Honda Accord 8th generation (2007–2012)
Generation-specific owner insights from 24+ substantive owner discussions, with US complaint and recall records.
Should I buy a 2007–2012 Accord?
4,917
US owner complaints (NHTSA), 2007–2012
60
recall campaigns
air bags
most-complained area
What owners say about this generation
Our take, from owner reports
Owners overwhelmingly view the 8th generation Accord as one of the last truly reliable, well-built Hondas, frequently describing them as "tanks" that can easily exceed 200,000 miles with routine maintenance.
9 problems reported (2 very frequent, 4 recurrent, 3 isolated) · high confidence
Problems owners report
- Very frequentV6 automatic transmission failures, especially on earlier models
- Very frequentTiming belt/water pump service required on V6 models (interval-based, not a defect)
- RecurrentVCM (variable cylinder management) causing oil consumption and oil burning
+ 6 more issuesShow fewer
- RecurrentOil leaks (valve cover gaskets, oil pan, rear main seal)
- RecurrentCatalytic converter failures triggering P0420/P0430 codes
- RecurrentRust on oil pan and undercarriage, particularly in northern/salt-belt regions
- IsolatedSunroof drain clogs causing water leaks into cabin
- IsolatedCheck engine light cleared by sellers to hide emissions issues
- IsolatedSpool valve leaks on V6 models
The version owners recommend
The 4-cylinder models are consistently recommended as the most reliable and cost-effective choice. Owners report the K-series 4-cylinder engines are exceptionally durable, with multiple reports of exceeding 200,000 miles without major issues. The V6 is acknowledged as more powerful and enjoyable, but carries higher maintenance costs (timing belt service) and more frequent transmission concerns. No specific model year within the generation is singled out as definitively best, though the 2010 model year receives multiple positive mentions for reliability.
Competitors to consider
Owners compare it most often with the Toyota Camry, Toyota Corolla, Acura TL, Honda Civic and Mitsubishi Mirage.
Is a 2007–2012 Accord right for you?
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Overall sentiment
Owners overwhelmingly view the 8th generation Accord as one of the last truly reliable, well-built Hondas, frequently describing them as "tanks" that can easily exceed 200,000 miles with routine maintenance. The 4-cylinder models are praised for their durability and value, while the V6 is appreciated for its power but carries recurring concerns about transmission reliability and the VCM (variable cylinder management) system causing oil consumption issues. Owners consistently note that these cars are excellent daily drivers that hold up well, though they caution that the timing belt on V6 models is a critical maintenance item that must not be neglected.
Positioning vs competitors
Owners position the 8th generation Accord as a top-tier choice for reliability, often comparing it favorably against the Toyota Camry and Corolla. One owner noted that Honda and Toyota remain "top 2 for daily drive cars," with Toyota/Lexus taking the #1 spot for plain midsize sedans. The Accord is seen as more engaging to drive than its Toyota rivals, with one owner describing the V6 manual as "surprisingly sporty" and "sportier than my old manual Audi S4." The Acura TL is mentioned as a more premium alternative with similar reliability, though owners note the TL requires premium fuel. The Honda Civic is positioned as a smaller, more economical alternative within the same brand.
Recommended configurations
Owners recommend the 4-cylinder models for maximum reliability and lower ownership costs. The V6 is acceptable for buyers who want more power, but they must budget for the timing belt/water pump service (approximately $1,200-$1,500) and should be aware of potential transmission issues. The manual transmission is preferred by some owners for the V6, with one noting it eliminates automatic transmission concerns. Owners advise checking whether the timing belt has been replaced on any V6 model before purchase, and recommend installing a VCM muzzle on V6 models to prevent oil consumption issues from the cylinder deactivation system.
General recommendations
This generation is recommended for buyers seeking a reliable, long-lasting daily driver that can be maintained affordably. The 2007-2012 model years are all considered solid, with no specific year to avoid, though owners note the 2010 model year receives particularly positive feedback. Buyers should always get a pre-purchase inspection, verify the odometer reading (especially on suspiciously low-mileage examples), check for rust (particularly on the oil pan and undercarriage), and confirm service records. For V6 models, the timing belt service history is critical. Owners advise that even if the car needs $3,000 in immediate maintenance, it can still be a good deal given the car's overall reliability and longevity.
