2003 Honda Accord

Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues

Power train is the leading concern among 2,013 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the highest complaint count among 25 Accord model years with reports.

Complaints by model year
  1. 2,013

Of the 2003 reports, 158 involved a crash and 19 involved a fire. 157 people were injured and 1 person died.

Primary concernPower train926 reports · 46% of complaints
Owner complaints2,013Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship24 safety recallsNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Power train926
  2. Air bags324
  3. Service brakes175
  4. Hydraulic146
  5. Electrical system143
  6. Engine and engine cooling95
  7. Steering91
  8. Vehicle speed control81

Recalls and investigations

  1. Vehicle speed control, accelerator pedalOct 10, 2019

    Dorman Products, Inc. (Dorman) is recalling certain Accelerator Pedal Assemblies part numbers 699-114 and 825-5029-1, sold as replacement parts for 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2004-2008 Acura TL and TSX, 2003-2007 Honda Accord, 2005-2006 Honda CR-V, 2007-2011 Honda Element, 2005-2008 Honda Pilot and 2006-2014 Honda Ridgeline vehicles. The rotating portion of the accelerator pedal assembly may bind. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 124, "Accelerator Control Systems."

    If the accelerator pedal binds, the engine may not quickly return to idle after the pedal is no longer pressed, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Dorman will notify owners, and qualified service facilities will replace the affected accelerator pedal assemblies, free of charge. The recall began December 9, 2019. Owners may contact Dorman customer service at 1-800-523-2492, using option 5. Dorman's number for this recall is AS1019XXXX.

    Campaign 19E068000 on NHTSA.gov

  2. Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleJun 27, 2019

    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2012 RL, 2003-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

    An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal airbag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are E5D and X5C.

    Campaign 19V501000 on NHTSA.gov

  3. Air bags, frontal, driver side, inflator moduleJun 27, 2019

    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2003-2006 MDX, 2001-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot and 2006 Ridgeline vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with driver frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

    An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are Q5A and Y58.

    Campaign 19V499000 on NHTSA.gov

  4. Air bags, frontal, driver side, inflator moduleMar 6, 2019

    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling specific 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2013-2016 ILX, 2013-2014 ILX Hybrid, 2003-2006 MDX, 2007-2016 RDX, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 TL, 2010-2013 ZDX and 2001-2007 and 2009 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2007 and 2010-2011 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. The affected vehicles received a replacement driver air bag inflator as part of a previous Takata inflator recall remedy or a replacement driver air bag module containing the same inflator type as a service part. Due to a manufacturing error, in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver frontal air bag, these inflators may explode.

    An explosion of an inflator within the driver frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver, front seat passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began April 10, 2019. Honda owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is O41. Acura owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's number for this recall is U40.

    Campaign 19V182000 on NHTSA.gov

  5. Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleApr 26, 2018

    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2012 Honda Accord and Pilot, 2010 Accord Crosstour, 2001-2011 Civic, 2002-2011 CR-V, 2003-2004, 2006-2008 and 2011 Element, 2007 and 2009-2013 Fit, 2010-2012 Insight, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2012 Ridgeline vehicles. The front passenger air bag may have been installed incorrectly during replacement.

    An incorrectly installed air bag may deploy improperly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

    Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began June 22, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are K1P, and M1O.

    Campaign 18V268000 on NHTSA.gov

  6. Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleMar 30, 2017

    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003 Honda Accord Coupe vehicles, equipped with a four-cylinder engine. If the passenger frontal air bag module has been replaced, such as after a crash necessitating frontal air bag deployment, the replacement air bag module may include a Takata air bag inflator. These inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to lower absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

    An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle and replace any Takata inflator used in the passenger frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin May 1, 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is KF0.

    Campaign 17V220000 on NHTSA.gov

  7. Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleJun 15, 2015

    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2001-2005 Honda Civic vehicles manufactured March 21, 2000, to January 20, 2005, 2001-2004 Honda Civic GX vehicles manufactured June 14, 2000, to August 19, 2004, 2003-2005 Honda Civic Hybrid vehicles manufactured February 24, 2002, to January 18, 2005, 2003-2007 Honda Accord vehicles manufactured February 21, 2002, to August 28, 2007, 2002-2004 Honda CR-V vehicles, 2002-2003 Honda Odyssey vehicles manufactured June 19, 2001, to July 12, 2003, 2003 Acura MDX vehicles manufactured September 19, 2002, to June 19, 2003, 2003 Honda Element vehicles manufactured June 25, 2002, to July 31, 2003, and 2003 Honda Pilot vehicles manufactured November 26, 2001, to August 21, 2003. The affected vehicles have a passenger side frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture upon its deployment.

    In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the passenger seat occupant or other occupants possibly causing serious injury or death.

    Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are JU4, JU5, JU6, and JU7. Note: Vehicles that have already received a replacement passenger air bag inflator as part of the recall remedy for an earlier campaign such as 14V353 or 14V700 (Honda recall numbers S95, JH6, JH7, JH8, JH9, JJ0, JJ1, JJ2, JJ6, JM5 and JM6) are not included in this recall. However, this recall does supersede 13V132 and 14V349. Note: On December 18, 2015 Honda informed NHTSA of an expansion of this recall to include certain model year 2004 Honda CR-V vehicles in addition to additional model year 2003 CR-V vehicles.

