Makes›Honda›Accord›2008

2008 Honda Accord

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2008 models.

Honda Accord
Pictured: 2023 Honda Accord LX, front left, 07-13-2023. Photo: MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Compact Cars
Body styles
2dr Coupe EX/EX-L, 2dr Coupe EX-L V6, 4dr Sedan EX/EX-L, 4dr Sedan EX-V6/EX-L V6
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl
Horsepower
177–268 hp
Transmission
5-speed automatic
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
MPG (best)
25 combined · 22 city / 31 hwy
Length
190.9–194.5 in
Curb weight
3,236–3,578 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
8 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

Nothing stands out against similar models in the data.

Watch out for

  • Modest powerUp to 268 hp, versus about 500 hp for similar 2008 models.
  • Many owner complaints540 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 126 for similar models — most often about the air bags.
  • 8 recallsMore than similar models (about 2). Confirm repairs with the VIN.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 29 similar 2008 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2008 Honda Accord is a compact car offered with 2 engines (2.4L 4-cyl and 3.5L 6-cyl) and front-wheel drive.

It measures about 191 inches long and 73 inches wide on a 108-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,287 lb (2dr Coupe EX/EX-L).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 25 MPG combined (22 city / 31 highway), 14% better than the 2008 compact car average of 21.9 MPG, for an estimated $2,700 a year in fuel.

It has 8 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 540 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.

What changed for 2008

  • New body dimensions: 3.1 in longer, wheelbase +2.8 in — most likely a redesign or new generation
  • No hybrid version any more
  • Engine added: 3.5L 6-cyl
  • Engine dropped: 3.0L 6-cyl
  • Best combined MPG down from 27 to 25

Compared with 2007; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2007 Accord →

Trims, performance & features

Engine268 hp3.5L 6-cyl
Engine177 hp2.4L 4-cyl
Transmission5-speed automatic

Trims

EX-LLXLX PremiumEX

Built in: Marysville, Ohio

NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2008 Accord configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
2dr Coupe EX/EX-L190.9 in72.8 in56.3 in107.9 in62.2 / 61.8 in3,287 lb61/39
2dr Coupe EX-L V6190.9 in72.8 in56.3 in107.9 in62.2 / 61.8 in3,578 lb62/38
4dr Sedan EX/EX-L194.1 in72.8 in58.3 in110.2 in62.2 / 61.4 in3,358 lb61/39
4dr Sedan EX-V6/EX-L V6194.5 in72.8 in58.3 in110.2 in62.2 / 61.4 in3,574 lb62/38
4dr Sedan LX194.1 in72.8 in58.3 in110.2 in62.2 / 61.4 in3,236 lb61/39

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Accord Coupe2.4L 4-cylManual 5-spdFront-Wheel Drive22 / 31 / 25+14%$2,700355
Accord2.4L 4-cylManual 5-spdFront-Wheel Drive22 / 31 / 25+37%$2,700355
Accord Coupe2.4L 4-cylAutomatic 5-spdFront-Wheel Drive21 / 30 / 24+10%$2,800370
Accord2.4L 4-cylAutomatic 5-spdFront-Wheel Drive21 / 31 / 24+32%$2,800370
Accord Coupe3.5L 6-cylAutomatic 5-spdFront-Wheel Drive19 / 28 / 220%$3,050404
Accord3.5L 6-cylAutomatic 5-spdFront-Wheel Drive19 / 29 / 22+21%$3,050404
Accord Coupe3.5L 6-cylManual 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive17 / 25 / 20-9%$3,350444
Spend $1,500Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
21.9 MPG2008 Compact Cars average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2008 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2008 Honda Accord under the current (2011+) test program.

Similar 2008 compact cars

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2008 Honda Accord (this car)25 MPGNot rated8
2008 Ford Mustang20 MPGNot rated4
2008 Chevrolet Impala22 MPGNot rated2
2008 Toyota Camry34 MPGNot rated6
2008 Mazda 327 MPGNot rated0
2008 Volkswagen Golf/GTI25 MPGNot rated0
2008 Dodge Charger21 MPGNot rated3

Recalls (8)

Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Jun 27, 2019

NHTSA campaign 19V502000 · 9,555 vehicles

Problem
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.
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 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are F5F and Q5E.
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · May 16, 2019

NHTSA campaign 19V378000 · 19,138 vehicles

Problem
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.
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. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are M4O, P4R, T4Q, and W4P.
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Apr 26, 2018

