This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Honda dealer.
8.6
pretty badTypical Repair Cost:
$2,350.00
Average Mileage:
89,083 miles
Total Complaints:
93 complaints
Most common solutions:
- replace transmission (36 reports)
- not sure (30 reports)
- dealer claims there isn't a problem (9 reports)
- honda is replacing the tranny with a rebuilt at no charge (7 reports)
- rebuild transmission (7 reports)
- dealer did a flush and says that was the problem (2 reports)
transmission problem
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2011Dec 17
Accord
- Automatic transmission
- 90,500 miles
The problem started with high-pitch whining noises. A few days later the car had a delayed engagement when shifting from Reverse into Drive. On my way to the mechanic, my car jolted and slipped from (approx.) 4th gear into 2nd, while driving approximately 40 mph. The engine would rev and only accelerate to about 25 mph. The problem persisted in traffic, but I was able to pull into a parking lot. I had the car towed and transmission flushed. When I left the mechanic (an independent, not Honda dealer), the car was still not shifting into Drive properly and the auto shifting was not smooth. A day later I scheduled an appointment with a Honda dealer who, after a $115 diagnostic, told me it was an "internal mechanical failure in the transmission" and would cost $4200 for a rebuilt transmission, using remanufactured parts for the rebuild. In 2004 Honda issued a recall/remedy (NHTSA # 04V176000) for the transmission OR a revision to the oil cooler return line. Whoever owned my vehicle in 2004, brought the car in for this recall, yet here I am today, with a complete mechanical failure at 90K miles. An independent mechanic estimated a transmission rebuild at $2500-3000. I've opted not to fix this transmission, but to sell the car as is. With the body and interior of the car in good shape, new brakes (installed about six months ago) and a host of other positive attributes, I'm sure someone with the skills to rebuild, will purchase this vehicle and get several more years. I am extremely disappointed with Honda for not issuing a complete recall and leaving many of these vehicles on the road, where a major accident is bound to happen.
2011Oct 04
Accord EX 3.0L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 114,000 miles
I have a 2003 Honda Accord EX V6. About two months ago I started feeling the car wasn't feeling right. As I was driving, it felt like the gear shift had been knocked down in to neutral, but was still actually still in drive. When this happend, the RPM's would go up and the car felt like it wasn't going anywhere, just coasting, then it seemed to just jolt back to where it should be. The problem wasn't happening every time I drove, but recently it started happening more often and for longer periods of time. I take the car to one place to have all my work done on it, so I took it there, but they felt the problem might be internal and recommended I take it to a transmission shop. They did diagnostics on the car and drove it. The result, the car is going into transmission failure. The transmission fluid is black and burned and has debris in it, and they said that the clutches are also burned. They won't know the complete picture until they take the transmission apart and get a good look. It is 5 days before Christmas, I don't have the money to fix it or we will not have any Christmas and now I have no transportation to do anything! Soooo frustrated. I thought Honda's were suppose to be such good cars, but I have had nothing but problems with this one. It doesn't seem like a transmission should go out at 113,000 miles and I have had so many people say the same thing. Now that my transmission is going out, I read up on it and find out there was a recall in 2004 for the 2003 Honda Accords. WHY, am I just finding out about this??
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2011Aug 15
Accord V6
- Automatic transmission
- 76,300 miles
My transmission appeared to slip on the way home from work. The next morning I took it to a recommended transmission repair shop. On the way there the transmission would suddenly drop down one or two gears. I barely avoided being ass-ended. At the next light the car wouldn't go into gear it would just sit there and rev, I shut it off and restarted it and it started to go. Several times it just randomly started shifting up and down gears.
The repair shop confirmed the problem, they said the torque converter was bad along with a list of other things. They had me call Honda to see if there were any recalls, if it was under warranty, No to both. Honda said basically I was on my own.
The repair took two days and cost me $3700.00. This will be my last Honda.
2011Mar 12
Accord EXL 3.0L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 124,000 miles
So I was driving on the freeway and had no problem until out of nowhere the car slips out of gear and revved up really high. I had to pull off the freeway before the car completely stopped... had to get it towed 25 miles home. since then its been over 6 months and haven't had the car fixed.. it cost way too much to replace and i am also unemployed... so I'm just paying the car off. its just sitting in the driveway :(
2011Apr 12
Accord EX 3.0L
- Automatic transmission
- 89,947 miles
I have a 2003 V6 accord EX with about 90,000 miles on it. Last month, the transmission started having difficulty shifting from 2nd to 3rd gear. The same stuff honda had a recall for. Took it to the dealer. They said, I need a new transmission! Would cost about $5,000 to fix. See if they would help. The dealer asked me to open a case with American Honda. After a week they called. American Honda called. They offered me $250 towards the replacement of a transmission!!! Hardly anything. I had a heated argument with the person!! She did not budge! Did not care if I bought a honda again!!
