24 of the
2,384 complaints about the 2003 Honda Accord are about the
seats — 1% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
72,922 miles.
CAR WON'T START EVEN WITH THE KEY IN IT. DIDN'T HAVE THIS PROBLEM BEFORE, ALONG WITH THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS NOW ON. PRIOR TO BRINGING THE CAR TO HONDA ACCORD DEALER FOR THE OTHER RECALLS NONE OF THIS WAS A PROBLEM. NOW MY CAR MAKES A SOUND WHILE I'M DRIVING LIKE A RATTLE SOUND ALONG WITH THE AIRBAG LIGHT BEING ON. THE OTHER DAY I STARTED THE CAR AND ONLY THE LIGHTS AND EVERYTHING ELSE TURNS ON BUT THE CAR ENGINE WON'T START. IT'S PROBLEM AFTER PROBLEM NOW THAT I BROUGHT IT TO THEM FOR RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS ONLY DRIVEN TO WORK AND BACK FROM THE TIME I TOOK IT TO THEM. THEN I HEN I TRIED TO DRIVE IT AGAIN THE CAR WOULDN'T START, AND AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON. I TOOK IT TO THEM AND THEY WORKED ON 4 THINGS ACCORDING TO THE RECALL HOWEVER MORE THINGS SEEMS TO BE THE PROBLEM AND THEY DIDN'T DO ALL THAT.
NHTSA complaint #11323952 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 87,975 milesFremont, CA1 injured
SEATS
TAKATA RECALL WHILE I WAS DRIVING HOME (VEHICLE IN MOTION) ON PASEO PADRE BOULEVARD IN FREMONT CALIFORNIA, MY AIRBAGS ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE DEPLOYED UNEXPECTEDLY AND FOR NO APPARENT REASON. I WAS NOT INVOLVED IN ANY ACCIDENT THAT WOULD TRIGGER AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY. I BELIEVE THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED BECAUSE THEY HAVE SOME DEFECTIVE PARTS. I CONTINUE TRYING TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE WITH HONDA AND THEY IGNORE ME.
NHTSA complaint #11019246 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 192,000 milesGarner, NC
SEATS
WHEN BRAKING OR ACCELERATING MY SEAT MOVES SLIGHTLY; WHICH IS VERY DANGEROUS. IT ASK FOR A SPECIFIC DATE HOWEVER THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR SEVERAL MONTHS, BUT I PUT TODAY DATE.
NHTSA complaint #10852830 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 40,000 milesBoerne, TX
SEATS
THERE ARE 20 COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE SEATS ON THIS WEBSITE, BUT THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL. THE SEAT SLIDES FORWARD WHEN BRAKING. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS.
NHTSA complaint #10721087 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 45,000 milesBoerne, TX
SEATS
THE SEAT WILL MOVE WHEN STOPPING OR TURNING, WHICH COULD BE A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE LOOKED ON-LINE AND THIS IS APPARENTLY A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL. HONDA WILL CHARGE TO REPLACE THE SEAT RAILS. ACCORDING TO THE ON-LINE COMMENTARY'S, THIS IS ONLY A TEMPORARY FIX.
NHTSA complaint #10682657 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 74,844 milesWashington, IL1 injured
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT WARMER CAUSED SECOND DEGREE BURNS TO THE DRIVER'S BACK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,844. .... UPDATED 08/05/14 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICL WAS INSPECTED BY BOB LINDSAY HONDA THE MALFUNCTION COULD NOT BE REPLICATED. THE HEATERS MUST BE FOUND DEFECTIVE BY HONDA DEALERSHIP IN ORDER FOR ACTION TO BE TAKEN. UPDATED 08/11/2014
NHTSA complaint #10597567 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 136,500 milesBronx, NY
SEATS
THE TRANSMISSION IS WELL ON ITS WAY OUT SLIPPING ONLY USE OFFICIAL HONDA DW-1 FLUID STILL NO HELP HONDA NEEDS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM THEY HAVE A DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION AND THEY KNOW IT.
NHTSA complaint #10587642 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 89,000 milesSomerset, KY
SEATS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S FRONT SEAT WAS NOT SECURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED OR DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000. UPDATED 06/10/14*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE SEAT MOVES FORWARD WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. UPDATED 06/11/2014
NHTSA complaint #10583515 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 125,000 milesVallejo, CA
SEATS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH ON A RAMP, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT BEGAN TO SLIDE BACK AND FORTH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SPRINGS ON THE SEAT FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO REPLACE THE SEAT ASSEMBLY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000. UPDATED 04/19/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE STORING SPRING WAS MISSING. UPDATED 05/07/12
NHTSA complaint #10452543 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 71,000 milesSomerset, KY
SEATS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT WOULD MOVE FORWARD ABNORMALLY BRAKING TO A STOP AND WHEN ACCELERATING, THE SEAT WOULD MOVE BACKWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE SEAT WOULD NEED TO BE FIXED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 71,000. UPDATED 06/01/11
NHTSA complaint #10397999 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 75,000 milesSumter, SC
SEATS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, AND THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT INADVERTENTLY MOVED FORWARD IN A JERKING MOTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE THEY INFORMED HER THAT THE SEAT RAIL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 75,000.
