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.

6.0

fairly significant
Typical Repair Cost:
$930
Average Mileage:
96,600 miles
Total Complaints:
2 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (1 reports)
  2. replace water pump (1 reports)
2003 Honda Accord engine problems

engine problem

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2003 Honda Accord Owner Comments

problem #2

Feb 202012

Accord EXL V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 93,128 miles

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

1 MORE REASON TO CALL THIS CAR A LEMON. Worst Honda I ever owned . I will never boy another Honda!

- jawebb, Garden Grove, CA, US

problem #1

Mar 092010

Accord LX V4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,000 miles

When ideling the car had a constant clicking noise- we are putting synthetic oil in for a month and keeping an eye on it.

- Bill G., Bethpage, NY, US

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