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:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
76,284 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.
Carbon monoxide comes into my car - Honda replaced the catalytic converter four times - I was already injured from my prior 1990 Lexus 250es when my dangerous airbag exploded point blank into my neck and head. Mat airbag had no tether. Five C-spin surgeries and I was no longer able to work as a surgeon or at all. This was never recalled but I still have that car. Airbags are not safe. There should be H-belts that are safe. Sodium azide causes cancer. Regarding my 2003 Honda - I already had the airbags recalled three times.....I request permission to have all air bags removed to save my life. Another explosion would kill me. NHTSA demands that children sit in the rear as out of position occupants but I am only 5 feet and am also an out of position occupant. Doesn't NHTSA care about short drivers until 5'4"? I require a response. Btw I still have the Lexus death mobile. Also the carbon monoxide caused me to get ill, fall asleep and crash. I never heard back from NHTSA from my prior complaint. Your question is when did this happen.....the Lexus airbag 12-26-91......the Honda carbon monoxide.....continual ----- need to keep open the windows...... 2010 to this date.
The vehicle gets stuck in 2nd gear. It is automatic transmission. Sometimes at freeway speeds the vehicle suddenly downshifts spontaneously to 2nd or 1st gear and feels like I've suddenly and violently applied brakes to the car. The sudden stop and lurch of the car is violent and sudden and causes momentary loss of control of the vehicle.
I have two Honda 2010 (80000) and another one is 2003 (87000) miles. Both have same problem of a leak in engine oil. One Honda (2010) had a campaign so it was fixed as part of recall. Other Honda (2003) did not have campaign so Honda is not offering the fix for manufacturing defect related problem. This defect is due to the incorrect oil seal used in the Honda and they are not fixing and creating the risk for drivers.
The transmission pressure switch sensor failed and the drive indicator started flashing.this caused unexpected acceleration/deceleration to my vehicle while driving.apparently there are so many complaints on the internet about regular failures of the transmission pressure switch for the 2003 Honda Accord.this should have been a recall by Honda.
- San Diego, CA, USA
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Vehicle downshifted in low gear at highway speed almost causing a crash. Took to transmission shop and they said transmission needs replacement. Transmission shop hooked up to diagnostic and read the following codes: PO747 A/T clutch pressure control solenoid valve a stuck on and PO752 shift solenoid valve a stuck on. Transmission shop states this is a very common problem.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Yonkers, NY, USA