FaultScore

2003 Honda Accord equipment problems

52 of the 2,384 complaints about the 2003 Honda Accord are about the equipment — 2% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 48,500 miles.

A

52

Complaints

2

Crashes

1

Fires

1

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Equipment 19 36.5%
Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc. 17 32.7%
AIR Conditioner 12 23.1%
Electrical 1 1.9%
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility 1 1.9%
Recreational Vehicle/Trailer 1 1.9%
Anti-Theft Devices 1 1.9%

Equipment & Accessories across every Honda Accord year

1994 12 4.4%
1995 23 8.4%
1996 10 3.6%
1997 18 6.6%
1998 25 9.1%
2000 12 4.4%
2001 11 4.0%
2002 12 4.4%
2003 52 19.0%
2004 11 4.0%
2005 18 6.6%
2006 12 4.4%
2008 38 13.9%
2009 10 3.6%
2013 10 3.6%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

Rahway, NJ

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

2003 HONDA ACCORD. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE FACTORY INSTALLED RADIO, COMPONENTS AND BACK LIGHT DEFECT ISSUES. *SMD CONSUMER SENT ADDITIONAL CORRESPONDENCE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED RECENTLY, THE CD PLAYER WOULD NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, THE RADIO BEGAN TO MALFUNCTION AND DRAIN THE BATTERY. THE RADIO WOULD FLASH ON AND OFF WHILE BOTH THE RADIO, ALL COMPONENTS AND VEHICLE WERE TURNED OFF AND THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION. AFTER SITTING OVERNIGHT, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START THE NEXT MORNING. ON TWO OCCASIONS AFTER DRIVING, THE CONSUMER SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF FOR FIVE MINUTES AND IT WOULD NOT RE-START. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL AND IT WAS ALL BECAUSE OF THE DEFECTIVE RADIO. A MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THEY HAD RECENTLY COME ACROSS NUMEROUS 2003-2007 VEHICLE WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. THEY FOUND THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO THE WAY HONDA INSTALLED AND MOUNTED THE RADIO, COUPLED WITH THE FACT THAT THE BRAINS OF THE RADIO WAS DEFECTIVE, THEREFORE DRAINING THE BATTERY AND CAUSING THE RADIO AND BACK LIGHT TO FAIL. THE BACK LIGHT WORKED OCCASIONALLY AND THEN STOPPED ILLUMINATING. UPDATED 05/04/16*LJ *JS

NHTSA complaint #10836195 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 23,686 miles Sacramento, CA

EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

DRIVER'S CAR (LEFT FRONT) KEYHOLE WON'T ACCEPT MY KEY, ELECTRONICALLY. I WENT TO DIFFERENT AUTO SERVICES AND HAVE THE SAME COMMENTS THAT MOST OF THE COMPLAINTS WERE THE SAME. I CHECKED THE INTERNET, YOUTUBE.COM, MANY OWNERS OF THE SAME MAKE, MODEL & YEAR HAVE THE SAME ISSUES AND PROBLEMS, EVEN THE HONDA CHAT ROOM HELP SITE. I THOUGHT THIS IS AN ISOLATED PROBLEM, BUT IT'S NOT, IF THERE IS SOME WAYS THAT YOUR COMPANY COULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS MATTER/ISSUE CONCERNING THE MANUFACTURER'S (HONDA) DEFECT ISSUE, PLEASE LET US KNOW, WE DON'T WANT TO SHOULDER TO EXPENSES ON THEIR BEHALF. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR CONCERN AND LOOKING FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU THE SOONEST AND FOR THE IMMEDIATE RESPONSE TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM FOR THE INCONVENIENCE THAT WE ARE EXPERIENCING FOR A LONG TIME. I HAVE TRIED CLEANING THE INSIDE OF THE KEYHOLE BY AIR PRESSURED AND WD 40, NOTHING HAPPENED. I CAN INSERT THE KEY HALFWAY ONLY AND THEN IT WILL STOPPED. ALL OTHER KEYHOLES ARE FUNCTIONING WELL, EXCEPT THE DRIVER'S KEYHOLE.

NHTSA complaint #10668176 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

NEW Albany, MS Crash 2 injured

EQUIPMENT

IN 2008 I WAS DRIVING MY 2003 HONDA ACCORD. I HAD A TERRIBLE FRONT IN CRASH WITH ANOTHER CAR. MY FRONT END WAS CRUSHED AND MY FRONT PASSENGER HEAD CRACKED THE WINDSHIELD. MY PASSENGER AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. EVERY ONE I CALLED GAVE ME THE RUN AROUND. I DIDN'T KNOW WHO TO CONTACT. MY REPAIRS COST ME $3800.00. WE DIDN'T HAVE MEDICAL INSURANCE SO WE DECLINED TO GO TO THE DOCTOR. THE BODY SHOP THAT REPAIRED MY CAR SAID THE AIRBAG SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED.

