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:
5 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
7 / 0
Average Mileage:
108,851 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.

2003 Honda Accord drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2003 Honda Accord Owner Comments (Page 14 of 17)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #77

Dec 092011

Accord

  • 95,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While driving at a constant speed, the engine suddenly started accelerating and then decelerating in quick succession causing the car to jerk back and forth uncontrollably. As I attempted to come to a stop on the side of the road, the car continued to accelerate/decelerate. Honda dealership diagnosis is transmission failure. Cost of repair is $3800. The car was just at the dealership in October for service and there were no issues then.

- Cave Creek, AZ, USA

problem #76

Nov 142011

Accord 6-cyl

  • 76,095 miles
Since July 2011, my 2003 Honda Accord LX V6 experienced sluggish in the transmission. Sometime, suddenly, my car felt like someone slammed on the brakes causing me to jerking forward. It happened a few more times, then in September 2011, I brought the car in the dealer for the transmission service. I told the dealer service advisor about the symptom, after the dealer flushed the transmission fluid, then told me that the car sometime sluggish, replaced the fluid will fixed this.the problem got worse, more noise, jerking when the car automatically shifting, in November, the traction control system engaged, and the engine check light were illuminated.the car was slow to move. Brought the car to the dealer again on 11/14/2011, the dealer told me that the car "needs linear shift solenoid and brake light switch, parts had to be ordered, and the car can be drive !!! I drove the car home, it was so bad that I had to let the car sit waiting for parts. On 11/29/2011, the dealer replaced the linear shift solenoid and the brake light switch, then told me that the problem was fixed. Got the car home, the next day, I only drove about 5 miles, the noise and all the symptoms came back. I had to brought the car back to the dealer again. This time, they consulted with the Honda company technical service. After several days, the dealer told me that Honda technical service determine that the power train (transmission) is causing the problem; I need a transmission replacement, and it cost $3900. Called Honda customer service to register a complain about Honda service. This definitely need a recall.

- Port Ewen, NY, USA

problem #75

Oct 132011

Accord

  • 63,000 miles
Same problem as everyone else vibration at speeds above 50 miles an hour. Car roughly changes gears at weird times has almost caused a few accidents. I bought car this year from Honda dealer when we noticed it we took it back dealer couldn't feel anything. The longer I wait the worse it's getting I'm scared I'm gonna get hit.

- Dayton, NV, USA

problem #74

Nov 152010

Accord 6-cyl

  • 75,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I purchased a 2003 Honda Accord new along with an extended warranty of 72 months 75,000 miles. In 2004 with 19,000 miles my vehicle was subject to a recall for the transmission. The "required" fix was made and I was told this should solve any problems. Two weeks ago with 75,300 miles, my transmission went. The dealer charged $3600 (not including port charges) to have this repair made. I was told that "third" gear failed. The repair originally made was for "second" gear. Since this was out of warranty and not part of the recall, I was responsible for complete payment. After contacting Honda of America, I was told they would pick up half the cost. It appears I am not alone in this situation. This is a very dangerous situation. When the transmission failed (with no prior notice), I was driving in light traffic, and was able to get out of the way of other vehicles. Had this failed earlier in the day, I would have been in a serious accident.

- Andover, MA, USA

problem #73

Aug 012011

Accord

  • 90,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Honda Accord. The contact stated that the vehicle would independently shift out of gears while driving at any speed followed by an abnormal increase in rpms. In April 2005, the dealer replaced the jet fuel kit to correct the failure but had since recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure however, did not offer any assistance. The current and the failure mileages were 90,000.

- St Paul, MN, USA

problem #72

Nov 272011

Accord

  • 261,420 miles
After exiting the interstate after a 3-hour drive the car violently down shifted to the point the car behind me almost rear ended me. It then had trouble shifting into second and third gear and finally locking into second gear. I was able to get to where I was going through busy city streets. It was nerve wracking. If this happens on the interstate... engine light came on and the green light on the D indicator of the shifter started to blink on and off. I understand this is an engineering flaw in the transmission cooling design.

