Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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).
(Please check the attached full complaint letter) I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to bring to your attention a concerning matter regarding my experience with the American Honda Motor Company. As a loyal consumer and a law-abiding citizen, I believe it is crucial to address issues that impact consumers and the general public. Since 2013, I have been trying to resolve a critical issue with my brand-new Honda Accord car I bought from Honda. Unfortunately, American Honda company didn't resolve the issue that affected my car and hundreds of thousands of the same cars' owners that they sold in NJ and in 22 salt belt states. My argument with the American Honda company is that they have a major design issue with their front left and right axles for Honda Accord cars that have been manufactured since 2003.
I bought this vehicle at 130k miles and it had a regular maintenance. Since then it feels like there's no power, it revs high when it shouldn't, feels like the gears aren't shifting when they should, hard shifting.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Honda Accord. While driving 35 MPH, the engine caught fire and the radio turned on and off. The instrument panel lights flashed and the speedometer increased to the highest number. The contact merged the vehicle to the side of the road and noticed smoke under the hood. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 117,000.
I was driving southbound in peabody, massachusetts on 128 almost on to 95 when at centennial drive exit when my vehicle, without warning, slowed from 60 MPH to 30 MPH , I put on hazards as car went from 30 MPH to 10 MPH to dead all in a matter of 45 seconds tops. It was around 12 pm and traffic was moderate to heavy. Cars behind me were forced to slow at a significant rate, luckily a pile up did not occur as the likelihood of such a accident was extremely possible with one driver not fully present I don't want to imagine the possibilities. I was able to semi slide car into breakdown lane safely enough and aaa came 1 hour latter as they listed my call a priority call.. I had car towed to home town and mechanic went through car in its entirety to discover that transmission needed to be replaced. …
Hi! As you can see, I am an owner of a Honda Accord 2003. I have recently taken it for a replacement of the passenger airbag. While I was doing some research, I found that this specific year and model, had some other issues or recalls too. For example, the transmission system. His caught my attention since I think I do have a problem probably related to it. I bought this car in May last year, from an acquaintance, and soon after, I noticed a shaking in the gas pedal, every time I was accelerating between 25 to 35 MPH (city and highway). The shaking always go away when I stop speeding it for a second, and then continue to accelerate. It happens again and again. It first, and because the check engine turn on, I took it to the mechanic, and I was told that I needed to replace the catalytic. Well, I did it and...the problem persisted. Am I in danger here?. OK, I will wait for your response. …
Car won't start even with the key in it. Didn't have this problem before, along with the airbag light is now on. Prior to bringing the car to Honda Accord dealer for the other recalls none of this was a problem. Now my car makes a sound while I'm driving like a rattle sound along with the airbag light being on. The other day I started the car and only the lights and everything else turns on but the car engine won't start. It's problem after problem now that I brought it to them for recall. The vehicle was only driven to work and back from the time I took it to them. Then I hen I tried to drive it again the car wouldn't start, and airbag light is on. I took it to them and they worked on 4 things according to the recall however more things seems to be the problem and they didn't do all that.
My car is burning or leaking excessive amounts of oil ...within a 2 year period I've replaced 2- 02 sensors and 2 -catalytic converters. This has lead to replacement of my entire exhaust system as well (Honda suggested). I have to literally carry around a gallon of oil in my trunk due to excessive oil burning/leakage. I've spoken to Honda many times but noone seems to know why its burning so much oil, I was told high mileage and to use a thicker grade of oil. I don't have money to keep this up. I like my car but I'm very unhappy and frustrated, please help..this has been an ongoing problem and I'm just finding out that others have been having the same issues. I have "some" documentation but not much, I was unaware this was an issue with more than myself. Please help.
I was driving the car and the power steering pump went out and a week later my transmission started slipping then all of a sudden my car wouldn't go into gears and the transmission stopped working completely. It will work for 5 min then it completely won't go in any gear. I had to have it towed home. It was on the road on the bypass and I started acting up then it stopped working completely when I went to get off of work and wouldn't go in to gear at all after that. So I had to have it towed home. I had it looked at by a local mechanic and he said the car had a recall on multiple things for me to look into it because it was gonna cost around 2000 to fix everything.
The airbag light turned on when I was driving the highway, no reason as to why it would turn on because I didn't get into a wreck or crash at all. I've had this car for about a year, bought it from a previous owner they had said it was in perfect condition. So irritated because I use this car every single day to drive to work and from and I also take my daughter to her doctors appointments in this vehicle. Ii don't want the airbags going off while I'm driving and possibly crash because I will sue. The engine light is always on since like a week into buying the car and I took it to a mechanic but it still turns on.
While slowing down to stop at light in traffic and car just stopped and almost got hit by cars in my rear . I heard a loud boom and car(car mileage at 131239 )wouldn't move .it also wouldnt go in to park and there was grinding sound when trying to put in park . Had car towed to find out its was transmission ,paid 1895.00.now here I am 7/27/2015 and the same thing happen (car mileage at 153000) . How is Honda not have a recall on these cars. It is dangerous and I see so many complaints about this problem with this car .I spent alot or money to have a car continue to need transmission fixed at $2000 cost .
Engine complaints in other Accord years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2003 Honda Accord?
NHTSA has 146 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2003 Honda Accord, 7% of the model year's 1,987 complaints. The component named most often is exhaust system › emission control › catalytic convertor (17 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Honda Accord engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling 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 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 99,000 miles, and 20% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 3 fires and 3 injuries to engine & cooling 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.