Honda Accord Problems 2000-2005

calvinywang

Blane,

You may be talking about long-term quality survey. If you go to jdpower.com and look up the rating for 2003 Accord, it's 2 star for INITIAL mechanical quality. 2 star is the lowest rating you can get.

For "pulling to the right", the dealer has admitted that it's a problem already addressed by TSB. They will fix it next time when I bring my car in for service.

I hope problem #4 is actually normal. But it seems strange that the noise and the vibration is much less noticeable when RPM rises above 3000. My previous car was a 99 Mustang GT with V8. Even though it's a much less refined car, it didn't seem to have the kind of vibration I am experiencing even at 90000 miles.

I definitely hope that you are right that Accord is still a well-built car. As a long time Honda fan, I was hoping to get a lot of worry-free miles out of this car.

tblazer503

the center console thing is AFAIK normal(sortof)... It's from people testdriving the darn things and playing(and forcing) with things. I test drove my Accord, and everything worked fine, and everything was great. I bought it the next day(only 5MT EX on lot in silver) and while I was driving it to work, found that in my absence, someone broke my door... disassembled it, and its a plastic groove that guides a metal hook... guess what happens when someone forces it open... =o( I still have to get that serviced..

aggie1995

Mustang GT to 4cyl Accord.????@#$$%%

No wonder you feel like the engine is acting funny. I love Honda engines but I also know that it won't "feel" like a V8 does throughout any part of its rev range.

How'd you come to make that switch?

calvinywang

I guess I just got tired of visiting dealership on a weekly basis. Besides, as I average 30000 miles per year, better gas mileage is certainly helpful.

The first 70000 miles for the Mustang had been great. The only repairs I had was at 10000 miles, the condensate water from A/C made a pool under the passenger seat. Then as soon as the extended warranty ran out at 75000, I had thermostat replaced, rear-end rebuilt, heater hose replaced, cooling level sensor replaced, all within 15000 miles.

I thought I didn't have to visit the dealership for a while when I bought the Accord. Then 2 days after that, I was back to the dealership again. Oh well, at least the Honda dealership is closer than the Ford one.

One comment on the Mustang: The 260hp V8 does have great low-end torque. But the car doesn't move as fast as you'd expect. Probably because it has too much drag in the drivetrain, feels a little sluggish. Excellent brake, gave me a lot of confidence when tailgating.

bob9026

I have a 95 Accord Coupe with a auto door lock problem. It seems when the locks are activated to the lock position they continually click (15-35 times) try to relock the doors. It is so bad I removed the fuse to deactivated the locks completely. I am guessing it is the door lock unit. Is this something that can be replaced easily and is not too expensive (under $150.00)? Where is the unit located in the car? Does it make sense to put one in myself? Not totally sure I have the skill or tools to complete myself.

aggie1995

260 HP V8!!!

I've been lusting after the 2004 Mustang since it debuted at the Auto Show in January.

I drive alot like you and the gas mileage was killing me in my Toyota Tacoma. I was spending $200+ a month on gas alone (in Texas where it is fairly cheap)!

I hope your Honda does better for you in the coming years than it has so far.

Good luck.

jebinc1

Many of the 2003 Accords with Navi come with older DVD's for the Navi system. Does anyone know if the new ones are out? Has anyone had luck in getting the dealer to give new 2003 owners a free copy? My friend just bought a 2003 and was given (or promised) the new disk at delivery. Thanks!

yanker

My Accord Ex has 2000 miles and on occasion I get the hydrogen sulfide smell. I changed gas and it still occurs but not as often. What should I be prepared to hear when I approach the dealer later on?? Love the car except for the ride

jebinc1

Many of the 2003 Accords with Navi come with older DVD's for the Navi system. Does anyone know if the new ones are out? Has anyone had luck in getting the dealer to give new 2003 owners a free copy? Thanks!

auburn63

Are customers complaining of a rotten egg smell,
but you can’t find anything wrong with their
vehicles to account for it [there’s no DTC(s) set, no driveability problems reported, nothing damaged or broken]? Then it could well be coming from the catalytic converter. That smell is a release of builtup hydrogen sulfide (H2S) from the reaction of organic sulfur compounds in the gasoline with the catalyst in the converter.
Almost all gasoline contains some amount of
organic sulfur compounds, and that amount varies
by region. The more sulfur there is in the gasoline, the more H2S is built up and released by the catalytic converter, so the stronger the smell. In California, where low-sulfur gasoline is actually required by state law, sulfur smell complaints are few and far between. The folks at the Environmental Protection Agency have issued a
requirement for the phasing-in of low-sulfur
gasoline nationwide between 2004 and 2006. This
low-sulfur gasoline should go a long way toward
making complaints of rotten egg smell a thing of
the past. This was in a recent Honda Service News but has been talked about for a long time..

tamelatn

How can I find the exact location of my 1999 Honda Accord's main relay? I tried ordering a repair manual, but no luck.

