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.
Drove around 60 miles into New York city from Long Island. Stopped at the airport. It was a hot day (July 3rd). Reason I mention is, initially it was smooth driving and then closer to the city it was stop-and-go traffic. Suddenly the engine started revving up for no apparent reason. Idle-rpm upwards of 3000. At red-lights I had to brake real hard to keep the car from lurching forward. Parked and turned off the car. Came back 3-4h later and everything was normal again. Doesn't mean it won't happen again.
I'm reluctant to drive my car for long distances (60 miles isn't very long anyway!) Have not asked my mechanic about it yet. Any ideas?
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Drove around 60 miles into New York city from Long Island. Stopped at the airport. It was a hot day (July 3rd). Reason I mention is, initially it was smooth driving and then closer to the city it was stop-and-go traffic. Suddenly the engine started revving up for no apparent reason. Idle-rpm upwards of 3000. At red-lights I had to brake real hard to keep the car from lurching forward. Parked and turned off the car. Came back 3-4h later and everything was normal again. Doesn't mean it won't happen again.
I'm reluctant to drive my car for long distances (60 miles isn't very long anyway!) Have not asked my mechanic about it yet. Any ideas?
- kaus, East Setauket, NY, US