Honda Accord Quality Control Issues

davegod75

I have some rattles but find it very hard to press on this or hold that while i'm driving. everyone always recommends this but how do you all do it w/o killing yourselves? Most of my rattles are only present while the car is moving at 30mph+

someone else in the car?

hji

Yes, of course someone else in the car. Thanks.

erumaker

I have to say that I love love love my Accord. I have wanted one since they first came out in the 70s, and I finally have one. I consider it the best Accord ever made, and that is saying a lot. I got the recall notice someone mentioned earlier, had the work done. I have a little wind noise from my driver side window on the freeway - not much to tolerate considering how pleased I am with the size, ride, drive and braking of this superior vehicle. It is a lot of car for the money!

jmellenb

I also think this car is a good value, but I do have my share of unwanted rattles. If Honda could fix the window rattles in the front doors, I'd be happy. I think rattles are becoming more evident as cars become quieter. In other words, road / wind / engine noise used to mask some of these rattles.

onepmnut

Lugwrench,
   I share your concerns about Honda Quality. I have owned 7 Hondas since 1983, and obviously very happy with Honda's "Quality." However, I just purchased a new 2003 Honda Accord EX-V6 Sedan, and now it appears that Honda sold it with a pre-existing "alignment" problem (see my Post #5687).

I happen to work for an Automotive supplier, so I'm not too surprised. For the past several years, the Big 3 U.S. Auto Mfgs. have been under extreme pressure to improve their Quality rating (see JD Power Survey). Although a lot of progress has been made, the effort has been hampered by the Industry's unrelenting pressure on it's suppliers to cut costs. They have recently mandated annual price reductions. This can only be achieved by "cutting corners" as you describe.

In my opinion, the majority of automotive workers are very competent and well trained. In my experience, the root cause of most "Quality" issues can be traced back to Engineering Design...further hindered by extremely short timelines from concept through production launch (hence my car's alignment problem).

Now that the Big 3 U.S. Auto Mfgs have improved Quality, I think Honda is beginning to feel more pressure too. Just think...maybe our next car will be a Ford instead of a Honda?

erumaker

Fords are not cheaper to buy than Hondas, and I'm sure they never will be. Plus my concern is long term quality. The problem is not the workers. It is management. The only reason domestics are as "good" as they are is due to how much better the Japanese cars are then domestics, and consumers know it. Domestics now are about the quality Japanese cars were in the 70s. But Japanese cars have tripled their quality since then, so domestics still fall waaaaay behind. Honda is also way at the top of its class for safety during crash tests, which is why I chose the Accord over the Camry. Not to mention the non-interference engine Honda makes. Apparently I could go on and on, but will not.

gee35coupe

THat's good news. I know the old ones weren't.

emale

uh...what non-interference engine are you talking about?? ask the guys with broken timing belts about non-interference...!

bburton3

Broke a timing belt on an 80 and no problems. Tech who replaced the timing belt on my 97 I4 non vtec said it was a non interference engine as long as there was no carbon build up on "top" of the valves.

Have heard 97 engines are interference-wonder if it is the guys selling the service that say that or is it true.

tblazer503

that non-VTEC engines are non-interference, but almost all of the current Honda engines are interference. Most of the Toyota engines, however are non-interference. I would almost bet the V6 3.0 240HP engine is an interference... the 2.4L I4, shouldn't make a difference, it's got a chain.. =o)

Easiest way to find out is to call an auto parts store and ask them about your timing belt... generally speaking, the timing belt is designed differently for an interference and non interference engine and the description is designated accordingly.

jdexter23

I am slowly tracking down fixable rattles in my 03 EX-V6. One of the two quick fixes was the door on the console under the radio. While driving, I found that the door vibrates side to side (dunno why, nothing else is vibrating). Currently, I have nothing more that a folded napkin inserted on the right side. I am planning on glueing a small piece of felt. Also, on the passenger side, down by where their left foot would be, there is an overlapping section of plastic with a poorly fit (in my case) fastener holding them together. These rattle too. Same deal, a little felt in between stops the noise. Hope this helps some of you. Now all I need is the dealer to fix my damn rattley windows....

hmurphy

The felt is a good idea. The rattles in my 03 EX-V6 don't seem major enough to involve the dealer. I wonder if those sticky protective felt dots would work (let mess and work than gluing).

One of the most annoying rattles is from my visor, when I use it to block sun from the left. I'm not sure what to do about that. I guess I could tear it out in a rage and throw it onto the freeway while driving 70 mph.

