And here is some of the problem. I can agree that there are cars out there that do not have any VCM problems, and then there are car like mine that do. Honda needs to acknowledge this fact, and find out what the difference is between the cars with problems, and the ones without.
Unfortunately, it seems like they have no interest in doing this. My dealer figures since they have had no other complaints (or so they say), that I couldn't possibly have anything wrong with my car. Frustrating to say the least, and I plan on taking it to another dealer. If they say it is normal behavior, it is against what Honda's advertising literature says. I've been a pretty dedicated Honda guy, but their attitude on this has me questioning whether I will remain that way.
Any idea on how many 2008 VCM Accords have been sold so far? It seems that the people here with problems are being written off by some of the Honda faithful because of the assumption that there are tons of cars out there without any reported issues. Has Honda even sold more than 25,000 VCM V6's yet. :confuse:
The 2 posts you have has me a little puzzled. You've been reading the posts for several weeks and then without taking your car to the dealer to investigate your precieved problem, you write to Honda complaining. Youe posts do not mention any effort on your part (except the letter to Honda) to resolve the issue and now you are ready for another car. And maybe a phone call? regarding changing the design? Why? shouldn't you be taking it to the dealer to begin with and at least give them a chance to prove you right? How do you know if it is VCM related?
My V6 w/ Navi has a build date stamp of 8/07 so I think it is one of the very first ones that rolled out of the assembly line at Marysville. I have not VCM related problem and am a very sensitive driver myself.
I don't think he got lucky. I do think the ones with VCM problems got unlucky and unfortunately so. The fact is that the design is working flawlessly for me and several others that I know of. That would indicate the design is functioning as planned. There are some reported problems (as with any new or even pld technology), that need addressing.
Folks...this board has devolved into about 10 people screaming at each other. 5 people screaming "Honda sucks!" and 5 people screaming "Honda is great!"
Tastes Great! Less Filling!
If we don't have any new facts or developments to share, let's stop repeating the same posts ad nauseum. We KNOW you hate VCM. And we KNOW you think VCM is pretty cool.
Please come back when you have some new facts or developments to share with the group! Okay?
Speaking of new facts....Honda first introduced VCM back in 2003 when it was available on the JDM Honda Inspire. So the system now has 5 years of history and a lot of testing and real world mileage. As much as we want to call it new technology, it has been around the block as far as Honda is concerned. There is even a Wikipedia entry for Honda Variable Cylinder Management....
In addition to low fuel consumption, the VCM engine also reduces exhaust emissions, helping meet govt Ultra-Low Emissions and 2010 fuel consumption standards, making it eligible for preferential 'Green Tax' treatment. The engine achieves this by combining high-density catalytic converters located directly below each cylinder head for further improved exhaust gas processing at low engine temperatures with better air/fuel ratio control.
VCM continuously analyzes throttle opening, vehicle speed, engine speed, and gearing to determine that the car is cruising, and then idles the intake and exhaust valves of the three cylinders in the rear cylinder bank. With zero valve lift, the cylinders are sealed, and no fuel is injected. Pumping losses are thus reduced by as much as 65% and low fuel consumption is realized.
When operating in 3-cylinder mode, engine vibration is reduced by extrapolating vibration from the change in crankshaft rotation speed and sending the information to the 'active control' engine mount, which compresses/extends an actuator in same-phase, same-period motion to dampen the engine mount. Similarly, a speaker creates an opposite phase sound or 'active noise control', to provide a cancelling effect, for a quieter interior which leaves the driver unaware of changes in cylinder activation.
It seems to me that if a driver learns to pay close attention (and is also aided by the ECO light), he/she can certainly tell when cylinder (de)activation occurs. It's more than likely that any excessive vibrations are indeed a malfunction in the particular unit, rather than a broad design defect as some have suggested.
For those having issues, please continue to work with your Honda dealer, and let us know if you get any satisfaction or resolution.
You make my point - isn't it wonderful you have no problems?! And so others fdo not? If you look at the numbers - there are more people posting here with problems than wthout them and they profess not to be Honda bashers, but in many cases, very loyal and faiuthful Honda buyers for years who feel they have been taken. I trust them more than I do you..