Remarks
Owners frequently note that the 8th generation Accord represents the end of an era for Honda reliability, with several commenting that "arguably the last generation of accords that were very well built and reliable." The car's value retention is notable, with owners reporting that even high-mileage examples (200,000+) still sell for meaningful amounts. The 4-cylinder models are described as being able to "last 250k miles no problem with routine maintenance." Some owners report the car feels light in high winds and rain, with one noting it "would get picked up by the wind" in wet conditions. The gauge cluster is praised for being "nice and clean." Analysis based on approximately 24 substantive owner discussions about this generation.
Complaints and recalls by model year
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 747 | 8 | seats |
| 2011 | 296 | 9 | air bags |
| 2010 | 580 | 13 | air bags |
| 2009 | 725 | 11 | service brakes |
| 2008 | 1,520 | 9 | service brakes |
| 2007 | 1,049 | 10 | air bags |
Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Higher-selling years naturally accumulate more complaints.
Recall notices for this generation
2012 · air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator modulecampaign 18V661000
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014 Honda Insight and Acura TSX and TSX Wagon, 2014-2015 Honda Crosstour and Pilot vehicles nationwide, as well as certain 2014 Honda FCX Clarity and Fit EV vehicles in Florida, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Texas, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, California, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan) and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Honda is also recalling certain 2011-2013 Acura TSX, TSX Wagon and ZDX, Honda Crosstour, Insight, Fit and Pilot vehicles, 2011-2012 Honda Accord and 2011 Honda Civic NGV, Civic, Civic Hybrid and CR-V vehicles in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. Lastly, Honda is recalling certain 2010-2013 Acura TSX and ZDX, Honda Crosstour, Fit, Insight and Pilot, 2011-2013 TSX Wagon, 2010-2012 Honda Accord and 2010-2011 Honda Civic NGV, Civic, Civic Hybrid and CR-V vehicles in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag air bag inflators assembled as part of the frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to higher absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
2012 · air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator modulecampaign 18V268000
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2012 Honda Accord and Pilot, 2010 Accord Crosstour, 2001-2011 Civic, 2002-2011 CR-V, 2003-2004, 2006-2008 and 2011 Element, 2007 and 2009-2013 Fit, 2010-2012 Insight, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2012 Ridgeline vehicles. The front passenger air bag may have been installed incorrectly during replacement.
2012 · air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator modulecampaign 19V502000
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Acura TSX, 2011-2014 TSX Sport Wagon, 2010-2013 ZDX, 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic and Civic Hybrid, 2008-2010 Civic GX NGV, 2012-2015 Crosstour, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2013 Fit, 2014 Fit EV, 2010-2014 Insight, and 2009-2015 Pilot vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
2012 · air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator modulecampaign 19V378000
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Acura TSX, 2011-2013 TSX Sport Wagon, and 2010-2012 ZDX and 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic, Civic Hybrid and Civic NGV, 2012-2014 Crosstour, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2013 Fit, 2010-2013 Insight, and 2009-2015 Pilot vehicles. The front passenger air bag inflator may have been installed incorrectly during replacement.
2012 · air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator modulecampaign 17V545000
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2008-2012 Accord, 2010-2012 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2012 Fit and Pilot, 2010-2012 Insight, and 2009-2012 Acura TSX vehicles that received replacement passenger frontal air bag inflators. One dealership may have incorrectly installed the replacement air bag inflators.
