MyCarTSB

2003 Honda Accord Engine Problems

102 owner-reported engine complaints from NHTSA data

102
Complaints
3
Fires
Jan 2005Dec 2003
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Owner Complaints (102)

mediumENGINE
Filed: Jul 2021

I bought this vehicle at 130k miles and it had a regular maintenance. Since then it feels like there’s no power, it revs high when it shouldn’t, feels like the gears aren’t shifting when they should, hard shifting.

NHTSA #: 11423915
mediumENGINE
Filed: Aug 2020

EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION 1 QUART ALMOST EVERY 300 MILES. THERE ARE A LOT OF FORUMS ONLINE WITH MANY PEOPLE REPORTING THE SAME ISSUE THAT EXPLAIN OIL CONTROL RINGS ON THE 2.4L ENGINES GO BAD AROUND 80K MILES. THIS AFFECTS THE 2003-2007 MODELS

NHTSA #: 11351485
mediumENGINE
Filed: Mar 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA ACCORD. UPON PERFORMING AN OIL CHANGE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THE OIL WAS TWO QUARTS LOW. THE CONTACT ADDED MORE OIL TO THE VEHICLE, BUT HAD TO CONSTANTLY ADD APPROXIMATELY ONE OR TWO MORE QUARTS EVERY COUPLE OF WEEKS. IT WAS UNKNOWN IF A LEAK WAS PRESENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 143,000.

NHTSA #: 11080732
mediumENGINE
Filed: May 2016

OIL CONSUMPTION MY CAR IS BURNING OIL 3-4 QTS EVERY 600 MILES . HONDA SAYS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY CAR AND THIS IS NORMAL. BUNCH OF CRAP !

NHTSA #: 10870798
mediumENGINE
Filed: Apr 2016

MY CAR IS BURNING OR LEAKING EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF OIL ...WITHIN A 2 YEAR PERIOD I'VE REPLACED 2- 02 SENSORS AND 2 -CATALYTIC CONVERTERS. THIS HAS LEAD TO REPLACEMENT OF MY ENTIRE EXHAUST SYSTEM AS WELL (HONDA SUGGESTED). I HAVE TO LITERALLY CARRY AROUND A GALLON OF OIL IN MY TRUNK DUE TO EXCESSIVE OIL BURNING/LEAKAGE. I'VE SPOKEN TO HONDA MANY TIMES BUT NOONE SEEMS TO KNOW WHY ITS BURNING SO MUCH OIL, I WAS TOLD HIGH MILEAGE AND TO USE A THICKER GRADE OF OIL. I DON'T HAVE MONEY TO KEEP THIS UP. I LIKE MY CAR BUT I'M VERY UNHAPPY AND FRUSTRATED, PLEASE HELP..THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM AND I'M JUST FINDING OUT THAT OTHERS HAVE BEEN HAVING THE SAME ISSUES. I HAVE "SOME" DOCUMENTATION BUT NOT MUCH, I WAS UNAWARE THIS WAS AN ISSUE WITH MORE THAN MYSELF. PLEASE HELP.

NHTSA #: 10854675
mediumENGINE
Filed: Feb 2016

MY 2003 HONDA ACCORD EX V6 HAS 110K MILES ON IT. I WAS DRIVING ON HWY 280 AND IT FELT AS IF I HAD SLAMMED ON THE BREAKS AND OR DOWNSHIFTED TO FIRST FROM 4TH. CAR JERKED TWICE. I IMMEDIATELY GOT OFF THE FREEWAY AND THE CAR'S SERVICE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE D LIGHT WAS FLASHING. THE TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED WHICH IS THE ISSUE THAT HONDA HAD WITH THESE CARS. A CASE MANAGER AT HONDA SAID THEY WILL NOT FIX THE ISSUE EVEN THOUGH THE ISSUE IS EXACTLY THE SAME AS THE RECALL.

NHTSA #: 10836980
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN
Filed: Jan 2016

HI! AS YOU CAN SEE, I AM AN OWNER OF A HONDA ACCORD 2003. I HAVE RECENTLY TAKEN IT FOR A REPLACEMENT OF THE PASSENGER AIRBAG. WHILE I WAS DOING SOME RESEARCH, I FOUND THAT THIS SPECIFIC YEAR AND MODEL, HAD SOME OTHER ISSUES OR RECALLS TOO. FOR EXAMPLE, THE TRANSMISSION SYSTEM. HIS CAUGHT MY ATTENTION SINCE I THINK I DO HAVE A PROBLEM PROBABLY RELATED TO IT. I BOUGHT THIS CAR IN MAY LAST YEAR, FROM AN ACQUAINTANCE, AND SOON AFTER, I NOTICED A SHAKING IN THE GAS PEDAL, EVERY TIME I WAS ACCELERATING BETWEEN 25 TO 35 MPH (CITY AND HIGHWAY). THE SHAKING ALWAYS GO AWAY WHEN I STOP SPEEDING IT FOR A SECOND, AND THEN CONTINUE TO ACCELERATE. IT HAPPENS AGAIN AND AGAIN. IT FIRST, AND BECAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE TURN ON, I TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC, AND I WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE CATALYTIC. WELL, I DID IT AND...THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. AM I IN DANGER HERE?. OK, I WILL WAIT FOR YOUR RESPONSE. IN THE MEANTIME, AS MIGHT UNDERSTAND, I WILL DOCUMENT THIS REQUEST, JUST IN CASE SOMETHING HAPPENS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND ATTENTION!!! *TR

NHTSA #: 10822828
mediumENGINE
Filed: Jul 2015

WHILE SLOWING DOWN TO STOP AT LIGHT IN TRAFFIC AND CAR JUST STOPPED AND ALMOST GOT HIT BY CARS IN MY REAR . I HEARD A LOUD BOOM AND CAR(CAR MILEAGE AT 131239 )WOULDN'T MOVE .IT ALSO WOULDNT GO IN TO PARK AND THERE WAS GRINDING SOUND WHEN TRYING TO PUT IN PARK . HAD CAR TOWED TO FIND OUT ITS WAS TRANSMISSION ,PAID 1895.00.NOW HERE I AM 7/27/2015 AND THE SAME THING HAPPEN (CAR MILEAGE AT 153000) . HOW IS HONDA NOT HAVE A RECALL ON THESE CARS. IT IS DANGEROUS AND I SEE SO MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR .I SPENT ALOT OR MONEY TO HAVE A CAR CONTINUE TO NEED TRANSMISSION FIXED AT $2000 COST .

NHTSA #: 10743685
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: May 2015

THE CONDENSER AS BEEN RUPTURED TWICE DUE TO DEBRIS ON THE STREET WHICH AS CAUSED 500 DOLLARS IN REPAIRS. RUPTURED AGAIN TWO WEEKS AFTER THAT WAS REPAIRED. THIS ISSUED NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED, HAVE HAD SEVERAL CASES NEVER EXPERIENCED A ISSUES SUCH AS THIS. HOWEVER IT'S CAUSING A UNCOMFORTABLE DRIVING EXPERIENCE AND A LOT OF MONEY THAT I DON'T HAVE TO REPAIR A UNNECESSARY REPAIR. THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED BECAUSE IT IS CLEARLY A DESIGN FLAW THAT HONDA HAS TO KNOW ABOUT. *TR

NHTSA #: 10716237
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Apr 2015

A/C COMPRESSOR LEAKED FREON (ALL OF IT). *TR

NHTSA #: 10705694
mediumENGINE
FireFiled: Jan 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA ACCORD. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE AND THE RADIO TURNED ON AND OFF. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS FLASHED AND THE SPEEDOMETER INCREASED TO THE HIGHEST NUMBER. THE CONTACT MERGED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND NOTICED SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000.

NHTSA #: 10671849
mediumENGINE
Filed: Jan 2015

TIMING CHAIN SLIPPED, RESULTING IN MASHED VALVES. ENGINE REPLACEMENT REQUIRED. OIL LOSS DUE TO UNKNOWN CAUSES MAY HAVE BEEN A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR. EVEN THOUGH ENGINE OIL WAS REPLACED AT REGULAR INTERVALS, ENGINE OIL DISAPPEARED, WITH NO SIGN OF OIL LEAKS OR BURNT OIL IN THE EXHAUST. *TR

NHTSA #: 10670981
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN
Filed: Dec 2013

I BOUGHT MY CAR USED AND GRANTED IT HAS ALMOST 200,000 MILES ON IT BUT I TRUSTED IN HONDA THAT IT WAS A GOOD CAR NOW MY TRANSMISSION HAS GONE OUT AND I HAVEN'T HAD MY CAR A YEAR YET GRANTED I'M DISAPPOINTED IN HONDA BC I HAVE READ SEVERAL FORUMS ABOUT 2003 ACCORDS HAVE TRANSMISSION ISSUES WITH WAY LESS MILEAGE THAN MINE HONDA REALLY NEEDS TO INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE. IT'S CHRISTMAS TIME AND I'M OUT A CAR I WOULD FIX THE TRANSMISSION ON THIS VEHICLE BUT IT'S NO POINT IN DOING 3000 DOLLARS WORTH OF WORK ON A CAR WHEN I OWE MORE THAN THAT ON IT AND I HAVE ALREADY HAD TO REPLACE ENGINE MOUNTS, THERMOSTAT, CRANK SHAFT PULLEY. *TR

NHTSA #: 10555892
mediumENGINE
Filed: Apr 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE, SHE HEARD A LOUD WHINING NOISE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. *TR

NHTSA #: 10505252
mediumENGINE
Filed: Mar 2013

USES TONS OF OIL, HAS DONE SO SINCE NEW. DISAPPOINTED IN MOTOR AND HONDA'S LACK OF RESPONSE FOR THIS ISSUE!!

NHTSA #: 10504643
mediumENGINE
Filed: Dec 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR AN UNRELATED ISSUE WHEN THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE ENGINE MOUNTS WERE FAILING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.....UPDATED 07/05/16 *BF UPDATED 07/11/16.*JB

NHTSA #: 10488677
mediumENGINE
Filed: Oct 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE CONTACT SMELLED SULFUR INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE BELIEVED THE SMELL WAS EMITTING FROM THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THE SMELL WAS NORMAL. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO DRIVER THE VEHICLE WITH THE SULFUR SMELL SINCE NO REMEDY WAS PROVIDED BUT THE SMELL WAS BECOMING TOO HARSH TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

NHTSA #: 10479937
mediumENGINE
Filed: Oct 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE AIR CONDITION OR HEATER WAS BEING USED AND THE ENGINE WAS SHUT OFF, IT WOULD BECOME HESITANT TO RESTART. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO SIT FOR SEVERAL HOURS BEFORE THE ENGINE COULD BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC SEVERAL TIMES FOR THE FAILURE. A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED THAT WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE A FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO TEST DRIVEN HOWEVER, THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA #: 10479606
mediumENGINE
Filed: Jul 2012

WE HAVE A 2003 HONDA ACCORD EX V6 AUTOMATIC. WHILE ACCELERATING AT LOW SPEEDS, CAR LURCHES VIOLENTLY. IT APPEARS TO OCCUR WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. THIS HAS BEEN VERY ALARMING, ESPECIALLY WITH TWO YOUNG CHILDREN IN THE CAR. ALSO, THE CAR DOES NOT GO INTO REVERSE SOMETIMES, UNLESS TURNING THE ENGINE OFF AND ON AGAIN. *JS

NHTSA #: 10463935
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN
Filed: May 2012

STARTING THE CAR FROM A STOPPING POINT AND SLOWLY INCREASING THE SPEED TO 40 WILL RESULT IN SLIGHT JERKS IN THE CAR. AS THE SPEED INCREASE BEYOND 45 INTO THE 60 THE CAR WILL JERK REPEATEDLY AND TRY TO SHIFT DOWN. RPM REVS INTO THE 5 OR 6 ZONE, NEAR REDLINING WHILE ONLY GOING 40 MPH. SOMETIMES THE CAR WILL SHIFT DOWN WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY CAUSING CAR TO JERK DRIVER FORWARD. COULD LEAD TO MAJOR CAR WRECK. THIS CAR MODEL ALREADY HAD A DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION, WHICH WAS FIXED BY HONDA, YET IT SEEMS TO HAVE ANOTHER TRANSMISSION ISSUE NOW.

