CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2011 Honda Accord has a solid reputation (so far), with one very significant flaw: 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 "never noticed this during the test drive." Unfortunately for unwary buyers, the seat pain is noticeable after 15-20 minutes.
8.0
pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$190
Average Mileage:
88,950 miles
Total Complaints:
9 complaints
Most Common Solutions:
not sure (5 reports)
clean piston and replace defective rings (2 reports)
Honda Acknowledges The Oil Problem In TSB #11-033 - In July of 2011 Honda quietly acknowledged the problem in the form of a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB #11-033). The TSB says the probable cause of the problem is the VCM (variable cylinder management) and should be fixed by a simple software update at a certified Honda mechanic.
Well, I contacted American Honda on the claim and before I could get them to cover a 1/4th of the cost, they rejected it just like that. They knew that the v6 accords had a mis-fire at the #2 cylinder but never released the information to the people that owned the vehicles that has the issues.
They issued an extended warranty on the service bulletin but never informed the customer about the problem. When the problem happens you are over the mileage and now they don't to pay any money to get your car fixed. I THINK THATS A BUNCH OF BULL S*** THAT THEY WON'T HELP WITH THE REPAIR COST.
This engine has defective rings that can rotate. When the ring gaps align the engine quickly consumes all. After repeatedly bringing it to the dealer reporting oil consumption with no visible blue exhaust the only response was "we don't see any sign of a leak".
Should have been repaired under the class action settlement but dealer never made any effort to diagnose the problem; never pulled the plugs; never did a compression test. Just ran out the clock until the 8 year window for repairs had closed.
Update from Jul 20, 2019: Initiated complaint with American Honda. After six months of requesting records and reluctantly getting them from the dealer, AH indicated the dealer records show "no excess oil consumption". Learned this is documented by the dealer on a special "oil consumption test" form that the dealer is forbidden to share with their customers.
The sole criteria is whether oil consumption exceeds 1 Qt in 1,000 miles. This is claimed to be the recommended "diagnosis" for the problem. In fact, AH forbids Honda mechanics from actually diagnosing the problem - e.g. no compression test is allowed! Instead, dealer service reps are directed to ONLY do the "oil consumption test" and report the results to AH. There is NO documentation of the 1Q/1000 mile "criterion" that dealers may share with customers.
In essence American Honda's tightly controlled scripted responses required for their service advisors PRECLUDES the dealer mechanics from exercising due diligence in diagnosing the repair. Honda claims the diagnosis of excess oil consumption can be diagnosed (and can ONLY be diagnosed) with an oil consumption test. The "diagnosis" consists of the dealer reporting the test results (i.e. consumption in 1,000 miles) and gives a binary response regarding the need for repair.
Most recently with a demonstrated consumption rate greater than 1 QT per 1,000 miles, American Honda added the additional criterion, that the dealer (and only the dealer!) must document one of the 3 engine codes identified in the class action lawsuit. Of course this ADDITIONAL criteria was only "required" AFTER I informed AH that I'd had to replace all the spark plugs (which were never pulled or checked as part of the "diagnosis") due to sever premature fouling, as well as replacing a failed coil on #1 cylinder. I.e. after learning that I had just spend ~$500 to correct the immediate engine misfires - just to keep the car running, American Honda required verification of the (now corrected) engine misfire codes by a dealer.
The negligent diagnostic service offered by the dealer mechanics is actually hard constraint imposed by American Honda on all their dealers. As imposed by American Honda across state boundaries, these seems to be a systematic carefully orchestrated effort to fraudulently deny affected Honda owners the free repair of the defective rings to which they are entitled under the class action lawsuit settlement.
Service has ALWAYS been done timely, all of the sudden the car is using a quart every 1000 miles. I understand the car has 115,000 miles but in "today's world" with documented service records Honda could be a little more helpful. (This model is NOT covered by the high oil consumption recall.)
Please contact me, my vehicle has a blown motor due to the engine oil consumption recall and I am being told it will not be covered. I have all my receipts showing proof my vehicle has been maintained and proof that I did have to add oil before an oil change was due. The problem was not fixed properly and I now have a blown motor. Have proof and receipts also that the previous Honda Dealer I was taking the car to-to get oil changes was not only not doing the oil change, they were not putting oil in it. I can be reached at 432-889-6300. My car broke down on me on the interstate and I was stranded for hours miles away from home until someone was able to pick me up. I have a receipt showing I got my oil level checked prior to leaving to go out of town. I am being told that this will not be covered.
Excessively burning oil and need to frequently change spark plugs.
There is a design defect that enables oil to enter into engine's combustion chamber. This leads to premature spark plug degradation and engine malfunction.
- Barb B.,
Milwaukee, WI, US
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I never would have bought this car if I had know about this problem. I paid over 30,000 dollars for this car and to me it is worth nothing now. No body will buy the piece of junk knowing it has major engine problems. What can I say. I thought Honda was suppose to one of the good company's, but it seems there just like the rest of them.
the I4 engine has used about 2 quarts of oil per month. The existing complaint is only for the v6 vcm, but the dealership said my car has to have a vcm upgrade because of excessive oil consumption. So how am I not included in the class action lawsuit against Honda!
My Accord also experienced the "excessive oil consumption" problem that I've seen on this site for the 2008-2010 model years. I'm glad I found this site because it turns out Honda finally acknowledged the defect and issued a TSB (#11-033). Apparently Honda mechanics can do a software update to fix the problem.
Apparently the VCM (variable cylinder management) is repeatedly switching on and off on flat roads at cruising speeds, leading to oil being burned way too quickly.
I just had my vehicle updated at my local Honda dealer and hope to get better performance from my oil this time around.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Well, I contacted American Honda on the claim and before I could get them to cover a 1/4th of the cost, they rejected it just like that. They knew that the v6 accords had a mis-fire at the #2 cylinder but never released the information to the people that owned the vehicles that has the issues.
They issued an extended warranty on the service bulletin but never informed the customer about the problem. When the problem happens you are over the mileage and now they don't to pay any money to get your car fixed. I THINK THATS A BUNCH OF BULL S*** THAT THEY WON'T HELP WITH THE REPAIR COST.
- Brian S., Delaware, US