Honda Accord 2003 EX-V6 Transmission Failure Christian Donner, March 4, 2009December 22, 2013 [Visit the Facebook Group] So we joined the ranks of people who own a 2003 Honda Accord with a broken transmission. As of 3/4/2009, Carcomplaints.com listed close to 200 similar cases, and it is safe to assume that there were many more who have not found that website, but paid the $3500 that it costs to have the transmission replaced. The damage to Honda’s reliability reputation must be devastating already, but no recall has been issued. Initially, we did not feel quite ready to spend this kind of money, either. I thought that maybe a new transmission was not really needed. Given today’s market conditions, $3500 pays the lease for 3 to 4 years for a comparable car, and the Accord has already been costing thousands in repairs over the past 2 years. I was especially frustrated because I suspected there was something wrong with this transmission from day one. The moment of hesitation that we always noticed before the transmission shifted from first to second gear was probably related to the failure (the transmission recall in 2004 was certainly related to the failure, but was designed to minize cost and liability, not to permanently resolve the issue). I had brought the car in after only a few months of driving in 2003 because of the odd characteristics of the transmission, but I was ridiculed and sent home again. Here is a history of related events: 1/3/2003 Purchased the car at a local Honda dealer 7/28/2003 Took the car to another local Honda dealer where a service technician drove it and determined that there was nothing wrong with the transmission (at 11,000 miles) 9/21/2004 Transmission recall, Honda dealer installed oil jet kit, transmission was not replaced 9/30/2008 Transmission service at Honda dealer (at 111,000 miles) 2/13/2009 Transmission failed on I95, shifts into first gear only, no reverse (at 120,000 miles) 3/3/2009 Transmission fluid replaced, old fluid was very dark The car seemed to drive fine when the transmission was cold, but when it warmed up after a few minutes of highway driving, the transmission would down-shift violently into first gear, regardless of the current speed. My wife reported the smell of ‘burnt rubber’ in the car after such a forced down-shift. This seemed to be quite dangerous. Once this happened, the transmission would fail to shift into anything but first gear. Honda apparently lost a class action for the 2000/2001 Accord and other models in 2006. I was unable to find any current class action initiative that includes the 2003 model year. If you are an attorney who is willing to work with me on a class action against Honda USA, please contact me at . If you have similar transmission problems with your 2003 Accord, please contact me as well, or post your complaint on Carcomplaints.com as well so that there is a record of it. Regardless of what you are planning to do, you should file a complaint with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration – they can force a recall if there is a sufficient number of documented issues. 3/22/2009 Update: We had to make a decision and decided to replace the transmission. Our side of the bill: $2200. Honda paid $900. 4/1/2010 Update: The NHTSA website today lists 328 complaints for the 2003 Accord and 188 for the 2003 Odyssey that describe transmission problems. A search does not show a current or past defect investigation for this problem. It is not documented what criteria and process the NHTSA uses to prioritize their work, but safety does not seem to be a factor. Instead, it seems that the NHTSA works on those problems first that pose the smallest financial risks to auto manufacturers. For instance, the February 2010 report lists a defect investigation for the 2003 Accord about a problem with the ignition switch (park/shift interlock). There are 11(!) complaints on file for this type of issue, and yet, the NHTSA chose to investigate it. Replacing an ignition switch is inexpensive, compared to the cost of replacing an automatic transmission. People will die from a failing Accord transmission, or already have. Honda should be prepared for the same disaster that Toyota is going through right now. Apparently, neither authorities nor car manufactures can learn from past mistakes, and since nobody will be held accountable, why should they? 1/8/2011 The New York Times publishes an article about transmission problems on Honda vehicles 11/16/2010 Update: The NHTSA has issued a recall for the 2003 Accord because of the ignition switch problem that I mentioned above. Kind of funny, actually … 5/23/2011 Update: The number of comments added to this blog post every month keeps rising – a sign that the rate of transmission failures is rising? 2/14/2013 Update: It is now clearly visible from the updated chart below that the number of incicents peaked late in 2011 with almost 30 posts per month and has now decreased to mere noise. If you are having this problem as late as 2013, you will be just a blip on Honda’s radar screen. Incidents per month Related Posts:Amazon threatens customer of 26 yearsThe Great Cat Litter Poop OffTyreWiz not working after battery changelitter closeSUTAB Scam? Consumer Protection 2003failurefeaturedhonda accordtransmission
Again anybody here looking for assistance from Honda dont even waste your time. They might as well not even Offer anything cause APPARENTLY all the TRANNYS are due to fail before 100,000 miles. The next question is which lawyers are willing to take on this CLASS ACTION SUIT
Guess what happened to me this weekend my 2003 V6 transmission went out!! Ive only had this car 8 months and this is what happens. I had a 2000 Accord until this past December with no problems and I assumed all Hondas were reliable. Never buying a Honda again
Got in touch with Honda last week and was given a case number, they never call me back regarding my 2003 Honda with transmission problems. I called them today they offered me 600.00 toward the repair of my car. Was told this was a good faith offer since the car has 111000 miles on it. Transmission was a recall and was repaired once before. Can you believe this. A 3600 repair bill and they offer me 600. I am suppose to let them know if I will take the money. Anyone got any suggestions.
