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.

8.0

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
77,000 miles
Total Complaints:
2 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (2 reports)
2003 Honda Accord transmission problems

transmission problem

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2003 Honda Accord Owner Comments

problem #2

Nov 202006

(reported on)

Accord EX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 140,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My car also makes a clicking noise from the ignition when I try to take it out of park. Lately, it's been getting stuck and I can't take it out of park while the engine is on. Therefore, I have to use the emergency release.

- chrisrox, Burlingame, CA, US

problem #1

Feb 042005

(reported on)

Accord EX

  • 14,000 miles

Since I have had my car over two years, I have noticed a sticking noise when taking the gears out of park into reverse or drive. I have not received any recall notice, but I don't think it is normal. Is this problem related to the other transmission problems I read about? Are my gears grinding away and my transmission will just quit on me while driving or what? Anyone have any ideas?

- samaraj, Wichita Falls, TX, US

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