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.
My car is a honda accord TYPE S. 2354 cc, yr 2003. Since purchased in May , there was some knocking to both sides of the car, suspecting shocks. Took car to Honda dealer, suspected shocks. Changed shocks, track rod ends, link rods, to no avail. the knocking has got worst. Had the car inspected by twice at an MOT garage, put through vigorous tests, check upper and lower wishbones which was by then the next suspect, nothing could be seen or detected.
Till today, I haven't been able to find a solution to this problem. Honda dealer and other mechanics haven't been able to help. The car drives ok, though with this problem. Had it wheel balanced, tracking done twice, tyres are near brand new Pirellis.
If nayone can bring some light to this problem. your help is most welcomed and Thank U.
I told the dealership that the car rode rough - think off roading in a 1970s Jeep Wrangler. When they were replacing the transmission (that failed 15 days after I purchased the car) they found that the "fork was jammed into the arm control." Whatever the hell that means.
After they fixed it (smashed, broke, and un-wedged this "fork") it felt great for about a day, then went straight back to the way it was. It's so bumpy my CD player won't play a single CD without skipping. But I do get a kick out of sounding like a child bouncing on her father's knee when I try to have a conversation. Gotta stay optimistic, right? Yeah, it's that ridiculous....
All vibrations from the road are passed directly to the passengers inside the car. It appears that the suspension is not sufficient to handle the weight of the V6 on the front tires, and/or the Michelin MXV4 Energy Plus tires are not the correct tire for this car (see separate complaint for the tires)
- David M.,
Richardson, TX, US
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
My car is a honda accord TYPE S. 2354 cc, yr 2003. Since purchased in May , there was some knocking to both sides of the car, suspecting shocks. Took car to Honda dealer, suspected shocks. Changed shocks, track rod ends, link rods, to no avail. the knocking has got worst. Had the car inspected by twice at an MOT garage, put through vigorous tests, check upper and lower wishbones which was by then the next suspect, nothing could be seen or detected.
Till today, I haven't been able to find a solution to this problem. Honda dealer and other mechanics haven't been able to help. The car drives ok, though with this problem. Had it wheel balanced, tracking done twice, tyres are near brand new Pirellis.
If nayone can bring some light to this problem. your help is most welcomed and Thank U.
- robd19562004, Epsom., Surrey, UK