Got it fixed at a repair shop. Paid a lot less! If you have the same problem, feel free to contact me..
NEVER BUY A HONDA AGAIN. THEY USED TO BE GOOD. THEY ARE JUST PEDDLING LEMONS and MILKING AMERICANS!
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2011Mar 21
Accord ES V6
- Automatic transmission
- 59,708 miles
Honda failed to notify the customer of transmission problems after receiving numerous complaints regarding transmission failure. Honda appears to be responsible for not addressing a potential safety hazard. I've been a Honda customer for many years. However, my confidence in the company's honesty and reliability have been compromised.
2011Jan 28
Accord EX 3.2L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 64,000 miles
Two days back on my birthday my car reverse gear stopped working. It started giving jerk. I went to a Honda dealer today and they said the same thing transmission is gone bad. To replace they want $4158. I called Honda America hoping for some help but all in vain. They said to contact the service manger and the regional filed manager. But after seeing all the post I don't think so any action will be taken . May be they will give me some discount. My car has just $64k miles on it . I got my transmission fluid changed by the dealer 2 months back. Is there any way or any news from NHTSA ?
HONDA SUCKS BIG TIME !!!!
2011Mar 11
Accord
- 81,700 miles
I was driving home from school on the 10 Freeway at 5PM, going 70mph, when my car suddenly started to jerk back and forth! I was in the fast lane and drove right through the double solid carpool lane and off onto the tiny shoulder. After sitting there for a good 5 minutes, trying to figure out what to do, I decided that maybe I should try to get to the right side of the freeway, where the shoulder was wider. When I started my car again and pulled forward, as soon as I hit 30mph, my car just started jerking again! I slowly shifted my way over to the right shoulder (thanks to the kind woman behind me who helped slow traffic), and sat on that side for another 10 minutes until the Metro Tow Patrol came by and towed me off the freeway. I've called a bunch of mechanics and they all say that Accords have a history of transmission failure, >:( AND it's going to cost $2600 to fix!!! :( I don't have that kind of money, nor do I have a replacement car! How am I suppose to get to school and work!?
2011Feb 23
Accord LX V6
- Automatic transmission
- 160,000 miles
Purchased car for daughter last year , paid top dollar because it was a Honda , It was even a top pick online for used vehicles when I was looking ??. Real bad news I just purchased a 2010 CRV for wife , if only I knew , my luck ,my bad .
I will get out of this and bye bye Honda , Can not afford the risk. I have to run ,can not drive , and checkout what other kind of troubles I just purchased
You know what I am hearing from the Wife
KR
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2011Feb 18
Accord EX-L 3.0L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 71,499 miles
Nursed my accord back from a half hour drive last week..just barely made it back. Went from erratically downshifting at 50mph to no drive within about 10 minutes. Wish I would have researched complaints 3 months ago...didn't see this coming at all!
2009Oct 19
Accord EX 3.2L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 73,357 miles
27SEP04 I took my 2003 Honda Accord in to Fuller Honda in Chula Vista, CA for recall work. They "Installed an oil jet on transmission second gear inspection" under the recall.
22OCT09 my 2003 Honda Accord experienced multiple transmission problems. While leaving from work, I had difficulty getting my vehicle into gear. Eventually I was able to get it into gear and started driving home via a California Interstate during rush hour traffic. Upon attempting to merge onto the interstate, my Honda went into "neutral" gear. All it would do is "rev" and I could not get it to go into gear in either forward or reverse. My vehicle was now stranded in the middle lane of a San Diego interstate during rush hour traffic. Since I was unable to exit my vehicle as other cars were speeding byat 70+ MPH on both sides of me, I had to call the CHP for assistance. CHP responded approximately 45 minutes later and assisted in towing my Honda to the shoulder.
I then had my Honda towed to the closest Honda dealer. The service clerk apologized for my “problem” but failed to mention about this transmission problem being a common issue with 2003 Honda Accords. He told me that since the transmission should not have failed with only 70K miles on my vehicle that Honda would pay for 50% of the parts and 25% of the labor. Even after the “discount”, my total charge for replacing my transmission was $2531.31. My “near death experience” on the San Diego Freeways was free of charge.
2008Dec 31
Accord EX V6
- Automatic transmission
- 88,000 miles
I bought my car in 2008, and noticed the problem right away. The gears were slipping when I drove, and the car jolted suddenly as it went in and out of gear. I immediately brought it back to the dealership (where it was supposedly covered under a 30 day warranty) only to have them flush the transmission and say that was all they could do for me.
I then went to Honda to have the problem documented and they said the only thing I could do was wait for the problem to get worse (total transmission failure and gear chipping). The recall on the transmission in 2004 was "fixed" by placing an oil jet kit in the car which has done absolutely nothing.
