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:
2 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
67,863 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 brakes problems

brakes problem

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2008 Honda Accord Owner Comments (Page 2 of 3)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #32

Mar 112009

Accord

  • 15,000 miles

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

1. excessive oil consumption. 2. rear breaks require pads changed after every 15K -17K ml of driving 3. battery failed after 1 1/2 of service, about 20K mi.

- North Hollywood, CA, USA

problem #31

Mar 172016

Accord

  • 49,500 miles
The 2008 Honda Accord models were subject to a class action lawsuit in 2010. The suit stated that rear brake pads on the vehicle wear prematurely. The problem with the lawsuit is that at that time most owners of the vehicles did not know or encounter a problem with the brake pads. Further, the pads are wearing prematurely which in most cases will cause a need for the rotors to be replaced. Thus the expense to the owner is higher. In some instances the owner is force to purchase new calipers which increase the cost even more. The vehicles are outfitted with an electronic braking distribution (ebd) system which might be the cause of the overall issue. When the 2008 Honda Accord models were built, Honda installed smaller brake pads on the vehicles. The class action lawsuit covered a fraction of the cost to owners. As time goes by, more and more owners are now faced with much higher costs to replace all the rear braking componenets. I myself spent over $800 in April, 2014 to have new brake pads, calipers and rotors installed on my vehicle. That service was to replace the original equipment on the vehicle. I need to have the same braking components replaced in March, 2016 at a cost of over $800. The brake components should not need to be replaced after 23 months. The mileage between repairs was 10,000 miles. Honda needs to be held accountable for poor quality for the ebd systems in the vehicles.

- Marstons Mills, MA, USA

problem #30

Mar 152014

Accord

  • 45,000 miles
When I apply my brakes I hear a grinding noise. It doesn't happen all of the time.. it is intermittent. I have taken it to the Honda dealership twice and both times they have told me they don't see or hear anything that might be wrong. They drive it for about a mile. Naturally, it usually happens on the weekend when the dealership service department is closed.

- Panama City Beach, FL, USA

problem #29

May 222015

Accord

  • 140,000 miles

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

Have had to have the rear brakes repaired twice since I have owned this vehicle. Once at 57,000 miles and again at 140,000. While I realize that this is now a high mileage vehicle, the front brakes are still the original and when the rear brakes were repaired, the shop estimated I still had 70% life remaining for the front pads. The cost of the repairs at 57,000 miles were partially covered by a class action suit against Honda at the time.

- Spring Hill, FL, USA

problem #28

Dec 102014

Accord 4-cyl

  • 94,000 miles
I have noticed on 5 different occasions that when I apply the brake the accelerator is also activated. When I remove my foot completely off the brake and apply pressure to the brake pedal again it corrects itself. At first I thought it was caused by wearing my big snow boots and I was actually pressing both pedals at the same time. This is not the case as it has happened several times since then. I haven't taken my car in to the dealership yet because I know they won't be able to make it happen again for them. It happens at random times.

- Hutchinson, MN, USA

problem #27

Jan 092015

Accord 4-cyl

  • 68,000 miles
It happened twice, both times I had tried to come to a complete stop and the car would suddenly start to accelerator, wouldn't stop right away, this could become very dangerous.

- Methuen, MA, USA

problem #26

May 062011

Accord 4-cyl

  • 15,530 miles

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

Loud noise from rear brakes. Squealing, so pulled over. Then drove 8 miles home. Now in 2015 at 33000 miles on the odometer, I've had to replace the rear pads three times, had slides repaired and lubed, two sets of rotors, and now a rear caliber that Honda replaced because I still had a warranty on them. They where found to be seized yet again 12/10/14 after being seized and serviced 5/12/14. Each time I'd notice a smoking or weird noises coming from the rear brakes and then would schedule an appt.Honda should recall these rear brakes or offer some kind of brake upgrade.

