda dealer since I purchased it I returned to my dealer to complain about the oil light coming on again. They said that it was only down about 1/2 a quart but I added 1/2 a quart when the oil light first came on. I read about the class action suit regarding the Accord 6 cylinder having this problem but I have a 4 cylinder and I have read about many other owners of this year 2008 4 cylinder Accord having the same issues and I am concerned about the potential damage to the engine.

- lakd0d, Darien, IL, US

problem #225

Jan 052011

Accord EX 2.4L 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,000 miles

Investigating why the car is burning so much oil. I see that there are a lot of others with the same problem for this year. Scary.

- Mike B., Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

problem #224

Oct 162013

Accord LX V4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,000 miles

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

This is the second issue I have had with my 2008 Honda Accord. The first issue I had was with the defective ball joints on the Accord. That time I took the car in to my local Honda Dealership, Burns Honda, and had to pay $85 to have them look at the car. An hour later they called me and said "it's the brakes" they need to be replaced. They replaced the brakes at a cost of $250...didn't fix the problem. So after an internet search I found the issue was most likely the ball joints. I took the car in the the service person goes "oh yeah I see a service bulletin that says it could be the ball joints". So then they tell me "well Honda will only pay for half of the fix"...now remember this is a defective part in a car they sold. So there goes another $200 for the fix...but this time it did fix the problem.

Well less than 3 months later I get a oil light on my dash, odd since I just changed the oil less than a month before. I take it in and the service tech says "you were almost out of oil". I had the service tech check for leaks and there was not one noticeable leak in the car's engine. So I thought it was just a mistake made from my last oil change. Well no, less than 3 months later I started noticing noise coming from the vehicle that was not usual. I checked the oil dip stick and there was no oil on the dip stick. I went right to the service tech to get the oil change...this time there was less than a quart of oil in the whole engine.

So I called American Honda because I notice the service bulletin doesn't include 4 cylinder 2008 Honda Accords. The woman, who seemed annoyed that I was even calling, said well not all service bulletins include all models that may fall under that service bulletin for repair...okay. So she says take it in to get looked at. I told her, yep take it in so I can be charged another $85 and told its my windshield wipers that are the problem...not impressed with Honda at all! She says yes they may charge you to look at the car. I said so you are telling me even though once again its a defective Honda engine issue I have to pay for it. Yes. Well last time I buy a Honda.

- implicat, Mount Laurel, NJ, US

problem #223

Aug 072013

Accord

  • Automatic transmission
  • 66,500 miles

I've had been saving for a good 3 years to buy my first car. I've always loved Honda models and always heard good things about their cars. In November, 2012 I bought a 2008 Honda Accord coupe. I fell in love with the body style, it drove so smoothly and was exactly what I wanted. About 5 or 6 months after purchasing I noticed the wrench icon flickering on my dash. I called Honda and took it in and the tech told me that it was good I brought it in when I did because I had next to nothing left for my oil. I was shocked. It had only been a few hundred miles since I last brought it in for it's routine oil change. And of course nothing was said to me then about the cars oil consumption. So the tech goes on to tell me that this is a reoccurring issue with this model and so on. He was honest with me which was nice. (Would have been nice to know this at the time of purchase but of course Honda was keeping it quiet because this model was taking off in sales, they are everywhere.) So I am in the recording phase to build my case to Honda in hopes to have the engine rebuilt. Last check I was down 2 quarts of oil in little over 1,000 miles. That is insane. Not to mention how much more gas I am using because of it. It's killing me. I have one more routine check to make and then we are going to present my case to Honda. I don't know what I will do if this doesn't go through. Honda needs to do something for their screw up. Cheap parts should never be an option for a company that prides themselves on reliability.

- Nikole P., Columbus, OH, US

problem #222

Jan 062012

Accord EXL 2.4L

  • Manual transmission
  • 45,000 miles

same as others, car using excessive oil starting at about 40000 miles. want to do oil consumption test but not sure what the point if no definite fix.

- Mitchell W., Lake Forest, IL, US

problem #221

Apr 022013

Accord EX-L 2.4L V4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles

I am a frustrated Honda owner. My odometer shows i have 90% oil life and oil stick comes out dry. this is been going on for a long time. i have to add 2qt oil everytime. i have only driven my car 3k miles and all the oil is burnt out. Honda needs to fix this or else i will be forced to sell my car.

- Purvik P., Westland, MI, US

problem #220

Mar 112012

Accord LX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 30,000 miles

I have a 2008 Honda Accord 2dr coupe and my oil seems to be evaporating.

- Darlene I., Howell, NJ, US

problem #219

Nov 012011

Accord EX L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 55,000 miles

I think I own a 1990 truck! Oh no, it's a 2008 Honda Accord where I keep spare oil in the trunk with a cone to fill it! This car has been to the dealer in 2011 and I think they said it was some minor fix. It is back in today, April 9, 2012 for the SAME problem. It sucks oil and to top it off, the low oil warning light doesn't come on until it is so low that we have to add many quarts of oil immediately. Not sure what they will say the problem is this time but all I know is we constantly add oil.

