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.

7.8

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$300
Average Mileage:
42,500 miles
Total Complaints:
64 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. Honda should replace seats at their cost (21 reports)
  2. not sure (20 reports)
  3. replace cheap leather seat covers (19 reports)
  4. better quality/better customer service (4 reports)
2008 Honda Accord accessories - interior problems

accessories - interior problem

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2008 Honda Accord Owner Comments (Page 3 of 4)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #24

Oct 012009

Accord EX-L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 15,000 miles

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

Our first Honda. For years we had dreamed of owning a Honda Accord. Now, imagine our disappointment to discover the inferior quality of the leather seats in our 2008 EX-L Accord. The driver's front leather seat began to show excessive wear after about 15,000 miles, now at 25,000 miles the front edge of the leather seat is worn away as if it had been sanded. No, my wife does not wear sandpaper pants. She weighs-in at 130 lbs. and is the primary driver of the car about 98% of the time.

As of this date, the local Honda dealer is treating this problem as normal wear & tear. Please contact me if you have found a solution in getting Honda's attention to correcting this problem under warranty.

- Brian G., Ventura, CA, US

problem #23

Jan 022009

Accord ES V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 30,000 miles

click to see larger images

poor leather quality poor leather quality

I have a 2000 Honda Accord V6 that I gave to my daughter and it now has 460,000+ miles on it, yes that's right 460,000+, and the leather seats look better than my 2008 leather seats. The dealer replaced the driver seat once just after six months and said that I was not maintaining the seats correctly and that I needed to use Honda products to maintain them. I purchased the Honda product and the seats still do not clean up. I'm meticulous in my maintenance on my car inside and out, as my car is my office. I believe it's time for Honda to stand behind their defective seats.

- Doug W., Flagler Beach, FL, US

problem #22

Sep 012009

Accord

  • Automatic transmission
  • 20,000 miles

I THINK HONDA USED TO HAVE A GREAT PRODUCT IN THE 80'S. MY CAR TODAY IS A GOOD LOOKING CAR FROM THE OUTSIDE. INSIDE LOOKS LIKE A PIECE OF CRAP CAR-- SEATS ARE CRAPPY AND CRACKING. I HAVE ALWAYS BOUGHT LEATHER SEATS IN MY VEHICLES AND NEVER HAD THIS ISSUE. THE SEATS LITTERALLY PEEL AND CRACK... HONDA'S SOLUTION IS THEY WILL CHECK WITH A LEATHER SPECIALIST AND CALL ME BACK. AFTER A YEAR STILL CALLING AND WAITING WITH NO RESPONSE. LOOKS LIKE THIS WILL BE JUST LIKE MY BRAKE ISSUES THEY REFUSED TO FIX AND I HAD TO FINALLY PAY OUT OF POCKET UNTIL RECALL HIT. UNTIL RECALL THEY NEVER HEARD OR EXPERIENCED THIS BEFORE...??? THEY NEED TO LOOK AT WHAT THEIR CUSTOMERS ARE SAYING....IT SEEMS LIKE I AM NOT ALONE. I HAVE READ MANY COMPLAINTS ON LEATHER SEATS FALLING APART AND HONDA NEGLECTING TO DO ANYTHING

- edgell, New Braunfels, TX, US

problem #21

Sep 072010

Accord EX-L 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 32,150 miles

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

click to see larger images

poor leather quality

I have had all sorts of technical issues with my 2008 Honda Accord. First, the breaks exhibit premature wear, which Honda first blames on customers, and then finally they loose a class action lawsuit on this exact topice (way to go!). Second, the AC never worked properly, which is significant when living in Texas, and which Honda blames on me as a customer. Third, after two years, the front seat leater is history! Never seen anything like this before. The local Gunn Honda dealership does not support their Honda products and I have spent countless hours in grief and discussions with them. Don't buy Honda products, they used to be very good products, but mine sucks.

- Kent F., San Antonio, TX, US

problem #20

Sep 112009

Accord EX-L 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 30,000 miles

I Purchase my 2008 accord on July 2008 , and 14 month later the front drivers seat started to wear out. I havent contact honda yet , but by reading other complaints , it looks like honda is not doing good by their customers. OK I know toyota had break problems on some models but at least they did good by their customers and fix the problem quickly. I think I will go back to toyota. I also had brake problems with my honda.

Update from Oct 6, 2010: I took my car to tarrytown honda for the leather wear , they said it was normal wear. I called honda and they said there is nothing they could do. I WILL NEVER EVER BY A HONDA AGAIN. THEY ARE MAKING CARS WORST EVERY YEAR.

