When cold starting my car it has a very loud rattle. Lately the rattle takes some time to go away.
2008 Honda Accord
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Accord years
Owner complaints for the 2008 Honda Accord are substantially higher than the model-year median of 356.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Accord years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
1,136 reports with mileage · 384 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 451 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Air Bags. Review the 379 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 210 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine complaints
210 reportsVTC failure, grinding on cold start up. There is a known issue with this in my year model, 2008 Honda accord.
Engine is making rattling noise at cold start... I see it being reported by 1000s of 2008 honda accord sedan owners. My car mileage is only 120k. I need Honda dealer to fix it as this is a Honda company issue
The contact owned a 2008 Honda Accord. The contact stated that she reversed the vehicle into her driveway and exited. After five minutes, an abnormal odor of smoke was detected. There were sparks detected in the engine compartment, and the vehicle caught fire. The fire consumed the engine area up to the dashboard. The fire depar…
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The contact owned a 2008 Honda Accord. The contact stated that she reversed the vehicle into her driveway and exited. After five minutes, an abnormal odor of smoke was detected. There were sparks detected in the engine compartment, and the vehicle caught fire. The fire consumed the engine area up to the dashboard. The fire department extinguished the fire. There were no reported injuries, air bag deployment or police report filed. The insurance towed the vehicle to a tow lot and deemed the vehicle a total loss. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, who opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 163,000.
The contact owned a 2008 Honda Accord. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked and turned off in the driveway, she was informed that there was smoke coming from underneath the hood. The contact stated that she noticed flames coming out from underneath the hood. The contact stated that the front end of the vehicle burned …
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The contact owned a 2008 Honda Accord. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked and turned off in the driveway, she was informed that there was smoke coming from underneath the hood. The contact stated that she noticed flames coming out from underneath the hood. The contact stated that the front end of the vehicle burned significantly and was propelling burning particles. The fire department advised the contact to exit the residence and to stay in the backyard for safety. The fire department extinguished the fire. A fire department report was filed. The contact was unsure whether the police arrived at the scene and whether a police report was filed. There was no injury sustained. The contact stated that the front end of the vehicle had melted. The vehicle was towed and totaled. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 163,000.
Brakes: ABS system has been feeling funny for some months. Engine: Consistent P3497 Code which has turned into a check light ON.
The contact owns a 2008 Honda Accord. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the engine misfired with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was driven to the dealer to be diagnosed. The mechanic determined that the spark plugs were fouled and needed to be replaced. The ve…
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The contact owns a 2008 Honda Accord. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the engine misfired with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was driven to the dealer to be diagnosed. The mechanic determined that the spark plugs were fouled and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that at approximately 12,000 miles later the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the same dealer and the spark plugs were replaced again. The contact related the failure to NHTSA ID Number: 10152430 (Equipment, Engine). The manufacturer was notified of the issue and referred the contact back to the dealer. The approximate failure mileage was 113,000.
Misfires from the eco mode it goes to
I am having issues with my transmission. My gears get stuck between 2nd and 3rd gear while driving. It loses power and I have to switch to Neutral and put it back in Drive in order for it to become unstuck. I have taken it to Honda, and they told me it was the computer, and several other things. They replaced $2000 worth of part…
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I am having issues with my transmission. My gears get stuck between 2nd and 3rd gear while driving. It loses power and I have to switch to Neutral and put it back in Drive in order for it to become unstuck. I have taken it to Honda, and they told me it was the computer, and several other things. They replaced $2000 worth of parts and the problem still happens. I took it back to Honda and they told me I needed a new transmission after they took $2000 from me. This initially started approximately 5 months ago when my engine light came on.
Went to get my smog check and the found the problem and he diagnosed the problem as a nose mask.
Official recalls
819V502000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
Jun 27, 2019
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Acura TSX, 2011-2014 TSX Sport Wagon, 2010-2013 ZDX, 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic and Civic Hybrid, 2008-2010 Civic GX NGV, 2012-2015 Crosstour, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2013 Fit, 2014 Fit EV, 2010-2014 Insight, and 2009-2015 Pilot vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are F5F and Q5E.
