2003 Honda Accord Complaint Log

KEY IS EXTREMELY HOT AFTER REMOVING FROM IGNITION--ENOUGH TO LEAVE A SMALL BURN ON MY SKIN. THIS HAPPENS IN BOTH HOT AND COLD WEATHER, BOTH WITH AND WITHOUT THE A/C OR HEATER ON.*AK

I WAS THE DRIVER IN A FRONT END CAR ACCIDENT AND MY DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT OPEN. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DID OPEN WITH NO PASSENGER. I SUSTAINED INJURIES BECAUSE OF THE FAILURE OF THE AIRBAG TO OPEN. I CONTACTED THE DEALER, MULLER'S HIGHLAND PARK HONDA, WHO INFORMED ME THAT THEY KNEW OF OTHER CASES OF AIRBAGS NOT OPENING. THE DEALER SAID TO CONTACT THE CUSTOMER SERVICE AT HONDA NORTH AMERICA. A REPRESENTATIVE FROM H.N.A. LOOKED AT THE CAR AND STATED THE COMPUTER SAID THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG WAS FUNCTIONING PROPERLY AND SHOULD HAVE OPENED. NEXT THEY HAD AN ENGINEER CALL WHO DID NOT LOOK AT THE CAR HERSELF AND SAID THE CAR FUNCTIONED PROPERLY. I WILL NEVER FEEL SAFE IN THIS CAR AGAIN. I WILL NEVER KNOW IF THE AIRBAG WOULD OPEN IF THERE WAS ANOTHER ACCIDENT. HONDA NORTH AMERICA NOW REFUSES TO ADMIT THERE IS A PROBLEM AND I FEEL THIS SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED BEFORE SOMEONE DIES. *PH

ON JUNE 23, 2003, I TOOK THIS VEHICLE TO THE HONDA DEALERSHIP IN CLOVIS, CALIFORNIA. IT HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE SHAKING WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES AND A CONSTANT SLIGHT VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS WAS DONE WITH THE VEHICLE HAVING 5,150 MILES ON IT. THE DEALERSHIP RESURFACED THE FRONT ROTORS. ON JULY 17, 2003, I TOOK THIS VEHICLE BACK TO THE HONDA DEALERSHIP IN CLOVIS, CALIFORNIA, FOR THE SAME PROBLEM AS BEFORE. THIS TIME I WAS CHARGED FOR A BALANCE AND ROTATION WHICH I AGREED TO. I LEFT THE DEALERSHIP WITH A SLIGHT VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND WAS STILL EXPERIENCING A SLIGHT VIBRATION WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES. THIS WAS DONE WITH THE VEHICLE HAVING 6, 784 MILES ON IT. ON OCTOBER 17, 2003, I TOOK THIS VEHICLE BACK TO THE HONDA DEALERSHIP IN CLOVIS, CALIFORNIA, FOR THE SAME PROBLEM AS BEFORE. THIS WAS DONE WITH THE VEHICLE HAVING 11,692 MILES ON IT. THE DEALERSHIP RESURFACED BOTH THE FRONT AND REAR ROTORS. THE VEHICLE NOW HAS 16,000 MILES ON IT AND IT NEEDS TO GO BACK INTO THE REPAIR SHOP ONCE AGAIN FOR ROTOR WARPING. I FEEL THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE BRAKING SYSTEM WITH THIS NEW 2003 HONDA ACCORD.*AK

ROTTEN EGG SMELL COMING FROM EXHAUST. SMELL IS MOST NOTICEABLE AFTER A HARD ACCELERATION.*AK

I PURCHASED A NEW 2003 HONDA ACCORD IN JULY 2003. IT HAS A TERRIBLE STARTING PROBLEM. MY DEALERSHIP HAS CHECKED IT OUT THREE TIMES AND STILL NO RESOLUTION HAS BEEN MADE. I BELIEVE HONDA SHOULD ADDRESS THE PROBLEM PROMPTLY BECAUSE I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO IS HAVING THIS PROBLEM. *JB

AT ABOUT THE 12K MILES, THE BRAKES STARTED TO PULSE DURING NORMAL OPERATION. DEALER CUT DISCS AND INSTALLED NEW PADS. AT 24K MILES, SAME SITUATION. DEALER REPLACED DISC AND NEW PADS. DEALER COULD NOT RESOLVE PROBLEM. I AM A MECHANICAL ENGINEER AND AN AUTO MECHANIC. THE PROBLEM IS THE LOWER QUALITY STEEL BEING USED BY HONDA FOR THEIR DISC BRAKES. I SOLVED THE PROBLEM BY PURCHASING ($300 INCL SHP AND HANDLING) AMERICAN RACING DISC. I HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS SINCE THEN. CONCLUSION: HONDA IS USING LOW QUALITY STEEL IN THEIR DISC BRAKES AND HAS DONE NOTHING TO IMPROVE THEIR PRODUCT QUALITY. TSB ARE A POOR/CHEAP WAY TO SOLVE PROBLEMS. *NM

I'VE HAD TO REPLACE EACH REAR TIRE WITHIN THE LAST 4 MONTHS OF PURCHASE DUE TO MILD CONTACT WITH THE CURB. THE TIRES WERE GASHED AND SEVERELY DEFLATED. HAD TO GET REPLACED. *NLM

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH THE LEFT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT WITHOUT WARNING.*AK

VEHICLE WAS STRUCK FROM BEHIND AT ABOUT 40 MPH. VEHICLE WAS PUSHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE SPUN AROUND AND LANDED ON TOP OF THE CAR FROM THE SIDE. NEITHER THE FRONT AIRBAGS OR THE SIDE AIRBAGS CAME OUT. THANK GOD NO INJURIES; JUST SORE THE NEXT DAY; BUT I'M VERY PUZZLED AS TO WHY THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T COME OUT. *NLM

