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.
6.0
fairly significant
Typical Repair Cost:
$100
Average Mileage:
85,650 miles
Total Complaints:
5 complaints
Most Common Solutions:
compained to dealer and paid for repair (2 reports)
I thought Hondas were supposed to be long-lived cars. From the TCS failing, to TWO safety recalls (so far), to a pricey service bulletin about an extended warranty that I was never made aware of, to the automatic locks no longer working, to this silly piece breaking off...Where's the quality?
I purchased this car in 2003 from Rick Case in Weston and have had nothing but problems with this car. Too many repair problems with this vehicle. Please consider carefully before purchasing a Honda
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
The knob broke off and now you have to put your thumb way in there to shift into drive or reverse.
- Bob P., Salt Lake City, UT, US