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:
1 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
112,103 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 engine problems

engine problem

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2003 Honda Accord Owner Comments (Page 1 of 3)

problem #51

Feb 142013

Accord

  • miles

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

(Please check the attached full complaint letter) I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to bring to your attention a concerning matter regarding my experience with the American Honda Motor Company. As a loyal consumer and a law-abiding citizen, I believe it is crucial to address issues that impact consumers and the general public. Since 2013, I have been trying to resolve a critical issue with my brand-new Honda Accord car I bought from Honda. Unfortunately, American Honda company didn-??t resolve the issue that affected my car and hundreds of thousands of the same cars-?? owners that they sold in NJ and in 22 salt belt states. My argument with the American Honda company is that they have a major design issue with their front left and right axles for Honda Accord cars that have been manufactured since 2003.

- Murphy, TX, USA

problem #50

Jul 012021

Accord

  • miles
I bought this vehicle at 130k miles and it had a regular maintenance. Since then it feels like there-??s no power, it revs high when it shouldn-??t, feels like the gears aren-??t shifting when they should, hard shifting.

- Point Of Rocks, MD, USA

problem #49

Jan 012021

Accord

  • 196,000 miles
I was driving the car and the power steering pump went out and a week later my transmission started slipping then all of a sudden my car wouldn't go into gears and the transmission stopped working completely. It will work for 5 min then it completely won't go in any gear. I had to have it towed home. It was on the road on the bypass and I started acting up then it stopped working completely when I went to get off of work and wouldn't go in to gear at all after that. So I had to have it towed home. I had it looked at by a local mechanic and he said the car had a recall on multiple things for me to look into it because it was gonna cost around 2000 to fix everything.

- Mosheim, TN, USA

problem #48

Aug 262020

Accord

  • 91,200 miles

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

Excessive oil consumption 1 quart almost every 300 miles. There are a lot of forums online with many people reporting the same issue that explain oil control rings on the 2.4L engines go bad around 80K miles. This affects the 2003-2007 models

- El Sobrante, CA, USA

problem #47

Apr 172020

Accord 6-cyl

  • 121,000 miles
Car won't start even with the key in it. Didn't have this problem before, along with the airbag light is now on. Prior to bringing the car to Honda Accord dealer for the other recalls none of this was a problem. Now my car makes a sound while I'm driving like a rattle sound along with the airbag light being on. The other day I started the car and only the lights and everything else turns on but the car engine won't start. It's problem after problem now that I brought it to them for recall. The vehicle was only driven to work and back from the time I took it to them. Then I hen I tried to drive it again the car wouldn't start, and airbag light is on. I took it to them and they worked on 4 things according to the recall however more things seems to be the problem and they didn't do all that.

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

problem #46

Dec 222019

Accord

  • 153,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Honda Accord. While driving 40 mph, several warning indicators illuminated and the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. O'daniel Honda (located at 123 beverly dr, omaha, ne 68114, (402) 393-7801) was contacted via phone. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 153,000.

- Omaha, NE, USA

problem #45

Mar 152019

Accord

  • 140,000 miles

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

The airbag light turned on when I was driving the highway, no reason as to why it would turn on because I didn't get into a wreck or crash at all. I've had this car for about a year, bought it from a previous owner they had said it was in perfect condition. So irritated because I use this car every single day to drive to work and from and I also take my daughter to her doctors appointments in this vehicle. II don't want the airbags going off while I'm driving and possibly crash because I will sue. The engine light is always on since like a week into buying the car and I took it to a mechanic but it still turns on.

- Hollister, CA, USA

problem #44

Apr 062019

Accord

  • 140,000 miles
I recently bought a used Honda cord with perfect carfax and all stock parts. The battery died on it twice and it failed to start within two days of buying it. I went to replace the battery and as soon as I did my 3rd gear of my engine 'went out' according to the midas mechanic. Vehicle was in motion on the high way and almost yanked me into the concreate street rails. Is there anything I can do?

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

problem #43

Jul 042018

Accord

  • 144,202 miles
When I was driving the car just shut off in the middle of the street. My friend and I try to push it to the side but the wheels will not move.

- Oakland, CA, USA

problem #42

Oct 022017

Accord

  • 143,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Honda Accord. Upon performing an oil change, the contact noticed the oil was two quarts low. The contact added more oil to the vehicle, but had to constantly add approximately one or two more quarts every couple of weeks. It was unknown if a leak was present. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was approximately 143,000.

