2003 Honda Accord Problems: 5 Issues Every Owner Should Know

2003 Honda Accord Problems: 5 Issues Every Owner Should Know | Au7o

NHTSA Recalls8 recalls

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Acura MDX, 2015-2019 Acura TLX and 2015-2017 Honda Accord vehicles, equipped with a 3.5L V6 engine. Particulates in fuel may adhere to the internal components of the fuel pump, reducing its performance.

Campaign #19V06000029/01/2019

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2016 Honda Accord vehicles. The case for the battery sensor, part of the battery management system, may allow water to get in, potentially causing an electrical short.

Campaign #17V41800029/06/2017

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013 Honda Accord vehicles equipped with a 4-cylinder engine and a continuously-variable transmission. The affected vehicles were originally sold, or ever registered, in Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The driveshaft may corrode and break, due to damage from road salt or other contaminants.

Campaign #25V42200007/07/2025

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Accord vehicles equipped with a 4-cylinder engine and a continuously-variable transmission that were originally sold, or ever registered, in Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The drive shafts were assembled with a lubricant that may have degraded the drive shafts' protective coating, making it more susceptible to damage from road salt or other contaminants, and potentially cause it to break.

Campaign #20V76900010/12/2020

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

American Honda Motor Co. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2014 Accord L4 vehicles manufactured July 29, 2014, to July 31, 2014, 2015 Accord L4 vehicles manufactured August 14, 2014, to January 30, 2015, and 2015 CR-V vehicles manufactured September 9, 2014, to February 6, 2015. The affected vehicles may have been assembled with improperly torqued connecting rod bolts, which can cause the engine to lose power or leak oil.

Campaign #15V12100002/03/2015

+ 3 more recalls. Check all on NHTSA.gov

Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check recalls specific to your vehicle.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common Honda Accord problems?

According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 2003 Honda Accord has 5 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: V6 Power Steering Pressure Hose Deterioration - Leak and Under-Hood Fire Risk (Recall 12V222000), P0741 — Torque Converter Clutch Stuck Off / Failing Lockup Clutch Solenoid, Instrument Cluster / Display Backlight Failure (Dark Gauges & Climate Display). Of these, 2 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.

Is the Honda Accord reliable?

The 2003 Honda Accord has 5 known issues compiled from NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports. 2 issues are rated critical: V6 Power Steering Pressure Hose Deterioration - Leak and Under-Hood Fire Risk (Recall 12V222000) and P0741 — Torque Converter Clutch Stuck Off / Failing Lockup Clutch Solenoid. Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.

How much does it cost to fix common Honda Accord problems?

Repair costs for known Honda Accord issues range from $10 to $3,500, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, V6 Power Steering Pressure Hose Deterioration - Leak and Under-Hood Fire Risk (Recall 12V222000), typically costs $10-$450 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.

What is the 2003-2007 Honda Accord V6 Power Steering Pressure Hose Deterioration - Leak and Under-Hood Fire Risk (Recall 12V222000)?

On 2003-2007 V6 Accords the power-steering high-pressure hose deteriorates from prolonged under-hood and fluid heat, cracking and leaking. Beyond loss of power-steering assist, leaking fluid can spray onto the hot catalytic converter/exhaust and cause smoke or an under-hood fire;… Repairs typically run $10-$450. Severity: high.

What is the 2003-2012 Honda Accord P0741 — Torque Converter Clutch Stuck Off / Failing Lockup Clutch Solenoid?

On the Accord's 5-speed automatic (notably the 2003-2012 V6 and 4-cylinder units), P0741 sets when the PCM commands the torque converter lockup clutch to engage but the input/output speed ratio shows it never locks — the clutch is effectively 'stuck off.' On these Honda automatic… Repairs typically run $300-$3,500. Severity: high.

What is the 2003-2007 Honda Accord Instrument Cluster / Display Backlight Failure (Dark Gauges & Climate Display)?

7th generation (2003-2007) Accords are well known for backlight failure on the upper multi-information display (radio/climate-control info) and dimming or dead gauge-cluster illumination, where individual LED/bulb segments burn out and leave portions of the display dark. The cond… Repairs typically run $80-$400. Severity: medium.

What is the 1998-2003 Honda Accord Porous Engine Block Casting Causing Oil/Coolant Leak?

Some 1998-2003 Accord engine blocks were cast with microscopic porosity in the aluminum, allowing engine oil (and in some cases coolant) to weep through the block casting itself. Because the leak is through the casting rather than a gasket, it can be hard to pinpoint and reappear… Repairs typically run $200-$2,500. Severity: medium.

What is the 2003-2017 Honda Accord P0442 — Small EVAP Leak from Degraded Fuel Cap Seal or Failing Purge Valve?

On the Honda Accord, P0442 (small EVAP leak) is one of the most common check-engine triggers and almost always traces to one of three components in order of likelihood: the fuel cap, the engine-bay canister purge valve, or the under-car canister vent solenoid. The gas cap's rubbe… Repairs typically run $25-$400. Severity: low.

2003 Honda Accord Problems: 5 Issues Every Owner Should Know

All 5 Known Issues

2003-2007 Honda Accord: V6 Power Steering Pressure Hose Deterioration - Leak and Under-Hood Fire Risk (Recall 12V222000)#

Common Symptoms

How to Fix

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2003-2012 Honda Accord: P0741 — Torque Converter Clutch Stuck Off / Failing Lockup Clutch Solenoid#

Common Symptoms

How to Fix

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2003-2007 Honda Accord: Instrument Cluster / Display Backlight Failure (Dark Gauges & Climate Display)#

Common Symptoms

How to Fix

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1998-2003 Honda Accord: Porous Engine Block Casting Causing Oil/Coolant Leak#

Common Symptoms

How to Fix

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2003-2017 Honda Accord: P0442 — Small EVAP Leak from Degraded Fuel Cap Seal or Failing Purge Valve#

Common Symptoms

How to Fix

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Other Honda Models

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common Honda Accord problems?

Is the Honda Accord reliable?

How much does it cost to fix common Honda Accord problems?

What is the 2003-2007 Honda Accord V6 Power Steering Pressure Hose Deterioration - Leak and Under-Hood Fire Risk (Recall 12V222000)?

What is the 2003-2012 Honda Accord P0741 — Torque Converter Clutch Stuck Off / Failing Lockup Clutch Solenoid?

What is the 2003-2007 Honda Accord Instrument Cluster / Display Backlight Failure (Dark Gauges & Climate Display)?

What is the 1998-2003 Honda Accord Porous Engine Block Casting Causing Oil/Coolant Leak?

What is the 2003-2017 Honda Accord P0442 — Small EVAP Leak from Degraded Fuel Cap Seal or Failing Purge Valve?