9.3

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
$2,710
Average Mileage:
98,000 miles
Total Complaints:
504 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. replace/rebuild transmission (348 reports)
  2. not sure (72 reports)
  3. Honda to pay cost as this transmission was a previous recall (45 reports)
  4. Honda assisted with replacement cost (25 reports)
  5. class action lawsuit (5 reports)
  6. transmission exchange (4 reports)
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This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Honda dealer.

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #244

Jul 052010

Accord LX V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 120,000 miles

I bought a nice used Honda Accord 2003 LX V6 about a year ago from a certified Honda-Acura dealership. After investing much money in repairs (including transmission flushes) , finally the transmission failed completely.

I was quoted $4,000 to replace the entire thing. I am sooooooo disappointed in Honda!!!!!! My choice to go with Honda for its name and reputation of reliability has now left me stranded with much money still owing and no money for that costly of a repair!! I had no idea these particular cars had a transmission issues, I guess I should have done some research before I bought it, it's only now I am finding out about all this.

Even if Honda paid for some of the cost, I am so disheartened that I would get rid of the car anyway! Should have listened to my inner voice and bought a Toyota instead.

- simcacro0330, Portland, OR, US

problem #243

Apr 152010

Accord EX V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 108,400 miles

My 2003 Honda Accord 2Dr coupe V6 started shifting into gear hard and slipping out of gear. I took into be looked at and had the transmission flushed and a hose replaced in April 2010. I ran ok for about two weeks and then it started all over again. took it back in and had to replace the seals and a conditioner was put in on May 15, 2010, On Sunday May 18, 2010 the transmission locked up which also cause the engine to lock up...I bought the car almost 3 yrs ago and at 108,000 the transmission has gone bad. This is my first Honda and I got one because everyone swears that Honda is the best car. I really wish that i knew that the 2003 honda accords were known for transmission failure because i would gone with something else. The part that I am most pissed about is that i still have 2 yrs to pay on this car. I will be contacting Honda and I really hope that they cooperate and fix the transmission.

- patrickga, Atlanta, GA, US

problem #242

Jun 172010

Accord EX 3.0L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,000 miles

Same as the rest, 2003 Accord Vg. bought it "new" used in 2007. I've had it 3 years and it's been a dream. Last week all the lurching, engine light on, drive light flashing, can't get it above 20mph, no reverse, almost had accidents, etc. happend to my horror. I treated that car like gold. Long and short, I took mine to Immke Honda in Columbus they tried fixing part and then advised it was whole transmission. They are working with Honda and have it at 25% Honda will cover. My price tag is $2000.00. My dealership is taking great care of me though. I'm horrified at Honda.

- oscvirgo1, Hilliard, OH, US

problem #241

May 262010

Accord

  • Automatic transmission
  • 92,000 miles

I have owned this car for about 2.5 years. Since purchasing, I have had it in the shop numerous times for hesitations which were never able to be diagnosed. It finally almost totally stopped running and when I took it in they told me that the ERG valve was bad and could have been causing the problem all along. Of course this was not covered under the warranty. The warranty cost a little under 2000 and I have never had one thing under the warranty go bad. Now the transmission has gone and I am a few thousand miles over the warranty. I am told that there is a defect in this transmission model because the filters cannot be replaced. There is no way to fix the transmission, and it would have to be replaced with a factory rebuilt or somelthing like that. The mechanics that have told me this also state that the warranty on the manufacture warranty is only 36 months and it will probably last much after that. I am discusted with this car and would like to get rid of it, but who wants a car with a bad transmission. Otherwise it is in great condition, motor runs like a champ.

- Jackie C., Palmyra, VA, US

problem #240

Jun 112010

Accord LX 3.0L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 98,177 miles

It happened on my way to work on a Friday morning. The light had just turned green and I took my foot off the brake and gave it some gas. The rpm shot up to 5000 yet I remained at 25km/h. I thought I had accidentally floored the gas pedal. When I let go of the gas, rpm fell to 1000 in an instant and my car would jerk. I jerked my way through an intersection and into a side street. Thank god I wasn't on the highway like some of you but I was shaking I was so scared. I had 158,000km so well over warranty. Honda quoted $3800cdn and an independent mechanic $2100. I'm surprised like all of you that there hasn't been a recall and I wouldn't be surprised if there will ever be one. I'm thinking of doing a trade now but not for another Honda.

