To help with the data collection here is my info.... V6 EXL, build date 8/07. engine and tranny from US, built in Marysville, No problem detected so far.
You have repeatedly written "Honda has already stated to my wife and me that this is a VCM issue" or similar comments. Please clarify your statements.
Do you mean that one or more individuals on the staff in the Service department at your local dealership has said that it is a VCM issue? Or do you mean that you have some formal written statement of confirmation from American Honda Motor Corporation headquarters?
Wow, based on your previous posts that means you only had the car for only a week or so. I think you should be able to get the dealer to give you a different car, unless they have a problem with the 800 + miles you put on it during that time, but that shouldn't be a show stopper. It is a very long time to have your car in the shop the week after you buy it.
The dealership has been very professional as they work through this problem with me. As I mentioned before, they did provide me with a new Accord to use until the problem is identified and rectified. They also offered to replace the car with a new one. It took a long time to get the Diamond White V6 sedan with nav and it will take a long time to find a replacement. We decided to wait until the Honda field specialist can look at the car next Wednesday. I understand he is coming out east from California. If there is a simple solution to the problem (I don't want everything torn apart) then the dealership said they would provide me with an extended warranty. The other option is to request a return of the purchase price under our state's lemon law. I have been reading the concerns others have concerning the VCM system and I am hesitant to go back to a car that has this system.
I purchased a 2006 Accord EX Auto Trans with Nav (top of the line) in March, 2006. Very excited to purchase this new car as I was driving a 20 year old Prelude. Vehicle has only 11,500 km on it now. From day 1 there has been a noise (rattle, something is loose) in the area of the lower section of the front passenger compartment. It sounds like it's outside of the interior compartment. (Could be in the engine compartment, behind the dash, under the vehicle, in the door panel, in the fender area, ??) It only happens for the first 15 minutes or so when the vehicle is cold and only when it's driven over a bump/pot hole/dip/uneven pavement/manhole cover/rough section of the road, etc. Smooth road, no noise. Noise goes away after the vehicle warms up (about 15 min or so). Happens during all seasons, all weather. Have had it in to 3 dealers (Canadian, Vancouver, BC). They have replaced right front strut, lubed the suspension, replaced frt lwr and upper control arms and bushings, used chassis ears to try to pinpoint the noise, took off the glove box and adjusted it along with door panel, lwr cover panels, dash harness, removed the fender panel under hood and separated the rt apron seams apart from each other, replaced right rear shock, reinstalled both sway bar links, lowered front subframe & cleaned and lubed bushings, applied antisize to metal to metal contact points, adjusted exhaust mounts at front of exhaust, loosened and tighted front and rear engine mounts, realigned exhaust so as not to hit the heat sheild, and some other items. They've called Honda Canada TechLine who couldn't help. They've had the regional service manager drive and experience the noise but he couldn't figure it out. They're telling me its not a safety issue and they don't know how to fix it ( if they don't know what it is, how do they know it's not a safety issue?). The dealers have tried, no complaint there but I paid alot of $$ for this new car and it's never been right from day 1. I've kept the original salesman informed from the start so he's aware this has been happening for almost 2 years. No extended warranty so I have a year to get it fixed as it has a 3 year warranty and I won't be anywhere near the warranty km's. I'm at a loss. Any suggestions on what I do now? If they can't fix it, what is my next step?
