Car started clacking very briefly on first day of cold weather upon initial start up. I thought that the starter was bad. I checked out Auto Beef and sure enough it was the VTC actuator that people are having trouble with...I thought my warranty had expired so I was reluctant to bring it to the dealer....I was relieved to know that the powertrain on 07 and newer is covered for 5 yr/60k . First I heard about that I was under the impression the whole car was just 3yr/36k. Dealer is replacing part on 2/21/11.

This site also helped me with the brake wear problem too.

It started with a slight grinding sound when i would start my car, I didnlt thik anything of it but it slowly progressed to an awful grinding noise which last for a few second when I start my car. I have really noticed it since its been cold out. I have had nothing but problems with my car which by the way I bought new. Not only is it making this grinding sound but it is also burning oil. I took my car in for a strange sound, I was hearing it for a few weeks. The dealer told me it was 3 different things..Really??? There suppose to know what there doing but apparently they dont becasue my brother in law figured out I had no oil and it was the dip stick rattling around. I have the extended warranty and will be bringing it in to be serviced.( AGAIN) Once the problem is corrected this dump of a $30,000.00 car will be traded in and I am happy to say it will not be for a Honda.

Starter motor dos not disengage after cold start.

Dealer quotes $425 for Starter replacement (car has less than 36000!) starter or vtc actuator to be replaced ?? According to the information on this site HONDA recommends to replace VTC Actuator (A09-010 TSB).

What should I do?

Update from Apr 12, 2011: -Dealer has no information about vtc actuator existence. Dealer raised a quote for Starter replacement to $600

Update from Apr 14, 2011: After reading Service Bulletin 09-010 I think my car's problem is not a bad starter. It is a VTC Actuator. I send e-mail to the Dealer, asking if they can do the repair job according to SB 09-010. So far I got no replies.

Update from Apr 20, 2011: VTC Actuator has been replaced.Work was done at no charge to me.

We had notice for over a year a metal grinding sound on cold start. it wasn't all the time though. We took it to two different Honda dealers and they did not hear the noise. We later found out that was because it only happens on cold starts. We took our car to a car repair shop and they told us we needed a new starter. We didn't think that was the problem. We did some research online and found that Honda posted a bulletin saying that there was a known problem with 2008 4 cyl accord. The problem was with the vtc actuator and the only way to fix it is to replace the vtc actuator. Unfortunately our warranty had run out. We asked the Honda dealer for consideration due to the fact that this was a problem that Honda was aware of. they ended up charging us 50% of their cost which ended up being $150. I would have liked it better if they covered it 100%. this problem was misdiagnosed for my aunt. The honda dealer she took her car to told her she needed a new starter. they replaced the starter and that did not fix the problem. She is now trying to convince the honda dealer that it is the vtc actuator but they have not heard the sound yet and they will not replace it until they hear the noise. Unfortunately that could take a while because it doesn't happen all the time.

Like other Canadian bloggers on this forum, have recently experienced a grinding noise coming from the stater at start up. Particularly noticeable when mercury dips to -20C. Noise lasts 3-4 turnovers then disappears before engine starts.

Left car with dealer overnight (you guessed it - no noise after running a few blocks). Thankfully, it was cold again (what else is new?) and the dealer just called to say the starter would be replaced on warranty tomorrow.

So, let's see. A brand new 2008 top-of-the-line Honda with car door rubber gaskets (see separate entry) and now a starter being replaced after only 30,000KM (18,500 miles!)? Thank God (can I say this?) for this forum. I've fired off an e-mail to the dealer (now there's a record) to check whether there are any bulletins for a defective VTEC actuator while we're at it.

Enough said about HONDA "quality".

Oil light came on - checked level, completely empty. Originally thought the dealership neglected to fill the oil chamber at the last oil change. Asked for an oil change and for the mechanic to check the engine to ensure there was not damage. Viewing the work order later on showed that the engine was not checked.

One month later, everytime I turned over the engine, there would be a loud 'clunk'. This was consistent with cold engine starts. The oil light came on again - checked level, completely empty AGAIN. Took it to the dealership where they had it for a couple of days to replicate the 'clunking' sound. The entire engine had to be rebuilt - the rings had seized and the oil was dumping into the engine. The rings were replaced and the cylinders had to be re-honed. Additionally, the v-tech solenoid was replaced. So, both the engine short and long block were crap. Took weeks to get the car fixed.

When I finally got my car back, the shifter cable assembly broke and I lost 2nd, 4th and reverse gears. That was the last straw. I fought a long 4-month battle and won. The dealership bought back my car and I am driving a 2011 Pilot. If it were just Honda Canada I was dealing with, I would still be in my crap Accord because they were not admitting their was an issue and hiding behind the warranty. But the dealership stepped up and took care of their customer.

Car was making a grinding noise when starting for the first start of the day. Honda dealership replaced the starter twice, but the noise is still there. Taking it in again next week to try again.

One thing that I find confusing -- it stopped making the noise for a couple months after the first starter replacement. Then started making the noise again, and getting worse all the time. Now, after the second starter replacement, the noise is worse than ever.

Update from May 3, 2011: My "award-winning" honda service department never did diagnose the problem - I did by researching on the internet and calling a service department in another state. After I told them what the problem was - the vtech actuator - they did their own research and agreed with me. Of course, the warranty has run out, so now, they are offering me a "friends and family" discount to replace the actuator for a total cost just under $200. This should be recalled! I will not buy another Honda after this one.