Thanks in advance!

massmarket

My new 2003 Accord, 4 cylinder auto, makes a loud metallic clank when I put it in Drive. Seems worst when pointed downhill. Louder when cold, but still appparent when warm.

Related perhsaps, but when cold and going downhill it seems not to upshift very well but be at least one gear behind. Ideas?

jebinc1

I drove a I4 with auto before buying a V6 auto. Niether had a noise as you describe. The I4 was as smooth as silk. Take yours back to the dealer. Ask them to test drive a similar one for piece of mind.

lelandhendrix

I have a 4cyl Auto, and have had no such problem. I had previously PASSIONATLY HATED Honda Automatics, but this transmission is a far departure from anything they've made before. Definately have the dealer look at it, and if they don't find a problem, take it to another Honda dealer and test drive another 4cyl auto to see if YOU can spot the difference.

jebinc1

I've found and fixed the rattling center console, but I'm struggling with the doors. On a concrete freeway, I get a rattling in the passenger door an a buzzing (like a BB in a plastic pill container) in the drivers door/Pillar area. Does anyone know specifically what's the cause and fix? I do not want to take it back to the dealers where a bunch of hacks will do more damage than they fix. They never replace those plastic inserts that keep door panels tight against the sheet metal.

auburn63

Its behind the drivers side lower dash cover near the brake switch. Usally a eight pin connector and a grey or black relay box.

 jebinc1
 If it is a 02 or 03 then it may be in the window seal, lube the seal and see if the noise is better. What year is your car because there is other reasons for a rattle but I could go on forever not knowing the year...

sumpius

Hello again,

I refer to the "read only" post of August 18, 2003 entitled "Honda Accord V6, Gas Pedal Vibration." subject. I think I have the exact same problem. I added to this discussion on August 8, 2003 (subject title "cold start grinding sound") a post describing a similar or perhaps the same problem. I was wondering if anyone else who owns a 2003 Accord V6 has experienced the same sound or vibration. As stated in my earlier post, some have suggested that it is the ABS self check. I might agree with that suggestion if I felt the vibration when I stepped on the brake pedal, but this vibration (with grinding sound) occurs when I step on the gas pedal. This vibration (and at least in my case, a grinding sound) only happens at the initial acceleration after taking the car out of park and it is more pronounced when it is a cold start. It happens only for a second or two and I do not experience it for the rest of the drive. I have taken the car twice to two different honda service techs to take a look but both times they could not hear or feel the sound. Each of them also suggested that it is probably the ABS self check. I would very much appreciate it if someone could shed some light on this. Thanks in advance.

Sumpius

jebinc1

I have a 2003 EX V6 with Navi.

jebinc1

I have the same sound and do believe it is the ABS pump. The longer the car sits before strting (say overnight), the more pronounced the bang and grind. It occurs just before the car gets out of 1st gear (not transmission).

My Car: EX V6 with navi. (Auto)

sumpius

Thanks jebinc1! I just want to confirm that this sound occurs for you when you step on the gas pedal. I find it highly unusual that the sound could be attributed to the ABS if I am not stepping on the brake pedal but the gas pedal. If this is simply the ABS (which is standard for the first time on all Accords), do all 2003 Accord owners experience the same vibration and sound? Have you had it checked out by Honda service?

Thanks,
Sumpius

lukeboy

sumpius and jefinc 1

I have the same problem with my 2003 honda accord
upon intial accel I hear and feel a thumping sound in the front end I brought it to a dealer and of course the said they could not find anything wrong. I am glad to hear that other people are having the same problem. any light that you could shed on this would be appreciated
other then that problem the car is great. thanks
lukeboy

eswanborg

From what I've read over the past several months, and experienced with my 03 EX V-6, I would say that what you are feeling is indeed the ABS test. It is triggered at 10 or 12 mph, so you would almost for sure, have to have your foot on the gas to trigger it. I've even felt it backing up once - quickly out of the drive way. It only happens once during a drive and always at about 10 mph.

nyaccord

Hi have 2003 Honda accord coupe 2dr EX v6. I received a letter from Honda stating that the multiplex integrated control unit needs to be replaced. Anyone else get the same letter?

