My car started grunting (upon start) with roaring sound of acceleration. It would do it everytime I started the car and then would decrease a bit upon driving. Took it to two sloppy Honda dealerships( Clinton Twp, MI and Roseville, MI) and they the first time they tipped the oil in it and put some steering fluid in it and let me go. The problem returned 2 months later, I took it in again and now they're telling me the engine has an oil leak( I don't se any spots in my driveway)....and that it costs $200 to put a new cap on the crankseal of the engine (the cap is $8, the oil seal is $7 and they take 1 week to order it!!!). Also 6 months ago my steering wheel got stuck on the freeway and had to get a new steering pump on a long- distance drive oot trip!!!!! Its a nuisance when your car starts breaking down at 51,000 miles (when the steering pump broke) and also when there are no knowledgeable courteous dealerships in your area.

My first time on a message board, as I work long hours and live by the words "Don't major in the minors." This is MAJOR and for the money we pay for cars unfair and totally illegal. I also believe nothing is a problem unless it can be fixed.

My 3rd Honda and sadly my LAST. When I purchased my first 4 cyl Accord, the salesperson said the luxury is under the hood. I was coming out of a BMW, which I couldn't afford anymore as my priorities had changed with 2 small boys. Well that car lasted me 12 years and the only reason it died was because my son totaled it. I immediately picked up the phone and called the same salesperson who sold me my 2004 Pilot. In 2 days we picked up our new addition to the family, a 2008 Honda Accord 4 cyl EXL, it was affordable and gorgeous.

PROBLEM - From the 1st day we drove it out of the dealer, the engine noise was horrible. While driving, there's a loud rumble in the engine and a slight whistle. Not what a new car should sound like. The dealer kept asking us to bring it in and a couple of service managers test drove it, read on.

NEXT PROBLEM - You have to floor the gas peddle to get it to go, then it kicks off and you have to constantly floor it to keep it going. 4cyl problem? right, I've had a 4 cyl accord, never drove or sounded like this before not even 150,000 miles later. From what I'm reading in these posts v6 has the same problem.

PROBLEM RESOLVED - There was also a loud puffy noise when you cold started the car, which Honda finally admitted to about a month ago. After 2 years of complaints they replaced the VTC actuator. Doesn't make a difference though, as the constant engine noise outweighs the startup noise.

MORE PROBLEMS - During the last 2 years and 23,000 miles into the car, the rear brakes had to be replaced twice and the rotors resurfaced. There's a class action lawsuit and Honda is reimbursing $150 for 1 brake replacement, after spending $282 for just one set.

ISSUE - Minor issue but still annoying the rear shelf rattled, so they applied felt, problem fixed for now.

NEXT PROBLEM - Major problem, tires need replacement after 23,000 miles. Rotation or not shouldn't happen, other tires I've had lasted 50,000 miles without rotation, cost $235 each.

My sons kept complaining about the engine noise, which I disregarded as I had no time to deal with the issue, besides don't teenage boys like that racing car sound? Shouldn't they be happy they're driving a new EXL car? No, it is embarrassing and annoying. No one wants to pull up in a 4 cyl sedan and have it rumble like a race car. What's the point? The boys brought it to several honda repair shops, essentially every time the car needed an oil change, and they kept test driving it and saying nothing was wrong, that's the way the car is. Really, who are you kidding? I'm a Finance Director of an online advertising company and that is not what people should expect out of a $25k-$35k brand new investment, not to mention time off from work and aggravation.

After 2 years I traded cars with my son, he took the Pilot so he could fit all his college stuff and I kept the Accord. I cannot drive this car, nor do my sons want to. When I drove it 2 hours to see my younger son I thought I was going to go crazy, longest 2 hour drive of my life. Couldn't wait to get home as not even the loud music filtered out all the rumbling and whistling engine noise.

I may be wrong, but my understanding is that Honda service dealers cannot do anything, their hands are tied. They are being harassed by lots of people like me looking for a fix, but they are a franchise, not directly owned or managed by Honda Corporate. I actually LOVE my service dealer. Gave them raving reviews a few times, even quoted "they are the reason I keep getting Honda's." I will keep using them for my 2004 Pilot as long as I still have it.

It appears the majority of Accords manufactured in the last few years have the same problem and unless Honda Corporate admits to the problem there is nothing they can do, but tell you "that is the way the car was engineered, all accords sound like this, it's a 4 cyl....."

Honda Corporate will not admit to the problem, perhaps because it would cost them to much to fix it. It's not the $ cost, it's the opportunity cost of bad publicity. "Lasts a long time, holds its value?" Use to be true, I experienced it, but they are taking advantage of current consumers by putting out cars with more luxurious exteriors and horribly engineered motors, while offering good deals.

With the market momentum they have going, now that Toyota's sales have tanked, my guess is they feel they have a monopoly on the Japanese car market as Toyota sales have tanked due to consumer mistrust. I have never seen this many Honda's out on the road and they are beautiful. I just feel sorry for all the folks out there buying into it, being misled and taken advantage of. Beware if you see positive posts out there, I wouldn't believe it, no matter how honest it sounds.

I believe people believe what they want to believe and they often think there's a motive behind these posts (I often think so.) My advise is, if you don't believe all the negative reviews about this car, then at least consider leasing it for the shortest term possible, so you can see for yourself. Life changing event for me, glad I leased it, can't wait to dispose of it and move on. Surely Honda will sell it off right away, as it is a beautiful well kept black on black car. Feel sorry for the next victim. Never again will I buy/lease another Honda, my loyalty is done. I want to pay for a car that drives like a new car the first three years, with minimal issues or at least with issues that are resolved, is that too much to ask for?

I promise you if something comes up and the problem is fixed, I will be back to let you know, otherwise do your research. The SAVINGS does not outweigh the AGGRAVATION.