NHTSA #: 10457612
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Apr 2012

HONDA ACCORD JUST STOPPED WHILE MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING. MADE A GRINDING SOUND WHEN TRIED TO RESTART. FORTUNATE THAT THIS HAPPENED ON OUR COURT. *TR

NHTSA #: 10455259
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Mar 2012

THE VERY FIRST THING I NOTICED WAS APPROXIMATELY 3 MONTHS AGO. WHEN PARKED, THE RPMS WOULD SUDDENLY JUMP TO 2000 WITHOUT PRESSING ON THE GAS, THEN IT WOULD GO BACK TO NORMAL. MY MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP CAME ON BRIEFLY ABOUT A MONTH AGO, AND THEN WENT OFF. THE MAINTENANCE REQUIRED LIGHT CAME ON A WEEK AFTER THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP, AND NOW BLINKS EVERYTIME I TURN MY CAR ON. I WAS DRIVING FOR APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES AT A RANGE OF SPEED BETWEEN 0 TO 50MPH. VERY SUDDENLY, THE RPMS SHOT UP TO 6000, AND IT VIOLENTLY JERKED AS THOUGH I WAS SLAMMING ON THE BRAKES. THERE WAS A BURNT RUBBER SMELL RIGHT AFTERWARDS. THE LONGER I DROVE, THE MORE FREQUENTLY IT HAPPENED. IF I DIDN'T HAVE MY SEATBELT ON, MY HEAD WOULD HAVE SMACKED THE STEERING WHEEL. I WAS ALMOST HIT FROM BEHIND SEVERAL TIMES. NOW EVEN WHEN I AM DRIVING FOR A SHORT DISTANCE AND TIME, THE RPMS ARE HIGHER THAN NORMAL, AND THEN THE VIOLENT JERKING BEGINS. *TR

NHTSA #: 10453129
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Mar 2012

I WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE SUDDENLY REVVED UP AND LOST ALL POWER. IT DID THIS SEVERAL TIMES. I PULLED OFF THE ROAD INTO A PARKING LOT, I COULD NOT GET THE CAR TO GO INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE. TOWED TO HONDA DEALER. THEY "COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM". RECOMMENDED TRANSMISSION FLUID CHANGE, WHICH WAS DONE. FLUID REPORTEDLY "DIRTY". (HAD BEEN CHANGED LAST TIME AT 90,000 MILES). I DROVE IT APPROX 5 MORE WEEKS. AT THAT TIME PROBLEM BECAME CONSISTENT. OCCASIONALLY SMELLED "BURNING ODOR". ENGINE REVVED UP, NO POWER. WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE - CLANKED VERY HARD INTO GEAR WHEN SHIFTING. HAD GREAT DIFFICULTY GOING UP HILLS. WENT BACK TO HONDA DEALER - CONFIRMED TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *TR

NHTSA #: 10450156
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN
Filed: Feb 2012

I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30MPH ON A LONG STRAIGHT ROAD WHEN FOR NO REASON THE CAR STARTED DOWNSHIFTING ON IT'S OWN. THE VEHICLE LURCHED. I CAME TO A STOP AND WHILE I WAS BRAKING, THE CAR SUDDENLY STOPPED ON IT'S OWN AS IF I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES. I STOPPED AT A LIGHT, AND THEN TURNED ONTO A SIDE ROAD. I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20MPH WHEN THE CAR STARTED DOWNSHIFTING ON IT'S OWN AGAIN. I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND ONCE AGAIN, THE CAR STOPPED SUDDENLY AS IF I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES. AFTER A FEW DAYS AT A PERSONAL MECHANIC, IT WAS DECIDED THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE TAKEN TO A HONDA DEALERSHIP. PERSONAL MECHANIC STATED HE AT ONE POINT TOOK MY VEHICLE OUT ON A SIDE ROAD WHERE THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY WENT INTO A NEUTRAL SPEED AND LOST POWER. WHILE ON THE FREEWAY DRIVING AROUND 50MPH TO THE DEALERSHIP, CAR DOWNSHIFTED ON IT'S OWN CAUSING ME TO ALMOST GET REAR ENDED. I PULLED OFF FREEWAY AND CAME TO A STOP ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. ONCE AGAIN, THE CAR CAME TO A QUICK SUDDEN STOP AS IF I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES. ONCE AT THE HONDA DEALERSHIP, TEST WERE RAN AND IT WAS DECIDED THE VEHICLE HAD TRANSMISSION FAILURE AND THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THEY QUOTED ME $4500 FOR REPAIRS. ENDED UP CALLING HONDA CUSTOMER SERVICE, THEY WERE WILLING TO ONLY COVER $1100. I ENDED UP WITH A TOTAL BILL OF $3406.26. *TR

NHTSA #: 10449133
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN
Filed: Feb 2012

2003 HONDA ACCORD. FIRST TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP AT 50,000 MILES. TOOK TO DEALER FOR EVALUATION AND WAS TOLD NOTHING WAS WRONG. ABOUT A WEEK LATER, DRIVING ON WEST SIDE HIGHWAY GOING FROM BROOKLYN TO HOME IN NJ. TRANSMISSION FAILED AND FINALLY GOT IT INTO FIRST GEAR. BROUGHT TO DEALER AND TRANSMISSION REPLACED AT 50,000 MILES. IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AT THIS TIME AND DID NOT HAVE TO PAY ANYTHING. AT 108,000 MILES AGAIN I FELT THE TRANSMISSION START TO SLIP. AGAIN, BROUGHT TO MAHWAH HONDA AND TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. ONE WEEK LATER, DRIVING ON MAJOR HIGHWAY IN NJ (ROUTE 17 SOUTH) THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. LUCKILY, AT CARS GOING 60 MPH AROUND ME I WAS ABLE TO COAST INTO A PARKING LOT AND NOT GET REAR ENDED OR IN AN ACCIDENT. CAR WAS FLAT BED TRUCKED TO DEALER. WHEN WE DISCUSSED THE ISSUES WE KNEW THAT HONDA 2003 ACCORDS/TRANSMISSIONS WERE HAVING, THEY IGNORED THE COMMENTS. THIS WAS NOW THE THIRD TRANSMISSION FOR THE CAR, THE ORIGINAL, THE REPLACEMENT AT 50,000 MILES AND THE EVENT THAT JUST OCCURRED. THEY DID NOT WANT TO HEAR ANYTHING OF IT. IN THE END, THE "DEAL" THEY GAVE WAS TO PAY CLOSE TO $3000 FOR THE TRANSMISSION (THEY GAVE A 20% DISCOUNT, HOW KIND). THE SERVICE WAS AWFUL. AS A LIFE LONG HONDA CUSTOMER WITH AT LEAST 25 YEARS OF HONDA CARS, I WILL NEVER GO BACK. WHAT A SHAME THAT HONDA WILL NOT LIVE UP TO THEIR PRIOR GREAT REPUTATION AND BACK UP THE CARS AND OBVIOUS DEFECT THAT COULD HAVE KILLED ME DRIVING. SHAME ON HONDA. *TR

NHTSA #: 10448479
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN
Filed: Jan 2012

TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. *TR

NHTSA #: 10445525
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jan 2012

MY 2003 ACCORD EX V6 COMPLETELY FAILED. I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 65MPH AND THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT WITH NO PRIOR WARNING AND NO WARNING LIGHTS. I WAS LUCKY AND SAFELY COASTED OFF THE FREEWAY TO THE SHOULDER. *TR

NHTSA #: 10442158
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN
Filed: Dec 2011

I WAS DRIVING TO WORK TODAY AND MY CAR BEGAN TO DOWNSHIFT INTO 1ST GEAR WHEN I WAS RUNNING ABOUT 45 MILES PER HOUR. IT BEGAN JERKING AND AFTER PULLING OVER IT WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE. IF I HAD BEEN ON THE FREEWAY, THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THIS IS A MAJOR COMPLAINT WITH 2003 HONDA ACCORD OWNERS. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. *TR

NHTSA #: 10440138
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN
Filed: Dec 2011

WHILE DRIVING AT A CONSTANT SPEED, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY STARTED ACCELERATING AND THEN DECELERATING IN QUICK SUCCESSION CAUSING THE CAR TO JERK BACK AND FORTH UNCONTROLLABLY. AS I ATTEMPTED TO COME TO A STOP ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE/DECELERATE. HONDA DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSIS IS TRANSMISSION FAILURE. COST OF REPAIR IS $3800. THE CAR WAS JUST AT THE DEALERSHIP IN OCTOBER FOR SERVICE AND THERE WERE NO ISSUES THEN. *TR

NHTSA #: 10439890
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Filed: Nov 2011

MY TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE DRIVING ON MY WAY TO WORK THE MORNING OF NOV. 16TH WITH NO WARNING WHATSOEVER. LUCKILY I WAS NOT IN AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THE FACT I WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE CAR BECAUSE THE RPM'S WERE ALL OVER THE PLACE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD ONLY REV BUT NOT GO ANY FURTHER. THEREFORE I IMMEDIATELY HAD TO PULL OVER IN FEAR OF CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE RESEARCHED THE PAST FEW DAYS HOW MANY OTHER 2003 HONDA ACCORD OWNERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR TRANSMISSIONS AND THERE SHOULD REALLY BE A RECALL DONE BY HONDA. THE TRANSMISSION SHOULD NOT BE GOING OUT AT 76,000 MILES. MY CAR IS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED AT AN INDEPENDENT TRANSMISSION SHOP WITH AN ESTIMATED COST OF AROUND $3400. I HOPE TO RECOVER SOME OF THAT COST FROM HONDA BUT FURTHER ACTION NEEDS TO HAPPEN TO ENSURE MORE PEOPLE WITH SIMILAR YEAR VEHICLES DO NOT HAVE TO EXPERIENCE THIS AS WELL. *TR

NHTSA #: 10436527
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN
Filed: Nov 2011

I BOUGHT THIS CAR IN JUNE 2003 WITH 2 MILES ON IT FROM JIM COLEMAN HONDA IN CLARKSVILLE, MD. I HAVE ONLY DRIVEN THE CAR 88,000 MILES AND THE TRANSMISSION IS DEAD. ACCORDING TO CHRYSWEL DEALERSHIP IN GERMANTOWN MD, THE ISSUE WAS NOT THE TRANSMISSION BUT THE CLUTCH PRESSURE CONTROL WHICH IS RESPONSIBLE FOR SHIFTING GEARS. THAT IS WHAT WENT BAD WHICH THEN CAUSED DEBRIS IN THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING IT TO FAIL AS WELL. THE CAR RUNS FINE WHEN IT IS COLD BUT ONCE YOU DIVE IT FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES, IT WILL AUTOMATICALLY DOWNSHIFT TO THE 1ST OR 2ND GEAR AND DROP YOUR SPEED FOR 60 TO 20 OR LESS WITH A BIG JOLT ON THE PASSENGERS IN THE CAR. WE ARE VERY CLOSE TO GETTING INTO A MAJOR ACCIDENT ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN IT HAPPENED. THE DEALERSHIP QUOTED ME $5000 TO FIX THE TRANSMISSION AND ALSO INFORMED ME THAT THEY HAVE SEEN MANY OTHER 03 HONDA'S WITH THE SAME SITUATION. I WAS REALLY SURPRISED THAT THERE HAS NOT BEEN AN OFFICIAL CASE AGAINST HONDA TO FIX THE ISSUE OR PROVIDE A RECALL. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH THE SERVICE AND SUPPORT FOR HONDA. THIS IS ONE OF THE 4 HONDA'S I OWN BUT IT WILL DEF BE THE LAST HONDA I EVER OWN. I HAVE ALSO SUBMITTED A COMPLAINT TO HONDA WITH THE ISSUE. I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY FOLLOW UP ON THIS ISSUE. THANK YOU *TR

