8th Gen Honda Accord - feedback
- Thread starter mjk1967
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Honda quality peaked about 10-15 years ago, but I am sure the Accord is still a great car.
Honda had built a great reputation but has since "coasted" on it recently.
Honda had built a great reputation but has since "coasted" on it recently.
Log onto the Honda accord forum and read the post about the common problems, and then check any vehicle you are thinking about buying for those specific problems.
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I have a 2012 Accord EX-L coupe with the K24 4 cyl engine. 110,00 miles on it now. Owned it for 4 years so far. Never a lick of trouble from it.
On a side note, it specs 0W20 oil. I have Pennzoil Platinum High Mileage 10w30 in it. It sat overnight unstarted. I started it up when it was 6F outside (13F now) and it started right up!! No hesitation, no noises, she purred like a happy kitty!!
On a side note, it specs 0W20 oil. I have Pennzoil Platinum High Mileage 10w30 in it. It sat overnight unstarted. I started it up when it was 6F outside (13F now) and it started right up!! No hesitation, no noises, she purred like a happy kitty!!
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We have a 7th gen Accord, a 2007 4dr sedan EX-L V6 5 MT. It's been a very good car.
I prefer the design of the 7th generation to the 8th generation. And it's a bit simpler and that's fine with me.
I prefer the design of the 7th generation to the 8th generation. And it's a bit simpler and that's fine with me.
The V6 will have VCM, unless it's a 6-speed coupe (they dropped the V6 MT sedan after 2007)
The 8th gen V6 VCM works has 3-, 4-, and 6-cylinder modes. The 9th gen eliminated the 4-cylinder mode. The 4-cylinder mode shuts down one cylinder on each bank, so it's a V4. And of course, it has a timing belt, like every J-series.
I would take the I4 over the V6. It has a timing chain, and of course, no VCM.
The automatic is not a CVT. It has direct TPMS, with the expensive sensors in them. Honda switched to indirect TPMS (and the CVT) for the 9th gen in 2013.
If size matters, the 8th gen is the largest Accord. Newer ones are actually smaller.
This.
It's important to look over any used car, even Honda.
The 8th gen V6 VCM works has 3-, 4-, and 6-cylinder modes. The 9th gen eliminated the 4-cylinder mode. The 4-cylinder mode shuts down one cylinder on each bank, so it's a V4. And of course, it has a timing belt, like every J-series.
I would take the I4 over the V6. It has a timing chain, and of course, no VCM.
The automatic is not a CVT. It has direct TPMS, with the expensive sensors in them. Honda switched to indirect TPMS (and the CVT) for the 9th gen in 2013.
If size matters, the 8th gen is the largest Accord. Newer ones are actually smaller.
This.
It's important to look over any used car, even Honda.
Overall the 8th generation Accord is a solid vehicle. Avoid 2008-2010 models, they are known to burn oil in both the 4 and 6 cylinder versions. The V6 models do have VCM (cylinder deactivation) and can be problematic across all years (2008-2012).
I would personally go for a 2011-2012 model with the 4 cylinder with the 5 speed automatic. The K24 (4 cylinder) from the 8th gen is known to have a rattle on start up caused by the VTC actuator. Mine had the rattle and I had the updated VTC actuator installed under warranty, the new one still rattles on occasion though I am not that concerned. It seems to be more of an annoying noise than anything detrimental.
Just like any used car thoroughly inspect it. Check all the fluids and get any maintenance records you can. If you purchase, change all the fluids and filters out and start fresh. Stick with Honda ATF DW-1 for the transmission fluid.
I have had my 8th gen Accord for nearly 6 years now, it has treaded me well overall. In addition to the new VTC actuator under warranty, have had to replaced the two rear calipers due to sticking and one rear wheel bearing. Other than that it has been just maintenance.
My least favorite part of the car is the single stage Taffeta White paint. It is thin from the factory and requires frequent polishing to keep it looking good (making the paint even thinner). I would avoid that paint color but if you find good deal and it has been well maintained it wouldn't be a deal breaker.
These are easy cars to work on and maintain, they are also the last Accords to have double wishbone suspension. They drive quite well for such a large car. Find a well maintained one and keep up on the maintenance, it should treat you well.
