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 turning into the parking lot like I've done hundreds of times before. As I went to park the car, it suddenly surged forward. It happened so fast! I climbed the parking lot curb and luckily had room to turn back onto the driveway. This has never happened before. At first I thought I couldv'e accidentally stepped on the gas pedal, but after checking the position, I really doubt if this was the reason. We purchased this car from a local dealer here on Maui and I've driven this car for 7 years. I have never experienced a mistaken gas & break pedal incident. I just serviced my car at the dealership about a month ago. I called them the day this freaky incident happened and scheduled to have them check it. I've never heard of "unintended acceleration" before but after check this online, I'm a bit scared.
This is the second problem I've had with the Honda accord. First the dashboard went off and now the transmission accelerates on it's own and almost created a huge accident with my wife. I'll never purchase Honda Accord again.
- Easton H.,
Randolph, MA, US
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A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
I was turning into the parking lot like I've done hundreds of times before. As I went to park the car, it suddenly surged forward. It happened so fast! I climbed the parking lot curb and luckily had room to turn back onto the driveway. This has never happened before. At first I thought I couldv'e accidentally stepped on the gas pedal, but after checking the position, I really doubt if this was the reason. We purchased this car from a local dealer here on Maui and I've driven this car for 7 years. I have never experienced a mistaken gas & break pedal incident. I just serviced my car at the dealership about a month ago. I called them the day this freaky incident happened and scheduled to have them check it. I've never heard of "unintended acceleration" before but after check this online, I'm a bit scared.
- Joni M., Wailuku, HI, US