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Thanks
The steering wheel shimmy will be with my 2008 until it's traded or sold. It wasn't worth any more wasted time at the dealer. Repeated road force balances moved the peak of the vibration out of the exact highway speed range I typically cruised when I was chasing this problem. Late last year I relocated again, and am not doing hours (6+) worth of driving at those highway speeds anymore (where it was bugging me the whole way). I just ignore it now for the shorter weekend runs (1+ hour).
This issue was generally considered by most to be a VCM issue, which has it's own large forum here. Postings have died down greatly in the past while, either people got rid of the car, or have likely done what I did for the sake of their sanity.
Other things on the 2008 it went to the dealer for - glovebox rattle (dealer failed, I fixed), leaky ac fitting at the condenser (you start to see road dirt sticking in the oil at the fitting).
I've spent un-told hours of my life in certain car dealerships, having purchased twelve new cars of various makes from 88 - present. Some were truly horrendous, such as the 92 Dodge Dakota that in 8mo/12k miles sent me running to my first foreign purchase (a fondly remembered 92 Accord EX Sedan 5sp in Rosewood Brown Metallic, with the Honda 5 disc cd trunk changer added - put on 52k in two years). Something like ford, dodge, dodge (multiple problem child), honda, honda, chevy (one problem they couldn't fix), ford, ford, bmw (one nagging electrical ill), toyota, subaru, honda.
Unfortunately, my 08, 4-cyl Accord has been the most disappointing car I've ever owned. Among other complaints, it's due for its fourth brake job with 50,000 miles. Yes, I know about the rear brake pads..but that's only one of my problems. I've had all four rotors either machined or replaced 3 times (12k, 24k, 34k). Now, ny Accord needs the front rotors machined again and the back pads and rotors need replaced. I drive 80% highway miles and I'm VERY easy on brakes. This is my 4th Accord and the other three were traded in or sold with 140k+ miles without ever replacing a single pad or machining a single rotor!
With just over 50k, my local dealer is no longer able to provide courtesy warranty work. So, I called Honda Customer Service yesterday in Torrence, California. I was surprised and very dissapointed. Although I finally was assigned a case file and referred to a case manager, the lady I initially talked with was very clearly trained to filter calls and provide a significant block to customers who need help. Without getting into all the details, I explained my case to this lady and, after consulting with her people, she provided a detailed diatribe on why Honda was sorry but couldn't help me. I'm a lawyer...unfortunately for her I was extremely polite, but equally persistent! While I eventually got what I wanted, I was honestly surprised and dissapointed in Honda's apparent approach to customer relations. I know that neither my older parents nor many of my friends would have had the "be a courteous a**hole" skills that it took to get Honda to do something for me. That's not the way things should work with a car that very clearly has a defect and that any honorable car company would do something to fix.
I'll post again when I hear back from the case manager. :confuse:
On another note, my frustrations with Honda continue. I received a call from my case manager last night. She told me that my problems are all solved by the rear brake pad replacement recall. When I told her that I had experienced problems with all four rotors and pads, she said "oh" and told me she would call back next week. Impressive!
Then don't play with them anymore...
rkirchoff - thanks for the advise on the warranty claim!
Grad-- good to hear from you... it's been a while! Unfortunately, until you step up into something much more expensive, I'm not sure any of the manufacturers are any better than Honda. And, my likely replacement vehicle will be an Acura....so I still get to deal with Honda. My hope is that Acura's engineering standard is sufficiently higher to avoid most of the problems that seems to plague my Accord. Really, most of my complaints center around engineering and corner cutting issues...brakes included! BTW Grad, if you have an opinion, I'd love to know what you think of the Acura TSX or TL...and whether you think their price is worth it I'm very seriously considering an upgrade....but don't want to do anything stupid.
The cars in general? I'd prefer the TSX from a styling standpoint, and I'm not sure you really want to know what I think about the TL if you're considering it for purchase.
For the money, Honda needs powertrains that are about ten years more advanced; 5-speed autos and the J-series V6 (still SOHC? I don't honestly know...) are old by modern-car standards. The J is a fine engine, but hitched to that automatic, it's not much quicker than my Sonata; it saps the power and economy is only "decent."
The car asks you to overlook its shortcomings; I can do that when spending $15k-$20k; but at $35k I don't really want to feel like I'm being apologized to when checking out a brand new model.
