- #1902 of 2142
-
by robotaz2
-
Nov 03, 2008 (7:43 am)
-
|
|
I made the very foolish mistake of buying an Accord with VCM and am furious at Honda and of course myself. THE PROBLEMS THAT MANY DESCRIBE WITH SURGING, VIBRATION, AND HUMMING SOUNDS ARE REAL!!!! The fact that some do not notice it concerns me for the wellbeing. It does not take a savvy individual to notice it. On a recent road trip with 200 miles on the car my girlfriend and I were both driven nuts by the jerking and vibration, not to mention the irritating sound when it runs on four cylinders. Why 3 cylinder operation doesn't cause the same problems I cannot tell you. What I can tell you is that I drove two other cars in the town that I went to visit and both did the same thing. This is not something that some do and some don't. Consider yourself warned. This car is the most fundamentally flawed and idiotic design that I have seen in 30 years of buying new cars. It is very hard to believe that Honda would knowingly do this, but I'm sure it boils down to getting something for CAFE standards being met or something that benefits Honda and not the consumer because there is no way on earth that they think people want this. DO NOT BUY THIS CAR OR YOU WILL BE MAD AT YOURSELF AND UNLESS YOU ARE RICH YOU WILL LOSE YOUR BEHIND ON IT!
|
- #1903 of 2142
-
Re: 2008 Honda Accord [anthonyy]
by robotaz2
-
Nov 03, 2008 (7:50 am)
-
|
|
Replying to: anthonyy (Oct 13, 2008 12:47 pm)
Sounds like you are noticing the prominent vibration and humming that the car makes when it runs on four cylinders. It is not just your car. It's according to Honda "operating normally". I notice it around 45 mph also. You will also notice it when you get on the interstate and begin to go up a hill. As the grade increases it switches from 3 to 4 cylinders, that's where the irritating humming and vibrating kicks in. Unless the grade increases to the point that all 6 cylinders are activated, it will vibrate and moan all the way up the hill. Then when you go over the hill and it starts kicking down to fewer cylinders the torque converter locks/unlocks back and forth causing the car to surge, which many complain about.
My girlfriend wants to kill me now for buying this car. So in addition to automotive problems I can also thank Honda for domestic problems, not to mention the financial one caused by having to sell a brand new car. Lesson learned. Honda stinks.
|
- #1904 of 2142
-
Re: [robotaz2]
by thegraduate
-
Nov 03, 2008 (8:03 am)
-
|
|
Replying to: robotaz2 (Nov 03, 2008 7:43 am)
It is very hard to believe that Honda would knowingly do this, but I'm sure it boils down to getting something for CAFE standards being met or something that benefits Honda and not the consumer because there is no way on earth that they think people want this.
Since all cars aren't saddled with the issue, its obvious to me that they did something right. It can be done and implemented beautifully. Some have issues, a sign that they have also done something wrong. The trouble is actually figuring out the component(s) causing the problem. It can't simply be by "chance" that the technology works in some cars and not in others; there must be a specific difference or set of differences.
I'm sorry your car is one with the troubles. All I can say is raise as much of a stink as you can with your dealer, as well as with Honda Corporate. Open a case with them. I'm sure someone will be happy to post the number of Honda's 1-800 number to call the corporate office.
|
- #1906 of 2142
-
Re: 2008 Honda Accord [robotaz2]
by monkey322
-
Nov 03, 2008 (10:58 am)
-
|
|
Replying to: robotaz2 (Nov 03, 2008 7:50 am)
In my opinion it is far too complicated a system for mass production and that is what is happening - standard deviations from production tolerances are enough to cause vehicles to have these issues. Active engine mounts, anti noise cancellation in the radio system, an engine going from a V6 to a V4 to in line 3 is BOUND to have serious vibration issues which if any one, let alone more than one, of these "systems" designed to counter the engine issues, is not working properly, let alone half shaft and or tire imbalances in the front drive and steering wheels (this would probably not be so noticeable an issue if, as with GM cars so equipped, it was driving the rear wheels) you will have the unpleasant issues others here have reported. All I can say is hopefully some of you will experience what I read someone else did on this forum - their car sort of cured itself at about 3000 miles. I believe I recall reading that that owner too had had similar issues - surging, "hunting" etc. that all sort of smoothed out. The thinking there was, and it makes sense to me too, was that the active engine mounts "broke in" and began doing what they were supposed to do properly.
Here's hoping you all experience the same.
|
- #1907 of 2142
-
Re: 2008 Honda Accord [monkey322]
by thegraduate
-
Nov 03, 2008 (3:06 pm)
-
|
|
Replying to: monkey322 (Nov 03, 2008 10:58 am)
I'd like to note that I haven't read of any problems of this sort in the Odyssey van with 6-4-3 VCM. Doesn't mean they don't exist, its just a bit of anecdotal evidence to chew on.
|
- #1908 of 2142
-
Re: 2008 Honda Accord [thegraduate]
by monkey322
-
Nov 04, 2008 (7:22 am)
-
|
|
Replying to: thegraduate (Nov 03, 2008 3:06 pm)
I don't know why not but again - like the GM vehicles, although not RWD, the Odyssey is a much heavier vehicle - perhaps that compensates for it, and until now its use in the Odyssey was limited to a particular model trim level, again, reducing the potential number of aberrations from a much smaller population.
|
- #1909 of 2142
-
Re: 2008 Honda Accord [monkey322]
by thegraduate
-
Nov 04, 2008 (8:04 am)
-
|
|
Replying to: monkey322 (Nov 04, 2008 7:22 am)
Just as the V6 Accord is a relatively small fraction of Accord sales (it used to be something like 25% of Accords were V6). The VCM Odyssey still is only available on EX-L and Touring models, so the same sort-of thing applies.
|
- #1910 of 2142
-
Re: 2008 Honda Accord [thegraduate]
by monkey322
-
Nov 04, 2008 (8:27 am)
-
|
|
Replying to: thegraduate (Nov 04, 2008 8:04 am)
Yes - except the weight issue.
|
- #1911 of 2142
-
Re: 2008 Honda Accord [monkey322]
by robotaz2
-
Nov 04, 2008 (6:57 pm)
-
|
|
Replying to: monkey322 (Nov 03, 2008 10:58 am)
I appreciate the level-headed input. I have not considered that the car may need to break in to get rid of the annoying vibrations and hums. I will keep hoping. My final comment will be how disappointed I am that Honda does make this system with the ability to disable it. The viability, purpose, need, etc. of the system can be debated all day long. What is stupid, idiotically stupid, and beyond comprehension to me is why they did not make this system so that it can be defeated. I suppose that would admit defeat and based on the way Japanese Toyota employees in my neighborhood act, that may be something they are unable to grasp. I don't mean that disrespectfully. These guys are very cocky and I would expect them to be insanely proud of their products. Anyway, I'll just hope it gets better.
|
![[F]](http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/townhall/webxicons/site.gif){kind=small}
Forums
Sedans 