I just recently blew my transmission, my snag and my front mount in my 2004 honda accord v6 ex. It has 82,000 and i just missed my factory warrenty by 2,000 miles (coincident??) I called honda to see if my vin number was included with the recalls and they said no. I also filled out a report to NHTSA but havent heard anything back. Now I am stuck paying $220 for a new trans,snag and front mount. I am so livid. What else can i do?
so they finally get back to me but they’re not covering any cost on my tranny repair, what they’re telling me is, your car is 9 years old with 78k mileage and its logical. What kinda of sense is that? my dad’s nissan altima with 120k still running like a champ, honda just fail, epic fail on Honda, never ever buy Honda no more!
UPDATE after a month and a half of not having my car it’s currently at AAMCO getting rebuilt I’ll get the extended warranty and save uP money til the warranty is up $3200. I jus wish there was more we all could to get a recall issued ASAP. EVERYONE ON THIS BLOG MAKE SURE YOU FILE A COMPLAINT WITH THE NHTSA!!!!!!!!!!
So my 2003 Honda Accord transmission failed at 74k and now the one that we installed to replace just failed as well. I am a lawyer and seeing all the clear evidence that this is a systemic problem and not random wear, I will be looking into a lawsuit over this, Really, now that we know the Honda has known all along that they have a defective product it is clear that their intent was to defraud consumers
At Rick G. I would love to be in involved in a class action lawsuit any details I can provide I’d be more than happy to forward them to you. After all there’s no reason y my car should have to have now 3 new TRANNYS put it in……. Ridiculous
The transmission on my 2003 Honda Accord EX-V6 has failed as well. It has serious trouble shifting between the 1st gear and 2nd gear around 0-30mph. Honda has declined to pay for any of the repairs, so i was forced to go to small transmission shop to try and get it replaced. I really hope Honda or the transmission manufacturer will be held accountable for their incompetence.
THIS is some bull it just happened today wont reverse $2000 plus to fix there needs to be a recall im never buying another honda.
This happened to me last night as I was driving on the freeway going 65mph. My car would abruptly decelerate on my drive home. I had problems accelerating on the freeway and took it to the shop, learning my transmission was blown. 2003 EX-V6 as well.
Us too… 73,000 miles, We bought a Honda so we would’nt have had these kind of problems! I would’nt even tell my worst enemy to buy a Honda.
Well, I am joining the ranks. I own a 2003 EX V6 Accord Coupe with only 104,000 miles, Had just done the 100,000 tune up, then the AC compressor went out. So I have already put over $3,000 into the car hoping to get another 2 years out of it. VERY DISAPPOINTED IN HONDA. Have had electrical gremlins as well. Honda has offered to cover 65% of the repair but that is probably because I have a friend at the dealership. Have not decided a course of action. Will not buy another Honda. This issue is dangerous and I will file a complaint. Luckily I was in the right hand lane of interstate when the transmission downshifted and was able to pull into the emergency lane. Thanks to everyone who took the time to submit comments.
I have an 03 accord also and noticed my transmission slipping. Like most of the people here I goggled trans problem and was not that surprised. My instrument panel light went out so I thought it was a fuse or something simple. Not $800 fix? No help from Honda-too many miles. So now to find out soo many people are having transmission problems too???? It has not downshifted yet so I too will never buy another Honda. If any recall or class action please post! Maybe I’ll try a FORD
My first transmission (2003 EX V6) failed at 43000 miles. Honda provided a new transmission for free less labor. I’m at 135000 miles and was told last week that this transmission is failing. After Honda providing me a new transmission, I appreciated there response and purchased 3 other Honda Accords, all 4 cylinder. No serious problems to date with any of these cars. These 3 cars have over 300,000 total miles. I’m disappointed with the continuing problem on the 6 cylinder. I love the power in the V6. I need a another car and have not ruled out Honda. I’m just surprised the Honda engineers can not find a solution. I’ll just stick with a 4 cylinder.