- Guy P., Ossining, NY, US

problem #19

Mar 012010

Accord EXL V6 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 19,000 miles

incredible my 2008 LX V6 Loaded RED accord brakes went out fast after complaining and having the dealer blaming my wife for driving with the emergency brake on to work and back everyday then doing us a favor and fixing it for free this one time, now i have to go back and complain of the front driver side leather seat failure its now worn out with less than 19000 miles i bought this car for the wife so her commute would be safe and economical and stylish now i wounder if Honda stands for junk and denial and mistreatment, after this meeting tomorrow i will post a blog and put my dealings on YELP i will not take this lying down and i will find others maybe a class action? keep you posted in any case how should i handle the dealer i know how to be diplomatic but there is a limit, advice is always appreciated. Phil

- spalletta, Redwood City, CA, US

problem #18

May 192010

Accord LX V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 43,000 miles

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

I am so disappointed in the leather in my 2008 accord. I showed the service tech at the dealer and she said the amount of wear is typical for my car What?! How can that be? How cheap is this interior. I had a BMW before this. Should have stay with German made!!! I going to start complaining until Honda makes it right....I then I'm going to sell this car!!!

- Julie H., Fallbrook, C, US

problem #17

Apr 172010

(reported on)

Accord EX-L 2.4L

  • Manual transmission
  • 19,930 miles

click to see larger images

poor leather quality poor leather quality poor leather quality poor leather quality poor leather quality

My Accord is less than 2 years old. Since the day I got this vehicle I went to Honda dealers many times for different repairs. I think that every owner of 2008 Accord has had some “good words| towards Honda front and rear brakes already, so I will not start on it. My leather seats seem to have pretty cheap upholstery. As you can see on photos, back support has some kind of dark discoloration that looks like dirt. If I would not know that this vehicle is less than 2 year old I would guess that it was driven by some kind of messy dude for 10-12 years at least. At the same time, artificial leather on the side of the seat has cracks.

Update from May 3, 2010: Honda dealer took 15 photos... I was promised that Honda would contact me withing a week with a solution. It is 3 weeks now and nobody called. It is a pretty strange way to do a business by ignoring customers.

Update from May 10, 2010: Still waiting....

Update from Nov 22, 2010: I went to the dealer last month and asked if they would do anything about leather seats...Well, they told me that 12 photos were sent to Honda and since that it was no response from Honda. So, I requested that dealer will print out the invoice (work order) that will clearly show that I did ask for such repairs to be done.... 10 minute later they told me that leather seat covers were ordered from Honda and within a week they would ask me to come over to do the replacement.

Update from Jan 26, 2011: Hi, people! Honda dealer did replace the leather seat cover with no cost to me.

Update from Feb 18, 2011: Recently Honda dealer replaced driver's seat upholstery. New leather has started to show similar discoloration and signs of excessive wear. People, DON'T BUY HONDA for sure!

- Eduard L., Cordova, TN, US

problem #16

Sep 012009

Accord EX V4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 30,000 miles

Tan Leather seat are a mess. The front seatS have black spots all over them. This car is not driven often but it looks as if seats have many years of wear and tear. I still have my 2002 Honda Accord and my seats are in great condition. Honda needs to replace the poor quality of leather in their accords. This is very embarrassing when you purchase a new vehicle along with the extra cost for leather and within a couple of months your seats are all worn out. I have been in the Honda family for over 25 years and usually stand behind these cars, but I am very disappointed in the quality. DO NOT SPEND THE EXTRA MONEY FOR THE LEATHER PACK, IT IS OF POOR QUALITY.

- sregina, Laurinburg, NC, US

problem #15

Jul 122009

Accord V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 10,000 miles

I put a bottle of suntan lotion on my front seat. A little lotion leaked on the seat. The leather bubbled up and peeled off like paint. The dealer refuses to cover this under the extended warranty that I purchased.

- Kimberly W., Glenville, NY, US

problem #14

Aug 082008

Accord EX-L 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 6,214 miles

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

click to see larger images

poor leather quality poor leather quality poor leather quality

Front seats were replaced except rear I am going to purchase not original "leather" covers anymore found a site online and going to replace all seats

- vaua70, Miami, FL, US

problem #13

Aug 082008

Accord EX-L 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 13,049 miles

It took almost a 1 1/2 year after months of calling sending emails to the Honda distributor and American Honda. They decided to only replaced the "fake front leatherseats" but not the headrest which from light grey looks dirty grey. the rear seats have the same problem with the leather but refused to change them.

Now the front driver side door armrest and center armrest the leather is like peeling. I decided to upgrade my 04 Accord EX to a 08 Accord EX-L leather which resulted very poor in Quality.

I guess the quality of a "Japanese" made cars no longer exits.

