2008 Honda Accord Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Jul 7, 2026 · 1,520 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other Accord years
Far more complaints than other years 3rd of 32 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 1,520 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Honda Accord. That ranks 3rd out of 32 Accord model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is service brakes, hydraulic (451 complaints, 30%), typically at around 21,894 miles. Complaints mention 62 crashes, 13 fires, 67 injuries. There are 8 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 3 defect investigations involving it.

Honda Accord
Urban Gray Pearl Honda Accord Hybrid Touring CY2 sedan at Honda Ilsan Dealership.. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: Damian B Oh, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

Compare with another car

Most common 2008 Honda Accord problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic451 · ~21,894 mi
Air Bags379 · ~80,000 mi
Engine210 · ~89,500 mi
Exterior Lighting113 · ~500 mi
Electrical System104 · ~32,000 mi
Power Train70 · ~78,150 mi
Service Brakes, Electric58 · ~21,069 mi
Service Brakes56 · ~54,548 mi
Unknown or Other48 · ~77,951 mi
Engine and Engine Cooling41 · ~28,950 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems45130%21,894“rear brakes” (47%)$340
Air Bags problems37925%80,000“side curtain” (9%)$800
Engine problems21014%89,500“oil consumption” (21%)$2,100
Exterior Lighting problems1137%500“every seconds” (29%)—
Electrical System problems1047%32,000“every seconds” (14%)—
Power Train problems705%78,150“vtc actuator” (10%)—
Service Brakes, Electric problems584%21,069“rear brakes” (45%)$390
Service Brakes problems564%54,548“brake pads” (20%)—
Unknown or Other483%77,951——
Engine and Engine Cooling413%28,950——
Equipment372%5,000——
Seats342%35,519——
Steering332%10,000——
Vehicle Speed Control332%40,000——
Structure312%29,500——
Suspension221%30,000——
Seat Belts211%75,000——
Visibility201%3,763——
Latches/locks/linkages141%34,500——
Wheels111%115,328——
Electronic Stability Control (esc)101%60,000——
Parking Brake91%15,980——
Service Brakes, Air91%25,046——
Tires91%59,000——
Fuel/propulsion System60%50,775——
Visibility/wiper60%58,500——
Fuel System, Gasoline50%10,000——
Interior Lighting40%650——
Traction Control System20%15,940——
Child Seat10%———

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2009, with 313 complaints
2007: 3200732008: 1391392009: 31320093132010: 2452452011: 752011752012: 61612013: 642013642014: 81812015: 10420151042016: 2012012017: 752017752018: 50502019: 452019452020: 17172021: 102021102022: 10102023: 6202362024: 882025: 7202572026: 66

n = 1,520 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2008 Honda Accord recalls (8)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator moduleJun 27, 2019 · NHTSA campaign 19V502000 · 9,555 vehicles

Problem: 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. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are F5F and Q5E.

Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator moduleMay 16, 2019 · NHTSA campaign 19V378000 · 19,138 vehicles

Problem: 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. The recall began July 5, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are M4O, P4R, T4Q, and W4P.

Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator moduleApr 26, 2018 · NHTSA campaign 18V268000 · 1,335 vehicles

Problem: 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. The recall began June 22, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are K1P, and M1O.

Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator moduleAug 31, 2017 · NHTSA campaign 17V545000 · 3,257 vehicles

Problem: 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. The recall began October 30, 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are O07, Y0A, N06, G05, M04, Y01, and O09.

Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator moduleJan 10, 2017 · NHTSA campaign 17V030000 · 977,708 vehicles

Problem: 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. The manufacturer has mailed an interim notification, and will send a second notification when parts are available. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KE1 and KE2.

Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator moduleMay 24, 2016 · NHTSA campaign 16V346000 · 2,719,386 vehicles

Problem: 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. The recall began March 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall is KA4, KA5, KA6, and KA7.

Air bagsFeb 2, 2016 · NHTSA campaign 16V056000 · 341,444 vehicles

Problem: 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. Parts are expected to be available in Fall 2016. Interim notifications have been mailed to owners on March 15, 2016, and a second notice will be mailed when remedy parts are available. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is JW9. Note: This recall supersedes Recall 15V665.

Power train:automatic transmission:control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)Aug 4, 2011 · NHTSA campaign 11V395000 · 1,512,107 vehicles

Problem: 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. The safety recall began on august 27, 2011. Owners may contact honda automobile customer service at 1-800-999-1009.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

NHTSA defect investigations

  • SRS Control Module Failure (PE15029) — opened Aug 18, 2015, closed Jun 17, 2016, led to recall 16V056000.
  • Inadvertent Side Air Bag Deployment (EA14004) — opened Jul 29, 2014, closed Jan 4, 2016.
  • Inadvertent Side Air Bag Deployment (PE14004) — opened Jan 31, 2014, closed Jul 29, 2014.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

The tire tread came completely off, separating from the side wall.

Tires · received Jul 7, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11748743

The contact owns a 2008 Honda Accord. While attempting to register the vehicle, the contact was informed of NHTSA Campaign Number: 09E063000(EQUIPMENT). The contact indicated that the vehicle could not be register at local DMV office due to the incomplete recall; the contact indicated that the part…

Equipment · received May 21, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11739317

CV Axle broke without warning. Minimal safety risk, had to push the car across traffic to a parking lot. Had the vehicle towed to independent garage for repair.

Power Train · received May 20, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11739106

My daughter was in a accident on the freeway which was pretty bad the car is totaled and she was injured because the air bags never came out.

Air Bags · received Apr 30, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11734820

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2008 Honda Accord. The contact discovered a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a private sale on Facebook Marketplace. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 130,000. While cleaning the vehicle, the contact located a receipt that showed…

Electrical System · received Apr 7, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11729650

Other Honda Accord years

← 2007 Accord · 2009 Accord →

See all Honda Accord problems by year, every Honda model, or the Honda VIN decoder.

Similar Honda models

Embed this 2008 Honda Accord badge on your site

Copy this code into your blog or forum post. It shows live complaint and recall counts and links back here.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2008 Honda Accord?

Owners most often report service brakes, hydraulic, air bags, engine problems. The top one, service brakes, hydraulic, accounts for 451 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2008 Honda Accord?

Yes, 8 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2008 Honda Accord a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Accord model years, the 2008 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.