Vtc actuator car makes rattling noise at start-up and at other times.

- Greensboro, NC, USA

While driving, oil light flickered, upon investigation noticed car had lost 3 quarts of oil. I had noticed a momentary rattle upon start up of engine that went away quickly. Honda stated they needed to replace the vtc actuator(O rings, head gasket, timing chain, cylinder repair) before they could do an oil consumption test. Upon research which indicates the actuator is an issue and they refuse to take responsibility. Honda did not want to service it under a recall notice.

- Oak Lawn, IL, USA

This is my second complaint about the oil consumption extended warranty. This issue began a year ago. On 8/15/2015, Honda offered and extended warranty for the piston/vct issue that caused the car to consume too much oil. The extended warranty says.."if the vehicle is experiencing high oil consumption, contact any authorized Honda dealer for and appointment to have it insepected and, if needed repaired. Please plan to leave your vehicle at the dealer for two full days to allow them flexibility in scheduling." This quote is right from the warranty. A year later and Honda will not honor this warranty. What they do is make the car have a oil consumption test. If the car is not burning more than a quart in 1000 miles they say its not a problem. Honda mall of Georgia claimed my car is burning 3/4 of a quart therefore this is not a problem. Around 7/1/2016, I had my oil changed at gwinnett place Honda. I am 1000 miles away from having my next oil change and the "grinding" noise hit my car again. My oil light came on. I checked and was down to 2quarts of oil. I had to add two quarts. Bringing car in today 9/7/2016 to start yet another oil consumption test. Honda knows this is an issue, yet will not honor the warranrty!!!!! they extended the warranty to get NHTSA off of its back yet writes unwritten rules that protects them from fixing the issue. The extended warranty is useless unless they fix the issue.

- Snellville, GA, USA

Excessive oil consumption. I change the oil religiously every 3-4,000 miles even though the owners manual says 10,000. If I did not add oil, 2 qts every 1,500 miles it would be bone dry at 3,000. No blue smoke, no oil drips left behind

- Fulton, MO, USA

Vtc actuator makes loud rattle with almost every start. It is an engine problem on 2007 to 2012 Honda CRV as well as 2008 to 2012 Accord. If this part fails, the engine will seize up and could cause the driver to lose control. Honda has verified the problem but since the vehicle is out of warranty at 75000 miles, they refuse to remedy the problem. Given case number 04825102 and contacted product concerns department but still refused to address problem. Vehicle has service notice 09010. Honda tech confirmed they have had may problems and even had to get a replacement part for their replacement part. This needs to be dealt with by Honda, but they are not taking any responsibility.

- Bettendorf, IA, USA

Engine clicks when starting, especially when cold. It sounds like oil is not getting to the engine. I believe it may be related to the vtc actuator.

- Newport, KY, USA

The vehicle was running smoothly on the freeway, being driven at approximately 64 mph - there were no warning lights on (check engine, low oil, temperature..) - suddenly there was a metal clank from the engine compartment followed immediately by a plume of thick clear smoke that completely engulfed the car as the engine stalled and died - within a matter of seconds. The smoke cleared rapidly, and looking under the hood, nothing seemed to be amiss. No fire, no more smoke, no leaking fluids, but the engine was completely dead. Subsequent attempts to re-start it produced only the click of the starter - the engine refused to turn over. The car was towed to an auto repair shop where it was discovered that there was absolutely no oil in the engine which had caused it to seize. For the past 18 months the car has been burning quite a significant bit of oil. During that period, it needed at least two two quarts of oil between scheduled oil changes - there never was any oil leak. Two weeks prior to the incident, it was topped off with two quarts of oil when the low oil and check engine lights came on. When the engine was finally opened, it was discovered that the piston rod had snapped off when the engine ran dry of oil (see attached pictures). Subsequent research has revealed that Honda is aware of several problems involving excessive oil consumption for this particular engine configuration and model year (2008 3.5L V6 pzev). I have also discovered official several Honda service bulletins that are relevant and pertinent to this issue. So far, my best attempts to get a resolution from american Honda has produced no result even though I submitted documented evidence that the car was serviced regularly as per Honda's recommendations and its long history of problems and repairs relating to excessive oil consumption.

- San Jose, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2008 Honda Accord. While driving, the vehicle would not accelerate properly. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The contact also indicated that the vtc actuator was faulty and caused the vehicle not to start occasionally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the actuator was replaced, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 38,000.

- Birmingham, AL, USA

This is a safety raised issue on a 2008 Accord-lxp that I purchased used (which had about 29K originally when I purchased it as a certified Honda Accord) from herb chambers boston. Since I purchased the car, I started hearing an odd grinding noise when starting the car on cold days - Honda said just keep oil full. I then find out that a recall had been issued to fix the oil consumption, that Honda had finally agreed there was an issue with the engine design and would fix it and at the same time would not cause other issues to emerge such as vtc and the timing chain issues. Recently my engine light came on, I started researching the problem. It was the first time I knew about the following issues which I will be detailing/describing below. Results were bad: A timing chain failure. My car has stopped in the middle of road causing a very dangerous situation which could led to me losing my life. Not, only that, when I tried to just drive the car a mile back to my house it was accelerating and decelerating by it self. In addition, I decided to take it to the dealership for a diagnoses, I almost ended up in couple accidents. The car was uncontrollable and won't stop and the brakes won't respond due to issues caused by oil consumption, to vtc actuator to a timing chain failure: The car keep accelerating and decelerating by it self on the road or highway. Note: Ideally the timing chain should not fail on 58K miles. Simplified sequence of problems: Oil consumption issue vtc (valve timing control) actuator timing chain (either loose or broken) safety issue

- Winthrop, MA, USA

I received a letter regarding a warranty extension: Sticking piston rings resulting in high engine oil consumption. When I took my car to the mission hills, ca Honda dealer for repair, I was told that my engine light first had to be illuminated and then I would have to purchase 3 consecutive oil changes from this dealership before they would repair the problem.

