While driving at 40mph, my 2003 Honda Accord violently down shifted (mimicking the effect of slamming on the brakes). I slowed to 30mph and the car continued to violently down shift, slipping in and out of gears. After backing up, the car seemed to have a delay when I shifted into drive. Once it engaged it jerked into gear. I originally noticed problems when I first purchased the car of rough transition between first and second gear and also while down shifting. The dealership told me that no fail codes showed on the computer and that it was common but there is nothing wrong with the car. This is a scarey issue as it could have caused a collision with the violent halting force.

- Moses Lake, WA, USA

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.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

My 2003 Honda Accord V-6 engine had been acting different for a year now. It is automatic. When I started going I had to go really slow to let my car shift into each of the 5 gears. Then one day when I was driving it would not go to 2nd gear so I finally decided to take it in and have it looked at it had 150,000 miles on it. The Honda dealer told me I needed a new transmission. I paid 3,800 dollars to have it replaced. I have read many complaints of others who have had the same problem, when will Honda be responsible for the bad transmissions in their cars? we paid 25,000 for the car and expected to get alot more mileage for our money than this. I've gotten better mileage out of my Ford Focus 1999 that I'm still driving and never had any problems with it. My cost for it 11,000.

- Fayetteville, GA, USA

27sep04 I took my 2003 Honda Accord in to fuller Honda in chula vista, ca for recall work. They "installed an oil jet on transmission second gear inspection" under the recall. 22oct09 my 2003 Honda Accord experienced multiple transmission problems. While leaving from work, I had difficulty getting my vehicle into gear. Eventually I was able to get it into gear and started driving home via a California interstate during rush hour traffic. Upon attempting to merge onto the interstate, my Honda went into "neutral" gear. All it would do is "rev" and I could not get it to go into gear in either forward or reverse. Now my vehicle was stranded in the middle lane of a san diego interstate during rush hour traffic. Since I was unable to exit my vehicle as other cars were speeding by on both sides, I had to call the chp for assistance. Chp responded 45 minutes later and assisted in towing my Honda to the shoulder. I then had my Honda towed to the closest Honda dealer. The service clerk apologized for my problem bus failed to mention about this transmission problem being a common issue with 2003 Honda Accord. He told me that since the transmission should not have failed with only 70K miles on my vehicle that Honda would pay for 50% of the parts and 25% of the labor. Even after the discount, my total charge for replacing my transmission was $2531.31. My near death experience on the san diego freeways was free of charge.

- San Diego, CA, USA

I was smelling the rotten egg smell that many other claimed to smell. I had the catalytic converter changed but the smell comes back from time to time. The seat slide forward and then backward when applying brake.

- York, PA, USA

In larger city after many red lights, the warm transmission began slipping when the light turned green. This has continued to happen. The problem now is intermittent but I think can become quite serious. I received no sympathy from the dealer. From the internet I see many similar complaints and all have no resolution from Honda.

- Hamilton, AL, USA

I have a 2003 Honda Accord. Recently the back light on the radio went out. The radio still works, but the display does not. My car is out of warranty, so it is not covered. When I called the Honda dealership, they quoted me $600 to repair it because the entire unit must be fixed. After doing an internet search on the topic, I found that my 2003 Accord is not the only one with this problem.

- Pataskala, OH, USA

Within the first year of owning my Honda Accord (black pearl) the paint pitted all over, not just on the hood. Honda North in MA as well as the ca office claimed it was road rash --- it was all over the car - areas that would be hard-pressed to get any stone/road debris. They refused to remedy the problem also, I just now learned that the power train has been recalled. I did not receive any notice whatsoever.

- Newburyport, MA, USA

On 2003 Honda Accord le V6 w/O navigation system. Radio/cd/heating/ac control panel is dark, cannot read controls. Not knowing the status of defroster can lead to fogged windshield.

- Coppell, TX, USA

Told by dealer to ignore 'maintenance required' light in 2003 Honda Accord.

- Thompson, ND, USA

Yes this is a followup to complaint #10080452. If you have had similar problems please email @ onnipotente1@hotmail.com and let me know what was done in your case. Thanks.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

Honda 2003 Accord is equipped with a "design defect" of costly and potentially harmful, from a safety standpoint, defect. The lower "grill" on the front bumper is designed in such a way that any road debris smaller than a 16" X 8" concrete block can enter and damage a fully-exposed and unprotected ac condenser. It is clearly unprotected from the harsh outside elements. The ac is an integral part of the safety of this automobile in that to clear the windshield from any moisture on the inner surface, the ac must be acting in proper fashion. If a car's inside glasses "fog-up" with moisture, the only solution is to turn on the moisture wringing ac unit, regardless of the temp of the air, the dehumidifier effect of the ac conditioned air is an absolute necessity. The current design of the grill/condenser leaves it vulnerable to be easily damaged by a bit of gravel as small as a bb pellet. There is not any screen or deflector in place forward of the condenser to prohibit any errant road missiles from damaging the condenser thereby creating the safety hazard of a fogged windshield and more, a simple screen or deflector could and should be installed to protect the safety feature of this car.

- Alabaster, AL, USA

On one of my visit to the dealer to complaint about my the brakes on my car I also complained about the fact that my car makes noise when I am driving on surface that should not make my car sound like their doors are not put on correctly. I thought because it was new it was just a new car squeak but when I drive with the radio off I can hear this noise and I can just imagine what it will sound like when the car is not so new. When I drive in any other vehicle I listen for this sound and I don't hear this noise but as usual the dealer cannot find it. I will be taking in my car for the same brake problems again. On 9/12/203. This will be the fourth time. The first time was on Nov/6/2002, and they resurface the rotors. The second time was on Feb/1/2003, they replace both front disc. The third time may/01/2003, they replace brake pads. The pads are very high and the rotors are thick. There is no sign of warp or roughness that I can feel whem I inspect the brakes and I am some what familiar with brakes.