Posts like this make me laugh. There are people here who think the dealer cares about helping someone with their car. WRONG. They are in the business to make money first and fix your car second. Otherwise they don't give a crap. I know this first hand with my 2001. I went to the dealer 5 TIMES complaining of an issue with the tranny. They could find no problem. Then what happens - a lawsuit concerning the tranny. And don't you know they called me right after the suit to bring my car in and replace the tranny. ONLY AFTER A LAWSUIT would they do anything. Others here have taken the VCM issue back to the dealer and what did they get? The "I can't find anything wrong answer". I have gone through the other Honda boards over the last few weeks and I have seen many people take their Honda back to the dealer for various reason's and get the standard dealer line "I can't find anything wrong". The dealers are worthless. The only way to get this resolved is to put pressure on corporate. That and maybe some bad press will help. I will continue to press my case with corporate and will not deal with the dealer.
On a side note - why would ANY SALESPERSON who is worth half a cent, or any person affiliated with Honda for that matter, come here and say there are problems with the VCM??????
Exactly! My dealer even went so far as to say that "mechanical things, and systems, are going to do things that you can feel, and you need to get used to it."
So why does the Honda Accord brochure state that the system is "seamless", and that the transition from one mode to the other is "unnoticeable to the Accord's passengers"?
Why is it that if people post that they are having problems with their Accord that others than feel compelled to attack them? You should just be glad that you Accord is functioning properly. Do you think that we want our cars to have a problem?
My intention was not to gain "your" trust, for all I know you could be a disgruntled Honda employee, or a previous poster that changed his/her markee, or a Toyota or Malibu salesman, or at best, a sincere and honest Accord owner that is having problems with his/her car. I just want to make sure that other potential buyers that are drawn to this thread are not misled by some claims here that VCM has a design flaw and that anyone who does not have a VCM problem works for Honda. As an Accord owner, I have a vested interest in not allowing false accusations diminish the resale value of my car. In all fairness the reader does not know who is behind the post, they all can claim to be long time Honda owners. I think readers are smart enough to filter the honest, sincere posts from the ones with secondary motives.
I hope you did not take my post as an attack on someone who has a legitimate problem with their car, be it a VCM issue or else. I just want to keep the playing field fair. As long as it has not been proven or openly discussed other than a couple of online forums, and mostly by the same few people, I wouldn't want to give the wrong idea that VCM is flawed by design. I would be the first to try to get my car fixed exploring every available option, had I experienced the same thing with my Accord.
Agreed with Parviz. My '08 V6 EX-L has no single problem. Potiential buyers can check with Parviz, Mcpdjohn, Hank119 and myself, etc to get honest positive feedback on this car.
The more I drive my car the more I love it. Its color of metal polished looks so shiny and attractive. It is the true top Accord V6 EX-L. The more I look at it the more I like it.
Sunnfun, I, for one, would not want to generalize the sincerity or honesty of any profession, be it a dealership or my profession or yours. Granted there are all types of people out there, but I wouldn't think they are all evil. Your 2001 car is just one experience. I too do have several bad experiences with car dealers. But come to think of it, I have good experiences with them too. All I am saying is some of the posts here are more geared towards bashing Honda (and promoting Malibu or Camry) than trying to resolve the issue. You can not find in any of my posts any indication that I remotely have doubted anyone having a VCM problem, I am just questioning the motives of some posters and the strategy taken by others who report having problems in trying to resolve the issue.
In your post you also said: "....I have seen many people take their Honda back to the dealer for various reason's and get the standard dealer line "I can't find anything wrong". The dealers are worthless...." I think comments like that just take the objectivity out of your comments.
The most frustrating thing is to have a customer come in complaining of a problem that the shop can't duplicate. We drive the cars sometimes with the customer along listening for the rattle, squeak of transmission noise only to find nothing wrong!
Feel free to browse the Odyssey board or any other Honda board on here. There you will read about other "non-VCM' issues that have been returned to the dealer only to get the standard line "I can't find anything wrong". That added with my own experience backs up what I said. Having had 4 Accords and 1 Civic starting back in 1991 gives me alot of experience with Honda, I think. I am finding the early Accords were great, and each version since then has gotten a little worse until now. I do accept some blame for this. After the debacles with my current 2001, I swore I would never buy another Honda but I did not listen to myself. And since it takes a lawsuit to get Honda to do anything, I am on their [non-permissible content removed] this time and I will tell anyone who is looking at this car what I have been through and to think twice.