NHTSA #: 10435248
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Nov 2011

MY CAR SEEMED TO DRIVE FINE WHEN THE TRANSMISSION WAS COLD, BUT WHEN IT WARMED UP AFTER A FEW MINUTES OF HIGHWAY DRIVING, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD DOWN-SHIFT VIOLENTLY INTO FIRST GEAR, REGARDLESS OF THE CURRENT SPEED.I COULD SMELL OF BURNT RUBBER IN THE CAR AFTER SUCH A FORCED DOWN-SHIFT. THIS SEEMED TO BE QUITE DANGEROUS. ONCE THIS HAPPENED, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD FAIL TO SHIFT INTO ANYTHING BUT FIRST GEAR. IT WOULDN'T GO PAST 20MPH ON THE FREEWAY AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. WHEN I TRIED CALLING THE HONDA CORPORATE AND DEALERSHIP THAT SAID THEY HAD THE OIL JET KIT LOOKED AT DURING THE RECALL OF 2004 BUT SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THERE IS OBVIOUSLY SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION BECAUSE IT SHOULDN'T DIE THIS QUICKLY. I KNOW OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME CAR HAVE HAD PROBLEMS, WHICH IS VERY DANGEROUS AND NOTHING IS BEING DONE ABOUT IT. THIS IS VERY DISAPPOINTING. I GUESS IT'S OK TO ALLOW HONDA COME INTO THIS COUNTRY, CHARGE WHAT THEY WANT AND KILL INNOCENT LIVES. IF THEY HAVE MADE A MISTAKE, INSTEAD OF TRYING TO COVER THEIR TRACKS, THEY SHOULD FIX THE PROBLEM. IF YOU LOOK ONLINE, THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR MAKE (2003 HONDA ACCORD V6) BUT NOTHING IS BEING DONE ABOUT IT. *TR

NHTSA #: 10434082
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Filed: Oct 2011

I WAS HAVING PROBLEMS SHIFTING GEARS AND IT SEEMED MY CAR COULDN'T SHIFT INTO 3RD GEAR. IT'S AN AUTOMATIC AND WHEN IT WOULD REACH 3RD GEAR, THE ENGINE WOULD JUST REV. IT WOULD DRIVE FINE AT FIRST BUT AS SOON AS THE CAR WARMED UP, IT PROGRESSIVELY GOT WORSE. I HAD TO HAVE MY BATTERY REPLACED PREMATURELY (AFTER 3 YEARS) LAST WEEK AND I MENTIONED THE GEAR SHIFTING PROBLEM TO THE HONDA DEALERSHIP. THE GEAR SHIFTING PROBLEM HAPPENED RIGHT AROUND THE SAME TIME MY BATTERY DIED SO I THOUGHT IT MAY BE RELATED. THEY TOLD ME THE GEAR SHIFTING PROBLEM WOULD BE FIXED WHEN I REPLACED MY BATTERY. THEY PAID FOR 60% OF THE COST OF THE BATTERY. OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS IT PROGRESSIVELY GOT WORSE TO WHERE I COULDN'T EVEN DRIVE AND I HAD TO COAST INTO A PARKING LOT BECAUSE THE ENGINE WOULD REV AND THE CAR WOULD JERK. IT SEEMED TO BE DANGEROUS. I THEN SHUT OFF THE CAR AND TRIED TO RESTART IT. I WASN'T EVEN ABLE TO REVERSE AT ALL - LIKE IT HAD NO REVERSE, JUST REV. I HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK AND HAVE IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. I HAVE A 2003 HONDA ACCORD EX V6 WITH LESS THAN 100K MILES - RIGHT AROUND 97K - AND THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION AND MOTOR MOUNT. A REBUILT TRANSMISSION IS $4500 AND A NEW TRANSMISSION IS $6400. I BOUGHT A HONDA BECAUSE IT WAS SUPPOSE TO BE A RELIABLE CAR THAT WOULD LAST YEARS WITHOUT EXPENSIVE MAINTENANCE REPAIRS. AND NOW IT'S LESS THAN 10 YEARS OLD AND 100K MILES ON IT AND I HAVE A HUGE REPAIR. IT SEEMS MANY OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THE 2003 HONDA ACCORD. *TR

NHTSA #: 10432575
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN
Filed: Oct 2011

MY TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE DRIVING TODAY. DRIVING ACROSS THE HWY THE CAR SUDDENLY DOWNSHIFTED VIOLENTLY. AFTER THAT, THE CAR WOULD SKIP GEARS AND DOWNSHIFT AT WILL. I DROVE HOME WITH THE CAR STUCK IN FIRST GEAR. THE CAR IS AN AUTOMATIC. *TR

NHTSA #: 10430099
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Sep 2011

2003 HONDA ACCORD V6 TRANSMISSION FAILURE IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC, ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT BUT FORTUNATELY THIS WAS ON A ROAD WITH A SLOWER SPEED LIMIT. 3 OUT OF 4 ENGINE MOUNTS ARE BROKEN. I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR 8 MONTHS AND THE ESTIMATED REPAIR IS $6000. I HAVE FOUND SEVERAL WEBSITES AND FORUMS WHERE THIS APPEARS TO BE A PROBLEM FOR 2003 AND 2004 TRANSMISSIONS ON THE ACCORD. MOST DRIVERS JUST STALLED ON THE HIGHWAY/ROAD THEY WERE TRAVELING ON AND THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN. HOW CAN THESE CARS CONTINUE TO BE SOLD WHERE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA #: 10427113
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Filed: Sep 2011

HONDA SERVICE MANAGER SAID HE WAS "ALMOST KILLED ON THE HIGHWAY" DRIVING MY CAR: FIRST INCIDENT: 9/19/2011 (MON EVENING) CAR LURCHING IRREGULARLY AT HIGHWAY AND TOWN SPEEDS; DIFFICULTY GETTING INTO GEAR AND TROUBLE REVERSING. TOOK IT TO DEALER THAT NIGHT. 9/20/2011 (TUES): DEALER REPORTED NOT BEING ABLE TO DETECT A PROBLEM. NOTHING CAME UP ON DIAGNOSTICS. NO SERVICE LIGHT WAS ON. DEALER ASKED TO KEEP IT ONE MORE DAY. 9/21/2011 (WED): DEALER STILL UNABLE TO DETECT A PROBLEM, THEY DROVE IT AROUND BUT CLAIMED NOTHING UNUSUAL. SERVICE MANAGER ASKED IF HE COULD DRIVE IT HOME. I OK'D. EMPLOYER ANNOYED. SECOND INCIDENT: THAT NIGHT THE SERVICE MANAGER, DROVE IT HOME, BECAUSE IT WASN'T ACTING UP AT THE GARAGE, AND DIAGNOSTICS SHOWED NOTHING. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS. HE, [XXX], SAID HE "ALMOST WENT THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD ON THE HIGHWAY" ON HIS WAY HOME. HE SAID REPEATEDLY THAT HE WAS ALMOST KILLED. THAT'S RIGHT THE HONDA SERVICE MANAGER SAID HE ALMOST WAS KILLED!!! WHICH IS WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED TO ME OR ANY OTHER HONDA ACCORD OWNER. IF THIS HAPPENED IN INCLEMENT WEATHER, I'D BE DEAD IN A DITCH (IT'S NEW ENGLAND SO THOSE DAYS ARE COMING). THE CAR LURCHED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND AT LOW SPEEDS. IT LURCHED SPEEDING UP AND SLOWING DOWN. IF I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL, AND JUST APPLIED SOME GAS TO THE PEDAL, THE TACHOMETER (RPM) NEEDLE JUMPED AROUND ALL OVER THE PLACE. ONLY UNTIL THE SERVICE MANAGER GOT IT BACK TO THE SERVICE GARAGE (9/22) DID ANY SERVICE LIGHTS COME ON. HOW CONVENIENT. THEIR PROPOSED SOLUTION: STEP ONE: REPLACE TRANSMISSION FLUID (MATERIAL, PARTS, LABOR) = $120 STEP TWO: REPLACE TRANSMISSION SOLENOID (PARTS LABOR, ETC) = $500 FAILING THAT: STEP THREE: REPLACE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION. EST. COST: $4300 TOTAL POTENTIAL COST: APPROX $5.000.... OR MY LIFE. THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE AND A RECALL IS IN ORDER AND ASAP. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA #: 10426765
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN
Filed: Aug 2011

WHILE TRAVELING AT SPEEDS APPROXIMATELY 45-55 MPH, THE ENGINE INITIALLY WOULD REV UP AND AFTER GAS PEDAL RELEASED, WOULD RETURN TO NORMAL WITHIN SECONDS. THIS HAPPENED APPROXIMATELY THREE TIMES ON SEPARATE DAYS OVER A 3-4 WEEK PERIOD. YESTERDAY, THE TRANSMISSION REVVED ONCE AS DESCRIBED PREVIOUSLY. WITHIN A FEW MINUTES OF THAT EPISODE, IT THEN STARTED TO SUDDENLY DOWNSHIFT FROM OVERDRIVE OR DRIVE INTO 2ND CAUSING THE CAR TO SUDDENLY LURCH FORWARD, RAPIDLY DECELERATE AND THE TIRES TO SQUEAL. THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES AND OCCURRED REGARDLESS OF WHETHER WE WERE GOING UP OR DOWN A HILL AND AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. WE NARROWLY AVOIDED AN ACCIDENT WITH A TRACTOR TRAILER BEFORE WE HAD THE CAR TOWED.

NHTSA #: 10423395
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,POWER TRAIN
Filed: Jun 2011

AT APPROXIMATELY 56,000 MILES, WE HAD TO REPLACE THE REAR MAIN OIL SEAL. AT 68,000 MILES, WE HAD TO REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP AND AS OF JUNE 4TH, 2011, WE WERE INFORMED THAT WE NEED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AT 78,000 MILES. THE TRANSMISSION FAILED GOING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH AND PROCEEDED INTO "LIMP MODE" TO 30 MPH. IT PROCEEDED TO THEN RETURN INSTANTLY TO 70 MPH AND WITHIN 30 SECONDS REPEATED THE SAME AND AS WE WERE TRYING NOT TO FLY OFF THE HIGHWAY IT AGAIN REPEATED THIS SAME BEHAVIOR AT WHICH POINT WE PULLED OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY, WHICH WAS APPROXIMATELY 2 FEET WIDE, AND AS TRAFFIC, WHICH WAS THANKFULLY NOT RIGHT ON OUR TAIL, FLEW BY WE WERE ABLE TO DRIVE ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY FOR THE NEXT 20 MILES AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MILES PER HOUR INTO THE NEXT TOWN. AT THIS POINT, THERE WASN'T ANYONE AVAILABLE TO LOOK AT THE VEHICLE SO WE LEFT IT AND RENTED A VEHICLE. OUR HONDA WOULD NOT EVEN GO INTO REVERSE AT THIS POINT. WE THEN TOWED THE HONDA BACK TO OUR HOME TOWN AND DROPPED IT STRAIGHT TO HONDA OF TRI-CITIES. THERE THEY DIAGNOSED THAT THEIR WAS A TRANSMISSION FAILURE AND IT HAD TO BE REPLACED. THEY OFFERED TO PAY HALF OF THE COST ($2000.00) BUT WE FEEL THERE IS A LIFE THREATENING PROBLEM WITH THAT TRANSMISSION AND AFTER SEEING ALL OF THE ADDITIONAL CUSTOMERS OF HONDA'S, THE YEARS BETWEEN 1999 AND 2003, THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME LIFE THREATENING EXPERIENCES, WE ARE APPALLED THAT THE PUBLIC HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF THIS. NOT JUST BY A CHECK ON YOUR TRANSMISSION BUT A COMPLETE RECALL. I AM VERY SURPRISED THAT WE WERE NOT FATALLY INJURED.