- vaua70, Miami, FL, US

problem #12

Oct 312008

Accord LX 4 cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 17,000 miles

I own a 2008 Honda Accord, I notice the leather seat is wearing out; I took my car to Carey Paul Honda in September to look inspect the leather because that is where I purchased the vehicle. I ended up waiting three months for a Regional Representative to inspect my vehicle. My vehicle was supposedly inspected on 18 Dec 09, I was informed by the service rep that Honda no longer put a protective coating on the leather because it depletes the ozone. And they would do nothing about the seats. Seems to me that tid bit of information would have been important enough to tell the consumers/customers before purchasing the vehicle and publicized to the public. Inform the customer that the leather was not up to par for normal wear and how the consumer would have to protect and clean it. I've read various reports concerning Honda reviews and nothing about this issue. I employ all Honda Accord owners to contact your dealer if you see that the leather is wearing in your vehicle. This is an issue that needs to be addressed and unless the consumer complains Honda will do nothing and you will continue to pay a note and not receive the best possible service and protection that you deserve.

21 Dec 09, I called the regional office to discuss the issue of my situation further, again, if you are having similar problems with your leather seats or know of someone with a Honda Accord. Let them know, I've owned hondas for over 30 years, I stand by them and have never had a problem from Atsugi, Japan to Singapore to Atlanta, GA. This is my first time. Thank you, browningdt

- browningdt, Rutledge, GA, US

problem #11

Jul 132009

Accord EX V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 14,000 miles

Poor leather quality in my '08 honda accord. Driver's seat showed fading of black leather to a bluish grey color. The fading was on the bottom of the seat and upright back. This fading became apparent within a year of driving and by Jan 2010 became worse. Initially honda insisted that i put something on the seat to create the fading. I took it to an auto interior company that the local dealership works with to get their opinion and they didn't know what happen but they did contact honda so by the time i arrived back to the dealership they said they would replace (under warranty) the whole seat cover (replacement leather pieces seem to not be available to the interior company). The cover was replaced by the same manufacturer of the original cover (there are two manufacturers for this model). I expressed my concern about getting another defective cover and the service person said they (honda) have fixed the problem. His response would suggest that the Honda Corp. knows about the problem and admits responsibility or it could just be the service person was trying to get me to not stay focused on a potential repeat.

- Roz P., Willliamston, MI, US

problem #10

Jun 012009

Accord EXL 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 21,000 miles

thoroughly disappointed with this honda product. They had a great vehicle. This is very apparent in the quality of the leather they are using in their vehicles. My 2008 honda accord leather looks like it came out of dry oven. Its looks brittle and cracked throughout the entire car IN ALL SEATING LOCATIONS!! Have had other problems with brakes. THIS MAY BE MY LAST HONDA . EVER !!

- Ralph C., Miami, FL, US

problem #9

Dec 122009

Accord EX 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 37,500 miles

My 2008 Accord already shows significant wear on the driver's seat. I see 3 areas where the tan leather is gone and there is gray showing through. I have a 1999 Accord EX with 190000 miles. The leather seats are in great shape. The 2008 appears to have rather thin leather especially compared to my 1999.

- janga, McDonough, GA, Pacific Islands (US)

problem #8

Oct 232009

Accord EX-L 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 35,000 miles

I own a 2008 Accord with tan leather seats, and I have noticed that the seat covers wear out, causing the leather pigment to rub off, leaving dark spots. The dealer saw the problem and replaced the seat covers, but once the warranty expires, it will not be covered. In looking at the old seat cover, I noticed that only the middle part of the seat cover is actually leather, the rest is vinyl or some other synthetic material. I was surprised at the cheap quality of the covers, and the misrepresentation of the seats being covered in "leather".

- Peter G., Washington, DC, US

problem #7

Jun 012009

Accord EX-L 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 28,000 miles

Poor Leather Quality on the 2008 Honda Accord. The front seat leather is of such poor quality that it is beginning to peel. I will add pictures later. Currently the leather looks like it is peeling and is worn severely. I am so disappointed with the quality. From the moment I bought the car, I realized that the leather appeared to be unusually thin. This has turned into a major grief with this car as the leather is now the major issue.

Currently submitting for warranty repair. Beware of the leather with this vehicle line.

- Robert S., Sumter, SC, US

problem #6

Aug 242009

Accord LX 3.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 19,000 miles

The leather started fading and appeared as if it was imitation leather that had been painted on. Took it to the dealership and they relayed they would replace them this "one time." I thought to myself that as long as they keep installing inferior leather they will continue to replace them, but that's another battle reserved for another day. Point is that that Honda has installed inferior leather, I'm sure not intentionally, in some of their 2008 models and they should replace the seats on any vehicle with this type of problem.

- leep, Montgomery, AL, US

problem #5

Mar 012009

Accord EX V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 19,000 miles

The driver's side front seat Leather is inferior. It looks like dirt but does not come off. It looks like the leather was painted on and the paint came off. To add insult to injury when contacting the dealer (who I bought 2 new cars from), the were unwilling to fix it or even attempt to fix it...even Honda Corp of America was unwilling to stand up for their product. I found the lack of customer service extremely offensive given the fact that the car was expensive and only 1 year old. They could have easily found a fix in the name of customer satisfaction, they just did not want to. I would never recommend Honda or the dealer that I went to and I will actively tell all I know not to as well.

- damato, Cooper City, FL, US

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