Transmission Failure problems of the 2003 Honda Accord - part 2

Transmission failed going over bay bridge into san francisco. No warning and no way to engage any gear. Near death experience for entire family.

At approximately 40,000 miles,transmission failed. Honda USA was called and they paid for repair. Now at 116627 miles transmissionm failed again.

2003 Honda Accord v6 transmission failure in the middle of traffic, almost caused an accident but fortunately this was on a road with a slower speed limit. 3 out of 4 engine mounts are broken. I have owned this car 8 months and the estimated repair is $6000. I have found several websites and forums where this appears to be a problem for 2003 and 2004 transmissions on the Accord. Most drivers just stalled on the highway/road they were traveling on and this is a serious safety concern. How can these cars continue to be sold where this is a common problem.

Transmission failed.

I have a 2003 Honda Accord ex v6. About two months ago I started feeling the car wasn't feeling right. As I was driving, it felt like the gear shift had been knocked down in to neutral, but was still actually still in drive. When this happened, the rpm's would go up and the car felt like it wasn't going anywhere, just coasting, then it seemed to just jolt back to where it should be. The problem wasn't happening every time I drove, but recently it started happening more often and for longer periods of time. I take the car to one place to have all my work done on it, so I took it there, but they felt the problem might be internal and recommended I take it to a transmission shop. They did diagnostics on the car and drove it. The result, the car is going into transmission failure. The transmission fluid is black and burned and has debris in it, and they said that the clutches are also burned. They won't know the complete picture until they take the transmission apart and get a good look. It is 5 days before christmas, I don't have the money to fix it or we will not have any christmas and now I have no transportation to do anything! soooo frustrated. I thought Honda's were suppose to be such good cars, but I have had nothing but problems with this one. It doesn't seem like a transmission should go out at 113,000 miles and I have had so many people say the same thing. Now that my transmission is going out, I read up on it and find out there was a recall in 2004 for the 2003 Honda Accords. Why, am I just finding out about this??.

2003 Accord v6 automatic transmission failure at 120,000 miles. 2004 recall ineffective.

My 2003 Honda Accord v6 automatic transmission failed at 65000 miles--car was undrivable and was almost rear ended because I could not accelerate. Had to take car to independent shop and replace transmission for $3100.

At approximately 56,000 miles, we had to replace the rear main oil seal. At 68,000 miles, we had to replace the fuel pump and as of June 4th, 2011, we were informed that we need to replace the transmission at 78,000 miles. The transmission failed going approximately 70 mph and proceeded into "limp mode" to 30 mph. It proceeded to then return instantly to 70 mph and within 30 seconds repeated the same and as we were trying not to fly off the highway it again repeated this same behavior at which point we pulled off to the side of the highway, which was approximately 2 feet wide, and as traffic, which was thankfully not right on our tail, flew by we were able to drive on the side of the highway for the next 20 miles at approximately 30 miles per hour into the next town. At this point, there wasn't anyone available to look at the vehicle so we left it and rented a vehicle. Our Honda would not even go into reverse at this point. We then towed the Honda back to our home town and dropped it straight to Honda of tri-cities. There they diagnosed that their was a transmission failure and it had to be replaced. They offered to pay half of the cost ($2000. 00) but we feel there is a life threatening problem with that transmission and after seeing all of the additional customers of Honda's, the years between 1999 and 2003, that have had the same life threatening experiences, we are appalled that the public has not been notified of this. Not just by a check on your transmission but a complete recall. I am very surprised that we were not fatally injured.

The contact owns a 2003 Honda Accord. The contact stated that the transmission failed, causing the vehicle to shift in between gears. He also noticed that the check engine warning light illuminated. The dealer performed a diagnostic which confirmed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The dealer reset the check engine light however, the check engine light illuminated again. The manufacturer was aware of the failure. The transmission was not replaced. The current and failure mileages were 94,000.

My car started jerking several weeks ago and took it into our trusted auto mechanic and they diagnosed transmission failure. They told me that this happens frequently with this year of Honda and to take it to a Honda dealer since common knowledge that transmission has defective parts. They also told me to contact Honda customer care. The mechanics who work on my car were originally Honda certified repair techs. Did all of that starting on may 24, 2011 and after several weeks of waiting Honda said it would cost around $3700 for a rebuilt transmission of which I must pay around $2200. I have appealed again because everyone, including the Honda dealership, has admitted it is defective parts. Plus I made some calls to several transmission rebuild outfits and the general consensus it would cost me $2100 for a complete rebuild as well as the information about defective Honda transmissions for Hondas running from 2001 to 2005. My argument is that Honda knows this is a defective transmission, I have provided the proof that this car has been well-maintained throughout its life and that everyone else’s rebuild quotes $2100. They argue that I am not the original owner but one reason we bought the car from the original owner (my mother-in-law) is for Honda’s “well-known� reliability and how they stand behind their cars.

