Automatic Transmission Torque Converter problems of the 2003 Honda Accord

Took my vehicle to a Honda dealership for a maintenance repair to get a brake line job done. After they completed the job I told Honda to put my vehicle on the diagnostic system, to check for any other issues which they did. Said everything was fine with it no issues. Drove home fine next day comes, engine light comes on, this time I went and got the diagnostic done on my vehicle myself. Come to find out it's a transmission/torque converter problem, which Honda didn't check or tell me about, look up reviews about the my vehicle, and a lot of other Honda owners of my exact model says the same how bad the transmission is in this vehicle.

Torque converter stuck off, p0741, code given. Transmission rebuild/ replacement required for continued use of vehicle. Service records show 2nd gear oil jet addition at 25,500 miles, and all subsequent servicing done at manufacturer suggested intervals, as indicated by printed shop receipts from Honda dealership. After drain and fill done after first code thrown at 106,000 miles, 50 miles later the same p0741 code thrown. Local transmission shop did teardown and said that torque converter shows signs of overheating, metal shavings in fluid, and severely worn and broken clutch materials ( I have pictures of said damage).

The torque converter isnt locking up anymore. . . The car can stop any time by itself. Check engine light code p0741.

The contact owns a 2003 Honda Accord. While driving 62 mph, the accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to accelerate. The vehicle lost power and the rpms increased. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the torque converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was previously repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 04v176000 (power train). The failure mileage was 142,000.

June 2015: torque converter: car when accelerating slammed out of gear and felt like we had been rear-ended. Car wouldn't shift from 2nd to 3rd gear. Radio: radio system back light broke at 60,000 miles current issue: gear shift knob fell off while driving. Daughter was driving car and bumped gear shift and was able to shifted from drive to neutral while the car was moving. Called Honda complaint line to complain and there was no action or concern regarding the current issue of the gear shift knob.

I recently purchased the 2003 Honda Accord for travel. After purchasing the vehicle I noticed that the check engine light was on. The mechanic told me that there was a torque converter that needed to be replaced. After doing additional research I found that other Honda owners had this same issue. My car rumbles when driving through residential areas. When I try to enter my VIN numer in to see if my car is eligible it won't come up, but I'm definitely experiencing the transmission slipping in specific gears.

2003 Honda Accord. Consumer states car stopped while driving due to transmission failure. The consumer stated the vehicle just stopped. It would not go forward, made noises and at times hesitated. The problem was diagnosed as a faulty torque converter solenoid. The consumer drove the vehicle for one week, when the problem returned. The dealer informed the consumer, the transmission needed to be replaced at a cost of $5400. The consumer took the vehicle to a repair shop, where the transmission was replaced for $3,000.

My transmission and torque converter failed on brownsville road. I called Honda who refused any type of assistance. They said it was out of warranty. I have had numerous cars in my life and never heard of the transmission dying. It seems, as I check the internet, that the Honda Accord v-6 has a history of transmission failures. To date, Honda refuses to acknowledge that issue.

The car wont shift out of first gear. Mechanic says torque converter is broken. This seems to be a problem with this car.

I was on the highway when my car deccellerated. I almost got hit by a car behind me and averted an accident. The engine revved way up, but car's speed went down. Later, when I was driving on the street, the car slowed to a stop and would not shift gears either forward or backward. I am reading online that my 2003 Honda Accord is having torque converter problems. It seems that this a common problem for my vehicle.

Impeccably well maintained Honda 2003. All of a sudden third gear is gone. Mechanic says rebuilt transmission $3800. Are you kidding me! we also own a 2003 Honda pilot, this past year cost $2000 to replace the torque converter. Another Honda transmission problem that is all over the internet. Unless Honda does something for us on this problem these will be the last Honda's this family buys!!.

Transmission had problems downshifting and car was losing power. On the highway the car bucked violently and I had to pull off on the shoulder. I was able to continue for a short while before it happened again and had to pull off again. Car continued to be losing power and would not downshift. Was able to make it home, barely, and transmission would not engage in reverse. Had vehicle towed to dealership and contacted Honda USA. Dealership said that entire transmission & torque converter needs to be replaced.

The contact owns a 2003 Honda Accord. While driving approximately 40 mph the vehicle made a noise and the transmission slipped. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic and he referred her to the dealer. The dealer advised her that there was a problem with the torque converter and that the transmission needed to be replaced. The dealer replaced the transmission at the owners expense. The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 77,500 and the approximate current mileage was 78,000.

The engine revs up, but the car won't shift into gear or move, defective torque converter. The torque converter is failing and essentially burning up the transmission fluid, rendering the entire transmission useless. I have to stop and turn off the car randomly to keep going. Sometimes cars behind me have to slam on brakes be cause car can not go. Also happens on interstate which is definitely is a risk to crash.

