2008 Honda Accord Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2008 Honda Accord ranks 2nd worst out of 21 model years with a complaint index of 95 and 1,520 NHTSA complaints. Brakes and airbags dominate the complaints, with 8 recalls including six separate airbag inflator campaigns, driving an Avoid verdict relative to other Accord years.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 95/100
- #2 of 21 Accord years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 1,520
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 8
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 62
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 13
- Injuries
- 67
- Top issue
- Brakes
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 24
- 21 city / 30 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 67 / 1
Top 2008 Honda Accord problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Brakes583 (38%)
- Airbags379 (25%)
- Engine272 (18%)
- Electrical System192 (13%)
- Other86 (6%)
- Transmission & Powertrain70 (5%)
- Structure & Body69 (5%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires39 (3%)
- Steering33 (2%)
- Visibility & Wipers25 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report premature rear brake wear and noise appearing well before scheduled service intervals.
- Some describe sudden unintended acceleration or engine surging, in at least one case leading to a crash into a barrier.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in frontal and side-impact crashes despite significant vehicle damage.
- Owners report oil leaks and excessive oil consumption tied to the VTC oil control valve and chain assembly.
- One owner reported the engine catching fire after a loss of control while driving uphill.
2008 Honda Accord recalls
8 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 19V502000Jun 27, 2019Airbags9,555 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.
Remedy: 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.
- NHTSA 19V378000May 16, 2019Airbags19,138 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.
Remedy: 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.
- NHTSA 18V268000Apr 26, 2018Airbags1,335 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.
Remedy: 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.
2008 Honda Accord fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 21 MPG
- Highway
- 30 MPG
- Combined
- 24 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,700
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2008 compared with other Accord years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2008 Honda Accord reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2008 Accord ranks 2nd worst among 21 Accord model years with a complaint index of 95, so it carries an Avoid verdict relative to other Accord years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 Honda Accord?
- Brakes make up 38% of complaints (583 total) and airbags make up 25% (379 total), followed by engine issues at 18%.
- Does the 2008 Honda Accord have airbag recalls?
- Yes. NHTSA lists six separate airbag-related recall campaigns affecting the 2008 Accord, covering inflator replacement, control unit corrosion, and module inspections.
- At what mileage do 2008 Accord brake problems usually appear?
- NHTSA data shows a median mileage of 22,000 miles at the time brake complaints were reported.
- How does the 2008 Accord compare to other years?
- Its complaint index of 95 is higher than most other Accord years except 2018 (100), 2013 (90), and close to 2009 (85), all of which also carry Avoid verdicts.