Now it is 2011 and the day has come where the transmission wont even go into 3rd gear, and Honda says that I have to replace the whole transmission for over $4000. They are not offering me good will due to my service history, and not getting my oil changed at their locations over the past to years. This is unbelievable. My family owns four Hondas, and have brought more business to their company over the past two years than most people do in a lifetime.
The biggest problem here is that this was a known problem in the car from day one, and Honda even placed a recall on this make and model for this exact situation. It should have nothing to do with service history, it is the fact that the problem was built into the car, and they knew about it the whole time. I will fight this to the end, and already feel that they have taken advantage of the situation by hitting me with this bill.
2011Jan 21
Accord V6
- Automatic transmission
- 87,504 miles
Just bought my 03 Accord in Oct 10 with 81k. car fax stated everything was fine, this past weekend while traveling, engine started revving up extremely high and car starting doing a stop and go type motion. Long story short, gears slipping extremely bad and drive indicator started to blink and car would not go into reverse. We were on the highway on a bridge when it started and now dealer says the recall had been fixed..... really? I don't think so! Luckily no one was killed!
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2011Jan 10
Accord EX
- Automatic transmission
- 71,110 miles
I have 2 Honda's. I picked up the 2003 Accord used / locally last year. I have all the service records. The car currently has 71000 miles. The transmission failed. There was a previous recall. The oil jet kit was replaced at 20117 miles. Apparently, the repair was not adequate to address the problem. I contacted Honda NA customer service. I spoke with Mirabel. When I was initially contacted I was asked how much I wanted from Honda. I asked how much the new transmission would cost. Mirabel would not give me the information. When I was contacted again, I was told that I had agreed to pay $3,000. That was not true. Mirabel then told me that Honda would pay $1,300 and my part would be $3,000. I asked for a 50% / 50% split. I was rejected. I was told that it was take it or leave it. When the work was completed, the bill was $3,763. I was charged $3,000. Honda paid the $763. I contacted Honda NA. I asked them to split the difference. I was told that Honda would only pay the difference between the $3,000 and the final bill.
I WAS a loyal Honda owner. Apparently Honda no longer stands behind their product. They no longer value me as an existing Honda owner. They lied and were deceptive in their communications. I will be replacing 4 cars within the next 3 years. None of them will be Honda's. I will never own a Honda again. My kids will never own Honda's and I will make sure that anyone who values my opinion will know how I feel about the Honda brand and customer care.
If bad products follow bad business practices, watch out for future Honda's. It's not looking good for a once proud company.
2011Jan 14
Accord EX 3.0L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 127,160 miles
I purchased this car used after getting a (mostly) clean bill of health after inspection (I knew i'd have to replace the power steering pump, but that was it). Next thing I know the transmission starts to slip and then is completely goes out and I'm stranded on the road. I turn the car off and when I restart it will drive again but then quickly slips. This goes on until I slowly get home. I JUST bought this car and CANNOT afford to have the transmission replaced!!!!!
2010Dec 07
Accord Sedan 3.0
- Automatic transmission
- 81,000 miles
Hi Everyone,
I just had the same problem with the transmission failure of my 2003 V6 accord including random downshifting, inability to reverse, and feeling like the car was hit from behind. This is an awful thing and I hope everyone will call the hotline below to generate enough hits to create a class action lawsuit.
Call (888) 327-4236 to file a complaint with the Bureau of Transportation, and they might start a class action lawsuit to reimburse us for the transmission replacement. That's the least they should do.
So save your receipts if you already replaced your transmission everyone.
2010Jun 01
Accord 3.2L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 93,000 miles
Honda is suppose to be the best car and has a really long lifetime for the drive. My car was driving fine until the engine started to make a loud revving noise and would not switch gears until I pull over and put my it on park for a bit and it happened on a rainy day which really scared me. I have never had any idea of my car having such major problems. I brought the car to the dealership and have it looked at, they stated that I needed a new transmission. As a college student I depend on my car daily to get to my destinations.
2009Oct 03
Accord EX 3.2L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 86,000 miles
My car never got the oil jet put on per the recall until after I was having problems. There burnt oil is what caused my transmission problem. Honda looked at it an put a jet in to cool the transmission, but the problem was already there. Honda America is fighting me now. I am still driving it for the time being until the transmission completely fails.
2010Jul 05
Accord EX V6
- Automatic transmission
- 126,000 miles
My first old Honda car works excellent, while the second one is so disgusting... Honda is no more trusty....
