Sign inCreate free garage
Research · Large Cars

2008 Honda AccordRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 9 safety recalls and 1,521 owner complaints for the 2008 Honda Accord. Most complaints involve service brakes, hydraulic (451) and air bags (379). The EPA rates it 20–25 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
20–25mpg
EPA · 7 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
9campaigns
Latest Jun 2019
Owner complaints
1,521
Top: service brakes, hydraulic
Fuel cost / yr
$2,550est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

9 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

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, 2010-2014 Insight, and 2009-2015 Pilot vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Air bagsReported Jun 27, 2019NHTSA 19V502000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

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 2009-2015 Pilot vehicles. The front passenger air bag inflator may have been installed incorrectly during replacement.

Air bagsReported May 16, 2019NHTSA 19V378000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

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 bag may have been installed incorrectly during replacement.

Air bagsReported Apr 26, 2018NHTSA 18V268000
See all 9 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

1,521 complaints filed with NHTSA · Oct 2007 – Oct 2026
  1. Service brakes, hydraulic451
  2. Air bags379
  3. Engine210
  4. Exterior lighting113
  5. Electrical system105
  6. Power train70
  7. Service brakes, electric58
  8. Service brakes56
  9. Equipment41

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Accord model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996478
1997467
19981,215
19991,144
20001,193
2001932
20021,062
20032,013
20041,018
2005686
2006433
2007524
20081,521
2009727
2010581
2011296
2012381
20131,438
2014984
2015602
2016613
2017540
20181,897
2019698
2020368
2021246
2022262
202388
2024153
202599
202614
Crashes reported
62
Fires reported
13
Injuries reported
67
Deaths reported
1
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Service brakes, hydraulic

451 reports4 crashes
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE ABS, THE VSC AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE REPAIR PARTS NEEDED TO BE ORDERED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000. UPDATED 06/15/16*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. UPDATED 06/27/16.*JB”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 21, 2016Service brakes, hydraulic, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (esc)ODI 10860664

Air bags

379 reports45 crashes
“I received several letters notifying me of an urgent recall for my Honda vehicle. I’ve attempted to get this issue fixed many times. However, the dealership stated that the repair will take a few hours to repair. Since I work Uber and DoorDash, I requested a loaner vehicle to use while my car is being repaired. They stated that they can’t provide that and If I want to I can rent a vehicle at $45 a day. Also, I will have to pay for my Uber ride from the dealership and back. There should be no reason why I should be responsible for lost wages or any expenses relating to a recall that is entirely out of my control.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 5, 2023Air bagsODI 11530408

Engine

210 reports5 crashes3 fires
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 16, 2024EngineODI 11614954
All 2008 Accord problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

7 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Large Cars, Compact Cars
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl · 3.5L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 5-spd · Automatic 5-spd · Manual 6-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Accord
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
223125$2,550355
Accord Coupe
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
223125$2,550355
Accord
Auto 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
213124$2,700370
Accord Coupe
Auto 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
213024$2,700370
Accord
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
192922$2,900404
Accord Coupe
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
192822$2,900404
Accord Coupe
Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
172520$3,200444
  • Accord
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    22 city · 31 hwy · $2,550/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
  • Accord Coupe
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    22 city · 31 hwy · $2,550/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
  • Accord
    Auto 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    21 city · 31 hwy · $2,700/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • Accord Coupe
    Auto 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    21 city · 30 hwy · $2,700/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • Accord
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    19 city · 29 hwy · $2,900/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Accord Coupe
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    19 city · 28 hwy · $2,900/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Accord Coupe
    Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    17 city · 25 hwy · $3,200/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2008 Honda Accord as of Nov 3, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 3, 2026Vehicle 2538Vehicle 2537
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2008 Accord questions

How many recalls does the 2008 Honda Accord have?

9 safety recalls as of Nov 3, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2008 Honda Accord problems?

Owners filed 1,521 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are service brakes, hydraulic (451), air bags (379), engine (210). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2008 Honda Accord get?

The EPA rates the 2008 Honda Accord at 20–25 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (7 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 3, 2026