Honda Accord 2008–2012 problems by year and mileage
8th generation (North America) · CP2/CP3 sedan, CS1/CS2 coupe
NHTSA data through 18 October 20263,495 complaints, 2,461 with mileageMethod
Which year is yours? Tap it to see what breaks on it.
The 2008 Honda Accord
Close- Median failure report
- 27,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 1,520
- Recalls naming this year
- 8
Most reported on the 2008
- Hydraulic brake circuit451 reports · median 22,000 mi
- Airbag system379 reports · median 80,000 mi
- Engine210 reports · median 89,000 mi
Recall areas Air bags — frontal · Air bags · Power train — automatic transmission
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2009 Honda Accord
Close- Median failure report
- 33,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 726
- Recalls naming this year
- 10
Most reported on the 2009
- Hydraulic brake circuit160 reports · median 19,000 mi
- Airbag system143 reports · median 90,000 mi
- Engine111 reports · median 78,000 mi
Recall areas Air bags — frontal · Air bags · Power train — automatic transmission
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2010 Honda Accord
Close- Median failure report
- 41,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 580
- Recalls naming this year
- 12
Most reported on the 2010
- Airbag system134 reports · median 63,000 mi
- Engine116 reports · median 80,000 mi
- Hydraulic brake circuit63 reports · median 21,000 mi
Recall areas Air bags — frontal · Air bags · Power train — automatic transmission
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2011 Honda Accord
Close- Median failure report
- 44,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 296
- Recalls naming this year
- 9
Most reported on the 2011
- Airbag system115 reports · median 70,000 mi
- Seats38 reports
- Engine25 reports
Recall areas Air bags — frontal · Suspension
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2012 Honda Accord
Close- Median failure report
- 25,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 373
- Recalls naming this year
- 8
Most reported on the 2012
- Seats64 reports · median 300 mi
- Airbag system56 reports · median 60,000 mi
- Steering51 reports · median 22,000 mi
Recall areas Air bags — frontal · Air bags — side/window
Check the VIN at NHTSA
Tiles: each year’s median failure mileage. Latest: the 2011; earliest: the 2012, and the 2011 is 1 year older (part of the gap is age).
The short answer
“Is the 2008–2012 Honda Accord reliable?”
- Median of reported failures
- 30,000 mi
- 90% of reports came by
- 120,000 mi
- Reports with mileage
- 2,461
- Recalls
- 14
Most reported
- Airbag system23.7% of complaints · median 79,000 mi
- Hydraulic brake circuit19.5% of complaints · median 21,000 mi
- Engine14.4% of complaints · median 82,000 mi
Owners filed 3,495 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008–2012 Honda Accord; the airbag system leads with 23.7% of them, and half of the 2,461 that record an odometer reading came by 30,000 miles — complaints, not a failure rate.
No single peak: the middle half runs 16,000 to 75,000 miles.
Before-you-buy checklist ↓At your mileage ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
How many miles does a 2008–2012 Honda Accord last?
On the 2008–2012 Honda Accord, half of the 2,461 complaints that record an odometer reading were filed by 30,000 miles and 90% by 120,000 miles (why that is not a lifespan).
118 reports came in past 150,000 miles and 27 past 200,000 — each one proof that an Accord reached that mileage, not that it failed there.