Transmission has gone out twice in a year. The torque converter keeps failing. The more research I have done has brought to light the consistency of this problem across the country. Both times I was on the freeway and my car began shifting erratically and almost caused me to be rear ended by semis. How this is not a safety concern is beyond me. Luckily my goddaughters were not in the car to be injured. Luckily I was able to swerve away from danger and "safely" pull off to the side of the road. Somebody needs to do something about this, and soon. Below is the date for the second incident. The first occurred last July 2009.

2003 Honda Accord exl v6. Car driven by original adult owners since bought new. Car was regularly maintained, and generally garage kept. At 94,300 miles, started to shift hard from 2nd gear to third, then into 4th. This hard shifting was not dependent upon weather or temperature condition. On the day of the transmission failure, car was driven in town to run a nearby errand. Was driving in moderate traffic when car started to rev up to 6-7000 rpms before shifting into next gear. Whenthe transmission would finally shift, it did so with an audible thump. Then parked car, did errand, returned to car. It started right back up, shifted into reverse and then into drive without issue. Once driving back from errand, car was noticeably loud when shifting from 2nd into third. Eventually came to a stop light. When I tried to accelerate to leave the stoplight, the transmission completely failed, and car was towed for repair. We feel fortunate that our young son was not in the car at the time of the transmission failure, nor was my husband on the tollroad. We feel lucky to have found a local, reputable transmission shop that rebuilt the transmission and replaced the torque converter for $1500. This seems to have been a terrific price on a repair I would never have imagined needing to do prior to 100,000 miles. So much for Honda's reputation for quality and long-lasting reliability.

No known events leading up to the failure. My Accord will rev up and wont shift- the car seems as though it is stuck. When driving around a lot of other cars it is very frightening. The failure is that the torque converter failed. I have not had it replaced yet due to costs.

The first two incidents occurred after exiting the highway. While slowing down, the car jolted forward as if I had been hit in the rear. I brought the vehicle to a Honda dealer and they could not replicate the problem and found nothing wrong with the powertrain. In the following week, my car stalled multiple times while stopped at red lights/traffic with the final time occurring on the highway in rush hour traffic. While city driving (stop/go), the rpm's would randomly jump while giving no power to the wheels. Upon returning the car to the Honda dealer, I was informed one week later (they had to ship a piece from technical hdqrts in CA) that the internal torque converter was causing the problem and a transmission replacement is required for around $3200. After reading the hundreds of identical complaints with this model and problem, I will be scrapping this car and never purchasing a Honda again. This is a serious safety issue caused by faulty engineering work with the transmission that Honda apparently refuses to recognize. My small silver lining is that current lease rates on other same class vehicles are outstanding (camry/sonata).

While driving at 40mph, my 2003 Honda Accord ex-v6 (automatic transmission) suddenly jolted as if the car was thrown into a lower gear. I placed the car in neutral, let the engine return to normal rpm rage, then replaced it in drive. About 2 minutes later, the event repeated. I drove the vehicle to the Honda dealer in my area who diagnosed a faulty internal torque converter and quote me a price of approx $4000 to repair. The car is not safe to drive and had this event occurred on a crowded road or under other circumstances a collision would have occurred and I am fortunate that my toddler was not in the car at the time. There is a known issue with 2003 Honda Accord automatic transmission failing. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

On 3/23/2010 the transmission of my 2003 Honda Accord with 80,500 miles died while in drive, waiting for the traffic light change at a major intersection my check engine light was not on. My car was towed to my local Honda dealership. The technician from the dealership ran a diagnostic test and reported that the torque converter was staying engaged causing my car to stall and that I needed my transmission replaced. I took my car to a local shop specializing in transmission work and had it replaced. My old, broken transmission is not available anymore.

There is a systemic failure of the torque converter in the transmission of the 2003 Honda Accord models. . Read more...

The owns a 2003 Honda Accord. While driving over 60 mph the vehicle stalled without any prior warnings. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the technician stated they she would have to pay $3521. 00 to replace the transmission since the torque converter failed. The manufacturer was notified, but no assistance was provided. No repairs were made. The failure mileage was 137,000.

The contact owns a 2003 Honda Accord. While driving 65 mph the rpms began to increase,and then the vehicle lurched forward into a guard-rail. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. A technician stated that the torque converter caused the transmission to fail. The transmission was replaced at an expense of $4000. 00. However in year 2005, the vehicle was repaired According to recall # 04v176000( power train:automatic transmission). The manufacturer was notified, but no assistance was provided. The failure and current mileages were 85,000. Updated 12/07/09. The consumer stated Honda reimbursed him $1600. Updated 12/08/09.

