Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 1,520 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Honda Accord, and it carries 9 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 424 | 28% |
| Air bags | 318 | 21% |
| Engine | 142 | 9% |
| Exterior lighting | 73 | 5% |
| Service brakes | 49 | 3% |
| Electrical system | 38 | 3% |
| Service brakes | 32 | 2% |
| Unknown or other | 29 | 2% |
| Power train | 26 | 2% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 25 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The tire tread came completely off, separating from the side wall.
NHTSA complaint: Tires
The contact owns a 2008 Honda Accord. While attempting to register the vehicle, the contact was informed of NHTSA Campaign Number: 09E063000(EQUIPMENT). The contact indicated that the vehicle could not be register at loc
NHTSA complaint: Equipment
CV Axle broke without warning. Minimal safety risk, had to push the car across traffic to a parking lot. Had the vehicle towed to independent garage for repair.
NHTSA complaint: Power train
My daughter was in a accident on the freeway which was pretty bad the car is totaled and she was injured because the air bags never came out.
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2008 Honda Accord. The contact discovered a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a private sale on Facebook Marketplace. At the time of purchase, the mileage was
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
Took my car to dmv and was told about 3 recalls JY4 / 16V-056 SAFETY E-063 R21 / 09E-063 SAFETY V-395 R89 / 11V-395 SAFETY 2008 HONDA ACCORD LX Recall Title SRS NO COMMUNICATION RECALL 08-2010 ACCORD NOSE MASK SECONDARY
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
When cold starting my car it has a very loud rattle. Lately the rattle takes some time to go away.
NHTSA complaint: Engine
Brakes are too small and where out very quickly. I've had 3 sets of breaks done and my car only has 57000 miles.
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns for the 2008 Honda Accord. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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 b
Risk: An incorrectly installed air bag may deploy improperly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: 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
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, 2010-201
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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 1-888-234-21
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
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.
Fix: 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.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2008-2012 Accord, 2010-2012 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2012 Fit and Pilot, 2010-2012 Insight, and 2009-2012 Acura TSX vehicles that received replacement passenger frontal air bag inflators. One dealership may have in
Risk: In the event of a crash, an incorrectly installed passenger frontal air bag inflator may deploy the air bag improperly, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began October 30, 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-88
| Reliability | 47 | below average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 67 | good |
| Maintenance | 89 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 83 | excellent |
| Performance | 58 | average |
| Efficiency | 45 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 1,520 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and service brakes is the most reported area with 424 of them (28%). There are 9 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 47/100 (below average) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density, adjusted for how many were sold so a popular model is not penalised for having more owners.
AVOIR scores its longevity 67/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2008 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 66/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.