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.
On the road in a small town on Sunday running out of gas. Couldn't get into gas tank because the inside release didn't work. Read owners manual for alternatives and none were listed. Dealer was closed, 800# not answered. Drove home on fumes. Repairs not covered by warranty because it's considered normal wear and tear. 3Days $250 to fix. Called company. They kept saying "I understand" but don't consider it a design flaw. I could have been stranded in the middle of no where. I told the dealer I wanted to know an alternative way into gas tank. Go inside the trunk, pull lining off the side reach hands in and follow cable to gas tank. Some sort of a button you have to turn. Honda has no intention of telling you that.
How in the hell is a person supposed to open their gas tank to fuel if, out of the blue, the floor gas latch open mechanism decides to stop working?? I missed a major appointment today because of this. There needs to be a KEY on the gas tank for just this sort of malfunction. Currently I have no gas in my car and I am stranded. I can't get it open to put gas in!! Ridiculous.
- Cathy R.,
Scottsdale, AZ, US
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On the road in a small town on Sunday running out of gas. Couldn't get into gas tank because the inside release didn't work. Read owners manual for alternatives and none were listed. Dealer was closed, 800# not answered. Drove home on fumes. Repairs not covered by warranty because it's considered normal wear and tear. 3Days $250 to fix. Called company. They kept saying "I understand" but don't consider it a design flaw. I could have been stranded in the middle of no where. I told the dealer I wanted to know an alternative way into gas tank. Go inside the trunk, pull lining off the side reach hands in and follow cable to gas tank. Some sort of a button you have to turn. Honda has no intention of telling you that.
- Sue H., Fargo, ND, US