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.
2003 Honda Accord engine complaints
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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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 federal safety agency). 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 the federal safety agency 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!
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.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 honda accord. While driving approximately 5 MPH, the vehicle suddenly stopped. The contact waited a few seconds and restarted; the vehicle performed normally after the restart. The failure occurred five times. The vehicle was taken to a local repair shop where the timing chain and valve cover were replaced; however the ABS light was illuminated. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 53,000 and the current mileage was approximately 62,000.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 .
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.
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.
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.
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
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 honda accord. While attempting to pull out of a driveway, the contact depressed the accelerator pedal, but the vehicle failed to move. Suddenly, the vehicle shot backwards into the street at 45 MPH. She then attempted to place the vehicle into drive once again, but it would not move. Suddenly, the vehicle sped forward. She heard a loud noise, but did not know the origin. The contact attempted to drive home, but the vehicle failed again on a main road with moderate to heavy traffic. She aimed the vehicle toward the nearest curb and restarted the vehicle. Pointed in the direction of a curb, she was able to move the vehicle towards the curb with one jerk. The previous week, the contact noticed the transmission banging into gear when shifting. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign id number 04v176000 (power train:automatic transmission), although the failures were similar. Other failures include the ABS sensor light, cd player, air compressor leakage, trunk release not functioning, and the catalytic converter. The vehicle was towed to the dealer as instructed by the manufacturer and a local mechanic also inspected the vehicle. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure and current mileages were 60,446. Updated 07/29/08. *lj updated 08/05/08.
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!
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
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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