8.4
pretty badTypical Repair Cost:
$2,396.00
Average Mileage:
70,858 miles
Total Complaints:
15 complaints
Most common solutions:
- not sure (6 reports)
- honda corp. will replace autotrans. as a good will service (5 reports)
- new transmission (4 reports)
transmission problem
This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Honda dealer.
Helpful Websites About 2003 Honda Accord shifts roughly
2009Nov 07
Accord EX V6
- Automatic transmission
- 100,989 miles
I am clearly joining a long list of folks inconvenienced by this problem of having one's car transmission abruptly shift out of gear. I have already had serious problems with my Honda dealership, so I have taken the Accord to an independent. American Honda has said they will not provide any assistance unless the vehicle is taken to a Honda dealership for inspection. This would entail towing my car from the current location to the Honda dealership and then towing again to return it to where I intend to have it fixed; and then there was no guarantee American Honda will help.
If you discover you have this or a similar problem take it to a dealership to at least have it inspected if you want any possible assistance from American Honda.
Between the local dealership and the car problems I am done with Honda. As soon as I can financially afford it I will be getting another car and it will not be a Honda.
2009Jan 08
Accord EX 3.0L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 101,700 miles
I am complaint #119. Had transmission replaced approx 140 miles from home and not even a week later the replaced transmission started slipping again. Honda said they would help me by paying $1400.00 of the $3500.00 plus taxes that the original replacement transmission would cost and that they would do no more because I could not provide service records for the transmission up until the time it failed. Basically had no choice but to accept their so called deal as they stated that the 36,000 mile warranty had long since passed and the only problem that they'll admit to should have been taken care of by their recall back in 2004. So after handing the Honda dealer a check for $2250.00 and getting my receipt, I proceeded to drive home. When I got home I took a closer look at my receipt to find that I paid 90% of the COST and Honda covered 10% of the Cost.
Let me RE-ITERATE........COST!!!!
It seems as though they quote the list price and make it seem as though they were covering $1400.00 of the bill when in essence they were only covering 10% of their cost for the transmission and that 90% was paid by me. DECEPTIVE???? You bet!!!!
So 700 miles later my replaced transmission started slipping very noticeably and I brought it to my local Honda dealer with 3 year/36,000 mile warranty in hand. They are now in the process of replacing the transmission AGAIN but this time it is on their dime.
Funny thing.......when I brought it in, the service manager told me that he has seen the same problem and that Honda had never asked for service records from anyone that he dealt with and that Honda was providing the transmissions without cost to the consumer and all he was charging the consumer was the labor to switch out the transmission.
His statement, and I quote "Boy they really screwed you!!!!"
I will be calling Stamwell and Shager in New York City to add my name to the class action lawsuit that they are contemplating on filing. However, I've heard that when they settle it is usually for a warranty extension and that's about it so I guess I can kiss my $2250.00 good-bye. While we're on the subject of good-bye kisses, Honda can kiss this customer goodbye because as soon as possible, that piece of crap is getting traded in and I do believe that Nissan will be kissing me hello.
Honda has made a decision to treat their customers inconsistently regarding this matter knowing full well that there is a consistent problem with this transmission. In my estimation, this makes them no better than the American Auto manufacturers who fly to Washington in private jets looking for money to bail out their struggling companies due to their own greed. My hard earned money will never go to Honda again and I'll buy American before it does!!!!!
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2009May 01
Accord V6
- Automatic transmission
- 85,000 miles
I am going through the "call American Honda" for a goodwill repair process and I'd like to add this for all to see: I was awaiting a call back from American Honda and the DEALERSHIP called back and made me a very bad offer which I did not accept (something like 1% of the $3350 estimate). Then when American Honda finally did call back they said that because I didn't accept the DEALERSHIPS offer through some Am Honda representative that they could not discuss it any longer. I am still in open negotiation with them about the goodwill repair (American Honda 800-999-1009) - but beware of the "other call" - it may be a set up to thwart your negotiating directly with AmHonda.
Update from Aug 3, 2009: So, to continue my dealings with "American Honda." I went to pick the car up (I am not having the repairs done at the Honda dealership) and they have now told me that they "got it down to $2300." This was after telling me that the transmission cost $3350 to REPLACE and they they we authorized to go down to $3000. Again, when I told them "no" the first time, they translated the info to "American Honda" and American Honda said they considered me as rejecting THEM. Anyway, I found a local transmission specialist who knows all about the problem and has fixed fifteen 2003 Honda transmissions over the last six months behind the same problem. The total bill will be <$1000. American Honda can be shamed. By the way, the mechanic told me that a "silent warranty" exists on those Honda transmissions...ask about it early in the process.
2009Jun 04
Accord LX 2.4L
- Manual transmission
- 82,000 miles
I thought since Honda is said to make the most reliable cars my problem was the only one. Just last week out of the blue my accord has been making a terrible grinding sound when i try to change into 3rd gear. Estimates from the dealer are in the 1000+ range. I've never been this disappointed.
