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
Typical Repair Cost:
$650
Average Mileage:
91,500 miles
Total Complaints:
2 complaints
Most Common Solutions:
replaced by purchased extended warranty (1 reports)
Less then 2 months after purchasing this used "HONDA CERTIFIED" vehicle, my transmission started slipping, the honda dealer went in to replace it a they noticed that my motor mounts were also shot and in dire need of replacing. They replaced them, but didn't realize this until 2 days without my car, so I was without my car for a little over a week. I did receive a rental, but it was a small compact car that smelled like feet, and i had to pay out of pocket for the insurance. HONDA is run by the devil!!!
- brandyb85,
San Francisco, CA, US
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A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Heard noise when gassing or easing off. Mechanic showed us how the engine was rising up when reeving on the gas. You could literally see it.
Cost to replace 3 motor mounts $650?? at Firestone. Called around Honda wanted $1000 to replace all 4. Took about 5 hours to repair.
The car is 8 yrs old but the mileage is low....Not Happy!
This is really the only problem I had with this car but, looking at this site the tranny could be next.
- nike, Atlanta, GA, US