NHTSA complaint #10649581 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 78,000 miles Encino, CA

EQUIPMENT

THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING, AND DID NOT ALLOW ME TO ACCELERATE IN AN INTERSECTION. NEAR COLLISION BY 2 CARS CAUSED AN INCREDIBLY UNSAFE AND HAZARDOUS SITUATION.

NHTSA complaint #10416784 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Menifee, CA

EQUIPMENT

SINCE THE PURCHASE I'VE EXPERIENCED CONTINUAL TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. UPON SPEAKING WITH THE DEALERSHIP I WAS ASSURED ALL WAS FINE. YOU CAN IMAGINE MY SURPRISE WHEN I RECEIVED NOTICE OF THE TRANSMISSION RECALL (NHTSA 04V176000). UPON REPAIR, IN SEPTEMBER 2004, I DID NOT NOTICE REPAIR IMPROVEMENT, AND CONTINUED TO DETECT THE ROUGH GRIND OF TRANSMISSION SHIFT AND A WHINING SOUND. IN 2009 I EXPERIENCED A CATASTROPHIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE TO WHICH I HAD SOUGHT REPAIR. IN DECEMBER 2010 I EXPERIENCED ANOTHER TRANSMISSION FAILURE. I HAVE JUST NOW EXPERIENCED MY 3RD TRANSMISSION FAILURE, JULY 2011. MY POWER STEERING PUMP HAD ALWAYS HAD A FAINT WHINE, BUT HONDA SERVICES NEVER IDENTIFIED IT AS CONCERNING. THE PROBLEM PROGRESSIVELY BECAME WORSE UNTIL HONDA FINALLY SUGGESTED A REPAIR, BUT INFORMED ME THAT THE COMPONENT WAS THEN OUT OF WARRANTY AND WOULD BE A COSTLY REPAIR. I DECIDED TO DELAY REPAIR UNTIL JUNE 2011. AC PROBLEMS MANIFESTED IN SEPTEMBER 2005 AND REQUIRED REPLACEMENT IN APRIL 2008. MY CENTER COUNCIL CLOCK AND TEMPERATURE DISPLAY HAS BEEN FLICKERING, DIMMED, AND ABSENT SINCE 2009. THE INTERLOCK STUCK ISSUE FIRST MATERIALIZED IN 2008 AND SERVICED IN JULY 2010. MY AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT HAS BEEN ACTIVE SINCE 2008 WITH AN OCCASIONAL BUT REPETITIVE TCS ALERT; AND MY HEADLAMP GLASS HAS BEEN HAZED SINCE 2005. THE PAINT DETERIORATION IS RIDICULOUSLY EMBARRASSING, THE LEATHER SEATING BEGAN SHOWING WEAR 2 YEARS IN, MY SEATBELT DOESN'T RETURN TO THE ORIGINAL RELEASED POSITION, HEAD LINER HAS WATER LEAK STAINS, CD PLAYER STOPPED WORKING, EXPOSED WIRING IS VISIBLE AT THE DRIVER DOOR HINGE, I'VE GONE THROUGH 3 BATTERIES, COUNTLESS TIRES, ONE CRACKED WINDSHIELD, AND I HAVE ALWAYS SUFFER FROM POOR RADIO RECEPTION AND OCCASIONAL NAVIGATIONAL SIGNAL ROAMING ISSUES. IN THESE TIMES OF THRIFT CONSCIOUS FUEL CONSUMPTION, I UTILIZE MY NAV TOOLS TO MONITOR MY DRIVING ACTIVITY. I'M STUNNED TO REPORT I GET A FUEL ECONOMY OF 24 MPG HIGHWAY, NOT THE 31 MPG AS STICKER REPORTS.