- Luthersburg, PA, USA

problem #25

Sep 132011

Accord 4-cyl

  • miles
08 Honda Accord ex L 4 cyl brakes continuously have issues with wearing unevenly. The issue seems to be more prevalent in the rear. The last time I had the brakes checked and "fixed" I had to take the car to the dealership 3 times because they could not seem to correct the issue with vibration of the car when the brakes were applied. Even after 3rd time going to the dealership there was still a slight vibration when the brakes were applied. When I spoke with the service manager about the issues with the brakes, I was told that it was known issue, but there was nothing more they could do to fix the problem.

- Layton, UT, USA

problem #24

Jan 012009

Accord

  • 25,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Honda Accord. The contact stated while driving 55 mph suddenly the rear driver's side wheel well was engulfed in smoke. The vehicle was taken to a repair facility. The mechanic stated both rear brake calipers were stuck in the rotors. The mechanic stated that the rotors, brake pads, and brake calipers needed to be replaced. The manufacturer and dealer were notified of the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 25,000. The current mileage was 152,000.

- Caslewood , VA, USA

problem #23

May 302010

Accord 4-cyl

  • miles
General concerns. However I am concerned about the airbag, engine and brakes problem especially. Honda has not made us aware of any problems with this vehicle. Thankfully we have only had premature replacement of brakes. We are aware of consumer complaints only because we are concerned about our product which we assume to be safe and reliable. You can rely on our qualitymaintenance program, we have been alerted by mail of a pending suit we cannot benefit from class action because we have no incident to report. Honda corporate and dealers owe us consumers true and fair information and timely communications. GMC had to kill people before they were found to be irresponsible. Consider this a complaint about brakes, failure to take responsibility, failure to notify, regarding other possible problems especially airbags.

- Old Bethpage, NY, USA

problem #22

Apr 012014

Accord 4-cyl

  • 91,232 miles

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

Despite the recall a few years ago, Honda still ignores the problem of rear brakes that wear out rapidly and therefore require frequent replacement. At just over 91,000 miles, I now have to schedule my 3rd rear brake replacement and it will be the second time that I must replace the rear rotors. Honda refuses to acknowledge that their rear brakes are flawed and seem to not feel obligated to correct them. They also do not feel as though they should offer any financial assistance for the replacement of their substandard rear brakes. We are therefore forced into high rear brake and rotor replacement bills. Perhaps it was their plan all along to bilk unsuspecting customers. This is a serious safety issue that Honda needs to remedy immediately.

- Hyde Park, MA, USA

problem #21

Dec 102013

Accord 4-cyl

  • 60,000 miles
Bolt fell off front brake at dealer. Dealer repaired brakes free.

- Needville, TX, USA

problem #20

Dec 102013

Accord 4-cyl

  • 60,000 miles
Bolt from front brakes fell off at dealer while driving up to inspect brakes. Dealer repaired brakes free.

- Needville, TX, USA

problem #19

Aug 182008

Accord

  • 26,000 miles
My rear brake pads need replacement about every 25K miles. I even had the rotors resurfaced by the dealer at about the 25K mark in the front also until I upgraded my front pads but even with upgraded rear pads no difference at all still wear too fast.

- Middletown, DE, USA

problem #18

Sep 092009

Accord 6-cyl

  • 26,288 miles
Having tires replaced tech noted rear brakes worn to need replacement. Work completed on 09 Sep 2011. Tires rotated on 29 January 2014. Tech advised brake replacement. Mileage 45,715. This is a known issue with this model/year Accord. Less than 20K on second brake job - both sets rear brake failure of "normal" mileage given reasonable use.

- Carson City, NV, USA

problem #17

Dec 042013

Accord

  • 138,000 miles
I have been having problems with the brakes since it was purchased in March 2011. The brakes pads were replaced on the front and back twice since I bought the car. The rotors were turned this year. The car would not stop and constantly made noises. A week ago, I was involved in a car accident because my brakes failed.