NHTSA #: 10409590
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Apr 2011

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT STATED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE TIMING BELT WAS STRETCHING. THE CONTACT WAS FIRST TOLD THAT THE TENSION SENSOR FAILED AND IT WAS REPLACED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN AND WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE TENSIONER GUIDE FOR THE TIMING BELT FAILED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 83,551.

NHTSA #: 10398156
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,EQUIPMENT
Filed: Jan 2011

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. *JB

NHTSA #: 10374593
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Nov 2010

MY TRANSMISSION IS SHIFTING HARD ON MY 2003 HONDA ACCORD AND I WAS TOLD THAT I HAD TO HAVE THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSIN REPLACED. TRANSMISSION FAILURE WITH THE HONDA ACCORD AND CIVIC IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM IN MODELS MADE FROM THE EARLY 2000S. THE 2003 HONDA ACCORD AND 2001 HONDA CIVIC APPEAR TO BE THE WORST YEARS FOR TRANSMISSION FAILURE. CURRENTLY THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THE TRANSMISSION DEFECT, BECAUSE IT IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE (ACCORDING TO THE NHTSA). THE COST TO REPLACE A TRANSMISSION IS INCREDIBLE AND I THINK THAT HONDA SHOULD TAKE CARE OF THIS REPAIR WHEN THEY KNOW IT'S A PROBLEM WITH THEIR PRODUCT. IT MAY NOT BE LISTED AS A SAFETY ISSUE ACCORDING TO NHTSA BUT THE TRANSMISSION CAN GO OUT AT ANY TIME (WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED) AND CAUSE DANGER TO ALL THOSE INVOLVED, NOT TO MENTION THE INCONVENIENCE OF BEING STRANDED!

NHTSA #: 10366213
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Oct 2010

NOTICED MAJOR OIL CONSUMPTION ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION. CALLED HONDA TECH AND THEY TOLD ME TO BASICALLY GET RID OF THE CAR. WHEN LOW ON OIL ALOT IT CONTROLS THE TENSIONER FOR THE TIMING CHAIN. WELL NOW OUR 2003 HONDA ACCORD LX 2.4 IS PRETTY MUCH BLOWN AND WONT STAY RUNNING. WE CHECKED ONLINE AND THERE ARE TONS OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS ISSUE THAT SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IF THE CAR STALLS AND ON HIGHWAY OR TURNING INTO TRAFFIC WE COULD GET HIT. ALL PEOPLE HAVE STATED HONDA WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. SOMETHING IS UP IF TONS OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. WE WANT HONDA TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND COMPENSATE US SOMETHING. THIS IS RIDICULOUS. FOR OTHER PEOPLE WHO NOTICE OIL CONSUMPTION LOOK FOR IT TO START TRIPPING SENSORS DUE TO TIMING ISSUES IT CAUSES TO GO WRONG. I DROVE TO NORTH CAROLINA LAST YEAR AND THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON AND WHEN CHECKED IT THE OIL WAS ALMOST BONE DRY. NOW COME ON. THERE ARE NO LEAKS OR ANYTHING SO IT IS A DEFECT CHANGE OVER YEAR FOR HONDA AND THEY NEED TO HONOR THEIR PRODUCT! JUST BECAUSE THERE WERE NO FIRE OR DAMAGES OR PERSONAL INJURY DOES NOT MEAN THERE WILL NOT BE IF PEOPLE DRIVE AND DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON. *TR

NHTSA #: 10362328
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,INTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Sep 2010

CONTROL PANEL DISPLAY (AUDIO-HVAC DISPLAY) FAILURE. I HAVE A 2003 HONDA 4 DOOR (W/O NAVIGATION)ACCORD EX. ABOUT 2-3 MONTHS AGO WHILE DRIVING THE DISPLAY PANEL FOR THE VEHICLE OPERATING SYSTEMS-RADIO, HEAT/AC, TIME BLACKED OUT. AT-NEAR THE TIME OF THIS OCCURRENCE I WAS ON THE NEW YORK STATE THRUWAY. A FLASHING (EMERGENCY) SIGN -FLASHING 'EMERGENCY' 'CHECK RADIO CHANNEL 530 OR 1610 FOR DETAILS'- NOTIFYING AN EMERGENCY. AS I WAS DRIVING AND COULD NOT SEE THE RADIO DISPLAY. IT WAS DARK. I WAS UNABLE TO ACCESS THE EMERGENCY NOTICE. MY VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HONDA AND WAS TOLD THIS REPAIR WAS A DEFECT. THIS REPAIR WAS PART OF A CAMPAIGN TO FIX THIS DISPLAY, PER HONDA SERVICE BULLETIN 04-027 BUT THE PROGRAM FOR MY VEHICLE HAD EXPIRED. THEY MENTIONED THE CAMPAIGN WAS PART OF A CAMPAIGN NOT A RECALL, EVEN THOUGH THEY ACKNOWLEDGE SAFETY WAS ONE OF THE ISSUES IN THE PROGRAM. I LIVE IN AN AREA WHERE THE ROADS ARE EQUIPPED WITH EMERGENCY MESSAGE SIGNAGE' ARE FREQUENT AND COMMONPLACE. NOT HAVING THE ABILITY TO ACCESS THESE MESSAGES DUE TO A CAMPAIGN PROGRAM WHERE NO NOTICE WAS RECEIVED BY ME (I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE VEHICLE). THIS PROBLEM, WITH POTENTIAL SAFETY IMPLICATIONS SEEMS TO RISE TO THE LEVEL OF A DEFECT. AS I WRITE, THE DISPLAY IS DARK AND HAS NOT EVEN FLICKERED SINCE THE INITIAL OCCURRENCE. *TR

NHTSA #: 10355541
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,EQUIPMENT
Filed: Aug 2010

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. *TR

NHTSA #: 10348678
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jul 2010

I OWN A 2003 HONDA ACCORD. THE CAR HAS UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. AFTER TWO EPISODES WHERE THE ENGINE REVVED UP TO 4000RPM WITHOUT DEPRESSING ON THE ACCELERATOR THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE HONDA DEALER AND THEY CLAIM TO HAVE REPAIRED THE CAR. YESTERDAY MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND ANOTHER EPISODE OCCURRED. SHE STOPPED THE CAR WITH THE BRAKES AND NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED. *TR

NHTSA #: 10343732
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jun 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA ACCORD LX COUPE. WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THERE WAS AN UNUSUAL INCREASE OF ENGINE RPMS UP TO 6,000. THE VEHICLE THEN STALLED AND CAME TO AN ABRUPT STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THERE WAS AN INTERNAL FAILURE BUT DID NOT ADVISE THE CONTACT OF THE REPAIRS NEEDED TO REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD AN OIL JET KIT INSTALLED ON THE ENGINE AND BELIEVED THE VEHICLE RECEIVED PREVIOUS REPAIRS UNDER AN UNKNOWN RECALL. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS NO RECORD OF THE REPAIR BEING PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THE RECALL HAD ALREADY BEEN PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE ACCORDING TO THE DEALER'S RECORDS AND WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 143,000.

NHTSA #: 10339727
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Aug 2009

CAMSHAFT FAILURE 2003 HONDA ACCORD 2.4 DOHC IVTECH .VEHICLE BEGAN TO PRODUCE A SLIGHT VALVE CLATTER UNDER ACCELERATION WITH A/C ON .TECHNICIAN WAS ASKED TO ADJUST THE VALVES WHEN IT WAS NOTED THAT ON ONE OF THE LOBES ON THE EXHAUST CAMSHAFT HAD LOST ITS HARD FACING AND THE CAM WAS EXPERIENCING RAPID WEAR.THIS IS AN OBVIOUS DEFECT IN THE HEAT TREATING OF THE CAMSHAFT SINCE NONE OF THE OTHER LOBES ON THIS CAM ARE AFFECTED. ALL VEHICLE MAINTENANCE WAS PERFORMED AS RECOMENDED. BY HONDA MOTOR COMPANY . I CONTACTED HONDA MOTOR COMPANY OF AMERICA VIA TELEPHONE AND WAS TURNED AWAY AT THE DOOR (SO TO SPEAK) I THINK THIS IS AN EMISSIONS RELATED CONCERN THAT HONDA IS ATTEMPTING TO IGNORE. VEHICLE"S WITH 98K UNDER 10 YEARS OLD SHOULD NOT HAVE RAPID WEAR FAILURE"S OF THIS SORT . *TR

NHTSA #: 10281347
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jun 2009

HAVE HAD THROTTLE BODY REPLACED UNDER MANUFACTURERS WARRANTY AT APPROX. 15,000 MILES. CAR LOSES POWER WHILE DRIVING AND THIS COULD BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS IF ON HIGH WAY. SEVERAL TIMES THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME WHERE A/C SYSTEM SHUTS DOWN AND BLOWS HOT AND VEHICLE CUTS POWER AND I NEARLY WAS REAR -ENDED AS I HAD TO PULL OVER AT SPEED ON FREEWAY. HONDA DOES NOT ACCEPT PROBLEM BUT BY THREATENING LEGAL ACTION WAS ABLE TO HAVE THEM "FIX' THE SYSTEM SO IT WON'T RECUR. AM HOWEVER VERY DIS-SATISFIED WITH HONDA'S CLEAR DENIAL OF THIS ISSUE WHICH ONE DAY WILL CAUSE MULTIPLE DEATHS IF NO RECALL IS ISSUED AS THEY DON'T ACKNOWLEDGE ISSUE AND FIND A SOLUTION. *TR

NHTSA #: 10273850
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jun 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GAS AIR FLOW TO THE ENGINE DISRUPTS THE ENGINE AND CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO DRIVE SLOWLY AND SLUGGISH. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY CONTROL WAS CAUSING THE LACK OF AIR AND GAS FLOW TO THE ENGINE. THE MANUFACTURER ACKNOWLEDGES THE FAILURE, BUT WILL NOT ADDRESS THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE VEHICLE WILL STOP RUNNING IF THE ISSUE IS NOT RESOLVED WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 38,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000.

