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:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
9,763 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. Consumer states the vehicle was parked, no keys in the ignition, and gear shift in park, when it rolled into another vehicle the consumer stated one month prior, the vehicle had been serviced for recall 11V395000. After the incident, the consumer contacted the dealer who performed the recall and they suggested she file a claim with her insurance company.
We purchased a new 2008 Honda Accord exl in 2008. It has only 40,000 miles on it and my husband was driving and went to pass and the engine missed and and began to shudder and misfire and almost had a head on because he could not accelerate and had to find a way to get back into line. We took it in and the only thing to fix it was replace the spark plug which we did and car was fine for a few weeks but now it is doing it again. I feel it's a safety issue if in the middle of driving you cannot accelerate the vehicle.
The contact owns a 2008 Honda Accord. The contact stated that the transmission began slipping. When traveling on city streets, the vehicle would jerk abnormally but not when driving on the highway. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was confirmed that the transmission would need replacing. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown and the current mileage was 117,000.
The contact owns a 2008 Honda Accord. As she was driving 45 mph there was a grinding noise when shifting from second to third gear. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where they found the third gear grind synco was worn out. The dealer informed her that this was a part of the automatic transmission and it will be repaired under the warranty. She also stated that she had brake failure as she depressed the brakes when they extended to the floor. The dealer had to replace the brake pads at her expense for $116. The manufacturer was not contacted in regards to any of these failures. The failure mileage was 35,000.
Variable cylinder management transmission unexpectedly surges in traffic. In heavy traffic, or slippery road conditions, a sudden unexpected surge in the car could result in hitting the car in front.
- Skokioe, IL, USA
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When driving the 2008 Honda Accord to reverse and then accelerate forward, the transmission is making a noise (producing a dull sound like thump). Brought this car to the dealer and they claim it is a normal characteristic of a design. The noise is not normal when there's a noise coming from the transmission. I wrote and called the american Honda and they said the same thing. I was told they will inform the design team and engineers about my complaint and that I should hear from them (I am skeptical).
Leaking fluid-took to local dealer who indicated transmission leak & needed new transmission seal. Dealer said they did not know where to order part or when they would have one. We found out by calling corporate 1/2/09 "warehouse shut down through the holidays until 1/5/09 & a case # was filed". called dealer 1/8 for status & was told they "had seal & working on car, possibly ready that evening or next day" (1/9). Dealer called 1/9 & left msg that car not ready before 1/12. Dealer called 1/12 to say they need to order a new transmission and could not say where they were going to get it. It is going on 18 days and counting and driving a rental since 12/31/08.
Transmission was leaking excessive transmissions fluid through the transmission block after only 1800 miles on a new 2008 Honda Accord. Local dealer service department recommended transmission be replaced under warranty. Honda usa customer service denied recommended transmission replacement. Dealer then suggested customer contact Honda usa customer service to get transmission replaced. Honda technical service refused replacement and wanted a dye leak test over a one week period after acknowledging a wide spread concern with transmission leakage. Customer refused one week test due to upcoming long distance trip and left vehicle with dealer to conduct dye test. Dealer conducted dye test with only 60 miles (1 hour drive) to confirm leaking transmission block. Transmission was then replaced but only after needless inconvenience to the customer. There appears to be no current technical service bulletin available regarding this issue?
Car idles rough and stalls, check fuel cap message comes on.this was after they replaced alternator due to lights flickering and radio and fans going in and out.alternator did not help and now the idles is high and eratic, system that detects missing fuel cap is inop. When car comes to a stop the idle stops real hgigh and comes down as you sit at the light.the dealer says the owners maual is wrong about the way system works.I drove two identical ones and while the cars were still of poor quality, the idle was the same as before they messed with car.other issues include bad seat tracks, bad upulstry, paint on bumpers improperly finished. Honda refuses to fix these issues. I am taking it under the lemon law and urge all others to do the same.
Transmission shifting is harsh and abrupt. When downshifting from 3rd to 2nd and 4th to 3rd, it feels like someone is literally slamming on the brakes. When upshifting at those gears, there are often prolonged delays. In addition, while cruising in the low 60S mph range, the transmission is constantly hunting for the correct gear.
Transmission shifting is exceptionally harsh, especially at lower gears (2-3 and 3-4, and downshifting as well). When downshifting, car feels like someone has slammed on the brakes. Car also feels like it is constantly hunting for the correct gear in the low 60S mph. This is probably the vcm.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- San Antonio, TX, USA