I agree with Isellhondas. Honda are getting better and better to keep up with technology such as greatly voice activated navigation, MP3, CD, DVD, bluetooth handfree link, VCM, VSA, ICE, TC, CRUISE CONTROL, rear multi link, electronic distributed brakes, brake assist, more HP with less fuel consumption, better MPG, uni-body structure, no more exposed radio antenna, roomier interior, "much more bang for your buck", etc. These are only a few things among many other fine features.
There are tons of new exciting things in new Hondas. Buy a top Honda and you get many things that are highly competitive with other makes of same class. Honda offers excellently top notched engineering. Honda automobiles are true pieces of sophisticated engineering and also fine pieces of art. Everything in a Honda is well thought out, balanced, in perpective, appealing and functional. I have been driving Honda motorcyles and cars for over 43 years. I feel more comfortable driving a Honda than driving another piece of crap that looks like a "big box but no soul".
In short, if Honda cannot compete it will be ousted out the car manufacturers market tomorrow just like GM with 42 billion dollars loss last year inside struggling Big 3. Honda still makes good profit. Bravo Honda's smartest engineers, management and salemen including ISELLHONDAS. Let me give Isellhondas a warm hug and a kiss on his cheeks. I heard Saturn is going to put Honda engines inside their "boxes" to build new Saturns soon.
There is nothing "better" about VCM. the Odysees have had issues with it and now the new 08 accord. Its has a design flaw if it wasn't I dont think i would have had Honda tell me they "are aware of the problems with the VCM, its a new design and we are working on it" that doesnt sound to me like a vote of confidence. btw, spoke to Honda Customer relations again Friday pm and they repeated this statement. read the articles surfacing and the increased concerns and all one has to do is realize something is not right.
Its a drag, and a dissapointing concern with some V6 accords. again for those that are not having issues perhaps start you own forum about how much you love it.. those of us that dont and continue to have problems will continue to post here and everywhere to educate prospective buyers to be cautious and to share experiences and ideas to resolve.
Sorry, but Honda took a terrific smooth running V6 accord and (in my opinion) added tons of great features , bells and whistles but missed the boat with the engine 6 accords prior and every single one of them was smooth and basically service free with the exception of regular maint. This car (as well as others) has been in the shop almost constantly since November with no fix identified yet.
I think that would be a little unsightly! I can see some people getting addicted to looking at it and kind of following its operation. I know I did that for awhile, not that it bothered me going on and off. We should just try and keep our eyes on the road and just glance at the instrument panel once in a while.
As I understand it and from what I have read about VCM, the new Accord V6 is the 1st VCM V6 to use the 6 to 4 to 3 cylinder (de)activation. All previous versions used only a 6-3 operation. So while the technology is not new, like an automatic transmission is not new, this version of it is new, just like Lexus' 8 speed automatic is new. So it is not inconceivable that there were some bugs to be worked out before unleashing it on the public. Perhaps the challenge of handling the engine vibration you refer to in italics in not only 3 cylnder operation but 4 as well is the problem - the ACMs are having to be "too active"? Whatever - I know what I experienced with the cars I drove was real. Fortunately those were test drives - unfortunately for others here they own their cars, it is a discernible problem - now what will Honda do to fix it? I'll stand by for the time being. But Honda's reaction so far in what these people have posted - denial - is not encouraging. What would be would be some degree of acknowledgement that a problem could exist becaue of bad engine mounts, computer processing unit, etc. and/or offering of an engineering solution. It is like any one caught - the old saying - deny, deny, deny. Like Bill Clinton when caught with his pants down! :shades: . As a potential buyer I see there are problems - I do not want to play Russian Roulette buying a car hoping I get the empty cylinder and a good car, versus the full cylinder and a :lemon: Please come up with a solution Honda!
This issue is a bad engineering idea (3 cylinder operation) that somehow made it to production. I would think that virtually all the engines are properly put together. Some drivers just notice the engine behavior more than others. IMO if Honda had to develop special motor mounts to tune out the 3 cylinder vibrations then that's a bad engineering decision. I don't want an engine that is caused to vibrate more than necessary. Combine that with the fact the non VCM manual coupes are obvioulsly smoother, quicker than the VCM engines and I don't want no VCM!
