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 1 of 5)

problem #94

May 102022

Accord

  • miles

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

The vsa light is on every time I drive the triangle hazard light and the abs light is

- Mesquite , TX, USA

problem #93

Jan 172022

Accord

  • miles
I am having issues with my transmission. My gears get stuck between 2nd and 3rd gear while driving. It loses power and I have to switch to Neutral and put it back in Drive in order for it to become unstuck. I have taken it to Honda, and they told me it was the computer, and several other things. They replaced $2000 worth of parts and the problem still happens. I took it back to Honda and they told me I needed a new transmission after they took $2000 from me. This initially started approximately 5 months ago when my engine light came on.

- Lithia Springs, GA, USA

problem #92

Feb 072021

Accord

  • 560,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Honda Accord. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, it caught on fire. No one was injured during the fire. The fire department was notified and extinguished the fire. A fire department report was filed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle had not been inspected however the fire department in their report could not determine what cause of the fire because the vehicle was severely damaged. The failure mileage was 560,000.

- Springfield, MO, USA

problem #91

Sep 012020

Accord

  • 147,000 miles

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

My husband and I were on a trip and I didn't realize it, but people kept flashing us and I did not have my lights on. When we pulled over, my husband could not get out of his side of the door. It would not open. We were on the freeway, on a cold rainy day and visibility was bad, and not being able to have lights, or defroster work properly put us in a hazardous position. Later I found out as I took it to a mechanic was that our fuse box was not working correctly, and the lights on the right side only and the door and the defroster were not working. It cost me $951.09 to get this repaired on my 2008 Honda Accord. I think when people get in a car, and drive it especially in hazardous conditions, everything should work properly. I did see on several sites there was a recall on this, but I never received a recall letter, or was contacted by my dealer. I would like to be reimbursed for the $951.09 oh, and I also would like other Honda owners to be aware of this problem. It could possibly prevent an accident, someone in dire situation that affects their safety. The car was being driven on a rainy day, and the defroster could not clear the windows, we could not put the heater on, could not roll the window down, could not get out of the car because the lock would not come up. Regards, amy lowery

- Ripon, CA, USA

problem #90

Aug 292020

Accord

  • 109,000 miles
Car lights flicker on and off while car is in motion. At stop light or stop sign, car will just shut off, requireing the driver to put it in park and restart the engine.

- Sykesville, MD, USA

problem #89

Dec 062019

Accord

  • 115,000 miles
I started my car up in the morning and warmed it up for about 15 minutes then as I go to put it in reverse the battery light came on I then put my car in park and turned it off then I turned it back on and the battery light was still on I decided to just go because I have to be at work in an hour as I am driving down I five the radio stopped working like the side of the vehicle started flickering and my headlights turned off and I was now driving down I-5 in the dark. Fortunately I made it to my location parked my car and it completely died. I didn't open my hood and started checking my battery and my alternator etc. I confirmed my battery was fine and that my alternator had failed. I then notice fluid was leaking from the power steering pump to the alternator. Now my car is has no power and even if I get it jumpstarted it just dies.

- Salem, OR, USA

problem #88

Nov 012007

Accord

  • 5,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2008 Honda Accord. The contact stated that the driver's side headlight did not work. Also, the vehicle's battery died and was replaced ten times under warranty since it was purchased brand new. Also, the driver's side electric window stopped working. Gwinnett place Honda (3325 satellite blvd, duluth, ga 30096, (678) 274-6206) diagnosed that an uncovered fuse caused the failures. In addition, the sun roof malfunctioned and the remote casing failed. The contact stated that the extended 75,000 mile warranty expired by five miles; therefore, the dealer would not repair the vehicle for free. The contact replaced the fuse on her own, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 16V346000 (air bags), 16V056000 (air bags), and 09E063000 (equipment); although, the dealer stated otherwise. The failure mileage was 5,000.

- Fletcher, NC, USA

problem #87

Jul 232018

Accord

  • 180,929 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Honda Accord. While driving 32 mph, another vehicle struck the contact's vehicle on the front driver's side. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained neck and knee injuries, which required medical attention. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and stated that the electronic control unit fractured, which caused the air bag to engage later. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer and dealer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,929.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #86

Aug 012018

Accord

  • miles
V tec actuator makes griding noise when start a car for 2 TO3 seconds

- Boise, ID, USA

problem #85

Jul 132018

Accord

  • 80,000 miles
Door lock, rear passenger side, automatically unlocks when I lock the doors. This has happened before on the driver side, rear door and was replaced due to recall.