19V378000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
May 16, 2019
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Acura TSX, 2011-2013 TSX Sport Wagon, and 2010-2012 ZDX and 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic, Civic Hybrid and Civic NGV, 2012-2014 Crosstour, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2013 Fit, 2010-2013 Insight, and 2009-2015 Pilot vehicles. The front passenger air bag inflator may have been installed incorrectly during replacement.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An incorrectly installed air bag inflator may not properly deploy the passenger frontal air bag in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the inflator installation and, if necessary, replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began July 5, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are M4O, P4R, T4Q, and W4P.
18V268000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
Apr 26, 2018
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2012 Honda Accord and Pilot, 2010 Accord Crosstour, 2001-2011 Civic, 2002-2011 CR-V, 2003-2004, 2006-2008 and 2011 Element, 2007 and 2009-2013 Fit, 2010-2012 Insight, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2012 Ridgeline vehicles. The front passenger air bag may have been installed incorrectly during replacement.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An incorrectly installed air bag may deploy improperly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began June 22, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are K1P, and M1O.
17V545000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
Aug 31, 2017
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2008-2012 Accord, 2010-2012 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2012 Fit and Pilot, 2010-2012 Insight, and 2009-2012 Acura TSX vehicles that received replacement passenger frontal air bag inflators. One dealership may have incorrectly installed the replacement air bag inflators.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: In the event of a crash, an incorrectly installed passenger frontal air bag inflator may deploy the air bag improperly, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began October 30, 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are O07, Y0A, N06, G05, M04, Y01, and O09.
17V030000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
Jan 10, 2017
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2012 Acura TSX, 2011-2012 Acura TSX Wagon, 2010-2012 Acura ZDX, 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2012 Honda Accord Crosstour and Honda Insight, 2009-2012 Honda Fit, 2009-2012 Pilot, 2007-2011 Honda CR-V, 2012 Honda FCX Clarity and 2006-2011 Honda Civic, Civic Hybrid, Civic NGV vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, if not included in "Zone A" above, Honda is recalling certain 2009 Acura TSX, Honda Fit and Pilot, 2008-2009 Honda Accord, 2006-2009 Civic, Civic Hybrid and Civic NGV, and 2007-2009 Honda CR-V vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, if not included in "Zone B" above, Honda is recalling certain 2008 Honda Accord, 2006-2008 Honda Civic, Civic Hybrid and Civic NGV and 2007-2008 Honda CR-V vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger side air bag inflator, free of charge. The manufacturer has mailed an interim notification, and will send a second notification when parts are available. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KE1 and KE2.
16V346000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
May 24, 2016
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Acura TSX, 2011 TSX Wagon, 2010-2011 Acura ZDX, 2008-2011 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic, Civic Hybrid, and Civic GX, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2010-2011 FCX Clarity and Insight, and 2009-2011 Fit, and Pilot vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless already included in "Zone A" above, Honda is recalling certain model year 2008 Honda Accord, 2006-2008 Civic, Civic Hybrid and Civic GX, and 2007-2008 CR-V vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Vehicles not originally sold or ever registered in either Zones A or B are not subject to this safety recall. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall is KA4, KA5, KA6, and KA7.
16V056000 · Air Bags
Feb 2, 2016
American Honda Motor Company, Inc. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Accord vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the air bag control units may corrode and fail.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the air bag control unit fails, the air bags may not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of occupant injury.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag control units, free of charge. Parts are expected to be available in Fall 2016. Interim notifications have been mailed to owners on March 15, 2016, and a second notice will be mailed when remedy parts are available. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is JW9. Note: This recall supersedes Recall 15V665.
11V395000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
Aug 4, 2011
HONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 ACCORD, 2007-2010 CR-V, AND 2005-2008 ELEMENT PASSENGER CARS MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 1, 2004, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 3, 2010. THE OUTER RACE OF THE SECONDARY SHAFT BEARING MAY BE BROKEN DURING CERTAIN DRIVING STYLES. A BROKEN OUTER RACE MAY CAUSE ABNORMAL NOISE, THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT TO TURN ON, AND ALLOW CONTACT BETWEEN THE TRANSMISSION IDLE GEAR AND AN ELECTRONIC SENSOR HOUSING WITHIN THE TRANSMISSION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN A SHORT CIRCUIT CAUSING THE ENGINE TO STALL. ADDITIONALLY, BROKEN PIECES OF THE OUTER RACE OR BALL BEARING FROM THE SECONDARY SHAFT MAY BECOME LODGED IN THE PARKING PAWL RESULTING IN THE VEHICLE ROLLING AFTER THE DRIVER HAS PLACED THE GEAR SELECTOR IN THE PARK POSITION. ENGINE STALL AND UNEXPECTED VEHICLE MOVEMENT INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH OR PERSONAL INJURY TO PERSONS WITHIN THE PATH OF A ROLLING VEHICLE.
