UsedScore

2008 Honda Accord: Use caution

Owners filed 821 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Honda Accord in its first five years on the road, about 217 for every 100,000 sold: 2.1× the rate of a typical Accord year. That's above average, so use caution.

The biggest problem area, counting serious complaints more, is the brakes (64% of complaints, median 22,000 miles).

Complaint index
2.1×
per vehicle sold, vs. a typical Accord year
Rank
13th of 14
1st = fewest complaints
Complaints
821
first five years; 217 per 100,000 sold
Recalls
8
campaigns
8th generation, 2008–2012 (first year of the generation; redesign years often run worse) · Updated September 24, 2026 · How we rate
2008–2010 Honda Accord sedan

Photo: 2008–2010 Honda Accord sedan · IFCAR, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Problem areas

Ranked by severity-weighted complaints · share · median miles
  1. Brakes64% · 526 complaints · median 22,000 miles
  2. Lights12% · 101 complaints · median 1,000 miles
  3. Electrical7% · 61 complaints · median 1,000 miles
  4. Air bags5% · 37 complaints · median 23,000 miles
  5. Engine5% · 45 complaints · median 30,000 miles
  6. Speed control2% · 14 complaints · median 22,000 miles
  7. Seats and belts3% · 21 complaints · median 1,000 miles
  8. Powertrain2% · 18 complaints · median 5,000 miles
  9. Steering2% · 20 complaints · median 4,000 miles
  10. Body and structure2% · 16 complaints · median 3,000 miles

Bars rank problem areas by complaints weighted for severity (crashes, fires, injuries and deaths count more). A complaint can name more than one area. Mileage is reported on about half of complaints.

What owners describe

Brakes

Owners of this Accord commonly describe rear brake pads and rotors wearing out far earlier than expected, sometimes within the first year or under 20,000 miles. The repair usually meant paying out of pocket for new pads and rotors, with dealers often calling it normal wear rather than a defect.

Warning signs:
Many report squealing, squeaking, screeching or grinding noises from the rear when braking, sometimes accompanied by vibration or shaking.
What shops did:
Dealers typically replaced rear brake pads and resurfaced or replaced rotors, usually at owner expense since it was called normal wear, though a few received partial or goodwill coverage.
Mileage:
most between 15,000 and 30,000 miles, among 526 complaints that give it

“The brakes and pads on the vehicle were completely worn out at 8,000 miles; however, no brake failure has occurred”

“The rear brakes were worn down to the metal (only the inner pads on both sides), the rotors were gouged and the dust boots had melted off”

Lights

Many 2008 Accord owners report headlights and taillights dimming or flickering repeatedly, especially with the A/C or defroster running. Dealers usually called it normal operation with no fix, leaving owners feeling this is distracting or unsafe at night.

Warning signs:
Owners notice headlights and taillights dim, flicker, or briefly flash every 15 to 30 seconds, often mistaken by other drivers as signaling or high beams.
What shops did:
Dealers typically told owners this dimming was normal, tied to the electrical load detector, and offered no repair; a few replaced alternators or fuse boxes without resolving it.
Mileage:
most between 0 and 5,000 miles, among 83 complaints that give it

“Exterior and interior lights flicker when the air conditioning compressor comes on”

“Head and taillights dim every 20-30 seconds when a/c is running”

Summaries are written with AI from the owner complaints shown on NHTSA's site and checked against them; quotes are word for word.

Recalls (8)

Check a VIN on NHTSA ›
  • NHTSA 19V502000June 20199,555 vehicles

    Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module

    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Acura TSX, 2011-2014 TSX Sport Wagon, 2010-2013 ZDX, 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic and Civic Hybrid, 2008-2010 Civic GX NGV, 2012-2015 Crosstour, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2013 Fit, 2014 Fit EV, 2010-2014 Insight, and 2009-2015 Pilot vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

    Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 19V378000May 201919,138 vehicles

    Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module

    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Acura TSX, 2011-2013 TSX Sport Wagon, and 2010-2012 ZDX and 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic, Civic Hybrid and Civic NGV, 2012-2014 Crosstour, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2013 Fit, 2010-2013 Insight, and 2009-2015 Pilot vehicles. The front passenger air bag inflator may have been installed incorrectly during replacement.

    Risk: An incorrectly installed air bag inflator may not properly deploy the passenger frontal air bag in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

    Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the inflator installation and, if necessary, replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 18V268000April 20181,335 vehicles

    Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module

    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2012 Honda Accord and Pilot, 2010 Accord Crosstour, 2001-2011 Civic, 2002-2011 CR-V, 2003-2004, 2006-2008 and 2011 Element, 2007 and 2009-2013 Fit, 2010-2012 Insight, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2012 Ridgeline vehicles. The front passenger air bag may have been installed incorrectly during replacement.

    Risk: An incorrectly installed air bag may deploy improperly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

    Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 17V545000August 20173,257 vehicles

    Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module

    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2008-2012 Accord, 2010-2012 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2012 Fit and Pilot, 2010-2012 Insight, and 2009-2012 Acura TSX vehicles that received replacement passenger frontal air bag inflators. One dealership may have incorrectly installed the replacement air bag inflators.

    Risk: In the event of a crash, an incorrectly installed passenger frontal air bag inflator may deploy the air bag improperly, increasing the risk of injury.

    Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 17V030000January 2017977,708 vehicles

    Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module

    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2012 Acura TSX, 2011-2012 Acura TSX Wagon, 2010-2012 Acura ZDX, 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2012 Honda Accord Crosstour and Honda Insight, 2009-2012 Honda Fit, 2009-2012 Pilot, 2007-2011 Honda CR-V, 2012 Honda FCX Clarity and 2006-2011 Honda Civic, Civic Hybrid, Civic NGV vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, if not included in "Zone A" above, Honda is recalling certain 2009 Acura TSX, Honda Fit and Pilot, 2008-2009 Honda Accord, 2006-2009 Civic, Civic Hybrid and Civic NGV, and 2007-2009 Honda CR-V vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, if not included in "Zone B" above, Honda is recalling certain 2008 Honda Accord, 2006-2008 Honda Civic, Civic Hybrid and Civic NGV and 2007-2008 Honda CR-V vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

    Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger side air bag inflator, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 16V346000May 20162,719,386 vehicles

    Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module

    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Acura TSX, 2011 TSX Wagon, 2010-2011 Acura ZDX, 2008-2011 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic, Civic Hybrid, and Civic GX, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2010-2011 FCX Clarity and Insight, and 2009-2011 Fit, and Pilot vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless already included in "Zone A" above, Honda is recalling certain model year 2008 Honda Accord, 2006-2008 Civic, Civic Hybrid and Civic GX, and 2007-2008 CR-V vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Vehicles not originally sold or ever registered in either Zones A or B are not subject to this safety recall. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

    Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inflator, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 16V056000February 2016341,444 vehicles

    Air bags

    American Honda Motor Company, Inc. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Accord vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the air bag control units may corrode and fail.

    Risk: If the air bag control unit fails, the air bags may not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of occupant injury.

    Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag control units, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 11V395000August 20111,512,107 vehicles

    Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)

    Honda is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 accord, 2007-2010 cr-v, and 2005-2008 element passenger cars manufactured from july 1, 2004, through september 3, 2010. The outer race of the secondary shaft bearing may be broken during certain driving styles. A broken outer race may cause abnormal noise, the malfunction indicator light to turn on, and allow contact between the transmission idle gear and an electronic sensor housing within the transmission.

    Risk: This could result in a short circuit causing the engine to stall. Additionally, broken pieces of the outer race or ball bearing from the secondary shaft may become lodged in the parking pawl resulting in the vehicle rolling after the driver has placed the gear selector in the park position. Engine stall and unexpected vehicle movement increases the risk of a crash or personal injury to persons within the path of a rolling vehicle.

    Fix: Honda will notify owners and dealers will update the automatic transmission control module software free of charge.

A recall only helps if the repair was done. Enter the vehicle's 17-character VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup before you buy.

Service bulletins

Honda sent NHTSA 109 service bulletins and other notices to dealers covering the 2008 Accord. These are repair instructions, not recalls. Warranty extensions and bulletins about its top problem areas:

  • A21120A · June 2023Service News - The navigation clock and date are incorrect.
  • A13-078 · June 2018American Honda is announcing a powertrain warranty extension as a result of a settlement of a class action captioned, Soto et al.v.
  • A16-007 · June 2017American Honda is extending the warranty on the SRS unit to 15 years from the original date of purchase with no mileage limit for a certain issue where the SRS indicator is on with one of the…
  • DLR MSG - HONDA · March 2016"dealer message - american honda previously announced safety recalls for some 2008 and 2009 accord sedan vehicles to reflash and/or replace the srs control units to reduce the potential for…
  • 16007 1 · March 2016American Honda is extending the warranty on the SRS unit to 15 years from the original date of purchase with no mileage limit for the SRS indicator being on with one of the following DTCs stored: ?
  • A15-078 · March 2016the srs threshold setting for the side impact sensor is such that with the vehicle ignition on, if there is a strong, non-vehicular collision impact to the lower body of the vehicle or if a door is…
  • A16-006 · March 2016an internal component in the srs unit may be susceptible to corrosion, potentially resulting in the srs unit failing.
  • WE - A13-078 · September 2015"service bulletin - american honda is announcing a powertrain warranty extension as a result of a settlement of a class action captioned, soto et al.v.

All 2008 Accord bulletins on NHTSA ›

Questions owners ask

Is the 2008 Honda Accord reliable?
Owners filed 821 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Honda Accord in its first five years on the road, about 217 for every 100,000 sold: 2.1× the rate of a typical Accord year. That's above average, so use caution. Ratings compare Accord years with each other using complaints filed with NHTSA; they don't measure every problem owners have.
What are the most common 2008 Accord problems?
Owners' complaints most often involve the brakes (64%), the lights (12%) and the electrical system (7%). A complaint can name more than one area.
Has the 2008 Honda Accord been recalled?
Yes. NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for the 2008 Honda Accord, the most recent in June 2019 (air bags). Enter the vehicle's VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to see whether the repairs were done.

Sources

Owner complaints, recalls and manufacturer communications from NHTSA's public data files, as of September 24, 2026. Complaints are counted once each, over the model year's first 60 months on the road. UsedScore is not affiliated with NHTSA or Honda. The 2008 Honda Accord on NHTSA.gov · How we rate