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.
The contact owns a 2003 Honda Accord. While the contact was driving approximately 30 mph the transmission slipped into neutral gear without intent and began to lock which resulted in no power during acceleration. The vehicle was coasted to the side of the road and resumed normally after shifting into drive. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where a recall repair was performed for NHTSA recall campaign id number 04V176000 (power train: Automatic transmission). The failure persisted after the remedy repair and the vehicle was taken back to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 111,000.
I have a 2003 Honda Accord ex V6. It has been serviced as per instructions in Honda owners manual. It has 119K on car and the transmission will slip out of gear when driving, according to several web sites (www.hondaproblems.com/problems/transmission-failure.shtml), (cdonner.com/Honda-Accord-2003-ex-V6-transmission-failure.htm) their are many more out there doing the same thing and Honda usa is turning a blind eye to the problem. The real issue is the transmission, the past few recalls include jet kits and ignition switches and a few flash file updates to transmission software never truly addressing the real issue which is a much more expensive transmission replacement. The recalls are like any other recall when a large repair is needed on a broad scale, smaller more band-aid like repairs are instituted as recalls to get the vehicle out of warranty and no longer a problem for Honda. The problem with this kind of irresponsibility is this, the issue is not a cylinder wear issue and it isn't a fuel pump failing issue that simply is a financial inconvenience to the owner, it is a problem with a transmission failing to stay engaged, a problem that is leaving drivers in the middle of roads. A problem that is causing car to lose power in the middle of merging into traffic or changing lanes, or at any moments without warning, endangering the driver. Last but not least when a person decides to buy a Honda they are not only purchasing a car with money they purchase it with confidence of reliability. When you maintained a vehicle and you drive it like a baby and it fails at 119K that it what I believe falls into the category of premature failure. Honda needs to take responsibility for this dangerous and subpar product that they have given to the buyers in good faith and at the least give 100% parts goodwill.
While traveling at speeds approximately 45-55 mph, the engine initially would rev up and after gas pedal released, would return to normal within seconds. This happened approximately three times on separate days over a 3-4 week period. Yesterday, the transmission revved once as described previously. Within a few minutes of that episode, it then started to suddenly downshift from overdrive or drive into 2nd causing the car to suddenly lurch forward, rapidly decelerate and the tires to squeal. This happened several times and occurred regardless of whether we were going up or down a hill and at various speeds. We narrowly avoided an accident with a tractor trailer before we had the car towed.
While driving home from pep boys to have them diagnose a noise issue with my car (the noise could not be duplicated), I was turning left from a stopped position across 3 lanes of traffic on bellaire blvd. And my transmission failed and acted as if it were in neutral. This is the 2nd transmission I have had to have installed in this Honda in the past 3 years. The first time I was on a busy freeway traveling about 60 mph when the transmission suddenly dropped to 1st or 2nd gear and would start bucking in and out of gear. Houston traffic is very busy and I feel I have escaped serious injury on more than 2 occasions with this vehicle. Something needs to be done before someone is killed or critically injured. This is a well known issue with the 2003 models.
- Houston, TX, USA
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Honda 2003 transmission while on a trip from St. Louis to the Chicago area 6-23-2011and just North of springfield, il the transmission made a pronounced sound, slipped into neutral, and I had to make an emergency stoppage in heavy highway traffic to the side of the side of interstate 55. Smoke was pouring out from under the hood. I opened the hood and the smoke was emanating from the transmission area. We got towed ($136) back to springfield, il and as it was past 6:00 pm we had to leave the car at a local recommended transmission shop. The shop has informed us that the transmission was "burned up" and need to be replaced to the tune of $3,400 for factory rebuilt with 36 month, no mileage limit guarantee. To get transportation to where we were going and back to St. Louis cost almost $300 in rental car fees. This does not count what it will cost to return to springfield, il to retrieve the car once it has been fixed. The transmission service business there said they have repaired another four or five 2003's, and my Honda mechanic in St. Louis said he had done four as well. What was normally a four hour plus trip turned into nine hours. The car has 148,215 miles and has been well maintained. This has shaken my confidence in Honda. We have owned six Honda's in the family, but this is the only V6.
The SRS airbag light has come on at least 6 different times requiring a visit to the dealer each time. In each case the problem recurred within a few weeks to a few months for unknown reasons. No collisions were ever involved. No bags ever deployed prematurely. Each time we have taken the car to the Honda dealer. The first time they cleared the dtc code and test drove it. That was $90 plus tax. The light did not come back on again for some weeks later. We took the car back again on 11/14/2008 for the same problem. They replaced the driver seat belt at no charge under warranty. A month later the light came on again and we took the car back in on 12/12/2008. They cleared the code for another $90 plus tax. Back again on 12/03/2009; same problem. This time the blamed it on a seat belt tensioner and repaired under warranty. Back again on 5/31/2010. This time they replaced the drivers side seat buckle again under warranty. And finally back again on 6/20/2011, this time not only having this problem, but they say the transmission needs replacement at a cost of over $4000 plus tax. I've filed a separate complaint for that. I see online that there are a very large number of complaints for the SRS light, the transmission and many other problems. I see that the SRS and transmission problems have caused accidents and injuries. This is a very dangerous vehicle. We are no longer driving it. Please investigate asap.
