10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
24,683 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2003 Honda Accord:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #14

Feb 142019

Accord

  • 72,740 miles
Catastrophic centrifugal explosion of a Firestone affinity touring tire while travelling on a congested interstate highway at a fairly high rate of speed (65mph). The force of the explosion tore off the bumper valance, bumper cushion, belly pan, inner fender wells, fender skirt, fender to body mounts and damaged the fender and same-side door. The debris showered into traffic. Tire was purchased new at a Firestone dealer in 2014 and had 26K miles according to the figure on warranty. It had no injuries and was never repaired. It's speed rating was 92T and it was manufactured in week 31 of 2012. This tire as well as other three showed signs of premature wear and deterioration. Have purchase receipt and warranty to support the claim of premature wear and deterioration. Have the tire and car also. Photographs are available and have been uploaded to a google's data base for "Firestone centrifugal tire explosion."

- Newton, NJ, USA

problem #13

Dec 102014

Accord

  • 199,100 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Honda Accord equipped with winrun R380 tires (na), size: 215/60R16 (na). While driving approximately 65 mph, the tires shook and vibrated. The contact discovered that both front tires were worn down to the threads. The tires were not replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate vehicle failure mileage was 199,100 and the tire failure mileage was 9,100.

- Rialto, CA, USA

problem #12

May 282010

Accord

  • miles
On the 28th of may I was traveling 60 mph (the speed limit) and my back passenger tire blew out and I lost control of my car. I stopped when the back passenger corner rammed into a cement railing. The back bumper, side paneling, wheel tire and trunk hood were all damaged and needed to be replaced. I do not know what caused the tire to blowout.

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #11

Feb 242009

Accord

  • miles
Second complaint for tires, since dot number different on second tire. Lost pressure, and out of round. Sidewall is dry-rotted at not quite 40,000 on a 60,000 mile warranty. Pireli P6 four season, P205 60/R16. Will try to get satisafaction on warranty.

- Woodbury, NJ, USA

problem #10

Feb 242008

Accord

  • miles
I drive a 2003 Honda Accord ex. Bought 2 new pirelli P6 four season tires, P205/60R16. Started getting flat all of a sudden recently. Have 35,000 on a 60,000 tire. Was told by mechanic I need to replace them as the side walls have rotted out. Dangerous for me, as I commute 50 miles each way each day on a rough highway in NJ. Will try to get some satisfaction on the warranty.

- Woodbury, NJ, USA

problem #9

Mar 172008

Accord 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 27,590 miles
I wish to lodge a complaint against Michelin tire company. About 4,000 miles ago I installed two Michelin 20560V16 front tires on my car. Yesterday, while parked, the sidewall of the front right tire (dot-M37R-jlfx-1106) simply burst leaving a 2-3 in. Gap. I had to replace both front tires in order not to have a tread imbalance. After a long and tedious telephone conversation with Michelin customer service, they maintained, without checking the state of the tire, that this is not a manufacturing or other defect, and thus would not be covered by the standard manufacturer warranty. They added that it was due to misuse, since the tire was installed on a car!!! as if their manufacturing responsibility extends only to brand new tires while still in the shop, prior to installation on a car. They then offered "as a good will" (as they claim) only 30% reduction on tire replacement only (no reimbursement of labor associated with tire replacement), which I have refused, given the near-new state of the tire. Other than indicating that there may be a safety problem with these Michelin tires, do I have a recourse against such a flagrant failure to honor a clear defect responsibility?

- Washington, DC, USA

problem #8

Jan 012008

Accord

  • miles
Michelin energy mxv4 plus tires with radial xse size P205/65R15 oem tires on Honda Accord ex V6. Vehicle is kept to date on maintenance, regularly rotated, balanced, air checked. Car is handled conservatively and tire has low miles. Driver has clean driving record. 1) these tires have been the cause of a constant, harrowing hydroplaning on any wet or iced surfaces over the last 4 years. 2) two tires had side walls blown on negligible shallow pot-holes on different occasions, in 2005, and in Aug.2006. 3) latest surprise: Now at 23,000 miles, 2 front tires threads are completely worn, and back tires also worn enough to warrant replacement. At 23,000 miles! these tires are defective safety hazards and should be recalled.

- Cambridge, MA, USA

problem #7

Jul 172004

Accord 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 12,636 miles
2003 Honda Accord recall on tranmission. Consumer learned of recall on the internet. Recall automatic transmission second gear inspection was performed. Alarm key remote no range, must be right up on car to work. Front brake noise and/or judder. Front brake discs were refinished and new front brake pads. Tires were rotated and and rear brake service was performed.

