Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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).
The contact owned a 2008 Honda Accord. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked and turned off in the driveway, she was informed that there was smoke coming from underneath the hood. The contact stated that she noticed flames coming out from underneath the hood. The contact stated that the front end of the vehicle burned significantly and was propelling burning particles. The fire department advised the contact to exit the residence and to stay in the backyard for safety. The fire department extinguished the fire. A fire department report was filed. The contact was unsure whether the police arrived at the scene and whether a police report was filed. There was no injury sustained. The contact stated that the front end of the vehicle had melted. The vehicle was towed and totaled. The dealer was not notified of the failure. …
The contact owned a 2008 Honda Accord. The contact stated that she reversed the vehicle into her driveway and exited. After five minutes, an abnormal odor of smoke was detected. There were sparks detected in the engine compartment, and the vehicle caught fire. The fire consumed the engine area up to the dashboard. The fire department extinguished the fire. There were no reported injuries, air bag deployment or police report filed. The insurance towed the vehicle to a tow lot and deemed the vehicle a total loss. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, who opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 163,000.
The contact owns a 2008 Honda Accord. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the engine misfired with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was driven to the dealer to be diagnosed. The mechanic determined that the spark plugs were fouled and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that at approximately 12,000 miles later the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the same dealer and the spark plugs were replaced again. The contact related the failure to NHTSA ID Number: 10152430 (Equipment, Engine). The manufacturer was notified of the issue and referred the contact back to the dealer. The approximate failure mileage was 113,000.
The contact owns a 2008 Honda Accord. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming 1-quart of engine oil per 1,000 miles driven. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The contact stated that after researching the failure, he became aware that similar vehicles were experiencing the same failure. The vehicle was not repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer had been contacted or notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.
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.
The engine rattles loudly for about 3 seconds on could start-up. The componet that is failing is the VTC ACTUATOR. This problem is casuing the engine light to go on. Also, I found out that the VTC Actuator on honda accord is a common failure. This is not a coincidence, it is a manufacture defect. In addition, it is putting my life in danger while it may cause engine failure. The VTC actuator rattles have been confirmed by independent mechanic.
Engine is making rattling noise at cold start... I see it being reported by 1000s of 2008 honda accord sedan owners. My car mileage is only 120k. I need Honda dealer to fix it as this is a Honda company issue
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Honda Accord. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the contact noticed smoked underneath the hood without warning. The vehicle was pulled into a parking lot, where an independent mechanic lifted the hood, and stated that the alternator was smoking. The vehicle was towed to moss motors [phone], located at 1407 la 728-8, lafayette, la 70501) where the technician diagnosed and replaced the alternator. Prior to that failure, the same dealer replaced the steering pump and the starter in 2015 when the steering pump leaked and destroyed the starter. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures and offered a forty percent discount towards the cost of the repairs. The failure mileage was approximately 77,000.
I purchased this vehicle in February 2015 and the issues which I have face are: poor(worn) struts, axle(output shaft) seal leak, vtc actuator which the dealer does not want to honor the warranty defect, and poor motor mounts. In addition, the struts caused one of the tires to pop due to a bump on the tire, and the passenger front tire had to be replaced because of the bump on the tire which again is due to the struts being bad.
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. …
Engine complaints in other Accord years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2008 Honda Accord?
NHTSA has 251 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2008 Honda Accord, 17% of the model year's 1,520 complaints. The component named most often is engine (8 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Honda Accord engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling 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 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 79,000 miles, and 11% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 6 crashes, 5 fires and 3 injuries to engine & cooling 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.