I have a 2009 Accord that has about the same mileage as your 08 (sue me, we drive a lot :D) and it has had a whole list of problems, certainly more than I can even remember:
The brakes have gone out three times-- one of which was covered by a recall (but because of a lawsuit or something,we had to pay to get them fixed, then apply for a refund through the recall).
The leather on the seats is far more worn than any car I’ve ever had over the same period of time-- comparing it to my new Audi or my dad’s BMW (admittedly, nicer cars), the leather is much, MUCH thinner on the Honda. I’ve had to have the leather on the armrest replaced all together because it had rubbed through.
The key fobs (both of them) completely died when the car was just a few months old. Replacing the batteries does nothing.
I also had an issue with the oil sensor that had to be fixed. Same with the transmission recall.
Just last week I had to take it in for another recall-- something about the computer system.
That’s just a few things- I know there has been more. My father made the comment the other day that he’s never seen a Honda have so many problems and that if this is what their brand has become, he wont be buying another (this is coming from a guy who has always had a Honda as one of his cars).
We got a second car last year, a Honda Civic Hybrid, to complement our Toyota Prius. We should have just got another Prius. The engine “IMA” light is constantly coming on, even though it was serviced twice for that problem in the first six months of ownership. It also gets nowhere near the gas mileage of the Prius, and yet has significantly less power. Oh, and a nitpick: the key is about as big as my cell phone. It does have a nicer sound system than the Prius though.
Right now, I drive a 2011 Honda Pilot which I love…I have 50,000 miles on it and so far, nothing wrong…knock on wood. Lol
Before my Pilot, I drove a 2001 Honda Odyssey van. Had 180,000 miles on it. I did replace the brakes often. I chalked it up to extensive driving and kept a “brake fund”. There was also a recall on the transmission, which the dealership replaced at no charge to me.
1994 Honda Accord…again, replaced the brakes often and the AC once.
1987 Honda Accord…replaced AC and transmission.
However, I kept all vehicles long term…and except for scheduled maintenance and repairs…I was never left stranded.
The only thing that has gone wrong with my '06 SI (40,000 miles now) is the driver’s side sun visor broke this fall. Rarely it won’t go into gear like it should (there were reports of gear grinding for the early models of the new design and the '06’s were the vanguard), but typically my foot is a little heavy and thus more my fault than the car’s.
I’d say it was more like 2006. I went to trade in my 2003 CR-V for an '06 and was shocked at the poor quality of the interior materials compared to the '03.
I wouldn’t say they’re any worse than before but they are certainly not better than the domestic marques. Luckily for you most people haven’t figured that out yet so there should be lots of suckers out there to unload your car on for a good price.
How long should brakes last? My 2008 Scion xB with 92,000 miles still has roughly 25% of the original brake pads left, according to the dealership where I just had some maintenance done. I’m changing them next weekend myself.