Thanks for all the posts on this subject. We have bought 5 Accords over the last four years all loaded V6 EXLs. Currently we have 2 2007s which we love. 29 to 30 +mpg on the open road! I was still smarting from the 2008 loss of LED tail lamps and the generally poor design execution on the rear tail lights as viewed from the rear. Now I can tell you I will not be the last step in Honda's development cycle when it comes to VCM. I hope they make this an option for o9 . Speaking of options, I'll certainly look at other brands based on what I saw and felt during an o8 test drive. Herky and jerky for the 08 vs turbine smooth of the 07s I currently have. Best iof luck for those with the issue. Seemless would not be a word Honda should use!
I'm sure one of the reasons why people continue to post is to keep this thread active. If no one posts, then this thread eventually moves off the main Honda Accord page and "dies." But I'm also sure there are some out there who would love for this thread to die.
I spoke with a co-worker today who recently bought an 08 Accord sedan with the V6 engine. She loves the car and was not aware of any issues with the VCM. In fact, she had no clue what VCM was! The only issue she told me about was a malfunctioning rear passenger door lock, which was promptly fixed by her dealer.
To those with VCM problems, my best wishes for a quick solution.
Keeping it active is fine, but relentlessly posting the same thing over and over will drive people away who are looking for fresh information.
If there's a new reader, when they click on the thread, they'll be automatically directed to post #1, based on my experiences with other new forums I've tried out today for this purpose. The new readers and posters will then have a few useful posts, and a whole lot of redundant ones if this keeps up.
Status updates are always welcome, assuming the drivers have been making progress (or attempting to) to get Honda working on their problem. If its just another post to say "my car is still not operating properly, but I've done nothing about it" that doesn't really help do anything but drive people off the board.
Lurking and reading - and again the veracity of those with problems being called into question. No these people are all consummate liars with an axe to grind against Honda - it is all a conspiracy - they are all really Toyota salesmen!! :shades:
Unbelievable - Documented ownership of Hondas for years by many of these people and you call their veracity into question. This from a Honda salesman?! Encouraging I am sure to these owners. Guess that is typical of the type of response they are getting, or can expect to get, from their dealerships. Very sad.
Again this forum is for those owners that are having issues. Not those that are NOT why bother posting if yours is ok?
Why post? Because the title of the forum is Honda Accord VCM. It is not called "Problems with VCM." If a reader came here seeing nothing but problems from a thread, they'd think every car had problems. Obviously, they don't.
If a forum titled "Honda Accord Automatic Transmission" had nothing but transmission problems listed, that'd be really one-sided. VCM has to do with performance, mileage, and how well the VCM is integrated into the car.
I for one wish MORE posters would post about their mileage in here, so people interested in VCM equipped Accords could get an idea of what to expect.
I feel like the Honda bashers are looking for therapy that the Honda lovers are quite happy to provide, albeit neither side knows that they are doing that.
For anyone new to this thread, here is the synopsis so you don't post and ask the same question which will yield the same answers, ah never mind, just back up to the day this thread started and you will answer your own questions.
Unless there is something new to report, please don't.
While talking with Honda again today regarding the VCM issue, they said they are treating the VCM vibration issue not as a VCM issue but a tire/rotor issue. Where have I read/heard that in here before.......must be the square tires Honda is installing on the 08's.......
Nope, gonna keep talking about it so that every single person that enters this forum see's the issues and is aware.. Cant assume they will open up every single post to get the facts and make an educated and well informed decision. Its appears you dont have any issues with the VCM or its operation, so why are you posting. Start your own forum about how great it is then you wont have to see, hear or listen to those that want to keep the dialog going. btw I dont thinks ANYONE has ever said "honda sucks" on the contrary, what has been said is the VCM design, operation does.
Thats False. It is not tires. I had 6 new tires put on mine and all inspected by the dealer and still vibrating my glasses off. Honda told me "its a byproduct of the VCM.". Your dealer is not informed.
Isn't your post rhetorical? Again this forum is for those owners that are having issues. Not those that are NOT why bother posting if yours is ok?
Honda has repeatedly stated to several of us that have escalated this issue up that this is a KNOWN issue with VCM that it is NOT seamless and can and will be felt by drivers. So how can Honda state "seamless and unnoticed" yet field personnel and customer relations state the opposite. Somewhere along the line, the communications train left the tracks. If it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck.......
We just want Honda to be honest and forthright in thier marketing of this car and tell the services depts that this exsists as an objectionable issue for some owners. be straight up is all they need to do. In my case they continue to state "there is no fix" for the issue. so the more people we educate the more will report problems the faster Honda will "fix" those that were 1st gen or all....