- Concord, CA, USA

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!

- Statesville, NC, USA

They are selling me a lemon and fool me around with excuse. The engine light have been on six time during this two year. The first three time the engine light on, I did not have duplicatin code. Sum up the six time report, I have two times code 0700 and two times code 1705. I called Honda because they authorized this dealer to sell thie car, however, they told me since the dealer do the modification on the car (add the auto starter in the car), they don't responsible on any problem that related to autostarter, even they authorized tham to sell their car. Then I talk to the assistant manager, he is very sacratic, he ask me the detail how I use the autostarter, my answer was perfect, seem to be nothing wrong. As well as he told me the last engine light on was a year ago, I told me I have not use the autostarter for a year, because I decided to leave my baby with my mother-in-law, but I use the autostarter recently. Then he blame me, perhap it could be as simple as losing the gas cap, or you use pc or cellphone in the car trigger the engine light. Then I ask him what is the list of action I cannot do in the car, he told me he has the list, but he cannot find it. I ask the service rep can I have the summary to what you did for the past six time fixing, service rep told me that summary will not reflect the detail of what happen, only the date and your name. Here is the list of problems my car has: Check engine light on 6th time, Dec 2002, code 700 customer statres cd changer is inop, April 2002 balancing 2 tires on Dec 2001, miscommuncate check engine light on 5th time, Nov 2001, malfunction A/T sensor check engine light on 4th time, Sept 2001, code 1705 repaired rear bumper assembly, Nov 2001 check engine light on 3rd time, June 2001, code 0700, 1705 auto start doesn't work check engine light on 2nd time, March 2001, code 900 check engine light on 1st time, Jan 2001, code 1456

- Staten Island, NY, USA

1. windshield area in front of driver creaks in cold, dry weather. Creak occurs on rough pavement and turns. 2. all side windows rattle on rough pavement. 3. excessive wind noise on front side windows when car is moving at 40mph or above.

- Alexandria, VA, USA

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!!

- Buford, GA, USA

I have had my 2003 Accord ex in the dealer's shop well over 15 times for various reasons. The front windshield rattles and has been looked at 5 times and cannot be rectified. The cd player would not load cd's properly and have had the stereo replaced. Now the cover to the stereo will not stay in place. The stereo has been looked at 4 times and has to go back in a 5th time to have the cover replaced again. The brakes have been looked at 5 times, since the first week we bought the car. The first 3 times they could not find anything wrong. The 4th time, they had to resurface the rotors because they were warped. At this visit, there was only 9,000 miles on the car. The 5th time we took the car in, it had 12,000 miles and the rotors needed to be resurfaced again. Now the brakes are grinding and squealling again. This is now the 6th time we have had a problem with the brakes. The seal around the door gave way at around 5,000 miles. The door seal seems to be very thin and does not hold up very well. We purchased an after factory anti-theft device. My wife's fob failed to deactivate the device. I realize that this is an after factory installed device, but the Honda dealer should back what they sell.

- Clovis, CA, USA

I have had my 03 Accord for 5 months now and have had it to the dealers more then 10 times for various problems. The first problem I had was, the car was hesitating when I would start the engine. I would have to hold the key for more then 5 seconds. I brought my car in to the dealer and they said they ran tests and could not find anything wrong. Eventually they told me it was normal because if I had the air cond. Or heat on it would take a few seconds for it to start up. I also was having a bad rotten egg smell. Once again they said nothing was wrong and that it was the gas that I was getting, somethin about the water deposits in it. But I've tried different gas stations like they said and it still smells. I had my car in for creaking sounds in my dash board, and they actually found some pilliars loose and fixed that problem. The molding on my passenger and driver side windows was crinkling from the heat and the sun so those had to be replaced. A recent problem I have now is there is a leak in my power steering. I told my dealer I was contacting Honda and they said to deal w/ it thru my dealer and not get them involved, but this is ridiculous that I am having all these problems w/ a brand new car!!

- Schenectady, NY, USA

In the month of February I bought a Honda Accord, everything was fine until the end of may when I noticed a clicking noise coming from the front of the car every time the car stops, I took it to the Honda dealer where I bought it and after a few hours, I was told that the clicking of the car is characteristic of this car, I told them that it didn't have it when I bought, then I was given a print out where Honda talks about the "clicking or ticking at idle" for this type of car, I have asked other person with the same type of car and he doesn't have this noise, I have taken it to another dealer under Honda's customer service request and the dealer said that all cars have that noise, I know for a fact that none of my previous cars had that noise. Since this is not consider a defect or a problem by Honda, they offered me a free oil change as a "good will". this car is costing me over $27,000, Honda can call this noise anyway they want, but I did not buy a car to have some noise after only 4 months of having the car, they also admit is a problem in the bulletin when they say "characteristic problem", the honest thing from Honda since they knew this since December 2002 and I bought the car in February 2003, should have been to inform me about the possibility of having this noise in the car, and I would have made the decision of not buying the car, I have been to two dealers, called Honda customer service 3 times and I have only been offered a free oil change, I hope this Agency can help me to deal with Honda, I know this may not be a safety issue but I don't think Honda should get away with hiding information from potential customers and then when they get called just act like there is no problem. Thanks, ml I only see report defective equipment that was included with the vehicle at time of purchase but this noise wasn't there when I purchase the car.

- San Francisco, CA, USA