NOT happy with my '08 Accord right now!!!

[SarahKate]

So I've had my Accord for close to two years. No problems and it runs great. Well, about a week ago I started hearing a squeak. The squeak was very familiar sounding as I heard it on a previous vehicle but couldn't tell yet what it was. DH looked closer and said it was the brake wear indicator on the REAR brakes.

What? I have just under 32,000 miles on this thing and the REAR brakes are already wearing out? Those are supposed to last a very, very long time. So I call Honda and talk to them about it and of course they're saying it's not covered under the bumper to bumper warranty because it's a wear-and-tear issue. There's no possible way I've been abusive to the brakes - my momma taught me how to use brakes properly and I don't overuse them (plus, 3/4 of my miles are highway!).

DH has done some research and this is a known problem and this model year is having more problems than any other year. On one website (I think it was called autobeef or something) there were literally hundreds of the same complaints. One person said his brakes initially went out in back around 15k miles and he's had to replace them after 15k more miles! There's something with the design that is flawed.

Of course, Honda is not fessing up to anything yet and there's not been a recall.

I had actually been considering trading it in anyway, as I really miss the space that we had in our van and we are going to get an SUV. So I guess this is pushing me in that direction for sure! I'm just not a happy camper about this.....very frustrating that something which is no fault of mine is going to cost me!!! We have a trip to WDW planned for May, so it's going to be tight between that AND buying a new vehicle!

I really don't have a question for you all, but I'm just VENTING!!! If anyone is having a similar '08 Accord problem, post it here......we can all be frustrated together!

 

[maleficentmom]

So I've had my Accord for close to two years. No problems and it runs great. Well, about a week ago I started hearing a squeak. The squeak was very familiar sounding as I heard it on a previous vehicle but couldn't tell yet what it was. DH looked closer and said it was the brake wear indicator on the REAR brakes.

What? I have just under 32,000 miles on this thing and the REAR brakes are already wearing out? Those are supposed to last a very, very long time. So I call Honda and talk to them about it and of course they're saying it's not covered under the bumper to bumper warranty because it's a wear-and-tear issue. There's no possible way I've been abusive to the brakes - my momma taught me how to use brakes properly and I don't overuse them (plus, 3/4 of my miles are highway!).

DH has done some research and this is a known problem and this model year is having more problems than any other year. On one website (I think it was called autobeef or something) there were literally hundreds of the same complaints. One person said his brakes initially went out in back around 15k miles and he's had to replace them after 15k more miles! There's something with the design that is flawed.

Of course, Honda is not fessing up to anything yet and there's not been a recall.

I had actually been considering trading it in anyway, as I really miss the space that we had in our van and we are going to get an SUV. So I guess this is pushing me in that direction for sure! I'm just not a happy camper about this.....very frustrating that something which is no fault of mine is going to cost me!!! We have a trip to WDW planned for May, so it's going to be tight between that AND buying a new vehicle!

I really don't have a question for you all, but I'm just VENTING!!! If anyone is having a similar '08 Accord problem, post it here......we can all be frustrated together!

maybe it just needs new brake pads?(my mazda has had them replaced 2 times,at least in 100000 miles), it was less than 200, i think, and I may have had an oil change or something done then also.i had it done by someone other than Honda.Maybe it would be a nice second car,my husband has a 1994 Accord,with probably about 300,000 on it!

 

[SarahKate]

Brake pads in the rear shouldn't be going out at under 32000 miles (if it were the front, maybe).....especially when 3/4 of my miles are highway & I am not at all abusive to brakes when in town. The problem that they're finding is that the brake design is not good and that is making the pads wear out quicker. It's a huge problem and is just affecting this model year. It's the principle of it - not feeling like I should have to pay $150-200 for brakes that were not designed correctly.

 

[Colinsmom]

If you are looking at the pure economics of your situation, it is much, much cheaper to just replace the brakes (even if you have to do it every 30k miles) than trade in a 2yo car that has a good 150k+ of life left in it. Yes, it is frustrating, but it could be worse and be a major mechanical problem vs. a few hundred every couple of years.

 

[stego]

the OP had it right with autobeef; here is the link:
http://www.carcomplaints.com/recent_trends.shtml

Right at the top of the page is the 2008 Accord. Just a few down is the 2009 Accord; essentially the same model.

My wife took her '08 in for an oil service; the service dept. told her she needed new brakes. She was there for most of the day; called me a couple of times. I was thrown off a bit...it's a year old car...why would the brakes go out?