BRAKE ROTORS WARPED AT 4000 MILES. CAR HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN AGGRESSIVELY. ROTORS NOW SLIGHTLY WARPED AGAIN AT 8000 MILES.*AK

BOUGHT 2003 HONDA ACCORD EX-V6 ON 6/2/03. WHILE TRAVELING OUT OF TOWN ON 6/7/03, THE CD CHANGER STOPPED AND WOULD NOT PLAY ANY MORE CD'S. THE CONSOLE WAS VERY HOT, AS WAS THE CD. RETURNED TO DEALER WHO IS IN PROCESS OF REPLACING CHANGER. *JB

INTERMITTENT LONG CRANK STARTING PROBLEM. HAPPENED AVERAGE OF 4 TIMES A WEEK. *TT

IN THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY I BOUGHT A HONDA ACCORD, EVERYTHING WAS FINE UNTIL THE END OF MAY WHEN I NOTICED A CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR EVERY TIME THE CAR STOPS, I TOOK IT TO THE HONDA DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT IT AND AFTER A FEW HOURS, I WAS TOLD THAT THE CLICKING OF THE CAR IS CHARACTERISTIC OF THIS CAR, I TOLD THEM THAT IT DIDN'T HAVE IT WHEN I BOUGHT, THEN I WAS GIVEN A PRINT OUT WHERE HONDA TALKS ABOUT THE "CLICKING OR TICKING AT IDLE" FOR THIS TYPE OF CAR, I HAVE ASKED OTHER PERSON WITH THE SAME TYPE OF CAR AND HE DOESN'T HAVE THIS NOISE, I HAVE TAKEN IT TO ANOTHER DEALER UNDER HONDA'S CUSTOMER SERVICE REQUEST AND THE DEALER SAID THAT ALL CARS HAVE THAT NOISE, I KNOW FOR A FACT THAT NONE OF MY PREVIOUS CARS HAD THAT NOISE. SINCE THIS IS NOT CONSIDER A DEFECT OR A PROBLEM BY HONDA, THEY OFFERED ME A FREE OIL CHANGE AS A "GOOD WILL". THIS CAR IS COSTING ME OVER $27,000, HONDA CAN CALL THIS NOISE ANYWAY THEY WANT, BUT I DID NOT BUY A CAR TO HAVE SOME NOISE AFTER ONLY 4 MONTHS OF HAVING THE CAR, THEY ALSO ADMIT IS A PROBLEM IN THE BULLETIN WHEN THEY SAY "CHARACTERISTIC PROBLEM", THE HONEST THING FROM HONDA SINCE THEY KNEW THIS SINCE DECEMBER 2002 AND I BOUGHT THE CAR IN FEBRUARY 2003, SHOULD HAVE BEEN TO INFORM ME ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF HAVING THIS NOISE IN THE CAR, AND I WOULD HAVE MADE THE DECISION OF NOT BUYING THE CAR, I HAVE BEEN TO TWO DEALERS, CALLED HONDA CUSTOMER SERVICE 3 TIMES AND I HAVE ONLY BEEN OFFERED A FREE OIL CHANGE, I HOPE THIS AGENCY CAN HELP ME TO DEAL WITH HONDA, I KNOW THIS MAY NOT BE A SAFETY ISSUE BUT I DON'T THINK HONDA SHOULD GET AWAY WITH HIDING INFORMATION FROM POTENTIAL CUSTOMERS AND THEN WHEN THEY GET CALLED JUST ACT LIKE THERE IS NO PROBLEM. THANKS, ML I ONLY SEE REPORT DEFECTIVE EQUIPMENT THAT WAS INCLUDED WITH THE VEHICLE AT TIME OF PURCHASE BUT THIS NOISE WASN'T THERE WHEN I PURCHASE THE CAR. *NLM

CONSUMER WAS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING WHILE DRIVING, IT CAUSED A CAR ACCIDENT. MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AT THE TIME OF THIS CALL. DEALER WAS CONTACTED, AND STATED THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. *AK THE CONSUMER'S WIFE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE WHEN SUDDENLY THE STEERING WHEEL COULD NOT BE CONTROLLED, THE VEHICLE HAD GONE BACK AND FORTH AND CAUSED HER TO HIT THE TIRES OF THE SEMI. *SCC *JB

REPEATED FAILURE OF THE VEHICLE TO RESPOND TO ACCELERATOR PEDAL INPUT. DEALER OF COURSE CANNOT DUPLICATE. THIS IS CERTAINLY A SAFETY ISSUE BUT THERE HAS BEEN LITTLE EFFORT TO CORRECT.*AK

WHILE DRIVING, AND WITHOUT WARNING THE BRAKES FAILED, WHICH CAUSED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK PH *JB

THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN DEFECTIVE FROM THE OUTSET. THE WRONG LUG NUTS WERE ON THE WHEELS. I GOT A RIDE OF VIBRATION FOR 13,000 MILES AND 25 TRIPS TO THE DEALERSHIP AND INDEPENDENT TIRE SHOPS. THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY A DIFFERENTIAL WHICH FAILED AND TWO TRANSMISSIONS AFTER THE ORIGINAL FOR A TOTAL OF THREE. I NEVER GOT ONE MILE OF THE NEW CAR RIDE A NEW CAR WOULD NORMALLY PROVIDE. COUNTLESS TRIPS AND STOP GAP REPAIRS ,I AM NOW AFRAID TO TAKE A TRIP. I HAVE ASKED HONDA FOR A NEW CAR THREE TIME INCLUDING JAPAN AND THEY HAVE DECLINED 'STATING THEY COVER THE 3RD TRANSMISSION WITH A WARRANTY AND HAVE HELPED. I HAVE BEEN STRANDED 5 TIMES THE MANY TRIPS TO CULVER CITY FROM VAN NUYS WERE NOT ALL DOCUMENTED AS\ THE WORK ORDERS WERE REDACTED BY [XXX], WHO HONDA CLAIMS SINCE HAVE BEEN RELEASED(FIRED).I HAVE INVOICES OF OVER ALMOST 5 1/2 INCHES WIDE COLLECTIVELY. IF EVER A CAR WAS 'FRAUDULENT' IN TERMS OF A VEHICLE THAT DID NOT EVER MESH MECHANICALLY THIS IS THE 'PROTOTYPE' HONDA ACCORD IF THERE IS ANY JUSTICE A NEW CAR WOULD BE PROVIDED AND BE DEEMED A MOST APPROPRIATE RESOLUTION ON THIS MATTER OF THE CAR WHICH NEVER WORKED FROM THE OUTSET. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

THERE IS A CONSTANT RATTLE ON THE SUNROOF OF MY VEHICLE WHEN IT IS CLOSED. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD HAVE TO REMOVE THE ENTIRE SUNROOF JUST TO CHECK IT. I HAVE BEEN HESITANT TO TAKE IT IN DUE TO THE POSSIBILITY OF MORE DAMAGE. THE DEALER IS DOWNEY HONDA (DOWNEY, CALIFORNIA). *AK

ROTTEN EGG SMELL WHEN DRIVING. 2003 HONDA ACCORD LX. *AK

NAR 06/05/2003 *MR 2003 HONDA ACCORD V6 - GASOLINE CONNECTION FAILURE. *CB

WHEN AUTO SHOULD BE COASTING OR UNDER VERY SLIGHT LOAD, FEEL INTERMITTENT ENGINE BRAKING, ENGINE RPM IS FLUCTUATING INDICATING TRANSMISSION IS SEARCHING BETWEEN GEARS. DEALER SAID THAT IS THE WAY THEY ALL ARE. VERY ANNOYING. *JB

THERE IS A CONSTANT POPPING NOISE THAT DEVELOPED AROUND 2500 MILES. THE NOISE OCCURS ONCE OR TWICE UPON ACCELERATION FROM A DEAD STOP AND WHILE BRAKING TO COME TO A DEAD STOP. THE NOISE APPEARS TO BE COMING FROM THE FIREWALL AREA UNDER THE DRIVERS SIDE FLOOR PAN. OTHER PEOPLE WITH THIS PROBLEM HAVE REPORTED THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH V6 ACCORDS AND THAT THE FIX IS TO RE-WELD SOME AREAS BETWEEN THE FIREWALL AND FLOOR PAN. MY DEALER IS NOT AWARE OF ANY SUCH FIX AND HONDA CUSTOMER SERVICE HAS NO IDEA AS WELL. THE POPPING NOISE APPEARS TO BE CAUSED TO BODY FLEX IN AREAS THAT WERE NOT WELDED PROPERLY.

BRAKE ROTORS WEAR OUT PREMATURELY, CONSUMER HAS ONLY OWNED THE VEHICLE FOR SEVEN MONTHS. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

I PURCHASED MY $34,000 2003 ACCORD ON MAY 13, 2003 FROM ROUTE 23 HONDA IN POMTON PLAINS, NJ. AFTER PURCHASING IT, I NOTICED THAT THE PLASTIC/GLASS MOLDINGS AROUND THE DOORS WERE WERE VERY DEFORMED. THREE MOLDINGS HAVE BEEN FIXED AFTER 2 TIMES BEING IN FOR SERVICE, AND ONE HAS YET TO BE FIXED(WAITING FOR PART). THE RADIO WAS MAKING A SQUEAKING NOISE AND DEFORMED LOOKING, AND THEY REPLACED THE ENTIRE UNIT. ON THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE WELL, THERE WAS A MOLDING THAT WAS NEVER SCREWED IN PROPERLY, AND BEGAN TO HANG DOWN, WHICH WAS REPLACED. THE SHIFTER HAS A LOOSE STITCH ON IT, WHICH IS BECOMING VERY SHARP AND CAN POSSIBLY CUT SOMEONE. THE PART WAS PUT ON ORDER 3 MONTHS AGO, BUT I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF IT'S ARRIVAL. THE DRIVER SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER NOZZLE SPRAYS DIRECTLY INTO THE WIPER ARM. THIS WAS BROUGHT IN FOR SERVICE 4 TIMES, AND FINALLY ANOTHER DEALERSHIP(SUSSEX HONDA) ORDERED A NEW NOZZLE WHICH WILL HOPEFULLY WORK. THE CAR HAS A SLIGHT BURNING SMELL WHEN I PARK THE CAR AFTER DRIVING. I BROUGHT THIS TO HONDA'S ATTENTION, BUT OF COURSE THEY DIDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. THE CAR ALSO HAS A SLIGHT GRINDING FEELING THAT CAN MOSTLY BE FELT BETWEEN 1500 AND 2500 RPMS. I BROUGHT THIS INTO SERVICE 4 TIMES AND THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG(AGAIN). ALONG WITH THAT, WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE, AFTER ABOUT 20 FEET IT MAKES A HORRIBLE GRINDING NOISE AND FEELING IN THE GEARS. THE CAR ALSO SEEMS TO LACK THE POWER THAT IT SHOULD HAVE. I KNOW THIS BECAUSE I HAD A 2003 ACCORD LX V6 COUPE, AND THEN TRADED IT IN FOR A 2003 ACCORD EX V6 COUPE. THE LX HAD A LOT MORE POWER THAN THE EX. ALSO THE LX HAD NO WIPER PROBLEMS, GRINDING PROBLEMS, OR OTHER PROBLEMS THAT I HAVE WITH THE EX. OVERALL I HAVE FOUND 10 DEFECTS WITH MY CAR WITHIN THE FIRST MONTH OF HAVING IT. AFTER ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS, AND HAVING THE DEALERSHIP AND THE HONDA SERVICE CENTER HOTLINE TREAT ME AS IF I WAS MAKING UP THESE PROBLEMS AND THAT IT WAS MY FAULT FOR HAVING THESE PROBLEMS I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER HONDA AGAIN! *LA

