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.
10.0
really awful
Crashes / Fires:
5 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
7 / 0
Average Mileage:
109,175 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
Transmission began shifting with a "clunk, " then began shifting erratically. Reverse would not work at all. Transmission replaced 2-15-2012 by omega Honda of fremont, ca.
Transmission is slipping between 1st and 2nd gears and after car is warm transmission hesitates from dead start. I have looked online only to find out that there are hundreds of complaints and this is definitely a safety concern, the NHTSA is failing it seems in their responsibility to address this recurring malfunction, I only hope that the death as a result of this situation that finally causes a recall is not one of my family members.
The car would not accelerate beyond 10 mph but occasionally jerking forward as the car struggled to shift gears. I was on a road with a speed limit of 35 mph, and fortunately I was able to move the car into a nearby parking lot where the car completely stalled. I shut off the engine after briefly smelling a burning smell. I was able to start the car again and take side roads to get home. We took the car in for servicing and were told it was an issue with the speed sensor. $259 and two days later we were driving along a local highway with a speed limit of 40 mph when the car again jerked through gears and barely moving. Snow was falling, and visibility was limited. With hazard lights on, several cars came within feet of rear-ending us as the roads were slick and we were not able to fully get into the median. Again, a burning smell prompted us to shut off the engine. About 20 minutes later we were able to start the car and drive it down the median at about 5 mph as the engine continued to jerk through gears.
- Libertyville, IL, USA
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My 2003 Honda Accord had a transmission failure at 52,000 miles. Car also diagnosed with power steering rack failure. Car has been serviced exclusively at the dealership where it was purchased. All maintenance done at recommended intervals. Service department has been given carte blanche to repair/replace any part over the last 8 years. This should not happen. Very disappointing.
While driving at highway speeds, my 2003 Honda Accord slammed into a lower gear causing the car to almost come to a stop instantly. The car behind me had to slam on the breaks and swerve onto the shoulder to avoid hitting me. The car will no longer shift into reverse or any gear higher than 2nd.
In early October of 2010 our 2003 Honda Accord ex V6 was driving at about 40 mph, suddenly, it downshifted in the middle of traffic, almost coming to a complete stop, and the car was almost rear-ended. When looked at bythe local Honda dealership the tech said the transmission was fine. A few weeks later the car did it again only at higher speed this time. The car has been parked for over a year because we are afraid to drive it, and we do not know whether to invest the money to fix it, or if it is defect from the factory. I found the information for this website on the following thread: www.carcomplaints.com/Honda/Accord/2003/transmission/unintended_downshift.shtml.
The transmission has been slipping on and off for 2 weeks until last night, when it failed completely. I noticed it shift into a lower gear when I let my foot off the gas, and then it would not engage any gears. I had it towed to a nearby transmission shop who confirmed that the transmission had failed and would need to be replaced. Failure happened at 8 years and 114,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2003 Honda Accord. The contact was driving 50 mph and heard an abnormal noise from the transmission. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who advised to the contact that they were unable to diagnose a failure within the transmission. The transmission was flushed and an oil change was performed. The failure persisted after the repairs, accompanied by an abnormal jerking motion. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure who offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 120,176.
I have a 2003 Accord 4 door ex with a V6 and automatic. I was driving along on the freeway at freeway speeds when suddenly the transmission seemed to have slipped out of gear and then re-engaged back into gear violently. Thankfully, traffic was light and I was able to limp off the freeway and onto a parking lot safely. After I came to a stop at the parking lot, I noticed the engine symbol along with the tcs and ABS lights were illuminated. After the stop I had put the gear selector into neutral and found I had no forward or reverse in any selector positions afterward. Prior to the incident, the car was operating fine with no pre- indication of transmission problem. After a few minutes, I was able to get the car back into gear and proceeded slowly along city streets returning home. The transmission would shift erratically in and out of gear and then finally I was stuck in first gear with no up shifts. Dtc P0747 was stored. I replaced 9 quarts of atf-dw-1) and a filter (FK399) by myself. Honda shop service manual gave procedure for an oil strainer (Honda 25420-P7W-003), which is not accessible. A small filter element that can be replaced without disassembly of the transmission for access listed in the Honda illustrated parts breakdown as ( 25450-ray-003) and is available through Honda or an auto parts store such as O'reilly (FK399). I believe that the clean atf helped free up a sticking clutch pressure solenoid valve when the vehicle reached operating temperature and the PCM activates the solenoid.
I was driving through a construction zone when suddenly the gears downshift on me. I tried to accelerate a little but it increases the RPM in the current gear but does not shift. I try again and it shifts up. A few seconds later it repeats - the car downshifts suddenly with a jerking motion and I have difficulty accelerating. I am about to have a baby but now that this happened I would not trust this car with the life of my precious little one. I cannot believe that a complete recall has not been made yet! a recall needs to be made for the safety of our family and for those on the road. I trusted Honda but now I cannot. The government needs to step in and take action as this is a serious issue for many americans.
My 2003 Accord ex V6 completely failed this week at 90,490 miles. I was driving on the freeway at 65mph and the transmission went out with no prior indication of any problem and no warning lights. I was lucky and was able to safely coast off the freeway to a parking lot. There was a Honda transmission oil jet kit recall for this vehicle. I had that taken care of on 10/18/04 at 15,555 miles. I had my transmission fluid changed again at 30,570 miles on 2/20/06. Had transmission replaced at Honda dealer on 12/17/11 after this incident. They wanted $4,000 but they gave me $1,400 off as a "good will" gesture, so I paid $2,600. The dealer said there has been no history of transmission problems with my vehicle. After doing some research, sounds like Honda had major transmission issues that year. I have seen numerous complaints posted online.
I was driving to work today and my car began to downshift into 1st gear when I was running about 45 miles per hour. It began jerking and after pulling over it would not go into reverse. If I had been on the freeway, this could have caused a serious accident. This is a major complaint with 2003 Honda Accord owners. Something needs to be done.
I was driving to work today and my car suddenly downshifted into 1st gear when I was running about 45 miles per hour. It began jerking and after pulling over it would not go into reverse. If I was on the freeway this could have caused a serious accident. This is a major complaint with 2003 Honda Accord owners. Something needs to be done.
While driving at a constant speed, the engine suddenly started accelerating and then decelerating in quick succession causing the car to jerk back and forth uncontrollably. As I attempted to come to a stop on the side of the road, the car continued to accelerate/decelerate. Honda dealership diagnosis is transmission failure. Cost of repair is $3800. The car was just at the dealership in October for service and there were no issues then.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Union City, CA, USA