My car rattles severely every time I drive it. I'm so afraid to drive my car because I feel unsafe. The vtc actuator is a problem that all 2008 Honda Accord have and costs so much money to not fix the problem. This issue is needs to be recalled. It can cause major car failure. I'm a hard working student that can't afford to keep paying for the car to be worked on with no solution. This is a huge problem.

- Stockton , CA, USA

Every single day when I start up my 2008 Honda Accord 4 cycl. Automatic from a cold start there is a horrible noise (rattle) from what sounds like the engine. The Honda dealership in waldorf, md has tried to fix this problem 3 or 4 times. Now they say they won't try to fix it anymore, even though the problem still exists. I've been told by Honda that it is the vtc actuator and it is a defective part. Til this day 5/15/15, I have not been able to get the issue resolved. The problem started about a year after I got the car. It is the only annoying and unnerving problem with my Honda. Why can't this issue be resolved? I found all these complaints in the Honda technical service bulletin and have been fighting this issue with Honda ever since. Obviously Honda knows about it. At cold start-up, customers may complain about a loud engine rattle that lasts for about two seconds. The probable cause is a faulty vtc (variable timing control) actuator. This applies to all 2008 Accord L4 (two/four door) vehicles, 2009 Accord L4 two-door VIN 1hgcs19A000001 through 1hgcs19A004953, 2009 Accord L4 four-door VIN 1hgcp29A000001 through 1hgcp29A029528, and 2009 Accord L4 four-door VIN jhmcp29C000001 through jhmcp29C010096. Parts information vtc actuator P/N 14310-R44-A01 vtc oil control solenoid valve O-ring P/N 15832-raa-A01

- Clinton, MD, USA

The contact owns a 2008 Honda Accord. The contact heard a grinding noise coming from the engine when the vehicle was started. The failure recurred every morning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the vtc actuator control needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 98,838.

- Deptford, NJ, USA

Dear sir/madam, we have been complaining to Honda Motors about noise coming up first time when we start car in a day. The cranking noise is so loud that my wife and kids are worried about the car situation and feel very unsafe. The noise generally occur when we start car first time in the morning. We contacted Honda Motors last year and they recommended us to take it to dealership. We went to two dealership and they could not find any issue when they start car first thing in morning. This is very unusual as we have been hearing noise every single morning since than when we start car first time. We do not know how to resolve this issue" with some google search I found out that failure of vtc is causing similar issue to 2008 Honda Accord models. Can you please guide us how to resolve this matter" we are worried about overall situation with our car for last one year. Appreciate your assistance. Thanks/[xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Irving, TX, USA

My car was leaking fluid which I was unaware. My starter went out and the dealer said that the power steering fluid was leaking so bad if I did not repair it there could be an engine fire as well as damage to the alternator. He had to replace the entire power steering pump because he said that the leak was too bad to just replace the O ring and hose. I brought my car to moss motors in lafayette, Louisiana for the repair. I believe that since I only had 70,000 miles on my car that this power steering system is an obvious defect and safety hazard.

- Lafayette, LA, USA

Departing a parking lot at low speed, I made a turn to the left and heard a loud rattle from the engine. I stopped at the service station up the road and checked for obvious loose parts. Checked the oil and found that the level barely registered on the dipstick, indicating approx. 2 quarts low. I added oil and verified that the level was full. At no time did the engine oil light illuminate. Since that time I have had to add one quart of oil approximately every 900 miles. I notified my Honda dealer and was advised to have them perform a software update. The update was accomplished but the rate of consumption has not changed. Honda dealer advised me that this rate of consumption is considered normal. Considering that this engine holds 4 quarts and that the average oil change interval is 4,000 miles (according to the Honda maintenance minder software), this means that I am replacing the entire contents of the crankcase between each oil change. I was then advised that Honda can perform an oil consumption check that would require me to come back to the dealer every 1,000 miles (+/- 50) for approx. 1 year. After that time, Honda would determine, based on the results of the tests and the age/mileage of my vehicle, whether they would take any action. This is clearly a defect in the engine, as I change my oil when indicated by the maintenance minder and can produce all the records to prove the car has been serviced properly. I seek the appropriate correction of this problem by Honda.