2009Mar 27
Accord EX V6
- Automatic transmission
- 84,200 miles
Wife called and said there is a problem with her 2003 honda accord V6 (84000 mi.)-does'nt shift properly. I just figured it was low fluid so I went to get her car and after checking everything drove it around the block then immediately to the dealership-it was slipping between 2nd & 3rd gear. this is my third honda accord and I've never had any problems. Sure enough the dealership called that day and told me $3900 for a new transmission. Thought it was a bit strange since they had just serviced the trans. 3000 mi. prior. Then I found this site and realized it was a rather popular problem. I printed off every single complaint and went to the dealership with a fistfull of papers to see if they could deny any knowledge of the problems. After a bit of complaining and several phone calls to the dealership and Honda the car was repaired at a cost to me of $1400. Still not happy about the $$$ but Honda and Bill Cox at Lithia Honda in Midland TX. did a great job in customer service and I will probably buy another Honda just for that reason, and probably from that dealership.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2009May 18
Accord ES V6
- Automatic transmission
- 94,000 miles
First the car started shifting roughly, so I took it to my auto mechanic, who was well aware of this problem with V6 Hondas. Since transmissions usually get worse gradually, I continued driving, while the transmission was on order. 2 days later, as I was driving the emissions check light & TCS light came on at the same time & have not gone out since then. The manual claims the emissions check light could mean that you didn't put the gas cap on tight ... but that doesn't explain why both lights would come on at the same time & stay on. Now I don't know if the car is just failing in general, or if everything is related & will be resolved once the new transmission is in.
What happened to Honda being such reliable cars?!?!
2003Oct 01
Accord EX
- Manual transmission
- 12,000 miles
manual transmission for accord coupe sucks. i had problem with riding rough highway speed 60-70 and if it was cold you better believe 2nd gear was tough to go into.
2008Feb 05
Accord EX V6
- Automatic transmission
- 40,100 miles
Okay all! This is an update to the ongoing drama with the transmission problems, that Honda Corp is well aware of but make every excuse in the book not to cover..... My car broke down on February 5, 2008 and was advised that it was a solenoid (sp?) that prevents the car from shifting from 1st to 3rd. After paying almost $500. to fix that problem the following day the transmission went out in the car the very next day, after experiencing the same problems that I took it in from the day before. After fight back and forth about this problem and how we thought we had already fixed the problem with the solenoid (at least that is what URSE HONDA had told us the day before!) They advised us that they were not sure what the problem was with the car with supposed 30 years of Honda repair experience. They decided that they would replace the transmission if we would agree to pay 15%. With a young child at home and no transportation for the two of us. My husband decided to have them fix it, because he needed his car to go back and forth to work. A few days passed and the regional manager contacted us to see that the car was handling better.????? To which he had been advised by the URSE HONDA dealership that the problem had been repaired. We advised that the car was never returned to us. When we contacted the dealership they told us that they had put a new transmission in and that it was still doing a similar thing as when it was brought in before. They said they were going to try to put another transmission in it. They had the car exactly 1 month, the car was returned to me on March 5, 2008 during that time they did not offer a loaner car, rental, or demo. Their customer service is awful and I have to say the worst I have ever had to deal with. They told me that since they put a bad transmission in the car it fried my computer and they were replacing that as well. When I picked up the car it still felt to me that it was shifting hard and my radio, navigation, and heat/AC would not work because I could not use the touch screen in it. It was asking for the security code????? I called the dealership and they advised me that if I brought the car back again (for the third time) it would take about 15 minutes to fix, and that it should have been fixed before they gave it back to me. I laughed and thought to myself "That is just the way URSE HONDA handles their customers!" That is why we will never own another Honda or do business with their service department again. We have already located another service department that has built a business on the people that URSE HONDA screwed over (That is until I can get rid of this piece of crap car that HONDA CORP has stuck me with). We will never deal with URSE HONDA again and HONDA CORP was no more helpful than the shady dealership. By the way I don't know if I mention this in my other complaint.... When I bought the car I found out that I was given a 5 year 100,000 mile warranty???? Which I just recently found out during this whole mess, was because HONDA CORP knew there was a problem with the transmissions all along. Someone one from HONDA CORP told my husband that piece of information after we found out about the transmission problems.
2007Dec 15
Accord EX-L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 123,000 miles
My 2003 Accord EX-LV6 with 123,000 mile. bought the car with a extended warranty never used it once. has been a honda owner for the last 10 yrs. This is the first major problem I encountered with a Honda vehicle. The second gear on my autotrans. is slipping. The dealer (buena park honda) told me the transmission needs to be replacement. I had all/most major/minor services done at a dealership. I called Honda corp. Honda corp. asked me to fax them all service maintenance I have completed on my accord. Honda corp. will replace autotrans. with a 36 mo./36,000 mile warranty but I will need to pay 100% for the labor. I am not satisfied with this. Labor what I was told will be around $600-800 this is bull crap. Honda Corp. knows this is a major problem and they tried to fix the problem the first time with a recall to repair the autotrans. Count me in for a class action! I just need to talk to the dealer if they will give me additional discount for the labor . Will see what happens...