NHTSA complaint #10372197 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Salem, NH
SEATS
THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT SHIFTS WHEN MAKING A TURN. ALSO NOTE THAT WHEN BRAKING, I NOTICED THE SEAT MOVE AS WELL. SO BOTH TURNING AND BRAKING. THE MAN I BOUGHT IT FROM NOTICED THE SAME THING. I'VE READ ONLINE THAT IT IS COMMON. HE GOT A PRICE TO FIX IT, HONDA DEALERSHIP TOLD HIM $1000 AND A LOCAL NON-DEALER $500. I'M GOING TO WAIT AND SEE IF HONDA OFFERS A RECALL BEFORE I SPEND THE MONEY. I AM READING THAT AFTER SOME PEOPLE HAVE GOTTEN IT FIXED, IT BRAKES THE SAME WAY.
NHTSA complaint #10371401 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
York, PA
SEATS
I WAS SMELLING THE ROTTEN EGG SMELL THAT MANY OTHER CLAIMED TO SMELL. I HAD THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER CHANGED BUT THE SMELL COMES BACK FROM TIME TO TIME. THE SEAT SLIDE FORWARD AND THEN BACKWARD WHEN APPLYING BRAKE.
NHTSA complaint #10370134 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Diego, CA
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST
DRIVER'S SEAT ON MY 2003 HONDA ACCORD SHIFTS WHEN TURNING. I AM THE ONLY DRIVER AND DON'T NORMALLY MOVE THE SEAT, BUT THE DEALER SAYS IT IS "NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR" AND THE TRACKS NEED TO BE REPLACED. I AM NOT A VERY BIG PERSON, THE CAR ONLY HAS 42,880 MILES, AND THIS IS THE ONLY CAR THAT I HAVE EVER HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH. SO I DO NOT BELIEVE IT IS A "NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR" PROBLEM. I BELIEVE IT IS A DEFECT AND SAFETY ISSUE AND DOUBT THAT MERELY REPLACING THE TRACKS WILL RESOLVE THE ISSUE. I AM CONCERNED THAT IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT, THERE COULD BE A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE SEAT TRACKS LEADING TO SUBSTANTIAL INJURIES.
NHTSA complaint #10198959 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Oakland, CA
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT
1. CHRONIC CONDITION; ERGONOMIC INJURY CAUSED BY HEAD REST DESIGN. 2. FRONT HEAD REST ARE DESIGNED WITH A SIGNIFICANT FORWARD TILT. THIS IS NOT ADJUSTABLE. FOR SHORTER THAN AVERAGE DRIVERS, THE FORWARD BULGE FORCES THE HEAD INTO A FLEXED (CHIN DOWN) POSITION THAT IS VERY UNCOMFORTABLE, CAUSES CHRONIC NECK AND HEAD PAIN, AND CAN RESTRICT VISION. 3. THE ONLY SAFE "FIX" AVAILABLE IS TO ADD A THICK BACKREST TO THE SEAT, TO NEGATE THE BULGE. ALTERNATIVELY, DRIVERS MAY REVERSE THE HEAD REST OR EVEN REMOVE IT, SEVERELY COMPROMISING CRASH SAFETY (SUBJECTING DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS TO WHIPLASH INJURIES).
NHTSA complaint #10176042 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 56,000 milesThousand Oaks, CAFire
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
2003 HONDA ACCORD. THE SEAT HEATER SHORTED AND BURNED A HOLE IN MY LEATHER SEAT AFTER ABOUT 10 MINUTES. I FELT BURNING ON MY LEG AND STOPPED THE CAR TO DISCOVER WHAT WAS HAPPENING. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THE NEXT DAY AND THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID HE HAD NEVER SEEN IT BUT THAT THEY WOULD REPLACE IT EVEN THOUGH HE DID NOT BELIEVE MY EXTENDED WARRANTY WOULD COVER IT. HE ORDERED A NEW SEAT BOTTOM BUT DID NOT ORDER THE SEAT HEATING ELEMENT. NOW THEY ARE ORDERING THAT AND I HAVE TO MAKE YET ANOTHER APPOINTMENT WHEN THAT PART COMES IN. IF I HAD NOT FELT THE BURN AND CONTINUED DRIVING, MY SEAT COULD HAVE BURST INTO FLAMES!!! I AM COMPLAINING ABOUT THE FAULTY UNIT - I AM NOT COMPLAINING ABOUT MY LOCAL HONDA DEALERSHIP.