- Alexandria, VA, USA

Recently I noticed that my engine is consuming more and more oil. I routinely get my oil changed every 3,000-5,000 miles as suggested in the manual. This last time, I was at the 2,000 mile mark when my oil light flashed; I say flashed, because the light did not stay on, rather it would go on only when I turn a corner. Clearly there is an issue as a class action lawsuit has been initiated by people who had to repair this defect themselves. First, consumers should not be responsible for spending hundreds of dollars a year to maintain oil in their car due to Honda's error. Second, this issue can cause the engine to freeze/lock-up while operating which is a major concern while driving. I do not drive excessively either, I have a 10 minute commute to work. My car should not be burning oil this quickly. This is the second Honda I have owned, my first was a 2004 and I never had issues with the oil. In fact, I would not receive a low oil notification until I was at 10,000 miles. Hondas have the reputation to last a lifetime; however, if this continues, I will be forced to purchase a new car that I cannot afford due to their error and refusal to acknowledge that this is a problem.

- Canton, OH, USA

On 12/22/2014, my 2008 Honda Accord LX (which has 98,300 miles on it) was towed into my local Honda dealer. The reason for my having it towed into my local dealer was due to the fact that my engine failed while driving on a residential street drive two miles from my home. There was absolutely no indication whatsoever that my engine would fail as the check engine light did not go on, there was no oil light illuminated, etc. Thus I was shocked when I was driving and tried to give the car some gas and the car did not accelerate ' thus I rolled to the side of the road and contacted a towing company. The service representative contacted me via phone and let me know that there was no compression in cylinder 2 and that I likely needed a new engine. The initial estimate would be $6,000 for a car with a blue book value of $6,500 (dealer trade in.) I have all service records and faithfully serviced my vehicle at the Honda dealership. The service rep also explained that I was low on oil and I reviewed my receipts to determine that I changed my oil 2600 miles earlier. I am hoping that Honda will provide goodwill to repair the vehicle as a 6 year old vehicle with 98000 miles on it should not need a new engine. Updated 3/10/16

- Durham, NC, USA

I am complaining about the excess engine oil consumption in my 2008 Honda Accord. I was told I have to pay $3,200 to have this problem repaired. Honda Corp. Said I would have to come up with $1,600 within 30 days to have the problem corrected. This is a problem Honda has been aware of (according to the dealership). I recently found out about this problem. I feel I am now stuck with this vehicle and the problem. Honda will not repair this problem saying they only recently became aware of the problem. Now I have to constantly monitor my oil level because Honda refuses to acknowledge there is a problem with all 2008 Accord.

- Randallstown, MD, USA

I was driving home from work and just pulled through an intersection when while I was accelerating I heard a loud rattling noise. I didn't think anything of it until I heard it again. When I got home I decided to check my oil level and found that there was practically no oil on the dip stick!! I put 2qts of oil in the car and the next morning took the car in to Honda service. The rep informed me that it was normal for a 2008 Honda 4cyl to require a qt of oil every 1 thousand miles. Really? this is not a 1975 car!! he said that this was within Honda specs. Maybe Honda make up a story and stick with it specs but that is not normal for a newer car!! I know that there was a fix for 6cyl models but Honda needs to address this issue for 4cyl models as well. My engine could have seized on me costing thousands to repair. I was told by the rep that I can have the dealership do an oil consumption test. I must bring the car back in 1000 miles. This is nonsense. Go to car complaints.com and see that vehicle owners have been experiencing this issue for years. If nothing is done to correct this issue this will be the first and last Honda I buy.

- Snellville, GA, USA

Engine vtc actuator failure on third 3rd replacement. High oil consumption 1+ quart / 1,000 miles.