2010Jul 31
Accord EX 3.2L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 179,000 miles
2003 Honda Accord V6 Auto Trans. Trans. slipping failing to shift, violent downshift, and red line. Not sure if Honda will recall this call but it seems that there are a lot of problems with this model. After driving my car with this transmission problem - I thought about the hazards of driving a car in this condition, I have a 2 year old daughter and I am terrified to put in my car, not to mention I am a little scared for my own safety. I am like many others in today's economic downfall, money is hard to come by and this is a large amount of money to fix the problem. Please let me know if any of you have any luck with this issue and please be safe as you drive you 2003 Honda's.
2008Oct 16
Accord EX V6
- Automatic transmission
- 80,415 miles
In the Fall I began noticing the car had trouble shifting from 2nd to 3rd gear when accelerating. Was very sporadic at the beginning but became more and more prevalent. Took it in and it took 2 visits for them to finally identify the problem. Honda paid for half of the new transmission and provided a free rental car during servicing. Even though Honda paid for half of the cost of the transmission it still was a huge financial burden that I hadn't planned for. After reading other complaints I am glad it didn't turn into something more serious. I have bought Honda's for years. I have been through 5 or 6 cars and this is the first time I ever had anything major go out on one of them.
2010Jul 01
Accord EX 3.2L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 123,000 miles
So far Honda has refused to acknowledge they have a generic problem with the 2003 Accord V6 transmissions. Legal action may be necessary.
2010May 26
Accord V6
- Automatic transmission
- 134,000 miles
When I was informed that Honda would fix my 3rd faulty transmission for $3300, Hoehn Honda, the dealership, charged me $100 for this news. I laughed in the guys face. Had to pay it so the tow truck driver could pick up my car.
2010Jun 04
Accord 3.0L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 86,000 miles
This has been so many complaint about this transmission problem and I don't know why there is no action from Honda. I think because nobody got an accident caused by this problem. This is pain in ass and to the pocket. My mechanic quoted me a $1,100.00 to repair if I'm lucky not including the hardware parts that may need to be replaced. This is only the seals and clutch repair including labor for $1,100.00. I don't know if this is sound reasonable but If Honda will cover some of the cost or a recall this might be more sound reasonable. Hopefully this will back fire to Honda one of this day.
2010May 30
(reported on)Accord EX 3.0L
- Automatic transmission
- 190,000 miles
So I have a 2003 accord. Its the third accord I have owned over the years. I bought this vehicle to run my business out of. I had it since its been brand new and had 190,000 relatively low maintenance miles on it. A week ago on the road,I noticed a slipping in the third gear. Ignoring this was a bad idea. I was in a suburban neighborhood driving faster than I should have when it suddenly lurched into a lower gear and spun out of control. After reading this post, I was an unlucky one!! I didn't hurt and human being but I did run over a neighbors dog tied to their front tree. Imagine my guilt as I knocked on the door and had to tell a middle age woman and their 5 year old daughter that fido would no longer be eating scraps at their table. After inspection at a Honda dealer it was determined that the transmission went totally out and the bill would be $4200. After alerting Honda of the circumstance, they compassionately decided to fix the vehicle at no expense to me. I would be advised to not buy a 2003 accord due to the tranny failure. It is an emotional roller coaster I have to deal with psychologically every day of my life. Having said that, the honda representatives were great and understanding of my distress. I did sell my vehicle and have since upgraded to the 2010 ex and am happy with it. My only complaint is they did not fix the dent in the front wheel fender, as I had to pay that out of pocket.
2009Jun 01
Accord EX V6
- Automatic transmission
- 62,000 miles
I have a used Honda Accord V6 4 door. The vehicle was a honda certified car that was purchased two years ago. The car slipped out of gear driving on the Hwy so we pulled over. We turned the car off and then continued on the path. This was at about 62000 miles so we had our mechanic service the transmission (who used certified honda transmission fluid). The vehicle would only occasionally have the problem for six months. In March I looked up recall issues on the vehicle and noticed two recalls on the vehicle.
I contacted my local Honda dealer who diagnosed the problem and said it was the same recall issue. Honda however would only agree to pay 50% of the cost to correct the problem on good faith. After being frustrated I called Honda recall department and was told it wasn't the problem. The person at Honda was very rude! Finally today I went into the dealer again and the GM basically told me they wouldn't go to bat for me since I didn't purchase my car there. I called Honda again and the rep is going to call the dealer because she also stated that it is not the problem. I am very upset since this is the 5th Honda that I have owned. Tell all of your friends, don't buy a Honda because they don't stand by there customers.
2010Apr 24
Accord EX V6
- Automatic transmission
- 86,992 miles
We were returning to Canada from Myrtle Beach on April 24.After driving for 10 hrs we were in West Virginia moving at about 65 mph. The transmission slipped and seemed to drop into a lower gear. The rpm's spiked and the car bucked violently several times. We were lucky to not be rear-ended. We managed to limp to the next exit at 30 mph. The fluid level was ok.We stayed overnight and proceeded more cautiously the next day. The same thing happened. We reached Ontario and were travelling on the 6-lane highway at about 60 mph. The transmission slipped and the car bucked violently. Again we were lucky not to have caused a collision. We drove several miles along the narrow shoulder with flashers going before we could exit. We completed the last 60 miles of the trip at 30mph with 4 way flashers going.