    Campaign 15V370000 on NHTSA.gov

  8. Air bags, frontal, driver side, inflator moduleMay 28, 2015

    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2001-2007 Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2001-2004 Honda Civic GX, 2003-2005 Honda Civic Hybrid, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2006 Ridgeline, 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2003-2006 Acura MDX, and 2002-2003 Acura 3.2TL vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion and other factors, including manufacturing variability that, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.

    In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Owners may contact Acura customer service at 1-800-382-2238, select option 4. Note: Vehicles that have had their driver frontal air bag replaced previously as part of a recall remedy prior to September 12, 2014 need to have their air bag replaced under this recall as well. Vehicles that, on or after September 12, 2014, received a remedy for a prior driver frontal air bag inflator recall already received an inflator of a different design, and therefore are not included in this recall and do not require additional servicing. Note: This recall fully supersedes recalls 08V-593, 09V-259, 10V-041, 11V-260, 14V-351 and 15V-153. Honda's numbers for this recall are JQ9, JR0, JR1, JR2, JR3, JR4, JR5, JR6, JR7, and JR8.

    Campaign 15V320000 on NHTSA.gov

  9. Air bagsNov 4, 2014

    American Honda Motor Co. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2001-2005 Honda Civic, 2003-2004 Civic CNG and Element, 2002-2005 CR-V, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2005 Accord, Pilot, Civic Hybrid, and Acura MDX, 2005 Acura RL and 2006 Honda Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in geographic locations associated with high absolute humidity. Specifically, vehicles sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Saipan, Guam, and American Samoa are addressed by this recall. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

    In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger’s frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

    Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 26, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.

    Campaign 14V700000 on NHTSA.gov

  10. Air bagsJun 20, 2014

    American Honda Motor Company, Inc.'s (Honda) is conducting a limited regional recall for certain model year 2003-2005 Accord, Civic, CR-V, Pilot and Acura MDX, model year 2003-2004 Odyssey and Element, and model year 2005 Acura RL, and 2006 Honda Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or ever registered in California, and equipped with Takata-brand air bag inflators. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

    In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger’s frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

    Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inflators in all affected vehicles, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during August 2014. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.

    Campaign 14V353000 on NHTSA.gov

  11. Steering, hydraulic power assist, hose, piping, and connectionsMay 17, 2012

    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.

    If this occurs, power steering fluid can leak onto a hot catalytic converter, leading to smoke and possibly an under-hood fire.

    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.

    Campaign 12V222000 on NHTSA.gov

  12. Electrical system, ignitionAug 5, 2010

    HONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2003 HONDA ACCORD, CIVIC TWO AND FOUR DOOR, AND MODEL YEAR 2003-2004 HONDA ELEMENT VEHICLES. THE INTERLOCK LEVER OF THE IGNITION SWITCH MAY UNEXPECTEDLY DEFORM, WHICH CAN ALLOW THE INTERLOCK FUNCTION OF A VEHICLE WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION TO BE DEFEATED.

    REMOVAL OF THE IGNITION KEY WHEN THE GEAR SELECTOR OF A VEHICLE WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HAS NOT BEEN SHIFTED TO THE PARK POSITION CAN ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO ROLL AWAY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

    DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE ORIGINAL INTERLOCK PIN AND LEVER WITHIN THE IGNITION SWITCH, AND REPLACE THEM WITH NEW, DESIGNED COMPONENTS. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 7, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009.

    Campaign 10V364000 on NHTSA.gov

  13. Exterior lighting, headlightsMay 11, 2009

    DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

    DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

    DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

    Campaign 09E025000 on NHTSA.gov

  14. Exterior lightingApr 7, 2009

    SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

    DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

    SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

    Campaign 09E012000 on NHTSA.gov

  15. Exterior lighting, headlightsAug 11, 2008

    K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

    WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

    K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.

    Campaign 08E050000 on NHTSA.gov

  16. Visibility, windshield wiper/washer, motorApr 11, 2008

    HONDA IS RECALLING 351,000 MY 2003 ACCORD VEHICLES. IF WATER ENTERS THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR BREATHER PORT, WHICH IS DESIGNED TO ALLOW THE MOTOR TO VENT WARM AIR DURING NORMAL OPERATION, IT CAN RESULT IN CORROSION INSIDE THE MOTOR HOUSING. THIS CAN CAUSE A FAILURE OF THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT BREAKER INSIDE THE MOTOR HOUSING.

    IF THE CIRCUIT BREAKER FAILS, IT WILL CAUSE THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR TO BECOME INOPERATIVE, WHICH CAN INCREASE THE LIKELIHOOD OF A CRASH IN CERTAIN CONDITIONS.

    DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR FOR SIGNS OF CORROSION. IF NO SIGNS OF CORROSION ARE PRESENT, A COVER WILL BE INSTALLED OVER THE WIPER MOTOR TO PREVENT WATER FROM ENTERING THE WIPER MOTOR HOUSING. IF SIGNS OF CORROSION DAMAGE ARE OBSERVED ON THE WIPER MOTOR, THE MOTOR WILL BE REPLACED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009.

