Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
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.
My daughter was driving her 2003 Honda Accord under sunny skies and good road conditions. As she slowed and made a slight right hand turn to enter an exit ramp off of I-26 outside of charleston sc, the brakes locked up pulling her towards the concrete barrier on her right hand side. She instictively pulled the car back to the left. At this time the brakes released and she went into the left concrete barrier. Both her and a friend who was riding with her were not seriously hurt. The car sustained approximately $4,900 in damages. She estimated that she was going 40 MPH at the time when the brakes locked up. The brakes have not been looked at in detail yet. After repairs we will have them inspected. Looking into the history of the 2003 Accord showed me that this model has a long history of brake problems with many people complaining. …
The front brakes on my wife's 2003 Accord lx are the problem. We bought the car new in nov. 2002. No problems for the first year, then in nov. 2003 we noticed a growling or grinding sound with vibration emanating from the front brakes when stopping the first few times after a cold start. Under these conditions, the car did not seem to stop as smartly as it should. Took it to the dealer at 24000 miles, who diagnosed the problem as cracked front pads. Pads were replaced as a courtesy, though they are not covered under warranty, and the rotors were resurfaced. Last week, the problem reappeared in a panic stop situation in stop-and go traffic, 3 blocks after a cold start. The car now has 33K miles. Same grinding sound, same vibration, and not enough braking power to stop the car from 20 MPH in a safe distance. …
Tl* the contact owned a 2003 Honda Accord. While driving at an unknown speed, the contact crashed into another vehicle and the brakes became disengaged. (brakes disengaged before crash) the other vehicle pulled out in front of the contact's vehicle, which resulted in a crash. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact and the front passenger were injured. The driver of the other vehicle was also injured. Medical attention was not received.( informed by other driver, he did go to the er. His name is [redacted]) a police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified (they were notified of the airbag failure) . The approximate failure mileage was 76,000. Updated 2/3/15 updated 08/28/2017
The ABS system seemed to "over reacted" during a panic stop situation, causing me to hit the car in front of me. It felt like the braking pressure was being significantly reduced even though I had my foot to the floor on the brake pedal. I feel that if the ABS system had not engaged and backed off the brakes, I would have stopped in time. Also, only the passenger side airbag went off, even though I hit the car in front of me at less than 5 MPH. It should not have gone off, but if it "thought" that it was a severe crash, why didn't my airbag go off? I would like for you to check the ABS system to insure that this does not happen to anyone else. Please contact me asap to let me know if this is possible. Thank you.
When first braking after the car sits overnight, the brake pedal is hard and with it in reverse it backs up and cant be stopped without pumping the brakes . Wife backed into car in driveway and dented the trunk lid on the Honda. Thought it was one time deal, but it happened 3 more times. Took it to dealer and they had TSB on and fixed it. Brake hose would collapse and cause failure. They put a new hose part 7185473, I called Honda, they would not fix dent because it was not a recall, it was a TSB. This was a dangerous situation and I should have been notified.. Their attitude was it was my fault that the brakes did not work and will not repair the trunk damage. What do I do???
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.
I purchased this vehicle approximately 2 years ago. Since I bought it, the brakes have been "soft." in order to come to a complete stop I have to press the brake pedal to the floor. It feels squishy. While I am stopped, the car wants to creep forward if I release the pedal even the smallest amount from the floor. I have had the brakes bled once with no improvement. This has been going on for as long as I have owned the vehicle.
Tl contact owns a 2003 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 70 MPH, the front wheel brake pads failed. The failure recurred on multiple occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the brake drum failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 144,021. The VIN was unavailable.
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.
Brake complaints in other Accord years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2003 Honda Accord?
NHTSA has 172 complaints about the brakes of the 2003 Honda Accord, 9% of the model year's 1,987 complaints. The component named most often is foundation components › disc › rotor (63 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Honda Accord brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes 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 brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 12,000 miles, and 72% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 16 crashes, 0 fires and 9 injuries and 1 death to brakes 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.