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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.
8.0
pretty bad- Typical Repair Cost:
- $1,550
- Average Mileage:
- 79,300 miles
- Total Complaints:
- 5 complaints
Most Common Solutions:
- replace power steering rack (4 reports)
- keep plenty of power steering fluid in stock. (1 reports)
steering problem
Helpful websites
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A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
My dealer, Honda of Lewisville, tells me I have a recall on the power steering hose on my 2003 Honda Accord EXL ( yes FULLY LOADED ). One day later power steering fluid is leaking everywhere and Honda tells me I have to replace the power steering rack. Note, replacing the power steering rack is a $2400 expense since the bottom support structure has to come off, ie its labor intensive. Surely Honda knew replacing the power steering hose would cause a power steering failure? Note, the Honda dealer then charged me $2400 in labor to replace the power steering rack.
Note we have three Hondas in the family. Including a 2002 Accord and a 2003 CRV. The 02 Accord and 03 CRV each have over 200,000 miles on them and have had no serious problems including a rock solid original engine and transmission and no power steering problems.
For a Honda power steering rack to 'self destruct' with only 111,000 miles is a problem. We pay more for Honda quality and expect more from Honda. In my case, I ignored the 2003 Honda complaints thinking it was a fluke, which is a bad mistake that I hope you will not make.
And sadly, you can not trust Hondas to the point where you pay more for a Honda than any of the other brand. So the morale of the story is that 'you' must add Honda to the list of vendors that you MUST use a 'buyer beware' approach. Do your homework, delay the purchase and shop around.
- Mike W., Coppell, TX, US