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.

7.2

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$200
Average Mileage:
21,200 miles
Total Complaints:
18 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. had to get new rear brake pads (10 reports)
  2. not sure (8 reports)
2008 Honda Accord brakes problems

brakes problem

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2008 Honda Accord Owner Comments

problem #18

Mar 182014

Accord LX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75,000 miles

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

SOUNDS LIKE ROTOR SCRAPING ON BRAKE PAD AT ONE SPOT. LIKE OUT OF ROUND.

- sanzdc, Needville, TX, US

problem #17

Aug 032010

Accord ES 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 18,177 miles

I was driving down the street and heard this screeching sound and even the person driving along side of me heard it and said it must be your brakes. I have never changed the back pads on my Nissan before changing the front pads. This is absurded! Honda needs to own up to the problem and fix it. Why should the owners pay for this problem.

- vivianh, Compton, CA, US

problem #16

May 102010

Accord EXL V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 31,000 miles

Make Honda own up to this braking problem. They are deceiving consumers when they know there is a problem with the rear braking system. This is as bad as Toyota (have an Avalon Limited also) deceiving consumers there customers. Honda has always had a reputation as a reliable auto and this is very disappointing knowing that they are doing this. I am filing a complaint with BBB and writing a certified letter to Honda letting them know that they can not get away with this!!!

- Yolanda N., Dade City, FL, US

problem #15

Apr 202010

Accord EXL V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 22,000 miles

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

I am very surprised that my accord with little use has had the brake pads wear out and result in the rotors and pads having to be replaced. They told me that pads are covered under warranty but the rotors were not. $145 down the drain.

- britinva, Falls Church, VA, US

problem #14

Feb 152010

Accord LX 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 12,000 miles

Hope this helps others with this what should be a Honda Recall. I called Honda corporate and they are somewhat aware of this wearing of the rear brakes prematurely. They told me to get my 2008 accord evaluated by my dealership and get back to them with outcome. I brought my car in today and the service mgr is also aware of this problem and said he would split the price. Cost to me $72.00. My question to all is why should I pay anything if Honda is aware of this problem. All four pads were replaced in the rear and the problem appears to be gone. I will be calling honda corp to try and get back my $72 for what will I know will be a recall on the rear breaks. Also be aware that the 2009 accords are having this problem also. Word to all, I have owned honda for many years, no problems to mention but this one is certainly going on the RECALL LIST

Good Luck and hope this helps! but word of advice the brakes are definitely worn, don't ignore the sound it will be dangerous for you if you do!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

- Joseph M., Staten Island, NY, US

problem #13

Feb 012010

Accord LX 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 26,000 miles

called local dealer, played dumb, like "wow". called american honda, "would you feel better if front brakes were bad" just flip answers. Obviously has to be fixed, and obviously honda isn't going to do anything about it. So, that leaves the class action suit. Get in.

http://www.girardgibbs.com/hondabrakes.asp?kk=honda%20accord%20brake%20problems&kt=72b8cce1-0fe8-4f4f-88b8-55662de96fbb&gclid=CPiPpoG2ip0CFUdM5QodLVRm2Q

- mtsaz100, Phoenix, AZ, US

problem #12

Jan 012010

Accord EX-L

  • Manual transmission
  • 14,650 miles

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

I have 14,650 miles on my car and after reading the complaints it seems that I am having brake problems with my car. The noise came out of the blue yesterday and has been very random. It starts up and stops very quickly. I brought the car to Honda today and am waiting to hear the unfortunate news. Out of all the miles on my car, I would say around 8,000 of them are highway miles. How is it possible to already have brake problems??? Honda should own up to their mistake or there will be a lot of irritated people out there.

I will never purchase a Honda again!!!

- steinhauer, Garden City, NY, US

problem #11

Dec 142009

Accord EXL V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 9,800 miles

My Accord is 1 year old with less than 10k miles. The brakes started making noise and then the noise became permanent. I checked the brake pads this morning and there is no brake left in front and very little left in the rear. I guess I will ask Honda to change my brake and rotors - and I have no intention of paying for it.

Thanks to everyone here for sharing their brake problem. There should be a recall for this problem.

- babak, Alexandria, VA, US

problem #10

Apr 302009

Accord EXL 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 17,398 miles

At 28K they started to have a grinding sound on the rear brakes.

I took it into Honda and they said that they breaks were never serviced and you need to bring them in ever 10k for a cleaning....anyway I just said that the maintenance minder didn't come up and tell me anything so I didn't bring it in.

They came back and replaced my rear pads and cleaned everything up - no charge. I was still pissed...and now I'm having oil/engine problems and the car is only 15 months old.

- nickns2, Mississauga, ON, Canada

problem #9

Mar 042008

Accord LX-P 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 3,600 miles

I HATE HONDA RIGHT NOW.......NEVER BUYING ANOTHER...ONLY RENTING. THE BRAKES ARE ONLY 3,600 MILES OLD AND THEY SCRAPE. I HAD TO GET NEW REAR BRAKES!