An irresponsible but satisfying solution...

lugwrench

Maybe this is an out sourced Honda supplier issue. I know if I had rattles in a new car I would want them fixed by the dealership. What happens a year from now when the car is finally broken in? More rattles that will ruin your driving pleasure?

jdexter23

One of the weirdest thing about the window rattles I have is that they change throughout the day. In the mornings after sitting all night, I hear tons of noises, but as the car's cabin gets warmer, and the more miles I drive that day, the more they fade away. It seem on a long trip (50+ miles)they go away entirely... This is my only complaint with this car, other than that, It's great.

justin

rattles often get better as the day goes on. the car gets warmers. in the cool weather parts contract, leaving space for parts to move and make noise. in warm weather, they swell or expand, fit tight and don't move, so no noise.

erumaker

The In Line 4 on my Accord LX has a timing chain?

emale

jdexter,

same here...tons o rattles in the morning which fade away...mostly. i'm getting nervous thinking about winter weather cold...and what the rattles might sound like then. all in all i really like my '03 v6 coupe...but the rattle issue is quite annoying! thank goodness for the halfway decent stereo!

jebinc1

...it's not the window in the gasket.... mine rattles inside the door. More so when rolling up fully to the stops. If you crack the window slightly, the rattling stops. It seems like when the window is flexed (fully closed) the rattle occurs more. Does anyone have this type of rattle and better yet, does anyone know what's rattling and have a fix? I found this post earlier....

http://homepage.mac.com/julioardz/pages/accord/rattlefix/index.ht- m

tblazer503

yes, that is why the engine is slightly noisier than previous versions... although I personally can't tell the difference.... you will also notice in a K-series engine, that your transmission is now in front of the driver instead of the passenger... (the engine is reversed...)...

communipaw

My Accord LX V6 is about 4 months old, still under warranty. We had an unusual [but not extreme] storm during which the temperature dropped 20-25 degrees in an hour and wind gusts were reported at 60-70 mph.

The rear windshield of the parked Accord imploded during the storm. Nothing was inside the car except shattered glass. I suppose a flower pot could have fallen off a balcony and blown back out again; I suppose someone could have come during the storm with a sledge hammer and broken the windshield in, but both explanations are beyond unlikely.

My dealer said he had contacted Honda higher up and it refused to repair/replace the rear windshield under warranty. He added that this was true of most brands in this situation. I had to use my insurance which annoyed me a great deal.

Has there been any history of defective rear windshields in the Accord, innate flaws that make them unusually susceptible to wind and temperature changes?

gee35coupe

That's 5 mph short of a hurricane.

dmurphy5

I'm getting ready to take my ex-v6 (sedan) to the dealer to see if they can stop the window rattles. On rough roads it gets very bad. It kind of sounds like cellophane crinkling. I wonder if it might be the side airbag?

Has anyone had any success in having the dealer solve the problem? I hate to start disassembling the car myself.

jebinc1

Mine is in the shop right now for driver door rattles...they claim it's the wire bundles in the door. They plan to wrap them in foam for me in the morning.... They also indicated that the window rail is sometimes problematic. I'll let you know my results tomorrow night when I pick it up.

storm_civ

Guys,

On my 5 month old '03 Accord Ex-v6 the coolant in the resevoir has to constantly be topped off. I don't see any visible leaks on the drive-way so it can't be leaking all that bad. Has any other EX-v6 owners experienced this problem also?

I am just wondering if the coolant is going inside the engine. If not then where the heck is the coolant disappearing to!!!

anonymousposts

You should have your exhaust and oil tested. You may have a bad gasket or casting.

jebinc: I had a rattle in my 02 SI. Ended up being the wires underneath the dash. My other half cinched them up with a twist tie and the car never rattled again.

hamuller

I have a 2002 Honda Accord EX V6 with 13K. Recently while passing uphill at 60 MPH, the engine cut out intermittently forcing me to pull over and almost being involved in an accident. The low fuel light had come on just previous to this happening and a service manager explained it as fuel starvation. It left the TCI light and the check engine light on. Yesterday the same thing happened passing uphill at 60 mph but the car had plenty of gas. Has anyone else experienced this problem? Would appreciate hearing from anyone with a similar problem on the V6. I have an appointment for service but am looking for more info on the problem.

bburton3

Does not sound like a tranny but a fuel system problem. Sounds like your car is not getting enough fuel when it is pulling hard-being starved. In the old days-fuel pump or clogged fuel filter. Now it can be one of many things. Start with the simple/cheap ones first-fuel filter-then if problem persists-have the dealer test fuel pressure and output-probably $150 for the test. Course the CEL should provide some clues also. Let us know what you find-yeah loosing power on the freeway can be very dangerous.

jebinc1

Well folks, I just went to the dealer to pick up my car, which I dropped off yesterday for it's first oil change and some rattles. I also asked them to check the tranny because it took a bit to engage into drive from P, R or N (1-2 second delay to engage D). No biggie, I thought... I was hoping that they would say that this is normal.....been like this from day #1 Nope, "Re manufactured Transmission" has been ordered. Service told me that this is not "normal". They also told me that they have replaced transmissions on other '03's. I didn't ask for details but I did want to let you all know because I have seen posts on these boards with this same symptom.

