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.

9.1

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
2,032 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

problem #20

Oct 082009

Accord

  • 25,000 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 when the air conditioner was being used, the headlights would flicker from high to a lower level intensity. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealership where she was informed that the headlights was designed in that way and they were unable to do anything to the vehicle. The VIN was unavailable at the time of the complaint. The failure mileage was approximately 25,000. The current mileage was approximately 35,000.

- Ashland , VA, USA

problem #19

Jun 102009

Accord

  • 400 miles
I purchased a 2008 Accord ex-L with the 4 cylinder engine on 5/30/08. The headlights on this vehicle flicker or dim at night as ac or other fans cycle on & off. This is very distracting for me & must be for the other drivers that meet me on the road. I took it to the dealership twice in the past year and was told this is a normal characteristic caused by the electrical load detector (eld) system. They are not able or not willing to fix the problem. This could be a serious safely hazard. I wonder whether it is safe to drive a car that dims its headlights constantly. I do not understand why this cannot be resolved, and why Honda does not consider this a major problem. Should Honda be allowed to decide the dimming problem is normal?

- Port Angeles, WA, USA

problem #18

Nov 012008

Accord 4-cyl

  • 1 miles
I purchased a 2008 Honda Accord 4 cylinder in 12/07 and have a problem, with the headlights blinking every 15-20 seconds when the cooling fans click on. This is a significant blinking and someone could mistake me for "signaling" them. It has done it since new.

- Ranshaw, PA, USA

problem #17

Jun 012008

Accord

  • 10 miles

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

The headlights flicker every 20-30 seconds, high and low beam. Very distracting.

- Salisbury, NC, USA

problem #16

Jun 012008

Accord

  • 1,000 miles
2008 Honda Accord headlight dims while driving down the road every minute or less. Other cars think you are flashing them with high beams. This problem occurs when the headlight are on with the ac on at the same time.

- Boyds, MD, USA

problem #15

Jun 292008

Accord 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 5,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Honda Accord. Whenever the contact is driving at any speed, the air conditioner activates and the headlights flash on and off and then dim. The dealer stated that there were no failures listed regarding the headlights. The current mileage was 5,200 and failure mileage was 5,000. Update 09/10/08 the consumer stated the headlights go dim when the air condition comes on. Updated 09/17/08.

- Harrisburg, KY, USA

problem #14

Jul 192008

Accord

  • 100 miles

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

2008 Honda Accord ex-L 4cyl auto. Headlights dim whenever A/C cycles. Cars at night sometimes think that I am flashing my lights at them.

- Rockingham, NC, USA

problem #13

Jul 102008

Accord

  • 174 miles
I purchased a 2008 Honda Accord last week, and drove it at night for the first time today. When the A/C cycles on, the headlights dim momentarily causing a distraction every 20 seconds. This occurs at all speeds, and with low beams used only. Oncoming cars are thinking that I am flashing them as well!

- Port Charlotte, FL, USA

problem #12

May 062008

Accord

  • 500 miles
Headlights dim noticeably, even at highway speeds, when fan or compressor kick on. Honda refuses to fix problem and calls it normal for the Accord!

- Seabrook, TX, USA

problem #11

May 112008

Accord 4-cyl

  • 530 miles
Blinking headlights on my 2008 Accord, with the air conditioner running at night each time the compressor cycles on (about every 30 seconds) the headlights blink. Honda states this is normal, I say it is abnormal and distracting. This is a design flaw that surely needs to be corrected. There are thousands of complaints on the internet about this. It breaks a drivers concentration and is frustrating.

- Roxboro, NC, USA

problem #10

Mar 192008

(reported on)

Accord

  • miles

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

Letter regarding the safe operation of his 2008 Honda Accord, feels the flickering head lights presents a safety problem other drivers may interpret as aggressive driving. The consumer stated the headlights flickered every 30 seconds.

- Washington, DC, USA

problem #9

Mar 042008

Accord

  • miles
I own a 2008 Honda Accord excel 4 cylinder. With the climate control on the headlights flicker. I have talked with many people and they all say this is not normal.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #8

Feb 012008

Accord 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 1 miles
The 2008 Honda Accord ex-L nav 4 cylinder suffers from poor headlight performance. While driving at night, the headlight intensity frequently fluctuates causing distraction and reducing nighttime visibility. My interpretation of the local Honda dealership diagnosis is provided below. Poor headlight performance is 'normal' due to the operation of the electrical load detector (eld). The function of the eld is to provide electrical system demand information to the onboard computer module. The onboard computer then uses the provided information to adjust alternator output which ultimately results in fuel savings. Honda is assuming that customers are willing to sacrifice normal headlight performance for the possibility of increasing fuel mileage. The operational design of one system produces a side affect in another system that results in a safety risk. Risks of operating a vehicle with poor headlight performance are provided below. 1. reduced visibility and driving concentration could result in a collision. 2. other drivers could mistake a headlight intensity fluctuation as aggressive driving behavior resulting in driver confrontation.

- Apex, NC, USA

problem #7

Feb 152008

Accord 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
08 Accord ex-L; headlights dim while driving at night every 15 to 20 seconds. Safety issue for driver and other vehicles.

- Mechanicsville, VA, USA

problem #6

Feb 282008

Accord 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 1 miles
All outside lights flicker whenever the air conditioner cycles on. This is a very visible flicker and I would consider a safety hazard. Honda has been notified and says its a normal condition. Driving the car at night has become extremely distracting.

- Fort Myers, FL, USA

problem #5

Feb 232008

Accord 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 25 miles
When the A/C is on, the headlights noticeably dim every time the compressor kicks on. This happens about every 30 seconds or so why the A/C and headlights are both on. I feel that this is a safety issue especially when driving at night to have the headlights noticeably dim is a safety concern and NHTSA should really consider a recall/repair of this item before someone really gets hurt.

- Latham, NY, USA

problem #4

Jan 012008

Accord 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 2 miles
Headlights flicker on 2008 Honda Accord ex sedan at night and does it constantly. Can't count how many times it does it as its all the time.

- Clarkston, WA, USA

problem #3

Feb 072008

Accord 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 7,400 miles
The headlights on my 2008 Honda Accord LX 4-cyl are very dim compared to other vehicles on the market. They pose a safety hazard for me as well for other drivers and pedestrians. In two different incidents the headlights almost lead to a severe accident. I would like Honda to fix the problem by moving the headlights up which would provide a better view of the road.

- San Bernardino, CA, USA

problem #2

Nov 092007

Accord 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 500 miles
Headlights flicker when driving at night when accessories (radiator fan, A/C compressor, etc.) engage and disengage. Engine RPM is around 2500-3000 (highway speeds). This happens every minute or two, sometimes more often. Taken to dealership twice and have been told that this is normal and that all Honda do it. We had a 2007 model as well that did not exhibit this problem.

- Trion, GA, USA

problem #1

Jan 032008

Accord 4-cyl

  • 0 miles
Headlights flicker when air conditioning compressor engages..only on 4 cylinder 2008 Honda Accord.

- Fort Myers, FL, USA

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