Remedy: HONDA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL UPDATE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE SOFTWARE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 27, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AUTOMOBILE CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-999-1009.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
3PE15029 · Srs Control Module Failure
Opened Aug 18, 2015 · Closed Jun 17, 2016
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags; Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE
As discussed further below, and by letter dated January 22, 2016, Honda is recalling certain model year (MY) 2008 through 2010 Honda Accords to replace a defective air bag/SRS control module that can result in the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) becoming fully inoperative (disabled).See NHTSA Safety Recall 16V056 at SaferCar.gov for further details.Honda's response to an agency Information Request letter indicated that the SRS module was manufactured by tier-one supplier Continental and contained a power supply ASIC manufactured by tier-two supplier Atmel. The original ASIC was susceptible to a moisture ingress issue due to inadequate ASIC passivation layer.Water ingress could result in moisture reaching the Titanium Nitride (TiN) layer in the ASIC causing corrosion and breakage of electrical circuits.The damaged ASIC then causes failures of the SRS module resulting in 1) incomplete boot-up when power is supplied to the module or 2) the inability of the module to establish either internal or external bus communications.In either case the air bag readiness indicator light on the instrument cluster is illuminated and all air bags and seat belt pretensioners are disabled.During the investigation, ODI obtained the SRS module from a complainant crash vehicle where the air bags did not deploy despite a significant frontal impact.An inspection of the module was performed at a Continental facility.The inspection confirmed that the module had the ASIC fault thus preventing the SRS module from completing the boot-up process.An attempt was made to recover stored EDR data from the module however none was present; this outcome is consistent with an Atmel ASIC failure.A second SRS module alleged to have the ASIC problem was inspected during the same visit.This second module was unable to communicate with the test equipment.The ASIC was replaced on this module and full function was restored to the module confirming the ASIC as the cause of the SRS module fault.According to Honda, tier-two Atmel implemented three different corrective actions in early 2008.Implementation of the corrective actions into module production by tier-one Continental, and into vehicle production by Honda resulted in three distinct vehicle populations.The first population consists of certain non-consecutively built MY 2008 to 2010 Accords with modules that did not contain any of the corrective actions.This population of 341,444 vehicles exhibited a significant level of module failure in service and is thus being recalled.The second population of 382,693 non-consecutively built MY 2008 to 2010 Accords contained two of the three corrective actions.This population exhibited a significantly lower level of SRS module failure, compared to the first population, but a marginally higher level compared to the third population.Honda is conducting a 15 year unlimited mileage extended warranty program for this second population.Under the program Honda will replace the SRS module free of charge for vehicles that experience an SRS module malfunction due to ASIC failure.Owners eligible for the extended warranty will be notified by Honda in writing.The third population consists of vehicles containing all three corrective actions, this population exhibits a normal level of SRS module failure.Based on the safety recall and extended warranty this investigation is closed.The VOQ reports cited above can be reviewed at SaferCar.gov under the following identification numbers: 10871612, 10869953, 10810554, 10788238, 10781994, 10778712, 10765025, 10761583, 10759019, 10758622, 10747850, 10735806, 10734761, 10733519, 10715339, 10703521, 10676517, 1065
Additional source detail variants (4)
Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE
As discussed further below, and by letter dated January 22, 2016, Honda is recalling certain model year (MY) 2008 through 2010 Honda Accords to replace a defective air bag/SRS control module that can result in the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) becoming fully inoperative (disabled).See NHTSA Safety Recall 16V056 at SaferCar.gov for further details.Honda's response to an agency Information Request letter indicated that the SRS module was manufactured by tier-one supplier Continental and contained a power supply ASIC manufactured by tier-two supplier Atmel. The original ASIC was susceptible to a moisture ingress issue due to inadequate ASIC passivation layer.Water ingress could result in moisture reaching the Titanium Nitride (TiN) layer