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.
I noticed my front bumper was peeling and it looked really horrible. Little by little I started noticing a couple more parts of the car with the paint chipping. Right now my front bumper is all bad. My fender has a big white spot has no paint. And parts on roof and trunk.
I notice that all Honda cars, no matter what the model is or name, the paint is peeling off. I seen other cars that are made by other make and model and they are much older than the Honda's and no paint is peeling off. There need to be a recall on this and also do a better job with paint so it can sustain the weather or what ever is causing the problem.
Paint is peeling all over car - started happening about 2 years ago, brought to Honda told wear and tear -- now just looked up problem on Website and see there is any issue. Trying to trade car in and no one wants its because of the extreme damage to body..
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
I noticed my front bumper was peeling and it looked really horrible. Little by little I started noticing a couple more parts of the car with the paint chipping. Right now my front bumper is all bad. My fender has a big white spot has no paint. And parts on roof and trunk.
- mazuniga24, Riverside, CA, US