Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2003 Honda Accord, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Power train924
- Air bags318
- Service brakes, hydraulic143
- Electrical system142
- Engine and engine cooling95
- Steering90
- Vehicle speed control81
- Structure73
- Visibility60
- Engine51
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 149 injuries and 1 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 275 2003 Accord vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 199 people died inside them, and 54 of the vehicles rolled over. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2003 Honda Accord failed the safety check 2.36% of the time — 12% more often than the average 2003 passenger car (2.11%). Median odometer at inspection: 154,850 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Engines
The most common engines in 2003 Honda Accord cars on Dutch roads are the 2.0 petrol (114 kW, 153 hp) and 2.4 petrol (140 kW, 188 hp).
| Engine | Power | Cars |
|---|---|---|
| 2.0 petrol | 114 kW 153 hp | 196 |
| 2.4 petrol | 140 kW 188 hp | 154 |
RDW Open Data (CC0): registered passenger cars and their fuel data · engine size rounded to 0.1 litre, net maximum power · versions with at least 20 cars
In the Netherlands
363 first registered in 2003 are on Dutch roads; 21% arrived later as imports. Median list price when new: €44,775.
Most common APK defects
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde128
- Band onvoldoende profiel119
- Stadslicht werkt niet (goed)95
- Stuur- of fuseekogel met slijtage kleiner of gelijk 1,0 mm88
- Kentekenplaatverlichting werkt niet (goed) / ontbreekt86
- Fusee(kogel) te veel speling85
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld71
- Licht- donkerscheiding dimlicht onduidelijk67
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
1,179 cars built in 2003 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 948 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
MOT test results in Great Britain
In 2023, 1,851 of these cars first registered in 2003 took their annual MOT test. 55% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 2003 the figure was 57%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 2003 |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 24.0% | 21.6% |
| Suspension | 18.6% | 16.4% |
| Brakes | 12.5% | 13.9% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 9.8% | 7.4% |
| Visibility | 8.2% | 7.7% |
| Tyres | 7.3% | 6.3% |
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
In Finland
621 of these cars first registered in 2003 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 314,000 km on the odometer at their last inspection.
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use · CC BY 4.0
In New Zealand
1,342 2003 cars are on the New Zealand register; 39% arrived as used imports, 60% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 4 variants: combined 9.1–11.0 L/100 km (about 21–26 mpg US), CO₂ 209–253 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accord · Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 10.3 | 7.6 | 9.1 |
| Accord · Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 11.0 | 7.8 | 9.5 |
| Accord · Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 12.7 | 8.7 | 10.9 |
| Accord · Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 13.0 | 8.7 | 11.0 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
11 Transport Canada recalls for the 2003 Honda Accord.
| 2019323 28 Jun 2019 | Airbag Issue: On certain vehicles, long-term exposure to high absolute humidity and temperature, combined with high temperature cycling, may eventually degrade the p… |
| 2019117 7 Mar 2019 | Airbag Issue: On certain vehicles, there could be a problem with the driver-front airbag inflator. This could cause the airbag to deploy with more force than normal.… |
| 2017186 30 Mar 2017 | Airbag On certain two-door vehicles equipped with four-cylinder engines that had the passenger’s frontal airbag replaced in the past, long-term exposure to high absolu… |
| 2015261 15 Jun 2015 | Airbag On certain vehicles, the passenger frontal airbag inflator could produce excessive internal pressure during airbag deployment. Increased pressure may cause the … |
| 2015225 27 May 2015 | Airbag On certain vehicles, the driver frontal airbag inflator could produce excessive internal pressure during airbag deployment. Increased pressure may cause the inf… |
| 2014567 15 Dec 2014 | Airbag Honda Canada is conducting a voluntary Safety Improvement Campaign concerning the driver's airbag inflator on certain vehicles equipped with Takata airbags. Hon… |
| 2014242 20 Jun 2014 | Airbag On certain vehicles, the passenger (frontal) airbag inflator could produce excessive internal pressure during airbag deployment. Increased pressure may cause th… |
| 2012326 28 Sept 2012 | Steering On certain vehicles, due to prolonged exposure to high heat, the power steering hose could crack and leak power steering fluid. Fluid leaking onto a hot surface… |
| 2010264 9 Aug 2010 | Powertrain On certain vehicles the interlock lever of the ignition switch may wear prematurely, which can allow the interlock function to be defeated if the driver does no… |
| 2008131 22 Apr 2008 | Other On certain 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… |
| 2004143 23 Apr 2004 | Powertrain Certain operating conditions can result in heat build-up between the countershaft and secondary shaft second gears in the automatic transmission, eventually lea… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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, 2003-2008 Pilot and 2006 Ridgeline vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with driver frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
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, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
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 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2007 and 2010-2011 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. The affected vehicles received a replacement driver air bag inflator as part of a previous Takata inflator recall remedy or a replacement driver air bag module containing the same inflator type as a service part. Due to a manufacturing error, in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver frontal air bag, these inflators may explode.