NHTSA complaint #10412371 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 70,300 miles Narragansett, RI

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

I HAVE OWNED A 2003 HONDA ACCORD SINCE NEW AND NOW HAVE 71,000 MILES ON IT AND TWICE I WAS NOTIFIED BY LETTER FROM HONDA OF POTENTIAL PROBLEMS. I HAVE ONE OF THE STATED PROBLEMS NOW BUT NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY THAT WAS EXTENDED IF IT OCCURRED. THE DISPLAY DOES NOT WORK FOR THE RADIO/HVAC SYSTEM. THE LOCAL DEALER FROM WHOM I BOUGHT THE CAR SAID TO DO SOME RESEARCH ABOUT THE PROBLEM. I HAVE. I AM NOT COMPETENT TO DO THE WORK AND THE PROBLEM IS EXPENSIVE TO REMEDY. I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO RESET THE CODE FOR THIS DEVICE TO OPERATE SHOULD THE BATTERY NEED TO BE DISCONNECTED BECAUSE THE LED DISPLAY DOES NOT WORK.

NHTSA complaint #10382905 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Burke, VA

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

2003 HONDA ACCORD. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEMS WITH THE AUDIO UNIT IN THE VEHICLE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE AUDIO UNIT DID NOT PRODUCE ANY SOUND WHEN IT WAS TURNED ON. IT WOULD COME ON MOMENTARILY, ONLY WHEN DRIVING FOR A FEW MINUTES, AND THEN GO OUT AGAIN. ALSO, THE SERPENTINE BELT WAS WORN DUE TO AGE.

NHTSA complaint #10374593 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 95,000 miles SAN Juan Capistrano, CA

EQUIPMENT

HONDA 2003 ACCORD EXV6 AUTOMATIC. COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. BEGAN SLIPPING OUT OF GEAR ON AUG 9 2010. VEHICLE SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR REV BUT VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE FINALLY SLIPPED BACK IN GEAR. EXTREMELY CONCERNED I WAS GOING TO BE HIT WHILE STALLED IN INTERSECTION. SECOND TIME AFTER GOING TO DEALERSHIP ENGINE DID THE SAME THING BUT ON THE FREEWAY AND HAD TO PULL OFF TO EMERGENCY LANE.

NHTSA complaint #10350217 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 85,535 miles Rockaway, NJ

EQUIPMENT

THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER ON MY 4 CYLINDER 2003 HONDA ACCORD EXL WAS REPLACED UNDER THE 8/80 WARRANTY ON 7/10/09 AT JOYCE HONDA, DENVILLE, NJ. THE CAR HAD ONLY 67,187 MILES ON IT. NOW, LESS THAN A YEAR LATTER AND AFTER ONLY 18,348 MILES ON THAT GENUINE HONDA REPLACEMENT PART, ARON COOPER, THE JOYCE HONDA SERVICE MANAGER, SAYS IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. HE SAYS THAT THE CODE P0420 CAME UP AFTER THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE REASON FOR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON. THAT IS AN EXTREMELY SHORT LIFE SPAN FOR SUCH AN ENVIRONMENTALLY IMPORTANT PART. IT IS ALSO AN EXTREMELY SHORT LIFE SPAN FOR AN EXPENSIVE PART REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. MAT HATCH, THE HONDA FACTORY REPRESENTATIVE, SAID THAT HONDA WILL NOT STAND BEHIND THE REPLACEMENT CATALYTIC CONVERTER WHICH IS A HONDA PART, INSTALLED AT A HONDA DEALERSHIP WITHIN THE 8/80 WARRANTY PERIOD. MAT'S RATIONALE WAS THAT ALTHOUGH THE CAR IS WITHIN THE 8 YR. TIME PERIOD, IT IS 5,535 MILES OVER THE 80,000 LIMIT. HE REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE UNUSUALLY SHORT LIFE OF THE REPLACEMENT PART THAT WAS INSTALLED UNDER THE WARRANTY. AS A CONSUMER I AM SUSPICIOUS OF A GENUINE HONDA WARRANTY REPLACEMENT PART THAT LASTS FOR LESS THAN A YEAR AND ONLY 18,348 MILES. AS A CITIZEN I AM CONCERNED THAT HONDA WON'T HONOR ANY REASONABLE LONGEVITY FOR AN ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE PART. PERHAPS MR. HATCH DOESN'T SHARE HONDA'S ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT'S EFFORTS TO MARKET HONDAS AS RELIABLE AND ECOLOGICALLY SOUND TRANSPORTATION. PERHAPS HE DOESN'T SHARE THE HONDA'S MARKETING DEPARTMENT'S EFFORTS, FOR HE HAS IGNORED A LEGITIMATE CLAIM FROM SOMEONE WHO HAS BOUGHT A NEW EX MODEL VEHICLE EVERY 3 YEARS DURING THE LAST DECADE. SUCH A 'PENNY WISE, POUND FOOLISH' RESPONSE WILL LEAVE ME DESCRIBING MY DISSATISFACTION TO MY NEIGHBORS RATHER THEN SHARING MY PRIDE IN OWNING HONDAS.

