Honda Accord Complaints (2003)

1,987 consumer complaints on file.

#10176042December 13, 2006
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). *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10174779November 30, 2006
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
I WAS DRIVING MY 2003 HONDA ACCORD EX-V6 ON A HIGHWAY WHEN A PASSENGER SIDE CURTAIN AND SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT, NO HIT, NO POTHOLE. INSURANCE COMPANY INVESTIGATED AND FOUND NO DAMAGES TO THE CAR THAT COULD TRIGGER AIRBAGS; HONDA TECHNICIANS AFTER THREE DAYS SAY THEY FOUND A DAMAGE (DENT?) ON UNDERCARRIAGE THAT MAY HAVE TRIGGERED THE SENSOR. THE CAR HAS 45500 MILE ON IT. POLICE WAS CALLED ON A SCENE BUT NO REPORT WAS FILED. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10174839November 30, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ILLUMINATION IN RADIO FAILS. NOT READILY REPLACEABLE, NOT EVEN BY DEALER. THIS FAILURE ALSO CAUSES LOSS OF ILLUMINATION FOR THERMOSTAT AND FAN CONTROL ON DASH WHICH CREATES A MAJOR DISTRACTION AT NIGHT WHEN TRYING TO ADJUST THESE CONTROLS. THIS DISTRACTION COULD LEAD TO LOSS OF CONTROL, A CRASH, AND/OR SERIOUS INJURY. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10174405November 27, 2006
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY IN A FRONTAL IMPACT CRASH. THE APPROXIMATE SPEED AT THE TIME OF IMPACT WAS 55 MPH. THERE WAS PRE-IMPACT BRAKING. THE DRIVER WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT, AND NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10174188November 24, 2006
INTERIOR LIGHTING
THERE WAS NOTHING OF CONSEQUENCE THAT OCCURRED IN THE TIME LEADING UP TO THIS FAILURE. THE DISPLAY, CONTAINING THE CLOCK, AIR CONDITIONING, RADIO, AND CD CONTROLS OF THE 2003 HONDA ACCORD NO LONGER LIGHTS UP. THIS MAKES IT VERY INCONVENIENT TO ATTEMPT TO USE ANY OF THESE FEATURES. IT IS VERY EXPENSIVE TO HAVE THIS FIXED, AS WELL, SINCE THE LIGHT SOURCE IS INSIDE THE UNIT AND THE ENTIRE CENTER UNIT MUST BE REPLACED, WHICH CAN COST APPROXIMATELY 1000 DOLLARS. I AM AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM HAPPENING IN THE CARS OF EVERY OTHER PERSON I KNOW WHO OWNS THE SAME MODEL CAR. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10173987November 21, 2006
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I WAS DRIVING 35-40 MPH AND SUDDENLY MY AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION GOES IN AND OUT OF LOW GEAR SLOWING ME DOWN SUDDENLY. I NOW HAVE NO REVERSE, I WAS AFRAID OF TRANSMISSION LOCKING UP. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10173903November 20, 2006
STEERING
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 20 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HIT TWO PARKED VEHICLES. THE SERVICE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE ISSUE TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT TAKEN, AND NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. UPDATED 12/28/06. *JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10173802November 18, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
IN MAY 2003, I PURCHASED A NEW 2003 HONDA ACCORD EX. SOON AFTER, I NOTICED A STRONG VIBRATION WHEN BRAKING. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN TO A HONDA DEALER FOR SERVICE IN AUGUST 2003. THEY DETERMINED THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKE ROTORS. THIS APPEARED TO FIX THE PROBLEM, BUT A COUPLE MONTHS LATER, THE VIBRATIONS RETURNED. AGAIN, THE DEALER REPLACED THE ROTORS. ABOUT ONE YEAR LATER, THE VIBRATIONS RETURNED. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DIFFERENT DEALER AND THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG, SO THEY JUST REPLACED THE ROTORS AGAIN. THIS WAS IN JULY 2004. THIS SOLVED THE PROBLEM UNTIL MID-2006 WHEN THE VIBRATIONS STARTED AGAIN. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER DEALER. NOW ALL THEY DID THIS TIME WAS RESURFACE THE ROTORS AND CHANGE THE BRAKE PADS. THIS TIME, I HAD TO PAY $375 TO "FIX" THE PROBLEM AS IT IS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10173352November 13, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