- North Hollywood, CA, USA

problem #41

Dec 152017

Accord

  • 180,000 miles

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

Takata recall my car won't accelerate when I hit the gas pedal

- Pittsburg, CA, USA

problem #40

Jan 192017

Accord 6-cyl

  • miles
I'm the third owner of a 2003 Honda Accord V6 ex coupe. At 151000 miles my transmission began to fail. It would slam it's way from 5th gear to 1st. Luckily nobody was behind me. I was going 60 mph from the shell station.5 miles from my house, and slowed to 30 by the time my car was in 1st in a curve. I almost lost control of the vehicle. Come web to find out this is a wide spread unresolved problem that is endangering everyone in and around these vehicles. I called Honda and they said in 2004 the vehicle already had the recall performed, but much like the thousands of other people who ended up with this cat it did not fix the faulty transmission and Honda knows that the issue still exists and wants people to continue paying to get the same problematic rebuilt transmission. I can not believe every one of these transmissions haven't been recalled, and if needed I will pursue legal action against Honda especially having a 1 year old daughter in a known rolling death trap. Once it gets to first it flashes D on the dash and the check engine comes on. My tcs and ABS is also tripped by this issue causing further risk of endangering other drivers and myself. Every search I have made on this vehicle days the same as I'm saying now, but at varying stages. Please help get this issue resolved not just for myself but for everyone who owns this particular Honda. To make matters worse this is the first year model of the Honda Accord V6 ex coupe. The car is currently parked and won't be moved until a recall or I swap the entire transmission out for a manual transmission that I can't afford, but I definitely can't afford to replace my car or continue to pay to replace the same faulty transmission. This is an outrage.

- Fayetteville, TN, USA

problem #39

May 082016

Accord

  • miles
Oil consumption my car is burning oil 3-4 qts every 600 miles. Honda says there is nothing wrong with my car and this is normal. Bunch of crap !

- Halthorpe, MD, USA

problem #38

Mar 022014

Accord

  • 144,000 miles
My car is burning or leaking excessive amounts of oil...within a 2 year period I've replaced 2- 02 sensors and 2 -catalytic converters. This has lead to replacement of my entire exhaust system as well (Honda suggested). I have to literally carry around a gallon of oil in my trunk due to excessive oil burning/leakage. I've spoken to Honda many times but noone seems to know why its burning so much oil, I was told high mileage and to use a thicker grade of oil. I don't have money to keep this up. I like my car but I'm very unhappy and frustrated, please help..this has been an ongoing problem and I'm just finding out that others have been having the same issues. I have "some" documentation but not much, I was unaware this was an issue with more than myself. Please help.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #37

Feb 132016

Accord

  • 110,000 miles
My 2003 Honda Accord ex V6 has 110K miles on it. I was driving on hwy 280 and it felt as if I had slammed on the breaks and or downshifted to first from 4th. Car jerked twice. I immediately got off the freeway and the car's service light came on and the D light was flashing. The transmission has failed which is the issue that Honda had with these cars. A case manager at Honda said they will not fix the issue even though the issue is exactly the same as the recall.

- San Jose, CA, USA

problem #36

May 102013

Accord

  • 131,239 miles
While slowing down to stop at light in traffic and car just stopped and almost got hit by cars in my rear. I heard a loud boom and car(car mileage at 131239 )wouldn't move.it also wouldnt go in to park and there was grinding sound when trying to put in park. Had car towed to find out its was transmission, paid 1895.00.now here I am 7/27/2015 and the same thing happen (car mileage at 153000). How is Honda not have a recall on these cars. It is dangerous and I see so many complaints about this problem with this car.I spent alot or money to have a car continue to need transmission fixed at $2000 cost.

- Manchester, CT, USA

problem #35

Apr 012015

Accord 4-cyl

  • 128,030 miles
I was driving southbound in peabody, Massachusetts on 128 almost on to 95 when at centennial drive exit when my vehicle, without warning, slowed from 60 mph to 30 mph, I put on hazards as car went from 30 mph to 10 mph to dead all in a matter of 45 seconds tops. It was around 12pm and traffic was moderate to heavy. Cars behind me were forced to slow at a significant rate, luckily a pile up did not occur as the likelihood of such a accident was extremely possible with one driver not fully present I don't want to imagine the possibilities. I was able to semi slide car into breakdown lane safely enough and aaa came 1 hour latter as they listed my call a priority call.. I had car towed to home town and mechanic went through car in its entirety to discover that transmission needed to be replaced. Honda is well aware of this issue as there are thousands of testimonies from Honda owners regarding their transmission problems occurring around 126,213 miles. The models with faulty transmissions are 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2009.

- Gloucester, MA, USA

problem #34

Feb 112015

Accord

  • 100,600 miles
I'm the original owner of the vehicle, and have always used Honda for service and maintenance of my vehicle. The transmission failed without warning. Thankfully, I wasn't driving in the highway because this could have caused a major accident. My car basically came to a stop when the transmission failed.

- Hawthorne, CA, USA

problem #33

Jan 152015

Accord 6-cyl

  • 189,750 miles
I recently purchased the 2003 Honda Accord for travel. After purchasing the vehicle I noticed that the check engine light was on. The mechanic told me that there was a torque converter that needed to be replaced. After doing additional research I found that other Honda owners had this same issue. My car rumbles when driving through residential areas. When I try to enter my VIN number in to see if my car is eligible it won't come up, but I'm definitely experiencing the transmission slipping in specific gears.

- Missouri City , TX, USA

problem #32

Jan 102015

Accord

  • 117,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Honda Accord. While driving 35 mph, the engine caught fire and the radio turned on and off. The instrument panel lights flashed and the speedometer increased to the highest number. The contact merged the vehicle to the side of the road and noticed smoke under the hood. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 117,000.

- Kinder , LA, USA

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