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:
5 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
74,252 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 engine problems

engine problem

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2008 Honda Accord Owner Comments (Page 1 of 11)

problem #204

Mar 172022

Accord

  • 113,000 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 while driving approximately 60 MPH, the engine misfired with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was driven to the dealer to be diagnosed. The mechanic determined that the spark plugs were fouled and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that at approximately 12,000 miles later the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the same dealer and the spark plugs were replaced again. The contact related the failure to NHTSA ID Number: 10152430 (Equipment, Engine). The manufacturer was notified of the issue and referred the contact back to the dealer. The approximate failure mileage was 113,000.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #203

Sep 232022

Accord

  • miles
Misfires from the eco mode it goes

- Logansport, IN, USA

problem #202

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 #201

Jan 242022

Accord

  • miles

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

Went to get my smog check and the found the problem and he diagnosed the problem as a nose mask.

- Sunnyvale, CA, USA

problem #200

May 012021

Accord

  • 80,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Honda Accord. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming 1-quart of engine oil per 1,000 miles driven. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The contact stated that after researching the failure, he became aware that similar vehicles were experiencing the same failure. The vehicle was not repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer had been contacted or notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.

- New Lenox, IL, USA

problem #199

Jun 012021

Accord

  • miles
The engine rattles loudly for about 3 seconds on could start-up. The componet that is failing is the VTC ACTUATOR. This problem is casuing the engine light to go on. Also, I found out that the VTC Actuator on honda accord is a common failure. This is not a coincidence, it is a manufacture defect. In addition, it is putting my life in danger while it may cause engine failure. The VTC actuator rattles have been confirmed by independent mechanic.

- Coraopolis, PA, USA

problem #198

Dec 182020

Accord

  • 30 miles

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

I was on the highway and 30 minutes into driving my warning lights, check engine light is blinking, triangle with exclamation, car misfiring. I can't drive the car too far without it misfiring. I was left stranded. This is the fourth time this has happened where the car has left me stranded. I have paid for 3 alternators in 4 yrs because of oil dripping

- Orange Cove, CA, USA

problem #197

Nov 132020

Accord

  • 180,000 miles
Wild emotion hard shifting hesitation and high rpms shifts around 456 rpmit doesn't seem to do this when the car is running cold versus after it's been on a trip and engine is warmer. On cold start the vehicle not in motion makes a loud noise not sure how to describe

- Mckinleyville, CA, USA

problem #196

Oct 122020

Accord

  • 184,000 miles
This 2008 Honda Accord constantly misses mostly from cylinder 1 and sometimes just spits oil out of the tailpipe.the misses happen at idle, and almost 100% when attempting to pass making it extremely unsafe. It has had many sensors replace, its timing belt replaced, all coils, and sparkplugs many times. The mechanic says the spark plugs are laser irridium and should last 100,000 miles but are lucky to last 10,000 miles. I am not sure what documents to include but am just getting this complaint started. I have the Accord at the mechanic today but it has been multiple repairs prior to this.

- Azle, TX, USA

problem #195

Sep 212020

Accord

  • miles
The contact owns a 2008 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the check engine warning light illuminated while the engine revved. The contact pumped the brake pedal multiple times before the vehicle resumed normal functions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the transmission was defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure recurred. The vehicle was then taken to another independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the timing chain failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Springfield, MA, USA

problem #194

Aug 292020

Accord

  • 109,000 miles

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

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 #193

Jul 082020

Accord

  • 177,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while driving at 50 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to Honda of Plymouth (9 long pond rd, Plymouth, MA 02360) where it was determined that the PCM needed to be updated. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 11V395000 (power train) as a possible solution however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 177,000.

