Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (wheels, lug nuts, original-equipment tires, TPMS).
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).
The contact owns a 2003 Honda Accord. The contact stated while attempting to park the vehicle, she placed the vehicle in reverse to straighten the vehicle however, the steering wheel was making a clicking sound. The contact was able to turn the steering wheel however, the vehicle failed to respond. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact also stated the front passenger's side wheel was making a clicking sound. The contact stated that the wheel was fractured from the lug. The vehicle was not diagnosed; however, the wheel was replaced. The contact notified the local dealer of the sound coming from the steering wheel; however, the contact was informed that if the steering was removed, there air bags might not function properly. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
I was going back home from work at 5:50 am in the morning in my Honda Accord. I lost control over my car and hit side walk and a mail box on the right side of the road my car toppled on the left side. The driver side window was under my feet as the car toppled and the passenger side door window was on the top of my head as I was standing in the a toppled car. To come out of the car I removed the head rest from the drivers seat and started hitting the window glass to break it with metal part of the head rest. I hit it as hard possible, I brought the head rest down to my knees to gather force, distance and speed so that the window glass can be broken and I can come out. I tried for few minutes but the window glass did not break. I want bring it to the attention of you all that if a window glass cannot be broken with metal in case of emergency in the car. …
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. …
My daughter had just left the house, she was maybe 1/4 mile from the house and she said it felt like her steering wheel locked up so she started hitting the brakes. She was headed into a curve but the car would not turn so she crashed into an embankment which slung the passenger side of the car into a tree. Both airbags deployed. She had 5 staples in her head, a concussion, a bruised lung, and some pelvic bleeding. She is still recovering from the concussion. I believe it was the air bag that caused the most physical damage to her head. But I can not understand what cut the gash in her head.
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.
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. …
This vehicle has been defective from the outset. The wrong lug nuts were on the wheels. I got a ride of vibration for 13,000 miles and 25 trips to the dealership and independent tire shops. This was followed by a differential which failed and two transmissions after the original for a total of three. I never got one mile of the new car ride a new car would normally provide. Countless trips and stop gap repairs ,I am now afraid to take a trip. I have asked Honda for a new car three time including Japan and they have declined 'stating they cover the 3rd transmission with a warranty and have helped. I have been stranded 5 times the many trips to culver city from van nuys were not all documented as\ the work orders were redacted by [redacted], who Honda claims since have been released(fired).I have invoices of over almost 5 1/2 inches wide collectively. …
We purchased 4 new tires from merchant tires in thomasville, nc on 7/7/07. On 9/8/08 we had to replace a tire because of a valve stem failure which the company didn't tell us. The tire had a bulge on the side wall because they were low profile tires and my wife didn't notice the tire was low because of the valve stem. From her driving on the tire it caused the side wall damage. My wife tried fix a flat but she said the valve stem was barley hanging on so she could use fix a flat. After that incident a week later on 9/14/08 I had to take another tire to merchants to get fixed and this time it wasn't damaged and I was told by merchants it was a valve stem and that was all it needed. Today 10/10/08 I noticed a warning issue on merchants website issued because of dill valve stems. I asked them how do I get a refund for the tire I had to replace because of the tire. …
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. …
Low-mileage Honda Accord's front end front end anti-sway bar's link connectors broke and sway bar was disconnected from the wheels creating a dangerous driving condition; especially normal driving into turns and curves! American Honda refused to discuss the safety issues and only stated my car was "out-of-warranty". This problem of the losses of both anti-sway bar connectors is difficult to detect; only a soft scraping noise warned me of the danger. I purchased this Accord new and have driven it carefully for the 20,700 miles. I am concerned about the general public's awareness of this hidden Honda Accord problem before their front end wheels snap or bend causing accidents and/or fatalities!
Wheel & Tire complaints in other Accord years
Frequently asked questions
How common are wheel & tire problems on the 2003 Honda Accord?
NHTSA has 31 complaints about the wheels & tires of the 2003 Honda Accord, 2% of the model year's 1,987 complaints. The component named most often is sidewall (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Honda Accord wheel & tire problems?
No. NHTSA lists no wheels & tires 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 wheel & tire problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 21,000 miles, and 53% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 7 crashes, 0 fires and 4 injuries to wheels & tires 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.