Her solution? Her buddy the sales guy talked her into the '09 model. She came home and told me to come outside...I just about had a meltdown. So now we have a longer and increased payment. Also, the insurance went up, as well.

Because I had a meltdown and reacted I was in the doghouse. Silly me, thinking Marriage 101 you consult one another with large purchases.

So I sent her an e-mail with the link about so many owners reporting problems. I told her when her new '09's brakes go out I won't say I told you so; I'll just expect her to take care of it.

By the way...I had her put in writing no new car for 10 years.

 

[Irin997]

If you are looking at the pure economics of your situation, it is much, much cheaper to just replace the brakes (even if you have to do it every 30k miles) than trade in a 2yo car that has a good 150k+ of life left in it. Yes, it is frustrating, but it could be worse and be a major mechanical problem vs. a few hundred every couple of years.

I agree. I currently have a 1997 Honda Accord that has 188,000+ miles on it. When you do the math for 200,000 - 32,000 current miles at 15,000 per year, that's another 11 years. If it cost you $150-200 additional each year for brakes, that's only $1650-2200 extra. Versus what you lose when selling or trading it in. You're saving money if you plan on keeping this car for this long. I plan on driving my Honda into the dirt...and saving money while doing that for a new car.

Personally, I'd keep the car.

 

[SarahKate]

Of course it makes more financial sense to keep it and the $150-300 repair isn't that much in the grand scheme of things. We all know that keeping a car til after it's paid off IS more economical. But I'm not keeping it til it's paid off - we spend a lot of time in our car and it needs to be something we enjoy spending time in. I can't even imagine keeping it til it's paid off. It's cramped for us, we're all tall. Knee jerk purchase when van lease was up and gas was $4/gal....wanted an SUV but at that time they didn't have great MPG.

But, I didn't post this to justify my trading it in for a new vehicle. I'm posting my frustration that this is happening a LOT and that so far Honda's not doing much about it. And also so that other '08 Accord owners (current or potential) can be warned!

And it's not just the brakes that are needing to be replaced....people are complaining about having to get the rotors replaced as well which is additional expense. This autobeef complaints website has 756 complaints JUST about the brakes wearing prematurely, and many of them have had to have rotors replaced as well.

http://www.carcomplaints.com/Honda/Accord/2008/brakes/premature_brake_wear.shtml

So I could keep the car and potentially have to fork out $300 every 15-30k miles which would be every year (every OTHER if I'm lucky) or I could get an SUV that's going to have a lower monthly payment than what we have now AND low likelihood of this type of problem.

 

[Irin997]

Of course it makes more financial sense to keep it and the $150-300 repair isn't that much in the grand scheme of things. We all know that keeping a car til after it's paid off IS more economical. But I'm not keeping it til it's paid off - we spend a lot of time in our car and it needs to be something we enjoy spending time in. I can't even imagine keeping it til it's paid off. It's cramped for us, we're all tall. Knee jerk purchase when van lease was up and gas was $4/gal....wanted an SUV but at that time they didn't have great MPG.

But, I didn't post this to justify my trading it in for a new vehicle. I'm posting my frustration that this is happening a LOT and that so far Honda's not doing much about it. And also so that other '08 Accord owners (current or potential) can be warned!

And it's not just the brakes that are needing to be replaced....people are complaining about having to get the rotors replaced as well which is additional expense. This autobeef complaints website has 756 complaints JUST about the brakes wearing prematurely, and many of them have had to have rotors replaced as well.

http://www.carcomplaints.com/Honda/Accord/2008/brakes/premature_brake_wear.shtml

So I could keep the car and potentially have to fork out $300 every 15-30k miles which would be every year (every OTHER if I'm lucky) or I could get an SUV that's going to have a lower monthly payment than what we have now AND low likelihood of this type of problem.

Then in light of this information if you are not 100% happy with the car, need something bigger, and are willing to take the loss, then go for it. Do what makes you happy!!

 

[Disneyrsh]

.

 

[BellePrincessBelle]

Does anyone find it ironic that Honda earns the most praise on many boards and yet on Car Complaint 7 of the top 20 worst cars are Honda but Toyota doesn't make the list and yes I'm a Honda owner.

 

[SarahKate]

BellePrincessBelle,

I know what you mean. We've never had any kind of problems like this. We've had the Honda Odyssey (about 60k miles on it when we turned it back in) and never had to replace either brakes. DH got a CRV when they first came out - again, no problems. He's had a RAV-4 and currently has a Scion (Toyota) TC with NO problems whatsoever.