NHTSA complaint #10157597 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LA Habra, CA
SEATS
THE POWER DRIVER SEAT MOVES WHEN BRAKING OR MAKING TURNS. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, I FEEL VERY UNSAFE AND AM AFRAID THE SEAT MIGHT COME-OFF LOOSE.
NHTSA complaint #10152792 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 21,000 milesMississauga, 00
SEATS
DRIVER SEAT MOVES WHEN CORNERING MOSTLY ON THE RIGHT TURNS.
NHTSA complaint #10137150 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 12,575 milesMcdonough, GA
SEATS
DRIVER'S SEAT MOVES WHEN TURNING 4/04-BROUGHT TO DEALER IN MIAMI, FL - MOUNTING BOLTS FOR DRIVERS SEAT LOOSE-RETORQUED 5/04-DRIVER SEAT MOVING AGAIN 6/04-BROUGHT TO DEALER IN MIAMI, FL - INSTALLED NEW SEAT TRACK 7/05-DRIVER SEAT MOVING AGAIN- BROUGHT TO DEALER IN MORROW, GA - DEALER CAN NOT DUPLICATE SEAT MOVING 7/05-CALLED HONDA CORPORATE OFFICE-TOOK 2 WEEKS TO SPEAK WITH CUSTOMER SERVICE REP-TELLS ME THIS IS "INHERENT DESIGN WITH NO FIX" I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR. PLEASE INVESTIGATE.
NHTSA complaint #10129594 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Arroyo Grande, CA
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST
ELECTRIC SEAT MALFUNCTION. WHILE TURNING CORNERS, SEAT MAKES NOISES AND MOVES.
NHTSA complaint #10100333 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 4,600 milesNanuet, NY
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
COMPLAINT RECEIVED VIA E-MAIL. I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW CAR, AND SINCE THEN I HAVE BEEN BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP NUMEROUS AMOUNTS OF TIMES FOR MANY PROBLEMS. FIRST PROBLEM WAS MY BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT 4600 MILES, BUT WEREN'T REPLACED UNTIL 7700 MILES 3.5 MONTHS LATER DUE TO BACK ORDER. CURRENTLY, WITH 17,900 MILES THE BRAKES WERE GRINDING AGAIN. THIS IS MY 3RD HONDA, AND THE WORSE ONE, YET LIKELY MY LAST. THE SECOND PROBLEM WAS THAT MY RIGHT REAR DOOR WAS LOCKED FOR 3 MONTHS. THE DEALER CLAIMED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO GETTING MY WINDOWS TINTED, BUT THEY ATTEMPTED TO FIX THREE TIMES, AND WAS TOLD THE THIRD TIME THE PROBLEM ONLY OCCURS IF THE TEMPERATURE GOES BELOW 32 DEGREES. SINCE THEN THE TEMPERATURE HAS BEEN OVER 32 DEGREES. I ALSO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH SULFUR ODOR COMING FROM THE EXHAUST, AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS NORMAL PROBLEM ,WOULD GO AWAY WITH TIME. BUT AS TIME GOES BY THE ODOR GETS WORSE, AND SMELLS LIKE ROTTEN EGGS. ANOTHER PROBLEM WITH THE CAR IS THE ALIGNMENT HAS BEEN OFF SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR. I HAVE HAD MY OWN MECHANIC LOOK AT THE CAR, AND HE BELIEVES THE CAR WON'T ALIGN CORRECTLY BECAUSE OF THE AXLES. THE FINAL PROBLEM WITH MY PIECE OF CRAP HONDA IS THE DRIVER SEAT ISN'T SECURE, IT SLIDES VERY LITTLE BACK AND FORTH AND SIDE TO SIDE.
NHTSA complaint #10097691 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Valley Village, CA
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL DRIVERS SEAT MOVED FORWARD. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE SEAT TRACK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND REPLACED IT. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED.
NHTSA complaint #10090336 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pittsburgh, PA
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST
POWER DRIVER'S SEAT SHIFTS IN ITS TRACK WHEN CORNERING.
NHTSA complaint #10062268 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 5,076 milesFredericksburg, VA
SEATS
THE ENGINE EMITTED A ROTTEN EGG SMELL. THE DRIVER HEARD A GRINDING NOISE. THE VEHICLE ALSO HAD A BRAKE PROBLEM. THE DRIVER'S SEAT WAS NOT STABLE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER AT LEAST 9 TIMES FOR MULTIPLE PROBLEMS. *NM PAINT ON THE HOOD IS FLAKING. SEAT IS NOT FIXED. THE DOOR PANEL WAS FIXED TWICE BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. CONSUMER CONFRONTED DEALERSHIP ABOUT PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE BUT CONSUMER WAS IGNORED. CONSUMER CALLED AMERICAN HONDA TO REPORT ISSUE WITH DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #10057376 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.