NHTSA complaint #10348678 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Indianapolis, IN

EQUIPMENT

I HAVE 2003 HONDA ACCORD. THE SUN VISOR ON THE DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE FAILED. I HAVE BEEN ON THE WEB AND IS A PROBLEM WITH HONDA. I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER ATTENTION EARLY THIS YEAR. HONDA SAID THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS SITUATION. THERE ARE THOUSAND S OF HONDA OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10347902 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 79,000 miles Clifton, VA

EQUIPMENT

STEREO BACKLIGHT DIED NOT ALLOWING ME TO SEE RADIO, CLIMATE CONTROL, ETC. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE RADIO CIRCUIT BOARD. TOOK TO AUTHORIZED HONDA DEALER AND WAS TOLD OF AN EXTENDWARRANTY, BUT I WAS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THIS WARRANTY. WARRANTY IS FOR 105,000 MILES OR 7 YEARS. MY MILEAGE WAS 79K, BUT THE CAR WAS 7 YEARS AND 4 MONTHS OLD. CAR WAS REPAIRED AT MY EXPENSE. CALL HONDA CUSTOMER SERVICE BUT THEY WOULD NOT REIMBURSE FOR THE REPAIR. HONDA FELT THAT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY WAS SUFFICIENT.

NHTSA complaint #10329701 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 98,711 miles Deland, FL

EQUIPMENT

MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON IN MY 2003 HONDA ACCORD. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT THIS WAS DUE TO AN OPEN CIRCUIT IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG INFLATER AS WELL AS A THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE SWITCH. I HAD THESE FIXED AND THE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN ON MY WAY HOME. THE DEALERSHIP CHECKED AGAIN AND COULD NOT FIND OUT WHAT WAS WRONG AND SENT ME HOME AFTER RESETTING THE LIGHT. THE LIGHT CAME ON THE NEXT DAY THAT I DROVE MY CAR AND WHEN I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP WANTS TO CHARGE ME FOR ANOTHER DIAGNOSTIC FEE. AMERICAN HONDA SAID THAT THERE IS NO RECALL ON MY MODEL, ALTHOUGH THERE ARE RECALLS ON OTHER YEARS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. P.S. THE MODEL NUMBER FOR THE EQUIPMENT IS NOT IN THE DROPDOWN MENU, BUT ON MY PAPERWORK IT HAS 06788-SDA-A82. ONCE I STARTED WRITING 0 IN THE FIELD IT AUTOMATICALLY PICKED SOMETHING ELSE BEGINNING WITH A 0.

NHTSA complaint #10324600 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 159,000 miles Atlanta, GA

EQUIPMENT

TRANSMISSION FAILURE - GEARS WOULD NOT ENGAGE IN A 2003 HONDA ACCORD. GEARS SHIFTED AND REVVED BACK UP THEN SHOT BACK DOWN. ALMOST GOT KILLED BY TRACTOR TRAILER THAT WAS BEHIND ME. I WAS ON THORNTON RD. WHICH IS A TWO LANE MAJOR ROADWAY, WHICH IS HEAVILY TRAVELED BY LARGE TRUCKS FOR INDUSTRIAL PURPOSES. THE AREA OF ROADWAY IS VERY DARK. I AM A POLICE OFFICER AND WHAT I JUST EXPERIENCED IN MY 2003 HONDA ACCORD SCARED ME HALF TO DEATH. I CAN'T EVEN IMAGINE WHAT MAY HAVE HAPPENED TO ME IF I DIDN'T THINK QUICKLY. THANK GOD MY CHILDREN WERE NOT IN THE CAR WITH ME AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. HONDA NEEDS TO SERIOUSLY ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM IMMEDIATELY BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED OR BADLY INJURED. A TEENAGER WITH MINIMAL DRIVING SKILLS WOULD HAVE PANICKED AND MAY NOT HAVE KNOWN WHAT TO DO. THIS IS VERY SERIOUS SITUATION AND SOMEONE NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE. HONDA NOW HAS A REPUTATION FOR THEIR VEHICLES HAVING SEVERED TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. THEY CONTINUE TO OVERLOOK THE PROBLEM AS IF IT IS NOT THERE. WHAT WILL IT TAKE FOR THEM TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE NOW? TOYOTA SHOULD BE THE EXAMPLE! ALSO, THERE WAS NO WARNING TO THIS! NO ORANGE OR RED INDICATOR LIGHT THAT SOMETHING WAS IN NEED OF BEING LOOKED AT. SOMETHING IS VERY WRONG HERE!