I PURCHASED MY $34,000 2003 ACCORD ON MAY 13, 2003 FROM ROUTE 23 HONDA IN POMTON PLAINS, NJ. AFTER PURCHASING IT, I NOTICED THAT THE PLASTIC/GLASS MOLDINGS AROUND THE DOORS WERE WERE VERY DEFORMED. THREE MOLDINGS HAVE BEEN FIXED AFTER 2 TIMES BEING IN FOR SERVICE, AND ONE HAS YET TO BE FIXED(WAITING FOR PART). THE RADIO WAS MAKING A SQUEAKING NOISE AND DEFORMED LOOKING, AND THEY REPLACED THE ENTIRE UNIT. ON THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE WELL, THERE WAS A MOLDING THAT WAS NEVER SCREWED IN PROPERLY, AND BEGAN TO HANG DOWN, WHICH WAS REPLACED. THE SHIFTER HAS A LOOSE STITCH ON IT, WHICH IS BECOMING VERY SHARP AND CAN POSSIBLY CUT SOMEONE. THE PART WAS PUT ON ORDER 3 MONTHS AGO, BUT I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF IT'S ARRIVAL. THE DRIVER SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER NOZZLE SPRAYS DIRECTLY INTO THE WIPER ARM. THIS WAS BROUGHT IN FOR SERVICE 4 TIMES, AND FINALLY ANOTHER DEALERSHIP(SUSSEX HONDA) ORDERED A NEW NOZZLE WHICH WILL HOPEFULLY WORK. THE CAR HAS A SLIGHT BURNING SMELL WHEN I PARK THE CAR AFTER DRIVING. I BROUGHT THIS TO HONDA'S ATTENTION, BUT OF COURSE THEY DIDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. THE CAR ALSO HAS A SLIGHT GRINDING FEELING THAT CAN MOSTLY BE FELT BETWEEN 1500 AND 2500 RPMS. I BROUGHT THIS INTO SERVICE 4 TIMES AND THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG(AGAIN). ALONG WITH THAT, WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE, AFTER ABOUT 20 FEET IT MAKES A HORRIBLE GRINDING NOISE AND FEELING IN THE GEARS. THE CAR ALSO SEEMS TO LACK THE POWER THAT IT SHOULD HAVE. I KNOW THIS BECAUSE I HAD A 2003 ACCORD LX V6 COUPE, AND THEN TRADED IT IN FOR A 2003 ACCORD EX V6 COUPE. THE LX HAD A LOT MORE POWER THAN THE EX. ALSO THE LX HAD NO WIPER PROBLEMS, GRINDING PROBLEMS, OR OTHER PROBLEMS THAT I HAVE WITH THE EX. OVERALL I HAVE FOUND 10 DEFECTS WITH MY CAR WITHIN THE FIRST MONTH OF HAVING IT. AFTER ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS, AND HAVING THE DEALERSHIP AND THE HONDA SERVICE CENTER HOTLINE TREAT ME AS IF I WAS MAKING UP THESE PROBLEMS AND THAT IT WAS MY FAULT FOR HAVING THESE PROBLEMS I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER HONDA AGAIN! *LA

VEHICLE DRIFTS TO THE RIGHT. DANGEROUS ON INTERSTATES WHEN TRAVELING @ 70MPH. MUST CONSTANTLY HOLD VEHICLE IN LANE. ALSO PROBLEMS WITH BRAKES GRABBING WHEN STOPPING. DEALER ADJUSTED SUBFRAME AND REPLACED BRAKES. VEHICLE IS STILL EXTREMELY SENSITIVE TO ROAD CROWNING. DEALER SAID THE DRIFT IS BETTER BUT NOT PERFECT. I'M STILL CONCERNED WITH SAFETY OF VEHICLE.

SPARE TIRE PROVIDED WITH CAR IS WRONG SIZE. CAR IS EQUIPPED WITH 16 INCH TIRES WITH ALLOY RIMS. SPARE TIRE IS SIZE 15 INCH. WHEN I CALLED TO ASK WHY SPARE TIRE DOES NOT MATCH PERMANENT TIRES, I WAS TOLD THE 15 INCH SPARE TIRE IS FOR EMERGENCY USE ONLY. WHEN I ASKED WHY A 16 INCH SPARE IS NOT PROVIDED, I WAS TOLD THAT IF HONDA GAVE ME A 16 INCH TIRE THEN THEY WOULD HAVE TO GIVE EVERYONE 16 INCH SPARE TIRES. *JB