- Wendy B., Hudson, WI, canada

problem #218

Aug 132011

Accord LX 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 62,324 miles

I HAD been dealing with this problem for seven months. First noticed it in Aug of 2011, when engine was running rough and making horrible noises. I checked my oil and found the dipstick to be DRY, had to add 2.5 liters of oil. I called honda dealer and was asked to bring it in asap. I was smart enough to google what had happened to me prior to going to honda and found this site. It was like reading my own story over and over again. Did the oil consumption tests, had the software updates, and of course it was found to be NORMAL as in not consuming over 1 liter of oil per 1500 kms, the usual BS. I asked what could be done about it and what was my next step, because I was NOT happy. I was told I could take it up with Honda Canada. I did much better than that, I traded it in for a Kia Forte Koup ( which I love, and have only found 8 complaints about in this site) and my Accord has gone back to Honda because the Kia dealer didn't want it! I am proud to say I am no longer driving an oil consuming, rattling, brakeless, paint chipped, and uncomfortable 2008 Honda Accord. Thanks for letting me blow off some steam and I wish all of you the best of luck with your on going problem cars.

- Leanne N., Kamloops, BC, Canada

problem #217

Feb 062012

Accord

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75,000 miles

I join the rest of the 2008 Honda Accord owners who are experiencing an oil consumption problem. NEVER AGAIN will I purchase a Honda, going back to Toyota. The only reason I switched to begin with is I liked the body style, it was more sporty than the Camry but never again will I buy anything outside a Toyota! Honda should do the right thing and replace the engines in these cars!

- Becky J., New Market, AL, US

problem #216

Jan 012011

Accord EX-L 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles

I have to add about 2 quarts of oil every 2000 miles which means I am adding about the same amount as an oil change in between oil changes.I told Honda about the issue since it started happening at around 60000 miles and they said they would check on it. The first few times they said it was normal and if anything they would have to perform a test on the engine which would cost me over $2k just for the test even though the vehicle was still under warranty. I later took it to another dealer and they found the vvt sensor I think was defective and replaced it under warranty and they did a firmware update on the computer but neither fixed the issue. I took it back and they had me bring it back every 1k miles to test the consumption and send the results to Honda although they still concluded it was normal. But I still kept having to add oil every 2000 miles or so or else the oil light would flicker on..I still haven't fixed it and am hoping Honda can resolve the issue or I am able to sell the car before anything major breaks because of this issue

- Herbert D., Los Angeles, CA, US

problem #215

Jun 112013

Accord ES 2.4L Vtec 3

  • Automatic transmission
  • 87,525 miles

For the past 16 years I’ve been driving a Honda Accord. I have always been a very loyal, satisfied customer.

I purchased a new 1998 Honda Accord V6 in 1997 and drove it until it had 311+ miles on the odometer.

When it came time for purchasing a new Honda, I purchased a used 2008 Honda Accord with approximately 26K miles in August 2011.

Until recently I have always been very pleased with my vehicles as well as the service I have always received from Herb Chambers of Seekonk, MA. I have always taken my vehicles to be serviced at this dealership. My service record will show this.

On June 11, 2013, my 2008 Honda Accord’s oil change sensor indicated I was at 40%. My car began making a strange noise. A few days later, the oil lamp began to flash. Luckily, I was driving by a gas station, and the mechanic added 3 quarts of oil. On June 14, 2013, I brought the vehicle to Herb Chambers of Seekonk to exam the vehicle for an oil leak and oil change.

To my surprise, they indicated there were no oil leaks at this time, and they started an oil consumption test.

I’ve been analyzing my vehicle, and have found every 2K miles, I’ve had to add a quart of oil to the vehicle. The service manager’s explanation for the oil loss is that the newer vehicles burn more oil than the older vehicles due to the car’s technology.

My 2008 Honda Accord began having this issue at 87,525 miles. With my 1998 Honda Accord, I didn’t have oil problems until the vehicle had 250K+ miles.

If I’m adding oil every 2K miles, then what’s the purpose of doing oil changes when I’m constantly putting new oil into the vehicle? I asked the service manager this question as well. The reply was to bring the vehicle in for an oil change when the oil change sensor wrench turns on.

Prior to this issue, in the past 3 years, the oil change sensor wrench would display on the dashboard at approximately 7K miles, and I wasn’t losing any oil.

Furthermore, where is the oil going if I’m not seeing it on the ground where I park?

I feel disgusted that I’ve only had this vehicle for 3 years and am having this issue. The vehicle has an extended warranty at this time, but it’s close to expiring and reaching the 100K miles. The vehicle is driven 95% on the highway and isn’t driven in the city as much.

When I googled this issue online, I found Honda has known about this issue and there is a Honda Accord Oil Defect Class Action Lawsuit.

I shouldn’t have to be worried as to whether or not my vehicle needs oil. I can understand if there was an oil leak.

- menina, Taunton, MA, US

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