2003 Honda Accord Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 51about this part
- Share
- 3%of 1,987 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 131,239miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 51 complaints about the engine of the 2003 Honda Accord, 3% of the 1,987 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 131,239 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I recently bought a used Honda cord with perfect carfax and all stock parts. The battery died on it twice and it failed to start within two days of buying it. I went to replace the battery and as soon as I did my 3rd gear of my engine 'went out' according to the midas mechanic. Vehicle was in motion on the high way and almost yanked me into the concreate street rails. Is there anything I can do?”
NHTSA complaint #11194500, filed 2019-04, 140,000 miles“I'm the original owner of the vehicle, and have always used Honda for service and maintenance of my vehicle. The transmission failed without warning. Thankfully, I wasn't driving in the highway because this could have caused a major accident. My car basically came to a stop when the transmission failed.”
NHTSA complaint #10684155, filed 2015-02, 100,600 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #11396234, filed 2021-02, 196,000 miles“I bought my Honda from the dealership 06/23/12, 1 owner completely serviced through the dealership then traded in at same dealership. When bought it had 101,793 miles, timing belt was done at 90k and power steering pump. Not even month later I had to replace throttle body. I've always felt something wrong with the transmission after bought car. …”
NHTSA complaint #10484000, filed 2012-11, 107,000 miles“The car after being driven to work by my wife would hesitate going into gear. After speaking to the Honda dealership,and Honda america we were told it to far out of warranty to be covered. We have owned several Honda cars and now we are told they will not cover any of the costs involved. I thought Honda was better than this.”
NHTSA complaint #10463279, filed 2012-06, 98,076 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10098946Sep 16, 2015"service bulletin - the mil comes on with one of these dtcs: p2646/p2651 (rocker arm oil pressure switch circuit low voltage). p2647/p2652 (rocker arm oil pressure switch…
- 10108226Jun 2, 2015The rear cylinder head cover gasket leaks oil.
- 10052884Jul 16, 2013Honda: dtc p2646/p2651 or p2647/2652 may be set. The rocker arm oil pressure switch may need to be replaced. Also included model civic si model year 2002-2005.
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 7% |
| 2025 | 2 | 2% |
| 2024 | 11 | 7% |
| 2023 | 11 | 13% |
| 2022 | 31 | 12% |
| 2021 | 38 | 16% |
| 2020 | 73 | 20% |
| 2019 | 185 | 27% |
| 2018 | 559 | 29% |
| 2017 | 62 | 12% |
| 2016 | 44 | 7% |
| 2015 | 106 | 18% |
| 2014 | 179 | 18% |
| 2013 | 179 | 13% |
| 2012 | 43 | 12% |
| 2011 | 25 | 8% |
| 2010 | 116 | 20% |
| 2009 | 111 | 15% |
| 2008 | 210 | 14% |
| 2007 | 29 | 6% |
| 2006 | 21 | 5% |
| 2005 | 29 | 4% |
| 2004 | 28 | 3% |
| 2003 | 51 | 3% |
| 2002 | 19 | 2% |
| 2001 | 14 | 2% |
| 2000 | 11 | 1% |
| 1999 | 28 | 2% |
| 1998 | 18 | 2% |
| 1997 | 10 | 2% |
| 1996 | 1 | 0% |
| 1995 | 1 | 0% |
| 1994 | 2 | 1% |
| 1993 | 2 | 1% |
| 1992 | 2 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2003 Honda Accord
924 complaintsAir bags
318 complaintsBrakes
172 complaintsElectrical system
142 complaintsEngine cooling
95 complaintsSteering
90 complaintsVehicle speed control
81 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
75 complaintsBody and structure
73 complaintsEquipment
51 complaintsOther or unknown
49 complaintsSuspension
31 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Honda Accord
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology