Overview & Reviews

The Honda Accord -- one of America's favorite vehicles -- has been substantially changed for 2003. Continuing as a sedan and a coupe, the 2003 Honda Accord features more powerful and fuel-efficient engines, increased safety and higher levels of interior comfort. A voice-activated GPS navigation system is optional, and a sporty EX coupe debuts in early 2003.

• Tight build quality, quiet cabin, refined powertrains, comfortable driver seat, outstanding optional navigation system.

• Missing key features, relatively small trunk, mushy handling with V6.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 1,022.00

• 

  Failed Transmission - 2003 Honda Accord
  By willm3 - October 30 - 3:28 am

  Great car but transmission is not dependable. I would not buy this car unless you are a transmission mechanic.

• 

  Bad MechanicaL Design & Poor reliability - 2003 Honda Accord
  By newstripes - December 2 - 10:42 am

  My experience with this car has been far from the perception og Hondas go forever, are reliable and great quality. We are experiencing the well known problems of excess oil consumption & timing chain issues. It seems the design of the engine & car makes it very dificult & costly to repair this requiring about 14hours of Labor according to our Honda Dealer. This car usues the most oil of any car i ever owned (3L per 5K) and has cost the most to maintain this year at so far $2000! Now This $2000+!!! all at 80,000 miles (130K Km).

• 

  DONT BUY! - 2003 Honda Accord
  By Michele - December 10 - 5:13 am

  Since we bought this car the transmission has gone out twice, the radio/cd went out and the A/C went out. Our transmission was replaced at 55,000 miles and now at 120,000 miles its out again! Honda says they know this is an issue, but are not willing to help. We are looking at another $3500!!!

• 

  Disappointing - 2003 Honda Accord
  By AMitch - September 23 - 5:49 pm

  Purchased an Accord because of the famed reliability, but over the two years of ownership have found issues constantly creep up, often repeating, even after taking to the dealer to be addressed. Its a fun ride, spacious, and fuel efficient, but the annoyance of sometimes monthly visits to the shop have significantly reduced my trust in the product. Am far less likely to buy a Honda in the future Toyotas quality seems much higher now.

• 

  Radio Problem - 2003 Honda Accord
  By rockwell - August 22 - 10:57 pm

  The background display has gone out and no clock display. Seat belt light stays on continually. Other owners at different websites have reported the same problem. Very expensive to fix. I also own a 2009 Accord and I think I better sell it before problems arise. It feels less reliable than 2003.

• 

  Beware of going over 100,000 miles - 2003 Honda Accord
  By Keith - August 15 - 4:58 am

  Had transmission issues-gasket in-between casings gone-hard to fix -costing 15-2000 dollars. Two oil leaks sprang up in engine-gaskets. I was later told Honda gaskets die after 100,000-so dam true! Other person I know had severe transmission issues in this model. Door is a issue-try and go out it goes to swing back on you. Body rot started on the panels-exhaust system rotted out-same right tail light went out 6 times in a few years. Nightmare. Please look at the later models first. This 2003 was a Bust!

• 

  6 year old car turning into a money sink - 2003 Honda Accord
  By cdonner - March 5 - 8:20 am

  Issues during the first 6 years included rapid brake wear, radio/AC backlight failure, ignition failure (6 ignition coil plus labor is a $1000 repair). The transmission never seemed to work right and I took the car in 2 weeks after we bought it (only to be ridiculed by the service transmission). It went in again for the transmission recall in 2004. The transmission fluid was changed at 111k miles in 2008 (well before the required 120k). Less then 6 months later the transmission went out. First gear only, no reverse. A faulty torque converter, the cause for the jerky shifts from 1st to 2nd gear that many experience, burned up the transmission.

• 

  Overrated by thousands of people - 2003 Honda Accord
  By AcuraT - October 21 - 4:49 pm

  This car has been okay but not nearly as great as many claim it to be. City mpg is about 14 with the V-6 engine with light throttle, 28 to 30 highway. Car has had transmission problems, electrical issues, and generally not that reliable. I also owned a 2001 Acura TL that nearly stranded me at 61,000 miles due to a faulty transmission. This will be my last Honda since the dealer is not sympathetic even with the extended warranty ("that is normal"). I do not recommend Madison Honda in Madison, NJ to fix any Honda - do not buy the extended warranty there.

• 

  VERY surprised and disappointed - 2003 Honda Accord
  By Andrew - May 18 - 2:50 am

  It started on the day of purchase. I noticed grit under the paint on the hood - more like small pebbles. Reluctantly, the dealer re-painted the hood. Then, the left rear wheel sensor went out. Then - a rattle developed in the trunk area. After multiple visits, still a rattle. It sounds like a mid-70s Chevy hatchback - the rattle is that bad. Each time the daler says - "fixed it." Each time they lied. The rear windows rattle when cracked. The center console rattled for awhile. The drivers window area squeaked for awhile. The steering wheel is off center - meaning when the wheels are in perfect alignment, the steering wheel is not. The black leather is turning white, etc., etc.

• 

  Brake and navigation failure LEMON - 2003 Honda Accord
  By Lucky to be alive - April 23 - 10:00 am

  The day after I purchased my 1st new Honda Accord my brakes started grinding and skipping. Multiple repair attempts did not fix problems. The skipping brakes caused me to go into intersections and I was almost killed because of the brake failures. I have been to Honda 6 times and Honda Corporation refuses to help me. I have hired a lawyer to help me and the car is park - since it is unsafe to drive and Honda cant find the brake problem. PS the navigation unit went out so many times, Honda replaced the entire system. The Honda service people were great, but they couldnt fix my car and continue to place me in a life-threatening situation as we