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.

7.3

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
31,800 miles
Total Complaints:
3 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. replace the VTC (variable timing control) actuator (2 reports)
  2. not sure (1 reports)
2008 Honda Accord engine problems

engine problem

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2008 Honda Accord Owner Comments

problem #3

Oct 202010

Accord LX-P 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 67,000 miles

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

Bought the car used a year ago, had the rattle every morning but did not know if this was normal until i started researching and found out that it was the VTC actuator. Took it for repair, they replaced the VTC actuator, covered under the 100,000/7 year powertrain warranty, so it was free. I come to pick up the car, turn it on, check engine is on, go back to them, they take a look at it and apologize, saying the timing chain was not timed properly, waited another couple hours. Got the car back, engine light is on again. Again go back to them, they take a look and tell me that the VTC actuator they've put in was defective and that they are re-doing the work with the brand new vtc actuator. Came back tomorrow pick up my car, no engine lights, go back home, everything looks good, i check the oil, they have replaced my oil, good. after couple days rattle is back, it is sort of different, not as loud but it is there. I call the dealer, go back again, they keep my car for two days and tell me that the battery bracket was loose and that's what was making this rattle. Now this morning i hear the rattle again, i will admit it is not the same as it used to be but come on, what a hell, so I got to go back again and complain, they ll just mess up my car because apparently they do not know what they are doing. Also my car is consuming oil btw. I WILL NEVER BUY A HONDA AGAIN. they tell me it is the battery bracket hitting the engine block, it is loose, wow

- nicknc, Charlotte, NC, US

problem #2

Jul 312009

Accord EX 2.4L 4cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 25,167 miles

I just posted a June 8, 2009 issue with premature brake-wear. Low and behold I started to hear this AWFUL rattling noise only when I started my car from a cold start. The 1st trip to the dealership was fruitless. They could not diagnose the issue because they could not repeat it (so they said). The second time I went in, I left the car there so they could start it the next morning from a cold start. They of course heard it (4 days after having my car) and told me it's a faulty VTC (variable timing control) actuator.

I just wanted everyone else out there who is hearing that RATTLE noise, it's an issue covered under warranty, get it fixed!

- jacob.blackmon, Washington, DC, US

problem #1

Oct 302008

Accord EX-L 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 3,110 miles

Horrible cold start and idle - I have a brand new, fully loaded 4cyl EX-L Navi with 600 km on the Odometer now. I live in Toronto Canada and the temperature is hovering around 0 �C in November. There is a tremendous vibration on the steering wheel and gas pedal. The rest of the vehicle shows signs of slight vibration with an annoying low pitch vibrating noise. It feels like the engine is shivering along with other components to create a complaining symphony. I wonder what the Accord will do when we get to sub-zero temperature. Maybe it will just call it a day to hibernate and come back to life normal next year Spring.

I have to admit that the car is beautiful and it was a love in first sight. The initial quality and appearance was impressive. It might due to the fact that I am stepping up from a base model Corolla. However, this vibration issue along with many other deficiencies are very annoying. It makes the car feel cheap even with the beautiful interior design, leather seating surface and all the bells and whistles. It is a big disappointment with Honda's renounced quality, and especially when you have to pay close to $39,000 CAD to have this car on the road.

- tsiu, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

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