My transmission on 2003 Accord EX V6 just failed. The transmission slips and will cause the RPM’s to shoot up and then fall and will not engage. I only have 49,000 miles on the car. My dad bought the car new and I bought it from him 2 years ago. Not going to be a cheap fix. I think I’m looking at least minimum of $4000..ouch!!!!!!!! So much for Honda quality…
Add me to the list…I had a 2000 Honda Accord..Honda replaced the transmission about 18 months later, the transmission failed again. I replaced it with a rebuilt one. That failed about 18 months later. Needless to say, I sold the car. In 2009, I purchased my son a 2003 coupe with low miles, guess what it appears the transmission is slipping. Add me to the class actions suit.
144k miles. Can’t wait for this bill. I just bought the car a week ago. Driving through a snow storm and it failed. Traction control playing into this problem?
How many people can I get to give me some contact info on them. I have an attorney that might try and take a stab at this issue. Please include: full first and last name Year, trim level, and miles( at time of occurrence) Phone number and Email (for updates)
my 2003 honda accord transmission just died on me at 70,000 with exact same issue as above when it warmed up after a few minutes of highway driving, the transmission would down-shift violently into first gear, regardless of the current speed. I had the smell of ‘burnt rubber’ in the car after such a forced down-shift. This seemed to be quite dangerous. Once this happened, the transmission would fail to shift into anything but first gear
I jusy bought a 2001 Honda-accord V6 a month ago. I took it to dealer to check problem with acceleration and they informe transmission bad 3900 for transmission and 1000 for labor. This is second honda first still running and I have done a lot of work on it runs great. i should have keep it. Any sujjestions
Add another one to the growing list !! Wife called me on her way home from work said the rpm`s went to 6000 and then the car went from 110 kph to 60kph on the highway, very very dangerous ! Anyway it is getting the official diagnosis at the dealership right now, then it will be a battle with Honda Canada to get some `Goodwill` coverage, hopefully up to 80% as I have read some owners have been compensated. We bought this car new and it has 198,000 klms or 123,000 miles. I used to love Honda`s……now not so much, won`t buy another new car from Honda. They are loosing so much business from people who have owned cars with these lemon transmissions and all the word of mouth that keeps others from buying Honda`s. They would have been smart to admit guilt and pay for the repairs, rather than loose a large customer base now in the thousands. bccu@live.com Scott
Same for me. 2003 Honda Accord, 162K, transmission has trouble shifting into high gear. Yesterday, at a high speed, my transmission jumped into 1st or 2nd and wouldn’t go any faster than 20 mph. So scary. I don’t have $2,000+ at the ready. Honestly don’t know what I’ll do. Hoping I’ll get some compensation from Honda, but I’m a little worried about having such high mileage.
yea i agree i just about got my self in a cookie with one honda tryed to trade me for one and said there was going to be a new transmission put in if we did the deal we agreed did the paper work and found out when we got the car after them sending it to the tansmission shop it showed on the recipet that it was rebuildlt so we got our car back and now haveing to wait on the title some time today 11?3?2011 we was tradeing a 2004 passat disel for it that was a fail thing to do we have our car back because they did not do what they was suppose to do iam glad we did that they are liers and never will i go back to them again in this life time
2003 Accord V6 AT, 83k miles I was driving 55 mph on I-495 and the car downshifted, causing the car to almost come to a halt in heavy but flowing traffic. The car behind me nearly rear ended me and swerved out of the way. I was scared for my life. Now it won’t shift past first gear and reverse does not work. I am not sitting in a Honda dealership lobby while they diagnose the problem. This problem is absolutely unacceptable and I can assure you if they mention $3200 to rebuild the transmission which was designed incorrectly, this will be a lawsuit from me. This is a safety issue where lives are endangered, mine as well as the lives of others. My family owns 4 Hondas; 2 v6 accords, 1 Odyssey, and 1 CRV. Again this problem is unacceptable and needs to be resolved from Honda ASAP.