Ok,. This is BULLSHIT..

So I have an 08 accord, and this car has been my baby for just over 2 years.. Living in Canada, the early september nights start to get cool and every morning when I start my car, it made this ridiculous noise.. I find out that its this VTC Actuator thing that appears to be a known problem because the moment I called the service tech he knew EXACTLY what I was talking about.. but told me that the part will cost 180$ and the labour is gonna be another $400.. All because I am 13,000 KM over the 60K warranty.. The way I see it, if they know its a problem, either to a recall or cover the costs! who's fault is it that they use crappy parts!?

I surely shouldn't be on the hook for $600 for a car that's 2 years old because Honda has chosen to use crappy parts.

Problem: engine rattles on cold start up/ "The Variable timing control actuator is defective"

Fact: My car makes rattling sound almost every time after starting up. Rattling is getting serious day by day. I stopped by Honda local service center first, and contacted Honda USA by mail and phone later, to ask repairing my car by goodwill consideration. Mileage was about 77500. They refused to repair it because of high mileage.

Opinion: According to alldata.com, all the cars of Accord L4 2/4-door (even some types of 2009...) have same problem above. But, both Honda local service center and Honda USA refused to repair it by same reason. I think above problem can be 'recall item' if the report of alldata.com is true. Please tell me your view on this matter. What shall I do for this? repair my car

AHHHH!!!!! I OFFICIALLY HATE HONDA vehicles!!! Found out today after replacing my REAR BRAKES """"again"""" that the noise that has been occurring after my car is started is having to be caused and leads to ENGINE WEAR. Luckily the HONDA MECHANIC was HONEST and said needs to research it and says my warranty will cover it. LETS HOPE he doesn't say something DIFFERENT when he calls me. I have had the last MECHANIC that works here say last year with my brake issues that a lot of people were complaining once i talked to the MANAGER the mechanic denied saying that comment. The noise started in about March 2010. I bought this car in 12/2007 and is a 2008 accord. Now it has got to the point that is makes the KNOCKING noise every time I START the car COLD or HOT. I am so irritated with HONDA cars now.

I DISLIKE them VERY much and I am telling everyone if they are looking into getting a NEW car to stay AWAY from HONDA.

From a cold start you would hear a grinding noise that would last a few seconds. When warm start, didn't hear it. Car is NOW out of warranty and we are told it is probably the actuator and will cost $350 to fix. We're leaving the car over night so they can hear it but they were VERY ASSURED that they knew what it was...indicating this is a normal complaint.

If you have a 2008 Accord still in warranty, I would go and tell the dealer to fix this problem before it occurs, because it most likely will occur. With the brake problems and now this I am highly irritated we purchased a brand new Honda because of the reliability we had grown to expect from Honda.

My 2008 honda had 22 miles on it when I purchased in Dec of 07. This car had no problems unil Oct. of last year. I began to hear this noise when I would crank it. I asked my husband did he hear, but he just would say I baby the car. The noise persistently got worse and my God father noticed. Just like you all, it started out if the car sat for long period of time, then it got to where it did it for a sec every time I cranked! It took someone rear ending me for me to make sure everything on that piss of ish got fixed! If your car is under warranty, it needs to be fixed b/c it is a big job an you will need a rental. Honda does not provide! It has been a bulletin on it (just not sent to honda owners) tell them about the noise and leave the car there. Give them exact time as to when to crank the car. It will get fixed!!

I bought a Honda because they have a reputation for being reliable. Never liked the style until the 2008 body style, but the 08 is awesome. The dealership in Lewisville TX doesn't seem to care about my problem and claim that they have not been able to replicate the funny grinding flapping noise my car makes. I truely wonder if they didn't hear it, or if they're stalling because I only have 3000 miles of warranty left. I have maintained this car in ways you wouldn't believe. I have babied it to the extreme and paid out the @## for the manufacture's recommended preventative maintenance. A lot of good all that wasted money has done me thus far. I am so tired of corporate America screwing over hard working consumers by letting quality control sit on the back burner. Makes me want to buy a Chevy. At least a Chevy is cheaper and easier to get fixed.

It started with just a small grinding sound but slowly progressed to where it sounds terrible and makes a 5 second grinding sound from cold starts. I took it into Honda and they said that it was just because my oil was low (we all knew that that wasn't the problem but i was like whatever ill try). So I got my car back and it still did the same thing, i couldn't find time to take it in until 3 weeks later, and i left the car at Honda for 3 hours and they tried turning it on to hear the sound and i guess they didn't hear anything. So I'm stuck leaving it there the whole weekend so they will be able to hear the sound. I hope they find out what is wrong...

On cold starts the car makes a grinding sound that only lasts 3 or 4 seconds. But its very noticable. At first it only did it occasionally after it had been sitting for at least 12 hours. Now it does it consistently whenever its been sitting for 4-5 hours. But as soon as the car is started once, even if it is immediately turned off then back on, the sound will be gone. I took it to my local mechanic, and he was stumped. Next stop is the Honda Dealership.

Update from Dec 6, 2009: This is caused by the VTEC actuator going bad. Honda dealer replaced it and I'm now $430 poorer. They knew what it was immediately, and I haven't had any problems since.