2003 Honda Accord ex. Consumer states problem with transmission the consumer stated as she was driving, all of a sudden, it felt as though the brakes had been slammed abruptly and she went flying forward. When the consumer arrived home, she realized the vehicle would not go in reverse. After doing some research, she discovered there was an ongoing problem with the make, model and year of her vehicle. Upon diagnosis, it was determined the transmission failed. Honda was willing to pay $2100 of the $4300 bill.

Transmission failure.

May 3rd, I was driving approx 70 mph when all of a sudden, my car felt like someone slammed on the brakes and I went flying forward. It happened 2 more times, then later, I couldn't go in reverse. I researched it and was shocked to find out this is an ongoing issue with the 2003 Honda Accord ex v6 model. Honda isn't calling it a recall because no one has been hurt yet. The next day I was in bad pain due to the jolts and seat belt marks from them restraining me. I called american Honda and started a claim. I asked what if I need a new transmission. He said 'no problem, you're now with american Honda. ' I took it in and my transmission failed on the way there too. While waiting the vip director came up to me telling me I'm a vip customer having bought Hondas for 22 years . Shortly thereafter the svc manager came and told me yes, the transmission was gone and american Honda agreed to pay $900 out of the $4300 bill. I asked what about the known issues Honda has with this year and model? he said all they offered was $900. The vip manager told me he would never put $3400 in a sinking ship. I said 'sinking ship?' he said 'well it does have 89k miles on it. ' I said 'it's a Honda. . . That's why I paid big bucks for a Honda because they are supposed to go for a long time. ' when I called Honda America, they said I wasn't the owner. I said I am. I bought it 4 years and bring it brandon Honda for all my work. They still had the previous owner listed. . . After 4 years! I never received recalls because it went to the previous owner. The svc manager himself changed it that day to show me as the owner. All the times I'd gone to brandon Honda and bought it at crown Honda and they never put me as the owner, 4 years ago? incompetence. Like Toyota knew they had a brake problem but did nothing about it until someone died.

I bought a used 2003 Accord one month ago and now the transmission has failed. The car had 90600 miles when I bought it and the Honda dealership said nothing about this model year having a problem with the transmission. I was driving at approx. 60mph when the car slammed to almost a dead stop and the rpm needle jumped to about 6000. I pulled over and shut off the car. I had the car towed to my mechanic and he said that there is a serious mechanical failure in the transmission. The cost to repair is going to be approx. $3500. I called the dealership and they told me it was sold "as is" and there was nothing they could do to help.

At mileage around 33,000 my car Honda Accord (2003) automatic transmission started displaying throttle and transmission failure symptoms. The engine and anti lock brakes lights on dashboard are on.

Transmission failure. 2003 Accord exl 6 cylinder. While driving approximately 35-40 mph the vehicle suddenly felt as if the brakes were applied. The vehicle began to slow rapidly as if someone slammed on the brakes. The car was slowly driven to a parking lot and were it was towed to a Honda service facility. Facility indicated that the transmission would have to be replaced. It should be noted the car was just minutes earlier was being driven at 75 mph and if the failure had occurred at this speed the results could have led to a catastrophic accident involving my wife, my pregnant daughter and a family friend. I had been reading about these transmissions failures for over a year and as soon as my wife describe what happened I knew immediately the transmission had failed. It should be pointed out that the car was serviced during the early transmission cooler recall but did not prevent the transmission from failing. Its just a matter of time before one of these vehicles transmissions lock up at a high rate of speed leading to a rapid deceleration and being hit from behind leading to a serious accident involving serious injuries or death. Honda motor corp has ignored the transmission failures in the 03 Accords and I will never purchase or recommend the purchase of another Honda vehicle. I am extremely upset at the cost to repair the car. I do feel Honda should subsidized a portion of the cost. I do not see this type of failure with other Honda years or models.