I see I’m not the only one with this problem. My 03 V6 Honda Accord transmission has gone out at 97,000 miles, and Honda wants to charge $3600 to fix it. They should at least assist us a little better when they know 03 transmissions are no good. It looks like Honda intentionally screwed up there transmission so that we can pay them more money to get it fixed. This is my second Honda that needed a new transmission. I am highly upset with Honda!!!!!
After reading a bunch of these posts I’m very disappointed that the 2003 Honda Accord that I just got needs a new transmission. It is 4 cylinder with 126k. How has everyone been going about having Honda pay for at least part of the work?
Not that it is great to hear this but I thought I was alone in this.. I had my transmission replaced in 04 it went out Honda paid for most of it…Now the problem is everything else that could go wrong has.. I have had to replace almost everything under the hood. I have replaced two catylitic coverters and am now told that there is 3 on this car and the 3rd one is out.. how can three go out in 5 months I don’t get it. I thought cars only had one…This car has been such a pile of crap since I bought it… I am so fustrated….
My 2 door 2003 honda accord automatic transmission went out today! I’m a nursing student with no time our extra money for this! Thanks honda your amazing!
Unbelievable!!! 85k miles, 2003 Accord EX V6! Transmission gone – thought this car was going to last forever! Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!!!!!!!
Well…I have had 3 hondas, and have been very happy with all of them….even tried a Nissan, had problems with it. So I bought a used 2003 V6 Honda Accord 7 days ago. Guess what? The transmission is went out, so it is now back at the dealership getting a new transmission. I still love the car, and can’t wait to get it back. But after reading the all these post, I am afraid of the tranmission not lasting. Luckly… I got a warrenty with it when I bought it. But very dissappointed in Honda! They need to do something!
MY daughter has a 2003 Honda Accord v6 with the same identical problems, we took it to 2 different shops with the same response, its the transmission. The cost to repair is 2200. She dont have the money to repair and we cant help. She bought to car from a Honda Dealership 2 yrs ago and it was having problems at that time but it has gotten worse. When u excelorate, it doesnt shift or the rpms jump up by itself. Unfortunately, our hands are tied and we need help. she is without a car. we got the car with the asumption that because it was honda, it was a good car.. does anyone have any advice?
Add my 2004 Honda Accord V6 with 149,000 miles to the list of transmission failures. After reading all these posts and others online, I feel fortunate that my transmission didn’t suddenly downshift into first while I was in traffic–mine is “only” disengaging, slipping, and has no overdrive. I’ve shopped around at the dealership and a couple of reputable independent shops in the area, and it’s going to cost between $3200 and $4400 to get a remanufactured transmission installed. Like so many others, I called Honda Customer Service to see if I could get any assistance on the repair, and was politely told that they were not in a position to offer any goodwill support due to the age and mileage on the vehicle. I realize that 149,000 miles is a lot of miles on a car, but my 1999 Toyota Sienna has 216,000 miles on it and is still running strong. After owning 7 Honda cars and motorcycles over the years (starting with the first Honda Civic in the ’70’s), it’s disappointing to see how much Honda’s quality has slipped. Up until the transmission failed, I was still a Honda fan, but I think this failure (along with the undersized rear disc brakes that wear prematurely, the starter failure, the seatbelt sensor failure (covered under a recall), the complete failure of the radio head unit (also covered under a recall), and a mysterious squeak in the steering column whenever I turn the steering wheel more than 50 degrees) have me questioning my loyalty. My Accord is becoming a very expensive car to keep running.
I agree Dave this car is horrible. My stereo also went out a few months back it cost me 400 on to of everything else. I’m not sure what else i can replace but i’m pretty sure there will be more. I have put more money then I owe into it. My car is a pile of junk. The sad thing is I know I can’t trade it in because it is a pile. This is so fusterating. I will never buy from Honda again.
Add myself to the 2003 Honda Accord 2D owner with a transmission blowout. My issues started about 3 weeks ago when I was doing 70 mph on a freeway and felt a sudden jolt which caused me to break and almost get rear ended. After this I started noticing problems in my car shifting gears at low speeds, almost as if the car would stall around 25 mph and then give a sudden jolt trying to catch the next gear. So yesterday I get out of work and have the same issue except the check engine light and TCS light came on. And I noticed at 35 mph I was almost at 4000 RPM. I took it to a Honda dealer today, only to be told my transmission has failed and that it would $3800. I also have filed a complaint with Honda Corporate. I was actually shocked to see how many complaints have been filed recently on this site and at other websites. Seems like the transmission is their biggest issue by far.