I've had my 2008 EX/L V6 A/T Coupe now for about 2 weeks. Manufacture 01/08. I too have noticed the VCM problem at about 65-70 MPH. :sick: Looking at all the posts in here and on other Honda Accord forums this seems to be the most common MPH range this phenom happens. It does seem too, as others have suggested here, that with the Cruise Control engaged and with "VCM" system engaged it settles out with the shifting/surge feeling you get when not in cruise Control mode at the stated MPH range. Could this stated correlation bridge a path for the minds at Honda towards a fix for our cars?? What is activated when the car is in CC mode and the "VCM" activated (you have no problems) versus the driver controlling the speed with the "VCM" operating (you have problems) ??? I just wrote Honda Customer Care a two page letter and I took the synopsis of comments of some of the posters experiences in here (without names of course just a synopsis of the body of the conversations) to show a correlation of this "VCM" problem among many owners of the 2008 Honda Accord V6 A/T and I also CC'D the Director of Service at my selling Dealer. We, as a collective group of real world 2008 Honda Accord V-6 A/T owners and drivers, should all write Honda about our problem and also include a copy of that letter to our dealer's service managers back home as well. Allthough it is important to share experiences here, it is more important to act on these experiences and contact Honda and your dealer about the problem. Oh, and I did include a copy from a page in the 2008 Accord Sales Brouchure and highlighted the comment about the "VCM" feature on these cars " The transition between the three operating modes is completely SEEMLESS and goes UNNOTICED by the Accord's passengers." :confuse: Honda, with that statement in their own sales brouchure, cannot come back and state "oh you will feel the 'VCM" kicking in and out and what you are feeling is within operational parameters of the "VCM" system so learn to live with it." I love this new Accord Coupe myself and I get a lot of positive comments about the car so I hope they work something out and get a TSB or something going on these cars that are having problems. Mine does not act up yet as bad as some have stated in here with vibrations or while traveling at lower speeds than 65-70 MPH , but the problem is there and it does get annoying at times traveling down the highway. I will keep you posted if I hear anything or receive any correspondence or contact from Honda or my dealer concerning this "VCM" situation. To all those owners of these cars that have no problem at all with the "VCM" feature I am glad for your situation so enjoy that Accord as I am totally trying to do so myself. Hopefully we will get this glitch worked out for the better and I can focus more on getting that sexy under body spoiler kit for my "baby" ---- "Nighthawk Black Pearl on Black Leather Coupe
I had just copied this to post here when i came back to the forum and saw your post!
The Accord Sedan’s V-6 features the latest generation of Variable Cylinder Management™ (VCM®) technology. This system can activate and deactivate the engine’s cylinders as needed to meet the demands of both acceleration and fuel savings. When maximum torque is required, all six cylinders are firing. During steady cruising speeds , VCM shuts down one bank of cylinders. In this mode, the audio system’s Active Noise Cancellation™ (ANC) function generates out-of-phase sound waves to cancel out any undesirable noise that may be due to the harmonics of 3-cylinder operation. As cruising speed increases the engine moves to a 4-cylinder mode for extra cruising power. To help keep engine vibration from reaching the cabin in every mode, active engine mounts automatically adjust their firmness to help absorb energy. The transition between the three operating modes is completely seamless and goes unnoticed by the Accord’s passengers.
This is misleading advertising and you are right it will take many owners to write to Honda. I remain steadfast that this problem is maddening.
Can you share where you addressed your letter to/whom?
Honda Automobile Customer Service stands ready to answer questions and address concerns with your U.S. Honda vehicle:
American Honda Motor Co., Inc. Honda Automobile Customer Service Mail Stop 500-2N-7A 1919 Torrance Blvd. Torrance, CA 90501-2746
This address was on the Honda Owner Link that they provided to contact them by mail with any of your vehicle concerns. I would write them before I would just call them as this "puts it in writing" so to speak.
Of course they recommend you contact your dealer first, but I think that is the best recourse with this "VCM" problem to contact Honda as well as this problem will have to have their input obviously and one will fuel the other into action and vice versa I hope to create an urgency of action to try and come up with possible solutions in-house for Honda's engineers and techs and out in the field with our vehicles with us working with the dealers. They probably have already started, but since I am a newbee to this I am personally not in the know just yet if they have or haven't already been working on a solution. I am certain the area Honda Reps would be involved as well with us. Maybe I am being too upbeat here, but hopefully there will be action and I am acting like it will be at this juncture especially if we all raise our voices about the "VCM" problem to Honda they will have enough background information to run diagnostics and trials on a solution. Just us sharing information amongst ourselves here has already shown me correlations about this problem at certain MPH and whether Cruise Control is on or off and "VCM" activated etc. So get to writing those letters and remember to include your VIN of course and contact address and Ph #'s for Honda to get back to you. This is not the time to be bashful. LOL
I have had the regional rep run my car multiple times with the service managers and techs and all along they said something was not right. I also had the Techline folks have some field people look at with my dealer (I think) while it was in the shop and they agreed it was doing what I said it was. I opened a case with Honda and have spoken to the rep, they say this "IS a VCM issue" and they "hope" or "have to believe" that engineering is doing something about it.. no warm and fuzzies from us at all. I have been at this for months so if you get different results lets me and the others know and through who. Perhaps letters to Consumer Reports and other media outlets that conducted reviews to re-evaluate the vehicle for this is warranted as well.