Figure 1 · Honda Accord 2008–2012 · 2,461 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
5,000-mile bins, 0 to 200,000 miles, linear scale; tallest bar 363 complaints
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 27 complaints (1.1%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 1,000
- 25%
- 16,000
- Median
- 30,000
- 75%
- 75,000
- 90%
- 120,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–5,000 | 363 | 14.8% |
| 5,000–10,000 | 90 | 3.7% |
| 10,000–15,000 | 116 | 4.7% |
| 15,000–20,000 | 215 | 8.7% |
| 20,000–25,000 | 237 | 9.6% |
| 25,000–30,000 | 181 | 7.4% |
| 30,000–35,000 | 119 | 4.8% |
| 35,000–40,000 | 92 | 3.7% |
| 40,000–45,000 | 63 | 2.6% |
| 45,000–50,000 | 55 | 2.2% |
| 50,000–55,000 | 59 | 2.4% |
| 55,000–60,000 | 61 | 2.5% |
| 60,000–65,000 | 76 | 3.1% |
| 65,000–70,000 | 60 | 2.4% |
| 70,000–75,000 | 51 | 2.1% |
| 75,000–80,000 | 52 | 2.1% |
| 80,000–85,000 | 58 | 2.4% |
| 85,000–90,000 | 42 | 1.7% |
| 90,000–95,000 | 51 | 2.1% |
| 95,000–100,000 | 38 | 1.5% |
| 100,000–105,000 | 51 | 2.1% |
| 105,000–110,000 | 31 | 1.3% |
| 110,000–115,000 | 23 | 0.9% |
| 115,000–120,000 | 28 | 1.1% |
| 120,000–125,000 | 33 | 1.3% |
| 125,000–130,000 | 24 | 1.0% |
| 130,000–135,000 | 17 | 0.7% |
| 135,000–140,000 | 18 | 0.7% |
| 140,000–145,000 | 24 | 1.0% |
| 145,000–150,000 | 15 | 0.6% |
| 150,000–155,000 | 16 | 0.7% |
| 155,000–160,000 | 10 | 0.4% |
| 160,000–165,000 | 14 | 0.6% |
| 165,000–170,000 | 4 | 0.2% |
| 170,000–175,000 | 15 | 0.6% |
| 175,000–180,000 | 7 | 0.3% |
| 180,000–185,000 | 12 | 0.5% |
| 185,000–190,000 | 5 | 0.2% |
| 190,000–195,000 | 5 | 0.2% |
| 195,000–200,000 | 3 | 0.1% |
| 200,000+ | 27 | 1.1% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
Common Accord problems, and when they happen
Figure 2 · Honda Accord 2008–2012
When each system fails
Bar: middle half of reports · notch: median · proportional (log) scale (how to read it)
- Seats205 reportsmedian 1,500middle half 188–33,000
- Hydraulic brake circuit683 reportsmedian 21,000middle half 16,000–26,000
- Brakes210 reportsmedian 37,000middle half 24,000–60,000
- Electrical system232 reportsmedian 50,000middle half 7,000–100,000
- Transmission and driveline199 reportsmedian 62,000middle half 20,000–100,000
- Airbag system827 reportsmedian 79,000middle half 47,000–108,000
- Engine505 reportsmedian 82,000middle half 55,000–113,000
- Your odometer, once entered below
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first.
All systems in a table
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbag system | 827 | 23.7% | 79,000 | 47,000–108,000 |
| Hydraulic brake circuit | 683 | 19.5% | 21,000 | 16,000–26,000 |
| Engine | 505 | 14.4% | 82,000 | 55,000–113,000 |
| Electrical system | 232 | 6.6% | 50,000 | 7,000–100,000 |
| Brakes | 210 | 6.0% | 37,000 | 24,000–60,000 |
| Seats | 205 | 5.9% | 1,500 | 188–33,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 199 | 5.7% | 62,000 | 20,000–100,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 163 | 4.7% | 67,000 | 30,000–117,000 |
| Steering | 153 | 4.4% | 31,000 | 4,500–62,000 |
| Exterior lighting | 148 | 4.2% | 827 | 174–10,000 |
Known problems with the 2008–2012 Accord
Engine 2008–2012
J35 V6 Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) deactivates cylinders, allowing oil past the rings of the deactivated bank; results in excessive oil consumption, fouled/oil-soaked spark plugs, misfires and premature failure of the active engine mounts. Subject of a class-action settlement covering 2008-2012 V6 models.
Brakes 2008–2010
Rear brake pads wear out in roughly 15,000-20,000 miles because the electronic brake distribution calibration applies excessive force to the rear wheels; subject of a class-action settlement.
Airbags 2008–2009
Unexpected side-curtain airbag deployment traced to a software fault; roughly 300,000 Accords recalled.
