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 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
11,449 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 lights problems

lights problem

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2008 Honda Accord Owner Comments (Page 5 of 5)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #12

Jun 102008

Accord 4-cyl

  • 10 miles

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

2008 Honda Accord ex-L navi 4 cylinder. While driving at night with climate control on, as the A/C compressor cycles on, the headlights and all other lights dim noticeably. Honda dealer has stated this is "normal" for Honda, although my previous 2007 Accord ex-L 4 cylinder did not exhibit this "feature". it is a safety issue and a defect with the automobile. Other drivers notice this "dimming" and assume you are flashing your headlights at them.

- Locust Grove, GA, USA

problem #11

Jun 042008

Accord

  • 0 miles
Headlights dim as air conditioning compressor cycles off and on. I have owned over 30 cars in my lifetime and this is the first time I have seen this. Apparently Honda claims this is "normal". it is distracting to the driver and to oncoming cars. I have the 2008 LX-P model - 4 cylinder.

- Columbia, SC, USA

problem #10

May 302008

Accord

  • 400 miles
Headlights flicker each time ac compressor comes on. Vehicle is a 2008 Honda Accord LX-P (4cyl). Really annoying and could be a safety issue. Other vehicles flash their lights at me.

- Mount Holly, NC, USA

problem #9

Nov 272007

Accord 4-cyl

  • 7 miles

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

When driving at night regardless of the speed, with the A/C on the headlights flickers intermittently. I have read other web sites that its been a problem for this particular vehicle and model. Many have been to the dealer and have spoken to the manufacture which resulting as this is normal for this type of vehicle/model. This raises big concerns when driving at night, having your headlights flicker intermittently poses a safety hazard. Please looking into this matter. The dealerships and car manufacturer's answer to this problem is not acceptable.

- Honoluolu, HI, USA

problem #8

Apr 102008

Accord

  • 4,000 miles
I have a 2008 Honda Accord, 4-cyl. Headlights appear to "flicker." I have seen other complaints of this problem, but they appear to be to a much greater degree than my problem. However, this problem could get worse and could cause an accident, I.e., another driver could interpret the headlight flicker as permission to pull out in traffic and cause a collision.

- Niceville, FL, USA

problem #7

Dec 052007

Accord

  • 500 miles
I own a new 2008 Honda Accord ex 4-cyl. When the A/C is on, my headlights, running lights and tail lights flicker dim to bright approximately every 40 seconds while at idle and while driving. This is a major concern and should be corrected. I will contact all insurance companies concerning this.

- Friendsville, TN, USA

problem #6

Mar 242008

Accord 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 1,200 miles

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

Car idles high and eratic since a new alternator was put on due to light(in and out) flickering along with fan and radio cutting out when A/C unit is used and cooling fans kick on and off.since then car idles high, surges went fron tacking 1100 cold to 1500. Went from warm idle at 600 and is now 8-900rpms.lights still do the same thing but they agree there was a voltage drop after two dealers said it was acharcteristic.after two month the cars going back in for a second seat track and a syl plate that was damaged.now along with a list of problems the front bumper is pealing in same spot on left and right side near headlights.I alreadt complained about the bumpers not fitting.dealer did idle relearn procedeure that did nothing.check fuel cap message comes on and check engine light was on.they claim after 20 years of driving and 4 Honda, I don't know how to put a gas cap on.worst car I ever had.the worst part is the attitude of the dealers and Honda.I have been waiting for over two months for a rep, las time dealer snuck a note in that I refused to see the rep.I faxed them a demand letter to see the rep and another dealer was also supposed to set a meeting up.they claim he is out with a bad back(philadelphia area rep, )I am suing Honda under the lemon law.I had enough.the suit was filed and my court date is in October, contact me with any questions or comments.car alo smell like a rotten egg.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #5

Mar 202008

Accord 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 15 miles
Voltage drop when A/C compressor turns on, resulting in headlights and taillights dimming/flickering.

- Dumfries, VA, USA

problem #4

Feb 262008

Accord 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 728 miles
Ongoing isuues with electircal system, lights flickering, accessories going in and out, seat uhpulstry and paint and seat frame. Had into another dealer and they said bad paint, bad fabric and flickering lights are chacteristics of the 2008 Honda Accord.service manager varified all problems and then I get a call later to pick up car because they tried to fix the seat and couldnt so they ordered another seat frame.I picked the car up next day with fraudulent paperwork, wrong dates and mialege.I was wondering why seatbelt did not feal tight.I get home and see that when they took seat out to try and fix, mechanic did not install seat belt back on the frame and he distryed the syl plate taking seat in and out and now the bolt cover is also missing.dealer picked up car from and brought it back.did not send car back with paperwork or even an apolagy.they claim they ordered replacement parts to fix what they damaged.please email me and I will let you know anything youd like.Honda was no help. Fourth time Honda owner and last! Honda quality and attitude is so poor, I am going back to american cars.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #3

Feb 252008

Accord 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 54 miles
Exterior and interior lights flicker when the air conditioning compressor comes on. Baytown Honda service dept, baytown tx, stated this is normal and intended to do that. First they said they weren't aware of the problem, then they produced a service bulletin on the 2008 Accord that advised Honda is aware of the problem. Baytown Honda stated nothing could be done because Honda said there is no problem with flickering lights. The flickering lights are a distraction to the driver and other drivers.

- Crosby, TX, USA

problem #2

Feb 182008

Accord 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 565 miles
Headlights, taillights, interior lights, radio fan motor all fade in and out when cooling fan comes on. This was in the shop for this today along with pealing paint, bad seat track, bad upholstery and damage that sloane Honda did to my car in philadelphia, pa. Someone is going to get killed in these new 08 Accord. Honda doesn't care. Murry cohen service manager at sloane threw me out of the service department, threatened to call the police and refused to give paperwork showing the car was there, but I have the rental agreement they signed for the day. They say all Honda lights go in and out, this is my 4th and this is the only one that does it. Honda customer service is no help. Don't waste your breath calling. My email is if you have similar problems. I will complain to this site every day and you all should too. 24590 + tax and tags down the drain. I am getting a lemon lawyer and hope you all do to.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #1

Dec 052007

Accord 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 10 miles
2008 Honda Accord. When the compressor comes on or the fan for the radiator the headlights and tail lights dim and then brighten back to normal. This occurs about every 30 seconds and is annoying as well as a safety issue. When driving on the highway at night with a car in front of you and the headlights blink the person may believe you are flashing your headlights at them. This problem is noticable to passengers as well. I have had many comments made asking why I do not get this fixed before some road rage occurs. I spoke to Honda corporate and the dealerships and I have been told this is normal for the car, therefore there is not a fix available. This problem is all over the internet and do not know why nobody that can resolve the problem is.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

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