Our mechanic contacted Honda ( local dealer ). They claimed 2003 was an excellent year for transmissions. In my opinion this is a severe safety concern and could be life threatening.
2010Apr 01
Accord LX V6
- Automatic transmission
- 115,000 miles
after seeing all the other 03 accord v6 this has to be a design issue. Not sure what to do - it started slipping this morning and won't be able to have honda deal with it for a week or so. how much has it cost other to get a rebuilt tranny? and if so what was the warranty on the new one?
2010Feb 25
Accord EX V6
- Automatic transmission
- 118,000 miles
tranny came out of gear trying to execrate out of clover leaf next to semi-truck Honda America says it is are problem seems to be pretty common and very unsafe
2010Feb 14
Accord EX 6 cyl
- Automatic transmission
- 75,000 miles
My 2003 Accord keeps slipping out of gear. Trying to contact Honda Customer Service. Will be back in touch.
2009Nov 16
Accord EX V6
- Automatic transmission
- 97,000 miles
The Rpm's have been going crazy.
I have had the transmission fluid completely changed. Worked for about 3 weeks. Had the fluid flushed again on the advise of the Honda Dealer. It worked about 50 miles and started again. Now they say I need a transmission. This is the 3rd Honda I have had and was always pleased. This one I bought with the intention of keeping it a long time because of the advertisement by Honda that it can easily go a couple hundred thousand miles. Now I read about all the recalls on the V6 2003 Honda accords transmissions. I never received such a notice. I expect an answer to this.
2009Dec 18
Accord EX 3.0L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 49,710 miles
click to see larger images
my car downshifted violently on the highway and the rpms went through the roof. then it shifted terribly hard once warmed up. i brought it to the Honda dealer here as soon as possible and now its over a month and it still isnt fixed
2009Oct 01
Accord EX V6
- Automatic transmission
- 49,500 miles
I have owned Honda cars since 1992. I now own two Hondas that I purchased new. I love(d) the product UNTIL a couple of months ago. My '03 Accord V6 with 48K miles on it... the transmission began to slip. I had no extended warreenty on it and I have driven the car for 5 years. The car ran fine, but when shifting 2nd to 3rd it would slip. I went to my dealer and they confirmed the problem and said it would cost $4,200.00 to replace the transmission. I was ripped! Several days later they follwed up with me with "good news." Mr. Griffin, Honda has agreed to cover 75% of the cost of replacing transmission. It will now cost you about $800.00." I was psyched! $800 is a lot better than $4,200. A few days later I was pissed again! I felt as if I was being played.
Tell the Honda owner a BIG # and then call a couple of days later with the "good news." If they were willing to pay 75% without me asking for it they should yake care of the whole thing. It's a HONDA for crying out loud!! There is a reason why we Honda owners invest in them. They last forever!
I completed the repaire with the dealer and took my lumps. As an after thought I googled '03 Accord V6 transmission problems and that's how I found all of you. So HONDA made a clunker and they refuse to admut it!
My 20 years of loyalty is OVER! My three young boys will NEVER own a Honda! We all make mistakes at times, but for HONDA to run and hide is pathetic imo.
I have an '03 V6 ACCORD
New Transmission Warentied for 36K miles
New front discs and breaks
Fairly New Tires
Leather
I think I'm ready to sell before THIS transmission craps out too!
2009Nov 29
Accord EX-V6 V6
- Automatic transmission
- 94,000 miles
I was driving my 2003 Honda Accord EX-V6 on a busy highway at approx. 50 mph. Suddenly, the car began to shift gears on its own and jerked violently. Luckily, I was able to pull off to the shoulder. The engine and TCS indicators came alight. The "Drive" indicator began to flash. The Honda dealer estimated about $3,800 to replace the transmission. I contacted American Honda for assistance and after 30 days of back-and-forth with American Honda, I was told that Honda would only consider whether to pay for any part of the repair after I had incurred the cost of repair myself. American Honda was unwilling to commit to a repair or acknowledge that the same transmission problem has been reported by other 2003 Honda Accord drivers on this website and others. They also did not seem to care that American Honda has just recently settled a class action lawsuit connected to transmission problems in prior model year Accords.
I have had problems with my Honda for many years, but the transmission problem is the worst and most dangerous. In purchased the car in Fall 2002. In early 2003, I had to replace the 6-disc CD changer. A second replacement of the CD changer was required again in 2004, and a third that same year. The electrical system required repair in the early years of ownership. I've replaced the master cylinder. And now, a transmission failure. The customer service department of American Honda has been consistently unhelpful and unsympathetic.
