2003 Honda Accord Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 16about this part
- Share
- 1%of 1,987 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 63,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 16 complaints about the fuel system of the 2003 Honda Accord, 1% of the 1,987 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 63,000 miles. 2 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.
“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10409590, filed 2011-06, 78,000 miles“Carbon monoxide comes into my car - Honda replaced the catalytic converter four times - I was already injured from my prior 1990 lexus 250es when my dangerous airbag exploded point blank into my neck and head. Mat airbag had no tether. Five c-spin surgeries and I was no longer able to work as a surgeon or at all. This was never recalled but I still have that car. Airbags are not safe. There should be h-belts that are safe. Sodium azide causes cancer. Regarding my 2003 Honda - I already had the airbags recalled three times.....I request permission to have all air bags removed to save my life. …”
NHTSA complaint #11287189, filed 2019-12, 3 miles“6-18-04 told Honda dealer that our 2003 Accord lx was idling too fast on cold startups - dealer told wife this was normal and marked bill ok re this item. Fast idling continued thereafter. On 9-01-04 11:30 pm car parked in driveway was started, put in reverse, and car sped so rapidly that it jumped driveway curb and was stopped by braking and hitting a tree. To be correctly parked I put the car in drive and the car shot ahead rapidly, stopped only by braking and swerving into other curbing and jumping it. I”
NHTSA complaint #10090973, filed 2004-09, 22,500 miles“The vehicle gets stuck in 2nd gear. It is automatic transmission. Sometimes at freeway speeds the vehicle suddenly downshifts spontaneously to 2nd or 1st gear and feels like I've suddenly and violently applied brakes to the car. The sudden stop and lurch of the car is violent and sudden and causes momentary loss of control of the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #11056326, filed 2017-12, 120,000 miles“I purchased my 2003 Honda Accord ex v6 on dec. 31, 2002. I spent 6 months researching many makes and models in order to find the perfect car for my wife and unborn child. I selected the Accord because I felt it offered the most safety features and has been one of the most reliable cars on the road for years. My only concern was that the vehicle was a first year redesigned model, but when I asked the service manager he said that the only thing changed between 2002 and 2003 was that the vehicle had high compression heads and that's where the extra horsepower came from. …”
NHTSA complaint #10036828, filed 2003-08, 1,894 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10016319May 1, 2005Rewriting odo data on a new gauge control module.
- 10015277Feb 1, 2005Checking the short-term fuel trim when a diagnostic trouble code (dtc) p0171 is set.
- 10014743Jan 1, 2005Fuel pressure regulator spec.
- 10013651Nov 1, 2004Low fuel indicator comes on at 1/4 tank. Honda servicenews.
Fuel system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 2% |
| 2024 | 22 | 14% |
| 2023 | 8 | 9% |
| 2022 | 17 | 6% |
| 2021 | 18 | 7% |
| 2020 | 63 | 17% |
| 2019 | 192 | 28% |
| 2018 | 476 | 25% |
| 2017 | 65 | 12% |
| 2016 | 44 | 7% |
| 2015 | 39 | 6% |
| 2014 | 37 | 4% |
| 2013 | 45 | 3% |
| 2012 | 16 | 4% |
| 2011 | 7 | 2% |
| 2010 | 13 | 2% |
| 2009 | 14 | 2% |
| 2008 | 11 | 1% |
| 2007 | 18 | 3% |
| 2006 | 4 | 1% |
| 2005 | 23 | 4% |
| 2004 | 14 | 1% |
| 2003 | 16 | 1% |
| 2002 | 11 | 1% |
| 2001 | 18 | 2% |
| 2000 | 32 | 3% |
| 1999 | 24 | 2% |
| 1998 | 82 | 7% |
| 1997 | 6 | 1% |
| 1996 | 11 | 2% |
| 1995 | 12 | 2% |
| 1994 | 18 | 5% |
| 1993 | 3 | 2% |
| 1992 | 1 | 0% |
| 1991 | 1 | 0% |
| 1990 | 4 | 2% |
| 1989 | 7 | 8% |
| 1988 | 4 | 5% |
| 1987 | 25 | 23% |
| 1986 | 18 | 33% |
| 1985 | 4 | 31% |
| 1984 | 4 | 18% |
| 1983 | 1 | 14% |
| 1982 | 2 | 20% |
| 1981 | 2 | 29% |
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