NHTSA #: 10273322
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jul 2008

WHEN MY 2003 HONDA ACCORD LX IS IDLE OR AT VERY LOW SPEED, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY TURNS OFF. I AM AFRAID THE CAR'S ENGINE WILL SHUT OFF WHEN AT HIGHER SPEEDS SUCH AS ON A FREEWAY/HIGHWAY. *TR

NHTSA #: 10234274
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,STRUCTURE
Filed: Jun 2008

MY 2003 HONDA ACCORD EXL STARTED TO RUST THROUGH THE LEFT REAR WHEEL WELL LIP THIS PAST WINTER. THE CAR HAS BEEN METICULOUSLY MAINTAINED WITH THE RECORDS TO PROVE SO. THE CAR WAS DAMAGED AT THE BACK EDGE OF THE LEFT REAR DOOR AND REPAIRED AT THE BODY SHOP BOTH JOYCE HONDA AND GRECCO AUTO BODY ARE SUBSIDIARIES OF THE GRECCO AUTO GROUP SELLING & REPAIRING HONDAS. THE HONDA FACTORY REP. SAID THE REAR QUARTER PANEL WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED BUT THAT THE RUST WAS DUE TO THE ACCIDENT AND SUBSEQUENT REPAIR AND THEREFORE HONDA WAS NOT RESPONSIBLE. THE HONDA DEALERS BODY SHOP AND STATE FARM INSUR. CLAIMS REP. MAINTAIN THAT THE RUST WAS FAR BEHIND THE AREA THAT WAS REPAIRED AND WAS NOT DUE TO THE ACCIDENT. ATTACHED ARE PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE SMALL DENT BY THE DOOR JUST ABOVE THE BODY TRIM LINE AND THE RUST AT THE VERY TOP OF THE WHEEL OPENING. IN ESSENCE, THE SERVICE MANAGER OF JOYCE HONDA AND THE FACTORY REP (WHO WOULD NOT GIVE ME A BUSINESS CARD OR NAME) SAID THE RUST IS A RESULT OF THE REPAIR AND NOT THEIR RESPONSIBILITY. WHILE GRECCO AUTO BODY AND THE AUTO INSPECTOR FOR STATE FARM INSURANCE SAID THE RUST IS FAR TO THE REAR OF THE REPAIRED AREA AND NOT THE RESULT OF THE REPAIR. I HAD THE REPAIR DONE AT THE DEALERS BODY SHOP TO AVOID A SITUATION AS THIS WHERE NO ONE IS ACCEPTING RESPONSIBILITY TO CORRECT A PROBLEM. THUS THE THREE ENTITIES OF THE SAME BUSINESS, HONDA MOTOR CO., JOYCE HONDA DEALERSHIP, AND GRECCO AUTO BODY ARE BLAMING EACH OTHER AND MY CAR CONTINUES TO PREMATURELY RUST THROUGH. ATTACHED ARE PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE RUST, THE CAR, AND THE ITEMIZED REPAIR AS WELL AS CONTACT INFORMATION OF PARTIES INVOLVED. I AM EXPECTING HONDA TO HONOR THE RUST PERFORATION WARRANTY. *TR THE CONSUMER STATED THE CATALYTIC WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY ON JULY 10, 2009. NOW LESS THAN A YEAR LATER, THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED IT NEEDED TO REPLACED AGAIN. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER HONDA WOULD NOT STAND BEHIND THE REPLACEMENT CATALYTIC CONVERTER. UPDATED IVOQ 12/28/10

NHTSA #: 10232705
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Apr 2008

AC QUIT WORKING AND TOOK IT TO DEALER. THEY SAID THAT A "PRISTINE" PEBBLE HAD DESTROYED THE CONDENSER, AND THAT IT WAS NOT A MECHANICAL ERROR SO IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. I BELIEVE THAT THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS REPORTED OF SIMILAR OCCURRENCES PROVES THAT IT IS A MECHANICAL ERROR DUE TO POOR ENGINEERING. OF THE PLACEMENT OF THE AC CONDENSER. THERE ARE HUGE OPENINGS BENEATH THE FRONT BUMPER THAT LET ROAD DEBRIS & ROCKS IN WITHOUT ANY PROTECTION. THE AC CONDENSER IS "RIGHT THERE" WITH A SCREEN OR ANYTHING TO PROTECT IT. BESIDES THE AC NOT WORKING AND HONDA OWNERS HAVING TO SHELL OUT 700-800 TO GET THE CONDENSER REPLACED, THE INITIAL IMPACT BY A ROCK TO THE CONDENSER EMPTIES THE FREON OUT INTO THE ATMOSPHERE! *TR

NHTSA #: 10225814
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN,EQUIPMENT
FireFiled: Apr 2008

ON APRIL 3, 2008 I TOOK MY CAR TO KUHN HONDA AT 3900 WEST KENNEDY BLVD, TAMPA, FLORIDA 33609. THEY DID A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE, TIRE ROTATION, REGULAR MAINTENANCE SERVICE. FOUR DAYS LATER MY TRANSMISSION FELL OUT OF THE CAR ON THE HIGHWAY AND I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER. I HAD THE 105,000 MILE WARRANTY AND THEY REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION. AS DRIVING OFF THE LOT I NOTICE THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT FROM SECOND GEAR. NEXT DAY I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY ORDERED ANOTHER TRANSMISSION AND PUT THE NEW ONE IN. THAT WAS WEDNESDAY APRIL 16TH, 2008. I LEFT THE DEALERSHIP AROUND 3:00PM AND THE TRAFFIC WAS HORRIBLE SO I DROVE LESS THAN 3 MILES TO THE MALL TO SHOP. PARKED THE CAR AT THE MALL, WHEN INSIDE AND WAS THERE LESS THAN 10 MINUTES WHEN I WAS CALLED BY THE TAMPA POLICE DEPARTMENT TELLING ME MY CAR WAS ON FIRE IN THE PARKING LOT AND BURNT THE ENTIRE ENGINE TO A CRISP. THE CAR WAS MELTED LIKE A PIECE OF PLASTIC NOTHING UP TO THE WINDSHIELD. THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMS NO RESPONSIBILITY. THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHAT HAPPENED OR WHY! THEY CLAIM THESE THINGS HAPPEN AND THEY DO NOT KNOW HOW IT COULD HAVE HAPPENED. THEY DID NOT EVEN APOLOGIZE! *TR

NHTSA #: 10224947
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN
FireFiled: Apr 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR ITS 70,000 MILE SERVICE. WHEN SHE LEFT THE DEALER, THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE SAME DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION. WHILE PARKED, THE ENTIRE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE AND SPREAD TO SOME TREE SHRUBS. THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS ARRIVED ON THE SCENE AND FILED A REPORT. THE INSURANCE COMPANY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. UPDATED 05/13/08. *LJ UPDATED 05/13/08

NHTSA #: 10224956
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Apr 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA ACCORD. WHILE BRAKING OR APPROACHING A STOP, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUT OFF AND THEN RESTART. THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUT OFF AND RESTART 4 TO 5 TIMES, AND THEN SHUT OFF COMPLETELY. IN ORDER TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, THE GEAR WOULD HAVE TO BE SHIFTED INTO PARK. THE FAILURE OCCURRED 12 TIMES AND DID NOT CAUSE ANY CRASHES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, BUT WAS NOT SERVICED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 94,300 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000.

NHTSA #: 10224181
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Mar 2008

CONDENSER FAILURE-2003 HONDA ACCORD- MY WIFE JUST INFORMED ME THE OTHER DAY THE A/C WASN'T WORKING. I CHECKED OUT THE RELAY AND IT'S JUST FINE SO I SEARCHED ON THE INTERNET TO SEE IF OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE AND CAME ACROSS SEVERAL POSTINGS ABOUT THE CONDENSER AND ROAD DEBRIS. WELL AFTER LOOKING AT THE FRONT OF THE CAR DIRECTLY AT THE CONDENSER I COULD SEE THAT IT WAS PRETTY WELL HAGGARD FROM ROCKS AND OTHER CRAP. I DID NOTICE AN AREA TO THE UPPER LEFT SIDE THAT WAS WET FROM A LEAK, MORE THAN LIKELY IT IS FREON. JUDGING BY THE MASS-OPEN HOLES IN THE PLASTIC BENEATH THE BUMPER, IT IS NO WONDER THAT IS WAS DAMAGED! HONDA HAS A MAJOR DESIGN FLAW GOING ON HERE AND WE ARE ALL SUFFERING THE CONSEQUENCES. THIS IS B.S. THAT WE ARE STUCK FOOTING THE BILL FOR A CAR THAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE THE MOST RELIABLE CAR ON THE ROAD. *TR

NHTSA #: 10219781
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN
Filed: Dec 2007

2003 HONDA ACCORD TRANSMISSION FAILED. CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE TRANSMISSION. CONSUMER WAS CHARGED 647 DOLLARS FOR THE LABOR FOR THE REPAIR. *KB THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING BETWEEN SECOND AND THIRD GEAR. ACCORDING TO THE HONDA PRESS RELEASE THE REPAIR SHOULD HAVE BEEN FREE OF CHARGE. THE REAR MOTOR MOUNT WAS BROKEN AND THE ENGINE LIGHT HAD ILLUMINATED. *JB

NHTSA #: 10211697
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Mar 2007

CONDENSOR ON MY HONDA ACCORD BROKE BECAUSE OF A ROCK ON THE STREET HITTING IT AND BREAKING IT. THIS WAS A DESIGN FLAW, AND I AM TOLD IT WAS NOT COVERED BY MY WARRANTY, EVEN THOUGH I PAID AN EXTRA $1200 FOR AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. APPARENTLY ,THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE HONDA AS I FOUND OUT WHILE RESEARCHING ON THE INTERNET. THIS SHOULD BE RECTIFIED BY HONDA - I HAVE NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH ANY OTHER VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA #: 10186478
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Mar 2007

HONDA ACCORD EX-V6, 2003, PURCHASED NEW. DEVELOPED ENGINE NOISE AT JUST OVER 60,000 KILOMETERS THAT HAS INCREASED IN VOLUME OVER THE WINTER. HONDA DEALER HAS DIAGNOSED PISTON SLAP. HONDA CANADA STATES THAT PISTON SLAP IS ACCEPTABLE IN A COLD HONDA ENGINE FOR UP TO 5 MINUTES AND "...THAT ALTHOUGH PISTON SLAP IS PRESENT, THERE ARE NO OPERATIONAL ISSUES WITH YOUR VEHICLE....". THE DESK MAN AT THE HONDA DEALER STATES THAT HIS HONDA ALSO HAS PISTON SLAP. *JB

NHTSA #: 10184735
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN,VISIBILITY,EQUIPMENT
Filed: Sep 2006

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

NHTSA #: 10168593
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Apr 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE CHECK ENGINE LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE PROBLEMS PERSISTED FOR OVER A YEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION NUMEROUS TIMES. THE DEALER REPLACED A VALVE IN THE ENGINE; HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTED.

NHTSA #: 10154385
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Mar 2006

SINCE I BOUGHT MY NEW 2003 HONDA ACCORD AT THE END OF THE 2003 YEAR, I SMELLED SULFUR. I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE BATTERY AND IT WOULD GO AWAY. IT NEVER DID. I KEPT TELLING THE DEALER AND SERVICE. THE SULFUR AND ROTTEN EGG SMELL CAME FROM THE AC, AND THE HEAT (BOTH OF WHICH DIDN'T WORK), SULFUR FROM THE REAR AND ALL OVER INTERIOR..I GOT SICK WITH SEVERE MIGRAINES AND NAUSEOUS FOR 5-7 DAYS WITH EMERGENCY ROOM VISITS FOLLOWING MEDIUM TO LONG DRIVES WITH THE AIR ON AND EVEN IF THE AIR WAS NOT ON...THE SULFUR SMELL WAS ALWAYS PRESENT AND SERVICE BLAMED ME AND TOLD ME THE GAS IN NY WAS BAD, AND THEN TOLD ME I SHOULD BE DRIVING 50,000 MILES PER YEAR AND THEN THERE WOULD BE NO SULFUR SMELL. I KEPT FALLING ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL. MY DOCTOR MENTIONED CHECKING THE CARBON MONOXIDE WITH A DETECTOR..IT WAS POSITIVE...THE FIRE DEPARTMENT VERIFIED THAT I HAD CARBON MONOXIDE INSIDE MY CAR - DEADLY. I WAS BEING POISONED FOR TWO YEARS WITH CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING FRO TWO YEARS BY THE EXHAUST COMING INTO THE CAR. THE FIRE DEPT. TOLD ME TO NOT DRIVE THE CAR AT ALL OR TO DRIVE WITH ALL THE WINDOWS WIDE OPEN...EVEN IN THE FREEZING WINTER.....MY MOTHER IS ELDERLY AND I AM DISABLED ON CHEMOTHERAPY ALSO ALL THIS MADE OUR SITUATION QUITE HEINOUS. STILL HONDA DID NOT HELP ME AND THEY KEPT HANGING UP ON ME. I WOULD HAVE DIED IF I DROVE THE AMOUNT THAT HONDA TOLD ME TO. I WOULD HAVE BEEN POISONED. I DO NOT WANT THIS CAR....I JUST WANT MY LIFE BACK AND TO FEEL SAFE WITH THE CAR I DRIVE. I WILL NEVER FEEL SAFE WITH THIS CAR. CARBON MONOXIDE INSIDE THE CAR IS DEADLY AND WHY NO ONE HAS ADDRESSED THIS ISSUE ALONG WITH THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER IS SHOCKING. NO ONE EVER NOTIFIED ME OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER EVEN WHEN I BROUGHT THE CAR IN. EVEN WITH AT LEAST TWO TSB'S WHY DID HONDA NOT KNOW TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM AND WHY DIDN'T THEY EVER CONTACT ME. I JUST WANT THIS CAR OUT OF MY LIFE FOREVER. I HAVE GOTTEN VERY ILL FROM THE CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING AND THE LONG TERM EFFECTS ARE SERIOUS. *JB