I have maintained my Honda Accord meticulously, with all service being performed on time and only at Honda dealerships. My Accord is the first and last my first and last Honda purchase.
Please consider filing an online complaint with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/.
2009Nov 23
Accord EX 3.0L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 76,000 miles
I was a walking Honda Commercial ... Now I am a walking warning.
I am serious, I made fun of people for buying the traditional American brands because they all have serious problems. How embarrassing when i had to tell them my Honda turned out to be a POS transmission failing junk.
Whats more Honda would not fix it.
Not addressing perpetual problems like this is how GM dug its grave. Honda gave me a 40% discount off the 3900$ quote. (personally I believe the quote is a method for manipulating game to manage expectations and make the customer feel they got "better")
I used to be a walking Honda commercial... But than I had this issue, and honda drops the ball. I bought this car so that I had a quality vehicle, I actually just bought an 06 Acura TL and planned on replacing this Accord with an Acura MDX/RDX but since this incident my next vehicle will likely be a Lexus.
Honda could have covered this repair... at a minimal cost. Instead they will pay with the loss of 160k in revenue in the loss of future sales. I convinced my mother to buy a new TL just a few days ago, she is selling her current CTS in preparation, but after this experience I told her to head to the Lexus and Audi dealer.
I was a walking Honda Commercial ... Now I am a walking warning.
2009Nov 03
Accord EX V6
- Automatic transmission
- 115,000 miles
Ok, bought my wife's Honda Accord Ex V6 brand new in 2003. The car ran like a dream until the wife reported at slow speeds the car would stall (high rpms, no acceleration). So we took to local mechanic and sure enough he said transmission issue and quoted us $4,000 with 1 year warranty (car is out of warranty and has 115K). Ouch! Took a test drive yesterday and around an S curve (15 mph) car would not accelerate and kept revving until I coasted through the curve. Ok, problem is worsening and worried now about high speeds with wife and kids in it.
I did a Google search to see if there was a recall and this site was first and spot on but no recall. I haven't taken the car to the local Honda dealer yet over this issue (usually take my car to local mechanic) but I know these guys are going to milk me.
I next called American Honda at 1-800-999-1009 and ask them for "goodwill repairs" per what some posters here did. The guy who answered was nice but did not give me answers on how many of these type of calls were coming in or if they could assist me with the repairs. He basically said the local dealer would need to address this. I got my case number and hung up.
So then I found Stamell & Schager law firm on this site and called 1-212-566-4356 . The lady was very nice and she said they have received hundreds of calls about the transmission problem. She also said for us to do the following below and to document everything.
Steps:
1. Take car to local Honda dealer to diagnose and report problem.
2. They will either give us 2 options: Give us discount for repairs or we pay out of pocket.
3. Call American Honda and ask them to pay for it.
4. If Honda is not going to pay for it all, then submit documentation to law firm for possible pursuit of law suit.
In any case, I will be doing the steps above and hope for the best. However, I am extremely disappointed in Honda. Honda used to be "the" brand and I love their cars but I just wish they would admit this problem and issue a recall so I would have peace of mind.
2008Oct 16
Accord EX 3.0L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 60,000 miles
I have the same transmission problem like everyone else described here for my 2003 Accord V6. It's the top of the line Honda I got back in the days, but the reliability has been just killing me.
I have mentioned this occasional gear slipping to the local dealer here at San Jose many times, but they never admit the problem and always claimed "nope, can't reproduce it" even on my 60,000 miles service. I have found a "way" to neutralize the issue by switching back to N then to D4 again. However this is real dangerous as this could happen anytime and the car is just not moving when the Rev is shooting up.
Not too long ago, the Engine light came up. Nice. I am freaking tired of Honda and no wonder Toyota is #1 instead of Honda at US.
Update from Jul 28, 2010: Right now there have been 375 cases reported at NHTSA. Check out:
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/complaints/complaintresults.cfm?start=1&SearchType=DrillDown&type=1&year=2003&make=HONDA&model=ACCORD&component_id=180&summary=true&PrintVersion=YES
Let's keep being persistent to pursue this. Anyone has good plan to bring this further please update.
2009Aug 24
Accord LX V4
- Automatic transmission
- 85,000 miles
Car started getting kicks after moving from traffic signal. D light blinks. Called Honda care center but no luck, I need to pay from my pocket. Its my first car and I thought I'd go for Honda, as its the best automaker, but now I think they are not best. My next car definitely will not be a Honda.