DEFECTIVE ROTORS ON 2003 HONDA ACCORD V6 SEDAN. IMMEDIATELY AFTER BUYING THE CAR, THE FRONT BRAKES VIBRATED. I THOUGHT IT MIGHT GO AWAY. DEALER INSPECTED AND "CUT THE ROTORS". DEFECT WAS NOT CORRECTED AND GOT VERY BAD SUCH THAT WHOLE CAR NOW VIBRATES. DEALER FAILED TO RECOGNIZE AND REPLACE DEFECTIVE HONDA ROTORS, WHICH HE SHOULD HAVE DONE WHEN CAR WAS TAKEN TO HIM FOR THIS SERVICE. I HAVE NOW HAD TO TRY TO FIND A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO WILL GET SUITABLE ROTORS AND REPAIR THE BRAKE SYSTEM. ALL ROTOR MANUFACTURERS HAVE STATED THAT THE FAILED ROTORS CANNOT BE "FIXED" BY CUTTING THEM. THEY MUST BE REPLACED OR THE DEFECT WILL OCCUR OVER AND OVER WITH TIME. HONDA AND THE DEALERSHIP HAVE REFUSED TO REPLACE THEM AND DID NOT REPLACE THEM WHEN FIRST REPORTED. *JB

MY DAUGHTER AND I WERE DRIVING ALONG A BUSY STREET WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO SLOW DOWN BECAUSE THE TRAFFIC AHEAD STARTED SLOWING DOWN FOR A RED LIGHT AND MY CAR DIDN'T RESPOND TO MY BRAKING. I WAS DRIVING BEHIND A BUS AND MY CAR KEPT ACCELERATING TOWARDS THE BUS. I THREW THE CAR IN PARK - STRIPPING THE GEARS - AND THE CAR KEPT GOING. BY SOME LARGE MIRACLE, THERE WAS A GAP IN THE TRAFFIC COMING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION, SO I TURNED INTO THOSE LANES AND TRAVELED FOR A FEW FEET BEFORE I CAME UPON A ONE WAY STREET - NOT IN MY FAVOR - IT'S ANOTHER MIRACLE NO ONE WAS COMING UP THAT STREET, SO I TURNED INTO THE ONE WAY HOPING TO FIND SOME WAY TO STOP THE CAR. THE TWISTS AND TURNS TOOK AWAY SOME OF THE MOMENTUM AND WHEN I HAD GONE ABOUT 1/3 OF THE WAY DOWN THE ONE WAY STREET, I YANKED UP THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND THE CAR FINALLY STOPPED. THE CAR WAS TOWED INTO THE DEALERSHIP ON TUESDAY, MAY 6, 2003 AND THEY CALLED ME ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 7TH, TO SAY THAT THEY RAN ALL SORTS OF CHECKS AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKES. THE FACT THAT THE BRAKES ARE NOW WORKING DOES NOT MEAN THAT THE BRAKES ARE GOOD. MY DAUGHTER AND I CAN TESTIFY TO THAT FACT BECAUSE WE WERE THE ONES WHO FACED THAT NEAR DEATH SITUATION AND I REFUSE TO TAKE A CHANCE WITH OUR LIVES. THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE BRAKES AND I WOULD HATE TO START SEEING REPORTS OF FATALITIES CAUSED BY THIS BECAUSE THEY SIMPLY DID NOT DO EXTENSIVE ENOUGH TESTS TO FIND AND FIX THE PROBLEM. THE DEALER IS BASICALLY SAYING THAT SINCE THEY CAN'T FIND A PROBLEM, I HAVE NO CHOICE BUT THE TAKE THE CAR BACK. I ABSOLUTELY CANNOT DRIVE THAT CAR THE WAY IT IS BECAUSE I CONSTANTLY VISUALIZE THE OUTCOME HAD I BEEN TRAVELING ON A HIGHWAY GOING 50 OR 60 MILES AN HOUR. AS IT IS, WE ARE VERY LUCKY AND THANKFUL THAT EVERYTHING WORKED IN OUR FAVOR AND WE DID NOT CRASH. I DON'T WANT TO BECOME A STATISTIC AT WHICH TIME THEY WILL BREAK THEIR NECKS TO FIND AND FIX THE PROBLEM....TOO LATE. *NLM

THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING, WHICH MADE THE VEHICLE DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. *JB

I HAVE A 2003 HONDA ACCORD PURCHASED IN MARCH 03. THE LEFT REAR AND RIGHT FRONT IS LEAKING WATER. WE DON'T KNOW EXACTLY WHEN THIS STARTED BUT NOTICED IT ON MAY 3RD. DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO FIX AS OF NOW AND NOW CAR IS SMELLING LIKE MOLD. CONCERNED ABOUT MOLD NOW THAT IT SMELLS. TECHS AT DEALER HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIX. HONDA MOTOR CORP. WAS CALLED BY ME AND DEALER BUT THEY HAVE BEEN NO HELP. I KNOW THAT IT'S DANGEROUS TO BREATHE IN MOLD SO I AM NOW AFRAID THAT SINCE THEY HAVEN'T FIXED AND DON'T KNOW WERE IT'S LEAKING FROM THAT THERE COULD BE MOLD THAT I AM NOT SEEING. *NLM

WHILE DRIVING AT APPROX 45 MPH, MY RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT. THERE WAS NOTHING VISIBLE ON THE ROAD THAT WOULD CAUSE THIS. I BELIEVE THIS IS A TIRE RELATED FAILURE. *JB

