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 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
41,324 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 electrical problems

electrical problem

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2008 Honda Accord Owner Comments (Page 2 of 5)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #74

Oct 012016

Accord

  • 135,000 miles

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

Vsa brake and ABS light come on and off intermittently. Braking test with lights on show ABS does not work. Numerous complaints on web sites about moisture entering the control module. No response from Honda other than replace the $1200 module.

- Turlock, CA, USA

problem #73

Mar 112009

Accord

  • 15,000 miles
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 #72

Jan 282010

Accord

  • miles
Purchased my Accord new off the lot.1st problem came exactly 1 month later 2 sensors had to be replaced. Oil light consistently stayed on I was having to change or add oil all the time. Ive been to every Honda dealer in san diego. Mission valley finally agreed to a oil consumption test but they assured me nothing was wrong. Their solution was anytime I needed oil I could stop by any Honda dealership & they would be happy to top it off for me. Because of this oil problem & the sensor consistently staying on the car began to lose power & shot out the timing belt. My car has been in my driveway since last july2015. After sending Honda numerous letters ron from Honda motor co finally contacted me. Final result his recommendation was to take the car back to the dealership for another oil consumption test to be done & if theres any other problems I would have to pay out of pocket. Because the car was only covered for 60,000 miles. I'm so over this car & Honda. I no longer feel safe driving a Honda!

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #71

Mar 182016

Accord

  • miles

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

Ignition switch problem car would sometimes start sometimes would not even do anything no power no clicking just dead new battery everything checked out okay when I brought it to the mechanic left me stranded last week and had it towed this time it failed to start with all attempts, replacing ignition switch, car was off when this happened each time

- Fort Myers, FL, USA

problem #70

Nov 022015

Accord 4-cyl

  • miles
2008 Honda Accord. Consumer writes in regards to brake, engine, electrical, air bag light, seat belt, light problems and radio problems. The consumer stated the pistons were replaced a couple of years ago. The engine has been misfiring since July 2014. The coils, spark plugs and fuel injectors were replaced and the check engine light continued to stay on.

- Yonkers, NY, USA

problem #69

Oct 202015

Accord

  • 105,000 miles
Car just stalled in rush hour traffic - very scary. Got pushed to shoulder. Car started and then stalled. Had to get towed. Computer diagnostics show nothing. Mechanic has been driving it and there are no problems. Reading about how Honda has ignition switches that go bad.

- Holtsville, NY, USA

problem #68

Sep 172015

Accord

  • 112,965 miles

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

The contact owned a 2008 Honda Accord. While the vehicle was parked, it caught fire. The contact also stated that there was an abnormal odor in the vehicle. The contact was able to extinguish the fire with a fire extinguisher. A police report was not filed. The fire department was not notified. The vehicle was deemed destroyed. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 11V395000 (power train) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 112,965. The VIN was not provided.

- Searcy, AR, USA

problem #67

Sep 082014

Accord

  • 111,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Honda Accord. The contact stated that the safety restraint warning light illuminated constantly. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the computer module failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 111,000.

- Yonkers , NY, USA

problem #66

Sep 012014

Accord

  • 50,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Honda Accord. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated to start and an abnormal noise was heard when shifting gears. The failure occurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, who diagnosed that the vtc actuator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000.

- Pearl, MS, USA

problem #65

Jun 102014

Accord

  • 88,000 miles
Lights dim (and entire dash momentarily losses power) frequently.

- Rigby, ID, USA

problem #64

Jan 022014

Accord 6-cyl

  • 50,850 miles

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

The remote key fob fails to lock the vehicle after stopping, turning off engine and exiting. Also, the doors remain locked after the vehicle is stopped and engine is turned off.

- Maple Shade, NJ, USA

problem #63

Oct 012013

Accord 6-cyl

  • 101,000 miles
For the 2nd time since 2008, I've had to replace the sparkplugs due to PCM issues. The engine light will come on and gives an error code of P0303. Unfortunately you can only go to Honda to have the computer updated, and they will try to sell additional services. Today they refused to update my computer stating the only way to fix was to replace all the sparkplugs despite the service bulletin stating otherwise. Despite this being a manufacturer issue Honda has forced car owners to pay for this repair with no true fix existing.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #62

Nov 222012

Accord 4-cyl

  • 59,000 miles
On thanksgiving night 2012, I went shopping and got back to my parents house around 11:00pm. I had gifts and food in the car and the power door locks locked on me automatically with me in it. I finally was able to open the passage door and got out. The car door locked again and I was not able to get into the car either by using the keyless entry nor by manually trying to unlock it with the key in the door lock. I had to let the food stay in the car over night as well as the other things I had purchased. I am so glad I did not have my niece with me. The next day, I had to spend $60 to get a locksmith to open the door. About 6 months later the automatic door locks that locks when you put the car in drive, keeps locking every time a make a stop and pull off again. This is driving me crazy too. This is truly a safety issue. I can only imagine if I had a child in the car, what would have happen. The local news featured a news story with a woman who is having the same problem with her Honda CRV about 3 months ago. This is a real problem that the Honda manufacture needs to address either thru recall or extended warranty. Enough is enough.

