Avg. Price Paid:$11,768 - $15,424
Original MSRP: $20,360 - $30,510
MPG: 22 City / 31 Hwy
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Honda Accord Recalls & Reliability

These scores and this review are from when the car was new.

Scorecard

Overall: 2008 Honda Accord U.S. News Best Cars 9.2
Critics' Rating: 9.6
Performance: 8.1
Interior: 8.4
Safety: 9.8
Reliability:
How we calculate scores
Research analyzed for this review

Pros & Cons

  • Smooth acceleration with V6 engine
  • Roomier, more expansive interior
  • More safety equipment
  • Honda's reputation for quality and value
  • Limited trunk space compared to other midsize sedans
  • No folding rear seat to accommodate storage
  • Unpolished shifting from five-speed automatic transmission

Research Other Years

Review Last Updated: 3/10/09

Recalls

There have been 2 safety recalls issued from NHTSA.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM, PCM)Recall Date: 08/03/2011
  • Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN A SHORT CIRCUIT CAUSING THE ENGINE TO STALL. ADDITIONALLY, BROKEN PIECES OF THE OUTER RACE OR BALL BEARING FROM THE SECONDARY SHAFT MAY BECOME LODGED IN THE PARKING PAWL RESULTING IN THE VEHICLE ROLLING AFTER THE DRIVER HAS PLACED THE GEAR SELECTOR IN THE PARK POSITION. ENGINE STALL AND UNEXPECTED VEHICLE MOVEMENT INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH OR PERSONAL INJURY TO PERSONS WITHIN THE PATH OF A ROLLING VEHICLE.
  • NHTSA Campaign ID: 11V395000
  • Potential Number of Units Affected: 1,512,107
  • Summary: HONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 ACCORD, 2007-2010 CR-V, AND 2005-2008 ELEMENT PASSENGER CARS MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 1, 2004, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 3, 2010. THE OUTER RACE OF THE SECONDARY SHAFT BEARING MAY BE BROKEN DURING CERTAIN DRIVING STYLES. A BROKEN OUTER RACE MAY CAUSE ABNORMAL NOISE, THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT TO TURN ON, AND ALLOW CONTACT BETWEEN THE TRANSMISSION IDLE GEAR AND AN ELECTRONIC SENSOR HOUSING WITHIN THE TRANSMISSION.
  • Remedy: HONDA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL UPDATE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE SOFTWARE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT AUGUST 31, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AUTOMOBILE CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-999-1009.
  • Notes: HONDA'S RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER IS R89. OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV .
EQUIPMENTRecall Date: 11/09/2009
  • Consequence: THIS MAY RESULT IN REDUCED DRIVER VISIBILITY THAT COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
  • NHTSA Campaign ID: 09E063000
  • Potential Number of Units Affected: 3700
  • Summary: HONDA IS RECALLING AFTERMARKET FULL NOSE MASKS, PART NUMBER 08P35-TAO-100 AND 08P35-TA6-100 MANUFACTURED BETWEEN AUGUST 9, 2007 THROUGH DECEMBER 11, 2007. THE ACCESSORY WAS DESIGNED SPECIFICALLY FOR MODEL YEAR 2008-2010 HONDA ACCORD 4-DOOR VEHICLES. IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE NOSE MASK MATERIAL TO INTERFERE WITH PART OF THE HOOD LATCH. IF THE HOOD HAS NOT BEEN COMPLETELY CLOSED AND THE NOSE MASK INTERFERES WITH THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH MECHANISM THE HOOD MAY POP OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE BEING DRIVEN.
  • Remedy: HONDA IS ASKING OWNERS TO PLEASE REMOVE THE NOSE MASK IMMEDIATELY AND CALL ANY AUTHORIZED HONDA DEALER TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO RETURN THE NOSE MASK AND HAVE IT REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT NOVEMBER 23, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-999-1009.
  • Notes: OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV .

Reliability

Our reliability score is based on the J.D. Power and Associates Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) rating or, if unavailable, the J.D. Power Predicted Reliability rating.

Dependability Ratings1 2008
Overall Dependability
Powertrain Dependability
Feature & Accessory Dependability
Body & Interior Dependability

1These scores come from consumer ratings of their vehicles after three years of ownership.

  • Key:
  • Among The Best
  • Better Than Most
  • About Average
  • The Rest

J.D. Power and Associates Power Circle Ratings do not include all information used to determine J.D. Power and Associates awards. See JDPower.com for more information on Power Circle Ratings. Your experience may vary.

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Warranty

The 2008 Honda Accord provides a three-year or 36,000 mile bumper-to-bumper limited warranty, as well as a five-year or 60,000 mile powertrain limited warranty. Corrosion protection is provided for the first five years, regardless of mileage.

Honda has a consistent record for selling reliable vehicles, and the 2007 model received very good marks for its predicted reliability. Consumer Guide rates the 2008 Accord as a Best Buy, but reports a few mechanical issues with previous Accords, including issues that range from defective sunroofs to the spontaneous activation of engine or brake warning lights. Still, reviews uphold Honda's reputation for reliability.

  • "Who should buy this car: A person looking for a reasonably priced mid-sized extra roomy sedan with a comfortable interior, and bullet-proof reliability." -- The Family Car
  • "It adds up to one more in a terrific line of cars that have captured a record 22 10 Best trophies since we started awarding them in 1983." -- Car and Driver
  • "What hasn't changed in the 5-passenger Accord is its aura of durability and quality, which are the primary purchase reasons for those oh-so-loyal buyers." -- MSN
  • "Hondas are dependable and have high resale values." -- Kiplinger
  • "The Accord is a proficient automobile that will leave its owners with few complaints." -- U.S. News
  • "It's clear the car remains one of the few family cars that competitors will measure themselves against, and one that consumers will use to measure other family cars. You know what athletes say: It's not boasting when you can back it up -- and the Accord does." -- Cars.com
  • "As Accord buyers have long expected and demanded, it once again delivers a sweet-natured drive in a package built like a solid granite mountain range." -- Popular Mechanics
  • "With styling and performance that splits the difference between the sportier Nissan Altima and softer Toyota Camry, the Honda Accord embodies the very balance that attracts so many buyers to the midsize sedan segment in the first place. In terms of all-around quality and refinement, the Accord registers off the chart." -- Kelley Blue Book

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