2003 Honda Accord: sudden loss of power

Filed Sep 10, 2020 · Acceleration · 124,348 miles · CA

While driving 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning and lost power. Additionally, the vehicle failed to respond when the accelerator pedal was depressed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed, but a fault code was not retrieved. The failure recurred several times while in motion and also on the freeway. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 145,000.

Filed Aug 21, 2019 · Acceleration, Transmission · 140,000 miles · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 honda accord. While driving 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning and lost power. Additionally, the vehicle failed to respond when the accelerator pedal was depressed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed, but a fault code was not retrieved. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.

Filed Jun 21, 2016 · Transmission · 142,000 miles · GA

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 honda accord. While driving 62 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to accelerate. The vehicle lost power and the rpms increased. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the torque converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was previously repaired per the federal safety agency campaign number: 04v176000 (power train). The failure mileage was 142,000.

Filed Apr 4, 2015 · Steering · 165,000 miles · GA

I noticed vibration in steering wheel when backing up, and rattling noise coming from serpentine belt. Took it to honda service center, and they quoted me $940, and said it was my tensioner and idler pulleys as well as my alternator and serpentine belt. I didn't believe them about the alternator, so they charged me $50 for diagnosis and I drove back home. I decided to conduct the work myself. I replaced my tensioner and idler pulley, and new serpentine belt. Steering vibration was still there, but not as much vibration noise was coming from serpentine belt area. On march 10, 2015, I was driving 35 MPH and lost power steering due to serpentine belt coming off pulleys. I put it back on, and it happened again on april 2, 2015, going 45mph. I again replaced tensioner and idler, and this time tugged at all pulleys after using a straightedge ruler against them to check for alignment. The 2 mounting bolts to the power steering pulley/pump were completely loose and the whole pump wiggled which was causing misalignment of serpentine belt and throwing it off. I torqued them down to spec. Serpentine belt no longer immediately rides to the outside edge of the tensioner pulley and will not slip off again. There is no more vibration in my steering, and no sound whatsoever. All of this is important, because the last people who touched my power steering hoses and pump was honda, for a recall, before all this trouble began. If bolts are torqued per spec, they do not rattle loose. And honda wanted to charge me for a new alternator when that was not the issue at all.

Filed Nov 4, 2014 · Transmission · 150,000 miles · TN

I have experienced the same problems that over 800 people on this site alone have had with the 2003 honda accord transmission. I am the original owner of this honda, when purchased had 30 miles on it. Received the recall notice and immediately took the car to the closet dealership for repair. Was told by the service guy that they only inspected my car but did not do anything to it.they did not feel it was necessary. I felt this was odd because honda knew there was a problem. On october 30th, 2014, now at approximately 150,000 miles I was on my lunch hour, when suddenly my vehicle downshifted and began losing all power on a very busy 4 lane highway.before coming to a complete stop, I managed to slowly get off to the side of the road before causing any kind of major accident.had my local trusted mechanic take a look at it and he called me back today to let me know that I needed a new transmission.he contacted several "transmission specialist" and they have refused to even try to fix my vehicle because they are fully aware of the transmission problems with the 2003 honda accord.I have contacted honda's customer service department as well as the honda product concern department and was told the only thing that I can do now is to have a new transmission put into my car, at my cost.I am not asking for a handout, but honda has known for a long time that the 2003 honda accord had major transmission problems and they refuse to accept any kind of responsibility.fortunately, no one was injured when my defective transmission decided to blow but what if that had not been the case?does it actually take someone being seriously injured or losing their life for honda to step up to the plate and seriously take responsibility for their mistake?have always been a loyal honda owner up until now always trusted that they would stand by their product. Boy was I wrong!!!!!!!!!