- Pensacola, FL, USA

problem #71

Nov 242011

Accord 6-cyl

  • 151,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Pulling out of my driveway, heard a loud "thunk" and then sounds like I am dragging something. Not able to engage the transmission in any drive gears, reverse or park.

- Hopknton, MA, USA

problem #70

Nov 222011

Accord

  • 99,000 miles
This started as a slight slip on the 2-3 shift in my car. I have now lost 3rd gear. My car has observed all recalls on the transmission to date, and I know I am not the only one with this issue.

- Lebanon, NJ, USA

problem #69

Nov 162011

Accord 6-cyl

  • 76,000 miles
My transmission failed while driving on my way to work the morning of Nov. 16th with no warning whatsoever. Luckily I was not in an accident due to the fact I was unable to control the car because the RPM's were all over the place and the vehicle would only rev but not go any further. Therefore I immediately had to pull over in fear of causing an accident. I have researched the past few days how many other 2003 Honda Accord owners have had the same problem with their transmissions and there should really be a recall done by Honda. The transmission should not be going out at 76,000 miles. My car is currently being repaired at an independent transmission shop with an estimated cost of around $3400. I hope to recover some of that cost from Honda but further action needs to happen to ensure more people with similar year vehicles do not have to experience this as well.

- San Marcos, CA, USA

problem #68

Nov 202011

Accord 6-cyl

  • 95,934 miles
2003 Honda Accord V6, 95934 miles; while driving at 55mph the transmission downshifted to first and the front tires locked up, twice!; dangerous - this is very dangerous and could have killed me; currently the transmission has no reverse and the car is un-drivable; Honda needs to be held accountable due to all the complaints that have been reported with the same incident; looks as if it will cost $3500 to replace the transmission.

- Fuquay Varina , NC, USA

problem #67

Nov 012011

Accord 6-cyl

  • 113,803 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

This complaint is for a 2003 Honda Accord sedan, V6 engine with automatic transmission. When passing a car on a two lane road, in the middle of the pass the transmission started to slip as if it had slipped into neutral and the rpms shot up to redline and I could no longer accelerate. I was fortunate to have space to back off and narrowly avoided a head-on collision. The car was undriveable requiring towing. End result was that the transmission had to be rebuilt due to failed or defective parts. This is a serious failure which could have caused injury or death and I believe warrants a safety investigation. I have since read of numerous failures just like mine. My failure was not for lack of maintenance.

- Sweet Home, OR, USA

problem #66

Sep 012011

Accord 6-cyl

  • 88,000 miles
I bought this car in June 2003 with 2 miles on it from jim coleman Honda in clarksville, md. I have only driven the car 88,000 miles and the transmission is dead. According to chryswel dealership in germantown md, the issue was not the transmission but the clutch pressure control which is responsible for shifting gears. That is what went bad which then caused debris in the transmission causing it to fail as well. The car runs fine when it is cold but once you dive it for about 20 minutes, it will automatically downshift to the 1st or 2nd gear and drop your speed for 60 to 20 or less with a big jolt on the passengers in the car. We are very close to getting into a major accident on the highway when it happened. The dealership quoted me $5000 to fix the transmission and also informed me that they have seen many other 03 Honda's with the same situation. I was really surprised that there has not been an official case against Honda to fix the issue or provide a recall. I am very disappointed with the service and support for Honda. This is one of the 4 Honda's I own but it will def be the last Honda I ever own. I have also submitted a complaint to Honda with the issue. I would appreciate any follow up on this issue. Thank you

- Boyds, MD, USA

problem #65

May 192011

Accord 6-cyl

  • 114,000 miles
When I'm driving between 20-40 mph my engine stalls, all it does is revs the RPM high and the car doesn't go anywhere. The stall usually occurs between 20-40mph but it has also occurred while on the freeway between 50-60 mph while on an on-ramp. This began in the early months of 2011 and has continued to worsen. However, a couple of months after purchasing my vehicle in August of 2007 I took my car to the dealership concerning a similar issue and they assured me that there was no problem.

