CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2003 Honda Accord suffers from widespread transmission failure & problems with the stereo backlight failing. We recommend avoiding this model year like the plague.

The transmission begins slipping & eventually has to be replaced, typically soon after 90,000 miles & with a repair cost of over $2,000. Transmission failure has been a huge problem for the Accord & several other Honda models all through the early 2000s model years. Honda extended the transmission warranty to 93 months/109k miles for the 2000-2001 Accord as a class action lawsuit settlement, but owners of other Accord model years with transmission problems are out of luck.

The stereo backlight problem has been an issue since these Accords were only a few years old. Honda eventually issued a recall which covered the repair for 7 years/100k miles, which was nice while it lasted but now that period is over. Honda initially was replacing the entire radio ($800) but eventually began replacing just the PCB which at ~$300 is much cheaper. That sounds like a deal, but keep in mind we're talking about a backlight bulb that costs $2 to fix in most other cars.

7.5

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$1,800
Average Mileage:
99,850 miles
Total Complaints:
72 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. Honda should fix it (35 reports)
  2. needs repainted (29 reports)
  3. not sure (8 reports)
2003 Honda Accord body / paint problems

body / paint problem

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2003 Honda Accord Owner Comments (Page 3 of 4)

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problem #32

May 022011

Accord LX 4 Cycl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 99,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

A little over a year ago I noticed that there were some spots on the green paint on my 2003 Honda Accord, which I had purchased new in 2003 and have maintained ever since. As the months passed the spots got larger and did not respond to buffing, wax or polishing. Then I noticed that they were spreading and getting very dull, and that the clear coat paint was actually disappearing from the car. Originally I thought that it was possible acid from bird droppings, however it was starting to lift in areas where there had never been any bird droppings. It has now spread to almost the entire top of the car, parts of the hood, and many areas of the trunk.

Earlier today I decided to check the web to see if any other people had reported a similar problem with their 2003 Honda. To my surprise I found that literally hundreds of people are experiencing this very same problem, some as early as the late 1990s and reporting that Honda, although knowing about the problem, denies it has anything to do with their paint, and completely ignores customer complaints regarding this problem. I plan on trading the car in the near future, and feel that this problem has significantly lowered my trade in value - one of the original reasons for purchasing a Honda in the first place. I will never, ever, even consider purchasing a Honda product in the future.

- Ken S., Fremont, OH, US

problem #31

Dec 102011

Accord EX V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 52,186 miles

The clear coat is peeling off. This is ugly...the white spots look as if it has leprosy or a fungal disease. It should be a blemish to Honda. God forbid if they ever admit there is a problem. Honda has such a uppity attitude. It shows every time you have something to gripe about, enter their showroom or have a chronic problem (like brakes). Come on Honda...why don't you just fess up?!? I've been faithful but I'm seriously thinking of having an affair with some other car that isn't diseased.

- a. j.p, Pittsburgh, PA, US

problem #30

Dec 112010

Accord LX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles

About two years ago I noticed some fading of the paint...the car now looks as if someone took an electric sander to it. I brought the car into our local Honda dealership (Ebersole, Inc., 1900 Cumberland Street, Lebanon, PA) to discuss this problem and was initially told that Honda should take care of it, but that they would have to wait until a Honda representative could inspect the car. He look at the pictures we had taken of the car and said that there was nothing they could do as the warranty ran out and I could have the car repainted at a cost of three thousand dollars.

Upon further investigation I discovered that there is a federal class action lawsuit against Honda claiming its 2003-2007 Accords and Civics have defective paint that delaminates, causing the vehicle to appear faded or to have peeling paint which leaves vehicle owners with a vehicle of unacceptable appearance. In addition, the delamination of the paint from the vehicle's body panels exposes the car surface to enhanced erosion. Automobile paint is expected to last the lifetime of the vehicle and an owner should not expect to have to spend three thousand dollars to have the car repainted.

- marniejim, Lebanon, PA, US

problem #29

Apr 302011

Accord LX 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

click to see larger images

clear coat coming off clear coat coming off clear coat coming off clear coat coming off clear coat coming off

I have a 2003 Honda accord. The paint color is green Or supposed to be green. The vehicle currently has 94,000 miles on it. About two years ago I noticed the color on the hood starting to fade. The slowly turned into the entire job Peeling from the car. I contacted the dealership Commonwealth motors in Lawrence mass where the vehicle was purchased. I notified them of the severity of the paint problem. They essentially told me it was my own fault and was caused by washing my car too much. Needless to say this caused extreme outrage on my half. As of this point I will never purchase another Honda again and have never seen a company not stand by their product like Honda has. See the attached photos and you'll understand my aggravation. On a sidenote last year I purchased a brand-new 2012 Camry as a result of Honda losing my business. Toyota has shown already more concern my business than Honda ever has. So long Honda.