THE BRAKING SYSTEM ON SOME 2003 HONDA ACCORDS ARE DEFECTIVE. I BROUGHT A DEMO HONDA ACCORD EX IN FEB '03 WITH AROUND 4500 MILES AT PURCHASE AND HAS OVER 40000 NOW. 05/02/03 12,849 MILES. I TOOK MY CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP (LEITH HONDA IN RALEIGH) COMPLAINING OF VIBRATIONS IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN BRAKING. I WAS TOLD IT IT WAS CAUSED BY HIGH SPEED BRAKING AND TO CHANGE MY DRIVING HABITS. SINCE IT WAS A DEMO VEHICLE, THE DEALERSHIP RESURFACED THE ROTORS FREE OF CHARGE. 6/17 17,775 MILES. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT.AGAIN, THE TECHNICAN SAID IT WAS CAUSED BY HIGH SPEED BRAKING. THE SERVICE ADVISOR WENT ON TO TELL ME THAT THIS WOULD BE THE LAST TIME IT WOULD BE FIXED FREE OF CHARGE. MY ROTORS WERE RESURFACED AGAIN. BY LATE SEPTEMBER, THE CAR BEGAN HAVING STRONG VIBRATIONS WHEN BRAKING. THE CONDITION HAD GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE BUT I KNEW I DIDNT HAVE THE MONEY TO PAY FOR THE CAR ITSELF AND THIS BRAKE PROBLEM. I CALLED THE HONDA DEALERSHIP BACK AND REQUESTED TO SPEAK WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER. IT WAS AT THIS TIME THAT I FOUND OUT HONDA (TECH LINE) WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND THAT IT WOULD BE FIXED FREE OF CHARGE UNTIL A SOLUTION WAS IN PLACE. 10/08 30,550 MILES. HAD MY ROTORS REPLACED (BOYD HONDA IN OXFORD) 12/01 35,995 MILES. TOOK MY CAR IN FOR SERVICE FOR ANOTHER MATTER BUT INFORMED THE SERVICE ADVISOR, THE VIBRATIONS WERE BACK. I LEARNED A BULLENTIN WAS POSTED FOR THE '03 BRAKE PADS AND THEY WERE REPLACED (BOYD HONDA). 01/09/04 39,226 MILES. RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP WITH SIGNS OF THE PROBLEM PRESENT WHEN BRAKING AFTER HAVING THE NEW PADS PUT ON. *AK

THERE IS A POPPING NOISE THAT OCCURS ONCE UPON ACCELERATION FROM A DEAD STOP AND WHILE BRAKING TO COME TO A DEAD STOP. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR IN TWICE TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM WITHOUT ANY LUCK. FIRST TIME HONDA REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER AND THE SECOND TIME THEY REPLACED THE CALIPERS. *AK

WITH APPROX 122,000 MILES MY 2003 HONDA ACCORD EX V6 IS AT THE LOCAL PASADENA HONDA DEALER WHO WORKING WITH HONDA MOTORS STATES THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, DUE TO TRANSMISSION FAILURE, AT A COST OF OVER $4000. THERE IS NOW A BACKLOG FOR AT LEAST A MONTH ON THE PART. FOR MANY YEARS ACTUALLY WITHIN THE FIRST YEAR OF PURCHASE THE TRANSMISSION HAS HESITATED AND NOT SHIFTED PROPERLY I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER FOR THE 2004 RECALL WHICH MADE LITTLE TO NO DIFFERENCE IN THE HESITATION/SHIFTING PROBLEM. RECENTLY AFTER TAKING THE CAR IN TO THE DEALER FOR THE IGNITION INTERLOCK RECALL, THE CAR BEGAN TO SHOW VERY NOTICEABLE SIGNS OF SOME SORT OF MAJOR PROBLEM WHILE ACCELERATING THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND I WOULD HEAR A SPINNING. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE CAR WOULD HAVE DIFFICULTY SIFTING FROM 1-3 GEAR AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE, THIS IS A CRITICAL SPEED THAT THE CAR MUST PERFORM AT OTHERWISE IT IS NOT FIT TO BE DRIVEN ANYWHERE. THIS CAR IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE IN THIS CONDITION. THERE ARE HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS MODEL CAR, I FORMALLY REQUEST THE NHTSA TO ASSES THIS SITUATION BEFORE THERE ARE FURTHER INJURIES OR DEATHS AS A RESULT. HONDA IS CLEARLY AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM. TO BE CLEAR THIS PROBLEM IS WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND RELATED COMPONENTS, I.E. SOME REPORTS ARE THAT IT IS THE TORQUE CONVERTED. MY DEALER STATES THAT IT IS ONE OF THE BEARINGS. REGARDLESS THE DEALER SERVICE DEPT STATES THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAS TO BE REPLACED.

SINCE PURCHASE OF THE CAR, WHEN I PUT THE CAR INTO DRVIE OR REVERSE, IT TAKES OFF BY ITSELF, WITHOUT MY FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL AT 15-20MPH. THE PROBLEM IS WORSE IN REVERSE. I HAVE HIT A ROCK WALL, AND THIS WEEK, WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE FROM AN ANGLE PARKING SLOT AND TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BREAK , THE CAR SHOT BACKWARDS AND NEARLY HIT A PEDESTRIAN. AGAIN I DID NOT HAVE MY FOOT ON THE GAS. I HAVE TAKEN IT IT SEVERAL TIMES, WITH NO SUCCESS. MOST RECENTLY WAS TOLD IT WAS A STUCK THROTTLE BODY, AND THAT IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. ON REPLACING THE THROTTLE BODY, IT IS BETTER IN DRIVE, BUT STILL BAD IN REVERSE. IT IS UNDER WARRANTY WITH 18,000 MILES, AND I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT, FOR SAFETY REASONS.

