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.

7.9

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$1,260
Average Mileage:
67,500 miles
Total Complaints:
394 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (229 reports)
  2. per Honda consuming 1qt per 1k miles normal (42 reports)
  3. I heard that Honda replaced worn rings and engine short block (21 reports)
  4. call American Honda corporation to complain (14 reports)
  5. rebuilt the engine (14 reports)
  6. replace engine (13 reports)
2008 Honda Accord engine problems

engine problem

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2008 Honda Accord Owner Comments (Page 1 of 20)

problem #394

Dec 012014

Accord EX 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 105,313 miles

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

I purchased this car in 2014 used from Patty Peck Honda in Jackson, MS. At first it used only a quart of oil between changes. Then after about two years it went up to two quarts between changes. Now it's a quart every 700-800 miles.

This is unacceptable. The car is only 11 years old. The Chevrolet Cavalier I traded in on this never used any oil between changes.

Honda should be ashamed of themselves for not calling for a recall on this issue. Apparently there are many of us having this problem. Before this gets any worse I am going to trade this car in. But you can bet on this - IT WONT BE A DAMN HONDA!!!

- angela1964hunt, McCool, US

problem #393

Mar 152010

Accord EX-L 2.4L

  • Manual transmission
  • 30,000 miles

I purchased this vehicle new, and it was great for the first 30,000 miles. On a road trip the car engine started making knocking noises when I stepped on the gas. I brought it to Larry H Miller Honda dealer service center, in Murray, UT and they were unable to find a problem, and sent me on my way. As I drove away the oil light came on the dash. I immediately stopped, and the dipstick did not register any oil. It took 3 quarts of oil to fill it to the correct dipstick reading. It was not due for an oil change for 2000 miles.

After I returned home, I took it to David McDavid Honda in Irving TX and they performed an oil consumption test, where they found that it was burning 3/4 quart of oil every 1000 miles. The car was no longer covered under manufacturer warranty at this point. They said that this is normal oil consumption as specified by Honda, and recommended that I get the engine repaired including new rings for around $3000 which would not be covered. I declined to have the repair done at my cost, as this was clearly a manufacturing defect. I later learned that this was a common issue for this model & engine, and that Honda extended the warranty.

Honda, however, didn't notify me of the service bulletin & warranty extension, and so by the time I heard about this, my vehicle was again not covered. I now add a quart of oil every 1000 miles so that it doesn't run low from the burning oil.

Because Honda does not stand by their products and does not take care of their customers, I will never again buy a Honda or Acura vehicle.

- cvs377, Salt Lake City, US

problem #392

May 012015

Accord EX-L Unknown

  • Automatic transmission
  • 55,000 miles

I own 2008 Honda Accord EX-L model. In 2005 the car stopped in the middle of the road at a red light. I had no clue what was going on the car or why it stopped in the middle of the road. I immediately came out of the car, opened up the hood, and the very first thing I did to check the engine oil, because the dashboard had an engine light. There was no oil on the stick. I left my car there and ran to a close by Walmart and grabbed 5 QT oil 5W20 and poured the entire can into engine, checked the dip stick, and the level came up little below the second dot on the dip stick. I waited for 5 minutes started the car, it started.

I made an appointment with local Honda dealer, and explained my misery with this car. They replaced another oil filter, marked the drain plug and told me to come back after 1000 miles. It didn't take more than 2 weeks to put 1000 miles on the car, and I brought it back - the oil level was below the bottom dot. He filled it up and told me to come back another 1000 miles. I did that for 3 times.

He told me there is definitely something wrong with the car but I am out of warranty, and therefore, they cannot repair the car under warranty.

I just came across a law suit about this model about excessive burning oil. I believe Honda should repair my car under warranty.

