2003 Honda Accord Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 30about this part
- Share
- 2%of 1,987 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 65,700miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 30 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2003 Honda Accord, 2% of the 1,987 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 65,700 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My radio/HVAC area the lights to display them are out apparently it was recalled but not for all vehicles this is a safetyhazard for sure being I can't find my defrost... The other problem is the recall expired this year and it expired just after I bought the car and a few months later the middle console went out!!!”
NHTSA complaint #10438530, filed 2011-12, 65,700 miles“While driving at night all the lights on the center console went out. I now have no lights to control the functions of the heating, and defrost at night. The is an issue because I am unable to adjust settings when windows start to fog.”
NHTSA complaint #10485094, filed 2012-11, 98,000 miles“I was leaving a friends house at night on december 28 and when I turn the car on none of the lights in the center consul lit up. I couldn't see the radio to operate it nor the time. It was difficult to operate in trying to select climate control. I was unable to see any of the selections for a hot cold, the ability to increase or decrease the flow of the heat, selecting which item to use such as the defrost button. Luckily this happened from a stationary position. However, since this was a new vehicle to myself it made it extremely difficult to figure out after I left his friends house. …”
NHTSA complaint #11292296, filed 2019-12, 57,000 miles“The panel buttons on the audio/HVAC unit are not illuminating when the lights on the 2003 Honda Accord are turned on. I checked online and found there was a recall for this issue (svc bulletin 04-027). For this recall, the warranty extension coverage is 7 years or 105,000 miles, whichever occurs first. I called american Honda to inquire about a goodwill repair and was told my vehicle is no longer covered by this recall. The recall is based on a component failure on the printed circuit board (pcb) and Honda should repair this failure past the 7 year or 105,000 mile mark. …”
NHTSA complaint #10715966, filed 2015-05, 105,965 miles“Headlight luminance noticeably fluctuates between a lower and higher intensity. The high beam is not on at this time. Happens ususally when car is at a lower speed and slowing down or accelerating. Intensity stays constant at higher speeds. Very annoying. Dealer and manufacturer don't know the cause. Alternator has been replaced, problem still persists. It is so noticeable that I'm sure oncoming drivers think I'm flashing my highs at them.”
NHTSA complaint #10041589, filed 2003-10, 1 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10024628Mar 19, 2008Low beam headlight(s) distributes light poorly. *nj updated 5/2//08.
- 10016352Apr 16, 2005Abs/tcs diagnostic trouble code 68 brake switch failure.
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 1% |
| 2022 | 3 | 1% |
| 2021 | 2 | 1% |
| 2020 | 4 | 1% |
| 2019 | 11 | 2% |
| 2018 | 25 | 1% |
| 2017 | 21 | 4% |
| 2016 | 128 | 21% |
| 2015 | 8 | 1% |
| 2014 | 19 | 2% |
| 2013 | 15 | 1% |
| 2012 | 5 | 1% |
| 2011 | 2 | 1% |
| 2010 | 6 | 1% |
| 2009 | 22 | 3% |
| 2008 | 113 | 7% |
| 2007 | 10 | 2% |
| 2006 | 13 | 3% |
| 2005 | 18 | 3% |
| 2004 | 37 | 4% |
| 2003 | 30 | 2% |
| 2002 | 17 | 2% |
| 2001 | 12 | 1% |
| 2000 | 22 | 2% |
| 1999 | 17 | 2% |
| 1998 | 7 | 1% |
| 1997 | 3 | 1% |
| 1996 | 3 | 1% |
| 1995 | 6 | 1% |
| 1994 | 6 | 2% |
| 1993 | 2 | 1% |
| 1991 | 4 | 2% |
| 1990 | 3 | 2% |
| 1988 | 3 | 3% |
| 1987 | 6 | 5% |
| 1986 | 1 | 2% |
| 1985 | 1 | 8% |
| 1982 | 1 | 10% |
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 complaintsEngine
51 complaintsEquipment
51 complaintsOther or unknown
49 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Honda Accord
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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