Two problems related to transmission shudder have been reported for the 2003 Honda Accord. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2003 Honda Accord based on all problems reported for the 2003 Accord.
Since the purchase i’ve experienced continual transmission problems. Upon speaking with the dealership I was assured all was fine. You can imagine my surprise when I received notice of the transmission recall (NHTSA 04v176000). Upon repair, in September 2004, I did not notice repair improvement, and continued to detect the rough grind of transmission shift and a whining sound. In 2009 I experienced a catastrophic transmission failure to which I had sought repair. In December 2010 I experienced another transmission failure. I have just now experienced my 3rd transmission failure, July 2011. My power steering pump had always had a faint whine, but Honda services never identified it as concerning. The problem progressively became worse until Honda finally suggested a repair, but informed me that the component was then out of warranty and would be a costly repair. I decided to delay repair until June 2011. Ac problems manifested in September 2005 and required replacement in April 2008. My center council clock and temperature display has been flickering, dimmed, and absent since 2009. The interlock stuck issue first materialized in 2008 and serviced in July 2010. My airbag warning light has been active since 2008 with an occasional but repetitive tcs alert; and my headlamp glass has been hazed since 2005. The paint deterioration is ridiculously embarrassing, the leather seating began showing wear 2 years in, my seatbelt doesn’t return to the original released position, head liner has water leak stains, cd player stopped working, exposed wiring is visible at the driver door hinge, i’ve gone through 3 batteries, countless tires, one cracked windshield, and I have always suffer from poor radio reception and occasional navigational signal roaming issues. In these times of thrift conscious fuel consumption, I utilize my nav tools to monitor my driving activity. I’m stunned to report I get a fuel economy of 24 mpg highway, not the 31 mpg as sticker reports.
Sudden inadvertent downshift of the transmission at highway speeds. Luckily, no vehicles were trailing behind, since rapid deceleration occurred, similar to hard braking. The transmission subsequently failed completely, and the car required towing to the dealership. No prior events occurred (I. E. Transmission grinding, slipping, noises, etc) that provided warning that something was wrong.