Also, I recently got into an auto accident..:(
It was my front car to back car collision.
Even though I wasnt going fast (20-30mph, prob less cause I was braking) the passenger side airbag went off and cracked my windshield. The question is why did it go off and not my drivers side airbag. The insurance person told me that my accord was the ninth car that he had seen where the passenger side airbag went off, while the drivers side airbag didnt.

sumpius

thanks eswanborg. If the sound is due to the ABS, I think this is peculiar to 2003 Honda Accords V6 (I have not heard other Hondas with ABS having this sound). Moreover, I have asked my friends who own non-Honda cars with ABS about the sound and they do not have this experience. As with lukeboy, I am feeling better that the sound does not appear to be experienced only by me but I think Honda should be able to build the car without the sound and vibration occurring. I agree with lukeboy that the car is great otherwise. I am still hesitant to write this off as ABS and ask other 2003 Accord owners to let me know whether they agree this is the ABS or they have found it to be something else. Thanks.

Sumpius

03lxv6

I hear the same sound every day at least twice, one in the morning when I went to work, one in the evening when I went home.

It happens soon after the driven off. Since this is my first car with ABS, I don't know if every ABS behaves so or just HONDA ABS does so.

acd99v6

I bought a 99 accord v6 recently . The check engine light went on . I checked the code at autozone . It is P0505 idle air control malfunction . The car runs well . No idle speed problem , but the AC does not work when car in idle , only works in driving .
 
Is the problem due to the IAC valve? Will replace the valve fix it ?
 
By the way , the car shake/hesitate sometime when changing gear . Is this a problem , or it is normal for v6.

fordonez

I have a 2000 SE with many of the same rattles described by other owners. I have the one in the central console which I thought was the factory CD player that was installed by the dealer. I paid $80 to fix it, but the noise remains. I also have rattles in the passenger door, below the glove compartment box, and where the seat belt adjusts up and down. I have no mechanical inclinations whatsoever. Does anyone know any mechanics in the South Florida area that can help me? It looks like Auburn63 really knows his stuff when it comes to the rattles.

tblazer503

pretty sure you will only see it in the EX models. The EX models have a feature called Electronic Brakeforce Distribution. I believe this is the actual part of the unit doing a self test. I did not hear it on the LX's that I test drove, but my EX makes that noise very distinctly.

atlantabenny

My wife's EX-L (4 cyl) with ABS but without Traction Control System doesn't make the grinding noise on initial launch but my EX-V6 with ABS and TCS does. This tells me it's probably the TCS.

massmarket

I took it to a dealer and the service manager pulled out another 4 cyl/auto and let me try it. It made a similar noise, but far less excessive. If I am rolling forward in my car and go from Neutral to Drive it sounds like I am driving over a large tin can.

Any history of other diagnoses?

bronxarul

my EX V6 also does the same thing. I have described it on this board before. I also feel it after a cold start in the gas pedal. no other of my previous cars with abs did it. I also have a 2002 odissey with abs,TCS and similar transmission and brakes? and does not have this thing. it also does it with the tcs off so I do not thing that is the cause.initially i thougt it was the transmission, now i am not so sure

I have called the dealership about a month ago telling them about it and over the phone they told me that all 2003 transmissions do the same thing and not to worry!!! i didnot have time to go there. I also think that it is hard to show it to them. you would have to wait for a while and then it only does it once, you can easily miss it once.

i also find it strange to be the abs doing a self check and to feel it in the gas pedal.

i certainly appreciate any suggestions. i would apreciate an input from you auburn63. you seem to know a lot about hondas. for a better description of the noise see posting 5467 page 274 0n this board.

thanks again

auburn63

From what most of you are saying this sounds as if it is the ABS self check. If some of you want to play and check it out for your self you can disconnect the ABS modulator under the hood on the right side(the one with all the brake lines going to it). You will want to do this before starting the car cold or when you normally would hear the noise. The only down side to this confirmation is it will set a ABS light and code that you will now have to have someone clear. If under warranty you could always play dumb afterwards .. Anyhow most of you will notice that the noise will go away as it can not do the check with the modualtor disconnected...Good luck

auburn63

You will definitly want to lube the top of the window gaskets as they are hard and make alot of noise. You may also want to put a folded piece of paper under your left side roof weatherstrip at the base bettween the glass and the strip as we see alot of noises from a loose clip from the factory in that area..

berbel

I just read your #5994 and am having trouble trying
to mentally visualize where you are talking about
with reference to using a paper shim to prevent
noise on the driver's side. You are talking about
the weatherstrip that is along the door "jamb" at
the top near the roofline, right? Also, are you talking about
shimmimg it all the way across or just in a specific area?

berbel

auburn63

We like to call it the mohawk strip, its the one that starts at the base of the winshield at each side of the car and goes up and over the roof. Also known as a roof drip/gutter molding. To verify where the noise is coming from we will take and shim about 2 inches up from the base of the windshield bettween the windshiled and the strip.This holds the strip so that if the rattle is coming from there it will go away.

rueshan

sumpius - to address your concern about other Honda's not making this noise... I own a 98 Civic EX with ABS and it makes the exact same noise as my 2003 Accord EX V6 Navi... it is the ABS pump doing its self-check. Nothing to worry about. Perhaps it could be a bit quieter, however I like the fact that my ABS system on the Civic has been perfect for the first 100,000 miles and that the ABS has worked perfectly every time I needed it. I am hoping for the same performance from my new Accord

sumpius

Thank you very much for respondimg to my post! I was about to follow-up with auburn63 and ask whether this sound occurs only on 2003 Accord V6s but rueshan answered my question. Thanks again.

sumpius

treoster

I'm looking to see if any of my fellow Edmunders had this problem and if there is some resolution.