At approximately 56,000 miles, we had to replace the rear main oil seal. At 68,000 miles, we had to replace the fuel pump and as of June 4th, 2011, we were informed that we need to replace the transmission at 78,000 miles. The transmission failed going approximately 70 mph and proceeded into "limp mode" to 30 mph. It proceeded to then return instantly to 70 mph and within 30 seconds repeated the same and as we were trying not to fly off the highway it again repeated this same behavior at which point we pulled off to the side of the highway, which was approximately 2 feet wide, and as traffic, which was thankfully not right on our tail, flew by we were able to drive on the side of the highway for the next 20 miles at approximately 30 miles per hour into the next town. At this point, there wasn't anyone available to look at the vehicle so we left it and rented a vehicle. Our Honda would not even go into reverse at this point. We then towed the Honda back to our home town and dropped it straight to Honda of tri-cities. There they diagnosed that their was a transmission failure and it had to be replaced. They offered to pay half of the cost ($2000) but we feel there is a life threatening problem with that transmission and after seeing all of the additional customers of Honda's, the years between 1999 and 2003, that have had the same life threatening experiences, we are appalled that the public has not been notified of this. Not just by a check on your transmission but a complete recall. I am very surprised that we were not fatally injured.
I was driving on Maryland route 270 at 60mph when the car violently jolted and wheels locked for a second putting me into a split second skid. Almost had a devastating crash with my family in the car. Apparently the transmission went from 5th gear to 1st gear on its own. Thankfully I made it back home driving about 10mph with the car still jolting back and forth. As I was backing the car into a parking spot the vehicle went in reverse just fine but after pulling forward and attempting to reverse again the car did not back up. When I turned the car off and back on again I was able to move in reverse.
May 3rd, I was driving approx 70 mph when all of a sudden, my car felt like someone slammed on the brakes and I went flying forward. It happened 2 more times, then later, I couldn't go in reverse. I researched it and was shocked to find out this is an ongoing issue with the 2003 Honda Accord ex V6 model. Honda isn't calling it a recall because no one has been hurt yet. The next day I was in bad pain due to the jolts and seat belt marks from them restraining me. I called american Honda and started a claim. I asked what if I need a new transmission. He said 'no problem, you're now with american Honda.' I took it in and my transmission failed on the way there too. While waiting the vip director came up to me telling me I'm a vip customer having bought Honda for 22 years. Shortly thereafter the svc manager came and told me yes, the transmission was gone and american Honda agreed to pay $900 out of the $4300 bill. I asked what about the known issues Honda has with this year and model" he said all they offered was $900. The vip manager told me he would never put $3400 in a sinking ship. I said 'sinking ship?' he said 'well it does have 89K miles on it.' I said 'it's a Honda...that's why I paid big bucks for a Honda because they are supposed to go for a long time.' When I called Honda America, they said I wasn't the owner. I said I am. I bought it 4 years and bring it brandon Honda for all my work. They still had the previous owner listed...after 4 years! I never received recalls because it went to the previous owner. The svc manager himself changed it that day to show me as the owner. All the times I'd gone to brandon Honda and bought it at crown Honda and they never put me as the owner, 4 years ago" incompetence. Like Toyota knew they had a brake problem but did nothing about it until someone died.
When taking off from a complete stop, my daughter's 03 Honda Accord V6 shifted poorly between the 2nd and 3rd gear. The mileages for the car were less than 132,500 at the time. Honda website listed several recalls for this model, in which the problem stated was one of then. If this problem was corrected under the recall, why was I out of pocket for work never done? my daughter is the second owner of the vehicle.
2003 Honda Accord, V6. Transmission failed with no warning, while turning left. This could have easily led to a serious accident. After inspection mechanic states that the failure has all of the typical characteristics of the failure of the 2003 Accord transmission. It will cost me 3,800 to repair (with only 94,000 miles on the car and a perfect maintenance record at a Honda dealership). But I just feel lucky that we survived. This is a very dangerous failure. There was zero warning of a problem until I was left with the transmission neutral with cars headed at us going 60+ mph. Thank god the other drivers were paying attention and slammed on the brakes. One oncoming driver went into the ditch.