- Sandy L., Markham, ON, Canada

problem #239

Jan 142010

Accord LX 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 98,000 miles

my car has started shaking while accelerating like at 30 or 35 when i let off gas it stops

- Anderson S., Mimi, FL, US

problem #238

Jun 012010

Accord ES V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 119,000 miles

For about 2 months, I had noticed my Honda would change gears roughly. I had taken the car in for its usual oil change, etc. and mentioned it to my consultant and he said it could be the timing belt, given the number of miles I had on the car. Since it wasn't "I can't drive my car" problem and I was going to have to leave it for several hours, I waited until yesterday to bring it back.

I was told the entire transmission would need to be replaced and the cost would be $3905 plus tax. I asked if I had driven it too hard or was it something I did (given the reputation of reliability of Honda's cars, I was very surprised). I was told it was an "internal failure" and it was there was nothing I had done. When we called around to other mechanics, we were told he was seeing "an epidemic" of transmission problems in this year/model of Honda. We talked to the Honda consultant and told him we had always brought our car in to them to be maintenanced and had even bought an extended warranty on the car for 100,000 miles; was there any kind of break they could give us on the price? He talked to his service director and we were able to get the price down to 2928.75 with a 3 year warranty. Still not sure if we should just trade it in or bite the bullet and get it replaced. The blue book value is about $4000, so we aren't sure if it's worth it. Any advice?

- Melissa L., Huntsville, AL, US

problem #237

Apr 082010

Accord EXL 3L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 48,700 miles

Honda customer service rep offered me almost nothing to help with repair. This issue is wide spread and will come back to haunt Honda. A class action suit is needed to help victims recover huge replacement cost. Call 212 566-4047

- slambob, Peckville, PA, US

problem #236

Mar 312010

Accord EX V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,177 miles

Transmission failure seems like a common problem with the 2003 Accord. Dealer quoted $4000 to repair, still considering.

- Michael K., New York, NY, US

problem #235

Apr 262010

Accord EX 2.4L V4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75,000 miles

First problem of any kind with this car but it is a doozy. Tranny started leaking from seal around shaft to left front wheel and increased rapidly. Seal was replaced and failed again almost immediately. Tranny removed for inspection of inside. Mechanism that supports spline shaft to wheels has disintegrated on both sides filling transmission case with shrapnel. Whole tranny replacement is recommended. It seems that Hondas are not all they are cracked up to be. It seems that Toyota's wond stop and Hondas won't go (very far) Was going to buy another soon, but I will try a KIA I think. I don't care for the head-in-the-sand attitude that Honda displays about their weak point. Seems to me that there is systematic problem with Honda transmissions since the 1990's and no satisfactory solution has been found. Oh well, another fairytale myth is crushed.

- Harry S., Danbury, CT, US

problem #234

Apr 272010

Accord EX V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75,000 miles

Same issue as other folks with the 2003 transmission. Honda dealer in Richardson Tx said it cost $4,698 to fix but Honda corporation would do the goodwill thing and my charge was $2,250 . 3 year warranty on teh new transmission.

- davidmtx, Allen, TX, US

problem #233

Apr 192010

Accord EX V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 95,000 miles

Car started acting up about a week ago. It would rev to about 5k rpm under normal acceleration before shifting from 2nd to 3rd. It did this about once every two days and then one day the transmission completely fails at about 10mph while accelerating from a red light. I had it towed the the Honda dealership where after a day of them communicating with their "rep" I was told there would be no deferment of payment for a completely new transmission quoted at $3600. I now have a case with American Honda customer service and the current offer is to lower my part of the payment for a new tranny to $2500. Not enough. The car is also less than a month expired from the Honda Certified powertrain warranty and still under the 100k mark, but this seems to hold no water for getting a new tranny. Will not buy another Honda.

- Josh B., Tuscaloosa, AL, US

problem #232

Apr 082010

Accord LX V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 94,000 miles

The transmission left my wife stranded on the side of the road. Not good.

- Barry B., Waverly, GA, US

problem #231

Apr 052010

Accord EX V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 107,000 miles

driving, car just stalled while shifting, then a violent "bucking". pulled over. car would not go into reverse. had it towed to a dealer. over 4 grand was the price. waiting to hear back from honda corp. I only have 5 more payments left on it. I bought it used certified from honda.