- madatmrhonda, Fountain Hills, AZ, US

problem #8

Sep 272009

Accord EX 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 22,500 miles

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

I took my car to the dealership and of course had to make two trips b/c first time they said they could not duplicate the noise. Course still kept making the noise so I went again and the kid from the shop rode with me (and yes, he was very young) so he could hear the noise. Didn't hear the noise until he got out and I started to drive away but he knew right away what it was -- the brakes. He acted surprised that this was a problem on a car with only 22,500 miles. They have estimated $170 to fix it. I have not fixed it yet but plan to take it in today if I have time as the problem is getting worse, not just a warning sound but now a scraping. My husband says my rear brakes should not be going out yet, so we thought the dealership was just trying to get one over on me. But with the problem getting worse, I know it is the brakes. This is my first Honda which I bought b/c they are supposed to be low maintenance reliable cars. So much for that. If I knew I would have problems like this I'd have kept the mustang -- even with the 2 kids.

- Megan S., Phenix City, AL, US

problem #7

Sep 102009

Accord LX V4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 16,000 miles

unbelievable, at 16000 miles, a brand new honda accord needs brake change, what a reputation for honda, I preferred to purchase a honda accord brand new in 2008 for my wife so i can have a peace of mind and worry free coz of maintenance, it seems i took the stupid decision. now in a year and a half i have to worry.i've been driving my mitsubishi montero for over than 3 yrs and it wasn't brand new, it is 2001, and i never need to change the brakes, what a joke

- Wissam A., Philadelphia, PA, US

problem #6

Aug 182009

Accord ES 4 cyl V-Tech

  • Automatic transmission
  • 18,000 miles

My 2008 Accord is making the same rear brake scraping sound as the ones reported on this sight. It only has 18k miles and I haven't brought in my car for service yet. Now that I know from reading the posts on this site what the tech will probably tell me (need replacement), I'd like to be prepared for a GREAT response. Other than standing in the showroom and threatening to loudly warn prospective customers about the defect, does anyone have an idea on how I get enough leverage on my dealership to have them pay for the new pads?

- Joe V., Verona, NJ, US

problem #5

Jul 152008

Accord LX 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 12,427 miles

it is the best site on vehicles complaints, I like it very much , but I dont like the last part of it when it keep asking you to write something about Autobeef

- Yahya A., Muscat, Oman, Oman

problem #4

Jul 222009

Accord EX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 22,000 miles

Just spent 256.77 getting new rear brake pads on my Honda Accord 08 that only has 22,000 miles on it. Last week I started to hear a noise that sounded like metal scraping metal and as the week went on I heard the noise more and more. Today when I heard it was my break pads I was pissed because two weeks ago I paid two hundred dollars to get my car serviced and they didn't mention anything wrong with my break pads, but now my break pads were 95 to 100% worn. That doesn't seem possible that nothing was wrong and then they were almost gone. The service guy told me that they would not have noticed this during servicing so my question is why do we spend the money to get our car serviced at Honda?? Isn't that why you get your car serviced.

My other question which was never answered was why I heard this noise when I was driving on the highway going 55mph and over? I feel like I have been lied to and taken advantage off. That is over 450 dollars gone to my car this month and it doesn't even include my monthly payment. No wonder I am broke!! Honda needs to do something about this problem now. So pissed off!!!

- duns1980, Brighton, MA, US

problem #3

Jul 092009

Accord 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 16,999 miles

I own a 2008 Honda Accord that I bought brand new. I took it in to the dealer around 16900 miles to get an oil change and they recommended the 15000 mile service. I had a road trip coming up so I agreed. That night I began to hear a grinding or scraping noise and assumed it must be dust or something. i have not taken the car back because I have been busy. Reading all these complaints about the same issue is a real concern for all consumers. If Honda has failed the consumer and they are supposed to be one of the most reputable vehicles on the market and look at what has happened to the auto industry, then what does that say for the worthless consumer? Something needs to be done everyone knows there is power in numbers let's pledge to keep each other posted on our experiences and success or lack there of. I will continue to post my experiences with my first accord that has kept me a satisfied customer up until this point. Thank you all for sharing your experiences and provided me with some insight before I chew the dealership a new assh@le.

- demalleo, Pompano Beach, FL, US

problem #2

Jul 132009

Accord LX-P

  • Automatic transmission
  • 14,000 miles

I also got my Honda from Woodland hills keys Honda, and at 14000 miles my brakes started making this loud scraping and scratching noise.

- magneev, Tarzana, CA, US

problem #1

Dec 042008

Accord LX 4.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 30,000 miles

I am soooo pissed! My new 2008 Honda Accord is making a scraping sound with an occasional alarm sounds. If it is the brakes and I have to pay for them to be repaired I have two attorneys in the family and I will sue the Honda Corp. My third Honda Accord and I am VERY disappointed that I am having trouble! Has Honda quality gone the way of Ford, GM and Chrysler?

- Jerry G., Tallahassee, FL, US

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