Question: They tell me that a "Re manufactured Transmission" is not a "re built transmission" because ALL the innards are new (perhaps used casing) and it's not assembled in an assembly line, but rather by humans at Honda motors... Is this true? I also demanded a new torque converter.. they told me that Honda only sends them as together to eliminate contamination concerns. Does anyone have the facts on these two items? Anyone out there work or have worked in Service?

Lastly, has anyone had a tranny replaced before? If so, what everything right after that major repair (alignment, rattles, no damage, etc.) They tell me that the car will not need wheel alignment. Can anyone confirm that?

Sorry for the long post, but given all the tranny issues and questions, I thought the replies to this one would be helpful for others as well.

Thanks!

bd21

Bummer! Yes it means re built. The cases will be used and the seals and some parts will be new to include the torque converter. Honda told you the truth about the torque converter and not needing a wheel alignment. The transmissions are re built at an overhaul facility contracted by Honda, built up by hand. Your re built transmission should be fine, but I know that won't make you feel any better. Honda's policy is to give the customer a re built transmission for replacement. If you are really concerned about the alignment remember like most cars including Honda, you get one free alignment at no charge during the first 12 months or 12K miles, whichever come first. It's called an adjustment and it's covered by your standard warranty. Most people just don't know to ask for it. When you get your car back, if it doesn't feel right, have Honda align it or wait until you are close to 12K and have a free alignment done anyway. Changing the transmission shouldn't induce any other unwanted problems. Good luck, I hope this helps.

tblazer503

I would check a few things on the engine...

First, check the fuel filter .. If you would like more info on where it is, etc and how to replace, email me and I will get it to you. Highly unlikely, though.

Second, try running some fuel system cleaner through the car. I usually don't go for the real cheap stuff, but the name brand decent stuff... I believe it is actually recommended every 12k or so. Should solve any problems with dirty fuel injectors, etc. Probably only about 8-10/bottle.

Third... rent/borrow an OBDII reader and find out what the trouble code means.

Fourth... check out the fuel lines for crmped lines, etc. unlikely as well.

Fifth... bring the car to she shop. Fuel pump or fuel pressure regulator may be acting up. If it is the fuel pressure regulator, it is probably a vacuum problem.

Hope some of this helps... the easiest thing would be to drop some fuel system cleaner, change the air/fuel filter out and if it happens again, bring it in and tell them what you changed, and that it is causing a potentially hazardous situation.

emale

hummm...my '03 v6 coupe has the one-two second delay when shifting into drive. but it also has 7k miles on it now and no problems with the tranny whatsoever. that delay is the nature of the beast and nothing more...

talon95

My '03 V6 sedan also has the delay. Likewise, almost 7K miles with no tranny problems.

justin

have that delay. shifting from R to D, there is a one or two second delay before D kicks in, and vice versa. i have been driving for 14 years and all my cars have done it.

the Honda tranny problems were related to other items i thought?

at 700 miles, i love my car. just wish the tires weren't so LOUD.

emale

justin,

there is a noticeable "extra" delay when shifting the accord automatic into drive. i noticied this right after i bought the car. when going from say R to D, there are two thunks that can be felt. the second thunk is when the car actually goes into drive. i've never had a car or truck that did this...they've always gone right into drive lickety split. the accord is different...but it doesn't bother me or make me think there is something wrong. i really wonder what was wrong with said guys tranny...if anything?

justin

but i hope that there are not any problems. i bought a Honda Accord because of its reputation and for the way it drives.

hopefully the reliable reputation proves to be accurate.

did i mention how much i HATE the Michelin Energy 205-60-16's on my car! so loud!

bburton3

Hit the brakes on a wet road where a slide won't cause problems to see how much traction these tires do not have-awful for snow also. One auto mag reviewer said they "stuck to everything but the road".

maxpower02

I come here every day and check what's going on with our Accords. All of the advice that's given here is appreciated,I'm sure. In fact, I learned about the clicking noise (The weld problem!)on my 03'EXV6 Sedan here.
However, if my Accord is still under the manufacturers warranty, I would not want to be under that hood checking anything. That's what the warranty is for. Hamueller's Accord is a 2002, still under warranty. I would take the car in to the service dept., and demand that they check out his car. He was put into a near-death situation twice, and needs to have it checked immediately.
Another thing, if you start touching things under the hood of a very complex machine like the Accord, you might make it worse. Also, the service dept can't blame you for anything if you don't open the hood.
Hamueller, use your rights under the warranty! Just my $.02

jebinc1

All: I thought as you did, "this is normal, my other Honda did this, it's unique to Honda design, but it runs great once it is in D......"