- ayeo, Haverhill, MA, US

problem #28

Feb 122008

Accord LX V4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40,000 miles

The factory paint is the only paint that is failing. The dealer added spoiler does not have the paint issue

Update from Nov 20, 2013: Dealer said that they would not fix the car. A few months after the dealer said that they would not fix the car and before I got it repainted the car was totaled out in an accident

- ebuckthal, Shalimar, FL, US

problem #27

Mar 042012

Accord EX V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 98,000 miles

It started with a small spot where the clear coat is coming off. Now it is over the the trunk and the roof of the car. It looks awful. It is truly a result of defective paint used on this car. I understand that there is a class action suit going on as their are hundreds if not more of individuals complaining of this condition. Please help me address this situation with Honda.

- Lucyna B., Branchburg, NJ, US

problem #26

Aug 082012

Accord LX 4 Cyc

  • Automatic transmission
  • 222,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

We went to Honda of Cleveland and they said, out of warranty can't help you. then it was just barely a problem, went to have car washed and waxed they won't touch because they said bad clear coat & can't wax. since then its gotten 10 x worse they said have to get whole car repainted, the hood,trunk,top of car and even the doors. We park under a carport, it cant be sun. thought about getting another honda until this. we also have a 1993 honda accord which sits out in elements and its paint looks good. We have noticed driving around, there a a ton of hondas with the same problem. get with the program HONDA AND OWN UP TO YOUR DEFAULTS !!!! YOU SHOULD RECALL YOUR CARS FOR FAULTY PAINT JOBS!!!!! don't think I will buy another honda. this was our 3rd and final honda. you lost a good customer and also my siblings won't buy one because of our problems. that's not good customer service or a quality product.

- rborders, Cleveland, TN, US

problem #25

Jan 152010

Accord EX V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 125,000 miles

Clear coat began separating from paint in January 2010...it has just gotten continually worse...now it is in

UN-saleable condition.

Has always been dealer maintained...mechanically it is in great shape...but I am stuck with it because of the way it looks. I wouldn't buy it if I were looking for a used vehicle.

Honda refuses to stand behind the finish...it is obvious that the paint that was used is of inferior quality.

I will never buy a Honda product again!

- Michael L., Port Orange, FL, US

problem #24

Feb 032012

Accord ES

  • Automatic transmission
  • 39,000 miles

I see the same problem on hundreds of other Hondas

- Norine M., Sarasota, FL, US

problem #23

Mar 152012

Accord LX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,000 miles

click to see larger images

clear coat coming off

The clear coating is peeling/failing on the hood, front bumper, and two side panels in front.

- mandita, San Diego, CA, US

problem #22

Aug 312010

Accord LX 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 92,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

click to see larger images

clear coat coming off clear coat coming off clear coat coming off clear coat coming off clear coat coming off clear coat coming off

Selling a product with know defect, definitely manufacturer should take responsibility because consumer paying money for what its worth it. If some issue which exists is part of the manufacturing defect, then manufacturer should take care of there customer to fix there problem. We can't afford expenses which is not our fault or luxurious. Manufacturer should think about mid class family who runs there life with day to day expenses love to drive a decent car, ended up with loosing extra money for product defects. Obviously we can't spend it and we can't loose the product as well.

- Ganesh Kumar K., Columbus, OH, US

problem #21

Feb 012008

Accord EX V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 62,000 miles

click to see larger images

clear coat coming off clear coat coming off clear coat coming off clear coat coming off

I purchased this honda new from robertson honda in 2003 and had all my service done there including a new transmission, new navi screen and cpu also had motor mounts replaced the car currently has 117807 miles on it and runs well but is a eye sore to drive my wife wont even drive it. I still wash and wax my car just like i did when it was new,but I'm afraid once all the clear coat is off it will rust into the body.

- Mark V., Toluca Lake, CA, US

problem #20

Oct 092011

Accord EX V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 124,500 miles

click to see larger images

clear coat coming off clear coat coming off clear coat coming off clear coat coming off clear coat coming off

We are long time owners of Honda autos (exclusively) but we are thoroughly disappointed with the quality of our 2003 Accord EX. Specifically, the durability of the clear coat on this car does not represent the quality one would expect from Honda. Although we have owned eight Hondas, there may be a shift over to another automobile manufacturer due to the quality of the manufacturing associated with this car. (not the only issue with this car)

- Kevin B., Baltic, SD, US

problem #19

May 012010

Accord EX V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles

click to see larger images

clear coat coming off clear coat coming off clear coat coming off clear coat coming off

The car was purchased in July, 2005 (certified used) from Livermore Honda.

