Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 Honda Accord owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I am having issues with my transmission. My gears get stuck between 2nd and 3rd gear while driving. It loses power and I have to switch to Neutral and put it back in Drive in order for it to become unstuck. I have taken it to Honda, and they told me it was the computer, and several other things. They replaced $2000 worth of parts and the problem still happens. I took it back to Honda and they told me I needed a new transmission after they took $2000 from me. This initially started approximately 5 months ago when my engine light came on.
Turned into a parking space in a parking lot, in motion at slow parking lot speeds, when burst of unintended acceleration occurred. Pushed down on the brakes, but the brakes did not end up stopping the car or even slowing down the sudden acceleration. This made me then go to turn the car off with the keys, but not before the car already had went beyond the parking space bumper and into the wall. A wall window was broken and the front of my car was ruined. Air bags did not deploy. Insurance did not check the car for error codes and filed off the situation as a total loss, paying off the rest I owed on the car with the deductible.
Subject: sudden unintended acceleration at about 9:25 pm, on Wednesday January 23, 2013 I was parked in the north parking lot of the vienna metro station, in fairfax, virginia, awaiting arrival of my wife. I had parked in the first parking space, across from the waiting area in front of the metro station entrance. When I saw my wife emerge from the entrance of the metro station, I started my car and shifted to drive. The engine suddenly revved up and the car lunged forward, accelerating at high speed and out of control. I remember reacting by applying the brakes with all my might and engaging the hand brake without much effect.the car lunged forward about 100 feet and hit a concrete barrier which smashed the front and engine and totaled the vehicle. Luckily there were no other cars or pedestrians in the vicinity otherwise there would have been more severe consequences. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while driving at 25 MPH with the accelerator pedal depressed, the vehicle speed decreased independently. The contact was able to pull the vehicle over. The vehicle was towed to the contacts residence. The vehicle was towed to two different independent mechanics where they diagnosed for a new battery, and rebuilt ECU however, the remedy failed. The vehicle was towed to dealer (bell Honda, 701 w bell rd, phoenix,az, 85023) where it was diagnosed that the transmission control module software failed, causing the counter shaft bearing to hit against the speed sensor and all three parts need to be replaced. …
I was traveling in my new-used 2008 Honda had set cruise control after leaving out of a small town back to my house on 259 north out of ore city texas I set the cruise at 72 it jammed and would not disengage it took me off the road and I hit an embankment knocking me out hearing the stories and seeing the pictures that were took of me and my car it was bad I've contacted Honda corp with no help as my insurance co has washed there hands of this complaint they were both asking for an inspection of the car I've tried all I know have contacted 10 or so product liability lawyers but none seem to be willing to help they all say it would take 300.000 to a million bucks to rep me sad that life is all about money and I guess since one of then told well since your on ss already and not a "wage" earner or supporting rug rats that its not worth it really sad I have sustained a lot of bodily …
Tl contact owns a 2008 Honda Accord. While driving 20 MPH, the engine revved. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to his residence, but the engine "raced" the entire time. A few days later, the contact's wife started the vehicle and lightly tapped the accelerator pedal. The vehicle suddenly experienced unintended acceleration, causing the vehicle to crash straight into a home across the street. The brake pedal was depressed, but they failed to work properly. The vehicle had not been moved since the day of the first incident. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, but they did not explain what caused the failure or defect. The current and failure mileages were 1,600. Updated 07/15/08. The dealer stated the computer did not show any defects and the brakes were not applied. Updated 07/15/08
Tl* the contact owned a 2008 Honda Accord. The contact stated that the vehicle was stopped at a stop sign when it suddenly accelerated. The vehicle did not stop when the brakes were applied and it continued to accelerate up to 70 MPH. The contact lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a truck while attempting to avoid other vehicles. In order to remove the driver from the vehicle, it had to be cut open. The driver suffered severe injuries and was taken to the hospital for treatment. The vehicle was not examined for the cause of failure. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure and current mileages were 39,000. The VIN was unavailable.
This 2008 Honda Accord constantly misses mostly from cylinder 1 and sometimes just spits oil out of the tailpipe.the misses happen at idle, and almost 100% when attempting to pass making it extremely unsafe. It has had many sensors replace, its timing belt replaced, all coils, and sparkplugs many times. The mechanic says the spark plugs are laser irridium and should last 100,000 miles but are lucky to last 10,000 miles. I am not sure what documents to include but am just getting this complaint started. I have the Accord at the mechanic today but it has been multiple repairs prior to this.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Honda Accord. While attempting to start the vehicle, the instrument panel warning indicators illuminated, including the check engine indicator. While driving, the speed would not increase past 20 MPH. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 120,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Honda Accord. The contact stated that the vehicle revved and the rpms increased, while the vehicle was in the park position. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle failed to accelerate properly when the accelerator pedal was depressed and moved at a very slow pace. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 105,400.
Acceleration complaints in other Accord years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2008 Honda Accord?
NHTSA has 33 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2008 Honda Accord, 2% of the model year's 1,520 complaints. The component named most often is cruise control (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Honda Accord acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for the 2008 Honda Accord, though it has 8 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2008 Honda Accord acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 40,000 miles, and 30% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 8 crashes, 2 fires and 3 injuries to speed control & acceleration problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.