NHTSA campaign 18V268000 · 1,335 vehicles

Problem
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.
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 customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are K1P, and M1O.
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Aug 31, 2017

NHTSA campaign 17V545000 · 3,257 vehicles

Problem
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 incorrectly installed the replacement air bag inflators.
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 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are O07, Y0A, N06, G05, M04, Y01, and O09.
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Jan 10, 2017

NHTSA campaign 17V030000 · 977,708 vehicles

Problem
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2012 Acura TSX, 2011-2012 Acura TSX Wagon, 2010-2012 Acura ZDX, 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2012 Honda Accord Crosstour and Honda Insight, 2009-2012 Honda Fit, 2009-2012 Pilot, 2007-2011 Honda CR-V, 2012 Honda FCX Clarity and 2006-2011 Honda Civic, Civic Hybrid, Civic NGV vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, if not included in "Zone A" above, Honda is recalling certain 2009 Acura TSX, Honda Fit and Pilot, 2008-2009 Honda Accord, 2006-2009 Civic, Civic Hybrid and Civic NGV, and 2007-2009 Honda CR-V vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, if not included in "Zone B" above, Honda is recalling certain 2008 Honda Accord, 2006-2008 Honda Civic, Civic Hybrid and Civic NGV and 2007-2008 Honda CR-V vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Risk
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger side air bag inflator, free of charge. The manufacturer has mailed an interim notification, and will send a second notification when parts are available. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KE1 and KE2.
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · May 24, 2016

NHTSA campaign 16V346000 · 2,719,386 vehicles

Problem
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Acura TSX, 2011 TSX Wagon, 2010-2011 Acura ZDX, 2008-2011 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic, Civic Hybrid, and Civic GX, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2010-2011 FCX Clarity and Insight, and 2009-2011 Fit, and Pilot vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless already included in "Zone A" above, Honda is recalling certain model year 2008 Honda Accord, 2006-2008 Civic, Civic Hybrid and Civic GX, and 2007-2008 CR-V vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Vehicles not originally sold or ever registered in either Zones A or B are not subject to this safety recall. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Risk
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall is KA4, KA5, KA6, and KA7.
Air Bags · Feb 2, 2016

NHTSA campaign 16V056000 · 341,444 vehicles

Problem
American Honda Motor Company, Inc. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Accord vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the air bag control units may corrode and fail.
Risk
If the air bag control unit fails, the air bags may not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of occupant injury.
Fix
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag control units, free of charge. Parts are expected to be available in Fall 2016. Interim notifications have been mailed to owners on March 15, 2016, and a second notice will be mailed when remedy parts are available. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is JW9. Note: This recall supersedes Recall 15V665.
Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm) · Aug 4, 2011

NHTSA campaign 11V395000 · 1,512,107 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
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.
Fix
HONDA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL UPDATE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE SOFTWARE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 27, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AUTOMOBILE CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-999-1009.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2008 Honda Accord is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

540Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
39Involved a crash
8Involved a fire
43Injuries reported
97,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Air Bags284
Engine153
Power Train39
Unknown Or Other39
Electrical System32
Service Brakes31
Vehicle Speed Control14
Equipment13
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
22/10: 122/12: 123/01: 123/02: 223/07: 123/08: 224/02: 124/04: 224/06: 124/07: 124/08: 124/09: 124/12: 125/03: 125/04: 125/06: 125/08: 225/09: 125/10: 126/03: 126/04: 226/05: 226/07: 126/10: 122/1023/0224/0224/0724/1225/0625/1026/05max 2

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2008 Honda Accord buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 8 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Air Bags — 284 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
  3. Engine — 153 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  4. Power Train — 39 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 97,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2008 Honda Accord. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Accord years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2026 Accord48195.7 inNot rated215
2025 Accord48195.7 inNot rated3120
2024 Accord48195.7 inNot rated6231
2023 Accord48195.7 inNot rated9231
2022 Accord47192.1 in★★★★★4315
2021 Accord48192.1 in★★★★★4293
2020 Accord48192.1 inNot rated6404
2019 Accord48192.1 inNot rated6792
2018 Accord47190.2 inNot rated62,012
2017 Accord48190.2 inNot rated3584
2016 Accord30190.2 inNot rated4611
2015 Accord47189 inNot rated6638

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Honda. How we calculate this →