    Campaign 08V169000 on NHTSA.gov

  17. Exterior lighting, headlightsMay 17, 2007

    CERTAIN MAXZONE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES, DEPO BRAND, P/NOS. 317-1131L-AS, 317-1131R-AS, 317-1131L-US, AND 317-1131R-US, SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. DURING PRODUCTION A SLIGHT DISTORTION OF THE BEZEL CHANGED THE LUMINOUS INTENSITY OF THE TURN SIGNAL. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

    DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

    MAXZONE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR ANY NONCOMPLIANT HEADLIGHTS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 17, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MAXZONE AT 909-822-3288.

    Campaign 07E031000 on NHTSA.gov

  18. Exterior lighting, headlightsJan 16, 2007

    CERTAIN TYC HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES P/NS 20-6361-00 AND 20-6362-00 SOLD AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR 2003-2006 HONDA ACCORD PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE PHOTMETRIC WERE MISALIGNED WHICH DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

    MISALIGNMENT OF THE LIGHTS DEMINISHES FRONTAL ILLUMINATION WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

    GENERA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 26, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT GENERA AT 714-522-6688.

    Campaign 07E004000 on NHTSA.gov

  19. Exterior lightingJul 17, 2006

    CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

    LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

    TRADESONIC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TRADESONIC AT 626-934-8884.

    Campaign 06E064000 on NHTSA.gov

  20. Exterior lightingMay 8, 2006

    CERTAIN ALFAOTTO COMBINATION HEADLAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

    WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

    ALFAOTTO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE HEADLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 10, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ALFAOTTO AT 626-656-2992 OR VISIT THEIR WEBSITE AT WWW.ALFAOTTO.COM.

    Campaign 06E038000 on NHTSA.gov

  21. Exterior lightingApr 18, 2006

    CERTAIN EAGLE EYES AND SONAR HEADLIGHTS AND CORNER LIGHTS SOLD AS AFTERMARKET FOR USE ON 1988-2005 HONDA CIVIC, 1990-2005 HONDA ACCORD, AND 1990-2001 ACURA INTEGRA PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. HEADLIGHTS AND CORNER LIGHTS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

    WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

    TOM MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE PURCHASE OF NONCOMPLIANT LIGHTS. THE RECALL BEGAN APRIL 17, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOM MOTORSPORT AT 626-968-4007.

    Campaign 06E032000 on NHTSA.gov

  22. Exterior lighting, headlightsMar 21, 2006

    CERTAIN POLI-AUTO COMBINATION HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES, P/NOS. 11-728, 11-728D, 11-710, 11-419, 11-713, 11-703, 11-704, 11-708P, 11-735, 11-725, 11-726, 11-716 (P&C), 11-721-1, 11-733, 11-729, 11-730, AND 11-732, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

    WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

    POLI-AUTO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE HEADLAMPS AT ITS ORIGINAL PURCHASE PRICE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT POLI-AUTO AT 305-477-1356.

    Campaign 06E025000 on NHTSA.gov

  23. Exterior lighting, headlightsMar 13, 2006

    CERTAIN ANZO COMBINATION HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS WHICH FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

    WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

    ANZO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE HEADLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 9, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ANZO USA AT 909-468-3688.

    Campaign 06E023000 on NHTSA.gov

  24. Power train, automatic transmissionApr 15, 2004

    ON SOME MINI VANS, SPORT UTILITY AND PASSENGER VEHICLES, CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS CAN RESULT IN HEAT BUILD-UP BETWEEN THE COUNTERSHAFT AND SECONDARY SHAFT SECOND GEARS IN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, EVENTUALLY LEADING TO GEAR TOOTH CHIPPING OR GEAR BREAKAGE.

    GEAR FAILURE COULD RESULT IN TRANSMISSION LOCKUP, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

    ON VEHICLES WITH 15,000 MILES OR LESS, THE DEALER WILL UPDATE THE TRANSMISSION WITH A SIMPLE REVISION TO THE OIL COOLER RETURN LINE TO INCREASE LUBRICATION TO THE SECOND GEAR. ON VEHICLES WITH MORE THAN 15,000 MILES, THE DEALER WILL INSPECT THE TRANSMISSION TO IDENTIFY GEARS THAT HAVE ALREADY EXPERIENCED DISCOLORATION DUE TO OVERHEATING. IF DISCOLORATION EXISTS, THE TRANSMISSION WILL BE REPLACED IF DISCOLORATION IS NOT PRESENT, THE DEALER WILL PERFORM THE REVISION TO THE OIL COOLER RETURN LINE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 21, 2004, FOR PILOT, ODYSSEY, AND MDX OWNERS. OWNERS OF THE ACCORD VEHICLES WILL START RECEIVING LETTERS ON JUNE 28, 2004, AND ON JUNE 29, 2004, FOR OWNERS OF THE TL AND CL VEHICLES. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.

