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:
$540
Average Mileage:
55,050 miles
Total Complaints:
8 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (7 reports)
  2. replace spark plug (1 reports)
2008 Honda Accord engine problems

engine problem

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2008 Honda Accord Owner Comments

problem #8

Jan 142015

Accord EX 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 96,000 miles

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

I bought my 2008 Honda Accord 2.4L new in Jan 2008. Never has a major problem until spring last year (2014). Always has oil changes on times and recommended services done. Went to the dealer to get the oil changed and 4 weeks later the oil displayed 15 % on the oil display with less than 1000 miles. Take back to the dealer was told the tech might forget the reset. I told them that I checked it before I left the dealer it was at 100%. The tech said that it might be my driving habit and I told him I drove the car for the past 6 years, I know what my driving habit is like. And it can't be this bad. I moved to a different town and still have my oil changed at the dealer. I have to add a quart or two in between oil change, which is between 3000-4000.

In December 2014, I took my car in for 90000+ maintenance service. Everything recommended has been services except the timing (chain). The car run fine until yesterday. I was on my way to work when the engine light come on. While I was looking for a safe spot, the engine light keep blinking and slowed my vehicle down to 35 mph on a 55 mph zone. I pulled over and turned off the engine. Checking my engine oil, gas, transmission fluid, and braking fluid...Everything is good. Turn on my car again, the engine is on and blinking. Had my car towed to the shop and to do a test. After they run a test, they said " 4th Cyclinder Misfire" and my 4th cylinder has no compression at all. The dealer told me it could be a numbers of things and most of them has been services in Dec 2014.

At this point, I'm mad and need to know what to do. For sure, I'm paying more $6000- $8000 to replaced the engine for worst case scenario. I do not consider this normal after the maintenance service.

Following the successful V6 class action for the same problem, 2.4L Accord owners should join to pursue the same route!

- Siri S., Wasilla, AK, US

problem #7

Nov 212014

Accord V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 57,765 miles

Heading back to dealer for 3rd time in 2 weeks! They been very supportive so far. No codes, or engine lights come on to identify problem. Skips or hesitates, every few minutes, really misfires when I slow down or stop, and then take off. It seems to be tied to the Eco. Light when it comes on. I haven't even had car for a month yet! Wish I had read this web sight before I bought car. Seems 2008 was worst year for this car for problems! Car is still under warranty, they changed plugs and coil, helped a little.

Would appreciate any insight out there, who may have experienced the same problem, and corrected it !!!

- wifey22, Assonet, MA, US

problem #6

Sep 262013

Accord LX V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 55,000 miles

Coming home from my sons basketball game I had warning lights going off and it sounded like there was a tennis shoe in a dryer under my hood. The next day my husband had to follow me to work then sit in the shop all day while it was repaired. The cause was a "broken" spark plug. Apparently this is from a problem with oil leaking.

- Kristy B., Deer Lodge, MT, US

problem #5

Aug 012013

Accord EX V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 45,000 miles

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

cylinder 3 mishap on my accord that only has 45k miles

- Sophia R., Broomall, PA, US

problem #4

Jun 062013

Accord EX-L 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 42,818 miles

They know about this problem but collect nest eggs through the dealerships,I have Honda dirt bikes with more miles then this car.Honda used sh*tty rings and seals and their loyal customers are supposed to pay for this?computer updates ,oil consumption tests,can I get a kiss my D*CK ??

- mudman242001, Danvers, MA, US

problem #3

Apr 102011

Accord EX-L 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 28,583 miles

TB and coils and sparks were covered with fuel and dirt

I asked the company whats the reason of this

they didn't know

- Wasfi K., Doha, Doha, Qatar

problem #2

Jul 112011

Accord EXL V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40,000 miles

This is the 2nd time in 3 weeks we have taken our Honda Accord in due to the check engine light coming on, engine misfire and running very rough. First time they found the only fix was replace a spark plug ( which shouldn't have to do until around 100,000), this happened again, 3 weeks later and this time still out of a car and waiting for the results.

I think Honda should take the car back at full price. This is the reason I buy new so I don't have these issues. I have a honda, both my kids have Hondas, my parents, sister, brother all have Hondas. Maybe we will have to reconsider future purchases. I would go trade it in, having Honda pay me full value for the car is the only acceptable recourse at this point

- brendaak, Soldotna, AK, US

problem #1

Aug 252011

Accord EX-L 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75,000 miles

Here we go again with the V6 VCM engine misfire problem. It happens about every time it is due for an oil change. So far, I changed the plugs twice (which shouldn't even be needed yet!) due to fouling. I took it to Honda to have the PCM reprogrammed according to the TSB, but since it was out of warranty, it cost me $120. So after all this, I thought I was in the clear.....WRONG! It started up again yesterday. I took it in stride as I knew I was due for an oil change (3500 miles.) So I go the oil changed (high mileage synthetic).....no change. I checked the DTC codes (P0301). I pulled the plug and it looked fine! I swapped it out w/a new one (now stocked on my shelf due to this issue.) No change. I swapped coils w/another cylinder....no change....WTF HONDA? Last time I took it to the dealer, I was talking to the service manager about it and he agreed that IT IS A SYSTEMIC ISSUE w/this engine and that HONDA NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. This car has me so peeved it is unreal. From the bad rear brakes, which ended up in a class action lawsuit to the poor interior leather that ripped up @ 30K miles to the obviously defected engine design. Why won't Honda recall this?

Is there no fix? Why must all the issues w/this car end up as a CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT? The kicker is is that I have been searching the web and found several other cases of failure that are so identical to mine. From the fouled #1 plug to the cracked insulator on the #1 plug to the Misfire (P0301) to the "special diag code" (P3497).

Since it is now out of warranty, it is big bucks to get it fixed, but the problem returns! So it is not fixed, just patched until the next time it happens. OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURER DEFECT! Last Honda I will ever own....

- Wilson M., Campton Hills, IL, US

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