While driving my 2003 Honda Accord all pulling power was lost. The car behaved erratic before I was able to safely pull over to the side of the highway. I had the vehicle towed to norm reeves Honda for service and was told the transmission was bad and needed replaced. While having my tranmission rebuilt by dan transmission shop the mechanic pointed out to me that he will replace my transmission filter because it never gets change at Honda. I call Honda and spoke to several service advisors about what get done to a tranmission during service? they all said the same thing a drain and refill of fulid and there is no filter. When researching further I found out that the parts department has filters in stock but never hardly sell the filter unless a mechanic buys it to replace while rebuiding the transmission. There is a lot of Hondas of the year 2003 that had a recall early 2000. My car was one, Honda replace a second gear on the transmissions for problems that year 2003 Hondaaccords was having with over heating. Honda is not replacing a filter part and say it dose not exist when it does. When I call Honda and this time insisted there is a filter, the service advisor will only then tell you that the filter exist but does not get change during service. Because it is a sealed part othe transmission. I believe after experiencing this type of transmission failure in my car that it could be prevent if Honda would fix the desing flaw of the transmissions. This could had had been pevented if a 30 dollar part can be more easy to replace and inxepensive and time consuming as to why I think Honda do not replaced the filters or sell a lot of the filters on the market to millions of costumers who are probably like I was in the dark and think they are getting a fresh transmission service but all the time. Riding in a car that will failed unexpectedly. This is very dangerous had I been rear ended an my whole family killed no one probably would supected it was a trans failed. L.

Honda failed to notify the customer of potential transmission failure despite many industry complaints. My vehicle's transmission was replaced at personal cost. This lack of transparency poses a public safety hazard.

2003 Honda Accord sedan v6 - automatic transmission failure. 125,000 miles. Problems with transmission since 75,000 miles. We took our vehicle into the dealer because the transmission fluid was burnt. Dealer confirmed transmission fluid was burnt. The answer we received was that the transmission fluid should not be in that condition but no problems were found during their inspeciton.

The last week of December 2010, around 96,930 miles, the automatic transmission on my 2003 Honda Accord v6 began to have problems shifting from second gear to third gear when in d4, reluctantly sliding into gear between second and third; I would have to back off on the throttle for the transmission to complete the shift. I also tried driving around town with the automatic transmission in d3 to see if that would overcome the sliding and hard shifting; it did not. The automatic transmission also began to have a noticeable hard downshift when hot, creating a pattern of very surprising hard downshifting that got worse very quickly. One time, when I was slowing down from 45 mph for a stop light, it downshifted so hard I inadvertently knocked it into neutral with my right arm. The unpredictability and severity of the hard downshifting caused me to immediately park the car. When hot, there are times when the transmission will now not shift above second gear and only reluctantly goes into reverse. This change occurred over the course of several days for a total of 67 miles traveled. When the transmission is cold it shifted normally on the way to the way to the facility that works on my Honda: they were able to duplicate the erratic and hard downshifting when reaching operating temperature. The automatic transmission failed at 97,067 miles; the car was purchased new in August of 2003. The automatic transmission unit is being replaced with a rebuilt automatic transmission unit as I am told there are no new units being manufactured (per Honda). On the failed unit I had the Honda 2nd gear oil jet recall performed on the transmission in September 2004; transmission drain and flush at 42,000 and 95,000 miles; and transmission drain and refill at 60,000 miles. I had driven 8200 miles in October 2010 (fairfax, va. To seattle, wa, and back) without a problem. I have observed the manufacturers required maintenance schedules.

The contact owns a 2003 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 mph the transmission had failed by her trying to accelerate and it had hesitated. She had to shut the vehicle down and restart again in order to get the vehicle moving. The vehicle stalled on the contact about 4 different times upon leaving her location. The vehicle was inspected by a independent mechanic who informed the contact that there was a transmission failure and for her to call Honda. The manufacturer was contacted and they informed her that the vehicle was repaired for recall NHTSA campaign id number (04v176000- power train:automatic transmission) prior to her purchasing the vehicle. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

At normal acceleration and at random, violent gear shift from low to high. Sometimes from 2 to 3, other times from 3 and up. Transmission remains in same gear (2 or 3) close to (6000rpm) then violently slams into next gear!! seem some scary moments. Effects started at 110k miles; got to dangerous at 122k miles. Auto repair shop declared transmission failure. Replaced transmission. Au.

In 2006, owner requested dealer to replace transmission as part of manufacturer recall. Dealer opted to inspect the affected gear and install oil jet kit in lieu of transmission replacement. In 2010, transmission failed unexpectedly and without warning while driver was operating the vehicle on highway at highway speed. Transmission locked into 1st gear and would not up-shift, creating an immediate threat to life-safety due to inability to maintain highway speed. Danger was especially severe due to lack of shoulder on roadway, limited sight distance, and time of day (night time). High likelihood of serious injury and/or death to vehicle occupant and/or other drivers. Entire transmission must be replaced to correct problem.

