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 was on my way to work one afternoon, when my brakes failed. It started to accelerate at a high rate of speed. I was freaking out not knowing whether I was going to die or kill someone. I called my husband and then I called 911. When the 911 operator told me to pull over into a ditch and put it in park, that was when it finally came to a halt. My husband will be taking this car to the dealership to get the brakes fixed. Wish it was under warranty.
Driving down a busy hill in rush hour traffic, my brakes failed and my car didn't slow a bit. Luckily, after pumping the brake pedal a few times they worked, but for a few seconds I didn't know what to expect. What a way to be in my first car accident after years of a clean driving record - 22 days after buying this damn car.
I took it back to the dealership so they could check out the problem (while replacing a failed transmission) and didn't find a thing wrong. Since then the brakes haven't failed, but they definitely don't always work. And moreover, every time I push on the brakes, my car pulls drastically to the right.
My friend (a mechanic) drove the car last night. He said it feels like my right front brake is constantly engaged, causing it to over-engage even when the brake is barely touched.
I've only had this Accord for 22 days and it's already given me more problems & heartache than all of the other cars I've owned in my life combined. If I had to do it again, a Honda would never make my list of possible purchases.
- Lauren S.,
Pittsburgh, PA, US
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Daily use of brake fluid, because I always have the same fix and spending doesn't fix the problems.
- Susan E., Bettendorf, IA, US