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 2012 Ridgeline vehicles. The front passenger air bag may have been installed incorrectly during replacement.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003 Honda Accord Coupe vehicles, equipped with a four-cylinder engine. If the passenger frontal air bag module has been replaced, such as after a crash necessitating frontal air bag deployment, the replacement air bag module may include a Takata air bag inflator. These inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to lower absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
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 Hybrid vehicles manufactured February 24, 2002, to January 18, 2005, 2003-2007 Honda Accord vehicles manufactured February 21, 2002, to August 28, 2007, 2002-2004 Honda CR-V vehicles, 2002-2003 Honda Odyssey vehicles manufactured June 19, 2001, to July 12, 2003, 2003 Acura MDX vehicles manufactured September 19, 2002, to June 19, 2003, 2003 Honda Element vehicles manufactured June 25, 2002, to July 31, 2003, and 2003 Honda Pilot vehicles manufactured November 26, 2001, to August 21, 2003. The affected vehicles have a passenger side frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture upon its deployment.
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 Acura 3.2CL, 2003-2006 Acura MDX, and 2002-2003 Acura 3.2TL vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion and other factors, including manufacturing variability that, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
American Honda Motor Co. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2001-2005 Honda Civic, 2003-2004 Civic CNG and Element, 2002-2005 CR-V, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2005 Accord, Pilot, Civic Hybrid, and Acura MDX, 2005 Acura RL and 2006 Honda Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in geographic locations associated with high absolute humidity. Specifically, vehicles sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Saipan, Guam, and American Samoa are addressed by this recall. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
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 Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or ever registered in California, and equipped with Takata-brand air bag inflators. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
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 TL vehicles. In September 2012, Honda informed the agency that it was including an additional 573,147 vehicles including certain model year 2003 through 2007 Accord V6 vehicles. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 625,762. Prolonged under-hood and power steering fluid temperatures may cause the power steering hose to deteriorate prematurely, resulting in cracks and power steering fluid leakage.
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 DEFORM, WHICH CAN ALLOW THE INTERLOCK FUNCTION OF A VEHICLE WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION TO BE DEFEATED.
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 RESULT IN CORROSION INSIDE THE MOTOR HOUSING. THIS CAN CAUSE A FAILURE OF THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT BREAKER INSIDE THE MOTOR HOUSING.
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 TRANSMISSION, EVENTUALLY LEADING TO GEAR TOOTH CHIPPING OR GEAR BREAKAGE.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Honda told its dealers about the 2003 Honda Accord: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 637973 | SUBJECT REGARDING NEW PGM TESTER FUNCTIONS. *TT |
| 637972 | SUBJECT REGARDING ENGINE CONTROL MODULE / POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE (ECM/PCM) REMOVAL AND REPLACEMENT. *TT |
| 637665 | INFORMATION ON SERVICING SRS DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE 6-7 AND / OR 7-2 INTERNAL FAILURE OF SRS UNIT. *TT |
| 629094 | SQUEAK OR TWANG CONDITION WHEN THE CLUTCH PEDAL IS PRESSED. *TT *MJ THIS BULLETIN REPLACES PREVIOUS BULLETIN DATED 3/16/2004. *TT |
| 10213538 | Service bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating to airbag inflators. American Honda is offering a Customer Support Program (Warranty Extension) to cover any manufacturing defects in the replacement front passenger's airbag inflator only. |
| 10194971 | Service Bulletin - Case v. American Honda Motor Co., Inc., Case No. BC 424169 (Third Clutch Transmission Settlement - $25 Credit Vouchers). |
| 10172568 | Service Bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating to airbag inflators. American Honda is offering a Customer Support Program (Warranty Extension) to cover any manufacturing defects in the replacement front passenger's airbag inflator only. |
| 10172564 | Service Bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating to airbag inflators. American Honda is offering a Customer Support Program (Warranty Extension) to cover any manufacturing defects in the replacement driver's airbag inflator only. |
| 10165333 | This SKU is a Front Upper Ball Joint. The customer communication requested return of unsold inventory to inspect for the outer diameter of the ball joint housing being too small. The outer diameter being too small would prevent the part from being installed, and would therefore have no impact on the end user besides time to complete installation. |
| 10147177 | Service bulletin - This bulletin has been cancelled because the collection is now complete. If you did the collection in this Service Bulletin on or before October 26, 2018 (RO date), use the Warranty Claim Information provided below. |