NHTSA #: 10154248
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Mar 2006

2003 ACCORD HAD CARBON MONOXIDE FUMES IN VEHICLE CAUSING CONSUMER TO BECOME SICK. *TS THE SMELL WAS A ROTTEN EGG SULFUR SMELL. THE CONSUMER WOULD GET MIGRAINE HEADACHES AND BECOME NAUSEOUS SEVERAL DAYS AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE. *NM

NHTSA #: 10154068
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Apr 2005

OIL LEAKED OUT OF THE VEHICLE WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE GARAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. IT WAS DISCOVERED THE OIL PUMP SEAL,GASKET AND THE TIMING BELT WERE DEFECTIVE AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. *JB *NM

NHTSA #: 10112925
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jan 2005

CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPLACED AT JUST OVER 3000 MILES ON MY 2003 HONDA ACCORD. I CONTINUE TO GET AN EXTREMELY STRONG SULFAR ODOR. THE DEALER HAS GIVEN SEVERAL EXCUSES AS TO WHY THERE IS A SMELL. ALSO THEY HAVE OFFERED DIFFERENT SUGGESTIONS TO REMEDY THE SITUATION. NONE OF WHICH WORKED. NOW I AM HAVING BRAKE PROBLEMS WHICH THEY CAN'T SEEM TO FIX EITHER. BOTH PROBLEMS SEEM SEVERE ENOUGH THAT I WOULD THINK HONDA WOULD STAND UP AND TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. I AM FRUSTRATED AND DISAPPOINTED.*AK

NHTSA #: 10105677
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Sep 2004

AFTER MY FIRST OIL CHANGE, MY VEHICLE LEAKED OIL. I TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM. I HAVE HAD A SUBSEQUENT OIL CHANGE AND DID NOT EXPERIENCE A PROBLEM. *JB

NHTSA #: 10091142
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Mar 2004

I HAVE HAD 3 PCS VALVES REPLACED IN MY 20003 HONDA ACCORD. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START OR EMISSION LIGHT CAME ON TO INDICATE A PROBLEM. I ALSO HAVE A LOUD GRINDING SOUND THE FIRST TIME I USE THE BRAKES WHEN DRIVING.*AK

NHTSA #: 10064287
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Mar 2004

OIL LEAK ENGINE. ROTTEN EGG SMELL FROM INTERIOR AIR VENTS AFTER CRANKING COLD ENGINE. *AK

NHTSA #: 10060885
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Feb 2004

MY 2003 HONDA ACCORD LX SMELLS LIKE ROTTEN EGGS. THANK YOU HONDA!. *AK

NHTSA #: 10059997
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Feb 2004

I HAVE A 2003 HONDA ACCORD EX V6 AND IT HAS HAD A ROTTEN EGG SMELL SINCE THE FIRST DAY I PURCHASED IT (BRAND NEW AT THE TIME). I HAD CALLED MY LOCAL HONDA SERVICE DEPT. TO SEE WHAT COULD BE DONE ABOUT THE SMELL. I WAS INFORMED THAT SINCE THE CAR WAS NEW, IT WAS STILL IN THE "BREAK IN" PERIOD AND TO WAIT UNTIL AFTER 10,000-12,000 MILES. I AM NOW AT 16,000 MILES AND THE CAR STILL HAS THE FOUL ODOR. I CALLED HONDA AGAIN AND THEY TOLD ME TO WAIT UNTIL THE WEATHER BREAKS AND IN THE SPRING TIME IF IT STILL SMELLS TO BRING IT IN. THE SMELL IS SO BAD THAT IT SMELLS NOT ONLY ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE CAR BUT ON THE INSIDE TOO. I TOOK THE CAR IN ANYWAY, EVEN THOUGH HONDA RECOMMENDED TO WAIT A FEW MORE MONTHS. NEEDLESS TO SAY, THEY DID ADMIT TO FINDING A BULLETIN FOR THE HONDA ACCORDS STATING THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS NEED TO BE CHANGED AND THEY NEED TO SEAL LEAKS IN THE CAR. THEY HAVE TO NOW ORDER THE PART AND SCHEDULE ANOTHER DATE TO FIX THE PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA #: 10059055
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Feb 2004

I PURCHASED A 2003 HONDA ACCORD IN OCTOBER 2002 - I HAVE HAD THE BRAKES/ROTORS REPLACED TWICE. I'M CONCERNED OVER SAFETY. WHAT RECOURSE IS AVAILABLE ONCE THE CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND I AM GOING THROUGH BRAKES AND ROTORS APPROXIMATELY EVERY 8000 MILES? IN ADDITION, I NOTICED VERY SOON AFTER PURCHASE THAT AT INITIAL START UP, AND UNTIL CAR HAD BEEN DRIVEN FOR AWHILE THERE IS A "CHATTER" NOISE. I THOUGHT AT FIRST IT WAS MY IMAGINATION, AS THIS WAS SOMETHING HAD HEARD IN OLDER CARS - SUCH AS A LIFTER CHATTER. IT HAS BECOME INCREASINGLY NOTICEABLE AND AT SOME START UP TIMES SOUNDS LIKE A DIESEL. AT APPRX 23,000 I REQUESTED THE DEALER TO CHECK FOR THE NOISE, BUT BY THE TIME THE CAR GETS TO THE DEALER THERE IS NO LONGER THE COLD START, AND IT NO LONGER MAKES THE NOISE.

NHTSA #: 10058543
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Feb 2004

I PURCHASED A NEW 2003 HONDA ACCORD IN JULY 2003. IT HAS A TERRIBLE STARTING PROBLEM. MY DEALERSHIP HAS CHECKED IT OUT THREE TIMES AND STILL NO RESOLUTION HAS BEEN MADE. I BELIEVE HONDA SHOULD ADDRESS THE PROBLEM PROMPTLY BECAUSE I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO IS HAVING THIS PROBLEM. *JB

NHTSA #: 10056331
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,STRUCTURE,EQUIPMENT,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Jan 2004

THEY ARE SELLING ME A LEMON AND FOOL ME AROUND WITH EXCUSE. THE ENGINE LIGHT HAVE BEEN ON SIX TIME DURING THIS TWO YEAR. THE FIRST THREE TIME THE ENGINE LIGHT ON, I DID NOT HAVE DUPLICATIN CODE. SUM UP THE SIX TIME REPORT, I HAVE TWO TIMES CODE 0700 AND TWO TIMES CODE 1705. I CALLED HONDA BECAUSE THEY AUTHORIZED THIS DEALER TO SELL THIE CAR, HOWEVER, THEY TOLD ME SINCE THE DEALER DO THE MODIFICATION ON THE CAR (ADD THE AUTO STARTER IN THE CAR), THEY DON'T RESPONSIBLE ON ANY PROBLEM THAT RELATED TO AUTOSTARTER, EVEN THEY AUTHORIZED THAM TO SELL THEIR CAR. THEN I TALK TO THE ASSISTANT MANAGER, HE IS VERY SACRATIC, HE ASK ME THE DETAIL HOW I USE THE AUTOSTARTER, MY ANSWER WAS PERFECT, SEEM TO BE NOTHING WRONG. AS WELL AS HE TOLD ME THE LAST ENGINE LIGHT ON WAS A YEAR AGO, I TOLD ME I HAVE NOT USE THE AUTOSTARTER FOR A YEAR, BECAUSE I DECIDED TO LEAVE MY BABY WITH MY MOTHER-IN-LAW, BUT I USE THE AUTOSTARTER RECENTLY. THEN HE BLAME ME, PERHAP IT COULD BE AS SIMPLE AS LOSING THE GAS CAP, OR YOU USE PC OR CELLPHONE IN THE CAR TRIGGER THE ENGINE LIGHT. THEN I ASK HIM WHAT IS THE LIST OF ACTION I CANNOT DO IN THE CAR, HE TOLD ME HE HAS THE LIST, BUT HE CANNOT FIND IT. I ASK THE SERVICE REP CAN I HAVE THE SUMMARY TO WHAT YOU DID FOR THE PAST SIX TIME FIXING, SERVICE REP TOLD ME THAT SUMMARY WILL NOT REFLECT THE DETAIL OF WHAT HAPPEN, ONLY THE DATE AND YOUR NAME. HERE IS THE LIST OF PROBLEMS MY CAR HAS: CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON 6TH TIME, DEC 2002, CODE 700 CUSTOMER STATRES CD CHANGER IS INOP, APRIL 2002 BALANCING 2 TIRES ON DEC 2001, MISCOMMUNCATE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON 5TH TIME, NOV 2001, MALFUNCTION A/T SENSOR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON 4TH TIME, SEPT 2001, CODE 1705 REPAIRED REAR BUMPER ASSEMBLY, NOV 2001 CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON 3RD TIME, JUNE 2001, CODE 0700, 1705 AUTO START DOESN'T WORK CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON 2ND TIME, MARCH 2001, CODE 900 CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON 1ST TIME, JAN 2001, CODE 1456

NHTSA #: 10069877
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jan 2004

THUS FAR, THE SULFUR ODOR FROM THE EXHAUST HAS NOT CAUSED ANY MECHANICAL PROBLEMS THAT I AM AWARE OF OR COST ME ANY MONEY. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE VEHICLE DOES NOT MEET EPA EMISSION STANDARDS AND, AS YOU MAY IMAGINE, I AM MOST ANNOYED WITH THE STINK. FURTHERMORE, AMERICAN HONDA SEEMS TOTALLY APATHETIC TO THE DEFECT AND MY DISSATISFATION. I AM HOPING THAT A POWERFUL AUTHORITY WILL PUT PRESSURE ON AMERICAN HONDA TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM AND RECALL THE '03 ACCORDS FOR REPAIR.

NHTSA #: 10070945
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Jan 2004

HONDA 2003 ACCORD IS EQUIPPED WITH A "DESIGN DEFECT" OF COSTLY AND POTENTIALLY HARMFUL, FROM A SAFETY STANDPOINT, DEFECT. THE LOWER "GRILL" ON THE FRONT BUMPER IS DESIGNED IN SUCH A WAY THAT ANY ROAD DEBRIS SMALLER THAN A 16" X 8" CONCRETE BLOCK CAN ENTER AND DAMAGE A FULLY-EXPOSED AND UNPROTECTED AC CONDENSER. IT IS CLEARLY UNPROTECTED FROM THE HARSH OUTSIDE ELEMENTS. THE AC IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE SAFETY OF THIS AUTOMOBILE IN THAT TO CLEAR THE WINDSHIELD FROM ANY MOISTURE ON THE INNER SURFACE, THE AC MUST BE ACTING IN PROPER FASHION. IF A CAR'S INSIDE GLASSES "FOG-UP" WITH MOISTURE , THE ONLY SOLUTION IS TO TURN ON THE MOISTURE WRINGING AC UNIT, REGARDLESS OF THE TEMP OF THE AIR, THE DEHUMIDIFIER EFFECT OF THE AC CONDITIONED AIR IS AN ABSOLUTE NECESSITY. THE CURRENT DESIGN OF THE GRILL/CONDENSER LEAVES IT VULNERABLE TO BE EASILY DAMAGED BY A BIT OF GRAVEL AS SMALL AS A BB PELLET. THERE IS NOT ANY SCREEN OR DEFLECTOR IN PLACE FORWARD OF THE CONDENSER TO PROHIBIT ANY ERRANT ROAD MISSILES FROM DAMAGING THE CONDENSER THEREBY CREATING THE SAFETY HAZARD OF A FOGGED WINDSHIELD AND MORE, A SIMPLE SCREEN OR DEFLECTOR COULD AND SHOULD BE INSTALLED TO PROTECT THE SAFETY FEATURE OF THIS CAR.