Thanks for sharing this info on your experience it is very helpful and I agree if people do not demand a solution here nothing will be done. The VCM and Vibration issues are ludicrous for a Honda Accord @ $30,000
Try posting this in the 2003-2007 Honda Accord Maintenance and Repair forum. This is a forum dedicated to 2008 Honda Accords equipped with the V6 engine and VCM.
I'd help you, but I don't know how to my friend! Im sorry.
Donegal Your dealer has given you a loaner to drive while you wait for resolution of the problem. Is the loaner a V6.? If so have you seen any evidence of the VCM problem with the loaner?
Has anyone noticed a degradation of the VCM performance over time? I purchased my EXL-V6 in early Nov 2007 and now have about 6000 miles. Early on, I noticed just a slight surging/pulsation feeling, especially in the 50 mph range. As time goes by, I am very concerned that the surging/ pulsing is getting much worse, particularly in the 50 mph range (presumably 3 vs 4 cyclinder mode) but also on the highway - 65 mph and presumably 4 vs. 6 cylinder mode. What would cause this performance to worsen over time? I have not yet been to the dealer but am very concerned that this 3-4-6 mode VCM is not ready for prime time, particularly since so much of our drive time is spent between 50 - 70 mph.
YES~!.. I have had the same issues that the others are having as well as you. The surging and vibration started day one and it has become worse. It's very active now at varying speeds but especially at the 50MPH+ range. This is a growing problem with some 08 V6 Accords. You need to take it to your dealer and get your concerns documented asap, also you need to write to Honda of America (address below) and open a case. I would also call them asap as well at 800-999-1009:
American Honda Motor Co., Inc. Honda Automobile Customer Service Mail Stop 500-2N-7A 1919 Torrance Blvd. Torrance, CA 90501-2746
You may want to share with the dealer all the other in this forum as well as some of the others online that are sharing this issue so that you gain some credibility day one.. Don't delay this as your issues are not going to get better. This is a known concern by Honda related to the VCM,, you need to get in line now rather than wait my friend. I am afraid the swell is growing and honda probably needs to buckle in here................
This weekend my car developed a "thumming"vibration that you reallly notice at highway speeds. Also degradation of VCM - not so much that as it will be wear on the engine mounts that control the 3 and 4 cylinder operating mode vibrations. The engine, operating in these modes is out of harmonic balance, as I have alluded to in earlier posts- it has to "handled" somehow - Honda uses special engine mounts to absorb the vibrations - when they wear - it is only natural that you will feel it more.
If you ask me this is an engineering disaster and we'll all get new computer chips that will shut this thing off for good.
VCM was just a bad idea. Running 1 bank of cylinders on a 2 bank motor just can't be as smooth as running both banks. Smoothness is very important to Honda car buffs.
Lets hope they implement something that simple and they do it fast!!!!!!!!!
Phantom, Are you feeling the vibration more when you think you are in 3cyl? I feel it more when it seems the car is on 3 only but def feel it in 4 as well. Would you agree that when driving on 6 "no ECO" light on, the car runs great, fast, smooth etc? I will tip my hat here and say I do! Also, what is the dealer telling you and what have you heard from Honda Customer Relations on your concerns? They (Honda) keeps telling us that they are aware of the issue and it is with the VCM, that its a new design and to sit tight.. Of course we are very nervous to "sit tight" not really knowing if Honda will get this to go away or not, meanwhile we keep driving the car (have no choice), adding miles and becoming more and more concerned about our ability to get out of this mess if Honda gives us the stiff arm later. Anybody have any advice? based on the lemon laws in my state the car has to have been in for service for the same issue a minimum of 3 times within a 12 month period with no resolution. Our car has been in the dealership 6 times one of which they kept the car for almost 2 weeks before I asked to have it back. I hear pursuing the Lemon Law statute is costly and a nightmare.. most owners get the short end of the stick in the end.. would appreciate anyones thoughts here. The more I log onto this forum and see new posters with the same issue the more worried I become. Honda really messed up here. This design seems to becoming a major mistake in my opinion.. nightmare is right.