    Campaign 04V176000 on NHTSA.gov

Representative owner complaints: hydraulic

146 reports, newest first. Show all

  1. Steering, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Power train, Jan 1, 2013

    I AM THE FIRST OWNER OF 2003 ACCORD, EX. MY CAR HAS 113,000 MILES ON IT. ITS A WELL MAINTAINED CAR I KEPT FOR YEARS. I MUST SAY THAT THIS CAR IS EXCELLENT, HOWEVER, THERE ARE SIGNS THAT SOME PARTS ARE NOT FUNCTIONING REALLY WELL LATELY. FOR THE PAST FEW MONTHS, I NOTICED MY TCS SIGN ON THE DASHBOARD COMES ON AND OFF TOGETHER WITH THE TRIANGLE SIGN IN ORANGE. IT STARTED COMING ON AFTER I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION TO MY FIRST DESTINATION AND AFTER JUST LIKE 10-15 MINUTES AND START MY ENGINE AGAIN, IT WILL COME ON AFTER DRIVING FOR NEXT 5-10 MINUTES. ALSO, JUST TWO WEEKS AGO I NOTICED THAT THE GEAR GETS STUCK ON "PARK" MODE AND I HAVE TO PRESS THE HANDLE BEFORE IT GETS RELEASED. I AM NOT SURE IF THE GEAR HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE TCS AND TRIANGLE SHOWING ON THE DASHBOARD. ALSO, I NOTICED MY CAR HAS AN ISSUE WITH BRAKES WHEN DRIVING WHILE RAINING. I HAVE TO STEP ON THE BRAKES A FEW TIMES WHEN ITS SLIPPERY TO BE ABLE TO COME TO A FULL STOP. IT'S SO SCARY THAT I ALMOST HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME A FEW TIMES. I AM LODGING MY COMPLAIN SO THE MANUFACTURER WOULD TAKE A LOOK ON THIS ISSUE AS I FOUND ALL THE COMPLAINTS ON TCS ISSUE ON 2003 HONDA ACCORD EX ONLINE WHEN I WAS TRYING TO LOOK FOR A SOLUTION ON THE SAME ISSUE FOR MY CAR. *TR

  2. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jan 26, 2012

    2003 HONDA ACCORD. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ABS SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONING *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE ABS MALFUNCTION HAPPENED TWICE. *JB

  3. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jan 19, 2012

    FRONT BRAKE ROTORS CONTINUE TO WARP. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE INTO HONDA 4 TIMES SINCE OWNING THE VEHICLE AND THE ROTORS HAVE BEEN RESURFACED AND NEW BRAKE PADS PUT ON. THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS HAVE NEVER BEEN REPLACED. THE VIBRATION IS VERY BAD WHEN BRAKING. *TT

  4. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Power train, Dec 5, 2011

    SINCE JULY 2011 , MY 2003 HONDA ACCORD LX V6 EXPERIENCED SLUGGISH IN THE TRANSMISSION. SOMETIME, SUDDENLY, MY CAR FELT LIKE SOMEONE SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES CAUSING ME TO JERKING FORWARD. IT HAPPENED A FEW MORE TIMES, THEN IN SEPTEMBER 2011, I BROUGHT THE CAR IN THE DEALER FOR THE TRANSMISSION SERVICE. I TOLD THE DEALER SERVICE ADVISOR ABOUT THE SYMPTOM, AFTER THE DEALER FLUSHED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID, THEN TOLD ME THAT THE CAR SOMETIME SLUGGISH, REPLACED THE FLUID WILL FIXED THIS.THE PROBLEM GOT WORSE, MORE NOISE, JERKING WHEN THE CAR AUTOMATICALLY SHIFTING, IN NOVEMBER , THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM ENGAGED, AND THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT WERE ILLUMINATED.THE CAR WAS SLOW TO MOVE. BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALER AGAIN ON 11/14/2011, THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THE CAR "NEEDS LINEAR SHIFT SOLENOID AND BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH, PARTS HAD TO BE ORDERED, AND THE CAR CAN BE DRIVE !!! I DROVE THE CAR HOME, IT WAS SO BAD THAT I HAD TO LET THE CAR SIT WAITING FOR PARTS. ON 11/29/2011, THE DEALER REPLACED THE LINEAR SHIFT SOLENOID AND THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH, THEN TOLD ME THAT THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED. GOT THE CAR HOME, THE NEXT DAY , I ONLY DROVE ABOUT 5 MILES, THE NOISE AND ALL THE SYMPTOMS CAME BACK. I HAD TO BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER AGAIN. THIS TIME, THEY CONSULTED WITH THE HONDA COMPANY TECHNICAL SERVICE. AFTER SEVERAL DAYS, THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT HONDA TECHNICAL SERVICE DETERMINE THAT THE POWER TRAIN (TRANSMISSION) IS CAUSING THE PROBLEM; I NEED A TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT, AND IT COST $3900.00. CALLED HONDA CUSTOMER SERVICE TO REGISTER A COMPLAIN ABOUT HONDA SERVICE. THIS DEFINITELY NEED A RECALL. *TR

  5. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 15, 2011

    MY 2003 HONDA ACCORD HAS HAD A SHUDDER WHEN BRAKING PRACTICALLY SINCE I'VE OWNED THE CAR-BOUGHT NEW IN FEB. 2002.. MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THE BRAKES WOULD STILL WORK AND I COULD DRIVE THE CAR AS LONG AS I WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. I THOUGHT THE HONDA DEALERSHIP IN OMAHA HAD DAMAGED THE BRAKES WHILE FIXING THE ABS SYSTEM DUE TO A RECALL. I NOW SEE IT WAS PROBABLY A DESIGN FLAW--SINCE SO MANY OTHER OWNERS OF THIS MODEL HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME THING. NOW THE BRAKES NEED REPLACEMENT, AND I WILL ASK FOR NON-HONDA PARTS. I PREVIOUSLY OWNED A 1999 HONDA ACCORD, AND IT WAS WONDERFUL. THIS 2003 IS NOT--IN ADDITION TO THE BRAKE PROBLEM, THE PAINT SCRATCHES EASILY AND THE INTERIOR IS OF VERY CHEAP MATERIALS, THE AC SMELLS BAD WHEN TURNED ON, AND THE CAR HAS HAD ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS--MANY OCCURRING AFTER IT WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. I WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER HONDA VEHICLE. *TR

  6. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Oct 12, 2010

    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.

