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.
There is a permanent whooshing noise coming from the steering column, that Honda says they can't fix.
Power steering is causing me issues and money even after Honda fixed the recall. Both hoses were failed to the point were I need to replace the pump and god knows what next.
Lost my light in the dash ages ago, Honda claimed it would cost me 1,000 and the cd player ate my cd and died.
The drivers side door window gets stuck down at random times, fun in snow or rain.
Oddly this cars back rotors are replaced a lot because the brakes keep ceasing.( cha ching )
Rust above the rear tire.
Inside light above the dash is getting touchy. sometimes does go on until you start the car the next day.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
There is a permanent whooshing noise coming from the steering column, that Honda says they can't fix. Power steering is causing me issues and money even after Honda fixed the recall. Both hoses were failed to the point were I need to replace the pump and god knows what next. Lost my light in the dash ages ago, Honda claimed it would cost me 1,000 and the cd player ate my cd and died. The drivers side door window gets stuck down at random times, fun in snow or rain. Oddly this cars back rotors are replaced a lot because the brakes keep ceasing.( cha ching ) Rust above the rear tire. Inside light above the dash is getting touchy. sometimes does go on until you start the car the next day.
- dragonsmile69, Warwick, RI, US