This model of the Honda Accord has a known issue with the stereo amplifier; however, Honda has not addressed it because it's technically not a safety issue. (<-According to what I've read online) I strongly disagree. When you're driving 65mph on the freeway, and the music or quiet talk radio station you're listening to suddenly switches to EXTREMELY loud crackling and popping (loud enough to cause significant ear pain) regardless of the volume level of the stereo, it is TERRIFYING and could cause someone to run off the road. I had to remove the stereo, etc. fuse because whenever I took it in for a repair, the guys would forget about my warning and turn the stereo on when they took it for a drive. One tech was unfortunate enough to hear the sudden deafening popping and crackling, and it clearly shook him.

Everything else in the stereo unit works perfectly. CD player's good, antenna gets good reception, all the buttons function the same as they do the day I bought it. It's just the most important part, the amplifier, that is defective. The stereo is a HUGE pain to replace in this vehicle, so I've been without audio in my car for about 3-4 years now.

Date and mileage for this issue has been very roughly estimated based on my recollection, as it occurred several years ago.

Radio turns itself on and off while the car is turned off and the key is not in the ignition. As a result, it drains the car battery so that I have to have it jump started. I took the car into A Honda dealership and a service technician tried to "diagnose" the problem as being caused by an after-market car alarm system that was installed. Since I bought the car pre-owned, I knew I hadn't installed a car alarm since I thought it already had one installed. It turns out there is no car alarm on my car at all. Since the radio wouldn't perform the "error" while I was there, they kept it for the day to run tests and try to diagnose the problem. All they could find is that the fuse that provides power to the radio was "hot"--as they called it--so they removed the fuse. Their only recommendation was to replace the radio with another factory Honda radio, which they quoted me as costing over $800. Now why would I want another radio like the one I have since it will likely develop the same problem?

As a result of removing the fuse that powers the radio, I also have no A/C back lights or clock, which apparently are all powered by the same fuse. I'm completely frustrated and I know I'm not the only one having this issue according to the internet search results I've read. Is there a less expensive radio repair?