HONDA: THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF, POWER ON, BUT IN ACCESSORY; NEVER USE CONVENTIONAL WHEEL & TIRE ASSEMBLIES ON PAX VEHICLES; MIL ON AFTER THROTTLE BODY CLEANING OR REPLACEMENT; S/M FIX BRAKE SYSTEM BLEEDING, DIALOGUE FOR DVD SURROUND SOUND FROM FRONT SPEAKERS ONLY. VARIOUS MODELS AND MODEL YEARS.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2008 Honda Accord brakes problems
moderate 541 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450 · see brakes across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
541
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
4crashes
2injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 541 brakes complaints filed for the 2008 Honda Accord, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 18 model years of Honda Accord we track for brakes problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 541.
Brakes accounts for 36% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 12 categories tracked.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering brakes on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report widespread premature wear of rear brake pads on 2008 Honda Accords, with failure occurring between 8,000 and 45,000 miles—typically in the 15,000–25,000 mile range. The pattern is consistent: rear pads wear while front pads remain nearly new, reversing the normal wear sequence. Owners describe metal-on-metal grinding, high-pitched squealing that begins early but goes unheeded by dealerships, and in several cases, complete brake failure at low speed with no dashboard warning or audible indicator until metal contact occurs.
Dealers acknowledge the problem as a known issue but consistently refuse warranty coverage, citing "normal wear," driver habits, or the presence of the Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) system. Many owners report being told brake distribution was changed to favor rear brakes (60/40 split) to support VSA, but Honda corporate initially denied awareness. Root causes attributed in complaints include reversed slider pins installed at the factory, electronic braking distribution (EBD) system miscalibration, substandard brake pad material, and potentially warped rotors caused by excessive brake heat.
A class-action lawsuit was settled in 2009–2010 (complaints reference mid-2010 for improved pads), yet owners report the replacement pads failed at identical intervals—30,000 miles or less. Some owners replaced rear brakes three to four times by 94,000 miles. One ABS modulator failure at around 30,000 miles occurred with no fault code or warning light. Repair costs ranged from $180 to $500+ per brake service, with rotors, calipers, and master cylinders requiring replacement in severe cases. Owners uniformly expressed concern that the lack of early warning puts drivers at risk.
Same Honda Accord brakes reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2009 · 2010
Failure modes owners describe
Premature rear brake pad wear
Rear brake pads wear completely in 8,000–45,000 miles, typically 15,000–25,000, while front pads remain largely intact. Interior pads on rear calipers show accelerated wear compared to outer pads. No consistent squealing warning in early stages; metal-on-metal grinding indicates pads are gone.
When: 8,000–45,000 miles; most common at 15,000–25,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Metal-on-metal grinding or scraping from rear wheel well; High-pitched squealing during braking or acceleration; Vibration when braking, especially at highway speeds; Steering wheel vibration under braking; Pulling to left or right during braking; Unusual uneven wear (inside pad gone, outside pad intact); No warning lights or early audible indicators in some cases
Codes mentioned: ABS trouble codes (VSA, traction control, parking brake lights illuminated), No fault code recorded in vehicle computer in some ABS failures
Repairs/costs cited: Rear brake pad replacement: $180–$300+. Rotor resurfacing or replacement: additional $200–$300. Some repairs included caliper, master cylinder, or piston damage; total costs reached $1,600+. One owner replaced rear brakes repeatedly at 19,000-mile intervals over 94,000 miles. Improved Honda brake pads introduced mid-2010; owners report identical wear rates.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Class-action settlement filed September 2009; improved brake pads released mid-2010. Honda later acknowledged awareness but claimed brakes meet spec. Dealers advised revised slider pin installation on replacement pads. Some owners report Honda split repair costs 50/50 as goodwill. No recall; warranty denied on grounds of 'wear and tear.'
Brake rotor warping
Front and/or rear brake rotors warp prematurely, causing vibration and extended stopping distance. Appears early in service life, sometimes before pad wear is detected. Rotors gouged or glazed; resurfacing required but pads and rotors fail again in 15,000 miles.
When: 2,000–39,000 miles; some cases detected during scheduled service before driver noticed symptoms
Symptoms owners cite: Vibration or shimmy when braking at highway speed (over 55 mph); Severe vibration at low speeds (feels like 'driving on rocks'); Vehicle pulls left or right when braking; Extended stopping distance; Increased stopping distance in wet conditions
Repairs/costs cited: Rotor resurfacing or replacement; labor-intensive and expensive. One owner faced $500 bill for rotor resurfacing and rear pad replacement. Another owner reported rotors failed again 15,000 miles after initial turn. Calipers and dust boots also damaged (melted dust boots allowed dirt into pistons and brake fluid leakage).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers told owners blame was likely driving habits or brake application technique. Some service bulletins released (per complaint #12 regarding TSB, though Honda corporate denied this). Class-action settlement acknowledges issue but does not address root cause.
ABS modulator failure with no fault code
ABS modulator fails silently without recording fault code in vehicle computer. Brake response becomes sluggish or absent during normal operation; failure occurs only under light to medium braking pressure. Emergency brake must be used to stop vehicle.