NHTSA complaint #10314921 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 93,000 miles Baltimore, MD

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RADIO DISPLAY INTERMITTENTLY BECOMES BLANK AND FAILS TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. SHE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING $1000 TO HAVE THE RADIO REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000.

NHTSA complaint #10300402 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 150,000 miles Lithia Springs, GA

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER

PURCHASED 2003 HONDA ACCORD USED FROM TOYOTA DEALERSHIP OCTOBER 2005. NOTICED STRANGE SOUND COMING FROM VEHICLE AND GEARS WOULD SHIFT STRANGELY WITHIN A YEAR LATER. TOOK HONDA ACCORDING TO DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICING AND QUESTIONED SOUND SEVERAL TIMES, HONDA INSIST IT WAS OTHER ITEMS THAT WAS WRONG WITH VEHICLE BUT NEVER REFERENCED TRANSMISSION. GEARS ON CAR STARTED SLIPPING AND THE SHIFT CHANGING GOT WORSE AS IF IT DID NOT WANT TO SHIFT INTO 2ND GEAR. AS I WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE, CAR STOP PULLING AND WHEN I WOULD PUSH THE GAS, THE ENGINE WOULD REV UP AND THE RPM WOULD BASICALLY GO OFF THE METER (HIGH). CAR WOULD NOT PULL IN DRIVE OR REVERSE, AS IF IT WAS IN NEUTRAL. WHEN CHECKING TRANSMISSION FLUID, IT WAS GREATLY DISCOLORED (BLACK). I TURNED CAR OFF AND RESTARTED CAR AND WAS ABLE TO GET CAR TO PULL BEFORE JERKING STRONGLY THEN GOING BACK IN THE REV ENGINE/NOT PULLING STATE. BECAUSE THE FAILURE DID NOT OCCUR NEAR DEALERSHIP AND DEALERSHIP MECHANICS WAS CLOSED, I HAD TO HAVE CAR TOWED TO A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST WHO INFORMED ME THAT THERE WAS CHIPPING IN THE TRANSMISSION (THE DARK DISCOLORATION) AND OVERHEATING WHICH IN TURN CAUSED MAJOR DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION. TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REBUILT, AND THE TORQUE, PUMP AND OTHER TRANSMISSION PARTS HAD TO BE REPLACED. TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST DID STATE THAT THE RECALL WAS EITHER NOT DONE, PARTS WERE FAULTY, OR SERVICE WASN'T SUFFICIENT AND DID CAUSE THE LONG TERM TRANSMISSION FAILURE

NHTSA complaint #10298749 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 128,514 miles Copiague, NY

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA ACCORD. THE LIGHTING ON THE RADIO DISPLAY HAS FAILED. SHE CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS ADVISED THAT SINCE HER VEHICLE WAS OVER 105,000 MILES SHE WAS INELIGIBLE FOR A FREE REMEDY. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 128,514. UPDATED 2/17/10 *CN UPDATED 02/22/10

NHTSA complaint #10297178 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 75,056 miles Lincoln, CA

EQUIPMENT

2003 HONDA ACCORD V6 TRANSMISSION FAILURE WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. VEHICLE AS WELL AS OCCUPANT WERE IN DANGER OF INJURY/ETC. HONDA HAD ISSUED A RECALL ON THIS MODEL OF HONDA/TRANSMISSION FOR INSPECTION/REPAIR. REPAIR BASED UPON HONDA'S EVALUATION WAS COMPLETED. VEHICLE WAS THEN CLEARED AS REPAIRED AND SAFE TO DRIVE. AFTER REPAIR TRANSMISSION FAILED AS STATED ABOVE . VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AFTER A QUICK MEDIATION WHILE WE WERE AWAY ON A TRIP. THIS WAS MEDIATED VIA A REPRESENTATIVE FOR HONDA DEALERS. UPON RETURN FROM THE TRIP,DEALER WAS CONTACTED TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR AND TOLD NO FURTHER CONTACT WITH HONDA REPRESENTATIVE BY CUSTOMER WAS ALLOWED. HONDA DEALER/SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME TO CONTRACT HONDA VIA THEIR 1-800 NUMBER FOR POSSIBLE FURTHER CONSIDERATION OF MONEY LOST FOR TRANSMISSION REPAIR. CONTACT WITH HONDA AT THEIR 1-800 NUMBER WAS MADE. AFTER A LONG QUESTION/ANSWER SERIES, I WAS INFORMED THERE WAS NOTHING FURTHER HONDA VIA THIS REPRESENTATIVE WAS ABLE OR WILLING TO DO. DURING THIS CONVERSATION I ATTEMPTED TO GAIN CERTAIN SPECIFIC INFORMATION SUCH AS THE NUMBER OF TRANSMISSIONS RECALLED AND ULTIMATELY REPLACED DUE TO FAULTY EQUIPMENT/PART(S). I WAS TOLD THAT TYPE OF SPECIFIC INFORMATION UNIQUE TO HONDA OF THAT YEAR/MODEL WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE AND OR GIVEN TO MYSELF. I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO CONTACT VARIOUS SOURCES, SUCH AS THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS/MOTOR VEHICLE SECTION. THIS SITE/NUMBER WAS ONE OF SEVERAL RECOMMENDED FOR POSSIBLE ASSISTANCE. ANY FURTHER INFORMATION OR CONTACT WOULD BE APPRECIATED. THANKS FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.

