Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2003 Honda Accord owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
After car had leaking valve cover gaskets replaced the TCS and BRAKE indicator lights illuminated. Couldn't reset. All fuses and light bulbs were good. E-brake limit switch OK, brake pedal switch ok but had small crack so REPLACED. TCS, BRAKE light went off then returned within 3 mins now with ( ! ) indicator light illuminated. Made appt with Honda Dealer however 2 days before appt vehicle lost traction at 50 mph brakes went to floor vehicle began to fishtail and driver was unable to correct steering or brake. This lead to a solo vehicle accident off the side of road.
Tl* the contact owned a 2003 Honda Accord. While driving at approximately 5 MPH, the vehicle independently accelerated causing the vehicle to crash into a house. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained injuries to the head and right eye which required medical attention. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000. .. Updated 02/19/15 updated 02/20/15
I was on an old six-lane highway where the speeds were 45-50 MPH. My car suddenly fully accelerated, just as if I had floored the accelerator. I was unable to brake it to a full stop without hitting the car ahead of me or going through a red light and fortunately I was able to drive it part way onto a median strip and throw it into park and then shut off the engine. No one was injured and there was no damage to the car. A passing taxi driver checked the engine and said the throttle was stuck fully open. He was able to fix the throttle and drove the car off the highway, where I waited for a tow truck. My mechanic ran computer diagnostics on the car but could find no problem. He was also unable to reproduce the problem until one of his staff experienced it while backing up the car. The only thing he could propose was to replace the throttle body, which did not appear to need replacing. …
While pulling out of parking space with vehicle in reverse the vehicle suddenly accelerated causing me to crash into another vehicle parked in the same lot.I am an assistant service manager for a Toyota dealership and I am totally aware of sudden acceleration problems re recent Toyota problems, my mats were not involved [as were some found with the Toyota problems] and I am 100% sure that my ,foot was on the brake and not the gas pedal . There were no injuries, however the rear of my car has quite a,bit of damage.. I noticed a slight similar problem the week before but that did not continue so I discounted it. When the vehicle leaves the collision shop, I will have my technician fully check this problem out, as he is very familiar with this condition re: previously mentioned Toyota problems of the same nature.
On backing into a spot in a private parking lot I struck a short steel post. I then moved forward, the backed again to park, however, the car shot back and kept ramming the post. I shifted into d with foot on the brake thinking I had a problem only in r, but the car shot forward and, in 5 seconds, entered the roadway, rammed a taxi, crossed the road, entered a sidewalk area, took out 2 lampposts and was finally stopped by hitting a car parked at the curb. In the entire episode, my foot never left the brake as skid marks attested. Unfortunately, I did not have the presence of mind to turn the key off. The impression given was the car was attempting to reach a cruise control speed which was normally set for approximately 110kph (68mph).
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Honda Accord. The contact started the ignition and when shifting into drive, the vehicle suddenly lunged forward. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and they were unable to duplicate the problem. The technician recommended the vehicle be diagnosed by an authorized dealer. On a separate occasion, the vehicle unexpectedly accelerated and failed to slow down. The vehicle traveled onto the sidewalk and crashed into three nearby poles. There was no personal injury. A police report was not filed for the crash. The vehicle was towed to a collision center and the cause on failure had not yet been determined. The manufacturer was made aware of the defect. The failure mileage was 114,000.
My daughter drives a 2003 Honda Accord. While driving approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle accelerated independently. She stomped on the brake pedal and felt soft underfoot.the brakes slowed the car but did not stop the car. My daughter took an immediate right turn into an empty parking lot and pulled the keys from the car. The car coasted to a stop. In addition, when the engine was turned off and restarted, the rpms accelerated while the vehicle was in park. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where the cause of the failure was undetermined.the dealer says that they can not find anything wrong with the car and that mechanics drove the car and were unable to reproduce the problem.
Tl contact owns a 2003 Honda Accord. While driving 65 MPH, the accelerator pedal became stuck while turning into the driveway. The failure caused the contact to crash into her neighbor's house. She sustained severe bladder damage and her grandson, seated in the rear seat, sustained injuries to the head, nose, mouth, and eyes. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who determined that the cause of failure was due to three fractured struts. Her neighbor's home and her vehicle endured property damage. A police report was filed. She has not notified the dealer or the manufacturer. A valid VIN was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 41,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while reversing, the vehicle suddenly accelerated without warning. The contact shifted into park and the vehicle continued to accelerate. The vehicle came to a stop when it crashed into a bush area. The contact did not receive any injuries. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 160,000. Updated 03/06/12 updated 03/13/12
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Honda Accord. While driving approximately 15 MPH, the vehicle accelerated independently. The brake pedal was depressed and the vehicle was placed into park. In addition, when the engine was turned off and restarted, the rpms accelerated while the vehicle was in park. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where the cause of the failure was undetermined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 54,000.
Acceleration complaints in other Accord years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2003 Honda Accord?
NHTSA has 81 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2003 Honda Accord, 4% of the model year's 1,987 complaints. The component named most often is accelerator pedal (10 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Honda Accord acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for the 2003 Honda Accord, though it has 13 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2003 Honda Accord acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 90,000 miles, and 23% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 18 crashes, 1 fire and 14 injuries to speed control & acceleration problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.