Driving car on us highway 90 between lafayette louisiana and new iberia louisiana at a speed of about sixty (60) miles an hour when car suddenly and violently downshifted into either first or second gear. The sudden deceleration practically shoved me forward feeling as if I had been rear-ended. I was barely able to maintain control preventing car to spin or swerve to the right. Traffic was moderate or slightly heavy. Luckily no one was directly behind me at a close distance. Had there been, an accident would have been very likely. The cause of this problem was transmission failure or torque converter lock up. Corrective measures are to replace transmission, which will be done in the next few days by Honda dealership.

2003 Honda Accord with 41,000 miles. Transmission failed had to pay $3600 to rebuild transmission and replace torque converter. Honda would do nothing. This is a safety issue!!! almost wrecked my car driving on the highway.

My Accord has 55k miles. Recently, I was coming to a stop light when my car began to shudder. After this happening 3 times within 15 minutes, it stalled. Now, whenever the vehicle is warm, in drive or reverse, and is idling, it will stall. I've taken it to the dealership and they tell me that there is something wrong with the transmission dealing with the torque converter. This is 2 weeks after I took it in for a recall on . . . The transmission part. No one has been hurt in this stalling. Honda is offering to get me a re-manufactured transmission for $600. I have owned 4 Honda's before this, 3 of which had more miles, and there have been no engine/tranny related issues. 19k miles out of warranty my transmission dies. . .

My Accord has 55k miles. Recently, I was coming to a stop light when my car began to shudder. After this happening 3 times within 15 minutes, it stalled. Now, whenever the vehicle is warm, in drive or reverse, and is idling, it will stall. I've taken it to the dealership and they tell me that there is something wrong with the transmission dealing with the torque converter. This is 2 weeks after I took it in for a recall on . . . A transmission part. No one has been hurt in this stalling. Honda is offering to get me a re-manufactured transmission for $600. I have owned 4 Honda's before this, 3 of which had more miles, and there have been no engine/tranny related issues. 19k miles out of warranty my transmission dies. . .

I took my Honda Accord in to get fixed. The torque converter has gone bad and was replaced with transmission. Consulted with a Honda dealer on this matter. They told me that it would need diagnosed at my charge and could not be seen for 3 days. They told me there isn't a recall for this vehicle and since my warranty ran out, there is nothing that I can do to fix this and it will all come out of my pocket. I could not wait to get this fixed. I then got 2nd and 3rd opinions on my vehicle. I got the third opinion while I was driving it and had no choice due to the vehicle dying while it was driven. I took it to the nearest transmission representative that I could find. I was told that it was the torque converter after a free inspection. I was advised by this place that it would not be a good idea to drive any further to avoid more damage. Fixed at a total price of $2716. I am upset that a 3 year old vehicle has this problem. I did not purchase the extended warranty due to the fact that this vehicles name speaks for itself. I contacted Honda corporate directly to tell them of this problem and submitted a claim for them to check into this. I consulted with another Honda dealership on the other side of town to get their opinion. I told them I had this work done and it wasn't completed through Honda. The service manager said he could not believe that the other dealership advised me that way on this issue. He said he that he could have contacted Honda directly and something else could have been done even if the warranty expired. I was told that a new transmission would have been placed into my vehicle for approximately $500 minus labor. Had I had known this, I would have taken my Honda to this dealership in a heartbeat. I hope that there may be a recall on this so that other Honda owners will not have to go through what I have gone through this past week.

With approx 122,000 miles my 2003 Honda Accord ex v6 is at the local pasadena Honda dealer who working with Honda motors states that the transmission needs to be replaced, due to transmission failure, at a cost of over $4000. There is now a backlog for at least a month on the part. For many years actually within the first year of purchase the transmission has hesitated and not shifted properly I took the car to the dealer for the 2004 recall which made little to no difference in the hesitation/shifting problem. Recently after taking the car in to the dealer for the ignition interlock recall, the car began to show very noticeable signs of some sort of major problem while accelerating the car would not accelerate and I would hear a spinning. While driving on the highway the car would have difficulty sifting from 1-3 gear and would not accelerate, this is a critical speed that the car must perform at otherwise it is not fit to be driven anywhere. This car is dangerous to drive in this condition. There are hundreds if not thousands of complaints on this model car, I formally request the NHTSA to asses this situation before there are further injuries or deaths as a result. Honda is clearly aware of this problem. To be clear this problem is with the transmission and related components, I. E. Some reports are that it is the torque converted. My dealer states that it is one of the bearings. Regardless the dealer service dept states that the transmission has to be replaced.