NHTSA complaint #10296155 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bridgeport, CT

EQUIPMENT

HELLO I HAVE A 2003 HONDA ACCORD. THE FAILURE HAPPENED TO MY RADIO IT WILL NOT OPERATE. THEY ONLY THING THAT WORKS IS THE TIME. IT WAS WHILE DRIVING MY RADIO JUST TURNED OFF, NEVER CAME BACK ON......CAN YOU PLEASE LOOK INTO THE DEFECT THANKS...

NHTSA complaint #10283030 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 78,020 miles Watsonville, CA

EQUIPMENT

WE WERE DRIVING SOUTH ON THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY WITH MYSELF, WIFE AND GRANDDAUGHTER WHO WAS IN THE BACK SEAT, IN OUR 2003 HONDA EX ACCORD V6 WITH 78,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. THE TRAFFIC CONGESTION WAS MODERATE TO HEAVY WITH SEMI-TRUCK AND TRAILERS IN FRONT OF US AND BEHIND US. WE WERE TRAVELING AT 65MPH IN DRIVE WHEN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED AND WENT FROM DRIVE TO LOW GEAR. THE AUTOMOBILE LOCKED UP THE BACK TIRES AND MADE A SCREECHING SOUND AND THE SMELL OF BURNT RUBBER AND HEAT WAS PREVALENT INSIDE THE CAR. AFTER NEARLY BEING HIT IN THE BACK OF THE CAR, WE PUT ON OUR EMERGENCY FLASHERS AND PROCEEDED TO THE NEXT OFF RAMP. ALTHOUGH AN ATTEMPT WAS MADE TO DRIVE IN THE HIGH GEAR, THE DRIVE TRANSMISSION WOULD GO BACK TO LOW. AFTER CALLING A TOW TRUCK TO HAVE OUR CAR DELIVERED TO HONDA DEALERSHIP, THEY CONFIRMED THAT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED AND WOULD REQUIRE REPLACEMENT. THE OVERALL COST TO US WITH RENTAL, TOW, AND NEW TRANSMISSION WAS APPROXIMATELY $3,700.00. WE WERE NOT REIMBURSED FOR REPAIRS FOR THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THIS WAS NOT USER ABUSE OR NORMAL WEAR AND IN MY OPINION THIS FAILURE CAN ONLY BE CHARACTERIZED AS A HONDA ENGINEERING DEFECT AND SAFETY ISSUE.

NHTSA complaint #10267988 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 53,853 miles Elicott City, MD

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA ACCORD. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER DISCOVERED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONING DRAIN WAS CLOGGED AND WATER ENTERED INTO THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT, WHICH DAMAGED THE COMPUTER. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE COST OF $917.01. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO CHECK THE AIR CONDITIONER EVERY SIX MONTHS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 53,853. UPDATED 10/27/08. *LJ UPDATED 10/27/08.