If anyone needs to contact me: mchoudhari_99@yahoo.com

- Mahmood C., Bloomington, US

problem #391

Jul 172019

Accord EX 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,000 miles

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

click to see larger images

excessive oil consumption excessive oil consumption

Had bad oil consumption on my Honda Accord. Was eating oil like crazy. Did research and found it was attributed to the worn seals from the VCM on the V6 engine. Bought a cheap VCM disabling device from AST on Ebay called the "AST Smart ECO VCM Module" and it works like wonders. Easily getting AT LEAST 1.5 quarts MORE oil in the pan when I'm doing a change. Not quite the full 5 quarts, but losing way less than before. Found out later I could have bought it direct from their website cheaper, but oh well. At least my car is happy now and I feel confident I'm not riding around with an empty oil pan.

- Fish M., Lawrenceville, GA, US

problem #390

Sep 142011

Accord LX 2.4L

  • Manual transmission
  • 50,000 miles

2008=Clunker. Overall many problems. A/C, transmission, airbags, A/C again, used oil.

- Lane S., Lexington, US

problem #389

Aug 012019

Accord EX 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,000 miles

This problem has been going on for years, but finally Google it and found it has been an ongoing issue that Honda has somewhat owned up to as long as they don't have to fix. My car engines rattles within weeks of topping off the oil. I brought this car brand new the second one I purchased. First was Civic.Prior to this I have told the positives of owning a Honda. Got my mom and neighbor to buy one. Never again.

- Jim W., Boulder City, NV, US

problem #388

Aug 242018

Accord AXL V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 102,222 miles

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

Well, looks like we are among those who are having the oil consumption issue. Read so many bad stories. The dealership wants us to monitor the amount of oil we need to add and will try to help us. According to Honda we are not under the warranty. Looks like we will need to sell. We have no other option. As their are no guarantees with Honda to cover the expenses. I read that Honda knows about this and there is a major lawsuit. That is our next step. So frustrated!!

- cynbaco, Omaha, US

problem #387

May 312019

Accord LX 2.4L

  • Manual transmission
  • 183,070 miles

The oil in this car burns really fast. I have been trying to figure out a fix for at least two years. For the past few months I average adding a quart of oil to the car roughly every 10 days. I have asked Honda repair department, my longtime mechanic and searched online.

Finally I got an explanation and a solution to the problem from Precision Auto in Nashville (A new mechanic).

Long and short of it is the cylinders have little pits in them. This allows oil to go where it should not and this causes it to burn up fast. The solution is a $20 pour in product called "Engine Restore". This product is poured in the same location as the oil and will repair the surface of the flawed cylinders. Mechanic told me to add this product with the next 1 or 2 oil changes to completely solve the problem. Mechanic is very optimistic this will work. I have a lot of confidence in this mechanic.

I'll post again to say how it is working.

- Yolanda J., Nashville, US

problem #386

Jan 012011

Accord LX-P V4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 35,000 miles

I've owned 5, FIVE Hondas. The Accord is the only which has had problems like this.

1983 Accord < Died at 280,000+ miles. 2003 Civic 2004 Civic 2008 Accord 2013 CRV

This oil consumption issue should have led to a complete and total recall.

This is the kind of crap you expect to see on Dodge Neon.

My car is using about 1 quart of oil per 900 miles! WTF?

- Dan D., Hammond, IN, US

problem #385

Jan 012018

Accord EX 2.4L I4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 107,000 miles

Initially, I used to get oil changes for every 8-10K miles. Right now its every 2-3K miles. Honda dealer in Burlington, MA did the oil consumption test for 1K miles. They said since the car is out of warranty (Mine is 2008), the only two solutions they offered me are to replace the entire engine or get frequent oil changes. One of the guys from Pep Boys told me that there is a Honda Technical Service Bulletins (TSB) where you can find more info. Have to search that and may be find a better solution.

- sunnyb, Tallahassee, US

problem #384

Apr 162016

Accord EX-L 4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 130,000 miles

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

I received a letter in the mail from the manufacturer stating this problem. I went to the dealership and made them aware of this problem and took the letter but the representative briefly skim and scanned the letter and handed it back and said it would not be honored because of the mileage. This is my only means of transportation, when I went to the dealership I was leaving for basic training and the letter stated that there had to be a six month eval of the problem and if that was the problem Honda was replace or fix it.

