CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2009 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.
Since the beginning, the interior skin from the seats started getting bubbles inside until it broke. Then they changed it in guarantee. Later on the arm places started breaking too. Now it looks horrible. I`m thinking of buying another car and sadly this brand was my favorite but I'm scared to do it again. I know this version of Honda had this problem, but now it really looks as a very old car.
I bought this car brand new...had 4 miles on the odometer... in November 2009...by May of 2011 the upholstery on the console and both front doors only was peeling. I complained to Honda.Told them there is no way this should be happening. The car is not even two years old!!..they replaced the console armrest cover and told me they could replace it..one time only..which was suspicious...why would they say that? Like they knew it would happen again...and surely it did...
I went back again in May of 2012 and by then the front door armrests were peeling to where you could see the under padding...Over the years I asked both my repairman, independent Honda Specialist and other Honda Accord 2008-2009 owners if they had the same problem and they too have had the SAME problem with this model. They complained and got no response from Honda Dealers.. I went to the dealership where I bought my Honda and I told them that I was very dissatisfied with this on my Honda Accord. Honda Dealers knew they had a problem and never did anything about it....
The interior leather on armrest, middle console and seats is so incredible thin - like tissue paper, it is ripping and tearing, etc. I am very disappointed in Honda and will never buy another one. Why would they use such cheap material on a car (Honda Accord) that doesn't have a cheap price. I also own a 1993 Buick park avenue that has way better leather with no rips or tears and its 16 years older than my Honda!
The interior material used to cover the driver door mounted armrest and the center console armrest both deteriorated at the same time and required replacement. During my forty plus years of driving a replacement of this nature has never been required on any of my prior vehicles.
My 2009 Honda Accord has received light use over a very short period of time. The upholstery shop owner advised that the shop routinely replaces the armrest upholstery on 2009 & 2010 Accords! The shop owner further advised that prior Accord models did not require repairs of this nature, nor have cars from other manufacturers.
The leather on my center console as well as both door rests are bubbling. The driver's side has ripped already. This is my second Honda, my first wasn't like this. Don't know if I will buy another with the cheap material they are using & charging an arm & leg for.
- rperezca,
Stockton, CA, US
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I have owned numerous Honda's & Acura's over the past 20 years & never have I had this issue with the armrest. It is obviously a defect from cheap materials or workmanship but I am out of warranty so I have no recourse unless Honda admits to the defect and fixes it.
I am waiting for the next step of the bubbling to rip and then it'll look really nice. Honda needs to step up & fix this, it won't cost them much but it'll keep their customer base happy and probably coming back for another Honda when its time for a new car.
Went to the dealer in RSM,CA this morning to have someone look. Never got the guy to look. Just showed me that the issue is not covered under the Honda Care and since mileage is high, no longer under warranty. Had many cars and this by far is an issue with vinyl/leatherette. Bubbled up after less than 3 years. Can this be Honda? Had issues with brakes and now this.
My armrest has started to bubble and so has the leather on my passenger side door. I take good care of my car and it is garage kept so there is no reason why it has started to bubble. I believe Honda has used cheap material to make the cars.
My Honda is very well cared for. About one year ago the armrest and door upholstery started bubbling, then in June of this year the slits and rips started appearing. It looks as if someone slit the leather with a knife. I was approached at the grocery store by an older woman that wanted to see if my interior was ripping like hers, ironically they looked identical. So, I then approached someone with the same vehicle to look in their car, bingo! I realized it was either cheap or a defect! I went to Economy Honda where I assumed this would be under warranty at less than 3 year old vehicle. They gave me a ridiculous price that it would cost me to fix it. I am currently looking into other complaints and actions that can be taken! I am a school teacher and cannot pay for a cosmetic fix for my Cheap-built car. I am very disappointed in Honda for not standing behind this product. I am wondering how many other Accord owners are experiencing the same problems?
I purchased my Honda used exactly one year ago- July 2011. I was attracted to the reliability of the Honda product, and the one deal breaker was a leather interior. The material on the armrest console as well as the door armrests is obviously not leather. It has bubble, and the center console is also peeling and cracking and looks awful. The quality of leather on the seats is also poor. I have not even put an additional 10,000 miles on the car in the year I have had it and the interior looks awful and I am the single driver of this vehicle and rarely have a passenger. Honda needs to take ownership of this problem Your reputation is at stake. I am seriously considering a trade and with this type of history it probably will not be for another Honda- So very disappointed.
I was at the Honda dealership and the service rep told me this is an on going problem. They said the oil in your body caues the fabric to give up its shape. Why is Honda not replacing this problem, if it is an on going problem.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Since the beginning, the interior skin from the seats started getting bubbles inside until it broke. Then they changed it in guarantee. Later on the arm places started breaking too. Now it looks horrible. I`m thinking of buying another car and sadly this brand was my favorite but I'm scared to do it again. I know this version of Honda had this problem, but now it really looks as a very old car.
- Ana Gabriela P., guadalajara , Mexico