2012 · air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator modulecampaign 17V030000
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2012 Acura TSX, 2011-2012 Acura TSX Wagon, 2010-2012 Acura ZDX, 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2012 Honda Accord Crosstour and Honda Insight, 2009-2012 Honda Fit, 2009-2012 Pilot, 2007-2011 Honda CR-V, 2012 Honda FCX Clarity and 2006-2011 Honda Civic, Civic Hybrid, Civic NGV vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, if not included in "Zone A" above, Honda is recalling certain 2009 Acura TSX, Honda Fit and Pilot, 2008-2009 Honda Accord, 2006-2009 Civic, Civic Hybrid and Civic NGV, and 2007-2009 Honda CR-V vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, if not included in "Zone B" above, Honda is recalling certain 2008 Honda Accord, 2006-2008 Honda Civic, Civic Hybrid and Civic NGV and 2007-2008 Honda CR-V vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
2012 · air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator modulecampaign 18V042000
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Acura TSX, ZDX, Honda Accord Crosstour, Fit, Insight and Pilot vehicles, 2011-13 Acura TSX Sportswagon, 2010-2012 Honda Accord,, 2010-2011 Honda Civic, Civic NGV, Civic Hybrid and CR-V vehicles and 2013 Honda FCX Clarity and Fit EV vehicles ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, Honda is recalling certain 2010-2012 Acura TSX, Honda Accord, Accord Crosstour, Fit and Pilot, 2010-2011 Honda Civic, Civic NGV, Civic Hybrid and CR-V, and 2010 Acura ZDX and Honda Insight vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Unless included in Zones A or B above, Honda is recalling certain 2009 Acura TSX, Honda Accord, Civic, Civic NGV, Civic Hybrid, CR-V, Fit, and Pilot vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to higher absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
2012 · air bags:side/windowcampaign 12V030000
HONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 ACCORD AND CROSSTOUR VEHICLES. THE DRIVER-SIDE OR PASSENGER-SIDE SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG INFLATOR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED ACCORDING TO CORRECT SPECIFICATIONS.
2011 · air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator modulecampaign 18V661000
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014 Honda Insight and Acura TSX and TSX Wagon, 2014-2015 Honda Crosstour and Pilot vehicles nationwide, as well as certain 2014 Honda FCX Clarity and Fit EV vehicles in Florida, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Texas, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, California, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan) and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Honda is also recalling certain 2011-2013 Acura TSX, TSX Wagon and ZDX, Honda Crosstour, Insight, Fit and Pilot vehicles, 2011-2012 Honda Accord and 2011 Honda Civic NGV, Civic, Civic Hybrid and CR-V vehicles in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. Lastly, Honda is recalling certain 2010-2013 Acura TSX and ZDX, Honda Crosstour, Fit, Insight and Pilot, 2011-2013 TSX Wagon, 2010-2012 Honda Accord and 2010-2011 Honda Civic NGV, Civic, Civic Hybrid and CR-V vehicles in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag air bag inflators assembled as part of the frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to higher absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
2011 · air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator modulecampaign 18V268000
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2012 Honda Accord and Pilot, 2010 Accord Crosstour, 2001-2011 Civic, 2002-2011 CR-V, 2003-2004, 2006-2008 and 2011 Element, 2007 and 2009-2013 Fit, 2010-2012 Insight, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2012 Ridgeline vehicles. The front passenger air bag may have been installed incorrectly during replacement.
2011 · air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator modulecampaign 19V502000
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Acura TSX, 2011-2014 TSX Sport Wagon, 2010-2013 ZDX, 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic and Civic Hybrid, 2008-2010 Civic GX NGV, 2012-2015 Crosstour, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2013 Fit, 2014 Fit EV, 2010-2014 Insight, and 2009-2015 Pilot vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
2011 · air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator modulecampaign 19V378000
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Acura TSX, 2011-2013 TSX Sport Wagon, and 2010-2012 ZDX and 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic, Civic Hybrid and Civic NGV, 2012-2014 Crosstour, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2013 Fit, 2010-2013 Insight, and 2009-2015 Pilot vehicles. The front passenger air bag inflator may have been installed incorrectly during replacement.
14 more recalls not shown. Check nhtsa.gov with your VIN for the full history.
Owner insights summarize real ownership discussions for this generation only. Complaint and recall data is public NHTSA (US) information. Always verify recalls against your VIN at nhtsa.gov.