Not disgruntled, dont sell cars... dont care about either... just care about the truth.. i haven't seen to many people talk about their maddening concerns and service issues pitching a saab , VW or Chevy.. why bother.
Lets get real. this forum on edmunds is not the place to invoke that strategy with any sense of accomplishment, I am sure.
I would suggest you change the title to "Problems w/ 08 Honda Accord VCM". to your point several time to us, this would make the most sense and keep the dialog on track.
That was my point. Several people here have done the tire rotation/replacement thing and it did not work. I just found it interesting they are already scapegoating.
If the testers noticed anything in regards to the VCM operation, they've probably blog about it already. Remember, there are several testers who drive this car every day and as such this Accord takes more abuse and punishment than any other Accords.
I'm a new poster, but i've been reading from the Town Hall forums for the past 2yrs on various cars I owned, wanted to own, or was just curious about.
I recently bought an 08 Accord Coupe EX-L V6.
I came here to try and understand what was going on with all of the VCM talk. After driving a tad over 500miles I'm starting to feel that the issue isn't so much the VCM, but more so the Grade Logic part of the Automatic Transmission.
When I'm on a flat stretch of road I won't feel the car "jump" or "stutter" when the ECO light goes on or off... however when I'm going down a hill as soon as i left off the gas it'll kind of jump a litte, but it's due to going downhill and the AT Transmission doing it's thing to slowly make the car slow down. Vice versa with going uphill...
I think this issue is a good one, but I don't think it's going to stop people from getting the V6 becuase it's not noticeable unless you are driving the car. Have someone else drive and you'll never notice it even if you are looking for it. I can understand how it's affecting some people, but it's not something that hampers the expierence.
When it's in ECO and I put my foot on the gas there's only a slight lag before the engire power kicks in. It's not as bad as some people have mentioned.
I drove both the V4 and the V6. I was aware of the VCM concerns, but after driving both the power from the V6 won me over. The 4 isn't bad by any means. I'm more than able to deal with the hicup here and there for the extra power.
I will admit that if you have owned or have driven a Honda before you might feel like this isn't up to par with what they've put out in the past.
I have a feeling that us First Gen owners will end up with a solution by the end of the year if not next. It might be telling the system to only got into 4cyl mode and forget going to 3cyl... or it might be some other kind of fix... it might be make the "grade logic" not so touchy.
The VCM would not prevent me from getting this model again.
Anyone who has any questions about the long-term test should address them via the email link in the periodic articles as I posted. It's not useful to make assumptions about how the long-term tests are conducted and report those assumptions as fact.
The discussion is about the 08 Accord's VCM feature. It is not strictly about problems, but everyone is welcome to discuss the problems they are having here.
But above ALL, it is not about other posters!! If you don't believe someone, fine, go read something else. Accusations about posters' motivations are not welcome here and will not be tolerated from this point forward.
As in every discussion throughout the CarSpace Forums, we trust our members to be able to sort out the wheat from the chaff. They (you) do not need to be beaten over the head in order to figure out what's on the up and up and what may not be.
If you want to address your experience with the VCM feature of the 08 Accord (not the Odyssey or any other vehicle, I don't care if you say it is the same thing), your post is welcome here.
If you want to discuss anything else at all, please find an appropriate discussion in the Accord group.
And while I'm on my soapbox , two more points: this discussion does not scroll off the first page if you are coming here using the group link just provided which is what you should be doing, and if you click into a discussion that you've never read using a link constructed automatically by the Forums - or by someone who knows how to construct it - you will be taken to the last page, i.e., last 20 posts if you are logged in, of the discussion, not to post 1.
Anyway... back to the topic, and only the topic, please.
rodiron--I'm sorry to hear that you've already had 6 new tires put on your brand new Accord and that your glasses have been vibrating off your head.
VCM may be the least of your concerns.
sunnfunn says that Honda is reporting that there is no VCM issue and it's a tire/rotor problem.
Something is amiss here. Honda is either doling out bipolar advice, your distinctive issues are not related to each other, or your cars are clearly unique and unqualified lemons that should be addressed on an individual basis by Honda's highest levels. We can feel your frustrations but please know that your experiences appear to be in the extreme and not representative of those of us who can feel VCM (including me) as a very subtle quiver or resonance, and those of us who can't feel VCM to the slightest degree.
I wish you the best. Please keep us posted on what happens with your Accord and how Honda reponds to your plights. Having your glasses fly off due to the vibration is not cool whatsover. You may want to get the entire suspension checked out.