All I can say is this: I expected to hear Honda service say, "It's normal" but they did not. What motivation could they possibly have to offer me a $4000 tranny job for free? I could see where they would be motivated to tell me, "everything is fine" hoping that it holds out past 36,000 miles.....

Another data point for you all. Every time I was in for add ons or this oil change, my salesman would loan me his demo car with auto tranny... Guess what? No delay, no double engagement. Armed with these two facts, I have to believe that something is amiss in the transmission.

Other thoughts?

emale

jebinc1,

why don't you ask them what was actually wrong with the tranny? why was it replaced? when i test drove the accords, i drove one that i didn't end up buying. and it had the same delay...

talon95

I don't experience any "double engagements" with my Accord, it's just that it takes a split second longer than my old Accord to engage into D. I'm finding it very difficult to think of this as anything but a design characteristic. At any rate, I'm not going to overreact about it.

And I'm not making excuses for it and I'm not in denial. I'm quite strongly attuned to the need for transmission replacement, since they replaced the transmission on my 2000 Accord. But that transmission exhibited symptoms that were clearly abnormal. I don't get that impression at all with the 2003.

I'm also curious as to the rationale behind your service dept replacing the transmission. What condition was serious enough to warrant that decision?

erumaker

I don't have any delay in my transmission when shifting into anything. I recommend being a squeaky wheel about it if you do have a delay! Also I'm very happy to learn my 2003 Accord LX In Line 4 has a timing chain. Yay! My engine is extremely quiet.

talon95

We're talking about no more than a second here. When does the time it takes for D to engage transition from normal to "a delay"?

I'm not afraid to speak up if I think something is wrong. But I'm not even close to being convinced so far. And I have to be convinced that there actually is a problem before I act on anything.

talon95

The delay, if it is a sign of a problem, is a completely different characteristic than those displayed by the previous gen transmissions that failed. So if this is truly an issue, it's a different one.

jebinc1

I will ask service what they think the issue is (the delay problem) and why they would rather just replace the unit than repair what's broken. I'll post that next week when the car goes back into the shop for the work. Thanks.

emale

along with others here, i've noticed that my car has a decidely longer delay before going into D vs every other vehicle i've ever owned. BUT, to me it is completely normal and no cause for concern. the only reason i even noticed it was because i'm used to hitting the gas right after putting my vehicles in drive. found out quick that you can't do that with the new accord because you'll get a heavy duty thunk and jerk because it hasn't fully gotten into drive yet. wait an extra second and your fine. just the way the new tranny is...

winbro

at least not more than any other car I've owned. I was never one to hit the gas as soon as it goes in D, so I'm used to waiting a second or so for that little bump that all my cars had.

dmurphy5

jebinc1,

Was the dealer successful in stopping the rattles? Did they tell you what caused them and what they did to fix them? I'm headed to the dealer next week for this problem.

I also have a delay when engaging the transmission. Otherwise no transmission problems.

Thanks for your input.

gee35coupe

I know it's totally different but it still made a loud audible "thock" sound when you egaged reverse. I though it sounded like a manual transmission. I'm sure some people would have complained but since the car behaved normally I chalked it up to just the way the car is.

jebinc1

Yes, they spent a lot of time on my rattles. The ordered me a new center console after three attempts at fixing the original one. For the door, they foam wrapped the wire bundles in the door as well as installing foam tape to the backside of the door panel. They also found something buzzing up near the door lock.

I would have your tranny checked as well.

justin

my VW's (all three) have had that second or two delay from P to R or R to D or P to D as well. when i first ever experienced that back in 99, VW mentioned that a lot of people throw the car in D from R, while the car is still backing up, and it is really bad on the transmission if you don't come to a COMPLETE stop. they said these delays have been "designed" in compared to older transmissions...

maybe i am just used to it by now. but the car performs flawlessly, so not worried about it. i will look for TSB's though. the delay is NOT just a Honda thing though...