I believe in CA the Lemon Law requires that the car be in the dealership for 30 days in one of those 3 incidents you mention. When I bought my V6a couple of months ago (1600 miles on it now) I wanted to protect myself with all the new technology that was implemented in the 08 Accord so I bought the Honda Care for 120k mi for $995 (online price matched by dealer). Under the circumstances, eventhough that is money out of your pocket it might be worthwhile to protect yourself buy buying it now (hopefully you have not reached the exact 6000 miles on the car, if it is close I would buy it now I think you have 2 months to think it over and return if you decide you don't need it).
I have agreed 99.99% with Parviz, my "buddy" of "08 V6 EX-L w/ navi. Below is something extra for your enjoyment in weekend I picked from another Accord forum.
Accord comes in 1st place in Car and Driver 7 way shootout From the March issue
1. Accord EX 2. Altima 2.5s 3. Malibu LT 4. '09 Sonata Limited 5. Camry LE 6. Fusion SEL 7. Dodge Avenger SXT
All the cars were four cylinder models.
"Highs: Telepathic interplay among chassis, engine and transmission."
"Lows: Needlessly complex center stack, could use more steering feel."
"The Verdict: Another Accord? We've pretty much run out of nice things to say."
The biggest surprise for me was the braking. I can't remember an Accord ever cracking in the 170 foot range for 70-0 let alone be in the 160 foot range. It was also fastest in the slalom.
2/3/08 NY Times - Honda issued TSB 07-059 on 10/26 for 2006-2007 Accord Hydrids (VCM engines) for excessive vibration. Problem - error in the engine control current management unit - did they mean ECM module? Did it carry over into the 2008 model year despite the hybrid being discontinued and of course different from 2008 V-6?
I have not had the car back to the dealer for the problem yet. Yes - vibration most noticeable in ECO mode - impossible to tell whether 4 or 3 cylinders.
Very frustrating - car is beautiful Polished Metal w/black interior - black is much darker than it shows in any photos I have seen.
Do you have a link or URL for this NY Times article/post for us? something transferred thats for sure into the 08 because my car is a vibration nightmare. When you add that to the constant surging and lurching for the VCM it makes for an unenjoyable ride on the highway or long trips. BIG BUMMER :lemon: :sick:
Btw the dealer gave me a 4cyl as well as a loaner. I realize this is due to the cost of loaners but considering the circumstances, I could not convince them to give me a V6 for an extended period of time no matter what... perhaps by design?
My issue isn't so much vibration; instead its a sense of lurching and a palpable shudder as the ECO mode goes through its gyrations - worst is around 50 mph but also somewhat noticeable at higher highway speeds. Do you think this would be related to wearing engine mounts as early as 6,000 miles? To me it feels more like a controls issue - for some reason the control seems more "hair-trigger" as time goes by and seems to do more searching that it did when the car was brand new. What would explain this?
I'm averaging just under 24 mpg in a drive pattern that is more weighted towards highways. I agree with the others that its amazing that Honda would risk its engineering reputation to chase 1-2 mpg.
This is my third Accord recently, also 03 and 05 V6. Thought the new shape and look along with added features would be nice. Give me back my 05-V6. Highway mileage is not as good even with the VCM and more importantly, the VCM function is annoying. At highway speed (110km/hr) the car lurches and hunts as many have discussed. Interestingly, I stopped by my dealership today and mentioned it and they said they would look into it. Shouldn't have to look far as apparently everyone is feeling the same sensation. Likely the car is 'stuck' between 3 and 4 cylinder mode and the constant hunting in intolerable. Flat road, speed control on and is still hunts constantly. My regular passenger (spouse) starts to get motion sickness from the sensation. If they can't fix it can they atleast turn if off and give us some kind of compensation for the mileage?
