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2003 Honda Accord steering problems

90 complaints (5% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 100,000. 6 crashes reported.

owner complaints
90
of this car's complaints
5%
typical mileage
100,000
crashes
6
recalls
1

Which part fails

  • Hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections
    4
  • Steering wheel/handle bar
    2
  • Linkages: tie rod assembly
    2
  • Hydraulic power assist system
    2
  • Rack and pinion: rack
    1
  • Rack and pinion
    1
  • Linkages
    1
  • Hydraulic power assist: pump
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Honda Accord steering problems in other years

19901995200020052010201520202026

Specific symptoms reported on the 2003 Honda Accord steering

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Pulling 20Power steering loss 6Steering noise 5

Related recalls

Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connectionsReported May 17, 2012 · 625,762 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Honda is recalling certain model year 2007 and 2008 Acura TL and model year 2003-2007 Accord V6 vehicles. In May 2012, Honda filed a defect report to recall certain model year 2007 and 2008 Acura TL vehicles. In September 2012, Honda informed the agency that it was including an additional 573,147 vehicles including certain model year 2003 through 2007 Accord V6 vehicles. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 625,762. Prolonged under-hood and power steering fluid temperatures may cause the power steering hose to deteriorate prematurely, resulting in cracks and power steering fluid leakage.
Risk
If this occurs, power steering fluid can leak onto a hot catalytic converter, leading to smoke and possibly an under-hood fire.
Remedy
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will install a new heat resistant power steering hose, free of charge. The original recall began in June 2012, and owners of those vehicles may obtain the free remedy. Sufficient parts are not yet available for owners of the vehicles covered by the September 2012 expansion, but are expected to be available in early 2013. Honda will notify owners of these vehicles beginning on October 26, 2012, and will notify these owners again when parts are available so those vehicles can be brought to dealers for applications of the free remedy. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1‑800‑999‑1009.

Recall number 12V222000 · Recall details

What 2003 Honda Accord owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Sep 22, 2025 · Electrical, Steering · 230,000 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2003 Honda Accord. The contact stated that there were several mechanical failures with the vehicle. The contact stated that there was a failure with the ignition switch, and the key could not be removed from the cylinder, and the shift lever failed to shift into drive(D), park(P), or into reverse(R). The contact stated that while the vehicle was in drive(D), the drive(D) indicator was flashing. Additionally, the contact had been having a failure of the power steering assist. The contact stated that the steering wheel was difficult to turn to the left or to the right. The contact was unaware of any warning lights during the power steering failure. The contact stated that the power steering failure was recurring. There was also a failure with the transmission. The contact stated that after being able to shift to drive(D), and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle hesitated before responding. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was shaking abnormally and hesitating. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The contact researched online and found several recalls related to the failures. The manufacturer was informed of the failure, and the contact was advised that two previous recall repairs were completed for the air bags and the ignition, but the VIN was no longer under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 230,000.

Filed Jul 13, 2024 · Brakes, Steering · TN

Tie rods, brakes

Filed Jun 2, 2023 · Electrical, Steering · NM

My key will not go into the ignition. It also starts to get hot. The steering column also starts to get hot. It also periodically smells like something is burning. The dealership wants to charge me $140 to look at it. I don't have the money. I have not been able to have anybody look at it because I don't have the money. This first happened back in February of 2023 but I got worse around June 1, 2023

Filed Feb 13, 2023 · Steering · NJ

There was a recall for this car 2003-2007 Honda Accord 3.0L v6 engine for the Power Steering lines, the line cracked and is spewing fluid all over the engine compartment as well as the ground. This recall was specifically detailed to address this exact issue. My Daughter was almost involved in an accident as the fluid had leaked out the she couldn't steer the car.

Filed Feb 12, 2023 · Steering · NJ

Steering

Filed Jul 26, 2022 · Steering, Wheels · 100,000 miles · LA

The contact owns a 2003 Honda Accord. The contact stated while attempting to park the vehicle, she placed the vehicle in reverse to straighten the vehicle however, the steering wheel was making a clicking sound. The contact was able to turn the steering wheel however, the vehicle failed to respond. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact also stated the front passenger’s side wheel was making a clicking sound. The contact stated that the wheel was fractured from the lug. The vehicle was not diagnosed; however, the wheel was replaced. The contact notified the local dealer of the sound coming from the steering wheel; however, the contact was informed that if the steering was removed, there air bags might not function properly. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

Filed Jul 15, 2022 · Electrical, Steering · NY

Doors locked from inside and cannot get out unless I put my window down. Safety issue. Second time I replaced my door since I was in a car accident a few years ago. Same problem came back again after replacing the door handle it used to work for years at the driver side until recently. Also doors are unable to unlock from the switch.

Filed Jan 19, 2022 · Steering · KS

Unknown I'm guessing do to the recall on the powersteering hose it has caused the hose to.melt I just bought the car and came across this recall so I'm honestly not sure if the recall has been addressed already or not but I'm addressing it to make sure

Filed Jul 22, 2021 · Steering · MA

Honda Accord with V6 engine has had two recalls regarding power steering supply hose leak - Service Bulletin 12-066 and Service Bulletin 13 - 012. Recall 13-012 was issued May 14, 2013 (see link to recall here: The vehicle record for this VIN shows repair for Recall 13-012 was made April 3, 2013 - a month and a half prior to he issuance of Recall 13-012. Mileage on April 3, 2013 was 27,783. This complaint is being filed with the federal safety agency because the same power steering feed hose purportedly replaced April 3, 2013 with an upgraded more heat resident hose is leaking again. This is significant because the original hose lasted 10 years (2003 to 2013) and 27,783 miles while the purportedly upgraded recall replacement hose lasted only 8 years - with present mileage being 66,321. Honda dealer will not provide additional repair stating recall has been satisfied. Clearly power steering leak is continuing to pose a under hood fire safety issue with location over hot catalytic converter. Thank you for allowing this issue to be brought to the federal safety agency's attention.

Filed Feb 15, 2021 · Engine, Steering · 196,000 miles · TN

I was driving the car and the power steering pump went out and a week later my transmission started slipping then all of a sudden my car wouldn't go into gears and the transmission stopped working completely. It will work for 5 min then it completely won't go in any gear. I had to have it towed home. It was on the road on the bypass and I started acting up then it stopped working completely when I went to get off of work and wouldn't go in to gear at all after that. So I had to have it towed home. I had it looked at by a local mechanic and he said the car had a recall on multiple things for me to look into it because it was gonna cost around 2000 to fix everything.

Questions about the 2003 Honda Accord steering

Does the 2003 Honda Accord have steering problems?

Owners have filed 90 complaints about the steering of the 2003 Honda Accord, 5% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2003 Honda Accord steering problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 100,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2003 Honda Accord steering?

Yes, 1 recall: 12V222000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Honda Accord have bad steering?

The Honda Accord model years with the most steering complaints are 2013 (499 complaints), 2014 (143 complaints) and 2003 (90 complaints).

Other 2003 Honda Accord problems

Transmission 924Airbags 318Brakes 172Engine 146Electrical 142Acceleration 81Visibility 75Body 73Lights 56Suspension 31Seat belts 26Seats 24Tires 24Locks 18Fuel system 16Driver assistance 10Wheels 7

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