- Riverdale, GA, USA

problem #61

Jun 172013

Accord 4-cyl

  • 68,000 miles
Engine makes noise when starting up that goes away after around 5 seconds. Was told atc actuator was bad.

- Roslyn, PA, USA

problem #60

Feb 072013

Accord 6-cyl

  • 95,851 miles
Back in August I took my car to southeastern Honda dealer like I routinely do to have my oil changed. It was suggested by service rep to change my transmission fluid, which I did. On my way home from work one night my engine light started flashing and my car was driving like it is going to shut off. I took my car to the dealer and they hooked it up to a machine and said it was 2 of my spark plugs, it's a common problem with the Accord V6 so it's best to change all of plugs which I agreed too and this will solve the problem. On 2/7/13 I took my car to southeastern Honda for my routine oil change and again the service rep suggested my power steering fluid and brake fluid needed to be changed which I agreed too. On my way home the vsa, brake light and ABS light came on in the car. As so as I was able to I took it back to southeastern Honda, the same service rep said they hook it up and it was the spark plugs which was change back in August and it should not be occurring because all the plugs were changed and it's a defect in the engine. He will speak with the good will Honda person because the car needs an engine. He called back a couple of days later and say it's the engine and I will be required to pay half for the engine. I left my car at the dealer for a week, paid a few dollars short of $3000 dollars and my engine vsa, brake and ABS lights is still coming on. I googled this problem and alot of the Honda have this problem. I will like to know what is the status of this problem.

- Viera, FL, USA

problem #59

Jan 252013

Accord 6-cyl

  • 92,000 miles
I was having problems with shuddering in my car. On January 21, 2013, I logged a complaint number with Honda usa. Their recommendation was for me to have my car looked at by a certified Honda technician. I made an appointment for January 25th and took the car in. The certified dealer in countryside called to tell me he was able to replicate the issue. The service technician did an upload of more recent software and the issue seemed to be fixed. I was skeptical. When I arrived to pick up my vehicle, I was shown a service bulletin that Honda service was receiving notifying them of the issue. I asked why Honda was not actively recalling the cars to correct the problem. They said they did not know why.

- Clarendon Hills, IL, USA

problem #58

Dec 012010

Accord

  • 40,000 miles
I have had 5 door actuators changed on my car - all doors and one door was twice. I have a 6th one out but I have not gotten it fixed. The dealership told me that "sometimes things happen". I tried to talk with Honda, they did pay for most of them repairs but refused to admit it was a problem. The dealership never could tell me why it was happening, just kept replacing the actuators. I got tired of fighting with them, that is why the last one has not been replaced. This is my first and last Honda. I was extremely disappointed with my service from Honda. We bought the car brand new off the lot and it started within a year and a half of purchase.

- Mt. Plymouth, FL, USA

problem #57

Jun 202012

Accord 4-cyl

  • 68,000 miles
Car cut off while in store for five minutes was told that if you leave keys in ignition while off it drains the battery. No car in my life that ever happened after leaving the radio in the car on and drained the battery. Had a problem within 3 months of buying a 2008 Honda. Car cut off and wouldn't start. And it did it again last night took it in before and the first time I took it in battery was fine and they check the battery today and they said it was no good but it happened a total of 4 times and there was a recall on the car and it happened to other people and which shouldn't happened cut off last night and no key in the ignition and battery died. Spoke to [xxx] store manager and spoke to service manager and refuse to change the battery. All they did was charge up battery. Cause they wanted me to purchase a battery for $159 which there is a problem. Because there was a problem few months after I bought the car. And brought in for same thing now less than a year. Honda told me that if you leave key in car that the car still is drawing power even though key is off. I kid you not my mom was in the car for five mins and battery died. Honda of roanoke rapids don't care about customer service and doing what is right to satisfy the customer. Battery was going bad before. I will never buy a car again from them. And I have the power train warranty and american Honda forced me to get it and wont cover squat. I was forced to take it by american Honda or else they would approve my loan. This was Honda of roanoke rapids. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Roanoke Rapids, NC, USA

problem #56

Aug 282012

Accord 4-cyl

  • 68,000 miles
The car did not want to move after it was put in gear. When the car did move it was very hesitant and would not pick up speed at first, then would gradually pick up speed. The car is back at the dealership and first they said it was transmission sensor, then said it was the computer, after replacing that the car begin a rough idle.

- Brunson, SC, USA

problem #55

Jun 292012

Accord 4-cyl

  • 100,000 miles
The warning light on the dashboard panel is warning that the passenger airbag as deployed. At the same time the "fasten seatbelt" warning stopped working and the seal around the passenger window is loose. Coincidentally, a relative also has a 2008 Honda Accord and the exact same things are happening. According to many internet entries, the same thing is happening to many 2008 Honda Accord. I cannot find information on a recall. It is a safety hazard, because some owners have reported the airbag deploying while driving.

- Austin, TX, USA

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