2003 Accord, EX-L V6, Navi. Despite some of my posts, I really do like the car :-). Driving a leather sofa is my style.

However, I've been having a problem and I can't get it fixed (yet).

There appears to be a metallic squeak coming from the back seat area. This chirp/squeak is very annoying.

Condition when it happens:
1.)Toward end of day, when car have been out in the sun (i.e. the overall car is warm; in the morning, this doesn't show up).

2.) When I go over any bumps, the squeak is heard repeatedly. Smooth road, no problem.

They did the rear shelf damp fix for the DVD player, but that didn't cure it.

If sounds like maybe the metal posts of the headrests are rubbing wrong, but I don't know.

I know it's not the driver's seat, as I've bounce on it plenty with no squeaks.

Again, I think it's coming from the back seat area, and I think it's in the interior.

Any help from anyone with this problem would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

stevem327

I have a similar squeaking/scratching sound that seems to come from the right rear of the car when I go over uneven road surfaces. It happens at all times of the day, warm or cold. It sounds more like it's coming from the outside though instead of the inside. I'm guessing it's something in the rear suspension that needs to be lubed or adjusted? Car is a 2003 LX I-4 Accord with 1,750 miles and it's made this noise since day one. A little frustrating since it's a brand new car, but I haven't seen the dealer yet about it. This is the only issue I've had with the car so far (brake rotors are fine, no window rattles)...knock on wood.

03lxv6

Does anybody notice squeaking noise during the first several brakings from a cold brake?

I did not hear it until recently. My car has only 3400 miles. I have driven an Altima 2.5S for once and did not hear this kind of noise.

Thanks.

stevem327

I read on the Honda “owner’s access” website that it’s normal for your brakes to sometimes squeak slightly at VERY low speeds (barely coasting, say under 5 MPH). If you’re getting squeaking at speeds higher than that, especially at 3400 miles, it seems unusual in my opinion. I’ve never experienced squeaky brakes at 3400 miles on any car I’ve owned in the past 15 years. Seems strange to me.

auburn63

I had a complaint just like yours last week and I found it to be the strut/shock in the rear. Tried to cut the spacer shim down, which did help but not completely so then replaced it and now it is fine. The key word you used to describe it for me was the chirp, mine sounded just like a bird was in the car...Good luck

dalaw

I have a 2003 Civic LX automatic with 5000 miles, and the transmission sometimes makes that clunking noise too. And if the car is facing downhill, the noise gets louder, but that sound comes out only when the car is happened to be rolling while the gear engages. My transmission takes 2 seconds to shift into "D", and I dont think it had that kind of delay when it was new.

bodble2

That's way too long. It is almost dangerous. Can you imagine backing out of a driveway into traffic and have to engage D to drive away but have to wait 2 seconds? Those will be the longest 2 seconds in your life!

stevem327

Could a bad strut/shock also make a creaking or grinding type of noise? That's what I'm hearing from the right rear of my car going over speed bumps and other uneven surfaces (see post # 5600 above).

Sorry I can't pay you your hourly rate on this board. If you work at a dealership in the DC area let me know and I'll drop off some donuts!

dalaw

the transmission will instantly hook up if i step on the gas right after I pull the shifter into D, so there is no danger to my life yet. Well, the transmission is more like partial engagement for the first 2 seconds, then full engagement after that, and stepping on the gas will cancel out that delay. Thanks for your concern bodble2!

hji

Hi, Massmarket,

Is it one time clank or continuous? My 03 accord lx sometimes gives one sound when I shift from parking to Drive. I don't have it checked.

hji

I received a letter from honda saying my car is the time that may have two problem:

loose air intake pipe clamp, and no reverse. The first problem may cause damage to engine. I was asked to contact the local dealer for a free update.

I bought my car last Oct. My VIN No. starts with J. I did not feel any problem but rattling. I am going to have my car "updated" and post again what my local dealer say.

bodble2

You mean the tranny can't be shifted into reverse?

rttucker

You mentioned in your post #5575 that you found a fix for a "rattle" in your center console. What was the fix?