2003 Honda Accord: engine overheating

Filed Nov 30, 2017 · Transmission · 106,000 miles · TN

Torque converter stuck off, p0741, code given. Transmission rebuild/ replacement required for continued use of vehicle. Service records show 2nd gear oil jet addition at 25,500 miles, and all subsequent servicing done at manufacturer suggested intervals, as indicated by printed shop receipts from honda dealership. After drain and fill done after first code thrown at 106,000 miles, 50 miles later the same p0741 code thrown. Local transmission shop did teardown and said that torque converter shows signs of overheating, metal shavings in fluid, and severely worn and broken clutch materials ( I have pictures of said damage).

Filed Nov 9, 2014 · Engine, Transmission · 135,000 miles · MO

Transmission locks in second gear when driving violently downshifts to second gear and over revs and no reverse after it cools same result seems to be overheating and starving for fluid.

Filed Aug 6, 2014 · Airbags, Transmission · 137,775 miles · MN

As I was driving to work the car started slipping, then as I arrived to my destination the car wouldn't go into gear at all. The car was overheating, as I called for service after work I tried starting the car again and it did go into gear. I drove it to the place for service but having to stop and let car cool down a couple times on the way there. They told me it's the transmission and will need a new one, or have it repaired. Now I'm aware of many 2003 accords with the same problem, there should be a recall on this! I've owned 4 honda cars and all from brand new vehicles and never a problem like this before. I have had this problem one other time of not going into gear, but it came out of it after it was cooled and sitting for a few hours, so never had that problem again until now. We don't drive this car very much as I work from my home, so it didn't go out until now. I'm told we must drive it little, which is true, and not hard on our vehicles at all, because this would have happened much earlier if we had. Also the air bag lights come on randomly with no reason, we had it tested and they said it was fine, humidity? That's another one to be recalled! Honda, you need to help us and recall the faults that you know are an issue if you want us to continue buying your vehicles! A used to be loyal honda owner for all my life.

Filed Aug 22, 2012 · Transmission · 97,000 miles · NE

The transmission started slipping and the transmission/transmission fluid started overheating and boiling. The car started smoking and we had to pull over. When towed to a mechanic they said the transmission was bad and was slipping.

Filed Jan 17, 2011 · Transmission · 130,400 miles · IL

2003 honda accord recalled in 2004 to install oil cooling line in transmission due to overheating issue. Transmission has never shifted smoothly. Transmission started shifting very rough from second to third gear with a loud noise and shutter. After it was warmed up it would slip. Within a week it failed completely. Fluid was black and smelled burnt. Mileage was 130400. Honda dealer replaced transmission for $4500. I was not able to get any goodwill help with the cost from the dealer or honda customer service.

Filed Jun 8, 2010 · Transmission · 81,000 miles · AE

2003 honda accord, v-6, automatic. First owner, all services (but for last two oil changes (by me) done by honda. At 81,000 miles, transmission often fails to upshift from 2-3d gear, will also downshift abruptly to 2nd gear, can approach engine overspeed and difficulty with control of the car as the front wheels will transiently lock-up in this event. The car was only driven to the dealer after the first time this occurred. Virtually every 2-3 shift not correct, usually with slippage to 4000rpm, would eventually upshift to 3rd, but random timing. Dangerous with approaching cars from behind. Started last week, currently in shop, in germany, as I am in the us military here. Honda na contacted, will review their address of the problem after I have the car repaired. I have read over 300 complaints this model, this year with exactly the same description. This car was subject of 2004 recall for overheating of 2nd gear. That recall performed (an inspection and oil jet we were told.

Filed Jan 8, 2010 · Transmission · 150,000 miles · GA

Purchased 2003 honda accord used from toyota dealership october 2005. Noticed strange sound coming from vehicle and gears would shift strangely within a year later. Took honda according to dealership for servicing and questioned sound several times, honda insist it was other items that was wrong with vehicle but never referenced transmission. Gears on car started slipping and the shift changing got worse as if it did not want to shift into 2nd gear. As I was driving on interstate, car stop pulling and when I would push the gas, the engine would rev up and the RPM would basically go off the meter (high). Car would not pull in drive or reverse, as if it was in neutral. When checking transmission fluid, it was greatly discolored (black). I turned car off and restarted car and was able to get car to pull before jerking strongly then going back in the rev engine/not pulling state. Because the failure did not occur near dealership and dealership mechanics was closed, I had to have car towed to a transmission specialist who informed me that there was chipping in the transmission (the dark discoloration) and overheating which in turn caused major damage to the transmission. Transmission had to be rebuilt, and the torque, pump and other transmission parts had to be replaced. Transmission specialist did state that the recall was either not done, parts were faulty, or service wasn't sufficient and did cause the long term transmission failure

