Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
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).
Very, very common issue on 8th generation AND 9th generation Honda Accords (as well as other Honda models from this era). ABS modules throw solenoid codes (usually consisting of VSA, ABS, traction control, and parking brake lights on the gauge cluster). Sure, the vehicle's ABS may still operate, however this is still a problem and generally not safe. My 2008 Accord EX-L V6 w/ Nav recently had this problem and I have resolved it by swapping over a used part. Honda wants to charge $2500 on average for both the part and labor. What the problem is, is that the circuit board in these modules have been using the wrong gauge of wire according to many mechanics. According to my mechanic, this thing can be triggered with something as simple as an automated car wash. Honda generally makes great, mostly reliable vehicles that are fun to drive. …
While traveling at high rate of speed on an interstate my vehicle struck a patch of black ice. The car's vehicle stability assist engaged, but I was unable to gain control, the vehicle spun repeatedly and left the roadway, striking a culvert and causing the side and side curtain airbags to deploy. I found out a week after getting my car back from repairs that the rear brakes were completely worn down to metal on metal with no prior warning and after only approximately 22,000 miles. I believe that this caused a significant safety issue and contributed to my accident. When the vehicle stability assist and brake assist function was engaged, I believe the worn state of the rear brakes as opposed to the almost new condition of the front brakes caused the back end of my car to swing around and spin out of control. …
The 2008 Honda Accord models were subject to a class action lawsuit in 2010. The suit stated that rear brake pads on the vehicle wear prematurely. The problem with the lawsuit is that at that time most owners of the vehicles did not know or encounter a problem with the brake pads. Further, the pads are wearing prematurely which in most cases will cause a need for the rotors to be replaced. Thus the expense to the owner is higher. In some instances the owner is force to purchase new calipers which increase the cost even more. The vehicles are outfitted with an electronic braking distribution (ebd) system which might be the cause of the overall issue. When the 2008 Honda Accord models were built, Honda installed smaller brake pads on the vehicles. The class action lawsuit covered a fraction of the cost to owners. …
My car has 21,000 miles on it when I discovered that the noise coming from the back of the car was my brake pad wear sensors. They started squealing 1,000 earlier but I did not know it was the wear sensors making the noise because they squealed while driving. There should not have been any brake drag unless the calipers were not working properly. I did find out on the inet that the slider pins were reversed and that was why there was drag on the brakes. This is a safety hazard and also causes less fuel efficiency since the brakes are being applied all of the time. I took the car to the local Honda dealer at the request of Honda customer service and the dealership told me that I had no brake pads left. …
This is a safety raised issue on a 2008 Accord-lxp that I purchased used (which had about 29K originally when I purchased it as a certified Honda Accord) from herb chambers boston. Since I purchased the car, I started hearing an odd grinding noise when starting the car on cold days - Honda said just keep oil full. I then find out that a recall had been issued to fix the oil consumption, that Honda had finally agreed there was an issue with the engine design and would fix it and at the same time would not cause other issues to emerge such as vtc and the timing chain issues. Recently my engine light came on, I started researching the problem. It was the first time I knew about the following issues which I will be detailing/describing below. Results were bad: a timing chain failure. …
"Takata recall" Honda USA does not honor the NHTSA 16v-056 (corrosion of the ECU unit) air bag recall. They said they would send a remedy letter in the fall of 2016. Never received the letter, and closed their recall campaign. They will not replace the ECU unit unless it's corroded to a point where a warning light comes on. The whole point of the NHTSA 16v-056 recall is to replace the ECU unit, so no corrosion will occur in the future. Honda USA refuses to replace the ECU unit. They bully their dealers not to replace it too. I have never encountered a business that is this deceiving in my life. I' m stuck without any pull or power to have them liable for this issue. Please ,I beg you , please help me NHTSA! There was a litigation that was settled in the past regarding premature wear on the rear brakes. …
I purchased this Honda Accord from automaxx of summerville in good faith from dealer stating that vehicle passed all their inspections (including brake system). I found out within 2 weeks later by taking it to a Honda dealership, that the brakes, brake lines, caliper, exhaust system are all affected by severe, damaging rust. During inspection, inclusive were sticking caliper. I had front brakes replaced; but due to rust, technician had to bam & force brakes lose. I was informed of the risks with severe rusting causing parts to brake and fail. New brakes would not install properly after old, seated brakes came off. When vehicle is in motion and stopping, the brake system makes noise, and seems like something coming apart due to the insecure fitting of brakes/rotors/calipers, which all have a great build up of rust. This vehicle was purchased approximately 1 month ago in these conditions. …
On March 25, 2009, I purchased a brand new 2008 Honda Accord. Over the past few months, I've noticed brake noise smells, which I was sure couldn't possible be coming from my car because it was too new. When I went for my 5000 mile service check, the technician told me the brakes were showing some sign of wear, but were OK for now. I planned on having them checked again during the next oil change. On 12/29/09 when leaving work, my brakes did not stop my car on command as it usually does. I was going no more than 5 miles an hour when I stopped for oncoming traffic. I felt a dragging or scraping which told me it was time to get the brakes checked real soon. That evening, my son went on a grocery run for me. On his way home, he tried to stop for a stop sign, with the brake pedal to the floor, the car did not stop and rammed into a tree. …
I hear a grinding sound every time I brake. I saw that Honda settle a class action lawsuit regarding replacing or reimbursing for brake pads that wore out twice as fast. But I called Honda and they told me my car was not covered by this. I have a proximately 54,000 miles on my vehicle. Secondly, my vehicle vibrates or shakes a bit at higher speeds of 65 MPH and above on the highway. Not sure if this is a common problem or should be addressed by Honda. Finally, I develop backaches due to the discomfort of the seats which I suspect are not correctly or ergonomically designed. After about 30 to 40 minutes of driving I experience lower back pain which I normally never have. This dissuades me from driving for much longer distances as I remain stiff and need to rest in order to recover from the back pain after driving the vehicle.
The brake light continues to go on and off on the dashboard. I have changed my brakes, replaced the brake fluid and the problem persists. I have went to Honda and they can only tell you the cost for the repair. I have seen quite a few complaints on other websites with the same problem. I have found multiple websites with the same problem for the 2008, 2009 and 2007 Honda Accord, I cannot understand how it's affecting a significant amount of vehicles for the Honda Accord and there is not a recall listed. Especially when it can cause hazardous driving conditions. The light comes on within a minute or two of driving and turns off after reaching 40 MPH. Other times it stays on and the vsa light comes on.
Brake complaints in other Accord years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2008 Honda Accord?
NHTSA has 577 complaints about the brakes of the 2008 Honda Accord, 38% of the model year's 1,520 complaints. The component named most often is foundation components › disc › pads (7 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Honda Accord brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes 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 brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 22,000 miles, and 61% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 7 crashes, 1 fire and 2 injuries to brakes 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.