Honda Accord 8: Reliability of the Japanese Business Sedan

Introduction

Honda has a very compact model lineup, where each model has its own target audience. People who choose the Civic, CR-V, or Accord rarely switch from one model to another, preferring to change only the generations of their chosen model. What unites Honda vehicles is their reliability and conservative approach to development.

The eighth generation Honda Accord was produced from 2007 to 2013. These cars are more commonly found as sedans, but station wagon versions also existed. In Europe, diesel engine modifications were sold, which were sometimes imported to other markets.

In this article, we will explore the features of the Honda Accord 8, discuss potential problems, and highlight what to pay attention to when choosing this car in the secondary market.

Body and Exterior

The paint coating of the eighth-generation Honda Accord has medium thickness, making it easy to scratch during operation. The hood may have stone chips if the car was frequently driven on highways — this is normal for this model.

There are moldings installed on the front pillars, which need to be removed when replacing the windshield or removing the fenders. The fasteners of these moldings often break — the crosspieces under the metal clips tear off. As a result, the moldings may be poorly secured and even fall off when driving at high speeds. Owners solve this problem in different ways: some purchase new moldings, some restore the broken fasteners, and others simply attach the moldings with glass adhesive.

On the facelifted models of the Honda Accord, the upper crosspiece of the radiator grille sometimes tears off. You can purchase either an original part or a non-original grille assembly.

The front bumper tends to sag, as evidenced by an increased gap between the headlight and the bumper. This happens due to frequent contact with obstacles or after minor impacts. Simply replacing the bumper brackets doesn't always solve the problem. A more effective solution is installing homemade spacers. Many owners use buffer-stoppers for shock absorbers as spacers, inserting them vertically between the bumper reinforcement and the brackets located under the headlights.

Fog lights are easily broken by stones, so it is recommended to protect them with a special protective film.

Models with a sunroof may experience peeling of the sealing rubber around the glass. The cause is corrosion on the frame that holds the sunroof glass. To fix the situation, you can remove the glass panel, then the rubber seal, clean the corrosion, and treat the frame with appropriate protective compounds. After painting the frame, the corroded areas will be hidden by the rubber, so it is not necessary to paint the entire roof.

On some examples, you may notice dents on the roof panel near the sunroof. This is due to insufficient rigidity of the roof panel and the body as a whole. If the car drives over bumps with the sunroof open, roof deformation may occur, leaving dents in the sunroof area.

In the rear of the car, problems sometimes occur with the taillights — condensation may accumulate on the inner surface. The problem is solved by drying and sealing the joint between the diffuser and the taillight housing.

As for the trunk, it is truly spacious and functional, which is one of the advantages of this model.

Interior and Comfort

If you are a true Honda fan, you will likely appreciate the interior design and ergonomics. However, some may find the plastic too rigid. The lifespan of interior materials can be rated as average — after 200,000 km, many owners need to renew the steering wheel cover and the leather on the driver's seat.

The gear lever or transmission selector often shows wear — the cap and selector cover may crack. The upholstery on the door armrests is also subject to wear. The chrome on the steering wheel emblem may peel off over time, but this part is easy to replace.

With age, the button illumination on the climate control unit and on the panel to the left of the steering wheel may burn out. These units are not difficult to disassemble, and ordinary LEDs with long legs are suitable for replacement.

Sometimes in cold weather, problems with the climate control may arise — air blows with normal temperature from one side, while cold air comes from the other side. The solution might be replacing the heater radiator, although this problem requires additional diagnostics.

Engines

2.4 MPI (K24)

Most eighth-generation Honda Accords were produced with a 2.4 MPI engine producing 201 horsepower. This powertrain was inherited from the previous, seventh-generation Accord. From an operational perspective, most problems are associated with this engine.

The main characteristic is its tendency toward increased oil consumption, which can reach one liter per 1000 km. Usually, the actual consumption is three times less, but it is still recommended to check the oil level regularly, at least once a month. Despite having an oil level sensor, you shouldn't rely on it completely, as over time it may work incorrectly.

Very rarely, there are K24 engines that don't consume oil at all. The probable cause of increased consumption is coked oil scraper rings. Engines not suffering from this problem were likely serviced with shorter oil change intervals — about 5-7.5 thousand kilometers. For this engine, it is recommended to use 5W-30 viscosity oil and change it every 7.5 thousand kilometers.

Another common problem with this engine is the chipping of the exhaust camshaft lobes. This is an expensive problem that affects almost every K24 engine. The exhaust camshaft has four lobes (one for each cylinder) to control two exhaust valves. It is believed that the load on the lobes is too high, making them prone to wear. Checking and adjusting valve clearances every 40,000 km can help delay the appearance of significant camshaft wear.

When buying a Honda Accord with a K24 engine, it is recommended to remove the valve cover to inspect the condition of the camshaft.

The variable valve timing system (VVT actuator) can also cause problems. Often after starting the engine, a characteristic noise can be heard. The service life of the VVT actuator is approximately 200,000 km. The time until noise appears greatly depends on oil change intervals.

Periodically, noise from the crankcase ventilation system valve (VKG) is observed, which can be mistaken for noise from the accessory belt rollers. The engine's oil consumption also depends on the condition of this valve. The VKG valve is located behind the generator bracket and can be identified by the hose passing over the generator.

The timing chain on the K24 engine is characterized by durability and typically lasts about 300,000 km.

2.0 (R20)

Models of the Accord with a two-liter R20 engine are less common. This engine is considered reliable and unpretentious. The only thing that can cause it to fail is a destroyed catalytic converter. Cars with two-liter engines are not very popular due to insufficient dynamics and more modest trim levels.

