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.
Last year I noticed my air conditioner was not working. I lost all the freon and had it put in thinking it would take care of the problem. On April 6, 2010, I had to fill the freon again and the mechanic replaced the shaker valve as well. But when I asked the mechanic, he said that freon should have lasted forever and that I had a leak in the air condition system, but that it was too intensive to explore where the leak would be and many parts would have to be removed and it would be very expensive. My question is, is there a recall on 2003 Honda Accord for air condition problems like this? And also, does it sound like my mechanic is spot on with his comments? Please advise.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Last year I noticed my air conditioner was not working. I lost all the freon and had it put in thinking it would take care of the problem. On April 6, 2010, I had to fill the freon again and the mechanic replaced the shaker valve as well. But when I asked the mechanic, he said that freon should have lasted forever and that I had a leak in the air condition system, but that it was too intensive to explore where the leak would be and many parts would have to be removed and it would be very expensive. My question is, is there a recall on 2003 Honda Accord for air condition problems like this? And also, does it sound like my mechanic is spot on with his comments? Please advise.
- John H., Houston, TX, US