  7. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Equipment, Oct 2, 2010

    I OWN A 2003 HONDA ACCORD WHICH I'VE OWNED FOR 3 YEARS WITH IN THE LAST 3 YEARS I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE MY BRAKES ROTORS PADS AND CALIBERS 5 TIMES MY BRAKES OVER HEAT AND SOMETIMES WONT STOP THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUES TO HONDA AND THEY HAVE DONE NOTHING TO FIX IT IM AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR CAUSE I DON'T KNOW IF IM EVER GOING TO STOP EVEN AFTER HAVING TO HAD MY BRAKES REPAIRED 5 TIMES AND YET CAR STILL DOES THE SAME THING SOMEONE NEEDS TO RECALL THE BRAKES ON THIS CAR BEFORE SOMEONE DIES. *TR

  8. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 6, 2010

    2003 HONDA ACCORD EX 4 DOOR SEDAN . I HAVE HAD A SOFT,TOUCHY BRAKE PEDAL SINCE THE CAR REACHED 55,000 MILES. BEFORE THAT IT WAS PERFECT,ROCK SOLID. I TOOK IT TO THE HONDA DEALERSHIP AND THE SERVICE ADVISOR TOLD ME THAT THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG BUT THEY WOULD REPLACE THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER AND THE ABS ELECTRONIC MODULATOR UNDER MY WARRANTY. AFTER FEW DAYS THE PROBLEM DID NOT IMPROVE. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT 1/2 WAY DOWN EASILY AND THEN THE DISC BRAKES JUST LOCKED UP ALL OF A SUDDEN. THE DRIVER HAD NO REAL CONTROL OVER THE BRAKING ACTIION. I RETURNED TO THE DEALER AND THEY CALLED HONDA REPAIR AND TALKED TO A TECH. HE SAID THAT A SOFT,TOUCHY PEDAL WAS NORMAL ON THESE CARS. I TOLD THEM THAT UP TO 55,000 MILES THE BRAKES WERE PERFECT. WHAT HAD HAPPENED? THEY DID NOT KNOW. SO I HAD THEM REPLACE ALL MY PADS AND TURNED ALL ROTORS.I THEN HAD THEM BLEED THE BRAKES. THE STOPPING POWER DID INCREASE BUT THE SOFT,TOUCHY BRAKE PEDAL REMAINED. AFTER GOING BACK TO THE DEALER THE 3RD TIME TO COMPLAIN,THEY FINALLY JUST TOLD ME THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH MY BRAKES AND THEREFORE COULD NOT HELP ME. SO I WENT TO ANOTHER DEALER AND HAD THEM REBLEED MY BRAKES JUST TO BE SURE THAT THERE WAS NO AIR IN THE SYSTEM. AFTER THEY DID THAT MY BRAKE PEDAL FIRMED UP A LITTLE BIT. BUT AFTER 2-3 DAYS THE SOFT,TOUCHY PEDAL RETURNED. NO ONE AT HONDA COULD GIVE ME ANY EXPLANATION. NOW I AM READING ABOUT DEFECTS ALLOWING AIR INTO THE BRAKING SYSTEM FROM THE ABS MODULATOR AND I AM THINKING NOW THAT IT IS THE PROBLEM. IT WOULD EXPLAIN WHY MY BRAKE PEDAL WAS FINE FOR ABOUT 5 YEARS AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE BRAKE PEDAL PROBLEM APPEARED. I ALSO DROVE A NEW 2010 ACCORD EX 4 DOOR TO COMPARE THE BRAKES. THE NEW HONDA HAD A VERY FIRM,SOLID BRAKE PEDAL. SO I WENT BACK TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND TOLD THEM THAT I WANTED THEM TO FIX MY BRAKES SO THAT THEY FELT LIKE THE 2010 ACCORD'S BRAKES. I WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE ADVISOR THAT EVERYTHING WAS FINE AND THAT IT WAS MY IMAGINATION. *TR

  9. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Traction control system, Feb 3, 2010, crash

    THIS ISSUE IS RELATED TO BRAKING PERFORMANCE UNDER RAINING CONDITION. WHEN DRIVING UNDER THE RAIN, THE BRAKE PERFORMANCE IS DRAMATICALLY REDUCED. THE CAR SIMPLY SLIP AND HARDLY STOP WHEN PRESSING THE BRAKE. *TR

  10. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical system, Oct 22, 2008

    2003 HONDA ACCORD RECALL NOTICE FOR RADIO DISPLAY. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS NOT ABLE TO SEE THE RADIO STATION NUMBERS, THE TEMPERATURE ON THE AIR CONDITION OR THE HEATER. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE ROTORS WERE BAD AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *JB