NHTSA #: 10071019
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jan 2004

STRONG SMELL OF HYDROGEN SULFIDE IN CAR CABIN FIRST NOTICED AT 1,000 MILES MOST PRESENT WHEN ACCELERATING OR WHEN HEAT/AC IS ON. SMELL CAN BE SO SEVERE IT CAUSES HEADACHE AND SORE THROAT. I REPORTED PROBLEM TO TOXIC RELASE DIVISION OF THE EPA. ( E-MAIL TO: TRI.US@EPA.GOV) . *AK

NHTSA #: 10052488
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Dec 2003

ROTTEN EGG SMELL IN AND AROUND 2003 HONDA ACCORD EX-V6 MODEL. FIRST NOTICED WHEN PARKING NEW CAR IN GARAGE, THEN NOTICED WHEN PARKING OUTDOORS. IT HAS ALSO OCCURED TWICE WHILE DRIVING, TO THE EXTENT WHERE OPENING THE WINDOWS AND MOONROOF DOES NOT HELP. CAR HAS APPROXIMATELY 2,000 MILES. DEALER SAYS IT IS NOT A PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA #: 10051042
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Dec 2003

2003 HONDA ACCORD EX SEDAN WITH 4 CYLINDER. CAR HAS DEVELOPED HIGH IDLE 1800 RPM WHEN STARTING A COLD ENGINE(STARTED AFTER 3500-4000 MILES). CAR WILL ACCELERATE (ACTUALLY JUMPS) TO 20 MPH WITH FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR(IT WILL SPIN THE TIRES ON WET PAVEMENT AND WINTER IS AROUND THE CORNER AND CAN ONLY IMAGINE WHAT DRIVING WILL BE LIKE). TAKES OVER +5 MINUTES BEFORE IT REDUCES TO A NORMAL IDLE (APPROXIMATELY 2 MILES WORTH OF DRIVING). THIS IS A REALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. ALSO EXPERIENCING THE ROTTEN EGG SMELL ENTERING INTO THE DRIVERS COMPARTMENT. THE AIR CONDITIONER (A/C) HAS A SERIOUS VIBRATION WHEN COMING ON THAT HAS HAD SEVERAL PASSENGERS ASK ME WHAT THE NOISE AND VIBRATION WERE. IT'S A SHAME SINCE I HAVE BEEN TO THE DEALER 4 TIMES FOR THESE PROBLEMS AND CAME AWAY WITH THEM MAKING ME FEEL GUILTY AND THAT I'M THE ONLY ONE WITH THESE PROBLEM. I FEEL THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND HAVE TOLD THE DEALER SO. I GUESS I'M GLAD THAT SITES LIKE THIS EXIST...THANKS. *AK

NHTSA #: 10049008
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Nov 2003

ROTTEN EGG SMELL FROM THE EXHAUST. WENT TO DEALER ASK THEM TO CHECK EMISSION SYSTEM. THEY ASK IF I HAD A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON WHEN I TOLD THEM NO THEY SAID MAYBE I SHOULD CHANGE GASOLINE THAT THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE EMISSION SYSTEM I STILL HAVE THE ROTTEN EGG SMELL I HAVE 6000 MILES ON THE CAR. *LA

NHTSA #: 10047350
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Nov 2003

ROTTEN EGGS SMELL IN GARAGE WHEN CAR IS FIRST PUT IN. *LA

NHTSA #: 10047243
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,EQUIPMENT
Filed: Nov 2003

2003 HONDA ACCORD EX SEDAN WITH 4 CYLINDER. CAR HAS DEVELOPED HIGH IDLE 1800 RPM WHEN COLD. CAR WILL ACCELERATE (ACTUALLY JUMPS) TO 20 MPH WITH FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR. TAKES OVER +5 MINUTES BEFORE IT REDUCES TO A NORMAL IDLE (APPROXIMATELY 2 MILES WORTH OF DRIVING). THIS IS A REALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. ALSO EXPERIENCING THE ROTTEN EGG SMELL ENTERING INTO THE DRIVERS COMPARTMENT. THE AIR CONDITIONER (A/C) HAS A SERIOUS VIBRATION WHEN COMING ON THAT HAS HAD SEVERAL PASSENGERS ASK ME WHAT THE NOISE AND VIBRATION WERE. IT'S A SHAME SINCE I HAVE BEEN TO THE DEALER 3 TIMES FOR THESE PROBLEMS AND CAME AWAY WITH THEM MAKING ME FEEL GUILTY AND THAT I'M THE ONLY ONE WITH THESE PROBLEM. I GUESS I'M GLAD THAT SITES LIKE THIS EXIST...THANKS. *LA

NHTSA #: 10047025
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN,VISIBILITY
Filed: Oct 2003

I PURCHASED MY $34,000 2003 ACCORD ON MAY 13, 2003 FROM ROUTE 23 HONDA IN POMTON PLAINS, NJ. AFTER PURCHASING IT, I NOTICED THAT THE PLASTIC/GLASS MOLDINGS AROUND THE DOORS WERE WERE VERY DEFORMED. THREE MOLDINGS HAVE BEEN FIXED AFTER 2 TIMES BEING IN FOR SERVICE, AND ONE HAS YET TO BE FIXED(WAITING FOR PART). THE RADIO WAS MAKING A SQUEAKING NOISE AND DEFORMED LOOKING, AND THEY REPLACED THE ENTIRE UNIT. ON THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE WELL, THERE WAS A MOLDING THAT WAS NEVER SCREWED IN PROPERLY, AND BEGAN TO HANG DOWN, WHICH WAS REPLACED. THE SHIFTER HAS A LOOSE STITCH ON IT, WHICH IS BECOMING VERY SHARP AND CAN POSSIBLY CUT SOMEONE. THE PART WAS PUT ON ORDER 3 MONTHS AGO, BUT I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF IT'S ARRIVAL. THE DRIVER SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER NOZZLE SPRAYS DIRECTLY INTO THE WIPER ARM. THIS WAS BROUGHT IN FOR SERVICE 4 TIMES, AND FINALLY ANOTHER DEALERSHIP(SUSSEX HONDA) ORDERED A NEW NOZZLE WHICH WILL HOPEFULLY WORK. THE CAR HAS A SLIGHT BURNING SMELL WHEN I PARK THE CAR AFTER DRIVING. I BROUGHT THIS TO HONDA'S ATTENTION, BUT OF COURSE THEY DIDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. THE CAR ALSO HAS A SLIGHT GRINDING FEELING THAT CAN MOSTLY BE FELT BETWEEN 1500 AND 2500 RPMS. I BROUGHT THIS INTO SERVICE 4 TIMES AND THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG(AGAIN). ALONG WITH THAT, WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE, AFTER ABOUT 20 FEET IT MAKES A HORRIBLE GRINDING NOISE AND FEELING IN THE GEARS. THE CAR ALSO SEEMS TO LACK THE POWER THAT IT SHOULD HAVE. I KNOW THIS BECAUSE I HAD A 2003 ACCORD LX V6 COUPE, AND THEN TRADED IT IN FOR A 2003 ACCORD EX V6 COUPE. THE LX HAD A LOT MORE POWER THAN THE EX. ALSO THE LX HAD NO WIPER PROBLEMS, GRINDING PROBLEMS, OR OTHER PROBLEMS THAT I HAVE WITH THE EX. OVERALL I HAVE FOUND 10 DEFECTS WITH MY CAR WITHIN THE FIRST MONTH OF HAVING IT. AFTER ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS, AND HAVING THE DEALERSHIP AND THE HONDA SERVICE CENTER HOTLINE TREAT ME AS IF I WAS MAKING UP THESE PROBLEMS AND THAT IT WAS MY FAULT FOR HAVING THESE PROBLEMS I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER HONDA AGAIN! *LA

NHTSA #: 10043195
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN,VISIBILITY
Filed: Oct 2003

I PURCHASED MY $34,000 2003 ACCORD ON MAY 13, 2003 FROM ROUTE 23 HONDA IN POMTON PLAINS, NJ. AFTER PURCHASING IT, I NOTICED THAT THE PLASTIC/GLASS MOLDINGS AROUND THE DOORS WERE WERE VERY DEFORMED. THREE MOLDINGS HAVE BEEN FIXED AFTER 2 TIMES BEING IN FOR SERVICE, AND ONE HAS YET TO BE FIXED(WAITING FOR PART). THE RADIO WAS MAKING A SQUEAKING NOISE AND DEFORMED LOOKING, AND THEY REPLACED THE ENTIRE UNIT. ON THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE WELL, THERE WAS A MOLDING THAT WAS NEVER SCREWED IN PROPERLY, AND BEGAN TO HANG DOWN, WHICH WAS REPLACED. THE SHIFTER HAS A LOOSE STITCH ON IT, WHICH IS BECOMING VERY SHARP AND CAN POSSIBLY CUT SOMEONE. THE PART WAS PUT ON ORDER 3 MONTHS AGO, BUT I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF IT'S ARRIVAL. THE DRIVER SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER NOZZLE SPRAYS DIRECTLY INTO THE WIPER ARM. THIS WAS BROUGHT IN FOR SERVICE 4 TIMES, AND FINALLY ANOTHER DEALERSHIP(SUSSEX HONDA) ORDERED A NEW NOZZLE WHICH WILL HOPEFULLY WORK. THE CAR HAS A SLIGHT BURNING SMELL WHEN I PARK THE CAR AFTER DRIVING. I BROUGHT THIS TO HONDA'S ATTENTION, BUT OF COURSE THEY DIDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. THE CAR ALSO HAS A SLIGHT GRINDING FEELING THAT CAN MOSTLY BE FELT BETWEEN 1500 AND 2500 RPMS. I BROUGHT THIS INTO SERVICE 4 TIMES AND THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG(AGAIN). ALONG WITH THAT, WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE, AFTER ABOUT 20 FEET IT MAKES A HORRIBLE GRINDING NOISE AND FEELING IN THE GEARS. THE CAR ALSO SEEMS TO LACK THE POWER THAT IT SHOULD HAVE. I KNOW THIS BECAUSE I HAD A 2003 ACCORD LX V6 COUPE, AND THEN TRADED IT IN FOR A 2003 ACCORD EX V6 COUPE. THE LX HAD A LOT MORE POWER THAN THE EX. ALSO THE LX HAD NO WIPER PROBLEMS, GRINDING PROBLEMS, OR OTHER PROBLEMS THAT I HAVE WITH THE EX. OVERALL I HAVE FOUND 10 DEFECTS WITH MY CAR WITHIN THE FIRST MONTH OF HAVING IT. AFTER ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS, AND HAVING THE DEALERSHIP AND THE HONDA SERVICE CENTER HOTLINE TREAT ME AS IF I WAS MAKING UP THESE PROBLEMS AND THAT IT WAS MY FAULT FOR HAVING THESE PROBLEMS I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER HONDA AGAIN! *LA