Transmission failure. 2003 Accord exl 6 cylinder. While driving approximately 35-40 mph the vehicle suddenly felt as if the brakes were applied. The vehicle began to slow rapidly as if someone slammed on the brakes. The car was slowly driven to a parking lot and were it was towed to a Honda service facility. Facility indicated that the transmission would have to be replaced. It should be noted the car was just minutes earlier was being driven at 75 mph and if the failure had occurred at this speed the results could have led to a catastrophic accident involving my wife, my pregnant daughter and a family friend. I had been reading about these transmissions failures for over a year and as soon as my wife describe what happened I knew immediately the transmission had failed. It should be pointed out that the car was serviced during the early transmission cooler recall but did not prevent the transmission from failing. Its just a matter of time before one of these vehicles transmissions lock up at a high rate of speed leading to a rapid deceleration and being hit from behind leading to a serious accident involving serious injuries or death. Honda motor Corp has ignored the transmission failures in the 03 Accord and I will never purchase or recommend the purchase of another Honda vehicle. I am extremely upset at the cost to repair the car. I do feel Honda should subsidized a portion of the cost. I do not see this type of failure with other Honda years or models.
Impeccably well maintained Honda 2003. All of a sudden third gear is gone. Mechanic says rebuilt transmission $3800. Are you kidding me! we also own a 2003 Honda Pilot, this past year cost $2000 to replace the torque converter. Another Honda transmission problem that is all over the internet. Unless Honda does something for us on this problem these will be the last Honda's this family buys!!
The night of February 22 while my family and I were driving down the highway our Honda Accord 2003 transmission downshifted very violently almost causing us to have an accident. We all yelled and had to stop the car on the side of the road for a while. It was very scary! it was like the car was unmanageable at that moment. Somehow my husband managed to drive the car home very slowly because we were close. The next day he took the car to the Honda dealer. They told us that the transmission looked really bad and need it to be changed, of course after we pay them $4,080.12!!! we have take good care of our car and this is terrible! now the car is inside our garage and we still have to pay for it. To our surprise, after google Accord's transmissions on the internet, we found many complaints from other Honda owners that experienced the same problem. We are shocked by Honda's lack of responsibility and support!! this is a safety issue and we believe they should consider people complaints and recall the cars. It will be very sad if someone have an accident and die on the road because of the Honda transmission failure. We hope that this will be investigated and fixed by Honda. Thank you
Was driving 55-60 mph on a Chicago expressway when the transmission started slipping and caused sudden deceleration. I was extremely frightened as the car started lurching, so I weathered it until I could get to a ramp. As it was a Saturday night, no dealers or shops were open, so I survived the lurching all the way home and had my husband refill the transmission fluid. We then got it into a shop Monday asap and got the news...bad solenoid and the transmission was blown. Total cost to replace transmission = $3,232 at 97,000 miles. Fyi: Previous checkup one month prior revealed no trans problems, except for battery replacement.
Premature transmission failure. Transmission began not going into gear cold but after warming up shifted normally. 2 days later it started slipping so bad it barely made it to the dealer. The normal service interval for this transmission is 100,000 miles so I don't think it should fail prior to reaching this point. There was at one point a transmission recall for this vehicle however Honda's position is that this has nothing to do with the failure. After doing some research I find many Honda owners with the same complaint. When speaking with the dealer they indicated they would contact Honda and ask for assistance on my behalf.as per the dealer after speaking with Honda they (Honda) would pick up 50% of the repair which was acceptable to me but what happens now is the dealer ups the price of the repair to $5000 and I get to pay $2500 which is what the normal cost should be. I retired from this business 2 years ago so I am pretty savy when it comes to prices. Seeing as there are so many with the same problem Honda should be doing all these repairs free.
With approx 122,000 miles my 2003 Honda Accord ex V6 is at the local pasadena Honda dealer who working with Honda Motors states that the transmission needs to be replaced, due to transmission failure, at a cost of over $4000. There is now a backlog for at least a month on the part. For many years actually within the first year of purchase the transmission has hesitated and not shifted properly I took the car to the dealer for the 2004 recall which made little to no difference in the hesitation/shifting problem. Recently after taking the car in to the dealer for the ignition interlock recall, the car began to show very noticeable signs of some sort of major problem while accelerating the car would not accelerate and I would hear a spinning. While driving on the highway the car would have difficulty sifting from 1-3 gear and would not accelerate, this is a critical speed that the car must perform at otherwise it is not fit to be driven anywhere. This car is dangerous to drive in this condition. There are hundreds if not thousands of complaints on this model car, I formally request the NHTSA to asses this situation before there are further injuries or deaths as a result. Honda is clearly aware of this problem. To be clear this problem is with the transmission and related components, I.e. some reports are that it is the torque converted. My dealer states that it is one of the bearings. Regardless the dealer service dept states that the transmission has to be replaced.
I own a 2003 Honda Accord that is having constant problems shifting from 2nd to 3rd gear (automatic transmission). This has caused me numerous issues merging onto the highway because the vehicle fails to accelerate. I have nearly caused accidents and have had to make emergency stops on the side to try to work through this issue and get the vehicle to shift and accelerate. The shift from 2nd to 3rd fails almost every time.
Transmission went out on Honda Accord 2003, which had recall on it. Honda claimed to have fixed it. This concerns me because of their definition of fixing the problem. This could have been a hazard and could have cause a wreck - when your car suddenly won't go, and you are in rush hour traffic on a major interstate.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Miami, FL, USA