Just sayin...
I have two potential problems I want to see if anyone has experience with any of them.
1- At low speed there is this high pitched (whine) noise from the engine and perhaps the transmission (I am guessing more from the engine since it does it when stopped too). Although, I have noticed it does not happen all the time.
2- When starting slowly from stop, and moving forward slowly, it feels like a hesitation/vibration at around 30 mph when it seems like it is changing gears (2nd to 3rd, perhaps). Any thought son these two. Thanks.
As you state the transmission is acting weirder than normal for the adaptive automatic, it could be that too.
If you get it diagnosed now, and it is something major, it could be covered under the 5/60 power train warranty.
I'd still worry about it, except that the car has 149,000 miles on it (original clutch, alternator, and starter!) and is starting to develop a little "high mileage personality" in other areas. If that's the worst I have to live with, its not so bad and my hope/plan is to run the car to around 175k and get rid of it sometime mid-next year.
I know this doesn't really help you, and I'm sorry, but I thought you'd want to know that you're not the only one whose had it and/or that it doesn't seem to be something to panic about as you try to figure it out.
With over 5,500 miles on my 2010 I'm not noticing anywhere near the amount of VCM activity that my 08 exhibited. Either their system has a wide range of mfg tolerances resulting in variations in activity being transmitted thru the drive train to the seat of your pants or they have been able to isolate and tame the on again off again surging - pulsing - shifting nature that was present in my 08.
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Oops, that not the speed, it's the vcm vibration making the mirror shake, my bad.
My father taught me that you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.
-FS
At least it was a lot closer than some posts.
So who has some 08+ Accord repair issues??
If it was to the point where you had to add a couple cups worth every month or two, I would be quite concerned. For instance, my mothers 99 Accord V6 developed a cracked head around 70k (never overheated, so not sure why it cracked) - and the first symptom was dis-appearing antifreeze, followed a couple months later by misfiring. Another car (not a Honda) I had experienced a head gasket failure, and there was a very tiny leak down the block when running, but it evaporated on the hot block and was hard to spot.
Your car is still under the 3/36 coverage, maybe you want to have a pressure test / leak check done (they can add a dye to the coolant and use a black light to look for residue after driving it awhile).
This is my 5th and last Honda. Other than litigation I have no recourse, stuck with this pile and my warranty runs out in a year. What can I do?? I'm at a loss and totally disappointed with Honda Corporate Costumer Service. The local dealer has their hands tied by Corporate.
You need to drive the piss out of your car in Drive 3 you need to get very close to 1qt per 1000 miles or they wont move. If you hit that mark call Honda Regional Service and beat the crap out of your dealer to get the regional service rep involved.
Roger :mad:
Does your car still burn oil? They tried telling us that the motor doesn't break in till 12K, but we have 22k on it. Painful. Thanks for the tip on the regional rep!
This is my thrid Honda (and two more in the family) and the first time an engine has sounded bad at any mileage. My wife says trade it..... Any engine noise issues out there....
That TSB is fantastic... comes with sounds lol, amazing... .. it helps knowing that your car sounds the same.....
Will give an update... this later this week..... thanks...
Any ideas.
Thanks
...similar.
Had to have the fuel pump replaced in my 2008.
Inconvenience but no problem since.
Any ideas.
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Here is what was done to correct my problem, I thought there may be some interest in this issue, Taking this directly from my work order. -
'Inspected spark plugs No. 1 through No. 4, Found the No. 3 spark plug fouled. Replaced the No. 3 cylinder spark plug and performed the power train control module software update as per Honda Service Bulletin No. 10-033'
This is only for the six cylinders.
the fix - use a couple cans of the special super heavy oil additive for older cars to stop smoking/oil consumption.
End joke.
Luckily, the 08 V6 Accord Sedan I have doesn't quite use a quart between minder oil changes. It's close though, and more than once I have added some to make sure it didn't get too low during a long trip near change time.
I wouldn't expect a recall, unless it can be turned into a safety issue. Likely another one of those service campaigns where only those who complain are offered the fix and warranty extension on the engine.
Also, the car already has a five year power train, so three more years on the engine - what mileage?
Sounds almost too good to be true - looking forward to hearing some official details.