NHTSA #: 10043196
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Sep 2003

MY 2003 HONDA ACCORD HAS A REALLY BAD "ROTTEN EGG" SMELL ALMOST IMMEDIATELY AFTER I PURCHASED THE CAR IN JANUARY OF 2003. I WAS TOLD HONDA WAS INVESTIGATING THE PROBLEM. AFTER 8 MONTHS AND 10,000 MILES THE CAR STILL SMELLS AND HONDA NOW SAYS IT IS NORMAL. THIS IS NOT NORMAL AND I AM VERY DISAPOINTED HONDA IS NOT GOING TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. I OWN 2 HONDAS AND THEY WILL BE MY LAST. WE ARE GOING TO PURSUE LEMON LAWS AS A LAST ALTERNATIVE

NHTSA #: 10039463
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Sep 2003

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING VEHICLE WILL STALL. *AK

NHTSA #: 10040349
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Sep 2003

CATALYIC CONVERTER PRODUCES A FOUL SMELL WHICH SEEPS THROUGH THE VENTILATION. *AK

NHTSA #: 10040245
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Sep 2003

CAR HAS BAD SULFUR ODOR WHEN DRIVING SLOW OR STOPING .ALSO , CONDITION APPEARS TO BE WORST WITH A FULL TANK OF GAS .LEVEL OF ODOR CAN BE LIGHT TO LEVEL GIVING YOU A HEADACKE

NHTSA #: 10038950
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Aug 2003

ROTTEN EGG SMELL WHEN DRIVING. 2003 HONDA ACCORD LX. *AK

NHTSA #: 10036670
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Aug 2003

MY 2003 HONDA ACCORD HAS A REALLY BAD "ROTTEN EGG" SMELL ALMOST IMMEDIATELY AFTER I PURCHASED THE CAR IN OCTOBER OF 2002. I HAVE ALREADY HAD THE CONVERTER REPLACED AT 3000 MILES. I HAVE SWITCHED BRANDS OF GASOLINE. STILL HAVE THE SMELL. I WAS TOLD ALL THE SENSORS CHECK OUT OKAY. WOULD LIKE SOME CLOSURE TO THE SMELL. THIS IS MY FIRST HONDA. JUST HAD THE 10K MILE SERVICE, CAR RUNS WORSE THAN BEFORE. POSSIBLY MY LAST HONDA PRODUCT UNLESS I GET THE PROBLEM RESOLVED.

NHTSA #: 10030963
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jul 2003

THERE IS A STRONG FOWL EGG SMELL ODOR COMING FROM THE AIR VENTS. CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK

NHTSA #: 10029717
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jul 2003

ROTTEN EGG SMELL COMING FROM EXHAUST. SMELL IS MOST NOTICEABLE AFTER A HARD ACCELERATION.*AK

NHTSA #: 10028770
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jun 2003

INTERMITTENT LONG CRANK STARTING PROBLEM. HAPPENED AVERAGE OF 4 TIMES A WEEK. *TT

NHTSA #: 10021259
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jun 2003

NAR 06/05/2003 *MR 2003 HONDA ACCORD V6 - GASOLINE CONNECTION FAILURE. *CB

NHTSA #: 10022509
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Filed: Jun 2003

MY WIFE AND I PURCHASED A 2003 HONDA ACCORD IN DECEMBER OF 2002. ALMOST IMMEDIATELY THE CAR PUT OUT THIS HORRIBLE (ROTTEN EGG SMELL). I KNOW THIS IS COMING FROM THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND I PROCEEDED TO TELL THE SERVICE PEOPLE THAT THIS WAS THE PROBLEM. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT SO THEY COULD FIX THE PROBLEM. THEIR RESPONSE WAS THAT THE GAS I WAS USING HAD A HIGH SULFUR CONTENT AND WE MUST SWITCH GAS STATIONS IMMEDIATELY TO GET RID OF THE SMELL. SO I TRIED EVERY GAS STATION IN THE AREA AND THE PROBLEM GOT WORSE. THE CAR STARTED TO SHAKE AND SEEMED TO BE DRAWING POWER FROM THE ENGINE. THE IDLE WOULD ALSO RISE AND FALL WHEN THIS SHAKING IS HAPPENING. THE ODOR BECAME WORSE WHEN THE SHAKING WOULD START. THIS SMELL IS GIVING ME A BIG HEADACHE AND WHO KNOWS WHAT OTHER HEALTH PROBLEMS. SO I CALLED HONDA SERVICE TO PUT THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE AGAIN. HONDA DID NOT EVEN WANT TO LOOK AT IT AGAIN, BUT WITH MUCH YELLING I GOT AN APPOINTMENT. THEY HAD THE CAR ALL DAY AND WHEN MY WIFE CALLED TO SEE IF THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. THEY CONTINUED TO EXPLAIN THAT IT IS (THE NATURE OF THE BEAST) AND ALL CARS PUT OFF THIS SMELL TO SOME DEGREE. I ALSO NOTICED THE GAS MILEAGE IS NOT WHAT HONDA STATED IT SHOULD BE. SO I CALLED HONDA DIRECTLY TO FILE A COMPLAINT AND FOUND OUT THAT HONDA IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM, BUT HAS NO SOLUTIONS TO FIX IT. HONDA ASSURES ME THAT AFTER 10,000 TO 15,000 MILES GOES BY THAT THE SMELL WILL DECREASE AND GO AWAY. THIS SMELL STARTED AT 50 MILES AND IS GETTING MUCH WORSE AT 4,500 MILES. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER HONDA CAR OR THEIR PRODUCTS AGAIN AS LONG AS I LIVE. I AM ALSO RESEARCHING INFORMATION ABOUT OTHER 2003 HONDA ACCORDS WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS AND FOUND MANY WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I AM GOING TO GET A LAWYER INVOLVED TO FIGHT THEM. WE THE CONSUMERS SHOULD NOT LET HONDA TAKE ADVANTAGE OF US. HONDA SHOULD BE ASHAMED TO SELL THE CONSUMERS SUCH A ROTTEN EGG. *NLM

NHTSA #: 10021054
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jun 2003

EXTREME ROTTEN EGG ODOR ENTERING INSIDE CABIN AND POOR GAS MILEAGE.*AK

NHTSA #: 10020910
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: May 2003

MY WIFE AND I PURCHASES A 2003 HONDA ACCORD IN NOVEMBER OF 2002. ALMOST IMMEDIATELY THE CAR EMITTED A ROTTEN EGG SMELL. I'VE BEEN AROUND CARS FOR QUITE AWHILE AND I KNEW RIGHT AWAY IT WAS A SMELL GIVEN OFF FROM A CATALYTIC CONVERTOR. WE TOOK THE CAR IN WITHIN A MONTH OR SO OF THE PURCHASE TO HAVE IT CHECKED. THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND ANY PROBLEM AND COULD NOT RECREATE THE PROBLEM. THE PRIMARY THE SMELL WOULD OCCUR WAS WHEN ENTERING THE HIGHWAY OR ACCELERATING FROM STOPLIGHT TO STOPLIGHT. THE CAR NOW HAW ALMOST 11K MILES ON IT AND THE PROBLEM IS GETTING WORSE. IT IS ALSO NOT GETTING THE SAME MILEAGE THAT OUR PREVIOUS 2000 ACCORD V6 GOT. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO FIND ANYTHING WRONG IN THIS AREA AS WELL. THIS WILL BE OUR LAST HONDA SINCE THE PROBLEMS ARE OCCURRING WITH NO OBVIOUS SOLUTION AVAILABLE.

NHTSA #: 10019190
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: May 2003

I PURCHASED A 2003 ACCORD EX V6, IN NOVEMBER OF 2002. SINCE DELIVERY,THERE HAS BEEN AN AWFUL SMELL OF ROTTEN EGGS. I CONTACTED THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES TO FIX THE PROBLEM, THEY AGREED TO REPLACE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS, STILL SMELLED AFTER I PICKED IT UP. CALLED THEIR 800# AND THEY SAID THE SMELL WILL DISAPPEAR AFTER ABOUT 7,000-8,000 MILES OF DRIVING. THIS WAS AT 5,000 MILES I CURRENTLY HAVE 11,000 AND THE SMELL IS NOT DISAPPEARING. THIS IS SUCH A POTENT SMELL THAT IT GIVES ME A HEADACHE AND I ALSO GET DIZZY FROM THESE TOXIC FUMES. THIS IS NOT THE TYPE OF PROBLEMS I SHOULD BE HAVING FOR SPENDING ALMOST $30,000 FOR A BRAND NEW CAR. ANY HELP OR ADVISE WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. *JB

NHTSA #: 10018841
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: May 2003

THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING, WHICH MADE THE VEHICLE DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. *JB

NHTSA #: 10019790
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: May 2003

NAR 05/06/2003 MR THE VEHICLES EXHAUST HAS EMITTED A PUNGENT SULFUR OR ROTTEN EGG SMELL. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *CB

NHTSA #: 10018222
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Apr 2003

WHILE THE CAR WAS IDLE OR DRIVEN AT LOW SPEEDS A VERY BAD (ROTTEN) SMELL ENTERS THE PASSENGER CABIN THROUGH THE VENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHICH COULD NOT DETERMINE WHERE THE SMELL WAS COMING FROM. *NLM

NHTSA #: 10017274
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Apr 2003

FOLLOW UP TO PREVIOUS COMPLAINT. HONDA AMERICA SAYS ROTTEN EGG SMELL FROM 2003 ACCORD IS HYDROGEN SULFIDE. HONDA IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REP. READ ME A PREPARED STATEMENT THAT THE 2003 ACCORDS HAVE A PROBLEM IN RELEASING HYDROGEN SULFIDE DUE TO DESIGN, IT IS NOT THE GASOLINE. NO TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS HAS BEEN RELEASED. THERE IS NO FIX. HONDA CLAIMS THE PROBLEM SHOULD GO AWAY OR DISSIPATE SOMETIME BETWEEN 3000-5000 MILES. I HAVE 3950 MILES AND THE SMELL IS AWFUL. HONDA WILL DO NOTHING TO HELP. ACCORDING TO THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL (CDC), HYDROGEN SULFIDE IS A BROAD-SPECTRUM POISON! BREATHING HIGH LEVELS OF HYDROGEN SULFIDE CAN CAUSE DEATH WITHIN JUST A FEW BREATHS! EXPOSURE TO LOWER CONCENTRATIONS CAN RESULT IN EYE IRRITATION, A SORE THROAT, COUGH, SHORTNESS OF BREATH AND FLUID IN THE LUNGS. I HAVE BEEN SHOWING SOME OF THESE SYMPTOMS. WHY HAS NHTSA DONE NOTHING ON THIS ISSUE? THE PROBLEM MUST BE WIDE-SPREAD AS HONDA HAS A PREPARED STATEMENT FOR ITS REPS TO READ OVER THE PHONE. I WILL ATTEMPT A LEMON LAW CLAIM AND/OR CIVIL ACTION FOR DAMAGES DUE TO INJURIES FROM EXPOSURE TO THE HYDROGEN SULFIDE. (INCIDENT DATE DOES NOT APPLY AS THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN CONSTANT). *JB

NHTSA #: 10013968
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Mar 2003

BOUGHT NEW 2003 ACCORD EX IN 1/03. SINCE HAVING THE CAR, THERE HAS BEEN A DAILY TERRIBLE "ROTTEN EGG" SMELL COMING FROM THE EXHAUST. DEALER CLAIMS THAT IT IS FROM THE WINTER BLEND OF GAS, BUT MY OLD CAR NEVER HAD THIS SMELL AND NO ONE I KNOW THAT HAS A CAR HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. THE SMELL IS SO BAD THAT PEOPLE GETTING OUT OF BACK DOORS WILL PLUG THEIR NOSES AND I MUST KEEP HEAT/AIR ON RECIRCULATE AND KEEP WINDOWS SHUT BECAUSE WHEN I STOP AT A LIGHT ETC..., THE SMELL GETS INTO THE CABIN. IF DEALER CONTINUES TO "NOT FIND A PROBLEM" I WILL CONSIDER LEMON LAW LAWSUIT.

NHTSA #: 10011000

Other 2003 Honda Accord Issues