  11. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Equipment, Jun 2, 2008

    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 NHTSA 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. *JB

  12. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Apr 5, 2007

    BRAKES FAIL IN REVERSE ABOVE 6000 FT WHEN CAR IS COLD. DEALER SAID THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE BY HONDA AND SAY IT CANNOT BE REPAIRED WITHOUT UPDATING CAR'S SOFTWARE WHICH HONDA REFUSES TO DO. DEALER HAS HAD MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ABOUT BRAKE FAILURE AT ALTITUDE WHEN COLD. HONDA STATES THAT THE CAR IS WORKING AS DESIGNED REGARDLESS OF THE FACT THAT THE BRAKES COMPLETELY FAIL. FAILS EVERY DAY SINCE WE HAVE MOVED. CAR NARROWLY MISSED PEDESTRIAN DUE TO BRAKE FAILURE. *JB

  13. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 22, 2007

    TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA ACCORD. ON MARCH 3, 2007 THE BRAKE SMALFUNCTIONED. A MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AS THE REAR BRAKE DRUMS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL BEGAN TO VIBRATE AND GRIND ONLY WHEN TRYING TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THIS FAILURE ORIGINALLY BEGAN IN JANUARY 2007. ON MARCH 22, 2007 THE THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALER DUE TO LOUD NOISES. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FRONT ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39541.*AK

  14. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 12, 2007

    AT ABOUT THE 12K MILES, THE BRAKES STARTED TO PULSE DURING NORMAL OPERATION. DEALER CUT DISCS AND INSTALLED NEW PADS. AT 24K MILES, SAME SITUATION. DEALER REPLACED DISC AND NEW PADS. DEALER COULD NOT RESOLVE PROBLEM. I AM A MECHANICAL ENGINEER AND AN AUTO MECHANIC. THE PROBLEM IS THE LOWER QUALITY STEEL BEING USED BY HONDA FOR THEIR DISC BRAKES. I SOLVED THE PROBLEM BY PURCHASING ($300 INCL SHP AND HANDLING) AMERICAN RACING DISC. I HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS SINCE THEN. CONCLUSION: HONDA IS USING LOW QUALITY STEEL IN THEIR DISC BRAKES AND HAS DONE NOTHING TO IMPROVE THEIR PRODUCT QUALITY. TSB ARE A POOR/CHEAP WAY TO SOLVE PROBLEMS. *NM

  15. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jan 19, 2007

    WHEN ANTI-LOCK BRAKE IS ACTIVATED, THE BRAKE IS SO WEAK AS NONE!!! VERY DANGEROUS WHEN YOU NEED BRAKE MOST AND THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE HAS NO STOPPING POWER! IT ALWAYS HAPPENS WHEN THE ROAD IS SLIPPERY. *JB

  16. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jan 12, 2007

    WITHIN A FEW MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP AFTER BUYING THIS CAR NEW MY WIFE BEGAN COMPLAINING THAT THE CAR PULSED UNDER BRAKING. AFTER ABOUT 2 YEARS AND ~ 25K MILES THE PULSING/VIBRATION GOT MUCH, MUCH WORSE SO I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHILE CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. THE DEALER TOLD ME I NEEDED TO HAVE ROTORS TURNED AND NEW PADS INSTALLED, AND THAT IT WOULD COST ME ALMOST $200. THE DEALER DID NOT TELL ME HONDA ISSUED A SERVICE TSB (TSB# 03-069) REGARDING THIS PROBLEM AND THAT THE SERVICE SHOULD BE DONE UNDER WARRANTY PER HONDA. I NEVER RECEIVED ANY NOTICE OF A TSB FROM HONDA TELLING ME THEY WERE HAVING ISSUES WITH BRAKES ON THIS VEHICLE. AS I WAS UNAWARE OF THE BRAKE PROBLEMS SPECIFIC TO THIS VEHICLE I DID NOT HAVE THE SERVICE PERFORMED AT THAT TIME BECAUSE I THOUGHT THE DEALER WAS LYING TO ME AS I HAVE NEVER HAD A CAR THAT HAD BRAKE ROTOR PROBLEMS AT ON ONLY A FEW THOUSAND MILES. NOT TELLING ME OF THE PROBLEM WAS NEGLIGENT OF THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER, SOMEONE COULD HAVE BEEN HURT OR KILLED IF THE BRAKES FAILED. TO TRY AND SOLVE THE PROBLEM I FIRST TOOK THE CAR TO A TIRE SHOP AND HAD THE WHEELS REBALANCED WHICH COST ME $50, THAT DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM SO I SPENT ANOTHER $90 ON NEW BRAKE PADS WHICH I DID MYSELF, WHICH ALSO DID NOT HELP...ANYWAY NOW AT 47K MILES THE VIBRATION THAT OCCURS WHEN NEEDING TO STOP FROM HIGHWAY SPEED IS SO SEVERE THE WHOLE CAR SHAKES, IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM ON INTERNET FORUMS AND THIS IS HOW I FOUND OUT ABOUT THE TSB, BUT MY CAR IS NOW FAR OUT OF WARRANTY, SO I NOW MUST HAVE IT FIXED MYSELF, AND IT WILL PROBABLY START TO HAPPEN AGAIN. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED, AND REPLACED WITH UPDATED AND SAFE PARTS. I HAVE NEVER HAD ANY BRAKE ROTOR PROBLEMS ON ANY CAR I EVER OWNED BEFORE THIS CAR. HONDA'S SOLUTION (EVEN IF DONE FREE UNDER WARRANTY) OF TURNING ROTORS IS A TEMPORARY FIX AT BEST AND IS UNACCEPTABLE AS THE PROBLEM WOULD HAVE RECURRED LATER. *JB