So now, I already filed a complaint with the BBB for one dealership about this matter because my car had no oil and shortly after, I received the letter. Now I am with a different dealership and having the same problem. This is my only means of transportation and I have a daughter that has Autism and I can not afford a motor.

I feel that if the representative would have just taken the time to read the letter or hear me out, I would not being going through this matter. I am a single parent, with an autistic child and I need my car for my daughter and to get back and forth to school and work. I spend more than $30.00 a week on oil because of this problem.

- Gwendolyn D., Orrville, AL, US

problem #383

Jan 222011

Accord EX 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 134,442 miles

Will update later.

- Yolonda M., Indianapolis, US

problem #382

Mar 042018

Accord LX 2.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 81,500 miles

Honda dealer on 01-29-2018 changed oil on my car with 79700 miles.

Now at 81500 oil is almost empty! Gone! Oil cage at bottom had just little oil mark.

My Honda Accord has very excessive oil consumption!

- Joe J., Island Lake, IL, US

problem #381

Oct 122016

Accord EX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 110,000 miles

I have a 2008 Accord .I have to add 5 quarts of oil between oil changes ,I've had oil consumption tests done 3 different times.Honda says its normal to add that much oil. They would fix it within 8 years or 125000 miles .I started oil consumption tests at 111000 miles but Honda said the oil loss was not bad enough,now I have 132000 miles on it. Now they want to tear it down and see how it looks with no estimate . To change piston rings its 2200.dollars for a block change 4000.dollars .This is my 7th Honda I've owned and the last.Honda has a problem and they don't want to take care of it

- Lana S., Harrod, US

problem #380

Jan 012018

Accord EX 6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 150,000 miles

Honda knows but did nothing! Probably needs a ring job...

- Gary F., Shreveport, LA, US

problem #379

Jul 182017

Accord EX 2

  • Automatic transmission
  • 85,000 miles

This is costing me alot of money sames HONDA DOESN'T CARE THEY SOULD BE FIXING THIS PROBLEM AND STILL PAYING FOR MY CAR FOR ANOTHER YEAR !!!

- massolin, Niagara Falls, ON, Canada

problem #378

Oct 202015

Accord EX 4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 79,000 miles

We purchased the 2008 Honda Accord in 2015 from a dealership after our 2006 Honda Accord was totaled when the car was taken for it's first oil change it was a little low did not think much about it, Continued to check the oil and noticed it would be low continued to add oil I have the oil changed every 3,000 miles on all my cars then in 2016 we received a notice about the oil consumption issue talked to my mechanic about it and he said take it to Honda in short Honda dealer said bring it back every 1,000 miles and they would record it, First time they added oil, Then said they topped it off, 2nd time same thing, Then the car stopped running all together had to be towed to my mechanic ( Authorized Honda Mechanic) he found because of the oil consumption issue it had ruined the timing chain he was outraged that Honda had not taken care of the problem so he replaced the timing chain and everything else that had to be replaced to fix most of the issues, After multiple calls to dealership I talked to the Honda Service department manager he told me that Honda was not going to fix the oil issue and he recommended that I trade the car in as they would just send it to auction I told him that would just make it someone else's problem. I contacted Honda for which they informed me they would not fix the oil consumption issue. I asked them why and he said the extended warranty was expired now. I told him they knew for years this was a problem but chose to notify me 3 years after they had settled a law suit for this issue and that Honda did nothing more then deceive their customers. I own a 1993 Honda Civic with 276,000 miles and it has never burned oil. My son had a 1991 Honda Accord with 198,000 miles when he sold it and I bought my granddaughter a 1993 Honda Civic that had 146,000 miles when she traded it in not 1 of these burned oil, I will never buy another Honda they have lost a long time customer.

- fatsuese, Battle Creek, US

problem #377

Sep 132017

Accord EX-L Unknown

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,000 miles

I purchased Honda Accord 2008 EX-L in late 2007. The car drove funny from very beginning. It produced a chirping noise from the exhaust. I took the car back to dealer, they kept the car for a week gave the car back to with some exhaust work. They also told me they could not really find anything in the car.

This car has been driven maybe 10 miles a day used only locally, thank God for that.