| 10144037 | Dealer message - Today, American Honda is notifying dealers of a voluntary noncompliance recall for a small number of Honda vehicles due to an error on the replacement (service part) underhood emissions labels. American Honda previously notified CARB and the EPA for this action. |
| 10144032 | Service bulletin - Emission certification labels that were replaced on a small number of vehicles may have been replaced with a label listing incorrect information. The affected emission labels are replacement service parts, and were not installed at the factory; they were installed during postmanufacturing repairs that required replacement of the underlying part. This will cause the vehicle to be non-compliant with emissions regulations. |
| 10139571 | Service bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating to airbag inflators. American Honda is offering a Customer Support Program (Warranty Extension) to cover any manufacturing defects to the replacement front passengers airbag inflator only. |
| 10139568 | Service bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating to airbag inflators. American Honda is offering a Customer Support Program (Warranty Extension) to cover any manufacturing defects to the replacement driver's airbag inflator only. |
| 10135067 | Tech line summary article - When adding keys or running the System Check with the Immobilizer Setup Tool in the i-HDS, are you seeing this message? "Immobilizer system is not normal". We?re aware of this issue and have it under investigation. |
| 10129808 | Dealer message - When repairing a vehicle pursuant to a Safety Recall service bulletin, it is critical that all steps of the repair procedure are taken and followed. The proper corrective action to be taken and followed, along with the complete required parts information, is outlined in the applicable service bulletin. Bypassing steps set forth in the service bulletin and parts required for the repair in the name of time or convenience (or for any other reason not authorized by American Honda) is improper and can put customer safety at risk, as well as result in a come-back repair. |
| 10129451 | Dealer 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 may deteriorate due to high under-hood and fluid temperatures, potentially leading to leaks, smoke, and possibly under-hood fire. |
| 10129443 | Dealer 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 may deteriorate due to high under-hood and fluid temperatures, potentially leading to leaks, smoke, and possibly under-hood fire. |
| 10128884 | Service bulletin - A manufacturing error can produce over-pressurization of the passenger?s (front) airbag inflator during airbag deployment. If an affected airbag deploys, the increased internal pressure may cause the inflator casing to rupture. Metal fragments could be propelled upward toward the windshield, or downward toward the front passenger?s foot well, possibly causing an injury to vehicle occupants. |
| 10128880 | Dealer message - The recalls announced today involve driver?s or passenger?s front airbag inflators, which in a crash may deploy with too much pressure, causing the inflator casing to rupture and eject metal fragments that could injure or kill vehicle occupants. While two of the recalls only affect vehicles sold or ever registered in certain states/territories, vehicles that currently are registered in other states/territories may also be affected if they were at one time registered in the affected states/territories. |
| 10128879 | Dealer message - The recalls announced today involve driver?s or passenger?s front airbag inflators, which in a crash may deploy with too much pressure, causing the inflator casing to rupture and eject metal fragments that could injure or kill vehicle occupants. While two of the recalls only affect vehicles sold or ever registered in certain states/territories, vehicles that currently are registered in other states/territories may also be affected if they were at one time registered in the affected states/territories. |
| 10128878 | Dealer message - The recalls announced today involve driver?s or passenger?s front airbag inflators, which in a crash may deploy with too much pressure, causing the inflator casing to rupture and eject metal fragments that could injure or kill vehicle occupants. While two of the recalls only affect vehicles sold or ever registered in certain states/territories, vehicles that currently are registered in other states/territories may also be affected if they were at one time registered in the affected states/territories. |
| 10128578 | Dealer message - On Monday, June 23, 2014, American Honda announced three recalls for various 2001-11 Honda models. At this time, affected VINs have not been determined. |
| 10128577 | Dealer message - On Monday, June 23, 2014, American Honda announced three recalls for various 2001-11 Honda models. At this time, affected VINs have not been determined. |
| 10128565 | Service bulletin - Certain Honda vehicles operated in areas known for high absolute humidity and high heat may contain a front passenger?s airbag that over time may be affected by exposure to the humidity, which could produce excessive internal pressure upon deployment. If an affected airbag deploys, the increased internal pressure may cause the inflator casing to rupture. Metal fragments could be propelled upward toward the windshield, or downward toward the front passenger?s foot well, possibly causing an injury to vehicle occupants. |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Ignition Shift Interlock
IGNITION PARK-SHIFT INTERLOCK
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation