10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 5 / 1
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 3 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 71,405 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
Vtc (variable timing control) actuator, horrible grinding noise at start up and I do know that Honda is aware of this and has had many many complaints. That has got to be a 'lemon law' issue and I believe it needs to be fixed promptly. On a cold start, is when it makes the terrible noise. If it's driven for a while and then started up again, it is a 50/50 chance that it will make the noise again.
- Elton, LA, USA
The contact owns a 2009 Honda Accord. The contact stated that the oil indicator illuminated and there was oil leaking underneath the vehicle. The oil leak became more constant. The vehicle was taken to Toyota South austin where it was diagnosed that an oil change was needed. The oil change was performed, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where another oil change was performed and a new air filter was installed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 104,700. Consumer stated the actual owner of this vehicle is my fiance I submitted the complaint on his behalf. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'
- Round Rock, TX, USA
The contact owns a 2008 Honda Accord. When the vehicle was cold started, a croaking noise emerged from the engine compartment. The contact stated that the failure occurred every morning for approximately four months. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 125,000.
- Victorville, CA, USA
Check engine lit. Engine room 1500--2000. Computer indicate transmission sensor. I replaced it but doesn't help. Removed minus battery. Check engine disappears after 40 miles check engine appear again.
- Staten Island, NY, USA
The vehicle has good compression, but a strange noise is coming from the engine. It is also losing oil while leaving no oil markings. The vehicle has never missed an oil change, and was getting one when the mechanics said that the noise meant that the engine had problems. Multiple mechanics have told us to replace the V6 engine. The tire rods also need to be replaced, and the tsm light never goes off
- Aiken, SC, USA
The car is excessively burning oil. I have to add a quart of oil at least once a month. Before that I was getting oil changes frequently because the car was saying the oil was low.
- Baltimore, MD, USA
My car is pulling codes 339, 303, and 302. Misfiring and from time to time the check engine light flashes and won't go above 30mph. Click link below for the information about a recall for all 2008 Honda Accord engines. ricksfreeautorepairadvice.com/Honda-service-bulletin-09-050/
- Bossier City, LA, USA
The contact owns a 2008 Honda Accord. While driving 45 mph, the engine seized and the check engine and service indicators illuminated. The contact was able to drive the vehicle, but it would not accelerate over 15 mph. The vehicle was taken to bianchi Honda (8430 peach St, erie, pa 16509, (814) 868-9678) where it was diagnosed that the engine piston rings needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and did not assist. The failure mileage was 121,000.
- Jamestown, NY, USA
2008 Honda Accord ex-L at cold start-up, engine rattles loudly for approximately 2 seconds. After investigation and consultation with Honda repair technicians, it appears the problem is with the vtc actuator and Honda has issued a tsb 090-010 to address this problem.
- The Woodlands, TX, USA
Honda recall. My car for some reason was covered under the power transmission recall even though my car is experiencing the same problem and codes other 2008 Honda Accord were the same year. My oil is going faster then I can put it in. It doesn't last a whole month. I have no oil leaks in my car at all what so ever. Its damaging my engine because I had no clue it was burning the oil that fast. It's not fair they only cover some 2008 Honda Accord. When they already were sued because if it.
- Lancaster, CA, USA
The check engine light kept coming up with the maintenance light and the oil level kept dropping.I took it to autozone and I got these coded P3497 and P3400. I did a research myself and found out that there was a recall on this issue as stated in Honda's bulletin 11-033.the recall covers all Accord from 2008-2010 which mine is included. I called Accord to notify them about these but after they looked up the VIN, I was told my car wasn't included. Honda's bulletin says all 2008-2010 V6 Accord so why is my car exempted? please kindly look into these issue. Thank you.
- Bladensburg, MD, USA
The contact owns a 2008 Honda Accord. While driving approximately 40 mph, the contact noticed smoked underneath the hood without warning. The vehicle was pulled into a parking lot, where an independent mechanic lifted the hood, and stated that the alternator was smoking. The vehicle was towed to moss motors (337-235-9086, located at 1407 la 728-8, lafayette, la 70501) where the technician diagnosed and replaced the alternator. Prior to that failure, the same dealer replaced the steering pump and the starter in 2015 when the steering pump leaked and destroyed the starter. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures and offered a forty percent discount towards the cost of the repairs. The failure mileage was approximately 77,000.
- Lafayette, LA, USA
My car makes this rattling sound when I first start the car. I brought it into my Honda dealership to have it looked and they said it is a known issue related to other Honda Accord but Honda won't cover the cost to have it repaired. They gave me an estimate of $480 to have fixed. I've searched online and found that many Honda Accord owners have also faced this issue with the rattling sound. If it is a known defect and saftey issue, why hasn't Honda issued a recall to fix it?
- Providence, RI, USA
At cold start-up, the engine rattles loudly for about 2 seconds. Have been told is a defective vtc actuator.
- Chelsea, AL, USA
Vehicle engine has a rattle sound when turning on. Vehicle was stationary when that happened
- Newark, NJ, USA
Since last 5 years I noticed loud grinding noise at startup, only in the morning when I first start the engine. Noise does not happen on startups during the day and the engine runs fine. Just the annoying about 2 second long scratch noise at first start in the morning. But since last 2-3 weeks it has gone worst and get that noice even when I start driving and every time I slow down and start speed up again it get that noice like gear slipping or grinding noise until I reach to faster speed like above 30-35. Its happening every time now. On Honda's website it defines problem as "engine rattles at cold start-up" just difference for me is now its happening all the time when I am driving. And I was waiting for hope to get recall notification since it's happening to all 2008 Honda Accord customers. Here is the link of Honda website which has more information. Https://Honda.oemdtc.com/219/engine-rattles-at-cold-start-up-2008-2013-Honda which even says the 2008-2012 all Honda Accord models has this problem. So before I schedule an appointment to dealership I thought to take this step to mention about common problem of particular 2008 Honda Accord to NHTSA United States department of transportation hoping I will get some kind of help or solution.
- Honolulu, HI, USA
Engine rattles loudly for 2 seconds upon cold start. Online searches reveal this is a known problem with the vtc actuator and a tsb has been issues (NHTSA #10087883). Mechanic says could result in catastrophic engine failure if not fixed. I feel that Honda should pay for this repair on my vehicle.
- Falls Church, VA, USA
The contact owns a 2008 Honda Accord. While driving 45 mph, the vehicle hesitated and the check engine indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the technician noticed engine oil leaking onto the spark plugs. The technician stated that the spark plugs needed to be repaired. The vehicle was also taken to the dealer (meyer Honda, 1268 central park dr, O'fallon, il 62269, (618) 622-0588), but was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the failure recurred every 30,000 miles. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 173,000.
- East St. Louis, IL, USA
I have had to replace the vtc actuator twice in the last 5 yrs and now need to replace it again. At cold start the car makes a rattling noise. Honda has a bulletin but say nothing about helping owners replace them since it is a known issue. Please help!!!
- Tulsa, OK, USA
- Grimsley, TN, USA