When: Around 30,000 miles; no prior warning
Symptoms owners cite: Little to no brake response when pedal applied; Low brake pedal resistance; Soft brake pedal; No dashboard warning lights or ABS indicator
Codes mentioned: No fault codes recorded despite functional failure
Repairs/costs cited: Full ABS modulator replacement required. No cost cited in narrative; owner used emergency brake to reach dealer. Dealer indicated this was the second such case reported on 2008 Accord.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None documented; owner dissatisfied with Honda customer service explanation.
Brake squeal and noise without detection
Rear brakes squeal loudly at low mileage (as early as 412 miles) but dealership cannot or will not reproduce noise during inspection. Glazed rotors suspected. Noise persists despite machining and pad replacement; some dealerships report they cannot identify source or provide fix.
When: 412 miles to 15,000 miles; may recur after initial service
Symptoms owners cite: Severe brake squeal under light to medium braking; Squealing that does not cease after service; Squealing audible while vehicle is parked (not depressing brake pedal); Grinding noise when reversing
Repairs/costs cited: Rotor machining and pad scuffing per Honda's direction; does not resolve issue. Subsequent replacement of rotors and calipers; noise returns four days after service. One case involved complete replacement of pads, rotors, and calipers; yet squealing returned immediately.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership initially attributed noise to wet brakes after rain/washing (false), then to rock lodged in wheel well (false). Later conceded 'premature rear brake failure' was diagnosed but stated problem would recur. No long-term resolution offered.
Brake drag and slider pin installation error
Rear brake caliper slider pins installed reversed at factory, causing constant brake drag. Pads wear prematurely due to ongoing friction. Owners discovered slider pin reversal through online research; Honda's corrective procedure documentation confirmed the pins were installed inverted.
When: Throughout vehicle life; drag continuous from manufacture
Symptoms owners cite: Constant brake drag audible as squealing while driving; Squealing during acceleration and deceleration; Reduced fuel economy; Premature brake wear due to continuous friction
Repairs/costs cited: Slider pins must be reversed during brake service. Honda issued documentation with corrective brake pads stating smooth pin should be on top. No cost cited beyond labor for reassembly.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Factory-installed pins were reversed, but no recall issued. Correction only performed on service replacements or when customer discovered issue and requested correction.
Unequal rear brake pad wear (inside vs. outside pads)
On the same wheel and same axle, interior brake pads wear completely while exterior pads on the same rotor show little wear. Indicates caliper or design defect causing uneven pad-to-rotor contact pressure.
When: 22,000–25,000 miles on average
Symptoms owners cite: One pad completely worn while adjacent pad shows minimal wear; Metal-on-metal contact on heavily worn side
Repairs/costs cited: Pads and rotors must be replaced. Cost $180–$300+. Unequal wear suggests caliper misalignment or piston stiction.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers variously blamed emergency brake engagement, driving habits, or 'normal' for this model. No acknowledgment of design defect.
Synthesized from 541 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 7 most recent
Took my 2008 Honda accord in for an oil change and was told that my rear brake pads needed to be replaced and that the disc/drums needed to be resurfaced. My car has only 17693 miles! I was shocked. I have been told that Honda has a replacement part - 43022-ta0-a51and this is the one that was put in my car. Honda split the cost. If Honda has a replacement part for the defective one, then they…
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Honda accord. While exiting a ramp he heard a loud squealing noise during brake application. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer on five separate occasions for identical failures. The technician was unable to determine the cause of failure. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure mileage was 500. The current mileage was 20,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Honda accord. The contact stated that the brakes would squeal and the vehicle would vibrate abnormally whenever the brakes were applied. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer and the contact was informed that there were no failures within the braking system. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage…
I have experienced premature wear of the rear brakes on my 2008 Honda accord. I had to have them replaced by a dealership in harvey, louisiana in november 2010 and it cost $170.37. Apparently there should be some money available to my as the result of a settlement. *tr
Rear brake pads wearing out prematurely on 2008 Honda accord. Wore out twice so far .every 25000 miles they need to be replaced. Concerned that brakes are undersized for car. Recall needs to be issued. *tr
Brakes on a 2008 accord coupe wore out in the rear much earlier than expected. I found them to need replacing at 21,400 miles. Brake pads were worn down and needed replaced. They are too small for the size and weight of this vehicle. This is a safety hazard that is being ignored by Honda. *tr
I was driving on i70 from denver to leadville. On a downhill situation I hit brakes and the steering started shaking causing me to panic. I nearly lost control and drove over the edge of the mountain. Took the car to Honda and they said they were able to recreate it. They told me that the rotors would get too hot and warp, causing the steering to shake. They wanted me to pay them $400 to…
Had brakes trouble with your 2008 Honda Accord?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the brakes problem on the 2008 Honda Accord?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 541 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $450 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Across the 481 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most brakes failures cluster between 17,420 and 27,700 miles, with the median around 22,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 17,420; a quarter make it past 27,700. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $450 for brakes repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to brakes?
No active recalls currently cover brakes issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2008/Honda/Accord.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.