Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
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).
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.
The car was brand new and the steering was to hard to turn, so we took it to Honda on centinela ave. Near ladera heights, they wanted to charge us $1200.00 to replace it. A couple months later we took the car to santa monica dealer 18th street. They stated the power steering pump was leaking and the rack needed to be replaced. They said that I have to pay $1200.00 but Honda Accord America was going to give me a 50% discount. I paid 50%. Then when driving back to my house, I heard a lot of noise, like something was loose. The noise got worse, when I was turning left, right or going into a deep area. So I took the car back and they said, they cannot hear the noise. I took the car back and now they are saying that nothing is wrong with the car. They said the struts are damaged and power steering hoses are liking all over. Car only has 30,000 miles, I don't really use it that much. …
I started my car up in the morning and warmed it up for about 15 minutes then as I go to put it in reverse the battery light came on I then put my car in park and turned it off then I turned it back on and the battery light was still on I decided to just go because I have to be at work in an hour as I am driving down I five the radio stopped working like the side of the vehicle started flickering and my headlights turned off and I was now driving down I-5 in the dark. Fortunately I made it to my location parked my car and it completely died. I didn't open my hood and started checking my battery and my alternator etc. I confirmed my battery was fine and that my alternator had failed. I then notice fluid was leaking from the power steering pump to the alternator. Now my car is has no power and even if I get it jumpstarted it just dies.
Tl contact owns a 2008 Honda Accord. The contact stated that the steering wheel was not aligned properly and failed to control the vehicle properly. The contact stated that the steering wheel and the wheels were not aligned adjacent. The failure recurred multiple times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the struts needed to be replaced and the wheels needed to be aligned. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred multiple times. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.
My car was leaking fluid which I was unaware. My starter went out and the dealer said that the power steering fluid was leaking so bad if I did not repair it there could be an engine fire as well as damage to the alternator. He had to replace the entire power steering pump because he said that the leak was too bad to just replace the o ring and hose. I brought my car to moss motors in lafayette, louisiana for the repair. I believe that since I only had 70,000 miles on my car that this power steering system is an obvious defect and safety hazard.
1) headlight projection very poor. Difficult to see100 feet ahead. This is exacerbated by a draw on the electrical system that makes the headlights dim while car is in motion. I will not drive the car at night or at night while it is raining. I feel that the car is dangerous and on several occasions I almost hit pedestrians walking or on a bicycle. This occurs on a daily basis and is constant. The Honda dealer inspected the issue once and stated that there was no defect, but that the car operates to normal specification and id comparable to all 2008 Honda Accord 4 cylinder models. This issue was prevalent since I took delivery of the new car in July, 2008. 2.) since taking delivery of this vehicle and to the present date, there is a wobble/wheel shimmy in the suspension at various speeds and different degrees of severity on a daily basis. …
Tl contact owns a 2008 Honda Accord. While driving 65 MPH, the steering wheel began to vibrate heavily and shake. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer, but they have been unable to diagnose the cause of the failure. They have rotated the tires and also replaced them; however, the failure still persists. She took the vehicle to Michelin ntb and, after a test drive, they stated that the failure could stem from the suspension or transmission. Michelin could not determine the cause of the failure as well. The contact believes that a crash could occur because she is unable to control the steering at high speeds. The failure mileage was 8,200 and current mileage was 8,300. Updated 11/25/08. Updated 11/25/08.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH she noticed a growling sound coming from the steering column. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician stated the power steering fluid was low and would have to be filled. After the power steering fluid was filled the failure continued. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer. The technician stated the alternator would have to be replaced. The failure continued after the repair. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for routine maintenance. The mechanic stated there was a power steering fluid leak. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 20,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Honda Accord. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for an oil change when he was informed that there was a power steering fluid leak. The contact was also informed of a recall for the failure under NHTSA campaign id number: 12V222000 (steering:hydraulic power assist:hose, piping, and connections) however, the contact's model year vehicle was not included in the recall campaign. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the issue. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 62,500.
I took delivery of 2008 Honda Accord coupe (4 cylinder automatic) in August of 2008. From day one I experience a steering wheel and suspension/drivetrain vibration & shimmy at speeds between 45-65 MPH. The dealer replaced tires and wheels, and balanced four wheels during first service visit. On the second and last offered service visit for this defect, the dealer determined that the vehicle was "operating as designed". They did not state that they could not verify the complaint and stated they would not make anymore attempts to diagnose or repair the problem.
Steering complaints in other Accord years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2008 Honda Accord?
NHTSA has 33 complaints about the steering of the 2008 Honda Accord, 2% of the model year's 1,520 complaints. The component named most often is column (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Honda Accord steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering 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 steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 11,000 miles, and 59% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to steering 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.