2003 Honda Accord Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 924about this part
- Share
- 47%of 1,987 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 98,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 924 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2003 Honda Accord, 47% of the 1,987 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 98,000 miles. 20 of these say a crash was involved and 3 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My transmission and torque converter failed on brownsville road. I called Honda who refused any type of assistance. They said it was out of warranty. I have had numerous cars in my life and never heard of the transmission dying. It seems, as I check the internet, that the Honda Accord v-6 has a history of transmission failures. To date, Honda refuses to acknowledge that issue.”
NHTSA complaint #10721146, filed 2015-05, 170,000 miles“2003 Honda Accord v6. Going approximately 70mph on a major highway and the car violently downshifted as if I had slammed on the brakes. Almost hit by other cars on multiple occasions as the problem persisted. Also heard a whining noise/rattling under the hood while driving in 2nd gear. Once I smelled burning I knew it was time to give up. Had to get car towed an hour away.”
NHTSA complaint #10572779, filed 2014-03, 170,000 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“Entered highway at 50 55 when rpms went up and lost acceleration quickly about got rear ended and once I got to the shoulder I turned off car and started it back up and only thing I couldn't engage in car ..park worked but the rest was in neatral lucky noone was hurt..transmission failed without warning I find this a major issue since so many other 03 accords have had the same problem and I'm asking for Honda to replace my trandmission..number of miles 138,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11204545, filed 2019-04, 138,000 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 milesRelated recalls
- 04V176000Apr 15, 2004On some mini vans, sport utility and passenger vehicles, certain operating conditions can result in heat build-up between the countershaft and secondary shaft…Covers: Honda Accord 2003–2004, Acura TL 2000–2004, CL 2001–2003 +3 more
Related service bulletins
- 10194971May 28, 2021Service Bulletin - Case v. American Honda Motor Co., Inc., Case No. BC 424169 (Third Clutch Transmission Settlement - $25 Credit Vouchers).
- 10129451Apr 25, 2014Dealer message - On September 27, 2012, Honda notified NHTSA of a Stop Sale order and Safety Recall for some 2003-2007 Accord V6 units to address power steering feed hoses that…
- 10129443Apr 25, 2014Dealer message - On September 27, 2012, Honda notified NHTSA of a Stop Sale order and Safety Recall for some 2003-2007 Accord V6 units to address power steering feed hoses that…
- 10041733Oct 11, 2011Honda: on vehicle, the a/t shift position indicator, a/c, and cruise control fails to work properly.
- 10041732Oct 11, 2011Honda: update replacement pcm with automatic transmission.
- 10039537Jul 21, 2011Honda: the vehicle moves faster than expected with the transmission in gear, foot off the brake, and foot off the throttle. Software is causing extra engine torque after a cold…
- 10018868Dec 16, 2005Transmission grinds at shifts, skip shifting.
- 10018079Jul 16, 20051-2 upshift shudder, judder, vibration at 2,000 rpm.
- 10018029Jun 1, 2005Replacing a canon a75 digital camera to take inspection photos for s/b 04-021, safety recall: a/t 2nd gear inspection, or s/b 04-037, safety recall: accord v6 a/t 2nd gear…
- 10016346Apr 16, 2005Automatic transmission fluid (atf) leaks. Honda tech line summary.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 5 | 5% |
| 2024 | 6 | 4% |
| 2023 | 3 | 3% |
| 2022 | 8 | 3% |
| 2021 | 14 | 6% |
| 2020 | 16 | 4% |
| 2019 | 43 | 6% |
| 2018 | 139 | 7% |
| 2017 | 33 | 6% |
| 2016 | 29 | 5% |
| 2015 | 40 | 7% |
| 2014 | 65 | 7% |
| 2013 | 110 | 8% |
| 2012 | 27 | 7% |
| 2011 | 21 | 7% |
| 2010 | 45 | 8% |
| 2009 | 36 | 5% |
| 2008 | 70 | 5% |
| 2007 | 58 | 11% |
| 2006 | 50 | 12% |
| 2005 | 113 | 17% |
| 2004 | 348 | 34% |
| 2003 | 924 | 47% |
| 2002 | 478 | 46% |
| 2001 | 209 | 23% |
| 2000 | 201 | 17% |
| 1999 | 246 | 22% |
| 1998 | 276 | 23% |
| 1997 | 33 | 7% |
| 1996 | 27 | 6% |
| 1995 | 18 | 3% |
| 1994 | 21 | 6% |
| 1993 | 17 | 9% |
| 1992 | 25 | 12% |
| 1991 | 18 | 8% |
| 1990 | 15 | 8% |
| 1989 | 3 | 3% |
| 1988 | 11 | 13% |
| 1987 | 7 | 6% |
| 1986 | 5 | 9% |
| 1985 | 1 | 8% |
| 1983 | 1 | 14% |
| 1982 | 1 | 10% |
| 1981 | 1 | 14% |
Other parts of the 2003 Honda Accord
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 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 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