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.
10.0
really awful
Crashes / Fires:
5 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 0
Average Mileage:
8,805 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
Since I brought the car home, I had intermittent issues with the ABS system. The vehicle has been serviced 4 times, the wheel sensor has been replaced and the ABS controller has been replaced, now I have been told by the service manager that Honda does not want the dealer to look at my car until Honda has a solution for the problem. Ever since my last service, I have been without ABS and traction control, it is not an intermittent problem any more. When this first occurred, the service manager stated that this was just the second car with the problem, but as of my last service, he stated that it is a growing problem.
While driving the ABS and traction control warning lights illuminated. Consumer took vehicle to dealer who advised that the anti-lock brake and traction control systems had failed. Dealer also advised corrective part is not in the United States and would not be able to obtain until possible 02/15/03.
- New Hyde Park, NY, USA
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- Williamsville, NY, USA