MYRModel Year Report

2003 Honda Accord

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2003 Honda Accord
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
1,987
Recalls
24

Campaigns on file for 2003

Investigations
5

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Power train

47% of complaints

Complaints per year

1980: 2 complaints 1980 1981: 7 complaints 1982: 10 complaints 1983: 7 complaints 1984: 22 complaints 1985: 13 complaints 1986: 56 complaints 1986 1987: 112 complaints 1988: 90 complaints 1989: 86 complaints 1990: 193 complaints 1991: 212 complaints 1992: 208 complaints 1992 1993: 186 complaints 1994: 395 complaints 1995: 544 complaints 1996: 472 complaints 1997: 460 complaints 1998: 1,200 complaints 1999: 1,135 complaints 2000: 1,183 complaints 2001: 922 complaints 2002: 1,050 complaints 2003: 1,987 complaints 2003 1,987 2004: 1,017 complaints 2005: 656 complaints 2006: 431 complaints 2007: 524 complaints 2008: 1,520 complaints 2009: 725 complaints 2010: 580 complaints 2010 2011: 296 complaints 2012: 373 complaints 2013: 1,421 complaints 2014: 981 complaints 2015: 601 complaints 2016: 608 complaints 2016 2017: 536 complaints 2018: 1,886 complaints 2019: 690 complaints 2020: 360 complaints 2021: 236 complaints 2022: 253 complaints 2022 2023: 88 complaints 2024: 146 complaints 2025: 87 complaints 2026: 10 complaints
1980: 2 complaints 1980 1981: 7 complaints 1982: 10 complaints 1983: 7 complaints 1983 1984: 22 complaints 1985: 13 complaints 1986: 56 complaints 1986 1987: 112 complaints 1988: 90 complaints 1989: 86 complaints 1989 1990: 193 complaints 1991: 212 complaints 1992: 208 complaints 1992 1993: 186 complaints 1994: 395 complaints 1995: 544 complaints 1995 1996: 472 complaints 1997: 460 complaints 1998: 1,200 complaints 1998 1999: 1,135 complaints 2000: 1,183 complaints 2001: 922 complaints 2002: 1,050 complaints 2003: 1,987 complaints 2003 1,987 2004: 1,017 complaints 2005: 656 complaints 2006: 431 complaints 2007: 524 complaints 2007 2008: 1,520 complaints 2009: 725 complaints 2010: 580 complaints 2010 2011: 296 complaints 2012: 373 complaints 2013: 1,421 complaints 2013 2014: 981 complaints 2015: 601 complaints 2016: 608 complaints 2016 2017: 536 complaints 2018: 1,886 complaints 2019: 690 complaints 2019 2020: 360 complaints 2021: 236 complaints 2022: 253 complaints 2022 2023: 88 complaints 2024: 146 complaints 2025: 87 complaints 2025 2026: 10 complaints
1980: 2 complaints 1980 1981: 7 complaints 1982: 10 complaints 1982 1983: 7 complaints 1984: 22 complaints 1984 1985: 13 complaints 1986: 56 complaints 1986 1987: 112 complaints 1988: 90 complaints 1988 1989: 86 complaints 1990: 193 complaints 1990 1991: 212 complaints 1992: 208 complaints 1992 1993: 186 complaints 1994: 395 complaints 1994 1995: 544 complaints 1996: 472 complaints 1996 1997: 460 complaints 1998: 1,200 complaints 1998 1999: 1,135 complaints 2000: 1,183 complaints 2000 2001: 922 complaints 2002: 1,050 complaints 2003: 1,987 complaints 2003 1,987 2004: 1,017 complaints 2005: 656 complaints 2006: 431 complaints 2006 2007: 524 complaints 2008: 1,520 complaints 2008 2009: 725 complaints 2010: 580 complaints 2010 2011: 296 complaints 2012: 373 complaints 2012 2013: 1,421 complaints 2014: 981 complaints 2014 2015: 601 complaints 2016: 608 complaints 2016 2017: 536 complaints 2018: 1,886 complaints 2018 2019: 690 complaints 2020: 360 complaints 2020 2021: 236 complaints 2022: 253 complaints 2022 2023: 88 complaints 2024: 146 complaints 2024 2025: 87 complaints 2026: 10 complaints 2026

2003: 1,987 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19802
19817
198210
19837
198422
198513
198656
1987112
198890
198986
1990193
1991212
1992208
1993186
1994395
1995544
1996472
1997460
19981,200
19991,135
20001,183
2001922
20021,050
20031,987
20041,017
2005656
2006431
2007524
20081,520
2009725
2010580
2011296
2012373
20131,421
2014981
2015601
2016608
2017536
20181,886
2019690
2020360
2021236
2022253
202388
2024146
202587
202610

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Power train

47% · 933 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and torque converter.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Transmission failure. While driving to work, the car shifted out of gear causing the car to violently reduce speed from 30MPH to 5MPH. Due to this jerk of motion, the car was forced off the road.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-04-10

Air bags

16% · 321 reports

Most commonly citing frontal and side/window.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

My 2003 Honda Accord Coupe was struck by an SUV/crossover, after the other driver ran a red light, and I tried, but was unable to avoid the accident. My car was stuck at or in front of my driver's side front wheel.

