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:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
63,820 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.
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.
Takata recall while I was driving home (vehicle in motion) on paseo padre boulevard in fremont California, my airbags on the right side of the vehicle deployed unexpectedly and for no apparent reason. I was not involved in any accident that would trigger airbags to deploy. I believe the airbags deployed because they have some defective parts. I continue trying to resolve the issue with Honda and they ignore me.
When braking or accelerating my seat moves slightly; which is very dangerous. It ask for a specific date however this has been happening for several months, but I put today date.
There are 20 complaints about the safety of the seats on this website, but there has been no recall. The seat slides forward when braking. This is very dangerous.
The seat will move when stopping or turning, which could be a serious safety issue. I have looked on-line and this is apparently a common problem with this model. Honda will charge to replace the seat rails. According to the on-line commentary's, this is only a temporary fix.
- Boerne, TX, USA
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The transmission is well on its way out slipping only use official Honda dw-1 fluid still no help Honda needs to fix this problem they have a defective transmission and they know it.
The contact owns a 2003 Honda Accord. The contact stated that the driver's front seat was not secured. The vehicle was not repaired or diagnosed. The manufacturer was not contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was 89,000. Updated 06/10/14 the consumer stated the seat moves forward when the brakes are applied. Updated 06/11/2014
The contact owns a 2003 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while driving 30 mph on a ramp, the front driver's seat began to slide back and forth. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer and the contact was informed that the springs on the seat failed. The contact was advised to replace the seat assembly. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 125,000. Updated 04/19/12 the consumer stated the storing spring was missing. Updated 05/07/12
The contact owns a 2003 Honda Accord. The contact stated that the driver's seat would move forward abnormally braking to a stop and when accelerating, the seat would move backward. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was told that the seat would need to be fixed. The failure mileage was unknown and the current mileage was 71,000. Updated 06/01/11
The contact owns a 2003 Honda Accord. The contact was driving approximately 30 mph, and the front driver side seat inadvertently moved forward in a jerking motion. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for diagnostic testing where they informed her that the seat rail needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.
The driver's side seat shifts when making a turn. Also note that when braking, I noticed the seat move as well. So both turning and braking. The man I bought it from noticed the same thing. I've read online that it is common. He got a price to fix it, Honda dealership told him $1000 and a local non-dealer $500. I'm going to wait and see if Honda offers a recall before I spend the money. I am reading that after some people have gotten it fixed, it brakes the same way.
I was smelling the rotten egg smell that many other claimed to smell. I had the catalytic converter changed but the smell comes back from time to time. The seat slide forward and then backward when applying brake.
Driver's seat moves when turning 4/04-brought to dealer in miami, fl - mounting bolts for drivers seat loose-retorqued 5/04-driver seat moving again 6/04-brought to dealer in miami, fl - installed new seat track 7/05-driver seat moving again- brought to dealer in morrow, ga - dealer can not duplicate seat moving 7/05-called Honda corporate office-took 2 weeks to speak with customer service rep-tells me this is "inherent design with no fix" I do not feel safe driving this car. Please investigate.
The engine emitted a rotten egg smell. The driver heard a grinding noise. The vehicle also had a brake problem. The driver's seat was not stable. The vehicle has been taken to the dealer at least 9 times for multiple problems. Paint on the hood is flaking. Seat is not fixed. The door panel was fixed twice but problem still exists. Consumer confronted dealership about problem with vehicle but consumer was ignored. Consumer called american Honda to report issue with dealer.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Brooklyn, NY, USA