- Sean N., Mont, AL, US

problem #230

Mar 302010

Accord EX V6 3.0L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 69,180 miles

I purchased a 2003 Honda Accord EX V6 used from a local Honda dealership in March of 2010 and the day I drove it off the lot the transmission jerked, I lost reverse, and soon it just died. The transmission was rebuilt and the torque converter replaced. Car was out of service for a week. Warranty covered it, but if I had no warranty I would have been screwed. I knew I needed to buy the extended warranty, I had a 1999 Accord EX that had the transmission go out at 94.5k miles. Honda did pay for 100% of that, however I have a feeling Honda isn't being so generous these days. This problem is an epidemic and I think the 2003-04 Accord's need a class action law suit like the older Accord's had. Our warranty's should be extended and refunds paid to those who dished out thousands before even getting over 100k miles. Shame on you Honda, you will loose so many customers because of this issue. The worst part, is that it seems the new transmissions are no better than the ones they replace. I hope I can get another 69k out of this one. I advise everyone to change their fluid every 30k miles at least, and no flushes! Only use Honda fluid and change is regularly so that you don't need a flush.

- pelhamtexas, Belton, TX, US

problem #229

Jun 022008

Accord EX V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 45,000 miles

We noticed that our 2003 Accord was hesitating whenever we drove at high speeds. It was almost like you would hit a wall when you hit a certain speed and then it would draw back and then after a few moments it would kick into gear and you would be able to get up to 60 or 70 mph. The experience was extremely frustrating because we had purchased an extended warranty and thought life was good, it will be replaced and we'll move on. That was not the case, the dealer had sold us a NON-Honda extended warranty during the sale process, which went unnoticed by by either of us at the time. Well, that extended warranty company just happened to have filed bankruptcy a few weeks before we brought the car in. After two dealerships and lots of arguments we ended up with a new tranmission, a 36k Honda warranty and $800 less then we had before.

This was only one of many other ridiculous things that was wrong with the 2003 Accord.

After a few good Honda unfortunately this experience has lead to us never buying a Honda again.

- josie208, East Northport, NY, US

problem #228

Jul 012009

Accord EX V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 103,000 miles

I have had to replace the transmission in this car 3 times! Amazing and frustrating. I contacted American Honda for financial help but they said no. They did not recall for the transmissions on this year, make and model because there were "no fatalities" yet! Unbelievable. If you buy one of these cars...beware...very costly and in my opinion, not worth it.

- Tara L., Clearwater, FL, US

problem #227

Mar 012010

Accord LX V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 86,000 miles

Hesitation in shifting, and whining noise for a few weeks. Car would then be fine for first few miles (make sure dealership takes it on "extended" road test) but then would stop shifting into third gear, then second gear then any gear at all. I would be stuck at red light with no power.

Dealership recommended full transmission replacement, and District Manager offered 10% goodwill coverage. I called Honda America (thanks to other reports on this site!) and after a few phone conversations back and forth, the reexamined the case and offered 50% goodwill coverage. Worth the effort!

Honda America asked questions about other Honda's our family owns, for how long we have been going to the dealership etc. I guess they are trying to reward "loyal" customers.

- ryanpc, Mountain View, CA, US

problem #226

Mar 172010

Accord EX 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 55,000 miles

I bought this new in 2003 and after 7 years of no issues with this Accord, the transmission failed without any previous warning. It happened on the highway, and I was lucky to be able to pull off before an accident happened. I had it towed to the Honda dealer and was called the next day to say it needed a new transmission and would cost $4200. What adds to this is this car only has around 54K miles and I have kept to the servicing schedule (including previous transmission recall). I pushed back on the quote and the dealer followed up with their Honda rep. Today they came back with an offer to cover 75% of the cost and even though I'm still not happy, it is better than the previous quote. I'm the most upset though that Honda tried to "play dumb" like this isn't a widespread problem and told the dealer service department this. Honda really needs to recall this transmission.

- Daniel J., Cary, NC, US

problem #225

Aug 152007

Accord EX 2.4L I4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 86,000 miles

Severe vibration from front of car. Lose axles joints and hesitant shifting. Service manager at dealership worked with me and replaced transmission with a remanufactured one. Also apparently and an axle was bent and replaced that with a used one. That "appeased' me at the time as "stuff happens", i.e. things break.

- Mike A., Walhalla, SC, US

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