in the ASIC causing corrosion and breakage of electrical circuits.The damaged ASIC then causes failures of the SRS module resulting in 1) incomplete boot-up when power is supplied to the module or 2) the inability of the module to establish either internal or external bus communications.In either case the air bag readiness indicator light on the instrument cluster is illuminated and all air bags and seat belt pretensioners are disabled.During the investigation, ODI obtained the SRS module from a complainant crash vehicle where the air bags did not deploy despite a significant frontal impact.An inspection of the module was performed at a Continental facility.The inspection confirmed that the module had the ASIC fault thus preventing the SRS module from completing the boot-up process.An attempt was made to recover stored EDR data from the module however none was present; this outcome is consistent with an Atmel ASIC failure.A second SRS module alleged to have the ASIC problem was inspected during the same visit.This second module was unable to communicate with the test equipment.The ASIC was replaced on this module and full function was restored to the module confirming the ASIC as the cause of the SRS module fault.According to Honda, tier-two Atmel implemented three different corrective actions in early 2008.Implementation of the corrective actions into module production by tier-one Continental, and into vehicle production by Honda resulted in three distinct vehicle populations.The first population consists of certain non-consecutively built MY 2008 to 2010 Accords with modules that did not contain any of the corrective actions.This population of 341,444 vehicles exhibited a significant level of module failure in service and is thus being recalled.The second population of 382,693 non-consecutively built MY 2008 to 2010 Accords contained two of the three corrective actions.This population exhibited a significantly lower level of SRS module failure, compared to the first population, but a marginally higher level compared to the third population.Honda is conducting a 15 year unlimited mileage extended warranty program for this second population.Under the program Honda will replace the SRS module free of charge for vehicles that experience an SRS module malfunction due to ASIC failure.Owners eligible for the extended warranty will be notified by Honda in writing.The third population consists of vehicles containing all three corrective actions, this population exhibits a normal level of SRS module failure.Based on the safety recall and extended warranty this investigation is closed.The VOQ reports cited above can be reviewed at SaferCar.gov under the following identification numbers: 10871612, 10869953, 10810554, 10788238, 10781994, 10778712, 10765025, 10761583, 10759019, 10758622, 10747850, 10735806, 10734761, 10733519, 10715339, 10703521, 10676517, 1065
Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE
As discussed further below, and by letter dated January 22, 2016, Honda is recalling certain model year (MY) 2008 through 2010 Honda Accords to replace a defective air bag/SRS control module that can result in the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) becoming fully inoperative (disabled).See NHTSA Safety Recall 16V056 at SaferCar.gov for further details.Honda's response to an agency Information Request letter indicated that the SRS module was manufactured by tier-one supplier Continental and contained a power supply ASIC manufactured by tier-two supplier Atmel. The original ASIC was susceptible to a moisture ingress issue due to inadequate ASIC passivation layer.Water ingress could result in moisture reaching the Titanium Nitride (TiN) layer in the ASIC causing corrosion and breakage of electrical circuits.The damaged ASIC then causes failures of the SRS module resulting in 1) incomplete boot-up when power is supplied to the module or 2) the inability of the module to establish either internal or external bus communications.In either case the air bag readiness indicator light on the instrument cluster is illuminated and all air bags and seat belt pretensioners are disabled.During the investigation, ODI obtained the SRS module from a complainant crash vehicle where the air bags did not deploy despite a significant frontal impact.An inspection of the module was performed at a Continental facility.The inspection confirmed that the module had the ASIC fault thus preventing the SRS module from completing the boot-up process.An attempt was made to recover stored EDR data from the module however none was present; this outcome is consistent with an Atmel ASIC failure.A second SRS module alleged to have the ASIC problem was inspected during the same visit.This second module was unable to communicate with the test equipment.The ASIC was replaced on this module and full function was restored to the module confirming the ASIC as the cause of the SRS module fault.According to Honda, tier-two Atmel implemented three different corrective actions in early 2008.Implementation of the corrective actions