- Fresno, CA, USA

problem #64

Sep 272011

Accord 6-cyl

  • 94,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Honda Accord V6. The contact was driving 25 mph when the vehicle stalled with an abnormal fluctuation in engine rpms. The contact slowly drove to the dealer where the dealer inspected the vehicle and found that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 94,000 and the current mileage is 95,000. Updated 11/23/11

- Camas, WA, USA

problem #63

Oct 292011

Accord

  • 144,000 miles
Car down shifted abruptly. Pulled off to side of road. Won't go into reverse. Car goes in drive but reverse will not engage.

- Poughkeepsie, NY, USA

problem #62

Oct 122011

Accord 6-cyl

  • 127,000 miles
Transmission slipped in center right lane of four lane traffic on I-80 just South of Chicago. After it slipped, it down shifted causing the vehicle to decelerate suddenly. I was almost rear ended by a tractor trailer. The transmission was running fine until 5 days later when my wife was driving with my daughter. The transmission slipped as she accelerated onto I-265 in clark county Indiana. It then quit completely stranding her on the side of the road in heavy evening traffic moving at a high rate of speed. This is a dangerous failure and is happening too often.

- Crandall, IN, USA

problem #61

Oct 102011

Accord 6-cyl

  • 116,627 miles
At approximately 40,000 miles, transmission failed. Honda usa was called and they paid for repair. Now at 116627 miles transmission failed again.

- New Hyde Park, NY, USA

problem #60

Oct 192011

Accord 6-cyl

  • 97,000 miles
I was having problems shifting gears and it seemed my car couldn't shift into 3rd gear. It's an automatic and when it would reach 3rd gear, the engine would just rev. It would drive fine at first but as soon as the car warmed up, it progressively got worse. I had to have my battery replaced prematurely (after 3 years) last week and I mentioned the gear shifting problem to the Honda dealership. The gear shifting problem happened right around the same time my battery died so I thought it may be related. They told me the gear shifting problem would be fixed when I replaced my battery. They paid for 60% of the cost of the battery. Over the next few days it progressively got worse to where I couldn't even drive and I had to coast into a parking lot because the engine would rev and the car would jerk. It seemed to be dangerous. I then shut off the car and tried to restart it. I wasn't even able to reverse at all - like it had no reverse, just rev. I had to call a tow truck and have it towed to the dealership. I have a 2003 Honda Accord ex V6 with less than 100K miles - right around 97K - and the dealership told me I needed a new transmission and motor mount. A rebuilt transmission is $4500 and a new transmission is $6400. I bought a Honda because it was suppose to be a reliable car that would last years without expensive maintenance repairs. And now it's less than 10 years old and 100K miles on it and I have a huge repair. It seems many others have had the same problems with the 2003 Honda Accord.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #59

Oct 232011

Accord 6-cyl

  • 49,500 miles
I was driving approximately 45 mph when the RPM's shot up and then immediately dropped and the transmission disengaged and I had no power to the wheels. I had to drive the car very slowly back to my house and I could not get the car up to the speed limit. I have very limited power to the wheels. Very dangerous if I was on driving on the freeway as it felt like the car also dropped into low gear by itself.

- Cypress, CA, USA

problem #58

Oct 122011

Accord 6-cyl

  • 129,000 miles
While traveling on the freeway the transmission jumped down to first gear, resulting in my car suddenly decelerating to a speed of 20 mph. I was very fortunate to not be rear ended and have since had to replace the transmission. I know this is a known issue with this model and year Honda, however I did go through the original process of the manufacturer recall. I have done research on this model and it seems it is a prevalent problem. Honda will not acknowledge the issue.

- Sacramento, CA, USA

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