NHTSA complaint #10244035 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 60,446 miles Fairfield, CT

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA ACCORD. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PULL OUT OF A DRIVEWAY, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO MOVE. SUDDENLY, THE VEHICLE SHOT BACKWARDS INTO THE STREET AT 45 MPH. SHE THEN ATTEMPTED TO PLACE THE VEHICLE INTO DRIVE ONCE AGAIN, BUT IT WOULD NOT MOVE. SUDDENLY, THE VEHICLE SPED FORWARD. SHE HEARD A LOUD NOISE, BUT DID NOT KNOW THE ORIGIN. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE HOME, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED AGAIN ON A MAIN ROAD WITH MODERATE TO HEAVY TRAFFIC. SHE AIMED THE VEHICLE TOWARD THE NEAREST CURB AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. POINTED IN THE DIRECTION OF A CURB, SHE WAS ABLE TO MOVE THE VEHICLE TOWARDS THE CURB WITH ONE JERK. THE PREVIOUS WEEK, THE CONTACT NOTICED THE TRANSMISSION BANGING INTO GEAR WHEN SHIFTING. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V176000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE SIMILAR. OTHER FAILURES INCLUDE THE ABS SENSOR LIGHT, CD PLAYER, AIR COMPRESSOR LEAKAGE, TRUNK RELEASE NOT FUNCTIONING, AND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AS INSTRUCTED BY THE MANUFACTURER AND A LOCAL MECHANIC ALSO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 60,446. UPDATED 07/29/08. *LJ UPDATED 08/05/08.

NHTSA complaint #10229501 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 58,000 miles Loveland, CO

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

THE BACK LIGHT ON THE RADIO UNIT HVAC INFORMATION CLOCK RADIO DISPLAYS ALL WENT BLACK AND CD CHANGER DOES NOT FUNCTION.

NHTSA complaint #10219805 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 18,000 miles Farmington, MI

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

CD PLAYER MALFUNCTION, NOT A MECHANICAL FAILURE, 2003 FIRST MODEL YEAR OF THE ACCORD LX MAKEOVER, HIGH HEAT BUILDS UP IN THE DASHBOARD WHEN ON THE FREEWAY WITH HEATER AND PLAYER ON. CD ARE VERY HOT. DIGITAL DISPLAY "ERR" OR "BUSY",THIS HAPPENED AT 18,000 MILES,(COVERED BY WARRANTY) WHEN DRIVING ON VACATION IN LATE FALL, 2ND FIX AT 75,000,DEALER REDUCE CHARGE OF NEW INSTALLATION, AT 100,000 MILES BURNED OUT AGAIN, ON FREEWAY EACH WEEK SINCE I OWNED THE CAR AT LEAST 2 HRS. DEALER DENIAL OF ANY RESPONSIBILITY, SERVICE-PERSON,ACKNOWLEDGED PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL YEAR, BUT ON THIRD VISIT DENIED HE MADE SUCH STATEMENTS. NOT A BOOMBOX PROBLEM, I PLAY MOSTLY CLASSICAL MUSIC, WHEN I DO, NOT FROM OVERUSE! NO COMPUTER CD EVER PLAYED, ONLY COMMERCIAL CD'S PLAYED. IT STILL LOADS AND REJECTS AS NORMAL BUT DISPLAYS ERROR MESSAGE, AND BUSY MESSAGE. SERVICE TOLD ME THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH ALL 2003 ACCORDS, THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED IN THE 2004 MODEL. I WOULD LIKE HONDA TO ASSUME COSTS AND FIX MY PLAYER.....PLEASE. CD ARE NOT WARM, THEY ARE VERY, VERY HOT WHEN PLACED ON TO THE CHEEK, AT FIRST ALARMED ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF A FIRE, SO I EMPTIED OUT THE PLAYER AND HOPED THAT I WOULD NOT HAVE TO PULL OVER.

NHTSA complaint #10218520 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 64,600 miles Miami, FL

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT ON MY 2003 HONDA ACCORD SUDDENLY STOPPED BLOWING COOL AIR. I ASSUMED IT WAS IN NEED OF COOLANT SINCE I JUST RECENTLY REACHED THE 60,000 MILES MARK. BUT WHEN I WENT TO HAVE THE AC SERVICED, I WAS TOLD THE COMPRESSOR HAD GONE BAD AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I KNOW THE DEPENDABILITY OF HONDAS. SO, I WAS BAFFLED THAT THE COMPRESSOR WOULD "GO OUT" IN JUST FOUR YEARS OF OWNERSHIP.

NHTSA complaint #10194057 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 38,000 miles Easley, SC

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

THE BACKLIGHTING ON THE CENTER CONSOLE WENT OUT. NO FUSES WERE BLOWN. RADIO AND A/C ARE OPERATION BUT YOU CANNOT SEE THE STATUS. YOU CANNOT CONTROL THE HEAT OR THE DEFROSTER. WITHOUT KNOWING THE STATUS OF THIS EQUIPMENT, AN ACCIDENT IS ALMOST ASSURED..FOGGED FRONT WINDOW.