Why bother? You'll have the same group of people retorting about the same "perceived" issues but with different opinions. And I say that with a little bit of regret because it is basically an "opinion" in regards to this VCM topic.
Again, unless Honda comes out with a TSB to "fix" any issues with VCM, it's all anecdotal,i.e., I can say that my Accord VCM is operating as smooth as glass while others will say, "you're a hondaphile and you're lucky, etc. blah,blah" or vice versa. For those of you who are having problems, the best recourse is to bring your car to the dealer and update us with your resolution, if any. It's the best thing you can do for your car as well as for us who "truly" own this 8th Gen. Accord.
Comments
I see - so all the others with problems are lying? Again, you make my point about their being attacked. And you prove their point. No Honda for me..
Unfortunately, it seems like they have no interest in doing this. My dealer figures since they have had no other complaints (or so they say), that I couldn't possibly have anything wrong with my car. Frustrating to say the least, and I plan on taking it to another dealer. If they say it is normal behavior, it is against what Honda's advertising literature says. I've been a pretty dedicated Honda guy, but their attitude on this has me questioning whether I will remain that way.
It seems that the people here with problems are being written off by some of the Honda faithful because of the assumption that there are tons of cars out there without any reported issues.
Has Honda even sold more than 25,000 VCM V6's yet. :confuse:
Tastes Great! Less Filling!
If we don't have any new facts or developments to share, let's stop repeating the same posts ad nauseum. We KNOW you hate VCM. And we KNOW you think VCM is pretty cool.
Please come back when you have some new facts or developments to share with the group! Okay?
Speaking of new facts....Honda first introduced VCM back in 2003 when it was available on the JDM Honda Inspire. So the system now has 5 years of history and a lot of testing and real world mileage. As much as we want to call it new technology, it has been around the block as far as Honda is concerned. There is even a Wikipedia entry for Honda Variable Cylinder Management....
In addition to low fuel consumption, the VCM engine also reduces exhaust emissions, helping meet govt Ultra-Low Emissions and 2010 fuel consumption standards, making it eligible for preferential 'Green Tax' treatment. The engine achieves this by combining high-density catalytic converters located directly below each cylinder head for further improved exhaust gas processing at low engine temperatures with better air/fuel ratio control.
VCM continuously analyzes throttle opening, vehicle speed, engine speed, and gearing to determine that the car is cruising, and then idles the intake and exhaust valves of the three cylinders in the rear cylinder bank. With zero valve lift, the cylinders are sealed, and no fuel is injected. Pumping losses are thus reduced by as much as 65% and low fuel consumption is realized.
When operating in 3-cylinder mode, engine vibration is reduced by extrapolating vibration from the change in crankshaft rotation speed and sending the information to the 'active control' engine mount, which compresses/extends an actuator in same-phase, same-period motion to dampen the engine mount. Similarly, a speaker creates an opposite phase sound or 'active noise control', to provide a cancelling effect, for a quieter interior which leaves the driver unaware of changes in cylinder activation.
It seems to me that if a driver learns to pay close attention (and is also aided by the ECO light), he/she can certainly tell when cylinder (de)activation occurs. It's more than likely that any excessive vibrations are indeed a malfunction in the particular unit, rather than a broad design defect as some have suggested.
For those having issues, please continue to work with your Honda dealer, and let us know if you get any satisfaction or resolution.
Tastes Great! (LOL)
On a side note - why would ANY SALESPERSON who is worth half a cent, or any person affiliated with Honda for that matter, come here and say there are problems with the VCM??????
So why does the Honda Accord brochure state that the system is "seamless", and that the transition from one mode to the other is "unnoticeable to the Accord's passengers"?
Why is it that if people post that they are having problems with their Accord that others than feel compelled to attack them? You should just be glad that you Accord is functioning properly. Do you think that we want our cars to have a problem?
The more I drive my car the more I love it. Its color of metal polished looks so shiny and attractive. It is the true top Accord V6 EX-L. The more I look at it the more I like it.
I, for one, would not want to generalize the sincerity or honesty of any profession, be it a dealership or my profession or yours. Granted there are all types of people out there, but I wouldn't think they are all evil. Your 2001 car is just one experience. I too do have several bad experiences with car dealers. But come to think of it, I have good experiences with them too. All I am saying is some of the posts here are more geared towards bashing Honda (and promoting Malibu or Camry) than trying to resolve the issue. You can not find in any of my posts any indication that I remotely have doubted anyone having a VCM problem, I am just questioning the motives of some posters and the strategy taken by others who report having problems in trying to resolve the issue.