- Smithtown, NY, USA

problem #6

Oct 012004

Accord 6-cyl

  • miles
Brake failure. Primarily a complaint about Michelin tires. The tire had poor grip in the rain. The consumer stated when he slammed on the brakes, the vehicle slowed very gradually only because the consumers foot was off the gas pedal and the vehicle coasted, approximately 2-3 seconds later, the brakes applied very gently. The consumer as well as the mechanic at the dealership believed there was a momentary failure of the ABS.

- Lincoln, NE, USA

problem #5

Sep 092004

Accord 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 18,000 miles
Dear sir/madam, when my wife drove the car on local road under 50 mph, one rear tire exploded suddenly. (the road was clean). The car we have is Honda Accord 2003. The tire has 60% usage under warranty. We went to a local authorized Michelin tire dealer to get it checked and replaced. The dealer checked the tired and found the side wall of the rear tire blew up. The dealer think it is a defective tire. We are scared of the Michelin tire and got replaced with four new Goodyear tires. We and the dealer called Michelin later and they told us even though it was a defect tire, we could not get any credit/discount back on the replacement since it was another brand. But who would pick the same brand after it just blew up. We are very disappointed with the quality of the Michelin tire as well as their response. Luckily the tire exploded on local road. If it were on freeway, it could be very dangerous. So we are writing to fail a complaint to you.

- Newport Coast, CA, USA

problem #4

Jul 192004

(reported on)

Accord 6-cyl

  • miles
Problems with anti lock brake system on 2003 Honda Accord ex. While braking abruptly the consumer indicated that it took the brakes 3-4 seconds before the responded. Once they did the vehicle came to a slow stop and the vehicle came within inches of hitting another vehicle. The consumer was not satisfied with the performance of the V-rated energy Michelin tires. The consumer indicated that he tires performed poorly in the rain and snow. The consumer purchased new B.F. goodrich traction T/a radial all season tires. The consumer likes the performance of these tires but they make noise while driving.

- Lincoln, NE, USA

problem #3

Jan 132004

Accord 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 13,000 miles
Tire failure while driving on highway.

- Aquebogue, NY, USA

problem #2

Jul 262003

Accord 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
My name is [xxx] and I purchased a 2003 Honda Accord coupe ex (2-door coupe) from the madison Honda dealer located in madison, NJ in April of 2003. A few months after I purchased my new car I realized that my car was pulling to the right side of the road. I took my car into Honda and they rotated my tires telling me that the problem wasn't an alignment issue but balancing of the tires. I drove my car and realized that is was pulling to the left side of the road, I took my car in again and they re-rotated and balanced my tires. After that, my car started pulling to the right side of the road. I then took my car in again stating that I wanted to have the tires checked out as it appeared that the problem followed the tires. They said the tires were fine and there was something off in my front suspension that they re-adjusted. I drove my car after the adjustment to discover that the car still pulled to the right side of the road. I took it in yet again and drove with a mechanic who told me that this was normal for all 2003 Accord to pull to the right side of the road and there was nothing more that they could do as my car was within their specifications. Not being satisfied I kept requesting to speak to more individuals within the Honda organization only to be told they would do nothing more, that pulling to the right is normal on all cars. I am not satisfied with the answer that Honda had given me and I wanted to raise this issue to the national security council as I think this is a very serious risk if my car is pulling to the right side of the road. I could be putting not only myself at danger but others on the road around me. Any response would be appreciated. Thanks! information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Madison, NJ, USA

problem #1

Sep 092003

Accord 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 2,500 miles
I am driving a 2003 Honda Accord exl-V6 sedan. My major complaint is with the Michelin tires on this car. I called Honda on the advice of [xxx] (service manager) at pompano Honda and he can be reached at [xxx]. basically, when driving in wet weather the tires have no traction and it feels like you are driving on ice.I have had 2 incidents where I lost complete control of the vehicle and the back tires spun out almost causing a collision with the car next to me. I called Honda at 1-800-999-1009 to register my complaints. They were reluctant to address my concerns but said that a representative would call me. I did receive a call on 09/09/2003 from a person called [xxx] at [xxx]. I believe his last name is something like [xxx]. I registered these most serious complaints with him but not only was he exceptionally rude but he also literally hung up on me. He sort of laughed when I mentioned that I would notify NHTSA. The other issues include the brakes on my car which pompano Honda intend on reoplacing front and rear due to some inherent defects. I ask that you look into this as well. The final complaint includes the poor finish and squeaks and rattles in the vehicle. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Sunrise, FL, USA