BRAKES MAKE EXTREMELY LOUD GRINDING NOISE DURING FIRST FEW USES OF EACH DRIVE. THEY SEEM TO HAVE LESS GRIP DURING THE FIRST FEW STOPS AS WELL. DEALER STATES THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH NOISE INSULATOR PADS ON 2003 ACCORDS AND THAT HONDA HAS NO FIX AT THIS POINT. DEALER ADDED TEMPORARY COMPOSITE MATERIAL UNTIL HONDA DETERMINES PERMANENT FIX. CALLED HONDA CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND I AM WAITING FOR A RESPONSE. DEALER CLAIMS THERE IS NO SAFETY RISK. JB

I HAVE HAD MY 03 ACCORD FOR 5 MONTHS NOW AND HAVE HAD IT TO THE DEALERS MORE THEN 10 TIMES FOR VARIOUS PROBLEMS. THE FIRST PROBLEM I HAD WAS, THE CAR WAS HESITATING WHEN I WOULD START THE ENGINE. I WOULD HAVE TO HOLD THE KEY FOR MORE THEN 5 SECONDS. I BROUGHT MY CAR IN TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY RAN TESTS AND COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. EVENTUALLY THEY TOLD ME IT WAS NORMAL BECAUSE IF I HAD THE AIR COND. OR HEAT ON IT WOULD TAKE A FEW SECONDS FOR IT TO START UP. I ALSO WAS HAVING A BAD ROTTEN EGG SMELL. ONCE AGAIN THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG AND THAT IT WAS THE GAS THAT I WAS GETTING, SOMETHIN ABOUT THE WATER DEPOSITS IN IT. BUT I'VE TRIED DIFFERENT GAS STATIONS LIKE THEY SAID AND IT STILL SMELLS. I HAD MY CAR IN FOR CREAKING SOUNDS IN MY DASH BOARD, AND THEY ACTUALLY FOUND SOME PILLIARS LOOSE AND FIXED THAT PROBLEM. THE MOLDING ON MY PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE WINDOWS WAS CRINKLING FROM THE HEAT AND THE SUN SO THOSE HAD TO BE REPLACED. A RECENT PROBLEM I HAVE NOW IS THERE IS A LEAK IN MY POWER STEERING. I TOLD MY DEALER I WAS CONTACTING HONDA AND THEY SAID TO DEAL W/ IT THRU MY DEALER AND NOT GET THEM INVOLVED, BUT THIS IS RIDICULOUS THAT I AM HAVING ALL THESE PROBLEMS W/ A BRAND NEW CAR!!

CAR HAS BAD SULFUR ODOR WHEN DRIVING SLOW OR STOPING .ALSO , CONDITION APPEARS TO BE WORST WITH A FULL TANK OF GAS .LEVEL OF ODOR CAN BE LIGHT TO LEVEL GIVING YOU A HEADACKE

I PURCHASED THIS HONDA ACCORD 2003 IN APRIL 2003. FROM THE VERY BEGINNING I NOTICED A RAMBLING NOISE ON THE ENGINE, FOUL SMELL, VIBRATION ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND SQUEAKING BRAKES. ALSO WHEN I BRAKE THE CAR SEEMS TO ACCELERATE LIKE THE IDLE IS TOO FAST. I REPORTED IT IMMEDIATELY TO MY HONDA DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME TO TAKE IT TO ANY HONDA DEALER. I TOOK IT TO HONDA IN GLEANDALE AND AFTER INSPECTING IT THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. HOWEVER THE PROBLEMS CONTINUED TO I KEPT TAKING THE CAR TO DIFFERENT HONDA DEALERS BUT NONE COULD COME UP WITH A SOLUTION. WHEN I ASKED THEM TO REPLACE THE VEHICLE THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY ALL HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS AND THAT I HAD TO LEARN TO LIVE WITH IT.! I FEEL TOTALLY FRUSTRATED BY THIS SITUATION AND VERY UNSAFE DRIVING THIS PIECE OF CRAP. *NLM

WHILE THE CAR WAS IDLE OR DRIVEN AT LOW SPEEDS A VERY BAD (ROTTEN) SMELL ENTERS THE PASSENGER CABIN THROUGH THE VENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHICH COULD NOT DETERMINE WHERE THE SMELL WAS COMING FROM. *NLM

1 PARKED CAR IN GARAGE TOOK OUT KEY, ALMOST IN HOUSE WHEN CAR ROLLED OUT OF GARAGE DOWN DRIVEWAY TRIED TO STOP CAR ALL MOST RAN ME OVER. CAR CRASHED INTO CABLE BOX AT END OF DRIVEWAY. CAR STILL IN GEAR. TOOK TO DEALER WHO FIXED IT. 2. CAR SURGES WHEN ENTERING AND LEAVING GARAGE CAR TAKES OFF HAVE TO RIDE BRAKE TO KEEP CAR FROM COMPLETELY TAKING OFF, WITHOUT EVER TOUCHING GAS PEDAL. TOOK TO DEALER. WAS TOLD ALL CARS DO THIS AND NOTHING WAS WRONG THE CAR. *JB

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING VEHICLE WILL STALL. *AK

TRANSMISSION FAILURE CREATES SAFETY HAZARD. TRANSMISSION SHIFTS IRREGULARLY CAUSING CAR TO JERK VIOLENTLY AND THEN DRIVE TO WHEELS FAILS LEAVING CAR STRANDED ON BUSY MOTOR WAY. *TR

