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:
15 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
9 / 0
Average Mileage:
84,447 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.
2003 Honda Accord. The transmission has a problem trying to find a gear to shift, causing the engine to race.** answer required*** (transmission slippage) while driving the vehicle on gently rolling hills, the vehicle continued to shift up and down, never finding a gear, along with jerking in spurts up on one hill and down on the other. The consumer stated there was a recall issued regardging the transmission.
Driving along hwy 94 in St. Charles mo and heard a noise from my car and then I had no power train, transmission went out. It was like I was in nuetral. I was able to pull off the highway with no one hitting me. Towed it to ed napleton Honda dealer in St. Peters mo 63376.
Received the recall notice from Honda regarding to the automatic transmission problem during the 3rd quarter of 2004. Owner brought in the car to nearby Honda dealer for the recall. Honda service representative suggest that there is no need to replace the transmission and has done the required services for the vehicle. On Mar 01, 2005. While accelerating on a on ramp entering the freeway, the vehicle suddenly loose gear control and was unable to find a right gear. The vehicle slowed down while still raving at neutral for about 2 second until it shifted to another gear. The problem occured multiple times after that incident, and gets worst and worst during that one day until one occasion where vehicle was completely stop on the road while engine is still on, and the gear is still on D4. The vehicle was only able to move when the ignition was turn off and back on again, and can only travel while on first gear. The vehicle was brought into the dealer the day after, and dealer suggest to change the whole transmission under owners own expanse of approximately $4000 or use the extended warrenty if the problem is cover under the warranty.
My vehicle was involved in a recall for the transmission 2nd gear inspection. On a subsequent visit to the dealer I had the transmission fluid changed. During that service the dealership did not fill the transmission. At low speeds and low torque situations I loose all power, the automatic transmission apperas to slip out of gear. I have been able to get it back into gear by downshifting into !St gear. This has occured 4 times and the dealer says they can find nothing wrong. It has happened once while going through my states ezpass ( 20mph) and three different times while in parking lots and or my driveway.
- Saugerties, NY, USA
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Vehicle was parked on a slight decline (facing forward), while still running. Driver left the vehicle, walked approx 15 yards. An audible (fairly loud) "pop" was heard and then the vehicle rolled forward, striking a fence, causing damage to the vehicle.
Honda Accord 2003 4 cyl,55000 miles, driving along at 40 mph, car went into neutral, stopped, restarted but no reverse dealer service dept diagnosed as transmission parts broken, rebuild or replace transmission. Replaced transmission with remanufactured from Honda.
Consumer received recall 04V176000 concerning automatic transmission failure. Took vehicle to dealer for repairs. Problem had not been resolved. The consumer indicated that the transmission made a grunting noise. The dealer indicated that the noise was normal but the consumer doesn't think so.
While traveling at 20 mph consumers vehicle accelerated, causing it to strike the guard rail. Consumer later received recall O4V176000 for transmission.
Defect of 2nd gear transmission. Transmission lock up and crush without warning. The consumer received a recall letter in the mail regarding the 2nd gear transmission that could cause overheating which could result in a transmission lock up. The consumer stated the ignition key became hot to touch after driving for a certain period of time.
2003 Honda Accord recall on tranmission. Consumer learned of recall on the internet. Recall automatic transmission second gear inspection was performed. Alarm key remote no range, must be right up on car to work. Front brake noise and/or judder. Front brake discs were refinished and new front brake pads. Tires were rotated and and rear brake service was performed.
The consumer had problems getting the recall on the transmission done at a local dealer. The dealer indicated that since the vehicle was not purchased at that location that the repairs could not be made until December. The consumer then contacted another dealer who was more that willing to do the repairs.
Consumer received recall 04V176000 concerning automatic transmission. Parts were not available. Consumer suggested that they should not be notified of a recall until the parts were available for repairs at the dealership.
Consumer received recall 04V176000 concerning automatic transmission failure. Took vehicle to dealer for repairs. However, the problem had not been resolved.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Oceanside, CA, USA