  17. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 18, 2006

    IN MAY 2003, I PURCHASED A NEW 2003 HONDA ACCORD EX. SOON AFTER, I NOTICED A STRONG VIBRATION WHEN BRAKING. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN TO A HONDA DEALER FOR SERVICE IN AUGUST 2003. THEY DETERMINED THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKE ROTORS. THIS APPEARED TO FIX THE PROBLEM, BUT A COUPLE MONTHS LATER, THE VIBRATIONS RETURNED. AGAIN, THE DEALER REPLACED THE ROTORS. ABOUT ONE YEAR LATER, THE VIBRATIONS RETURNED. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DIFFERENT DEALER AND THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG, SO THEY JUST REPLACED THE ROTORS AGAIN. THIS WAS IN JULY 2004. THIS SOLVED THE PROBLEM UNTIL MID-2006 WHEN THE VIBRATIONS STARTED AGAIN. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER DEALER. NOW ALL THEY DID THIS TIME WAS RESURFACE THE ROTORS AND CHANGE THE BRAKE PADS. THIS TIME, I HAD TO PAY $375 TO "FIX" THE PROBLEM AS IT IS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY. *JB

  18. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 13, 2006

    I'VE HAD A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES ON MY 2003 HONDA ACCORD LX, STARTING AT ABOUT 6,000 MILES. THE PROBLEM IS FRONT CALIPERS, ROTORS, AND PADS WITH A COMPLAINT OF "BRAKE JUDDER". THE CAR DOES NOT AND NEVER HAS WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE FIRST FEW THOUSAND MILES BRAKE NORMALLY. THIS NOISE AND IRREGULAR BREAKING HAPPENS IN NORMAL DRIVING AND THERE IS AN UNSTABLE FEEL TO THE BRAKES WHEN BRAKING FIRMLY IN AN EMERGENCY. I BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE HUNTINGTON HONDA DEALER 3X WITH THAT SPECIFIC PROBLEM AND WAS TOLD THEY SAW NOTHING WRONG AND ON ONLY ONE OCCASION MADE AN ADJUSTMENT AND AT THE SAME TIME TELLING ME THEY SAW NOTHING WRONG. NOW I SEE NOW THAT A TSB HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR THESE BRAKE PROBLEMS. CONSEQUENTLY, NOW THAT MY CAR IS OFF OF THE WARRANTY AND I'M READING ABOUT THOUSANDS OF OTHER ACCORD '03 OWNERS WITH THIS SAME EXACT PROBLEM. THERE SHOULD DEFINITELY BE A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS A POTENTIAL SAFETY RISK TO THE OWNERS OF THESE HONDA ACCORDS AND OTHER DRIVERS ON THE ROAD IF AN ACCIDENT OCCURRED BECAUSE OF THESE FAULTY BRAKES. NOW THAT MY CAR IS OFF WARRANTY I FEEL AS IF I HAVE LITTLE RECOURSE EVEN THOUGH I BROUGHT THIS PROBLEM TO THEIR ATTENTION THREE TIMES WHEN THE CAR WAS COVERED. SOMETHING MORE SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT THIS ISSUE WITH THE HONDA COMPANY BEFORE INJURIES OR DEATH RESULT BECAUSE OF THESE FAULTY BRAKES. I ALSO WANT TO ADD THAT I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN HONDA. PREVIOUS TO THIS ACCORD I OWNED A CIVIC AND I NEVER HAD A PROBLEM LIKE THIS. I OWNED THE CAR FOR 10 YEARS AND PUT 175, 000 MILES ON IT. I MOST LIKELY WILL NEVER BUY A HONDA AGAIN AND NEVER RECOMMEND ONE TO ANYONE ELSE. THANK YOU. *JB

  19. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Apr 27, 2006

    DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO APPLY BRAKE PRESSURE AT ALL SPEEDS THE BRAKES GRAB AND JERK AS IF THEY WERE BEING APPLIED TO HARD CAUSING THE OCCUPANTS TO GO FORWARD. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES.

  20. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 31, 2006

    DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE APPLYING BRAKE PRESSURE AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR ALMOST TOUCHING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS SEEN BY A DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE PLACEMENT OF THE BRAKE PEDAL NORMAL.