Before you buy a 2008–2012 Accord: the 3-minute check
Generated from 2,461 mileage-tagged complaints, 14 recall campaigns, 3 documented problem areas.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 14 campaigns cover this generation.
- Ask for seats repair records. Reports on this area come at a median of 1,500 miles — on any car this age it already happened or never will; the question is whether it was fixed under warranty.
- Ask for exterior lighting repair records. Same question here: a median of 827 miles.
- Check engine on 2008–2012 V6 cars. What each looks like: Known problems.
- Check brakes on 2008–2010 cars.
- Check airbags on 2008–2009 cars.
- Years differ here: from 296 to 1,520 complaints a year — compare them by model year.
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car.
Accord problems by mileage: where your car sits
Type your odometer, or read the table.
| System | Middle half of reports, mi | At 60k mi67% below | At 90k mi81% below | At 120k mi90% below | At 150k mi95% below | At 200k mi99% below |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbag system | 47,000–108,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Hydraulic brake circuit | 16,000–26,000 | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Engine | 55,000–113,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Electrical system | 7,000–100,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Brakes | 24,000–60,000 | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Seats | 188–33,000 | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Transmission and driveline | 20,000–100,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
Figure 3 · Honda Accord 2008–2012 · 2,461 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Steps at bin edges (how to read it)
- 60,000 mi — 67% of reports below
- 90,000 mi — 81% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 90% of reports below
- 150,000 mi — 95% of reports below
- 200,000 mi — 99% of reports below
- Median (the 50% line)
- Your odometer, once entered
Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
2008–2012 Honda Accord recalls (14)
NHTSA records 14 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation (what a recall is).
The campaigns cluster around the airbag system (11), the transmission and driveline (1), the electrical system (1) (why one area can repeat).
Jun 2019 · 2008–2012 · Air BagsAn inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in…
The defect. 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…
What can happen. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The free 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…
May 2019 · 2008–2012 · Air BagsAn incorrectly installed air bag inflator may not properly deploy the passenger frontal air bag in the event…
The defect. 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…
What can happen. 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.
The free 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.…
Mar 2019 · 2009 · Air BagsAn explosion of an inflator within the driver frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments…
The defect. Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling specific 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2013-2016 ILX, 2013-2014 ILX Hybrid, 2003-2006 MDX, 2007-2016 RDX, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 TL, 2010-2013 ZDX and 2001-2007 and 2009 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic…
What can happen. An explosion of an inflator within the driver frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver, front seat passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or…
The free fix. Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began April 10, 2019. Honda owners may contact customer service…
Sep 2018 · 2010–2012 · Air BagsAn inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in…
The defect. Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014 Honda Insight and Acura TSX and TSX Wagon, 2014-2015 Honda Crosstour and Pilot vehicles nationwide, as well as certain 2014 Honda FCX Clarity and Fit EV vehicles in Florida, Hawaii, Puerto Rico…
What can happen. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The free fix. Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at…
Apr 2018 · 2008–2012 · Air BagsAn incorrectly installed air bag may deploy improperly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The defect. 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…
What can happen. An incorrectly installed air bag may deploy improperly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The free 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…
Jan 2018 · 2009–2012 · Air BagsAn inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in…
The defect. Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Acura TSX, ZDX, Honda Accord Crosstour, Fit, Insight and Pilot vehicles, 2011-13 Acura TSX Sportswagon, 2010-2012 Honda Accord,, 2010-2011 Honda Civic, Civic NGV, Civic Hybrid and CR-V vehicles…
What can happen. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The free fix. Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 16, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at…
Aug 2017 · 2008–2012 · Air BagsIn the event of a crash, an incorrectly installed passenger frontal air bag inflator may deploy the air bag…
The defect. 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…
What can happen. 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.
The free 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…
Jan 2017 · 2008–2012 · Air BagsAn inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury…
The defect. 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…
What can happen. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The free 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…
May 2016 · 2008–2011 · Air BagsAn inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury…
The defect. 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…
What can happen. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The free 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…
Feb 2016 · 2008–2010 · Air BagsIf the air bag control unit fails, the air bags may not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk…
The defect. 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.
What can happen. 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.