into module production by tier-one Continental, and into vehicle production by Honda resulted in three distinct vehicle populations.The first population consists of certain non-consecutively built MY 2008 to 2010 Accords with modules that did not contain any of the corrective actions.This population of 341,444 vehicles exhibited a significant level of module failure in service and is thus being recalled.The second population of 382,693 non-consecutively built MY 2008 to 2010 Accords contained two of the three corrective actions.This population exhibited a significantly lower level of SRS module failure, compared to the first population, but a marginally higher level compared to the third population.Honda is conducting a 15 year unlimited mileage extended warranty program for this second population.Under the program Honda will replace the SRS module free of charge for vehicles that experience an SRS module malfunction due to ASIC failure.Owners eligible for the extended warranty will be notified by Honda in writing.The third population consists of vehicles containing all three corrective actions, this population exhibits a normal level of SRS module failure.Based on the safety recall and extended warranty this investigation is closed.The VOQ reports cited above can be reviewed at SaferCar.gov under the following identification numbers: 10871612, 10869953, 10810554, 10788238, 10781994, 10778712, 10765025, 10761583, 10759019, 10758622, 10747850, 10735806, 10734761, 10733519, 10715339, 10703521, 10676517, 1065
Air Bags
As discussed further below, and by letter dated January 22, 2016, Honda is recalling certain model year (MY) 2008 through 2010 Honda Accords to replace a defective air bag/SRS control module that can result in the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) becoming fully inoperative (disabled).See NHTSA Safety Recall 16V056 at SaferCar.gov for further details.Honda's response to an agency Information Request letter indicated that the SRS module was manufactured by tier-one supplier Continental and contained a power supply ASIC manufactured by tier-two supplier Atmel. The original ASIC was susceptible to a moisture ingress issue due to inadequate ASIC passivation layer.Water ingress could result in moisture reaching the Titanium Nitride (TiN) layer in the ASIC causing corrosion and breakage of electrical circuits.The damaged ASIC then causes failures of the SRS module resulting in 1) incomplete boot-up when power is supplied to the module or 2) the inability of the module to establish either internal or external bus communications.In either case the air bag readiness indicator light on the instrument cluster is illuminated and all air bags and seat belt pretensioners are disabled.During the investigation, ODI obtained the SRS module from a complainant crash vehicle where the air bags did not deploy despite a significant frontal impact.An inspection of the module was performed at a Continental facility.The inspection confirmed that the module had the ASIC fault thus preventing the SRS module from completing the boot-up process.An attempt was made to recover stored EDR data from the module however none was present; this outcome is consistent with an Atmel ASIC failure.A second SRS module alleged to have the ASIC problem was inspected during the same visit.This second module was unable to communicate with the test equipment.The ASIC was replaced on this module and full function was restored to the module confirming the ASIC as the cause of the SRS module fault.According to Honda, tier-two Atmel implemented three different corrective actions in early 2008.Implementation of the corrective actions into module production by tier-one Continental, and into vehicle production by Honda resulted in three distinct vehicle populations.The first population consists of certain non-consecutively built MY 2008 to 2010 Accords with modules that did not contain any of the corrective actions.This population of 341,444 vehicles exhibited a significant level of module failure in service and is thus being recalled.The second population of 382,693 non-consecutively built MY 2008 to 2010 Accords contained two of the three corrective actions.This population exhibited a significantly lower level of SRS module failure, compared to the first population, but a marginally higher level compared to the third population.Honda is conducting a 15 year unlimited mileage extended warranty program for this second population.Under the program Honda will replace the SRS module free of charge for vehicles that experience an SRS module malfunction due to ASIC failure.Owners eligible for the extended warranty will be notified by Honda in writing.The third population consists of vehicles containing all three corrective actions, this population exhibits a normal level of SRS module failure.Based on the safety recall and extended warranty this investigation is closed.The VOQ reports cited above can be reviewed at SaferCar.gov under the following identification numbers: 10871612, 10869953, 10810554, 10788238, 10781994, 10778712, 10765025, 10761583, 10759019, 10758622, 10747850, 10735806, 10734761, 10733519, 10715339, 10703521, 10676517, 1065