The CV axle broke the other day on our Accord. At first I thought that the transmission had blown again and was prepared to junk the car, then I was happy to learn that the axle is only a $300 repair. Well, only in theory. They had to replace the wishbone as well because a bolt was stuck and could not be removed without damage. Add a battery, et voilá, there is another $1,000+ repair. We have sunk almost $8,000 into this car in the past 3 years. Leasing all of a sudden seems to make sense.
2003 Accord EX/V6 Automatic. I have 99k miles on mine, and have lost 3rd gear. I dont have the money to replace the trans, and my warranty expired 2 months ago. This started as a slight slip on the 2-3 shift, but now the car slips 3rd completley.
Add me to this list. 2003 Honda Accord V6/EX Auto/Sedan. 103k and car has been down shifting abruptly when it’s coming to a stop. This morning it would not move while i was pressing the gas.. gave it a few seconds then it moved. Was going to give it a transmission flush & see if that would fix the problem because there is not money right now for a new transmission, but after reading all the complaints don’t think that’s going to do it. All this around the holidays.. not cool. Honda should definitely be accountable after so may complaints.
115,000. College student and tranny went out. They want 4300 to replace it. Its a v6 coupe honda accord. Please help me, recommendations???????????
A follow up to my post on November 1st (post #224). I live in Canada and called Honda Canada. Through persistent bitching and complaining I was able to get $2000 towards the repair of the transmission from them, despite the car being well out of warranty and having 198,000 klms or 123,000 miles on it. Aaron in post #242 if you want advice I suggest calling them everyday and having your case escalated, they will eventually give you money but they are all to happy to say no from the get go and hope you go away. Don’t go away and keep their phone line busy with calls, they will cave in and put money towards the repair…..the same with Honda USA. The deal with our transmission was that in order for them to give us $2000 we had to agree to buy their over priced factory rebuilt transmission from a Honda warehouse, we also had to agree to no warranty. I still paid over $2000 on top of the $2000 they put towards the repair at the Honda dealership………..I have been looking into a law firm that will take on a class action suit also but that will be for Honda Canada. Scott at bccu@live.com
Again I hope everyone who posts on this blog reports this to NSHTA that is only way this problem will be resolved
In January 29, 2010, my wife was driving home with my children when the car suddenly loss power. We had it towed to my mechanic who checked it and told us that it was the transmission. We eventually had it replaced for $2300. I was really surprised that the transmission failed so prematurely but since it had passed its warranty I didn’t bother notifiying Honda. However, the same thing happened again this November 11, 2011 while my wife was driving my children home. The rebuilt transmission we had put in failed as well after 30,000 miles. Luckily, it didn’t happened in the freeway. My family could have been killed. Now I’m having it replaced with the used one because I don’t want to spend another $2300. I thought I was alone on this but I found out that a lot of people are having the same problem. My neighbor has an Accord and the same thing happened. I hope something can be done about this before somebody dies.
’03 EX-V6, failed @ 79,000. I called American Honda and they paid 50% of the cost with three year warranty. I just have to pay $1500.
Not a surprise, but my 2003 honda accord ex v6 has joined the very large list of transmission failures! I went to a Honda dealership and they want $4,111 to fix it plus $750 to change my timing belt. I plan to call the honda corporation and fight with them to pay part of the cost. I bought the car in 2009 with 80,000 miles on it. It now has 124,000. When I bought the car I was told the transmission was completely fine and 40,000 miles later it completely dies! I’m trying to find a good place to do the repair for a reasonable price. Any advise?
I also have a 2003 Honda Accord V6 sedan. I am running on the third transmission. The first two failed with the same symptoms as others have described. Fortunately I had bought the extended warranty which still included money out of pocket. Well now the warranty is up and the car has 130,000 on it. I am scared to death of this happening again. I feel I own a ticking time bomb. I should get rid of it ASAP, but I really do not want to enter into new car payments. I bought my Honda because I wanted to avoid major repair bills. Honda is profiting off the repair work of a problem they know about! What can we
I to have had to replace my transmission as well b/c of the same issues and it wasn’t cheap I had no idea there were as many others, I have also expierenced several electrical issues hope something can be done so others don’t have to go through it.