As I've indicated on previous posts I have no symptoms of the VCM problem on my 2008 V-6, However I've been following the posts on this subject because I might be next. I've found an internet site which explains in some detail the interaction of the various control systems.needed to make VCM work. When it works, it's a great piece of engineering. When it doesn't work I can see that it would be extremely difficult to pinpoint the failed components. Hope the link works
Thanks for the link. It just proves how complicated this is and how many things can go wrong. I wonder if the Honda Extended warranty covers the VCM? This is a disaster waiting to happen. And for me personally, I don't get I4 MPG in my V6 sedan. And it's not seemless, no matter how "sensitive" you are as a driver.
I own a 2005 accord hybrid and for the most part have only good things to say. My biggest problem has been this mysterious vibration that began a year ago and reoccurs most, but not all the time, every jump up 20mph (15, 35, 55...) I have discussed it with the honda service people every time the car's been in for maintenance, only to be told they don't know what I could be talking about. the last time I was charged for the time the serviceman drove it around trying to duplicate the problem. Today I called and referred to the bulletin by number as seen in the NYTimes, all I got was attitude from the first person and an overly sensitive manager who refused to believe I was not properly taken care of, and that I should come back again to have someone drive the car- at no charge only if they can duplicate the vibration. I even changed all four tires thinking it would help- it didn't and in fact lowered my gas mileage since I didn't know "special" tires that cost twice as much were required for optimal gas usage. I was disappointed when honda first remodeled and then discontinued the car, since I love the way my car looks and drives -in between vibrations. I drive over 600 miles a week so this is not something that I can easily overlook. I thought the service dept. just had a problem dealing with me because I am a woman and know more than most about my car, but after today's call I think it is a Honda problem they hope will go away.
You have to read the article. The author is crazy. Here is the quote:
The key benefits are fuel savings and lower emissions. Customers from America report that their V6-powered Accords achieve four-cylinder-like fuel consumption.
I have not heard of anybody, including myself, getting I4 MPG with the V6. Sounds like a lot if kissing up by the author.
I have posted before in here about making sure owners have contacted Honda directly at the address I gave in here. I just talked with my Service Manager at my dealership after my complaint letter to Honda went out and I also cc'd him in on the letter about the VCM problem we are having and he stated that the Area Honda Rep for my area happened to be in his office and this rep immediately called Honda Engineering and Techinical Assistance and Honda stated to him that they have no record of this VCM problem at Honda. The manager even stated to me that the area rep even went on a forum that only Honda Area Reps have access to and they cannot find anyone complaining about the VCM feature on 2008 Accords V6 A/T from other area honda reps. This news Concerns me greatly needless to say. I HOPE ALL YOU OWNERS ARE CONTACTING HONDA AND YOUR DEALER NOT JUST SPEAKING ABOUT YOUR CONCERNS IN HERE. YOU ARE SHOOTING ME IN THE FOOT AND YOURSELVES IF YOU ARE NOT. Now if you have been contacting them you know now they are now covering up this VCM problem. Let me know if you have contacted Honda directly and when you contacted them. I will let my dealer know that owners have been contacting Honda and someone in Honda is full of it. Honda received my VCM complaint letter on February 4, 2008 on my vehicle. You have got to let your dealer know about this VCM problem and notify Honda of the same or you and I will just have to live with this VCM problem because you didn't speak up. Thanks
Be aware I just got off the phone with Honda Customer Care (800) 999-1009 and the person on that line states she has never heard of this VCM problem. Be aware too that Honda probably will not tell you that other owners have complained to them about the VCM problem. I could not get a straight answer from her on the phone. She stated that all calls like mine go to the Engineering Dept and that they do not converse with the public at all. It might boil down to all of us sharing our Honda Case #'s with each other so we can tell our dealers and Honda that my problem is like case # this and case # that so they can see that we have evidence that more than just one owner is complaining about this VCM issue with Honda and there are a multitude of us and we in fact know that there is a VCM problem with 2008 Accord V6 A/T. Make sure when you call or have any contact with Honda that you state "VCM Problem" to them and that of course they assign you a case # to keep up with. She stated to me that a Honda rep would call me in one to two business days. I will let you know what happens.