The free 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…
Feb 2012 · 2012 · Air BagsIn the event of a crash, the side curtain airbag may fail to deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
The defect. Honda is recalling certain model year 2012 Accord and crosstour vehicles. The driver-side or passenger-side side curtain airbag inflator may not have been manufactured according to correct specifications.
What can happen. In the event of a crash, the side curtain airbag may fail to deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
The free fix. Honda will replace the driver's side or passenger's side side curtain airbag as needed free of charge. The safety recall began on february 24, 2012. Owners may contact Honda customer service at…
Aug 2011 · 2008–2010 · Power TrainThis could result in a short circuit causing the engine to stall.
The defect. 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.…
What can happen. 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…
The free 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…
Jan 2011 · 2010 · Electrical SystemAn engine stall will increase the risk of a crash.
The defect. Honda is recalling certain model year 2010 Honda Accord and CR-V vehicles. There is a potential failure with the engine wiring harness connector which may cause intermittent spark firing or the engine to stall.
What can happen. An engine stall will increase the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Dealer will inspect and replace the ignition wiring harness connector free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or before january 24, 2011. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009.
Dec 2010 · 2010–2011 · SuspensionLoss of steering increases the risk of a crash.
The defect. Honda is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Honda Accord v6 and model year 2011 Honda pilot vehicles. The bolts that attach the lower left and right front damper bracket to the front suspension and the spindle nuts on the pilot may not have been properly…
What can happen. Loss of steering increases the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Dealer will inspect and replace any loose front damper bracket bolts or spindle nuts on the pilot if necessary. Dealer will inspect and replace the spindle nuts on the Accord v6 if necessary. The…
Crashes, fires and injuries owners reported
Out of 3,495 complaints against this generation, owners also reported:
- Crashes
- 226 (6.5%)
- Fires
- 31
- Injury reports
- 181
- Fatality reports
- 6
Accord problems by model year
The 2008 drew the most complaints of this generation, 1,520, most of them about the hydraulic brake circuit, and the 2011 the fewest, 296. A typical year drew about 580.
That makes the 2008 stand out at roughly 2.6 times a typical year (what a yearly count can and cannot say).
| Year | Complaints | With mileage | Median miles | Most reported | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 1,520 | 1,133 | 27,000 | Hydraulic brake circuit (451) | 8 |
| 2009 | 726 | 516 | 33,000 | Hydraulic brake circuit (160) | 10 |
| 2010 | 580 | 373 | 41,000 | Airbag system (134) | 12 |
| 2011 | 296 | 168 | 44,000 | Airbag system (115) | 9 |
| 2012 | 373 | 271 | 25,000 | Seats (64) | 8 |
What Accord owners reported
Odometer Fraud. The contact owns a 2009 Honda Accord. The contact discovered potential odometer fraud regarding a purchase off Facebook Marketplace. Following a private sale, the contact had the vehicle inspected by an independent mechanic, who identified a significant mileage discrepancy. While the odometer displayed…
2009 · 252,000 miles · Electrical system
The contact owns a 2012 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH and turning left onto a secondary road, the vehicle abruptly stopped in the middle of the road. The vehicle was pushed off to the shoulder of the road with help from other motorists who had stopped to aid. The vehicle was…
2012 · 100,000 miles · Transmission and driveline
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2012 Honda Accord. The contact discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase the vehicle mileage wa47,000,p=and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 238, 629. A Carfax report was obtained…
2012 · 239,000 miles · Electrical system
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 130,000. While cleaning the vehicle, the contact located a receipt that showed the mileage at…
2008 · 290,000 miles · Electrical system
Built from 2,461 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-10-20 · open data · how it is built
Other Accord generations
- Accord 1994–1997 333 reports with mileage, most about the airbag system
- Accord 1998–2002 3,201 reports with mileage, most about the transmission and driveline
- Accord 2003–2007 3,578 reports with mileage, most about the transmission and driveline
- Accord 2013–2017 2,431 reports with mileage, most about the electrical system
- Accord 2018–2022 1,052 reports with mileage, most about the engine