I'VE HAD A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES ON MY 2003 HONDA ACCORD LX, STARTING AT ABOUT 6,000 MILES. THE PROBLEM IS FRONT CALIPERS, ROTORS, AND PADS WITH A COMPLAINT OF "BRAKE JUDDER". THE CAR DOES NOT AND NEVER HAS WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE FIRST FEW THOUSAND MILES BRAKE NORMALLY. THIS NOISE AND IRREGULAR BREAKING HAPPENS IN NORMAL DRIVING AND THERE IS AN UNSTABLE FEEL TO THE BRAKES WHEN BRAKING FIRMLY IN AN EMERGENCY. I BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE HUNTINGTON HONDA DEALER 3X WITH THAT SPECIFIC PROBLEM AND WAS TOLD THEY SAW NOTHING WRONG AND ON ONLY ONE OCCASION MADE AN ADJUSTMENT AND AT THE SAME TIME TELLING ME THEY SAW NOTHING WRONG. NOW I SEE NOW THAT A TSB HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR THESE BRAKE PROBLEMS. CONSEQUENTLY, NOW THAT MY CAR IS OFF OF THE WARRANTY AND I'M READING ABOUT THOUSANDS OF OTHER ACCORD '03 OWNERS WITH THIS SAME EXACT PROBLEM. THERE SHOULD DEFINITELY BE A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS A POTENTIAL SAFETY RISK TO THE OWNERS OF THESE HONDA ACCORDS AND OTHER DRIVERS ON THE ROAD IF AN ACCIDENT OCCURRED BECAUSE OF THESE FAULTY BRAKES. NOW THAT MY CAR IS OFF WARRANTY I FEEL AS IF I HAVE LITTLE RECOURSE EVEN THOUGH I BROUGHT THIS PROBLEM TO THEIR ATTENTION THREE TIMES WHEN THE CAR WAS COVERED. SOMETHING MORE SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT THIS ISSUE WITH THE HONDA COMPANY BEFORE INJURIES OR DEATH RESULT BECAUSE OF THESE FAULTY BRAKES. I ALSO WANT TO ADD THAT I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN HONDA. PREVIOUS TO THIS ACCORD I OWNED A CIVIC AND I NEVER HAD A PROBLEM LIKE THIS. I OWNED THE CAR FOR 10 YEARS AND PUT 175, 000 MILES ON IT. I MOST LIKELY WILL NEVER BUY A HONDA AGAIN AND NEVER RECOMMEND ONE TO ANYONE ELSE. THANK YOU. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10173258October 30, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2003 ACCORD RADIO/TEMPERATURE DISPLAY DEFECT. *TS THE DISPLAY UNIT FOR THE RADIO AND HEATING/AC GAUGES WENT BLACK. WHEN THE APPROPRIATE FUSE WAS REPLACED, A INSTRUCTED IN THE OWNERS MANUAL, THE RADIO STOPPED FUNCTIONING ENTIRELY AND THE CONSUMER WAS STILL UNABLE TO SEE THE TEMPERATURE CONTROLS FOR THE HEAT AND A/C. THE MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10171449October 20, 2006
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER
I TOOK MY HONDA ACCORD IN TO GET FIXED. THE TORQUE CONVERTER HAS GONE BAD AND WAS REPLACED WITH TRANSMISSION. CONSULTED WITH A HONDA DEALER ON THIS MATTER. THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WOULD NEED DIAGNOSED AT MY CHARGE AND COULD NOT BE SEEN FOR 3 DAYS. THEY TOLD ME THERE ISN'T A RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE AND SINCE MY WARRANTY RAN OUT, THERE IS NOTHING THAT I CAN DO TO FIX THIS AND IT WILL ALL COME OUT OF MY POCKET. I COULD NOT WAIT TO GET THIS FIXED. I THEN GOT 2ND AND 3RD OPINIONS ON MY VEHICLE. I GOT THE THIRD OPINION WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT AND HAD NO CHOICE DUE TO THE VEHICLE DYING WHILE IT WAS DRIVEN. I TOOK IT TO THE NEAREST TRANSMISSION REPRESENTATIVE THAT I COULD FIND. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS THE TORQUE CONVERTER AFTER A FREE INSPECTION. I WAS ADVISED BY THIS PLACE THAT IT WOULD NOT BE A GOOD IDEA TO DRIVE ANY FURTHER TO AVOID MORE DAMAGE. FIXED AT A TOTAL PRICE OF $2716. I AM UPSET THAT A 3 YEAR OLD VEHICLE HAS THIS PROBLEM. I DID NOT PURCHASE THE EXTENDED WARRANTY DUE TO THE FACT THAT THIS VEHICLES NAME SPEAKS FOR ITSELF. I CONTACTED HONDA CORPORATE DIRECTLY TO TELL THEM OF THIS PROBLEM AND SUBMITTED A CLAIM FOR THEM TO CHECK INTO THIS. I CONSULTED WITH ANOTHER HONDA DEALERSHIP ON THE OTHER SIDE OF TOWN TO GET THEIR OPINION. I TOLD THEM I HAD THIS WORK DONE AND IT WASN'T COMPLETED THROUGH HONDA. THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID HE COULD NOT BELIEVE THAT THE OTHER DEALERSHIP ADVISED ME THAT WAY ON THIS ISSUE. HE SAID HE THAT HE COULD HAVE CONTACTED HONDA DIRECTLY AND SOMETHING ELSE COULD HAVE BEEN DONE EVEN IF THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. I WAS TOLD THAT A NEW TRANSMISSION WOULD HAVE BEEN PLACED INTO MY VEHICLE FOR APPROXIMATELY $500 MINUS LABOR. HAD I HAD KNOWN THIS, I WOULD HAVE TAKEN MY HONDA TO THIS DEALERSHIP IN A HEARTBEAT. I HOPE THAT THERE MAY BE A RECALL ON THIS SO THAT OTHER HONDA OWNERS WILL NOT HAVE TO GO THROUGH WHAT I HAVE GONE THROUGH THIS PAST WEEK. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10171021October 16, 2006