Sorry for all the posts, but as I get info I want to share it with you. The Area Regional Manager for Honda over three states just called me and we talked about the VCM problem. He stated that they do monitor online forums which is interesting. He stated that they will take my info and keep in touch about this problem. So I feel a little better about the situation for now.
The best thing I can tell anyone in here that is having a VCM problem is to please call 800-999-1009 which is the number for Honda. Tell them you think you have a VCM problem and explain it to them in simple terms. You are talking to a note taker at this point only so don't go off on them etc just let them know you are very concerned about your new car. They will assign you a Honda Case # . Definitely get a number before you hang up. Let me also say to all of you who have taken your vehicle in to the dealer the area rep manager for Honda for my three state area told me that some dealerships do not share what they are working on with Honda. So if you never received a Honda Case # don't assume what your dealer and more specifically your problem is being heard by Honda even though the dealer is shall we say working on your problem. I can tell you that no more than 30 minutes went by after I called the 800 # that my area rep manager who works out of California who is over three states was calling me back. You need to have a Honda Case # this is a must for all of our sakes I can't stress this enough to you. Even to those of you who have been working with a dealer already if your dealer has not opened a case # and you know this because you have your number written down you need to do it yourself then you can tell Honda that such and such dealer is working on the problem and that way Honda can now keep up with your problem in your area because of course the US is split into regions for Honda as far as owner concerns such as our VCM Problem we are having. So if you don't currently have a case # then your hurting yourself and everyone else in here so a Honda Case # is key. Please do this as soon as possible and it is not hard I promise. As you will note from my previous posts I also wrote Honda a letter about the VCM Problem. If you live in North Carolina, South Carolina, or Missouri he is the manager for those states and he did give me extension number for him directly. But of course he doesnt keep up with other states as you would need your own area rep for your state. Your area rep for your state, I would hope, would call you as well and give you an extension number to reach them when you get a case # assigned from Honda. So yes it is worth your time to call Honda as you will have an actual human to talk to through the process and especially if you feel your dealer is blowing you off or things are not working out to your satisfaction. These Managers oversee the area reps which in South Carolina where I live I have two area reps in this state. So get your Honda Case # please for all our sakes. My vehicle is scheduled to go in to be looked at on the 18th of this month and if they find anything then I will let you know of course. I will of course also call the Area Honda Manager if they find anything for him to desiminate to his colleagues and this is the beauty of having a direct line to a Honda Area Manager.
If they monitor on line forums, how could they miss this. Also, I would think someone at Honda reads the Wall Street Journal and would have noticed the article a couple of weeks ago. I don't currently own a new accord, but wanted to replace my current car with an 09 accord and have been following this VCM issue and have been driving Hondas and acuras since 1981.
HOGWASH......... I have letters, calls case etc to Honda dating back to Oct. mutliple complaints as well as discusions with Honda telling me there are "aware of the issue"
I agree. I don't have the VCM problem but if the service department has not received a TSB from Honda on this issue, I would not want the local techs "experimenting" on my car. I would just make my issue documented and let Honda come up with a solution.
Since your VCM problem has been going on now for about 4 months has anyone had their hands on your car yet looking at this problem? Any error codes stored or anything like that at all? Have they stated what they think it is or are they telling you we are working up a solution in Tech/Engineering we will get back to you?
Comments
V6 EXL, build date 8/07. engine and tranny from US, built in Marysville,
No problem detected so far.
You have repeatedly written "Honda has already stated to my wife and me that this is a VCM issue" or similar comments. Please clarify your statements.
Do you mean that one or more individuals on the staff in the Service department at your local dealership has said that it is a VCM issue? Or do you mean that you have some formal written statement of confirmation from American Honda Motor Corporation headquarters?
The car has been at the dealership since Dec. 31 so I am not able at this time to provide that information.