2009Sep 28
Accord ES 3.2L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 101,500 miles
On 09/28/09, I driving my 2003 Honda Accord traveling at approximately 70 MPH in a high traffic Highway, when my transmission started slipping. I noticed my RPM gauge spike up to 4,000 RPMS. The car felt like it was in neutral and would not move. I safely merged to the shoulder and attempted to get help with negative results. After the vehicle cooled down I was able to placed it in gear and drive it to a safer location. I inspected the transmission oil and noticed it was black in color and it had a bad smell to it. I had my transmission oil flushed and changed with Honda approved oil. I had the same problem of transmission slipping when I had approximately 75,000 miles on my vehicle. I changed the transmission oil with Honda approved transmission oil and the problem seemed to go away with a few slips know and then.
On this date after changing the transmission oil I was able to drive it for approximately 35 miles before I began to notice the same problems. On this date the transmission was at it's worst with constant slipping, down shifting, and jerking. I learned that when the transmission oil cooled down I was able to drive the car for several miles and the problem would start again. I did this a few times until I drove my family out of harms way. I eventually had the car towed to my house.
Seems like I am not the only one. Honda knows they had a problem with the recall I just read about but never received.
2009Aug 25
Accord EX V6
- Automatic transmission
- 130,000 miles
Like everyone else, the transmission slipped out of gear on the FWY at high speeds. After that, it wouldn't get past 2nd gear. I called Honda and they said to take it to the dealer but they would not likely help with the fix. I called the dealer and they said they had never heard of the problem... TOTAL BS!!!!!! I took the car in for the recall back in 2004 but they said they simply adjusted something and that replacing the transmission was not required. I believed them and here I am. The shop that replaced my transmission said I was lucky to get past 100k miles with the original transmission. I was hoping that the car would last forever but thats not likely. This WILL be my last Honda. Engine is great but transmissions are horrible. If I'm paying 20-30k for a NEW car, I need everything to be great (Toyota).
2009Aug 24
Accord EX V6
- Automatic transmission
- 93,206 miles
After reading all the other complaints on this same issue, I'm now very concerned. I bought my 2003 Accord used in April 2009. It had 142000 kms on it. I started noticing the slipping and revving a few weeks ago (near 150000 kms). I'm taking it into a transmission shop to have it checked out as I'm not impressed with the local Honda service centre.
I called asking to get the maintenance information on my car and was told that because I didn't bring it there for service, that they couldn't tell. I'm explained to the service lady that maybe she could enter my VIN number in her system and it would list all the service that has been done at Honda. She seemed surprised that she could do that. She told me the brakes had been done in Nov 08. I'm guessing these are the same Honda brakes that spew black dust on to my front rims.
I've always been a big fan of Honda cars having had 2 previous Accords (new 1992 standard transmission and then traded it in for a used 1998 automatic in 2002). Great cars, never had any problems. Sold that one in 2006 as I was in a car pool to get to work and didn't need the 2nd car.
Now I needed a 2nd car and went back to my trusted Honda Accord. It's becoming quite apparent that I will regret this decision for a long time.
2009Aug 16
Accord LX 3.2L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 57,800 miles
I have a 2003 Honda Accord and I have never had a problem with it until now.Like everyone else on this site had my transmission go out on me. My car has less than 58,000 miles on it. I love that everyone at Honda acts as if this is new problem that they have never heard of before...???? I was going to work when this happened to me and I have to suffer through this.Hopefully something can be done.So far the dealer agreed to cover 75% of the 3600$.
2008May 01
Accord EX V6
- Automatic transmission
- 123,700 miles
Same slipping as everyone else, got stranded on the freeway. Towed to Aamco, $2500 rebuild, been back 6 times with slipping now during the 2yr/24,000 mile warranty Aamco gave me.
2009Jan 22
Accord EX V6
- Automatic transmission
- 58,000 miles
I have a 2003 Honda Accord and I have never had a problem with it until now....I, like everyone else on this site had my transmission go out on me. I am now out of pocket $1,600 and my cay has less than 60,000 miles on it. I love that everyone at Honda acts as if this is new problem that they have never heard of before. I will be sure to call the lawyer's information listed below on this site. Hopefully something can get done. I was on I-95 when this happened to me and I have never been more fearful of my life. No one else should ever have to suffer through this.
