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.
The AC suddenly started blowing hot air and yet the refrigerant is fine. It isn't low at all. The problem is that the clutch plate stopped engaging and when I went to have an estimate done it was $3000 to fix because the r134a has to be reclaimed and the compressor/clutch assembly replaced, as no one will replace the clutch plate and the labor to do so (which is ridiculous). So either I have to pull a used assembly and fix it myself with risk of not reclaiming the refrigerant properly, or just deal with the Florida heat and die of heat stroke. Sheesh...
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
The AC suddenly started blowing hot air and yet the refrigerant is fine. It isn't low at all. The problem is that the clutch plate stopped engaging and when I went to have an estimate done it was $3000 to fix because the r134a has to be reclaimed and the compressor/clutch assembly replaced, as no one will replace the clutch plate and the labor to do so (which is ridiculous). So either I have to pull a used assembly and fix it myself with risk of not reclaiming the refrigerant properly, or just deal with the Florida heat and die of heat stroke. Sheesh...
- Dana N., Saint Augustine, FL, US