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:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
8,403 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 lights problems

lights problem

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2008 Honda Accord Owner Comments (Page 3 of 5)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #50

Dec 012007

Accord

  • miles

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

Headlights dim when the climate control kicks the air compressor on. Occurs several times per minute and is distracting. Dealer states is normal for I4 engine.

- Girard, IL, USA

problem #49

Nov 042008

Accord

  • 2,100 miles
2008 Accord I4 automatic transmission LX problem, lights dim and blower for heater/defrost slows. It occurs every 20 to 25 seconds. The change in the blower for the heater/defrost is such that it sounds as if you turned the blower speed down significantly and then turned it back up. At the same time the lights dim significantly. I have read many posts here of lights dimming with the A/C running and that Honda says this is normal. This is dangerous because of the eye strain caused by the lights dimming and then brightening over and over again.

- Provo, UT, USA

problem #48

Apr 092008

Accord

  • 0 miles
Each time the air conditioner kicks in, the headlights dim dramatically. It happens every time the air conditioner compressor turns on.

- Canon City, CO, USA

problem #47

Aug 152008

Accord

  • 9,000 miles

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

Headlights flicker when auto climate control is engaged. Other drivers might think you are driving aggressively. This is very distracting on dark roads and dangerous.

- Palatine, IL, USA

problem #46

Sep 072008

Accord

  • 4,008 miles
The headlights on my 2008 Honda Accord sedan ex-L 4 cylinder flickers when A/C or heater are hold. Headlights are also too dim. It is a safely hazard to other people, oncoming cars sometimes think im highbeaming them when my lights flicker.

- Flushing, NY, USA

problem #45

Sep 112008

Accord

  • 700 miles
I only have about 1,500 miles on my new Accord and I've noticed that the headlights and interior lights blink each time the air conditioning compressor kicks in, about every 20-30 seconds. I've been in contact with the dealer several times, they said "its normal". this is a safety issue, because it is distracting to both myself and other drivers. Also, other drivers think that I am flashing my lights at them.

- Harrisonburg, VA, USA

problem #44

May 012008

Accord

  • miles

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

We purchased a 2008 Honda Accord ex-L in April of 2008. When driving at night the lights dim when the A/C fan kicks on. I feel it is a dangerous distraction to the driver and other vehicles. Other vehicles feel that I am turning on my bright lights and fear for safety of myself and family to another aggressive driver. The dealership and Honda will not do anything about this and said the vehicle is acting normal. I would like to see something done with this.

- Rosemount, MN, USA

problem #43

Jul 282008

Accord

  • 500 miles
While driving at night time the headlights flicker 1 to 2 times per minute. If the A/C unit or heater/defroster are on it occurs 2 to 3 times per minute. Twice while driving with the defroster and windshield wipers on. The headlights stayed dim for 2 to 3 seconds. I took the car to the Honda dealer were I purchased it. They said they already had other vehicles with this problem and there was no fix. I returned one month later, the service manager gave me the Honda 800# and told me to call Honda motor Corp. The answer I get there is no recall.

- Hermitage, PA, USA

problem #42

Nov 082007

Accord

  • miles
Headlights and taillights flicker while driving with the A/C on.

- Friendsville, TN, USA

problem #41

Sep 152008

Accord

  • miles
We bought a new 2008 Honda Accord, while driving at night with the defroster or the ac on the head lights will dime, at first almost to dark, the dealer has replace the alternator and the fuse box this did help a little, but now its nothing the know to do the resolve this problem. I have call the 800 # for Honda and they say this is normal, I do not agree with this answer at all. Help with this would be great thanks.

- Stuarts Draft, VA, USA

problem #40

Sep 202008

Accord

  • 2,100 miles

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

Accord LX - head lights dim/flash when ac compressor turns on. This is distracting as a driver. Oncoming cars have "flashed me back" cause momentary vision loss due to high beams from other car.

- Camden, NC, USA

problem #39

Aug 202008

Accord 4-cyl

  • miles
I just purchased a 2008 Honda Accord sedan. It is ex-L, 4 cyl. Auto. We have noted that the headlights would dim periodically by itself and then return to normal. This problems occurs at least when the fan starts to work, and the dimming is quite noticeable. It is very disturbing when driving in the night, and very dangerous when the light changes on the highway. The ac becomes less effective when this happens. I also worry that this frequent dimming will damage the electronic system. I have driven other cars including Honda, but never had similar problems.

- Tucson, AZ, USA

problem #38

Sep 182008

Accord

  • 7,560 miles
Intermittent headlight flicker on 4 cylinder Honda Accord 2008. Oncoming drivers appear to interpret this as my trying to "signal" them. Drivers that I follow also seem to think the same thing. I have noticed this in normal city and highway driving. I am very concerned that it will eventually lead to an accident if anyone misinterprets the flickering (which is very noticeable).