Filed Oct 31, 2007 · Transmission · 65,500 miles · CA

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 honda accord. The contact experienced difficulty shifting from second to third gear while driving at various speeds. He stated that the vehicle also overheated. A local dealer stated that the transmission was the cause of the failures and it needed to be replaced. They further stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under the federal safety agency campaign id number 04v176000 (power train:automatic transmission). The dealer installed an oil jet kit instead of replacing the transmission. Because the contact purchased the vehicle from an unauthorized honda dealer, the dealer would not replace the transmission for free. The current mileage was 66,000 and failure mileage was 65,500.

Filed Nov 2, 2004 · Electrical, Transmission · GA

Defect of 2nd gear transmission. Transmission lock up and crush without warning. *bf the consumer received a recall letter in the mail regarding the 2nd gear transmission that could cause overheating which could result in a transmission lock up. The consumer stated the ignition key became hot to touch after driving for a certain period of time.

Filed Mar 10, 2004 · Brakes · PA

Consumer purchased vehicle brand new, and when he drove it brakes overheated and vehicle vibrated. Brake rotors were warped. Took vehicle to the dealer, and was told that this vehicle had a different type of brakes, and they needed to be specially ordered. It took a long time to get this particular kind of brakes. Then, mechanic drove vehicle , but was not able to find anything wrong. Consumer had his vehicle back, and the problem with the brakes became worse. Consumer maintained that honda knew about these brakes and were not doing anything about them.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · NC

Only three days after having purchased a new 2003 accord, I noticed that the console was overheating. When I put my fingers under the console, it was so hot that it could blister skin. There was also a horrible intermittent burning smell. After the car makes this terrible burning smell, I get a headache. Upon my second visit, the dealership acknowledged the problem and replaced the console. On the way home, the new console overheated again. Also, the horrible intermittent burning smell is still present. Honda america has refused to replace my vehicle or give me a refund. The sales manager at the dealership, hendrick\\'s honda cars of hickory, has given me misinformation about my state\\'s lemon law by telling me they are entitled to 10 repair attempts when the lemon law says they are only entitled to 4. The dealership now says that they are trying to reduplicate the problem. Further, even though three people at the dealership, including a mechanic, have witnessed the overheating and burning smell, the \\master mechanic\\ has told me that if something was burning or overheating that I would have equipment failure. This is not true and any good mechanic should know this. It appears to me that they are trying to deny that the problem still exists. The company claims that no one else has reported this problem. Your web page hit home with me because honda certainly has trouble admitting that their cars have problems. I want to let everyone know that buying a honda is a bad idea!

Filed Sep 30, 2003 · 8,200 miles · GA

This is my third honda and after purchasing my 2003 accord coupe ex manual, I don't know if I will ever purchase another honda!! I bought it because my previous cars had no major problems, they only went to the mechanic for their suggested maintenance and oil and tire changes. With my new accord, I have only experienced problems. It began with a rattling in the rear speakers, then the side speakers. Which the dealer tried to fix to no success. Then the trim on the windows was bubbling, which they were able to replace. Soon after I began noticing my breaks shudder and went to the dealer to be told that "well ma'am, the problem has to get worse before we can see what's going on"! Great I have to break down on the side of the road before they can fix it. Lets not forget the recall on the intake air breather pipe. Then today, and this has sent me over the top, my car overheated. The temperature gauge was on the red-line for hot! I pulled over, opened the hood and noticed green fluid all over the engine. Called the dealer and they said they would have to tow it and take a look. I have owned the car since april (5 months) and been to the dealer 5 times. After reading the other complaints I am afraid of what might happen with the shuddering of the brakes...will they stop working not allowing me to stop and be the cause of a potentially fatal accident? I hope not!! Honda needs to do something about these problems asap!!