In your post you also said: "....I have seen many people take their Honda back to the dealer for various reason's and get the standard dealer line "I can't find anything wrong". The dealers are worthless...." I think comments like that just take the objectivity out of your comments.
Don't think so. I have.
The most frustrating thing is to have a customer come in complaining of a problem that the shop can't duplicate. We drive the cars sometimes with the customer along listening for
the rattle, squeak of transmission noise only to find nothing wrong!
" The dealers are worthless"
Yes, you just lost your credability.
There are tons of new exciting things in new Hondas. Buy a top Honda and you get many things that are highly competitive with other makes of same class. Honda offers excellently top notched engineering. Honda automobiles are true pieces of sophisticated engineering and also fine pieces of art. Everything in a Honda is well thought out, balanced, in perpective, appealing and functional. I have been driving Honda motorcyles and cars for over 43 years. I feel more comfortable driving a Honda than driving another piece of crap that looks like a "big box but no soul".
In short, if Honda cannot compete it will be ousted out the car manufacturers market tomorrow just like GM with 42 billion dollars loss last year inside struggling Big 3. Honda still makes good profit. Bravo Honda's smartest engineers, management and salemen including ISELLHONDAS. Let me give Isellhondas a warm hug and a kiss on his cheeks. I heard Saturn is going to put Honda engines inside their "boxes" to build new Saturns soon.
Its a drag, and a dissapointing concern with some V6 accords. again for those that are not having issues perhaps start you own forum about how much you love it.. those of us that dont and continue to have problems will continue to post here and everywhere to educate prospective buyers to be cautious and to share experiences and ideas to resolve.
Sorry, but Honda took a terrific smooth running V6 accord and (in my opinion) added tons of great features , bells and whistles but missed the boat with the engine 6 accords prior and every single one of them was smooth and basically service free with the exception of regular maint. This car (as well as others) has been in the shop almost constantly since November with no fix identified yet.
As a potential buyer I see there are problems - I do not want to play Russian Roulette buying a car hoping I get the empty cylinder and a good car, versus the full cylinder and a :lemon: Please come up with a solution Honda!
I spoke with a co-worker today who recently bought an 08 Accord sedan with the V6 engine. She loves the car and was not aware of any issues with the VCM. In fact, she had no clue what VCM was! The only issue she told me about was a malfunctioning rear passenger door lock, which was promptly fixed by her dealer.
To those with VCM problems, my best wishes for a quick solution.
If there's a new reader, when they click on the thread, they'll be automatically directed to post #1, based on my experiences with other new forums I've tried out today for this purpose. The new readers and posters will then have a few useful posts, and a whole lot of redundant ones if this keeps up.
Status updates are always welcome, assuming the drivers have been making progress (or attempting to) to get Honda working on their problem. If its just another post to say "my car is still not operating properly, but I've done nothing about it" that doesn't really help do anything but drive people off the board.
Unbelievable - Documented ownership of Hondas for years by many of these people and you call their veracity into question. This from a Honda salesman?! Encouraging I am sure to these owners. Guess that is typical of the type of response they are getting, or can expect to get, from their dealerships. Very sad.
Why post? Because the title of the forum is Honda Accord VCM. It is not called "Problems with VCM." If a reader came here seeing nothing but problems from a thread, they'd think every car had problems. Obviously, they don't.
If a forum titled "Honda Accord Automatic Transmission" had nothing but transmission problems listed, that'd be really one-sided. VCM has to do with performance, mileage, and how well the VCM is integrated into the car.
I for one wish MORE posters would post about their mileage in here, so people interested in VCM equipped Accords could get an idea of what to expect.
I feel like the Honda bashers are looking for therapy that the Honda lovers are quite happy to provide, albeit neither side knows that they are doing that.
For anyone new to this thread, here is the synopsis so you don't post and ask the same question which will yield the same answers, ah never mind, just back up to the day this thread started and you will answer your own questions.
Unless there is something new to report, please don't.
Sometimes, with excessive stuff to read through, people will just skip it.
And the question always nags...is this from a disgruntled ex employee or from someone selling a competing brand?
