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:
60 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
77 / 0
Average Mileage:
70,540 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.
Takata recall----I can't find out when my '03 Accord will be recalled or whether it's considered among the most at risk. Have heard nothing and NHTSA VIN search indicates no recall so far. This is very worrisome as I have only one eye and a crash with this defective air bag could lead to total blindness or worse.
The contact owns a 2003 Honda Accord. While driving 55 mph, the air bag SRS warning indicator illuminated, which was a safety concern. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V320000 (air bags). The vehicle was taken to diamond valley Honda (300 carriage cir, hemet, ca 92545, (888) 794-1620) where the driver side air bag was replaced, but the failure was not diagnosed. Two days after the recall remedy, the air bag warning indicator illuminated again. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 133,411.
The contact owns a 2003 Honda Accord. When the vehicle was started, the air bag warning indicator illuminated and remained lit while driving. The failure was a safety concern. The dealer was not notified. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was unknown.
My airbag light S come on from time to time and I am aware that some vehicles are under recall. Although my vehicle is not listed I am concerned about the airbag lights coming on when they should not. Also I met someone who said there was a recall on the power steering high pressure hose and I would like to know if this is true also because mine is leaking and I would like to know what steps to take next.
- Enterprise, AL, USA
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
Takata recall. I have contacted Honda multiple times, my passenger airbag is not a takata airbag, it was replaced with another airbag years ago, does not need recalled. I have asked for them to stop sending me notices, worked directly with my local dealership, who faxed the required paperwork and the issue is not resolved.
The contact owned a 2003 Honda Accord. While driving approximately 45 mph on a curved mountain road, the driver lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle skidded across two lanes of traffic and crashed into two large mountain rocks. The air bags failed to deploy. The driver sustained injuries to the head, a broken ankle, compound fractures, and bruises that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for a determination of the air bag failure. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 125,000.
I was going back home from work at 5:50 am in the morning in my Honda Accord. I lost control over my car and hit side walk and a mail box on the right side of the road my car toppled on the left side. The driver side window was under my feet as the car toppled and the passenger side door window was on the top of my head as I was standing in the a toppled car. To come out of the car I removed the head rest from the drivers seat and started hitting the window glass to break it with metal part of the head rest. I hit it as hard possible, I brought the head rest down to my knees to gather force, distance and speed so that the window glass can be broken and I can come out. I tried for few minutes but the window glass did not break. I want bring it to the attention of you all that if a window glass cannot be broken with metal in case of emergency in the car. The trapped people will burn to death. If you have further questions/query to clarify please feel free to call me or write to me at the following address: [xxx] thank you, [xxx] ps: Take the above matter seriously to save the lives of trapped people in the car information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
2003 Honda Accord. Consumer writes in regards to takata airbag safety recall. The consumer stated both the airbags inadvertently deployed while driving injuring the driver's eye.
The contact owns a 2003 Honda Accord. The contact stated that the air bag indicator was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer (carbone Honda of yorkville, 5009 commercial dr, yorkville, NY 13495, 315-790-6106) where it was determined that the vehicle was irreparable. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 56,111.
The contact owned a 2003 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while at a stop, another vehicle driving at 40 mph crashed into the front drivers side of the vehicle. The driver's side air bag failed to deploy. The contact sustained injuries to the back and neck that required medical attention. The contact was unsure if a police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was destroyed. The contact was aware of NHTSA campaign numbers: 15V370000 (air bags) and 15V320000 (air bags). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 143,000.
Takata recall - car not on recall list but dash airbag warning light is on constantly. Have been waiting for airbag recall notice for over 2 years with light on.
The contact owns a 2003 Honda Accord. While driving at an unknown speed, the passenger side curtain and seat air bags deployed without warning or impact. The front passenger sustained bruising to the stomach, which did not require medical attention. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The contact received a notice from tk holdings, alerting her that the air bag manufacturer filed for bankruptcy. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.
My son was involved in a single car roll over accident on 10/10/2015. He was traveling about 40 miles per hour when the road surface changed from asphalt to gravel. He lost control of the car and the vehicle did one complete rotation landing back on its tires. The seat belt did not hold causing his head to hit the inside roof of vehicle and throwing him from side to side as the vehicle rolled over. My son suffered a L1 burst fracture, damaging his spinal cord, which left him a paraplegic confined to a wheelchair. Airbag did not deploy, which due to the fact that it was a side rollover, sensors may not have been trigged. The car did however, have damage to the front, left front, left rear and right front of the vehicle. My son was 25 at the time of the accident.
Takata recall: I want to know why the takata airbag in my car is not being recalled "at this time." As I was told by Honda in torrence. "at this time" is a lousy answer and I hardly drive this vehicle out of fear. It is 2003 and I have 51,000 miles on it. I like this car but I am being treated like my life is not worth anything. I want an answer as to why my takata airbag is not being replaced. Perhaps the media can help me.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Edmond, OK, USA