- Henrietta, NY, USA

problem #37

Sep 112008

Accord

  • 4,750 miles
During night-time travel while using the air-conditioning or front defroster the head lights dim every 8-15 seconds when the condenser kicks on... it can be quite noticeable and other drivers think I am flashing my lights when this occurs. This is a safety hazard. I have not tried to correct the failure for viewing complaints here, Honda has not acknowledged a problem and thus doesn't have a solution at this time.

- Delmar, NY, USA

problem #36

Sep 012008

Accord

  • 400 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Honda Accord. Whenever the headlights are activated, they suddenly dim every 15-17 seconds before returning to normal. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they stated that the headlights were supposed to function in that manner. The failure has occurred ever since the vehicle was purchased. The current and failure mileages were 400.

- Trinity, FL, USA

problem #35

Sep 082008

Accord

  • 8,700 miles
My 2008 Accord consistently flash/dim every 30 seconds when the auto climate control mode is on. This is a safety issue when driving on a dark road at night as one's eyes naturally look away from the road for about a second-- enough time to be dangerous. I complained to the dealer and they said all vehicles do this. I have never heard of any vehicle doing this. I asked when the service bulletin would be coming out, assuming there is one in the works given the widespread issue, but the service writer ignored my comment. I had to literally demand that the dealer write my complaint on the repair order, and at the end, with my repair order, the clerk handed me an article trying to explain away the issue or pacify me. (it was a Honda article, which looked like it was from a repair manual or brochure, which stated that basically, if the customer complained to tell them its normal.) in "auto" climate mode, the air conditioning compressor/fan kicks on every 30 seconds (even in the middle of winter) and the lights seem to flash at that time. Also, the steering pump makes a very loud whining/moaning noise at 1500-2000 rpms, and the steering in the vehicle has a shuttling/slipping sensation in the steering wheel upon turning. The dealer confirmed the steering issue and has ordered a new power steering pump which will hopefully remedy the issue. Finally, the driver's door handle, interior and exterior, does not open the door on occasion. This is also a safety issue as being able to exit the vehicle in emergency is critical. For such a highly touted vehicle manufacturer, Honda needs to work on fixing problems with their cars on the road and finding a resolution, not just their reputation and/or their bottom line. Also, Honda needs to instruct its dealers to take its customer's complaint's seriously, not simply attempt to diminish the complaint (I.e. headlights flashing) because it is a widespread issue. I am disappointed with Honda's handling of the defects.

- Springboro, OH, USA

problem #34

Aug 282008

Accord

  • 200 miles
Headlights on 2008 Honda Accord flicker and dim when driving at night. This happens approximately every 20 seconds. It is very distracting and is a safety issue.

- Melbourne, FL, USA

problem #33

Aug 162008

Accord

  • 4,400 miles
While driving at night, I noticed an intermittent, brief flickering of the headlamps. This flickering is distracting as it occurs fairly often (2-3 times per minute).

- Jacksonville, AR, USA

problem #32

Jul 032008

Accord

  • 50 miles
Head and taillights dim every 20-30 seconds when A/C is running. This dimming mimics the flashing of your headlights that is the national signal to a semi truck driver that they have cleared your car and it's O.K.to proceed into your lane after passing you. This situation is an accident waiting to happen. It also could easily result in a road rage incident from a driver in front or behind you that thinks you are either flashing headlights or tapping the brakes. I have had the car back to the dealer twice for repair but they are not authorized to even attempt a fix as Honda says that this is normal. I contacted Honda Corp in California and the case manager basically stated that this is normal and case closed. I have recently been told by service manager that Honda is looking into the headlight issue and it has been put into extreme engineering(whatever that means). They said however that this is no guarantee that a fix will come. What is it going to take for you to put pressure on Honda to fix this and to stop selling these cars until they fix this? does someone need to die first is that your criteria. Your whole purpose is to serve and protect the public. Please do what is right.

- Columbia, TN, USA

problem #31

Aug 092008

Accord

  • 12 miles
Headlights drastically dim when air conditioner or defroster is turned on. Both bright and dims dim down and come back up, like you are flashing your headlights. This happens every 20 to 30 seconds, as the compressor cycles on and off. Very hard to see at night when lights dim down. Honda claims this is normal electronic load detector operation. Problem is potentially dangerous, especially in rural areas. Many complaints pertaining to this issue have already been made. I will not drive the car at night if air conditioner or defroster is needed.

- Edinburg, ND, USA

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