The transmission started having a slight flare in 2nd to 3rd shift around 150,000 miles. I got it serviced at mel rapton Honda on 3/20/2012 and was told about the flare issue. Now at 180,000 the transmission will not go past 3rd gear and needs to be replaced.

- Sacramento, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2003 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while driving 40 mph, the vehicle downshifted and independently decelerated to 10 mph. The contact stated that the speed began fluctuate independently. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for inspection but was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 63,498.

- Plymoth, IN, USA

I was preparing to exit a parking area when the engine rpms jumped up to 4000+ but the car did not accelerate. The transmission was in D but the car would not move. I allowed the rpms to drop to 600, shifted to N then back to D. repeated that process a 2nd time and the transmission did engage. The next day the local Honda dealer checked but could not verify a transmission problem. At 61740 miles the same transmission slipping occurred in traffic. The transmission is now being replaced. We purchased the car in November 2002. This vehicle had an easy life and less than 62000 miles. The 2004 recall for Accord V6 automatic transmission 2nd gear did not fix the problem.

- Oakland, CA, USA

While driving on a busy ca freeway going 70mph in the fast lane, suddenly the car started (I thought) braking very violently. I crossed the lanes to get to the shoulder all the while it was still braking violently. Narrowly missed being rear ended several times. We had it towed to our Honda mechanic and it turns out the transmission was slipping from 4th to 2nd gear. I have subsequently read numerous stories exactly like mine. Looks like Honda knows of the problem and is waiting for someone to be killed or seriously injured before they do anything about it. Yes, the car is 10 years old but this is a serious safety issue and they need to acknowledge and try to help their loyal customers before they are killed or injured.

- La Habra, CA, USA

I was driving down the highway at about 65 miles per hour. All of the sudden my car forced itself into a lower gear. My car jerked violently and skidded on the highway. I was lucky that nobody was around me at the time, or I could have definitely hit somebody. I drove my car straight to the dealership, and they said the transmission needed to be replaced at the cost of $4,500. I had no choice but to pay the fee and fix my car. Seems ridiculous that there is no recall for this, when so many people are having the same issue. There is clearly something wrong with these transmissions.

- Queen Creek, AZ, USA

This vehicle has been defective from the outset. The wrong lug nuts were on the wheels. I got a ride of vibration for 13,000 miles and 25 trips to the dealership and independent tire shops. This was followed by a differential which failed and two transmissions after the original for a total of three. I never got one mile of the new car ride a new car would normally provide. Countless trips and stop gap repairs, I am now afraid to take a trip. I have asked Honda for a new car three time including Japan and they have declined 'stating they cover the 3rd transmission with a warranty and have helped. I have been stranded 5 times the many trips to culver city from van nuys were not all documented as\ the work orders were redacted by [xxx], who Honda claims since have been released(fired).I have invoices of over almost 5 1/2 inches wide collectively. If ever a car was 'fraudulent' in terms of a vehicle that did not ever mesh mechanically this is the 'prototype' Honda Accord if there is any justice a new car would be provided and be deemed a most appropriate resolution on this matter of the car which never worked from the outset. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Van Nuys, CA, USA

The automatic transmission on this car is horrible. My daughter was driving this car on the highway and the transmission suddenly quit on her. Fortunately she was not rear ended. Hackettstown Honda quoted me $4500 to replace the transmission even though there was a recall notice about relating to this (#04-037 dated April 2005) and the car has been in for a variety of other recalls. I also own a 2003 4 cylinder and have not had any problems.

- Marlboro, NJ, USA

While driving on the highway in rush hour traffic the transmission started to have issues while shifting down into first, a small knock. When I was able to get up to normal highway speeds as traffic opened up the car violently slammed into first gear causing my tires to lock up and sent me veering to the right. Luckily I was in the right lane and the car behind me was at a safe distance or I would have been toast. Afterwards I was able to limp home in first gear as no other gear is working including reverse. Looks like its off to the dealer to buy a new transmission. I don't understand how there can be hundreds of complaints of catastrophic transmission failure at highway speeds and there is no concern of safety from either Honda or the NHTSA, but they are quick to tell you to replace the ignition interlock because it's unsafe! please do something about this before someone gets seriously hurt!

- Saint Louis, MO, USA

Automatic transmission disengages from drive line. ( it felt like the transmission had been placed in neutral). It doesn't do it when cold. If engine is turned off and started after 5 minutes car will move. Transmission specialist quoted $2000-$2500 to rebuild trans.he said the trans filter was not accessible from outside the transmission and the clutch pack disintegrates and clogs the filter rendering the transmission unreliable. Transmission fluid had been replaced as per Honda recommendation, now it smells burned and is brown instead of red. Honda quoted $500 trade in value towards another newer car. Honda wants $3000-$4000 to replace with rebuilt unit. Research indicates that this is a not uncommon for this model over many years. How many fatal crashes have occurred due to this problem but were attributed to other causes?

- Union, IL, USA

While driving at apx. 45mph car violently downshifted into a lower gear, and then went into neutral, I pulled over to the side of road and shut it off. A minute or two later I restarted and it went back into gear. This happened 4 or 5 times over the next 3 miles to get car home. Spoke with Honda service advisor same day (6/8/13) and she basically told me it is a common issue and I was looking replacing the transmission for apx.4 - 4.5K! over the phone and not having seen the car! called Honda customer service (6/10/13) and after 20 minutes on phone with rep he told me to have car towed to dealer, have them look at it and deal with them! fat chance I'll do that, having it towed to an independent transmission shop. We bought the car new from dealer in may, 2003, has apx. 115,000 miles and has been maintained. Very disappointed in Honda, more so after "googling" the above issue and seeing it is a very common problem with this model! never to be a Honda owner again!