Livermore Honda says it's not their problem. It's really annoying that Honda doesn't seem to want to own up to the facts.

I have gotten estimates ranging from $2,100 to $4,400 to repaint.

At one repair shop there were three other cars, 2 of them Hondas, already in the lot with the same problem. To be fair, Honda is not the only make with this issue.

We love the car otherwise, so I have finally decided to get it repainted next week, but if there is any way to be reimbersed by Honda, even partially, that would be great.

- phild0224, Livermore, CA, US

problem #18

Mar 052012

Accord LX 4 cyl 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 110,000 miles

This spring, I noticed white spots appearing on the roof and trunk of my green Honda Accord. I tried to buff them out but when I did that, some of the paint started to peel off. In the past few months, the problem is spreading to wider areas. I took it to a body shop and they told me it was a clear coat problem and it would cost me $1000 to repaint the roof and trunk. went to the Honda dealer and they told me it was sun damage. I told them my car was kept in the garage. They refused to acknowledge that it was Honda's problem.

- Christine R., Pickerington, OH, US

problem #17

Jul 012011

Accord LX 3.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 79,000 miles

I PURCHASED MY 2003 HONDA ACCORD IN JULY OF 2003 AND I LOVED MY CAR WHEN I GOT IT BEING A SINGLE PARENT MAKING THIS PURCHASE TO HAVE A GREAT DEPENDABLE CAR AND THEN TO TAKE CAR OF MY CAR THEN TO LOOK AT THE CAR NOW FIRST IT STARTED OUT AS A SMALL SPOT ON THE TOP OF MY CAR SO I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND GOT TOUCH UP PAINT NOW IT'S ALL OF THE TOP,TRUNK, AND HOODOF MY CAR AND THIS IS SO EMBRASSING TO RIDE IN. SO I WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER HONDA BECAUSE OF THIS REASON!!!!!!

- Charlene D., Rock Hill, SC, US

problem #16

Oct 012009

Accord EX V6

  • Manual transmission
  • 65,000 miles

I bought a used 2003 Honda Accord from O'donnell Honda Ellicott City, MD. It had 8,000 miles on it. Over the past 2 years the car paint/clear coat is peeling everywhere. The car looks horrible. I work for an NFL team and there are so many beautiful cars in our lot and then there is mine. I am so embarrassed to drive it. The car is in good condition other than the paint. I do not think this is normal wear and tear. I would like my car to be repainted at no cost to me. Honda needs to step up and make this right.

- tonilekas, Lutherville, MD, US

problem #15

Apr 082008

Accord EXL V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 59,898 miles

click to see larger images

clear coat coming off clear coat coming off clear coat coming off clear coat coming off clear coat coming off clear coat coming off

Calling original dealership and complaining can't get call backs from anyone that can take action. Taken car in to another dealership in my area, no response, Estimates to repaint is over $3k...Really upset and pissed at Honda. Only owner, paid cash, and now they don't want anything to do with me! I have pictures and the car looks like crap! Not my style enough to NOT buy a Honda again!

- Pamela T., Campbell, CA, US

problem #14

Mar 072011

Accord

  • Automatic transmission
  • 97,000 miles

my honda which i love clear coat is cracking off...Honda makes a good quality car to have a sh*tty paint job done to it!! Help

- amandakandy, Swansea, IL, US

problem #13

Oct 012008

Accord LX 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles

click to see larger images

clear coat coming off clear coat coming off clear coat coming off clear coat coming off clear coat coming off clear coat coming off

The problem started in 2008 and continued to grow all over the car. Clear coat is pealing. I took to my Honda dealer (Tameron Honda) where I have been performing ALL of my regular maintenance. They saw how bad it was and contacted Honda America. Honda America said they will not pay due to the age (it is now 8 years) and mileage (107,000 now). I have a Toyota Sienna that is 1998 with 200,000 miles. There is not any clearcoat pealing. Both cars have experienced the same weather conditions. I see other Honda Accords with the same problem and when you google it, you get a ton of hits. I'm thinking that this is ripe for a class-action lawsuite. Other cars do not do this. Honda definately created a defect. They should make it right. I have already decided to stop going to the Honda dealer for service. If this is not fixed I will not by another Honda product of any kind.

- Andrew F., Birmingham, AL, US

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