2009May 25
Accord EX 3.0L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 85,000 miles
I bougt an extended warranty from Consumer Direct Warrantee Service last November which went into effect December it cost me $1798. Covers the ransmission foor a max of $2500.00. I hhad a problem with the trans slip on the highway and bang into gear a few times but then seemed to stop. Then it lost third gear completely so i called CDWS who told me to bring it to a mechanic or a transmission shop. i asked them if the local Aamco was ok they said yes. Aamco called CDWS to report the claim because they said there was internal transmission failure. It took a week for them to come down and a few more days to tell us that they are not paying the claim because it was a piston seal that caused the problem with a spring broken and a cracked clutch drum. The reason they would not pay was because the drum was not leaking according to their test. Aamco told me that the inspector was on a mission to discredit the claim and to have another inspector come out. CDWS initially refused to send out another inspector but they finally said that the expense was on us and they sent out another inspector a week and a half later. The second inspector seemed to agree with Aamco but again they discredit the claim saying that the drum had a slight crack and the internal part of the drum had a broken spring and piston seal and again they discredited the claim. Originally Aamco wanted an excess of $4000 plus tax to repair the transmission. Since i had to pay for it and they charged me $700 to take the transmission down and put it back together i was already out that and i tried to get a better price elsewhere. The outside prices ranged from $2200 to $3100 plus tax and they would have paid the tow to their shop plus the $700 I was already out. I haggled with Aamco and after a few more days got the price to $3000 including the $700 so begrudgingly I allowed them to do the repair they told me 2 days but I just got the car back last Saturday which is a month after the trans failure. I have called Honda and they told me that there was no recall and i did not have a Honda extended warranty and since it was already in another shop the point was moot. A rebuilt trans from Honda according to Aamco cost them $2100 which they would charge $3100 PLUS $700 labor plus tax.and would cost beyond $4000 and I did not have that kind of money in fact $3000 tapped me out. It is strange to note that the TCS light was flashing 3 or 4 months prior to failure and I did bring it into Ray Price Honda in East Stroudsburg who I paid to fix the TCS problem and they claimed it was because of the aftermarket wheels that were on the car when I bought it which made no sense because those wheels were on the car at least 2 years without any TCS light problem. It seems evident that this problem was an earlier indication of transmission failure but was not diagnosed by Honda. I am amazed that there are now 180 complaints on this exact vehicle from Honda and the fact that in 2004 Honda updated the drum to a newer design. Aamco said that the old drum design which I had has a bad weld on it that caused the failure and developed the crack. The drum which Aamco initially said cost about $200 caused this failure but no one is listening and I believe that Honda should be the subject of a Class Action Lawsuit because of all of these failures with cars with the old drum design. I have had great luck with my 1998 Honda Accord 6cyk which has over 250,000 miles and the original transmission, exhaust, and engine. The engine runs quiet tick free and flawlessly with full power. The 2003 has had electrical problems with the door locks, dashboard error lights and now the complete transmission failure of the 3rd gear the problem everyone else has gotten.
2009Jun 13
Accord EX V6
- Automatic transmission
- 124,000 miles
So, I really thought I was the only person with this problem. I called American Honda and talked a very soft spoken gentlemen who was very nice and said due to my mileage he could not help but the next best solution would be too contact the Service Manager.
I contacted the service manager and explained to him that if he gave me 2500 as a down payment I would be more than happy to buy another accord. Although I might be regretting this idea as it sits more and more in head. But we shall see. The service manager explained to me that he would call me back with an update since I've been going to the same Honda dealer for 10 years. I had a civic which I took and now my accord.
I don't know if he will want to do the deal but I know I will be contacting the law offices to file a formal complaint. I don't know what it's going to take for someone to die before they realize it's a hazard. I guess most people don't really care only if it's their car.
2009May 29
Accord LX 3.0L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 120,000 miles
Dealer is trying to get some compensation for me on this since I asked, but they're telling me it's $3500 to fix. I'll see what they come back with before I rant too much, but it's very disappointing. File a complaint if you've had problems, too at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/index.cfm , and hopefully we can get something done about this!
2009Mar 10
Accord EX 3.0L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 163,530 miles
I was driving home for the weekend from College, I was about 60 miles from home when my car stopped running the RPM shot up and the car just slowed down. I put the brakes on and turn to the shoulder. I turned it off and back on and it went no problem. I continued on my way home and along the way it did it again. I got to a gas station and waited until morning for my mother to get me. So I called Honda and they said its low on Transmission fluid, I put some in and it didn't help. sucks because I'm low income. I haven't got it looked at I hope there a way that Honda can help me so if anybody knows please let me know i need my car badly
2009Apr 21
Accord EX V6
- Automatic transmission
- 64,000 miles
Well, my Honda 2003 EX with 64,000 miles did the same problem with the transmission as others have said on here. I don't know what to do; the dealer quoted me $3,500 to fix.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2011Dec 16
Accord V6
I was driving to work today and my car suddenly downshifted into 1st gear when I was running about 45 miles per hour. It began jerking and after pulling over it would not go into reverse. If I was on the freeway this could have caused a serious accident. This is a major complaint with 2003 Honda Accord owners. Something needs to be done. I have always loved my Honda but after reading all of the complaints and seeing that a recall has not been made, I think they are setting someone up to die! This is ridiculous!
Candace B.
McLeansville, NC, USA
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