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 / 4
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 1
Average Mileage:
81,684 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.
My key will not go into the ignition. It also starts to get hot. The steering column also starts to get hot. It also periodically smells like something is burning. The dealership wants to charge me $140 to look at it. I don't have the money. I have not been able to have anybody look at it because I don't have the money. This first happened back in February of 2023 but I got worse around June 1, 2023
There was a recall for this car 2003-2007 Honda Accord 3.0L v6 engine for the Power Steering lines, the line cracked and is spewing fluid all over the engine compartment as well as the ground. This recall was specifically detailed to address this exact issue. My Daughter was almost involved in an accident as the fluid had leaked out the she couldn't steer the car.
The contact owns a 2003 Honda Accord. The contact stated while attempting to park the vehicle, she placed the vehicle in reverse to straighten the vehicle however, the steering wheel was making a clicking sound. The contact was able to turn the steering wheel however, the vehicle failed to respond. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact also stated the front passenger-??s side wheel was making a clicking sound. The contact stated that the wheel was fractured from the lug. The vehicle was not diagnosed; however, the wheel was replaced. The contact notified the local dealer of the sound coming from the steering wheel; however, the contact was informed that if the steering was removed, there air bags might not function properly. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
Doors locked from inside and cannot get out unless I put my window down. Safety issue. Second time I replaced my door since I was in a car accident a few years ago. Same problem came back again after replacing the door handle it used to work for years at the driver side until recently. Also doors are unable to unlock from the switch.
- West Babylon, NY, USA
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Unknown I'm guessing do to the recall on the powersteering hose it has caused the hose to.melt I just bought the car and came across this recall so I'm honestly not sure if the recall has been addressed already or not but I'm addressing it to make sure
Honda Accord with V6 engine has had two recalls regarding power steering supply hose leak - Service Bulletin 12-066 and Service Bulletin 13 - 012. Recall 13-012 was issued May 14, 2013 (see link to recall here: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2012/RCRIT-12V222-9834.pdf) The vehicle record for this VIN shows repair for Recall 13-012 was made April 3, 2013 - a month and a half prior to he issuance of Recall 13-012. Mileage on April 3, 2013 was 27,783. This complaint is being filed with the NHTSA because the same power steering feed hose purportedly replaced April 3, 2013 with an upgraded more heat resident hose is leaking again. This is significant because the original hose lasted 10 years (2003 to 2013) and 27,783 miles while the purportedly upgraded recall replacement hose lasted only 8 years - with present mileage being 66,321. Honda dealer will not provide additional repair stating recall has been satisfied. Clearly power steering leak is continuing to pose a under hood fire safety issue with location over hot catalytic converter. Thank you for allowing this issue to be brought to NHTSA's attention.
I was driving the car and the power steering pump went out and a week later my transmission started slipping then all of a sudden my car wouldn't go into gears and the transmission stopped working completely. It will work for 5 min then it completely won't go in any gear. I had to have it towed home. It was on the road on the bypass and I started acting up then it stopped working completely when I went to get off of work and wouldn't go in to gear at all after that. So I had to have it towed home. I had it looked at by a local mechanic and he said the car had a recall on multiple things for me to look into it because it was gonna cost around 2000 to fix everything.
I have called the dealerships in my area for a recall repair because my car inspection indicated that my vehicle has three dangerous safety recalls. I have a young child and a family to support but I am afraid, because of the fire hazard that one of my recalls contains, to even drive the car with my family in it to food shopping and work.
The car has an existing recall to get the high pressure power steering hose replaced. An appointment was made, the car was taken to darlings Honda of bangor, me, on 8/15/2020 and they refused to do the repair because we refused to pay for additional repairs not requested. We were forced to drive the car back home, about 100 miles with the risk of the car catching fire, from the power steering hose leak.
Suddenly driving it was hard for me to turn my steering wheel. I put power steering fluid in and I am still not able to turn my sheen. At times I can't get into parking spots because it's extremely hard. A number of mechanics told me I should try disputing with the dealership.
Steering column intermittently locks up while driving/making turns in residential traffic. Brakes must be applied to slow the vehicle and prevent an accident. The steering column lock then releases and allows steering to return to normal. This problem started within the last week. Issue not related to power steering. Fluids adequately maintained.
Power steering pump leaking fluid producing an engine fire hazard by spraying fluid on hot engine parts and/or total failure of power steering. The leak occurs any time the engine is running either parked or moving.
Power steering hose came apart while driving on city street. Steering suddenly became difficult, when I got home there an executive amount of power steering fluid under the car on the driveway. When I inspected under the hood, the power steering hose had come apart.
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.
The contact owned a 2003 Honda Accord. While driving 50 mph, the steering locked and failed to respond. As a result, the contact crashed the vehicle into a guardrail. The air bag indicator illuminated and the driver and passenger side air bags deployed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who deemed the vehicle destroyed. The contact sustained injuries to the head, chest, and shoulder, which required medical attention. A police report was not filed. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 167,000. Updated 09/01/17
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Mesilla Park , NM, USA