The R20 engine is the senior version of the R18 engine that was installed in the Honda Civic. They are similar in characteristics and operational features.

Diesel Engines

A rare version is the Honda Accord with a diesel engine. This is a proprietary Japanese unit known for its reliability and even higher dynamics compared to gasoline versions. The diesel engine was equipped with a Common Rail system from Bosch and had a chain-driven timing system. Such versions were paired with a five-speed automatic transmission.

Transmission

The eighth-generation Honda Accord was equipped with a six-speed manual transmission, which is highly reliable, as well as a five-speed automatic.

A feature of Honda's automatic transmissions is their hybrid design, combining elements of a manual transmission and a hydromechanical one. In the eighth generation Accord, a five-speed automatic transmission was used, which, although it works relatively slowly and with some hesitation, is characterized by reliability and durability. This transmission has no characteristic problems with friction elements, the hydraulic unit, or the torque converter.

A partial ATF replacement is recommended every 40,000 km. About 1.5 liters of fluid is drained through the dipstick hole. The transmission has an internal filter, which becomes accessible only after disassembly, and an external filter, which does not require mandatory replacement according to the maintenance schedule.

For the transmission, it is recommended to use Z1 type transmission fluids or the more modern DW1. With the latter, the transmission may sometimes operate with slight jolts. A complete ATF replacement can also be performed, requiring about 10 liters of fluid. This can be done by disconnecting the line at the external filter, draining the old fluid coming from the radiator, and pumping new fluid through the hose toward the transmission.

Suspension and Handling

Approximately every 200,000 kilometers, the right engine mount may need replacement. Vibrations at low speeds up to 40 km/h indicate its wear.

CV joints on the Accord have average durability, and they often need to be replaced on many cars. The problem is that pitting in the form of cavities or chipped metal appears on the inner surface of the CV joint housings. This results in vibration during movement. Most often, pits form on the right CV joint, manifesting as vibration at speeds from 80 to 120 km/h. The left CV joint wears out less frequently, and its wear is evidenced by vibration at speeds from 40 to 60 km/h. The intermediate shaft bearing usually lasts longer than the CV joints.

The steering rack in all 8th generation Accords is electric, with the electric motor located directly on the rack rather than on top of its housing or on the steering shaft. The rack may produce knocking sounds due to wear of the right guide bushing. Many specialized service centers offer replacement of this bushing without removing the steering rack from the car, provided there is no significant wear in the rack housing. Otherwise, a repair bushing will not solve the problem, and more serious intervention will be required.

The rack may also produce knocking sounds due to wear of the pressure plunger located on the right side. To replace it, the steering rack must be removed.

The steering rack control unit is located in the dashboard on the passenger side. Especially on facelifted models, it may fail. After installing a new unit, calibration of the rack's zero position must be performed.

There are body position sensors in the front and rear suspension (right front and left rear). The rods of these sensors can break, and the sensors themselves can fail due to moisture ingress. If the sensors are faulty, the headlight corrector lowers the light beam to the lowest position.

The eighth-generation Honda Accord is equipped with a double-wishbone front suspension. Unlike the ninth-generation Accord, which introduced McPherson struts, this design provides better handling. The suspension cannot be described as prone to frequent breakdowns.

Stabilizer bar links usually last about 80,000 km. Front stabilizer bushings last around 150,000 km and are replaced separately.

As for the silent blocks, the rear silent blocks of the lower arms last the least, but they are replaced and sold separately. Front silent blocks are also not expensive, are replaced, and sold separately.

The ball joint of the steering knuckle is replaced separately, but the ball joint of the upper arm is not replaced separately and is sold only together with the arm. The upper arm typically lasts about 200,000 km.

Front shock absorbers often need to be replaced together with the upper support cups, as the central hole gets damaged.

In the rear suspension, there are four arms for each wheel. The upper arm is U-shaped, similar to those used in the front suspension. Such an arm is sold only as an assembly. Most often, the ball joints fail first and are considered a weak point.

Another feature of the rear suspension is the springs, which can sag and even break. Some owners recommend installing springs from the station wagon version, which are characterized by greater stiffness.

Conclusion

The eighth-generation Honda Accord has many fans who appreciate this car for its handling, dynamics, and comfort. Although the 2.4-liter engine has some disadvantages, such as increased oil consumption and possible problems with the exhaust camshaft, overall, Honda Accord owners respect and love these cars for their reliability.

If you are considering buying an 8th generation Honda Accord, pay attention to the following key points:

1. Carefully check the condition of the body, especially in areas prone to corrosion.
2. Inspect the moldings on the front pillars and the radiator grille for damage.
3. Check the operation of the sunroof (if available) and inspect the area around it for dents or signs of corrosion.
4. Pay attention to the oil level and the condition of the exhaust camshaft in K24 engines.
5. Check the transmission operation in all driving modes.
6. Pay attention to the presence of vibrations that may indicate wear of CV joints or engine mounts.
7. Check the steering system for play and knocking sounds.

Inspect the suspension condition, especially the rear silent blocks of the lower arms and ball joints.

With proper maintenance and timely resolution of emerging problems, the 8th generation Honda Accord can serve for a long time and reliably, confirming the reputation of the Japanese manufacturer as a creator of high-quality and durable cars.

The Honda Accord is a car that combines business-class comfort, good handling, and Japanese reliability. Despite some design flaws, this car remains an attractive choice in the secondary market for those looking for a balanced combination of quality, comfort, and cost of ownership.

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