I would personally go for a 2011-2012 model with the 4 cylinder with the 5 speed automatic. The K24 (4 cylinder) from the 8th gen is known to have a rattle on start up caused by the VTC actuator. Mine had the rattle and I had the updated VTC actuator installed under warranty, the new one still rattles on occasion though I am not that concerned. It seems to be more of an annoying noise than anything detrimental.
Just like any used car thoroughly inspect it. Check all the fluids and get any maintenance records you can. If you purchase, change all the fluids and filters out and start fresh. Stick with Honda ATF DW-1 for the transmission fluid.
I have had my 8th gen Accord for nearly 6 years now, it has treaded me well overall. In addition to the new VTC actuator under warranty, have had to replaced the two rear calipers due to sticking and one rear wheel bearing. Other than that it has been just maintenance.
My least favorite part of the car is the single stage Taffeta White paint. It is thin from the factory and requires frequent polishing to keep it looking good (making the paint even thinner). I would avoid that paint color but if you find good deal and it has been well maintained it wouldn't be a deal breaker.
These are easy cars to work on and maintain, they are also the last Accords to have double wishbone suspension. They drive quite well for such a large car. Find a well maintained one and keep up on the maintenance, it should treat you well.
Cylinder management on V6 models only.
The interiors on the 8th Gen got really cheap. They didn’t hold up well compared to the 7th Gen.
Also, it is really common to see 8th Gens with the window weatherstrip flapping in the wind. I’ve seen that now for well over 5 years on those cars.
Also, it is really common to see 8th Gens with the window weatherstrip flapping in the wind. I’ve seen that now for well over 5 years on those cars.
Not as durable as the 7th gen maybe, better than other in it's class though? I'd argue yes. Ive posted some pictures of my 8th gen recently. Considering it's 9 years old it's held up well.
You’re an outlier example for sure. You maintain your cars to the extreme lol. Interior wise I’d give the 7th Gen the nod for better interior materials.
I agree, I owned a 2006. Wonderful car.
Corrected the transmission type. It's obviously a 6MT.
No VCM on the 7th generation.
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I4: oil consumption, especially the 11-12's that took 0W-20. They had a warranty extension for the piston rings provided that the software update was done. Also VTC gears and timing chains (if oil change history was questionable).
V6: the usual VCM related issues from that era - oil consumption, rings, front camshafts. Engine mounts are pricey.
Overall they are okay cars, just a bit higher maintenance if you opt for the V6.
V6: the usual VCM related issues from that era - oil consumption, rings, front camshafts. Engine mounts are pricey.
Overall they are okay cars, just a bit higher maintenance if you opt for the V6.
JHZR2
Staff member
I have an 8th gen accord hybrid. It has been a great, reliable car. It’s a bit different beast than a normal accord, but most of the body and whatnot will be the same. It’s not a sports car, and not particularly fast, but has never left me wanting for power in my use. I have observed the following:
- rustproofing is inferior to other vehicles, including other Hondas. We bought the 15 HAH and 14 odyssey within a month or so of each other, and they both see the same conditions and have roughly the same mileage. Underhood and chassis fasteners are all much more corroded in the accord, compared to the odyssey.
- the 12v battery is always at a dangerously low voltage. Dangerously low really meaning what woukd be considered damaging to a starting battery. Of course ours doesn’t start anything, it’s more for maintaining some level of stability, and running the power door locks,.. but it’s not abnormal to see it down in the low 12s, or high 11s.
Overall I think it’s a good vehicle, and I’ve been happy with it. I prefer the styling of the 8th gen to later ones...
- rustproofing is inferior to other vehicles, including other Hondas. We bought the 15 HAH and 14 odyssey within a month or so of each other, and they both see the same conditions and have roughly the same mileage. Underhood and chassis fasteners are all much more corroded in the accord, compared to the odyssey.
- the 12v battery is always at a dangerously low voltage. Dangerously low really meaning what woukd be considered damaging to a starting battery. Of course ours doesn’t start anything, it’s more for maintaining some level of stability, and running the power door locks,.. but it’s not abnormal to see it down in the low 12s, or high 11s.
Overall I think it’s a good vehicle, and I’ve been happy with it. I prefer the styling of the 8th gen to later ones...
2011-2012 models seem to not have the oil consumption problems that earlier models did.
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