- Havre De Grace, MD, USA

problem #84

Feb 152018

Accord

  • 200,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2008 Honda Accord. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start without warning. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact also received a takata settlement notice. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

- Clarksdale, MS, USA

problem #83

Mar 012018

Accord

  • 180,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Honda Accord. The contact heard an abnormal noise coming from the engine. The dealer (cape girardeau Honda, 385 siemers dr, cape girardeau, mo 63701, (573) 334-6919) was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 180,000.

- Cape Girardeau, MO, USA

problem #82

Mar 042018

Accord

  • 80,900 miles
Have tried to get all 4 windows to roll down none of them will have had it tested and they cannot find out what the problem is to me this is a safety problem just in case the car doors won't open then you need to roll down the windows and you can't

- Portage, IN, USA

problem #81

Dec 212017

Accord

  • 120,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Honda Accord. While attempting to start the vehicle, the instrument panel warning indicators illuminated, including the check engine indicator. While driving, the speed would not increase past 20 mph. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 120,000.

- Martinez, GA, USA

problem #80

Dec 082017

Accord

  • miles
Takata recall and SRS safety went to the autoairbagsettlement.com website and unable to find any links to file a claim online, this has been repaired but still want T be a part of it. The other recall still has no remedy at this time and judging from the text on NHTSA recall #16V-056 it sounds serious. Please help me to remedy this situation. Thanks,

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #79

Nov 152017

Accord

  • miles
Takata recall sometimes my sideairbag signal blinks and when I press the brake paddle hardly it sounds like rough and also sometimes when I touch the door I feel little bit electric shock.

- Somerville, MA, USA

problem #78

Apr 302015

Accord

  • 140,000 miles
Takata recall, excessive oil consumption, vtc actuator loud grinding on start up cold or warm!!!!! Honda would not fix because I was 15,000 miles over their grace period. I asked for good will and a big company that Honda is sure won't go bankrupt fixing my car.... but the girl I talked to was some what rude to me and just asked if I wanted the better business beau phone number. Their needs to be a class action law suit for the replacement of the vtc actuator, because sooner or later I will have engine failure and Honda knows about the problem. I have read 90% of the 2008 4 cylinder Accord have the problem and some of the newer models have the same problem. And I have heard they will replace the part, and soon after it does it again!!!! defective part!!!! I hope I can get some help, because Honda knows about the problem and I cant afford a new engine when the timing chain goes and everything with it!!!! thank you.

- Des Moines, IA, USA

problem #77

Jul 302017

Accord 4-cyl

  • 1 miles
Car caught fire doors locked would not let me out.car shut off no brakes.

- Steelton, PA, USA

problem #76

Mar 022017

Accord

  • miles
Car sporadically dying (electrically and all) while in drive or in motion of forward driving (while going 30 + mph) and then just as sporadically turning itself back on. Makes chain dragging sound similar to worn brake pads but the sound will change pitches while driving between 0-43mph. After 43 mph it no longer makes odd sounds but as soon as deceleration begins it is at risk to either temporarily "die' or slightly jerk and almost "die". this has happened while driving up to 20 times within 3 miles and the first time it "died" was while pulling into a parking spot and fully stopping. It has not done it for the last couple days and local mechanic could not diagnose it as the battery was in great condition and everything appeared to be plugged where it should be.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

problem #75

Nov 222016

Accord

  • miles
Takata recall, we bought this car for over 16,000 at gormleys automotive. After getting it home there were certain repairs that we needed asap. The car was definitely in a previous accident as we could see when the paint chipped that there was the original Honda white underneath. The car has 3 recalls. Lights come on that do not make sense and even though we didn't receive a manual, I looked things up on the internet. The engine belt rumbles, the suspension is way off, the leather seats and sidearms have ripped because they were replaced by cheap parts. The car loan is for $331 monthly and still is owed a siginificant amount on. Steward financial harasses with phone calls if you are an hr late on a payment. Unacceptable. I am disabled and can barely make ends meet. I do not want to pay for a car that runs like a hoopdee when its supposed to run like a Honda. Turning it does not grab the road, stationary the engine rumbles. I am a female so I do not know to much about cars. What I do know is that I cannot afford to have repairs done on a car with such a large amount owed on it.

- Collingswood, NJ, USA

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