- Roseville, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2003 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while driving 40 mph, the vehicle suddenly failed to shift gears. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnosis where it was stated that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was notified. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 128,000.

- Parker, CO, USA

I was driving on a local city street that has a 30mph speed limit. I stopped at a red light and all seemed totally fine with my car. When the light turned green my car did not move & the engine just revved up. I went no where. I was holding traffic up & was totally clueless that my transmission just went. I turned the car off & on a few times to see if the car would move but no luck until after some time the car moved after about 25 minutes. From that point the vehicle would not go past about 25 mph when it could drive. I had the vehicle towed to a shop & paid 2,150 to get the transmission fixed. In 2013 the same problem happened again when my car was around 119,000 miles. On the second time this happened I paid 3,500 to get the car fixed. I have receipts.

- Queens Village, NY, USA

This happened 3X today, the third time was terrifying & dangerous. I barely got on the shoulder off the highway in time. The tcs light came on & the car violently jerked from low to high gears while in drive, going about 25-30 mph. I shut off the car & restarted it, the tcs light shut off. The car jerked when I tried to get off the line and felt like it slipped into neutral. I parked in a parking lot and while pulling in, the car jerked violently again between accelerating & decelerating for no reason. The final time--I started to get on the highway and the car violently went out of control as it jerked wildly accelerating and decelerating while traffic was in all lanes of travel around me. I barely made it at about 20-25 mph (by the time the car decided to coast into a neutral feeling gear) to the shoulder on the side of the road where I waited for a tow to a Honda dealership for diagnosis.

- Washington, DC, USA

When speed gets over 35 mph, the car violently lunges forward. The car does not go in reverse as well. A safety hazard when traveling.

- Evergreen Park, IL, USA

The contact owns a 2003 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 mph, the transmission would not shift into third gear. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer who recommended that the transmission be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 148,000.

- Vacaville, CA, USA

I just got on a highway and the car would not accelerate and change from 2nd to 3rd gear. It happened 3 more times before I got to a Honda service. Further, there are at least 30 more technical service bulletins on this transmission. Clearly Honda has had serious manufacturing issues with this transmission and that has caused major reliability and safety issues for Honda owners, like me.

- Mill Valley, CA, USA

I was fortunate but I am concerned we will read about a person and /or family that was killed by oncoming traffic because their car slowed in the fast lane or stopped without warning on a busy California freeway. I was changing lanes doing 65 mph when my car quickly decelerated-I could not get enough power to get into the next lane and cars were coming in all.lanes. Finally, I got into the lane-it happened 2 more times B4 I could get off the fwy a short distance away. At the traffic signal, it stopped completely. After 15 minutes, I was able to slowly creep into the gas station& call aaa for a tow.I have a long history with Honda &stayed with Honda because I felt safe. 1st Accord I had for 10 years; Prelude I had for 17 and gave to my nephew; so tho this Accord is 10 yrs old, I have it serviced regularly-last service was 4/11/13.I am waiting to hear if american Honda will accept that the trans is defective and pay the $4500 for the repairs. I rely on my car and must feel safe. I don't feel safe now and if Honda is irresponsible in fixing this defective trans, I will have also lost faith in the company. The mileage is way to low for the trans go out. If I drove it more then the trans would have gone out within the extended warranty (for which I paid $1600) time period. Extended warranty expired 8/2010 or 75000 miles- my mileage is at 58,559-quite a bit short of 75,000! please don't wait until someone is seriously injured or worse. Do you know what it feels like to have cars coming at you at 65+ mph and you can't get out of their way? you can only hope and pray they see that you are barely (if at all) moving and they change lanes. I was lucky. I have always trusted Honda (not all dealers but Sierra Honda in monrovia is great) and I am hoping this situation can be remedied. But, consumers have to be informed of the problems with the transmission in this model/year.

- Duarte, CA, USA

While highway driving (80mph), total, unexpected transmission failure. Speedometer dropped to zero, multiple indicator lights on dash including blinking indicator near the "D" gear indicator and engine light. I was nearly hit as the car decelerated and I quickly tried to merge to the right so I could exit the freeway. After pulling into gas station, I opened the hood which was now smoking with burning oil. The entire undercarriage was covered in oil and it was now leaking from an unknown source. This is the third transmission failure I have experienced in the same 2003 Honda Accord. I have nearly been hit twice due to transmission failures in this vehicle. Does someone have to be killed before this well known transmission failure is address" recalled? consumer refunded for repairs to a faulty vehicle"

- Chicago, IL, USA

I have a 2003 Honda Accord ex-V6 that I purchased in 2006 with 13,000 miles. It now has ~70,000 miles. I have had all the Honda recommended maintenance performed. Today, while traveling about 50 mph, the transmission suddenly downshifted violently almost causing an accident. I pulled off the road and tried driving in D1, D2 and D3. The transmission seems to be stuck in first gear. I finished the drive home (about 1 mile) and found out there was no reverse gear. This seems to be a recurring and potentially dangerous problem from Honda. I can not believe this problem has not been recalled.

- Madison, OH, USA

Was driving on the highway at approximately 60 mph when the car violently downshifted into 1st gear and slowed to 20 mph. Was able to pull off of the highway onto a city street. After this, the car would not accelerate, although the rpms would increase when the gas pedal was pressed. Shifted through several different gears and no change. Had to have the car towed to a shop where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The repairs and labor cost $1975. There were absolutely no warning signs that there was a problem with the transmission until it failed on the highway. The car had been to the dealership a month prior and no problems were detected. While under my ownership, the car has been up to date on all regular maintenance and all previous recalls had been addressed. This was a very dangerous situation for me and I believe that Honda needs to address this known issue with this model to prevent injuries or fatalities.

- Carrollton, TX, USA