Air Bags
As discussed further below, and by letter dated January 22, 2016, Honda is recalling certain model year (MY) 2008 through 2010 Honda Accords to replace a defective air bag/SRS control module that can result in the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) becoming fully inoperative (disabled).See NHTSA Safety Recall 16V056 at SaferCar.gov for further details.Honda's response to an agency Information Request letter indicated that the SRS module was manufactured by tier-one supplier Continental and contained a power supply ASIC manufactured by tier-two supplier Atmel. The original ASIC was susceptible to a moisture ingress issue due to inadequate ASIC passivation layer.Water ingress could result in moisture reaching the Titanium Nitride (TiN) layer in the ASIC causing corrosion and breakage of electrical circuits.The damaged ASIC then causes failures of the SRS module resulting in 1) incomplete boot-up when power is supplied to the module or 2) the inability of the module to establish either internal or external bus communications.In either case the air bag readiness indicator light on the instrument cluster is illuminated and all air bags and seat belt pretensioners are disabled.During the investigation, ODI obtained the SRS module from a complainant crash vehicle where the air bags did not deploy despite a significant frontal impact.An inspection of the module was performed at a Continental facility.The inspection confirmed that the module had the ASIC fault thus preventing the SRS module from completing the boot-up process.An attempt was made to recover stored EDR data from the module however none was present; this outcome is consistent with an Atmel ASIC failure.A second SRS module alleged to have the ASIC problem was inspected during the same visit.This second module was unable to communicate with the test equipment.The ASIC was replaced on this module and full function was restored to the module confirming the ASIC as the cause of the SRS module fault.According to Honda, tier-two Atmel implemented three different corrective actions in early 2008.Implementation of the corrective actions into module production by tier-one Continental, and into vehicle production by Honda resulted in three distinct vehicle populations.The first population consists of certain non-consecutively built MY 2008 to 2010 Accords with modules that did not contain any of the corrective actions.This population of 341,444 vehicles exhibited a significant level of module failure in service and is thus being recalled.The second population of 382,693 non-consecutively built MY 2008 to 2010 Accords contained two of the three corrective actions.This population exhibited a significantly lower level of SRS module failure, compared to the first population, but a marginally higher level compared to the third population.Honda is conducting a 15 year unlimited mileage extended warranty program for this second population.Under the program Honda will replace the SRS module free of charge for vehicles that experience an SRS module malfunction due to ASIC failure.Owners eligible for the extended warranty will be notified by Honda in writing.The third population consists of vehicles containing all three corrective actions, this population exhibits a normal level of SRS module failure.Based on the safety recall and extended warranty this investigation is closed.The VOQ reports cited above can be reviewed at SaferCar.gov under the following identification numbers: 10871612, 10869953, 10810554, 10788238, 10781994, 10778712, 10765025, 10761583, 10759019, 10758622, 10747850, 10735806, 10734761, 10733519, 10715339, 10703521, 10676517, 1065
EA14004 · Inadvertent Side Air Bag Deployment
Opened Jul 29, 2014 · Closed Jan 4, 2016
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags; Air Bags:side/window
Honda is conducting a safety recall of approximately 303,900 model year 2008-2009 Honda Accord sedans to address inadvertent deployment of the side air bags (see NHTSA recall 15V-665 for more information).It should be noted that almost all of the recalled vehicles are the 2008 Accords (built from start of model year 2008 production to June 25, 2008) as only about 500 early-built 2009 Accords (built from June 24 to June 30, 2008) are included in the recall.The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has identified 351 reported incidents of inadvertent side air bag deployments in the 2008 Accord sedans.This investigation found there is risk of serious injury to vehicle occupants or users who are positioned in the direct path of a deploying side curtain air bag.Based on the recall action taken by Honda, this Engineering Analysis is closed.Additional information on this closing resume and the investigation are in the EA14-004 public file available on-line at SaferCar.gov.The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed online at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification numbers:10232206 10235294 10255323 10268158 10268191 10269514 10276755 10279446 10280675 10308292 10319979 10342520 10353536 10408925 10436506 10447151 10458732 10468196 10468200 10493407 10494971 10522291 10524389 10543092 10544473 10545258 10547591 10554073 10563629 10565311 10565423 10576518 10579241 10584501 10585442 10606937 10608973 10627302 10638541 10640968 10650861 10654858 10679518 10680063 10683967 10712981 10717410 10717777 10761860