- Covington, TN, USA

problem #16

Aug 242013

Accord

  • 70,000 miles
This was the second time my car accelerated for no reasons while I was driving. The first time I was only driving 35 miles an hour and no one was in front of me. The second time the car accelerated as I was stopping at a red light. I barely missed a car by one foot. Both times I went to the Honda dealership in sanford. Long story short...no one knows how to fix it. I am extremely upset over the idea that there are all car owners with these electronic systems that don't work. The second time my three year grandson was in the back seat. The dealership said the electronic system sent a message that designated that there was an acceleration or malfunction. Anyway I am sending this because I wanted my car fixed and because it is a paper trail if someone gets killed in this car. I will no longer own a Honda. This was my second Honda and until this I was very satisfied. I now have a car paid for that I cannot drive. I do want the public to be aware of this problem. [xxx] I don't have the VIN number. My car is parted outside the dealership in sanford, N.C. waiting for me to pick it back up. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Sanford, NC, USA

problem #15

Jun 142012

Accord 4-cyl

  • 58,000 miles
I bought this car pre owned at 15K the back brake went out on this car after 1year at 24K I replace brake myself I was curious why would a back brake wear out so fast on doing online lookup I found numerous owners had the same problem so I called Honda regional office and I given a refund for the expense. Now last year June I notice cold rattle start on my engine and now is progressively getting louder. I did a look up online and my mechanic said it vtc ( variable timing control ) actuator was found to be defective. I think Honda should replace this since my car now has 80K miles I might be out of warranty.

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

problem #14

Jul 122011

Accord 4-cyl

  • 53,096 miles
My wife and I purchased a 2008 Honda Accord (certified pre-owned) January 06, 2010. The mileage was 46,399. The Honda dealer said the brakes were new. (certified pre-owned) we had to replace the brakes July 2011 at 53,096 miles. (6697 miles later) August 2012 we had to replace brakes rotors and calipers 68007 miles. At this time we were advised of a defect in the braking system by just brakes.. we contacted Honda and they said since we were not the original owners and we did not take action sooner (prior 2010?) we would not be reimbursed for these repairs. (Honda settles lawsuit over this matter??) we also had to replace the tires in August 2012 as well. Since the repair of the brakes and calipers we have not had any issues and the gas mileage increased. We have spent hundreds of dollars trying to fix a problem that Honda has known about. A "certified pre-owned" Honda should qualify for the reimbursement that Honda has offered, even though we were not the original owners. Since we did not know about the "problem" until after 2010 (after the purchase of the vehicle) we could not had acted in time. It is my understanding there was a "safety bulletin" about this issue" if there was, why didn't Honda/dealer notify us of this issue? or shouldn't they have fixed this issue before selling the Honda as a "certified pre-owned" vehicle" I received a letter from Honda yesterday about a defect (control arm) in the 2006, 2007 & 2008 Honda civic and reimbursement available for this law suit. I would like Honda to remedy the situation on my 2008 Honda Accord.

- Granbury, TX, USA

problem #13

Jun 162010

Accord

  • 42,000 miles
2008 Honda Accord purchased new at gary force Honda bowling green ky. First issue: Cold start rattle, dealer replaced atc actuator, problem corrected. Have replaced brakes on the car 4 times. Most recently replaced approximately 1 year ago and now when brakes are applied the steering wheel vibrates worse than a road wagon. At 70,000 miles oil light came on, checked oil and none was on the stick. Added oil, took the car to dealer, they replaced vtc actuator but it did not correct the problem. Complained again and they performed oil consumption analysis only to tell me it was using less than one quart per one thousand miles and that was the industry standard. A few months later I became more irritated about the problem and complained again. They performed another oil consumption analysis to tell me it was using more than it was previously but less than one quart per 1000 miles and wouldn't do anything. Currently the car has 100000 miles on it and yes, the warranty just expired and it's using one quart per 1200 miles. I wrote Honda of America a letter and complained. They called but other than kind words, they did nothing. Oh and have I mentioned the head lights.... they blink when the heat or air is on. I must not forget that the leather on both the arm rest and console has bubbled up but no signs of wear or damage around the bubbles. And let me not forget the most recent issue: Now often times while setting completely still at a stop light and/or going down the road I hear a clicking sound in the steering column. I am not turning the steering wheel when I hear this noise. It just starts clicking, kind of like an electronic click coming from the steering column. Oh what a piece of junk Honda made when it built the 2008 Accord. Paid 30,000 for it and I'm sadly disappointed.

- Morgantown, KY, USA

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