- North Hills, CA, USA

Experiencing excessive oil consumption, per Honda recall, it is due to piston O rings leaking oil into chamber causing excessive oil burning and causing engine knocks once the oil was consumed within less than 3 months.

- Westmont, IL, USA

I purchased this Honda Accord from automaxx of summerville in good faith from dealer stating that vehicle passed all their inspections (including brake system). I found out within 2 weeks later by taking it to a Honda dealership, that the brakes, brake lines, caliper, exhaust system are all affected by severe, damaging rust. During inspection, inclusive were sticking caliper. I had front brakes replaced; but due to rust, technician had to bam & force brakes lose. I was informed of the risks with severe rusting causing parts to brake and fail. New brakes would not install properly after old, seated brakes came off. When vehicle is in motion and stopping, the brake system makes noise, and seems like something coming apart due to the insecure fitting of brakes/rotors/calipers, which all have a great build up of rust. This vehicle was purchased approximately 1 month ago in these conditions. It should be illegal to sell such vehicles that pose safety risk in brake system. Honda inspection suggested that rust was so severe that car could have possibly been damaged by salt water/snow/ice or flood. Car originated from up North. Re-sale should not be allowed.

- Barnwell, SC, USA

My 2008 Honda Accord has been using oil way before the next oil change. This has only occurred the last two changes. The car does not leak or smoke. There has been a class action suit regarding spark plug fouling indicating unusual oil consumption. My car has only 59500 miles and I believe the problem may be starting now. Honda extended a recall until Nov. 2015, 8 years past the purchase date. I was never notified about this and because the problem hadn't begun until now, it is only a matter of time that my plugs will foul. Other 2008 Honda owners had rings replaced and other engine remedies to correct the premature oil consumption. I have had several new Honda, and never experienced this kind of problem. I first saw about the class action law suit, about a month ago, and several people had this problem. Because of the low mileage I was not affected, until my recent oil change. I certainly don't believe the car should be using 2 or more quarts in less than 1000 miles. The dealer told me they would have to do an oil change and monitor the consumption and then he said only about 2 out a 100 have been warranted. I have taken good care of my vehicles and changed the oil regularly and never had a problem like this. Had I had this problem arise a few months back, I may have gotten this taken care of. Unhappy Honda customer

- Edmond, OK, USA

I began hearing a disturbing mechanical rattle on cold starts and started to become more excessive during the winter months. It was confirmed that the vtc actuator was the problem and I contacted Honda America for a solution and assistance but they denied any goodwill service because of the age and miles on my car even thou its a common problem with every 2008 Accord 2.4L kseries engine. My 2003 Accord, sounds much better at start up than my 2008. Kind of sad since it's over 200,000 miles now. The grinding sounds so bad it has to be damaging to something in the engine. With so many complaints from all the 2008 V4 owners, I don't know why Honda is acknowledging this problem and release a service bulletin but not a free replacement of the troubled parts. This is very frustrating given and I am very unhappy with Honda's customer service. After speaking with casy with american Honda this morning, he stated that a recall has not been made because it has not caused an immediate harm to consumers. So, if I understand him correctly, harm to a consumer has to happen before something is done to a known problem"??"

- Antioch, TN, USA

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

Check engine light blinking under normal driving. Engine needs to be replaced. Honda won't cover because car is 5 months out of warranty. Only has 42,000 miles. Was told excessive oil consumption even though I have noticed no excessive oil consumption. Last week was told engine misfire issue and they replaced rings and pistions.

- Little Rock, AR, USA

The cold start generates the grinding sound from vtc actuator. The result of vtc actuator complete mechanical failure is catastrophic. The valves from the intake of either cylinder 2&3 or 1&4 will result in a tensioner to fail and a fantastic collision of the valve with the piston. Honda should issue a recall as this is a part defect. The newly redesigned vtc accturator was released but Honda America only replace this for certain customer as case by case.

- Columbus, OH, USA

There's excessive oil consumption. I've changed spark plugs, PCV valve, throttle body but nothing helps.

- Scranton, PA, USA

The cold start generates the grinding sound from vtc actuator. The result of vtc actuator complete mechanical failure is catastrophic. The valves from the intake of either cylinder 2&3 or 1&4 will result in a tensioner to fail and a fantastic collision of the valve with the piston. Honda should issue a recall as this is a part defect. The newly redesigned vtc accturator was released but Honda America only replace this for certain customer as case by case.

- Glenview, IL, USA

Excessive oil consumption of 1 or more quart every 1000 miles. Honda repeatedly fails to uphold it's service warranty extension of vehicles that qualify for excessive oil consumption.

- Pleasant Hill, CA, USA