The contact owns a 2003 Honda Accord ex. While driving approximately 60 mph, the transmission suddenly failed when the contact depressed the accelerator pedal. The contact tried to downshift but nothing changed. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer but the vehicle was not inspected. The contact referenced recall 04v176000 (power train: automatic transmission) but stated that the repair work was performed in 2005. The contact called the manufacturer who offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 128,000.

2003 Honda Accord ex. Transmission failed at 60mph on I-40 in nashville, TN car bucked and came to stop in traffic. Car was fine, transmission went, hard time getting car off the interstate.

I purchased a 2003 Honda Accord new along with an extended warranty of 72 months 75,000 miles. In 2004 with 19,000 miles my vehicle was subject to a recall for the tranmission. The "required" fix was made and I was told this should solve any problems. Two weeks ago with 75,300 miles, my transmission went. The dealer charged $3600 (not including port charges) to have this repair made. I was told that "third" gear failed. The repair originally made was for "second" gear. Since this was out of warranty and not part of the recall, I was responsbile for complete payment. After contacting Honda of America, I was told they would pick up half the cost. It appears I am not alone in this situation. This is a very dangerous situation. When the transmission failed (with no prior notice), I was driving in light traffic, and was able to get out of the way of other vehicles. Had this failed earlier in the day, I would have been in a serious accident.

2003 Honda Accord v6, transmission failure. Transmission fails to shift into gear leaving driver with no power.

Transmission failed while driving, almost causing an accident.

2003 Honda Accord v6 transmission failure. Driving on freeway off of exit gaining speed, suddenly car will not shift into 3rd gear or accelerate. Engine revs but drops to only maintain 20mph. Cars behind me have to break and swerve around me. The car was a hazard trying to negotiate on freeway, was unsafe on any road. Honda had 2004 recall for small part on this transmission but is unwilling to help with financial assistance although this is a very common problem. The complaints are numerous as is documented so far. Dealership is asking $4800 to replace and states they are replacing 2003 transmissions at least once a month with varying mileage.

Transmission failed to shift when going 20-30 mph. As a result, the car shifts downward to ~ 10 mph, causing the driver's body to be thrown forward. This may cause a rear end collision.

The contact owns a 2003 Honda Accord. While the contact was driving approximately 50 mph, the transmission failed without warning. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for diagnostic where they informed that the transmission would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Previously, the ignition key would not release from the ignition switch; and the vehicle was repaired by the dealer. In addition, the stereo system, and the four automatic door locks would not operate properly. The failure mileage was approximately 112,000. The VIN was unavailable.

Attempted to drive car but it would not go over 10mph. Brought it to auto repair. "r&r,o/h transmission" was done at $2892. 51!! this seems to really have been a defect with this 2003 Accord Honda car across the country. I purchased the car used at a dealership with 64,283 miles in 2008, by 2010 after less than 40,000 added driving, the transmission failed. This really needs to be a recall but after all this time the harm is done!Honda should reimburse!! didn't think about filing a complaint till now,thought it was only my bad luck,but I noticed others were having these issues.

The primary purpose of this correspondence is to register a serious safety issue that occurred to my husband and I on October 3⸠2010, at 4:40 pm. While driving at approximately 65 mph, my 2003 Honda Accord had a transmission failure and lockup. While my husband and I were travelling south on the NJ turnpike the car suddenly jerked as if someone had jammed on the brakes. My husband attempted to slow down by taking his foot off the gas pedal and not touch the brake. The car violently jerked again as it slowed down. As he attempted to get onto the shoulder of the road, the car violently lurched twice more. With each of these sudden, unexpected, violent jerks, we were thrown forward. Thankfully, our seatbelts were on, which prevented us from being thrown forward into the window. The Honda dealership remedy was to replace the transmission with a rebuilt one. The old parts are not available. Although this was the first and only time we had any trouble with the transmission, I think this is such a serious issue which, if circumstances were different, could have caused serious injury or death.

While driving our 2003 Honda Accord, the transmission wouldn't shift to second gear giving a burnt smell. We called the dealer and he said that the transmission needed replaced. We had the car serviced at regular intervals and we also found that with this model there seems to be an unusual high number of transmission failures. I feel that it is a safety issue for we are on the highway daily. Honda had a recall to put an oil spray kit on this model, because it wouldn't shift into second gear. This is the same problem magnified.

2003 Honda Accord. Transmission failed and had to be rebuilt. Transmission, which is an automatic, would shift from a higher gear to a lower gear while driving down the road. At times the transmission would not function at all as if it were in neutral. Had to pull to the side of the road turn the car off and then restart it. Thankfully, I was in a very rural area and was able to do this. This is a very unsafe situation.