I PURCHASED A 2003 HONDA ACCORD IN NOVEMBER 2002. IN APRIL 2003, AS I REPORTED TO MY INSURANCE COMPANY ON THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT, I WAS NOT IN MY CAR WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. I WAS IN THE GROCERY STORE. A PAGE CAME OVER THE LOUDSPEAKER STATING THAT THE OWNER OF A GRAY HONDA PARKED IN THE SIDE PARKING LOT SHOULD COME TO THE MANAGER?S OFFICE. AS I WAS PARKED ON THE SIDE, I SPOKE TO THE MANAGER. THE MANAGER AND I WALKED OUT OF THE STORE TOGETHER AND I SAW THAT MY 2003 HONDA ACCORD WAS AT REST IN THE SIDE OF ANOTHER CAR. THE DOOR WAS LOCKED, THE CAR IN REVERSE AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ON. I HAD THE KEYS WITH ME IN THE GROCERY STORE. NOT KNOWING HOW THIS COULD HAVE HAPPENED, I FILED A POLICE REPORT ON THE THEORY SOMEONE MAY HAVE TRIED TO STEAL THE CAR AND ALSO TOOK IT TO THE HONDA DEALER TO SEE IF IT WAS A MECHANICAL PROBLEM. THE DEALER COULD NOT "REPLICATE THE PROBLEM" AND AT NO POINT ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THIS WAS HAPPENING IN 1999 - 2002 HONDA VEHICLES. THE ACCIDENT CAUSED MORE THAN $3,000 IN PROPERTY DAMAGE, COST ME MY DEDUCTIBLE,AND INITIATED A RAISE IN MY INSURANCE RATES OF 32% (WHICH AFTER MUCH TIME, INCONVENIENCE, AND $27.00, I APPEALED AND WON). SINCE THE ACCIDENT, THE SAME PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED TWO MORE TIMES. I HAVE THE KEYS IN MY HAND AND THE CAR IS NOT IN PARK. I DO NOT HAVE THE PAPER WORK WITH THE EACT DATE OF THE ACCIDENT SO I AM ENTERING THE "5TH" TO ALLOW ME TO FILE THE COMPLAINT. *AK

FOLLOW UP TO PREVIOUS COMPLAINT. HONDA AMERICA SAYS ROTTEN EGG SMELL FROM 2003 ACCORD IS HYDROGEN SULFIDE. HONDA IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REP. READ ME A PREPARED STATEMENT THAT THE 2003 ACCORDS HAVE A PROBLEM IN RELEASING HYDROGEN SULFIDE DUE TO DESIGN, IT IS NOT THE GASOLINE. NO TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS HAS BEEN RELEASED. THERE IS NO FIX. HONDA CLAIMS THE PROBLEM SHOULD GO AWAY OR DISSIPATE SOMETIME BETWEEN 3000-5000 MILES. I HAVE 3950 MILES AND THE SMELL IS AWFUL. HONDA WILL DO NOTHING TO HELP. ACCORDING TO THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL (CDC), HYDROGEN SULFIDE IS A BROAD-SPECTRUM POISON! BREATHING HIGH LEVELS OF HYDROGEN SULFIDE CAN CAUSE DEATH WITHIN JUST A FEW BREATHS! EXPOSURE TO LOWER CONCENTRATIONS CAN RESULT IN EYE IRRITATION, A SORE THROAT, COUGH, SHORTNESS OF BREATH AND FLUID IN THE LUNGS. I HAVE BEEN SHOWING SOME OF THESE SYMPTOMS. WHY HAS NHTSA DONE NOTHING ON THIS ISSUE? THE PROBLEM MUST BE WIDE-SPREAD AS HONDA HAS A PREPARED STATEMENT FOR ITS REPS TO READ OVER THE PHONE. I WILL ATTEMPT A LEMON LAW CLAIM AND/OR CIVIL ACTION FOR DAMAGES DUE TO INJURIES FROM EXPOSURE TO THE HYDROGEN SULFIDE. (INCIDENT DATE DOES NOT APPLY AS THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN CONSTANT). *JB

I HAVE A 2003 HONDA ACCORD 4 DR EX PURCHASED IN JANUARY OF THIS YEAR. I HAVE A CONSTANT PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT SEAT DRIVER AND PASSENGER WINDOWS RATTLING OR TICKING. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR IN TWICE AND HAVE SCHEDULED IT FOR A THIRD TIME NEXT WEEK. THE DEALERSHIP DOES NOT SEEM TO BE ABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THEY HAVE ADMITTED THAT OTHER CARS ON THEIR LOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM INCLUDING ONE DRIVEN BY A SALES MGR. THEY HAVE ALSO CALLED HONDA AMERICA BUT HAVE RECEIVED LITTLE IF ANY GUIDANCE ON HOW TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I WILL COMMEND THE DEALERSHIP FOR THEIR EFFORTS TO FIX THE CAR BUT I WILL PURSUE THE LEMMON LAW IF THIS IS NOT FIXED.

NEW 2003 HONDA ACCORD EX, WITH ONLY 900 MILES ON IT, HIT AT BETWEEN 40 AND 45 MILES PER HOUR ON PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. NEITHER FRONT OR SIDE AIRBAGS WERE DEPLOYED. NECK INJURIES WERE THE RESULT OF MY HEAD HITTING THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW. I ALSO HAD A 2002 HONDA ACCORD EX, HIT ON DRIVER'S SIDE PASSENGER DOOR AT 35 MILES PER HOUR WHILE PARKED AND NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED EITHER. LUCKILY I WAS NOT IN THE CAR WHEN THE 2002 ACCORD WAS HIT. *JB

THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEYS FROM THE IGNITION WHILE THE GEAR WAS IN DRIVE. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ROLL AWAY. *JB . *SCC *NLM

DRIVER WINDOW MAKES A CREAKING NOISE WHILE DRIVING. IF YOU LOWER THE WINDOW JUST BARELY SO AS NOT TO HEAR WIND NOISE, IT WILL SOMETIMES LESSEN THE NOISE. OTHERWISE, IT IS VERY LOUD AND ANNOYING. *NM