Honda has repeatedly stated to several of us that have escalated this issue up that this is a KNOWN issue with VCM that it is NOT seamless and can and will be felt by drivers. So how can Honda state "seamless and unnoticed" yet field personnel and customer relations state the opposite. Somewhere along the line, the communications train left the tracks. If it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck.......
We just want Honda to be honest and forthright in thier marketing of this car and tell the services depts that this exsists as an objectionable issue for some owners. be straight up is all they need to do. In my case they continue to state "there is no fix" for the issue. so the more people we educate the more will report problems the faster Honda will "fix" those that were 1st gen or all....
Rodi
Lets get real. this forum on edmunds is not the place to invoke that strategy with any sense of accomplishment, I am sure.
I would suggest you change the title to "Problems w/ 08 Honda Accord VCM". to your point several time to us, this would make the most sense and keep the dialog on track.
Thanks Graduate.
I recently bought an 08 Accord Coupe EX-L V6.
I came here to try and understand what was going on with all of the VCM talk.
After driving a tad over 500miles I'm starting to feel that the issue isn't so much the VCM, but more so the Grade Logic part of the Automatic Transmission.
When I'm on a flat stretch of road I won't feel the car "jump" or "stutter" when the ECO light goes on or off... however when I'm going down a hill as soon as i left off the gas it'll kind of jump a litte, but it's due to going downhill and the AT Transmission doing it's thing to slowly make the car slow down. Vice versa with going uphill...
I think this issue is a good one, but I don't think it's going to stop people from getting the V6 becuase it's not noticeable unless you are driving the car. Have someone else drive and you'll never notice it even if you are looking for it. I can understand how it's affecting some people, but it's not something that hampers the expierence.
When it's in ECO and I put my foot on the gas there's only a slight lag before the engire power kicks in. It's not as bad as some people have mentioned.
I drove both the V4 and the V6. I was aware of the VCM concerns, but after driving both the power from the V6 won me over. The 4 isn't bad by any means. I'm more than able to deal with the hicup here and there for the extra power.
I will admit that if you have owned or have driven a Honda before you might feel like this isn't up to par with what they've put out in the past.
I have a feeling that us First Gen owners will end up with a solution by the end of the year if not next. It might be telling the system to only got into 4cyl mode and forget going to 3cyl... or it might be some other kind of fix... it might be make the "grade logic" not so touchy.
The VCM would not prevent me from getting this model again.
But above ALL, it is not about other posters!! If you don't believe someone, fine, go read something else. Accusations about posters' motivations are not welcome here and will not be tolerated from this point forward.
As in every discussion throughout the CarSpace Forums, we trust our members to be able to sort out the wheat from the chaff. They (you) do not need to be beaten over the head in order to figure out what's on the up and up and what may not be.
If you want to address your experience with the VCM feature of the 08 Accord (not the Odyssey or any other vehicle, I don't care if you say it is the same thing), your post is welcome here.
If you want to discuss anything else at all, please find an appropriate discussion in the Accord group.
And while I'm on my soapbox
Anyway... back to the topic, and only the topic, please.
I'm as curious as anyone else and since I have (not yet anyway) experienced this myself I'm just puzzled as to what is going on.
Hopefully, these forums may help get to the bottom of this. Honda doesn't take things like this lightly.
VCM may be the least of your concerns.
sunnfunn says that Honda is reporting that there is no VCM issue and it's a tire/rotor problem.
Something is amiss here. Honda is either doling out bipolar advice, your distinctive issues are not related to each other, or your cars are clearly unique and unqualified lemons that should be addressed on an individual basis by Honda's highest levels. We can feel your frustrations but please know that your experiences appear to be in the extreme and not representative of those of us who can feel VCM (including me) as a very subtle quiver or resonance, and those of us who can't feel VCM to the slightest degree.
I wish you the best. Please keep us posted on what happens with your Accord and how Honda reponds to your plights. Having your glasses fly off due to the vibration is not cool whatsover. You may want to get the entire suspension checked out.
Again, unless Honda comes out with a TSB to "fix" any issues with VCM, it's all anecdotal,i.e., I can say that my Accord VCM is operating as smooth as glass while others will say, "you're a hondaphile and you're lucky, etc. blah,blah" or vice versa. For those of you who are having problems, the best recourse is to bring your car to the dealer and update us with your resolution, if any. It's the best thing you can do for your car as well as for us who "truly" own this 8th Gen. Accord.
The sky is not falling...