Additional source detail variants (2)
Air Bags
Honda is conducting a safety recall of approximately 303,900 model year 2008-2009 Honda Accord sedans to address inadvertent deployment of the side air bags (see NHTSA recall 15V-665 for more information).It should be noted that almost all of the recalled vehicles are the 2008 Accords (built from start of model year 2008 production to June 25, 2008) as only about 500 early-built 2009 Accords (built from June 24 to June 30, 2008) are included in the recall.The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has identified 351 reported incidents of inadvertent side air bag deployments in the 2008 Accord sedans.This investigation found there is risk of serious injury to vehicle occupants or users who are positioned in the direct path of a deploying side curtain air bag.Based on the recall action taken by Honda, this Engineering Analysis is closed.Additional information on this closing resume and the investigation are in the EA14-004 public file available on-line at SaferCar.gov.The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed online at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification numbers:10232206 10235294 10255323 10268158 10268191 10269514 10276755 10279446 10280675 10308292 10319979 10342520 10353536 10408925 10436506 10447151 10458732 10468196 10468200 10493407 10494971 10522291 10524389 10543092 10544473 10545258 10547591 10554073 10563629 10565311 10565423 10576518 10579241 10584501 10585442 10606937 10608973 10627302 10638541 10640968 10650861 10654858 10679518 10680063 10683967 10712981 10717410 10717777 10761860
Air Bags:side/window
Honda is conducting a safety recall of approximately 303,900 model year 2008-2009 Honda Accord sedans to address inadvertent deployment of the side air bags (see NHTSA recall 15V-665 for more information).It should be noted that almost all of the recalled vehicles are the 2008 Accords (built from start of model year 2008 production to June 25, 2008) as only about 500 early-built 2009 Accords (built from June 24 to June 30, 2008) are included in the recall.The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has identified 351 reported incidents of inadvertent side air bag deployments in the 2008 Accord sedans.This investigation found there is risk of serious injury to vehicle occupants or users who are positioned in the direct path of a deploying side curtain air bag.Based on the recall action taken by Honda, this Engineering Analysis is closed.Additional information on this closing resume and the investigation are in the EA14-004 public file available on-line at SaferCar.gov.The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed online at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification numbers:10232206 10235294 10255323 10268158 10268191 10269514 10276755 10279446 10280675 10308292 10319979 10342520 10353536 10408925 10436506 10447151 10458732 10468196 10468200 10493407 10494971 10522291 10524389 10543092 10544473 10545258 10547591 10554073 10563629 10565311 10565423 10576518 10579241 10584501 10585442 10606937 10608973 10627302 10638541 10640968 10650861 10654858 10679518 10680063 10683967 10712981 10717410 10717777 10761860
PE14004 · Inadvertent Side Air Bag Deployment
Opened Jan 31, 2014 · Closed Jul 29, 2014
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags; Air Bags:side/window
ODI has identified 293 incidents of alleged inadvertent deployment of the side air bags in model year (MY) 2008 Honda Accord 4-door vehicles.This total represents all incidents reported to both ODI and Honda including those from Honda's warranty system (note: the total shown above eliminates all duplicative reports to ODI and Honda).This investigation has revealed that when the driver or front passenger door is shut, the driver-side or passenger-side side curtain air bag can deploy, and in some cases, the side seat-mounted torso air bag can deploy as well.Fourteen people allegedly suffered injuries caused by the deploying air bags.In June 2008, near the end of MY 2008 Accord 4-door production, Honda changed the crash parameter for door closing force, which is embedded in the electronic control unit's software code, in order to reduce the incidents of the inadvertent side air bag deployments.More specifically, the software design change was made on June 5, 2008 for the Accords built in the U.S. and on June 30, 2008 for those built in Japan.ODI found the number of the inadvertent deployment incidents declined significantly for the vehicles with the new crash parameter setting, i.e., the late-built MY 2008 vehicles and all MY 2009 vehicles.Honda reported the Accord 