- Columbia, MD, USA

Around December 20th, 2012 I started to notice a decline in mileage with my oil changes. It has only gotten worse from there. The car burns up so much oil at this point so quickly, I would say that at about every 1000 to 2000 miles I am putting 4qts more of oil into my engine because it has all burned up. I have also notice that my oil light never comes on during this time. The only way I know that I have no oil in my car is by checking it myself and/or when I start to hear the cylinders grind. I took my car into Honda and asked them why my oil was getting burned up so quickly and they fed me a line of nonsense and told me it was because we sit in traffic so much. They basically were trying to get rid of me and tell me it was normal. After that experience I went to a jiffy lube a month later to get my oil checked again and when I brought it in they said that there was nothing in my engine that I had no oil in my car whatsoever. Honda refuses to acknowledge that there is a problem with my car. Even with the excessive oil use. Another problem I had is with the vtc actuator and I am starting to wonder if the two are intertwined.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

The engine makes a loud knocking noise as soon as the car is started and doesn't stop. I took it to the shop and once they got inside the engine they said half of the engine wasn't getting oil. I now have to get a new engine.

- Irving , TX, USA

The contact owns a 2008 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 60 mph, the engine stalled without warning. The contact also stated that there was an abnormal noise coming from the rear end of the vehicle. In addition, when the accelerator pedal was depressed the vehicle failed to accelerate. The vehicle was restarted however the failure recurred on multiple occasions. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the failure was unable to be diagnosed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that NHTSA campaign id number: 11V395000 (power train) was not valid. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.

- Diberville, MS, USA

2008 Honda Accord. Consumer writes in regards to repairs on vehicle and seeks reimbursement since vehicle still under warranty. According to the invoice, the fuel and check engine light illuminated. The technician found a misfire in cylinder #5. the cylinder 5 spark plug was inspected and there was evidence of oil burning creating an ashy build-up on the plug.

- Winston-Salem, NC, USA

2008 Honda Accord ex L 4 cyl burns an excessive amount of oil. Generally I have to put in a quart of oil every 1000 miles. I have taken it to the local dealership where they updated the software, but that did not fix the issue. There is also a loud sound that comes from the engine when the engine is started. I used to only here the sound on cold engine starts, but now it makes the sound every time it is started.

- Layton, UT, USA

I purchased this car last year and it had over 150000, as I checked the oil I noticed it was low I have added 1 qt in between every oil change. My second problem was during the winter on the real cold days the starter sounded like it was hanging up as described as the vtc actuator. My third problem is the warning light on the dash for the air bag has illuminated. I contacted Honda today and they told me the light only comes on after it has been to the body shop" also I have received a claim form for a reimbursable deployment prior to Feb 13 2014. I have not been in a accident and neither has the car. So if there is a claim for the air bag deployment why isn't there a recall for the air bag"

- Holly Springs, MS, USA

The contact owns a 2008 Honda Accord. The contact stated that her vehicle consumed an excessive amount of oil. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who was unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 115,000. The current mileage was 152,000.

- Castlewood, VA, USA

I noticed my car was making a strange noise when I first started it up. I took it to the Honda dealership in roanoke Virginia, and they told me I was running the car without oil. They filled it up for me, and change the oil filter. Not even 3000 miles later, the car was making the same noise. I looked up on the internet forums and found the oil consumption concerns. I brought this up to the service manager at the roanoke dealership, and he dismissed it. He said it is common to put a quart of oil in the Accord about every 1000 miles. I am in sales, and I drive about 900 miles a week. When this was first brought to the dealerships attention, I was just over 40,000 miles, and I was still under the factory warranty. I repeatedly brought this up to the same service manager, and he said he can do a consumption test, but it will take many miles to complete. He reassured me there was no problem. I bought this car based on its reputation of being a long-lasting vehicle with very few problems. Now knowing the Honda/the roanoke dealership is lying, my trust in Honda has been shaken.

- Roanoke, VA, USA

Extreme oil consumption 4 cylinder engine several quarts are consumed in less than 3000 miles of travel.

- Columbia, MD, USA