So we know that Honda & Toyota have had really great reputations and we never have issues.

All cars are going to have issues, but from what we're reading the '08 Accord is having THE MOST problems of any other Accord model year. Just wish that Honda would fess up to it and fix it.

Some of the people on Autobeef said that by the time their brakes started squeaking they had VERY little brakes left. From a safety standpoint, that could be a real issue!

 

[Figment1983]

I have an '08 accord as well. Just replaced the rear brakes around 30k. Although it is very unusual that rear breaks go before front and with only 30k miles, my mechanic said that he has been seeing it alot in the new Accords and that it seems to be the way the breaks are setup. I was not happy either, but overall a great car.

 

[Jex]

I would be happy to replace mine every 32k miles, I go through them on my Subaru around every 20k.

 

[swilshire]

Subarus apparently had a problem with that. At one time, I heard they replaced them free but I found that out after they'd already stopped.

My family is up to five Hondas now with the purchase last week of my neighbor's 2000 Accord that has 91,000 miles on it. DD has a 2002 Accord with way over 100,000 miles. We have two Elements (both purchased used) and a brand new Odyssey.

Sheila

 

[angwill]

I had a sunbird years ago with the same issue and had to replace the brake pads yearly. I kept it or 8 years and loved that car since that was the only issue we had with it. My mechanic said it was notorious for that car so you never know maybe a new SUV will do the same thing or worse. I also had a car more recently that had brakes that squeeked so loud all the time it was like nails on a chalkboard. We even tried different brands of pads and it still squeeked. The rotors shouldn't go if you catch it and get new ones before the worn ones wear down the rotor. There are also garages that will offer lifetime brake pads so you don't have to pay if it needs new ones before you get rid of the car.

I would wait till this summer to buy a new SUV if the reason you got the smaller car was due to gas prices since I have heard predictions that this summer gas may be going up to $3.50 or more per gallon.

Good luck whatever you decide.

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

My CRV needs new brakes every year...it's a common complaint that they wear out very quickly. I agree...it's very annoying

 

[thenewgirl]

My DH has an '08 Accord as well. He just mentioned a few weeks ago (after a state-mandated inspection) that he was going to have to replace his brake pads soon. He doesn't even have 30K miles on his! I can't remember how many miles he has exactly, but it is closer to the 20K mark. I'm not happy about it either, so I know your pain.

 

[sas_mk]

This may not help with your rear brake problem, but Honda issued a brake service bulletin for the front brakes on 2008-10 Accords. You can see it at this link:

http://www.in.honda.com/Rjanisis/pubs/SB/A09-096.PDF

This brake problem will be covered under the normal warranty, and may even be covered if your warranty has already ended. I hope that helps save someone a little bit of $$$.

 

[SarahKate]

This may not help with your rear brake problem, but Honda issued a brake service bulletin for the front brakes on 2008-10 Accords. You can see it at this link:

http://www.in.honda.com/Rjanisis/pubs/SB/A09-096.PDF

This brake problem will be covered under the normal warranty, and may even be covered if your warranty has already ended. I hope that helps save someone a little bit of $$$.

Thank you so much for posting this!! Unfortunately it is definitely the rear brakes and so far haven't heard of a service bulletin. But this is good info and hopefully someone else can use it! It's my hope that Honda will issue a bulletin like this for ALL the people having the rear brake problem - from a money standpoint, annoyance, as well as possible safety concerns (of course, we won't have the car by the time they do that!).

We are going to get our Sorento this weekend. We found a dealer in the St. Louis area who sells at invoice and on top of that we'll get some rebates as well as a decent trade in (luckily we got a great deal on the Honda, so we're going to come out ahead on the trade).

Angwill - saw your post re: mileage and right now the going rate in our area is already 2.75/gallon, but we tend to be a little higher than some other areas. The Sorento gets really great mileage, just a few miles difference from the Accord, which is pretty amazing since it's bigger.

Thanks all!!

 

[SarahKate]

So I did a little more research this evening and come to find out that in Canada, owners of 08-09 Accords received letters in mid-January regarding the rear brake issues and they are covering it for those affected owners! This is just craziness!

I know it doesn't really matter because we're unloading it this weekend, it's just frustrating that Honda's not fessing up to it when there are literally 1,000's upon thousands of complaints out there. Hopefully they will do the right thing soon.