2-door model utilizes a different software/crash parameter than the subject 4-door model.This Preliminary Evaluation has been upgraded to an Engineering Analysis (EA14-004) to determine, among other things, the risk of air bag deployment injuries to vehicle users in vulnerable positions.The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed online at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification numbers: 10232206, 10235294, 10255323, 10268158, 10268191, 10269514, 10276755, 10279446, 10280675, 10308292, 10319979, 10342520, 10353536, 10408925, 10436506, 10447151, 10458732, 10468196, 10468200, 10493407, 10494971, 10522291, 10524389, 10543092, 10544473, 10545258, 10547591, 10554073, 10563629, 10565311, 10565423, 10576518, 10579241, 10584501, 10585442, 10606937, 10608973.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Air Bags
ODI has identified 293 incidents of alleged inadvertent deployment of the side air bags in model year (MY) 2008 Honda Accord 4-door vehicles.This total represents all incidents reported to both ODI and Honda including those from Honda's warranty system (note: the total shown above eliminates all duplicative reports to ODI and Honda).This investigation has revealed that when the driver or front passenger door is shut, the driver-side or passenger-side side curtain air bag can deploy, and in some cases, the side seat-mounted torso air bag can deploy as well.Fourteen people allegedly suffered injuries caused by the deploying air bags.In June 2008, near the end of MY 2008 Accord 4-door production, Honda changed the crash parameter for door closing force, which is embedded in the electronic control unit's software code, in order to reduce the incidents of the inadvertent side air bag deployments.More specifically, the software design change was made on June 5, 2008 for the Accords built in the U.S. and on June 30, 2008 for those built in Japan.ODI found the number of the inadvertent deployment incidents declined significantly for the vehicles with the new crash parameter setting, i.e., the late-built MY 2008 vehicles and all MY 2009 vehicles.Honda reported the Accord 2-door model utilizes a different software/crash parameter than the subject 4-door model.This Preliminary Evaluation has been upgraded to an Engineering Analysis (EA14-004) to determine, among other things, the risk of air bag deployment injuries to vehicle users in vulnerable positions.The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed online at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification numbers: 10232206, 10235294, 10255323, 10268158, 10268191, 10269514, 10276755, 10279446, 10280675, 10308292, 10319979, 10342520, 10353536, 10408925, 10436506, 10447151, 10458732, 10468196, 10468200, 10493407, 10494971, 10522291, 10524389, 10543092, 10544473, 10545258, 10547591, 10554073, 10563629, 10565311, 10565423, 10576518, 10579241, 10584501, 10585442, 10606937, 10608973.
Air Bags:side/window
ODI has identified 293 incidents of alleged inadvertent deployment of the side air bags in model year (MY) 2008 Honda Accord 4-door vehicles.This total represents all incidents reported to both ODI and Honda including those from Honda's warranty system (note: the total shown above eliminates all duplicative reports to ODI and Honda).This investigation has revealed that when the driver or front passenger door is shut, the driver-side or passenger-side side curtain air bag can deploy, and in some cases, the side seat-mounted torso air bag can deploy as well.Fourteen people allegedly suffered injuries caused by the deploying air bags.In June 2008, near the end of MY 2008 Accord 4-door production, Honda changed the crash parameter for door closing force, which is embedded in the electronic control unit's software code, in order to reduce the incidents of the inadvertent side air bag deployments.More specifically, the software design change was made on June 5, 2008 for the Accords built in the U.S. and on June 30, 2008 for those built in Japan.ODI found the number of the inadvertent deployment incidents declined significantly for the vehicles with the new crash parameter setting, i.e., the late-built MY 2008 vehicles and all MY 2009 vehicles.Honda reported the Accord 2-door model utilizes a different software/crash parameter than the subject 4-door model.This Preliminary Evaluation has been upgraded to an Engineering Analysis (EA14-004) to determine, among other things, the risk of air bag deployment injuries to vehicle users in vulnerable positions.The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed online at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification numbers: 10232206, 10235294, 10255323, 10268158, 10268191, 10269514, 10276755, 10279446, 10280675, 10308292, 10319979, 10342520, 10353536, 10408925, 10436506, 10447151, 10458732, 10468196, 10468200, 10493407, 10494971, 10522291, 10524389, 10543092, 10544473, 10545258, 10547591, 10554073, 10563629, 10565311, 10565423, 10576518, 10579241, 10584501, 10585442, 10606937, 10608973.
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