2003 Honda Accord: engine failure

Filed Feb 24, 2017 · Airbags, Brakes · WA

Takata recall airbags dysfunctional but not replaced by honda, front and rear brake calipers seized up resulting in excessive brake pad wear and damage to rotors. ~$3000 brake job quoted for a honda with only ~150k miles

Filed Jan 8, 2015 · Engine · 133,000 miles · PA

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.

Filed Dec 12, 2013 · Engine, Transmission · 183,000 miles · SC

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.

Filed May 25, 2010 · Transmission · 203,000 miles · IA

I was driving my 2003 honda accord from ames, ia to minneapolis, mn for a one day trip and the malfunction indicator light came on at the halfway and the engine died a few seconds later. I had to pullover and call my insurance agent. At the end, my car got towed to the sedars honda dealership at mason city, iowa, and they called me saying it was the transmission failure and replacing will cost from $3000 to $3600.

Filed Nov 9, 2009 · Transmission · 93,000 miles · TX

Wednesday nov 4, 2009 my wheels locked up with catastrophic transmission failure of my 2003 accord v6 automatic at freeway speeds on hwy 90 in san antonio. The truck following me was able to brake without hitting me, I had my seatbelt on otherwise I would have been thrown into the windshield. It felt like someone had slammed on the brakes. I realized something was drastically wrong with the car so I put it in neutral. By then I was coasting at about 40 miles an hour, cars were honking and passing me on both sides and I was 'locked in' on the freeway. When I put the car back in drive and accelerated to try to merge through traffic to get off the freeway, the transmission seized up again, this time without as much force, it only slowed me down 5 MPH or so. It locked up 2 to 3 more times, each time with less force as I tried to maintain enough speed to move to the shoulder. This event was preceded by several months of intermittent hard down shifts and another 2 hard downshifts in a period of a few hours two days earlier. I had already made one dedicated dealer service call for this specific issue and another where I mentioned it and both times I was told honda knew of no problems with this transmission and I was advised no repairs were needed. Since the event I've looked at honda owner web forums and the federal safety agency site and discovered that others with the 2003 year model honda accord have described the same catastrophic failure of their transmission with lock-up. It appears that american honda has paid part or all of the repair costs for several people. Honda has agreed to pay 50% of my repair and I am in discussion with them for more coverage because of the fact that I had sought service for this issue and had been told there was no repair needed. I don't have access to the data that the federal safety agency has or that american honda has but I am concerned that other 2003 accord drivers may have dangerous transmissions that could result in a deadly accident.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Transmission · UN

Around 6000 km, whenever I step on the gas pedal, I would feel the car shake slightly..and an engine sound. At first, I thought I just needed an oil change, even though 6000 was a bit low km for a oil change...I thought maybe because I purchase the car in winter time, and it was now summer time. I took the car in for oil change, also tellign them the problem...and sure enough..after the examination, they told me there was oil leak bottom of the car...and the whole transmission needed to be replaced. The service centre also told me that this is a very rare incident, and it is consider a defect..and this kind of stuff only happens to cars over 600,000. Also that, if I had waited...all the oil could have dripped and would cause a whole engine failure. Either way..it was not a good feeling to know that I needed to replace my transmission at 6000km.