HONDA: WHEN MAKING EITHER LEFT OR RIGHT HAND TURNS, WHEN DRIVING, A CLICKING OR POPPING NOISE IS HEARD, COMING FROM LOWER AREA OF STEERING COLUMN.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2008 Honda Accord steering problems
moderate 33 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
33
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
1fire
What stands out
Owners have filed 33 steering complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering steering 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 consistently report two main steering problems in the 2008 Accord. First, a pervasive vibration or shimmy in the steering wheel that begins between 45–70 mph and worsens at highway speeds. This starts early—sometimes before 1,000 miles—and occurs on nearly every drive. Dealers have rotated and replaced tires, performed road-force balancing, aligned wheels, and even replaced brake pads and rotors, yet the vibration persists. Some dealers deny the problem exists or claim it's normal for the model, while others blame motor mounts, transmission, or suspension without resolving it.
Second, owners report leaking power steering systems and noisy steering pumps. Symptoms include low power steering fluid, whining or growling sounds at 1500–2000 rpm, and a "shuttling" or slipping sensation when turning. Leaks have contaminated alternators and starters, leading to component failures. Steering racks, pumps, and hoses have required replacement. One owner experienced complete steering failure at 70 mph on the freeway. Manufacturers have replaced steering components under warranty in some cases but denied coverage in others, and dealers have blamed each other for installation versus parts defects. A few owners note Honda issued an internal article attempting to dismiss the electrical dimming issue as normal, and dealers consistently refused further diagnostics once repairs failed.
Same Honda Accord steering reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2009 · 2010
Failure modes owners describe
Steering wheel vibration/shimmy at highway speeds
Steering wheel and front end vibrate or shimmy at 45–70 mph, worsening at higher speeds. Occurs intermittently or on nearly every drive. Often starts within the first 1,000 miles.
When: 45–70 mph, starting as early as first 300 miles; current mileage varies from 1,200 to 80,000+
Symptoms owners cite: Vibration or shimmy in steering wheel; Front-end vibration felt through steering; Wheel oscillation; Car wandering on road; Vibration intermittent and varying in intensity
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers rotated and replaced tires, performed Hunter 9700 road-force balancing (multiple times), aligned wheels, replaced brake pads and rotors, cut rotors, balanced and aligned tires, replaced upper and lower control arms and knuckle. Despite multiple repair attempts, vibration persisted in all reported cases.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers stated vibration is normal for the model, operating as designed, or characteristic of 2008 Accord 4-cylinder models. One dealer cited motor mount issue Honda was aware of and working to correct. Honda refused further diagnostics at some dealers.
Power steering fluid leak and pump degradation
Power steering system leaks fluid, contaminating nearby components like alternators and starters. Pump makes loud whining or growling noise. Fluid level drops without visible leaks underneath the vehicle.
When: As early as 4,800 miles; reported at 20,000, 31,000, 62,500, 63,000, 70,000, 77,000+ miles
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering fluid level well below acceptable minimum; Loud whining or moaning noise at 1500–2000 rpm; Growling sound from steering column; Fluid leaking onto alternator and starter; Fluid leaking from steering column and gear box; Steering feels hard to turn; Shuttling/slipping sensation in steering wheel when turning
Repairs/costs cited: Honda replaced steering pump and steering rack/pinion under warranty in some cases. One owner replaced entire pump instead of O-ring and hose due to severity. Steering rack replacement cost cited at $1,200 (50% paid after 50% discount). One replacement covered by extended warranty; costs otherwise $600–$1,600+.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA recall campaign 12V222000 addresses steering hose, piping, and connections, but 2008 model-year Accords were not included. Honda covered repairs under warranty in some cases; in others, owners were charged. Dealers and Honda blamed each other (defective parts vs. installation error).
Power steering pump leakage damaging alternator and starter
Power steering fluid leaks from pump onto alternator and/or starter, causing failure of these electrical components.
When: Early to mid-life of vehicle; 70,000–77,000 miles cited
Symptoms owners cite: Alternator smoking and failing; Battery light illuminating; Radio stopping, headlights flickering and turning off; Vehicle dying or losing power while driving
Repairs/costs cited: Alternator replaced; starter replaced. One owner paid for both after pump replacement; another received 40% discount on repairs from manufacturer.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer offered 40% discount towards repair costs in at least one case.
Power steering failure while driving
Complete loss or delayed response of power steering assistance during highway driving, creating immediate loss of control hazard.
When: 70 mph on freeway; timing relative to mileage not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering failed while driving at highway speed; Delayed steering response
Repairs/costs cited: Covered under Honda Care warranty.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Covered under Honda Care warranty.
Synthesized from 33 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had steering 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 steering problem on the 2008 Honda Accord?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 33 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $700 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 24 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 8,700 and 77,000 miles, with the median around 31,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 8,700; a quarter make it past 77,000. 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 $700 for steering 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 steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering 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.