The dealership has been very professional as they work through this problem with me. As I mentioned before, they did provide me with a new Accord to use until the problem is identified and rectified. They also offered to replace the car with a new one. It took a long time to get the Diamond White V6 sedan with nav and it will take a long time to find a replacement. We decided to wait until the Honda field specialist can look at the car next Wednesday. I understand he is coming out east from California. If there is a simple solution to the problem (I don't want everything torn apart) then the dealership said they would provide me with an extended warranty. The other option is to request a return of the purchase price under our state's lemon law. I have been reading the concerns others have concerning the VCM system and I am hesitant to go back to a car that has this system.
The warranty offer was made by the general manager of the dealership.
The Accord Sedan’s V-6 features the latest generation of Variable Cylinder Management™ (VCM®) technology. This system can activate and deactivate the engine’s cylinders as needed to meet the demands of both acceleration and fuel savings. When maximum torque is required, all six cylinders are firing. During steady cruising speeds , VCM shuts down one bank of cylinders. In this mode, the audio system’s Active Noise Cancellation™ (ANC) function generates out-of-phase sound waves to cancel out any undesirable noise that may be due to the harmonics of 3-cylinder operation. As cruising speed increases the engine moves to a 4-cylinder mode for extra cruising power. To help keep engine vibration from reaching the cabin in every mode, active engine mounts automatically adjust their firmness to help absorb energy. The transition between the three operating modes is completely seamless and goes unnoticed by the Accord’s passengers.
This is misleading advertising and you are right it will take many owners to write to Honda. I remain steadfast that this problem is maddening.
Can you share where you addressed your letter to/whom?
Golf-
American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
Honda Automobile Customer Service
Mail Stop 500-2N-7A
1919 Torrance Blvd.
Torrance, CA 90501-2746
This address was on the Honda Owner Link that they provided to contact them by mail with any of your vehicle concerns. I would write them before I would just call them as this "puts it in writing" so to speak.
Of course they recommend you contact your dealer first, but I think that is the best recourse with this "VCM" problem to contact Honda as well as this problem will have to have their input obviously and one will fuel the other into action and vice versa I hope to create an urgency of action to try and come up with possible solutions in-house for Honda's engineers and techs and out in the field with our vehicles with us working with the dealers. They probably have already started, but since I am a newbee to this I am personally not in the know just yet if they have or haven't already been working on a solution. I am certain the area Honda Reps would be involved as well with us. Maybe I am being too upbeat here, but hopefully there will be action and I am acting like it will be at this juncture especially if we all raise our voices about the "VCM" problem to Honda they will have enough background information to run diagnostics and trials on a solution. Just us sharing information amongst ourselves here has already shown me correlations about this problem at certain MPH and whether Cruise Control is on or off and "VCM" activated etc. So get to writing those letters and remember to include your VIN of course and contact address and Ph #'s for Honda to get back to you. This is not the time to be bashful. LOL
I have had the regional rep run my car multiple times with the service managers and techs and all along they said something was not right. I also had the Techline folks have some field people look at with my dealer (I think) while it was in the shop and they agreed it was doing what I said it was. I opened a case with Honda and have spoken to the rep, they say this "IS a VCM issue" and they "hope" or "have to believe" that engineering is doing something about it.. no warm and fuzzies from us at all. I have been at this for months so if you get different results lets me and the others know and through who. Perhaps letters to Consumer Reports and other media outlets that conducted reviews to re-evaluate the vehicle for this is warranted as well.
Thanks for sharing this info on your experience it is very helpful and I agree if people do not demand a solution here nothing will be done. The VCM and Vibration issues are ludicrous for a Honda Accord @ $30,000
Golf-
I'd help you, but I don't know how to my friend! Im sorry.
Best of luck,
Thegrad
Your dealer has given you a loaner to drive while you wait for resolution of the problem.
Is the loaner a V6.? If so have you seen any evidence of the VCM problem with the loaner?
American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
Honda Automobile Customer Service
Mail Stop 500-2N-7A
1919 Torrance Blvd.
Torrance, CA 90501-2746
You may want to share with the dealer all the other in this forum as well as some of the others online that are sharing this issue so that you gain some credibility day one.. Don't delay this as your issues are not going to get better. This is a known concern by Honda related to the VCM,, you need to get in line now rather than wait my friend. I am afraid the swell is growing and honda probably needs to buckle in here................