- Plymouth, MA, USA

problem #192

Mar 012015

Accord 4-cyl

  • 80,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Honda Accord. The contact stated that at start-up, the engine rattled. Additionally, while driving making a left turn, the oil level warning light illuminated and flashed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to curtiss ryan Honda (333 bridgeport ave, shelton, ct 06484) where an unknown actuator was replaced however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that due to the failure, the vehicle received oil changes at 3,000 miles interval and not 5,000 miles. The contact stated that due to the oil consumption the vehicle received oil changes at 2,000 miles. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

- Tucker, GA, USA

problem #191

May 302020

Accord

  • 40,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while driving 55 mph with cruise control engaged, there was abnormal ticking sound detected. Additionally, the sound volume increased while accelerating. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to hillside Honda (139-07 hillside avenue jamaica, NY 11435, (718) 866-4683) to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the cpu actuator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired, the manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 40,000.

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

problem #190

Jan 022019

Accord

  • 160,000 miles
At cold start up car rattles loudly for a few seconds, I pin pointed this to the vvt actuator.

- Bayonne, NJ, USA

problem #189

Mar 122020

Accord

  • miles
When starting up my 2008 Honda Accord, I experience a very loud rattling noise coming from the vtc actuator. This is a very common problem among Honda engines. Hundreds of thousands of people have experienced the same problem. Honda needs to own up to the fact that the actuator they put in my car is faulty and can lead to many more problems.

- Evansville, IN, USA

problem #188

Sep 252019

Accord

  • 300,000 miles
2008 Accord 4 cylinder has excessive oil consumption because of factory defect piston ring.

- Lake Zurich, IL, USA

problem #187

Dec 172019

Accord

  • 75,000 miles
I own a 2008 Honda Accord which I purchased brand new in 2008. After I reached about 75,000 miles I started having extreme oil consumption which then lead to me having to replace vtc actuator and piston rings costing me almost $2,000. I have taken my car in multiple times and they tell me there is no issues and Honda refuses to do anything. I now can only go about 1,000 miles without having to replenish the oil. As many reports as there are of this known issue and Honda refuses to support their customers, speaks loudly.

- Christiana, TN, USA

problem #186

Mar 182019

Accord

  • 107,000 miles
I purchased my vehicle one year ago (December 2018) and have had a grinding noise upon starting the vehicle. This grinding noise occurs during or weather and cold weather. I went to a Honda dealership where they ran an oil consumption test and came to the conclusion that the vtc actuator wasn't working properly and there was a high oil consumption. Honda is saying there was never a recall but this is and has been a well known occurring issue with Honda's from years 2008-2012) and I have not been able to fix as the price to fix the vehicle would cost just as much as the price I purchased it for. I'm highly disappointed with a Honda as I've heard excellent things about Honda cars which is why I purchased my Accord. If I had known of the issue I wouldn't have purchased it and I'd rather purchase a different car than to have to come out of pocket. I don't feel I have been treated properly throughout this process and I gabe Honda the chance to make things right but no one is willing to cooperate. I will not be purchasing a new vehicle. I even thought to trade my vehicle in for a 2018 Honda Accord but if I feel I've been treated poorly why would I want to continue giving a company my business if I've been treated poorly? also my dad was considering purchasing a brand new 2021 Honda civic but now I will lead him to a different brand vehicle as Honda has not lived up to its name. And now to top everything off, my motor is going all due to the negligence of the Honda dealer. If they would have fixed the vtc actuator problem my motor wouldn't be consuming so much oil and my motor would not have blown. I think it's a little outrageous that Honda thinks it's normal for me to have to pay for an oil change at least once a month if not sooner when it was a known problem with thousands of Honda's.

- Manchester, CT, USA

problem #185

Jun 012016

Accord

  • 177,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Honda Accord. While driving various speeds, the contact heard a knocking sound coming from the engine without warning. The contact took the vehicle to crown Honda greensboro (3633 w wendover ave, greensboro, nc 27407, (336) 790-9855) to have an oil consumption test performed. The vehicle was listed at 184,000 miles and, after 1,000 miles, the contact was informed that he used a quart and a half of oil during the test. The dealer stated that the vehicle was out of warranty due to its mileage. The manufacturer informed the contact to take the vehicle back to the same dealer for another oil consumption test. The contact refused to have another test performed and informed the representative that he had pictures and documents regarding the original test that was performed. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was 177,000.

- Reidsville, NC, USA

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