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2007Sep 20
(reported on)Accord EX-L 3.0L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 63,085 miles
after starting up my car, whether the engine was cold/somewhat cold, i hear a sound in my gears and happens after putting the car to Drive. the clunking is then heard shifting from first to second gear and doesn't do it again after that. the only time it will happen again is when i shut down the car and start it up again after a few minutes and it happens all over again. I took it to my dealer and 5 people drove it within 3 hours and heard the noise but they said they don't know where it's coming from when I already told them!!! What will it take for my dealer or another one to understand what's going on???
2007Jul 20
(reported on)Accord 4 cyl
- Automatic transmission
- 51,000 miles
Recently my Honda accord was in for service. They said that they heard a noise and they thought it was my transmission. Honda first told me that they would pay for half of the transmission. After numerous calls they told me that I would only have to pay for the labor. After going on to some web sites I realize that this was a serious problem with the 2003 Honda accords. I am very upset that I didn't receive a recall. After reading some of the complaints on this web sites. It could be very dangerous. I am very upset because I have two children. And I drive them and their friends around. I suppose to get it repaired next week. I am very upset with Honda. I feel that I should of got some recall to the problem. And should have it repaired at no cost to me. After all I still have the original tires and brakes. You would think that the transmission would last longer than the breaks and tires.
2007Mar 08
(reported on)Accord EXL 3.0L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 49,000 miles
When I accelerate my gas peddle shakes, then my car "clunks" when it shifts. It doesn't always happen, but it did this right before the transmission failed last time. This "new" transmission is only 5 days old and it's already clunking again. I feel like I'm playing the wait game - just waiting to break down yet again...
2006Sep 25
(reported on)Accord
- 44,000 miles
I have noticed in recent weeks the auto transmission not shifting properly into or out of second gear. The problematic shifting come and goes. Once I thought I had it in D-1, than it finally shifted after a 5 second delay. Sometimes coming to a stop the transmission will downshift hard like the engine is braking with a manual transmission as the brakes are applied. One dealer said all he could do was replace the transmission at my cost. Honda Customer Service says its may be still under warranty. I'm going to a different dealer to see.
2006Jul 13
(reported on)Accord EX
- 60,000 miles
After going to the dealer twice and being told there was nothing wrong I found this site and see I'm not alone. I haven't had it fixed because they don't see any problem. This just ticks you off when you buy what you think is just about the best thing on the road..
We have partnered with JustAnswer to offer online auto repair help and advice from expert professional automotive technicians. You describe your transmission problem or ask your question and they try to help you figure it out. The fee is typically $9 to $15, but you can offer to pay more for really tough questions. You will usually receive an answer in 10 minutes or less, and you do not have to pay anything unless you accept the answer.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2009Oct 01
Accord EX V6
I have a 2003 Honda Accord EX V6 that I bought brand new with 14 miles on it. I had always noticed the car roughly shift into gear, yet I always thought that maybe I was accelerating too hard. I took my car into the dealer for it's routine maintenance (which I am very diligent about) and an airbag light that lit up in August of 2009. The dealer did the routine maintenance on my car and about a week later my car was leaking oil. My husband thought maybe it was surplus oil from the oil change but he kept an eye on it for about 2 weeks. After that last week went by, the car was still leaking oil. I called the dealer and let them know it was leaking oil and maybe a screw was loose from where they worked on the car. They said to bring it in. I took it in and they said that the problem was with the transmission seal and position switch and no where near where they worked on my oil change. I was charged $110 to "repair " a seal.
Another week went by, same thing. I took it back. This time they took the seal and everything around it apart cleaned the oil out and they told me it is as good as new. WRONG! I called up again, but this time I spoke to the Svc Mgr at my local dealer and told him I didn't want to deal with anyone else but him and he agreed. He even offered to pick up the car at my house and drop it off. "No problem" I thought, until 4 days later when I drove my car and noticed a loud noise (like a leafblower) inside the engine and oil again on the floor. I called up the mgr again and he asked why it happened 4 days later and I told him I didn't drive my car over the weekend. He again offered to pick up my car and drop off a loaner. I get a call from him the next morning to say that he called Honda all day the day before and they got back to him saying there seem to be a crack in the casing that they hadn't noticed the last 3 times they had worked on that part. The svc mgr stated that American Honda would cover the cost of repair of, wait for it, $3500! Shocking, I know, but Honda was willing to cover 75% of the cost and my part would come out to be $890 plus tax. I let the manager know I would need to consult with my husband and do some research. My research led me to this website and I discovered other "Honda" owners with the same problem and given the same solution and same price reduction. I printed all the complaints from this website and highlighted all the complaints that had the same thing in common. That American Honda was allowing a 75% discounted price on something that is 100% their fault. I gave the printed copies to my husband to hash it out with the dealer. I was DONE with this!! CLEARLY, there is a design flaw in this transmission design and yet Honda will not recall this 2003 model!!! Now, I have owned 2 other Honda Accords (1993 used and 1996 new) and told everyone that Hondas were the only car to drive because they were so low maintenance. Boy was I wrong!!!
Laura B.
Anaheim Hills, CA, USA
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