NHTSA complaint #10179431 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 38,000 miles Easley, SC

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

THE BACKLIGHTING ON THE CENTER CONSOLE WENT OUT. NO FUSES WERE BLOWN. RADIO AND A/C ARE OPERATION BUT YOU CANNOT SEE THE STATUS. YOU CANNOT CONTROL THE HEAT OR THE DEFROSTER. WITHOUT KNOWING THE STATUS OF THIS EQUIPMENT, AN ACCIDENT IS ALMOST ASSURED..FOGGED FRONT WINDOW.

NHTSA complaint #10179431 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Southington, CT

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

2003 ACCORD HAS HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE SECOND GEAR OF THE TRANSMISSION. *TS ***NAR*** THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM BUT THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT THE FAILURE WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER RECALL. THE RADIO SCREEN WAS BLANK.

NHTSA complaint #10171202 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Leesburg, GA

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

SINCE BUYING MY CAR 2003 HONDA ACCORD EX V6 COUPE IN 03. I HAD EXHAUST PROBLEMS, RADIO REPLACEMENT, PARK AND BRAKE SENSOR REPLACEMENT, POWER OUTLET WIRING PROBLEMS AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FREEZE UP DURING HEAVY RAINSTORMS. THIS HAS ALMOST CAUSED A FEW ACCIDENTS, BUT THE DEALERSHIP CAN FIND NO PROBLEM. LAST THURSDAY MY CAR SEEMED TO BE HESITATING BEFORE SHIFTING INTO EITHER 2ND OR 3RD. I COULDN'T TELL FOR SURE. LATER THAT NIGHT, THE CAR BEGAN TO JUMP INTO & OUT OF THE LOW GEARS WHILE STARTING & STOPPING AT LIGHTS. I PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE IN REVERSE (ONLY REV UP). AFTER SOME TIME, THE CAR JUMPED INTO REVERSE AND BACK INTO A DITCH. AFTER GETTING BACK ON THE ROAD, TRAVELING APPROX 60 MILES PER HR, I EASED OFF THE ACCELERATOR, THE CAR POWERFULLY DOWNSHIFTED TO 2ND GEAR. HAD IT NOT BEEN FOR THE SEAT BELT, I BELIEVE I WOULD HAVE BEEN INJURED. MY DOG WAS IN THE CAR WITH ME & THROWN INTO THE DASH, THEN THE FLOOR. THE TIRES BARKED. THE CAR THEN SUDDENLY UP SHIFTED TO A HIGHER GEAR. I MADE IT HOME THAT NIGHT AND DROVE STRAIGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP THE NEXT MORNING. THE CAR SEEMED TO BE DOING OK. I ARRIVED AND WAS TOLD TO MAKE AN APT FOR NEXT WEEK. LESS THEN 10 MILES AWAY THE CAR WOULD NO LONGER SHIFT OUT OF 3RD GEAR AND THEN WOULD NOT GO IN REVERSE. I DROVE IT BACK TO THE DEALER. I WAS TOLD I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AT MY EXPENSE, AND I WAS PRETTY MUCH AT FAULT BECAUSE I HAD NOT COMPLETED ALL MY SERVICE AT HONDA. I EXPLAINED THAT IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE FOR ME TO MAKE IT TO THEM DURING THEIR BUSINESS HOURS. SO, SOME OF MY NORMAL OIL CHANGES WERE DONE AT OTHER LUBE CENTERS. I THEN ASKED HIM ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION RECALL AND HE SAID THAT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH MY PROBLEM. AFTER WAITING MORE THAN HR WHILE HE CUT UP WITH EMPLOYEES, I SPOKE TO THE LOCATION MANAGER AND ASKED ABOUT TEMPORARY TRANSPORTATION UNTIL I COULD CONTACT AMERICAN HONDA, AND HE SUGGESTED I BUY A NEW CAR.

NHTSA complaint #10168593 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 88,000 miles Oconomowoc, WI

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE RADIO AND AIR CONDITIONER LIGHTED CONSOLE DID NOT ILLUMINATE. A SERVICE DEALER WAS CONSULTED, WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE RADIO UNIT NEEDED TO BE REMOVED, AND DURING THE TIME OF THE REPAIR, THE VEHICLE WOULD BE CONSIDERED UNSAFE TO OPERATE.

NHTSA complaint #10165541 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 44,600 miles Stone Mountain, GA

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

AIR CONDITIONER FAILED TO COOL THE CAR. COMPRESSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH COILS.

NHTSA complaint #10164887 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2003 Honda Accord problems

← Full 2003 Honda Accord report