CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2009 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.

8.0

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$2,520
Average Mileage:
81,550 miles
Total Complaints:
25 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (21 reports)
  2. consumption test (1 reports)
  3. engine and transmission using excessive fluids (1 reports)
  4. repair/replace cylinder and spark plug (1 reports)
  5. use synthetic oil (1 reports)
2009 Honda Accord engine problems

engine problem

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2009 Honda Accord Owner Comments (Page 2 of 2)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #5

Jan 012014

Accord LXP 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 126,000 miles

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

The engine starts with a terrible noise for the first 2-4 seconds. Which can feel like a lifetime when the vehicle you bought, thinking was a reliable vehicle, does this regularly.

The engine burns about 2 quarts of oil every thousand miles. I have to keep bottles of oil in the trunk so I can replace the oil when it gets low. Which I can tell if it's burnt unusually fast because it will make that terrible noise that it does on start up at anytime during the RPM's reaching 5k.

Then after I replace the oil about 5 times the light comes on telling me I need to have the oil changed...Why would I change the oil I just replaced completely. I understand doing this for the oil filter but I will not take my car in after 3000 miles when I've just replaced the oil 5-6 times within that span.

I'm have been paying off my school loans and take getting rid of debt more serious than living lavish, and I bought this car because Honda is supposed to be a very reliable brand and have vehicles that last as long as you can take care of it, WHICH IS WHAT I NEED!..and it's not.

This isn't fair to consumers like myself who are forced to deal with this. On top of that it isn't fair to have to expect the consumer to pay for everything and THEN help them out. I don't have the money to just give my car up for a couple days, hope that a dealership can fix the problem, and then pray that no further problem occurs from a direct reaction of "fixing the problem". For fear of being left with an engine having to be rebuilt out of my pocket, because of a terrible design flaw and negligent/terrible business ethics not to mention the nonexistent competency level, I've decided to not fix Honda's failure.

If there is anything else I can do please let me know.

- James W., Moon Twp., PA, US

problem #4

Jan 012014

Accord EX-L 2.4L -4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 74,389 miles

Well, I went to dealership and bought a 2009 Honda Accord EX-L 2.4L-4cyl. Paid MF cash, got pink slip and a oil burning transmission fluid using SOB dealership passed it down the line. I want a new engine and transmission for this and believe Honda corp. is responsible. The VCM module they said was the problem and recalled all 2009 Honda Accords. Put an upgrade of the module in and said it was fixed <----complete B.S. Damages were already done. But personally I think they got cylinder wall specs.off enough for oil to get by the rings. Honda Fletcher Auto Group of Bentonville, Arkansas ....Very Pissed In NWA....

- Brian M., Bentonville, AR, US

problem #3

Jun 022014

Accord EX 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 68,000 miles

I have a 2009 Honda Accord that has been in my family since it came off of the lot. It only has 76000 miles and I am going through 5 quarts of oil every THREE WEEKS! This is freaking ridiculous. Oh, and lets not mention the fact that there is a class action lawsuit in the making.... but my car doesn't qualify because its a 4cyl. and not a V6. Are you kidding me?!

Apparently a lot of Hondas are having this issue. Honda use to be reliable now it's just a piece of sh**. I think if they are going to have a lawsuit regarding it then it needs to be for all models affected.

Super pissed.

- amims12345, Perry, GA, US

problem #2

Mar 312014

Accord EX V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 57,000 miles

I was on the highway last week when my engine light came on and started flashing. I pulled off of the highway to a gas station and amongst other things happened to check the oil level. Nothing was registering on the stick. I purchased and added two quarts which brought the level up to about half way on the stick. I later remembered that a couple of months ago I randomly checked the oil and found no oil on the stick. I assumed that not enough oil was added the last time it was changed...now I think it is a problem.

I took my car to the Honda dealer and talked to the service guy I was assigned and asked him about the problem I saw on this site and the related TSB 11-033. His response was that those are sent out to help them know how to fix a problem but never acknowledged a problem. His resolution was to do an oil change and start an oil consumption test.

I am about 500 miles into the test and will see what happens.

- Terry S., Tulsa, OK, US

problem #1

May 172012

Accord EX V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 32,500 miles

Excessive oil burning to the tune of requiring 8.5 quarts of oil to get from one oil change to the next -- 4.5 when they do the oil change, then 4 more added by me - it burns oil to the tune of a quart every 1200-1300 miles. Honda claims that this is within the boundaries of "expected" due to the Partial Zero Emission Vehicle" and the VCM - I call BS on Honda.

- Brian T., Atlanta, GA, US

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