  21. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 7, 2006

    OVER THE COURSE OF 3 YEARS, WITH LESS THAN 27,000 MILES, WE HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE BRAKES ON THIS CAR TOO MANY TIMES TO REMEMBER. WE FIRST NOTICED A SQUEAKING SOUND AT 4,000 MILES WHEN RELEASING THE BRAKE PEDAL WITH THE CAR AT A COMPLETE STOP. WE TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE BRAKES CHECKED. THEY SAID THE BRAKES WERE COLD AND THE NOISE WAS NORMAL. THIS NOISE CONTINUED AND A SECOND NOISE, MUCH LOUDER AND RESEMBLING A "STICKING CALIPER" BEGAN TO OCCUR WHEN TURNING AND APPLYING THE BRAKES. THE DEALER AGAIN DID NOT FIND A PROBLEM. THIS WAS AT 11,000 MILES. LATER, ANOTHER MECHANIC SAID THERE WAS A "HOT" SPOT ON THE ROTOR FROM BRAKING TOO HARD AND THIS WAS CAUSING THE NOISE, THOUGH NO REMEDY HAS BEEN FOUND. THE BRAKES HAVE ALWAYS FELT SOFT AND THE NOISES CONTINUE, THOUGH I DO NOT BELIEVE THE DEALER EVER CHECKED THE ROTORS OR DID A PROPER INSPECTION. NOW AT 26,400 MILES THE PEDAL FEELS LIKE A SPONGE AND I AM GOING TO HAVE TO PAY SOMEONE ELSE TO CHECK THE BRAKES AGAIN. SOMETIMES THE BRAKES GRAB VERY HARD, SOMETIMES THEY SEEM NOT TO GRAB AT ALL. HONDA NEEDS TO RECALL THE CARS OR PROVIDE FREE BRAKE INSPECTIONS TO INSURE THE CAR WILL STOP AS EXPECTED. THIS IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN AND OTHERS HAVE ALSO COMPLAINED OF THE SAME PROBLEMS. THE BRAKES HAVE NOT COMPLETELY FAILED, BUT WE HAVE HAD TO ASSUME THEY WILL NOT STOP THE CAR AS THEY WERE ADVERTISED, IN A REASONABLE DISTANCE RELATIVE TO SPEED. NO PARTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED OR CORRECTIVE MEASURE COMPLETED DESPITE SEVERAL REQUESTS TO THE DEALER (MOST WHILE THE CAR WAS SUPPOSED TO BE UNDER WARRANTY). *NM

  22. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 21, 2006

    CONSUMER 2003 ACCORD BRAKES PULSATE AND GRIND WITH NO WARNING LIGHT OF BRAKE PROBLEMS. *TS THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE ROTORS. THE CONSUMER FOUND OUT THAT THIS WAS THE THIRD SET OF ROTORS REPLACED ON THE VEHICLE. THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD THE ROTORS REPLACED. SIX MONTHS AFTER THE ROTORS WERE REPLACED THE CONSUMER HEARD GRINDING NOISES AND FELT THE BRAKES PULSATING WHEN PRESSED. *NM

  23. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jan 10, 2006

    DT: THE CONTACT STATED SINCE OWNERSHIP OF THE VEHICLE THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS HAVE BEEN CHANGED TWICE. WHEN DRIVING GRINDING NOISE CAME FROM THE BRAKES. ALSO, THE BRAKES PULSATED. INTERMITTENTLY THE BRAKE PEDAL WILL HAVE TO BE DEPRESSED TO THE FLOOR THE STOP THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED THEY HAVE DETERMINED THERE WAS NO BRAKE PROBLEM. *AK

  24. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jan 9, 2006

    DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKE ROTORS FAILED MULTIPLE TIMES. WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED THERE WAS A GRINDING NOISE. SOMETIMES THE BRAKES WILL NOT WORK UNLESS FULL PRESSURE WAS APPLIED. THE WAS EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE ROTORS DUE TO WARPING. THE PROBLEM RETURNED AFTER THE REPLACEMENT. THE ROTORS WERE REPLACED BEFORE BY THE PREVIOUS OWNER. *AK

  25. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jan 8, 2006

    LEASED NEW 2003 HONDA ACCORD WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSION IN JULY, 2003. HAVE HAD MINOR, BUT IRRITATING PROBLEMS, WITH THE CAR SINCE IT'S LEASE. POWER WINDOWS ACTIVATE INTERMITTENTLY, BATTERY DIED AFTER 15,000 MILES, AND BRAKE LIGHT WENT OUT. DEALER TOOK CARE OF ALL ISSUES EXCEPT WINDOWS. THEY STILL OPERATE ON THEIR OPTION, NOT MINE. AT 29,000 MILES, HEARD GRINDING NOISE IN REAR BRAKES. TOOK CAR INTO DEALERSHIP AND THEY CLAIMED THAT IT WAS OUR FAULT FOR NOT "HAVING THE RUST REMOVED" AT 15,000 MILE CHECK-UP. NEVER HEARD OF ANYTHING LIKE THIS. WHEELS WERE NEVER REMOVED BY DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. TOOK VEHICLE TO INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR REPAIR AND FOUND THAT REAR BRAKES PADS HAD WORN DOWN UNEVENLY. PADS AND ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED ON REAR BRAKES. FRONT BRAKES ARE FINE. FROM MY READING OF THIS WEB SITE ABOUT THE PROBLEMS OTHER PEOPLE HAVE BEEN HAVING WITH THIS BRAKE SYSTEM, I AM FILING A COMPLAINT AND HOPE THAT THIS PROBLEM WILL SOON BE LOOKED INTO BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY INJURED. THIS IS OUR THIRD HONDA AND HAVE NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKE SYSTEMS AT SUCH EARLY MILEAGE. *NM