If you ask me this is an engineering disaster and we'll all get new computer chips that will shut this thing off for good.
Phantom, Are you feeling the vibration more when you think you are in 3cyl? I feel it more when it seems the car is on 3 only but def feel it in 4 as well. Would you agree that when driving on 6 "no ECO" light on, the car runs great, fast, smooth etc? I will tip my hat here and say I do! Also, what is the dealer telling you and what have you heard from Honda Customer Relations on your concerns? They (Honda) keeps telling us that they are aware of the issue and it is with the VCM, that its a new design and to sit tight.. Of course we are very nervous to "sit tight" not really knowing if Honda will get this to go away or not, meanwhile we keep driving the car (have no choice), adding miles and becoming more and more concerned about our ability to get out of this mess if Honda gives us the stiff arm later. Anybody have any advice? based on the lemon laws in my state the car has to have been in for service for the same issue a minimum of 3 times within a 12 month period with no resolution. Our car has been in the dealership 6 times one of which they kept the car for almost 2 weeks before I asked to have it back. I hear pursuing the Lemon Law statute is costly and a nightmare.. most owners get the short end of the stick in the end.. would appreciate anyones thoughts here. The more I log onto this forum and see new posters with the same issue the more worried I become. Honda really messed up here. This design seems to becoming a major mistake in my opinion.. nightmare is right.
No, it is a 4 cylinder.
Accord comes in 1st place in Car and Driver 7 way shootout
From the March issue
1. Accord EX
2. Altima 2.5s
3. Malibu LT
4. '09 Sonata Limited
5. Camry LE
6. Fusion SEL
7. Dodge Avenger SXT
All the cars were four cylinder models.
"Highs: Telepathic interplay among chassis, engine and transmission."
"Lows: Needlessly complex center stack, could use more steering feel."
"The Verdict: Another Accord? We've pretty much run out of nice things to say."
Performance #'s
0-60: 8.2
1/4: 16.4 @ 86mph
Rolling 5-60: 8.7
Skidpad .81g
Braking 70-0: 169 feet
The biggest surprise for me was the braking. I can't remember an Accord ever cracking in the 170 foot range for 70-0 let alone be in the 160 foot range. It was also fastest in the slalom.
I have not had the car back to the dealer for the problem yet. Yes - vibration most noticeable in ECO mode - impossible to tell whether 4 or 3 cylinders.
Very frustrating - car is beautiful Polished Metal w/black interior - black is much darker than it shows in any photos I have seen.
I'm averaging just under 24 mpg in a drive pattern that is more weighted towards highways. I agree with the others that its amazing that Honda would risk its engineering reputation to chase 1-2 mpg.
However I've been following the posts on this subject because I might be next.
I've found an internet site which explains in some detail the interaction of the
various control systems.needed to make VCM work.
When it works, it's a great piece of engineering.
When it doesn't work I can see that it would be extremely difficult to pinpoint
the failed components.
Hope the link works
http://autoweb.com.au/cms/A_109672/title_Honda-Australia-to-Offer-New-Accord-Wit- h-a-Thirteen-Cylinder-Engine/newsarticle.html
How can you get I4 MPG in your V6? It 's impossible, too unreasonable. V6 MPG is bout 10 - 15% less than I4 MPG.
I also have a '05 accord hybrid. Please contact me at QDOI@yahoo.com for technical discussion regarding the vibration issue with your hybrid. Thanks.
The key benefits are fuel savings and lower emissions. Customers from America report that their V6-powered Accords achieve four-cylinder-like fuel consumption.
I have not heard of anybody, including myself, getting I4 MPG with the V6. Sounds like a lot if kissing up by the author.
Viet
'05 Accord hybrid owner
...honestly, twice on Interstates I've calc'd 39+ (but not the magic 40) on my 6M.
This may be both my first (and last) Honda. IMHO - they're that good!
best, ez
Let's let this discussion concentrate on the 08 Accord's VCM issues and questions.
As mentioned in the first of your two recent posts - Did you receive a report or incident #? and if so, can you share?
Can you tell us more about the second conversation you had with the area rep.
Many thanks.
dont be mislead... stay vigilant.
Golf-