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.
i had my Honda serviced at dealership, they wanted to charge me 415 dollars to install starter. They (diagnostic test) determined this was the problem. Car would not start when hot, the car starts when it is cold. I replaced starter 3 times so far and the problem remains the same. The car will not send signal (fire) to starter when car has been running for more than 15 mins. I put a tester on the starter and will signal from ignition is perfect only when car is cold. I am guessing is somewhere between starter and ignition switch. Perhaps relay switch? Please send me any suggestion or ideas to my email cpgalvan37@hotmail.com as low on funds and trying to make repairs myself at this point. My cell is 936 718 2740 thx hope i can get my car reliable once again!
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
i had my Honda serviced at dealership, they wanted to charge me 415 dollars to install starter. They (diagnostic test) determined this was the problem. Car would not start when hot, the car starts when it is cold. I replaced starter 3 times so far and the problem remains the same. The car will not send signal (fire) to starter when car has been running for more than 15 mins. I put a tester on the starter and will signal from ignition is perfect only when car is cold. I am guessing is somewhere between starter and ignition switch. Perhaps relay switch? Please send me any suggestion or ideas to my email cpgalvan37@hotmail.com as low on funds and trying to make repairs myself at this point. My cell is 936 718 2740 thx hope i can get my car reliable once again!
- Hector G., Conroe, TX, US