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN WHILE IN REVERSE AND CRASHED INTO THE SIDE OF THE HOUSE NEXT TO THE GARAGE. THE BRAKES HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TO A SERVICE DEALER.*AK UPDATED 11/07/06. *JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10171202October 11, 2006
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, 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. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10170004October 5, 2006
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED UPON INITIAL ACCELERATION ONTO A CITY STREET, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND OPERATED AT A REDUCED SPEED. AFTER BEING TOWED TO A DEALER, IT WAS DETERMINED THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10169859October 3, 2006
AIR BAGS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE APPROACHING A CROSSROAD AT 3 MPH, THE ON COMING VEHICLE DID NOT YIELD CRASHING INTO THE CONTACTS VEHICLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE BECAUSE NEITHER HAD A STOP SIGN. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10168508September 18, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2003 HONDA ACCORD EX V6 - RADIO CONTROL, AC CONTROL AND CLOCK CONTROL BACKLIGHT STOPPED WORKING. CONTACTED DEALER AND TOLD THAT RADIO WOULD HAVE TO BE REMOVED AND SENT TO CALIFORNIA FOR REPAIRS. COST ESTIMATED IN EXCESS OF $500. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10168593September 18, 2006
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM, VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER, 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. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10168382September 15, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:ROTOR, SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:PADS
MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING HER 2003 HONDA ACCORD UNDER SUNNY SKIES AND GOOD ROAD CONDITIONS. AS SHE SLOWED AND MADE A SLIGHT RIGHT HAND TURN TO ENTER AN EXIT RAMP OFF OF I-26 OUTSIDE OF CHARLESTON SC, THE BRAKES LOCKED UP PULLING HER TOWARDS THE CONCRETE BARRIER ON HER RIGHT HAND SIDE. SHE INSTICTIVELY PULLED THE CAR BACK TO THE LEFT. AT THIS TIME THE BRAKES RELEASED AND SHE WENT INTO THE LEFT CONCRETE BARRIER. BOTH HER AND A FRIEND WHO WAS RIDING WITH HER WERE NOT SERIOUSLY HURT. THE CAR SUSTAINED APPROXIMATELY $4,900 IN DAMAGES. SHE ESTIMATED THAT SHE WAS GOING 40 MPH AT THE TIME WHEN THE BRAKES LOCKED UP. THE BRAKES HAVE NOT BEEN LOOKED AT IN DETAIL YET. AFTER REPAIRS WE WILL HAVE THEM INSPECTED. LOOKING INTO THE HISTORY OF THE 2003 ACCORD SHOWED ME THAT THIS MODEL HAS A LONG HISTORY OF BRAKE PROBLEMS WITH MANY PEOPLE COMPLAINING. WHEN I DISCUSSED THIS WITH MY LOCAL DEALER, HENDRICK HONDA, THEY INFORMED ME THAT THEY THOUGHT THERE WAS NOT A HISTORY OF BAD BRAKES ON THIS CAR. I FEEL OTHERWISE. BECAUSE THE CAR WAS IN THE WAY OF TRAFFIC AND COULD STILL BE DRIVEN, MY DAUGHTERS FRIEND DROVE IT OUT OF THE WAY AND NO POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. ONE LAST THING. THESE BRAKES HAVE LOCKED UP ON ME A IDLE SPEEDS AND HAD BEEN CHECKED PREVIOUSLY BY HENDRICK HONDA. WHEN CHECKED, THEY SAID THEY WERE SERVICEABLE.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10167879September 11, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CENTER LIGHT FOR STEREO AND CONSOLE IS BURNT OUT. THIS MEANS THAT A DRIVER CAN NOT CHOOSE CRITICAL CONTROLS WHY DRIVING UNLESS THEY TURN AN INTERIOR LIGHT ON. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10167784September 10, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
I HAVE A 2003 HONDA ACCORD WITH APPROXIMATELY 52,000 MILES AND YESTERDAY THE RADIO LIGHTS AND THE CENTER POD LIGHTS WHICH CONTROL THE HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING LIGHTING STOP WORKING AND I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT HAPPENED, I HAVE CHECKED ANY AND ALL FUSES UNDER THE DASH AND ALSO IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND THERE ARE BLOWN FUSES. NOTHING ELSE SO FAR IS OUT OF THE NORM, I AM JUST NO SURE WHERE TO LOOK OR WHAT TO DO SINCE THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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