Filed Aug 12, 2014 · Transmission · 77,000 miles · AZ

1st incident was transmission failure was in august of 2009 when car had 77,000 miles on it. Was trying to turn right and after starting the turn lost all power to the power train. Couldn't make a turn was able to make it off to the side of the road. Cost of 1st transmission replacement $2500 (honda actually paid half (how gracious, when they knew that they have a flaw should have been 100%. (replaced with factory honda transmission) 3 year, 360000 warranty 2nd incident 8/1012014 was driving on freeway at 65 MPH and car slammed into 1st gear (and reduced speed by at least 15 --20 MPH. Luckily I wasn't rear-ended as it jerked the whole car and reduced the speed in seconds. Issue transmission failure. Cost to replace $4500.

Filed Apr 5, 2013 · Steering · 164,700 miles · VA

My vehicle was subject to the federal safety agency recall #12v222000 which recalled steering:hydraulic power assist:hose, piping, and connections. I initially was informed of the recall by a cnn article and research on the honda website on october 1, 2012. I began noticing leaking power steering fluid and subsequent power steering issues in november 2012. I was informed in a letter from honda that I would receive notice that parts were available february 2013 and that my particular recall could not be completed until the parts were in stock. I received notice on march 19, 2013 that parts were available and had the hose replaced on april 5, 2013. During the repair process, I was informed that due to the defective part, the power steering pump would need replaced as it has cracked and leaked power steering fluid. I lost all power steering and had the pump replaced on april 5, 2013. This part is not covered under the recall but for the defective hose, the problem would not have occurred. I am seeking to file a complaint against honda to reimburse my cost of parts and include the power steering pump as a part of the recall.

Filed Jan 22, 2013 · Transmission · 118,619 miles · CA

Transmission slipped when shifting from third to fourth when accelerating to get on the freeway. Luckily no one was injured but the car behind me almost rear ended me when I lost all power.

Filed Jul 6, 2012 · Transmission · 105,000 miles · MO

No issues prior to the drive into work 7/3/12, where I experienced extreme downshifting. On the way home, driving 35 to 40 MPH, the car slipped out of gear and the engine's rpms skyrocketed. While maneuvering to the right to get out of traffic, transmission re-engaged and downshifted violently. From a stopped position it would move forward briefly, then slip out of gear. Finally, it wouldn't engage in any position (reverse, drive, 1st, 2nd, etc). The only way to get moving was to turn it off and restart. I got it to the dealer by restarting 3 or 4 times. Extremely dangerous in rush hour to lose all power, especially at intersections.

Filed Mar 3, 2012 · Engine · 106,990 miles · OK

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.

Filed Feb 23, 2012 · Engine, Transmission · 109,819 miles · CA

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.

Filed Sep 4, 2011 · Fuel system, Transmission · GA

I have a 2003 honda accord ex v6. It has been serviced as per instructions in honda owners manual. It has 119k on car and the transmission will slip out of gear when driving, according to several web sites (http://www.hondaproblems.com/problems/transmission-failure.shtml), (http://cdonner.com/honda-accord-2003-ex-v6-transmission-failure.htm) their are many more out there doing the same thing and honda USA is turning a blind eye to the problem. The real issue is the transmission, the past few recalls include jet kits and ignition switches and a few flash file updates to transmission software never truly addressing the real issue which is a much more expensive transmission replacement. The recalls are like any other recall when a large repair is needed on a broad scale, smaller more band-aid like repairs are instituted as recalls to get the vehicle out of warranty and no longer a problem for honda. The problem with this kind of irresponsibility is this, the issue is not a cylinder wear issue and it isn't a fuel pump failing issue that simply is a financial inconvenience to the owner, it is a problem with a transmission failing to stay engaged, a problem that is leaving drivers in the middle of roads. A problem that is causing car to lose power in the middle of merging into traffic or changing lanes, or at any moments without warning, endangering the driver. Last but not least when a person decides to buy a honda they are not only purchasing a car with money they purchase it with confidence of reliability. When you maintained a vehicle and you drive it like a baby and it fails at 119k that it what I believe falls into the category of premature failure. Honda needs to take responsibility for this dangerous and subpar product that they have given to the buyers in good faith and at the least give 100% parts goodwill.