NHTSA ODI report, 2025-01-10

The contact owns a 2003 Honda Accord.

NHTSA ODI report, 2024-08-26

Also filed under Visibility

My son was involved in a single car roll over accident on 10/10/2015. He was traveling about 40 miles per hour when the road surface changed from asphalt to gravel.

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-11-27

Also filed under Seat belts

Service brakes

10% · 190 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASHINJURY

Electrical system

7% · 148 reports

Most commonly citing ignition and switch.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

For a couple of weeks the radio would give a snapping sound and then go silent. On or about the third week, just after starting the car, and turning the radio on, smoke started to pour from behind the dash in the area of the center console.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-07-21

Steering

5% · 96 reports

Most commonly citing hose, piping, and connections and tie rod assembly.

CRASHFIREINJURYDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-06-17

Safety timeline

24 recalls · 5 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2003Complaint volume 1,987 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    2004-04-27Power train04V176000 On some mini vans, sport utility and passenger vehicles, certain operating conditions can result in heat build-up between the countershaft and secondary shaft second gears in the automatic…

    Remedy: On vehicles with 15,000 miles or less, the dealer will update the transmission with a simple revision to the oil cooler return line to increase lubrication to the second gear. On vehicles with more…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2006-04-17Exterior lighting06E032000 Certain eagle eyes and sonar headlights and corner lights sold as aftermarket for use on 1988-2005 Honda civic, 1990-2005 Honda Accord, and 1990-2001 Acura integra passenger vehicles listed above.…

    Remedy: Tom motorsport will notify owners and offer reimbursement for the purchase of noncompliant lights. The recall began April 17, 2006. Owners may contact tom motorsport at 626-968-4007.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2006-05-02Exterior lighting06E025000 Certain poli-auto combination headlamp assemblies, p/nos. 11-728, 11-728D, 11-710, 11-419, 11-713, 11-703, 11-704, 11-708P, 11-735, 11-725, 11-726, 11-716 (P&c), 11-721-1, 11-733, 11-729, 11-730…

    Remedy: Poli-auto will notify owners and offer to repurchase the headlamps at its original purchase price. The recall is expected to begin during April 2006. Owners may contact poli-auto at 305-477-1356.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2006-05-09Exterior lighting06E023000 Certain anzo combination headlamp assemblies sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles. Some combination lamps are not equipped with amber side reflectors which fail to…

    Remedy: Anzo will notify owners and replace the headlamps free of charge. The recall began May 9, 2006. Owners may contact anzo USA at 909-468-3688.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2006-05-10Exterior lighting06E038000 Certain alfaotto combination headlamps sold as replacement lamps for use on the above listed passenger vehicles. Some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to…

    Remedy: Alfaotto will notify owners and replace the headlamps free of charge. The recall began on May 10, 2006. Owners may contact alfaotto at 626-656-2992 or visit their website at www.alfaotto.com.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    2007-01-26Exterior lighting07E004000 Certain tyc headlamp assemblies p/ns 20-6361-00 and 20-6362-00 sold as aftermarket equipment for 2003-2006 Honda Accord passenger vehicles. The photmetric were misaligned which does not comply with…

    Remedy: Genera will notify owners and offer to repurchase the noncompliant lamps. The recall began on January 26, 2007. Owners can contact genera at 714-522-6688.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. R
    2007-05-27Exterior lighting07E031000 Certain maxzone headlight assemblies, depo brand, p/nos. 317-1131L-as, 317-1131R-as, 317-1131L-us, and 317-1131R-us, sold for use as aftermarket equipment for the above listed passenger vehicles.…

    Remedy: Maxzone will notify owners and offer reimbursement for any noncompliant headlights. The recall began on May 17, 2007. Owners may contact maxzone at 909-822-3288.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. R
    2008-07-17Visibility08V169000 Honda is recalling 351,000 my 2003 Accord vehicles. If water enters the windshield wiper motor breather port, which is designed to allow the motor to vent warm air during normal operation, it can…

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the windshield wiper motor for signs of corrosion. If no signs of corrosion are present, a cover will be installed over the wiper motor to prevent water from entering the wiper…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  10. I
    2008-09-08Recall queryClosed 2009-01-05 Ignition park-shift interlock
  11. R
    2008-12-17Exterior lighting08E050000 K2 motor is recalling 1,921 aftermarket headlamps of various models sold for use on the above listed vehicles. These headlamps are missing the amber side reflex reflector which fails to conform…

    Remedy: K2 motor will notify owners and offer a full refund. The recall began on decemeber 17, 2008. Owners may contact K2 motor at 1-909-839-2992.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  12. I
    2009-01-05Engineering analysisClosed 2010-10-14 Ignition Shift Interlock
  13. R
    2009-05-11Exterior lighting09E012000 Sabersport is recalling 16,270 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to…