Early this year I noticed that car is consuming a lot of oil. I thought it might have a leak around the oil pan. I checked all over the engine and could not find any leak.

I keep adding oil to continue to drive the car. My daughter called me one day that her car got stuck in the middle of the road. I rushed to the scene and there was an engine light in the dashboard. I checked the engine oil. There was no oil in the engine. I went to walmart poured entire 5 Quart container into the engine, waited for few minutes, the car started.

I took my car to the dealer in town, explained my experience, they told me that I have a warranty extension. They will have to replace the oil and do the monitoring for every 1000 miles. I took my car there after every 1000 miles the car burned 1.5QT every 1000 miles, I did that 3 times. They told me that they will send all the information to Honda to decide what they will do. I receive a phone call from the dealer they told me that they need to upgrade software. They upgraded software the car still burns excessive oil. I called the dealer and Honda they basically told me their warranty expired there is nothing they can do about it.

This is ridiculous they manufactured a defective car and did not tell their customers, they hid the problem from their consumers. They also told me that they are not allowed to send out warranty extension notices to consumers. Really bad experience with Honda, I will never buy their car again. I have a Toyotal Sienna 2009, I drive that car all on highway and put around 10000 before I change oil and not a drop of oil burned.

I need a second car my another car will def not be Honda

- Mahmood C., Bloomington, US

problem #376

Nov 302016

Accord

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,000 miles

Originally Honda told me this was a problem with the VTC actuator and that it was an issue with all of that specific part used in 2008 Accords. They told me there was a service bulletin addressing the issue but never a recall. They said it would cost upwards of $800 to fix, but that there was still a chance the new part would be faulty since Honda never did anything to remedy the defect in the part.

Now they are saying it is the engine and an oil issue, also a problem they have refused to address or remedy. I am no longer under the manufacturer or extended warranties, but would have been right around the end of the extended warranty when the problem first started to appear last year.

It boggles my mind that such a "reputable" car manufacturer has no qualms with allowing loyal customers to drive cars with defective parts; parts that are inherently defective and of no fault or action of the driver. I know many people are loyal Honda-ists, but I will NEVER purchase a Honda again. This is absolutely ridiculous.

- Sarah N., Tallahassee, US

problem #375

Jul 012013

Accord LX 2.4L I4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 56,000 miles

This car was a nightmare in a nutshell. Never had any other cars with this type of problem. We just sold this 08 LX in August 2017 and are so happy to be rid of it. Let me sum up my problem in a nutshell. We bought this car CPO in 2010 from Sunnyside Honda in Middleburg Heights. Good price on it and given it was a Honda we figured we were good for the long haul, now granted this car never left us stranded, it kept burning oil at an alarming rate, more so in the winter than summer. it also made a grinding noise when you would start it. I was putting in 1 quart of oil every 750 miles (yes, thats right...750 miles) and the problems only got worse. Once in the middle of winter I checked the dipstick and it was bone dry! And there was no oil light on the dash!! (this was last winter) For fear of serious engine damage we traded in the car this summer and upgraded to a newer accord which does not have this issue. After owning many hondas this was by far the worst accord we have ever owned. I have a 07 Accord and its rock solid with no issues at all. DOES NOT BURN OIL! I feel bad for whomever bought this car off the used lot as they have no idea it was driven with almost no oil in it. I'm sure the engine will fail soon. The dealer sure did make it attractive for someone that had no idea. We ditched it just in time. The other Honda dealer (Also in Cleveland area- Ohio) said "oh we send these cars right to auction don't want to risk selling it" but then put it right on there used car lot for sale and it was gone within a week.

Also of note, we have to have the whole rack and pinion steering replaced right after we bought the car. Near the end of our ownership (around 1/2017) it started acting up again just like before. This was a 2800$ fix under warranty the 1st time. So by the time you add up a failed engine at 4,000$ and a failed rack and pinion steering box, someone is in for a nightmare of ownership with this car. Also the struts were leaking and the brakes were problematic as shown in other posts on here. I would avoid this year and model accord. Unless you like paying for repairs.

- John B., Broadview Heights, US

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