    Remedy: Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on May 11, 2009. Owners may contact sabersport at 1-909-598-7589.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  14. R
    2009-07-28Exterior lighting09E025000 Dope, inc. Is recalling 42,540 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to…

    Remedy: Dope, inc. Will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on July 28, 2009. Owners may contact dope, inc. At 1-626-272-1798.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  15. R
    2010-10-07Electrical system10V364000 Honda is recalling certain model year 2003 Honda Accord, civic two and four door, and model year 2003-2004 Honda element vehicles. The interlock lever of the ignition switch may unexpectedly…

    Remedy: Dealers will remove the original interlock pin and lever within the ignition switch, and replace them with new, designed components. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  16. R
    2012-06-15Steering12V222000 Honda is recalling certain model year 2007 and 2008 Acura TL and model year 2003-2007 Accord V6 vehicles. In May 2012, Honda filed a defect report to recall certain model year 2007 and 2008 Acura…

    Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will install a new heat resistant power steering hose, free of charge. The original recall began in June 2012, and owners of those vehicles may obtain the free…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  17. I
    2014-06-11Preliminary evaluationClosed 2015-03-02 Air Bag Inflator Rupture
  18. R
    2014-09-12Air bags14V353000 American Honda Motor Company, Inc.'s (Honda) is conducting a limited regional recall for certain model year 2003-2005 Accord, Civic, CR-V, Pilot and Acura MDX, model year 2003-2004 Odyssey and Element, and model year 2005 Acura RL, and 2006 Honda...

    Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inflators in all affected vehicles, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during August 2014. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  19. R
    2015-01-26Air bags14V700000 American Honda Motor Co.

    Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 26, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  20. I
    2015-02-24Engineering analysisOpen Air Bag Inflator Rupture
  21. R
    2015-07-01Air bags15V320000 Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2001-2007 Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2001-2004 Honda Civic GX, 2003-2005 Honda Civic Hybrid, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2006 Ridgeline, 2003...

    Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  22. R
    2015-07-01Air bags15V370000 Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2001-2005 Honda Civic vehicles manufactured March 21, 2000, to January 20, 2005, 2001-2004 Honda Civic GX vehicles manufactured June 14, 2000, to August 19, 2004, 2003-2005 Honda Civic...

    Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  23. R
    2017-05-10Air bags17V220000 Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003 Honda Accord Coupe vehicles, equipped with a four-cylinder engine.

    Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle and replace any Takata inflator used in the passenger frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin May 1, 2017.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  24. R
    2018-06-22Air bags18V268000 Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2012 Honda Accord and Pilot, 2010 Accord Crosstour, 2001-2011 Civic, 2002-2011 CR-V, 2003-2004, 2006-2008 and 2011 Element, 2007 and 2009-2013 Fit, 2010-2012 Insight, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and...

    Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began June 22, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  25. R
    2019-04-10Air bags19V182000 Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling specific 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2013-2016 ILX, 2013-2014 ILX Hybrid, 2003-2006 MDX, 2007-2016 RDX, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 TL, 2010-2013 ZDX and 2001-2007 and 2009 Honda Accord, 2001-2005...

    Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began April 10, 2019. Honda owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  26. R
    2019-08-12Air bags19V499000 Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2003-2006 MDX, 2001-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey,...

    Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are Q5A and Y58.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  27. R
    2019-08-12Air bags19V501000 Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2012 RL, 2003-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey,...

    Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal airbag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  28. R
    2019-12-09Vehicle speed control19E068000 Dorman Products, Inc.

    Remedy: Dorman will notify owners, and qualified service facilities will replace the affected accelerator pedal assemblies, free of charge. The recall began December 9, 2019. Owners may contact Dorman customer service at 1-800-523-2492, using option 5.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  29. I
    2021-09-17Engineering analysisOpen Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
  30. R
    Date not on fileExterior lighting06E064000 Certain tradesonic combination lamps sold as replacement lamps for use on the above listed passenger vehicles.

    Remedy: Tradesonic will notify owners and replace the lamps free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during July 2006. Owners may contact tradesonic at 626-934-8884.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2003 Honda Accord — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Power train: 933 reports on file for this year.
  • Air bags: 321 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 190 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 06E064000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 04V176000 · Power train
  • Recall 06E032000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 06E025000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 06E023000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 06E038000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 07E004000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 07E031000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 08V169000 · Visibility
  • Recall 08E050000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 09E012000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 09E025000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 10V364000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 12V222000 · Steering
  • Recall 14V353000 · Air bags
  • Recall 14V700000 · Air bags
  • Recall 15V320000 · Air bags
  • Recall 15V370000 · Air bags
  • Recall 17V220000 · Air bags
  • Recall 18V268000 · Air bags
  • Recall 19V182000 · Air bags
  • Recall 19V499000 · Air bags
  • Recall 19V501000 · Air bags
  • Recall 19E068000 · Vehicle speed control
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2003 Honda Accord reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2003 Honda Accord is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Honda Accord?
The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 47% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2003 Honda Accord have?
24 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.