Honda Accord Problems 2000-2005

mybluehonda

I have a 2004 EX-V6 with 8K miles, purchased in April. There is a definite whine (that has been increasing in audibility since purchase) when I drive over 40MPH (approximately 40, that is). I checked my VIN number against the Honda tranny recall and mine was outside the recall set. Should I be worried? (I have tried turning off fans - noise continued.)
The car also developed a thumping noise similar to the sound of a flat tire last night. We pulled the car over twice to check for a flat. The second time, I could hear the noise from under the rear driver's side as it was idling. The "thumping" has a corresponding mild shudder felt through the steering wheel and brakes when driving, although it does not appear to affect steering or handling. I am going to try to get into the local dealership tomorrow, obviously, but any thoughts or experiences with similar issues would be appreciated! Thanks!

austinman7

I had a similar noise in my 04 LX 4-cyl., just after it went into top gear, at the 40-45 mph range. A somewhat high-pitched whine that was very annoying. After the service rep tried to brush it off as normal, my service manager went for a ride with me and said immediately that it was coming from the tranmsission and that it was abnormal. They replaced my transmission at about 4,500 miles. Replacement tranny still makes the noise, though at a reduced level. I haven't decided yet whether I'll pursue it further.

There is an article entitled "AT (Automatic Transmission) Whine" on a Honda technical site -- my service manager showed it to me. So Honda does recognize this as a problem.

I have no idea if this noise is related to the excessive heat buildup around second gear that is fixed by the recall. My service manager says no -- others on this thread have suggested there could be a relationship. Of course, officially, the recall does not apply to my car, since it's a 4 cyl.

There were several other Honda owners with this problem a few months back when they were replacing my transmission. One of them had a replacement transmission, which I think he said fixed the problem, and I don't recall hearing the outcome of the other one.

jrock80

Are you sure the sound is comming from the transmission? If you are driving and start hearing it and put the car in neutral, does it go away? The car doesnt get into its 5th and final gear on the V6 models until 48-50MPH. 40MPH would be way to soon.

mybluehonda

Nope, not sure - that's why I stuck the question mark in the title. I was checking it out today while driving - it only whines at 40mph if going down moderate-to-steep hills, otherwise, it's mostly happening over 50mph.
My "thumping" noise under the car has gotten worse and now there is a clicking sound when making sharp turns. The dealership can't see it until Friday but said it's ok to drive. I surely hope so, cuz I commute 2 hours/day...but I have a sneaking suspicion I'm doing damage.

mybluehonda

(Sorry - left this out of previous post.) No whining noise while idling - neutral or otherwise.

awhite

I just purchased a new 04, and took a trip which was about a 3 hour drive. It appears to me that I was hearing more wind noise in the sunroof area or either tire noise, I couldn't tell which one. Has anyone experience this?

Also, I had this problem with my 02 as well, it pulls to the left. Not badly, but you know there a pull, especially using when stopping or driving across bumps.

Is it me?

bd21

My buddies car remote will only open the driver's side door locks (front and back). It will intermittently open the other side, maybe once in ten tries, if you are lucky. Even if you use the key or use the driver's inside unlock button, the other locks will not actuate. I'm stumped! It can't be the remote battery, because the key and inside button won't actuate the passenger side locks most of the time either. This problem just started. Any ideas and what is malfunctioning???

psh

I own a 2004 EX_L with 2500 miles and since I drove it home I have experienced sub-optimal handling especially at freeway speeds. It seems to sway as if a tire is flat or out of balance. I returned to the dealership where I purchased the vehicle but they did not seem to think anything was wrong. Any ideas?

anonymousposts

Check your tire pressure. Occasionally, new cars are delivered with too much air pressure or uneven air pressure which can make the car feel less stable and not as smooth.

user777

if an '02 LX accord has ABS or not? does the VIN give it away somehow? thanks.

auburn63

Try this, with the key in the off position put the intermitant wiper speed adjustment to the mid position setting then turn the ignition on and off again. Now I usally start the car and close doors then turn off the car and get out and go through the lock /unlock modes. This resets the multiplex system and sometimes cures weird problems..good luck

bd21

Thank you very much for the suggestion. I'll try it tomorrow and let you know if it works.

talon95

When your warning lights go through the self check when you start the car, the ABS warning light should come on if the car has ABS.

rumpletzer

Are you making that up about the key and wiper switch??!! *smile* That's awesome! I haven't bought the service manual yet. Is stuff like that in there?

canddmeyer

I also have the '99 LX 4-cyl. I don't have the remote, but my rear seat locks usually wouldn't lock automatically by either the key or door switch; instead I had to push 'em down myself. I can't give you a replacement cost cuz the invoice showed warranty billing w/o disclosing any $ amounts. It's the actuator motor inside the door that is failing. The left side & right side actuators have different part #'s. Just bite the bullet, tell the dealer the symptom & get it fixed.

anonymousposts

If I am not mistaken you had to buy the EX Accord or the LX V6 Accord to get ABS until the 2003 model.

justin

unless your 2002 LX is a V6, you don't have ABS. Honda didn't bother putting ABS on all Accords until 2003. if your LX is a V6, then you have ABS for sure.

user777

i believe the ABS was an option for the 4-cycl '02 Accords. Can I tell by looking at the brakes themselves? I know what a typical caliper / rotor without ABS looks like. Maybe it will be obvious looking under the car. looking at the instrumentation on the dash is a good idea.

justin

for 2002, there are no LX 4 cylinder Accords with ABS. Honda doesn't do factory "options"....the only options are automatic transmissions, side airbags on some cars, and Nav systems. and ABS isn't a dealer installed option - not possible. sorry

b10609

Thanks for the suggestion - I am passing it along to my son, this stuff looks like a good idea. - Waterloo

luvmyaccord5sp

The calipers and pads will be the same if your car has/doesn't have ABS. Check the dash when starting the car for a "ABS" light. There is also an ABS control unit under the hood. It will be about 6"x4"x2" and have four brake lines coming out of it. But check your dash, that makes more sense

eds1300

My sisters Honda Accord "check engine" light came on one month after passing the California smog test. Honda of San Francisco diagnosed the codes as P1166 and P1167. They swaped the O2 sensors but the codes still registered. So far $120.00 owed for checking what's wrong, but they don't know what's the problem. They gave an estimate of $340.00(low) and stated that the actual cost can go up or down. He stated that if it's only a pinch wire then it will be around $340.00, if it's ECU then it will be $2,500. So far they have charged $120.00 for swaping the O2 sensors and want's her answer in regards to procedding with low ball figure of $340.00 to find out what's wrong.

My question is, do I proceede with Honda of San Francisco doing more of the diagnosis, although they have no idea what the problems are? So far the amount owed is $120.00, and they have stated that min. of $340.00, but they won't know unless they continue their diagnosis.

For now I have told my sister to bring the car home so that she can get a second opionion. I told her to just pay the $120.00

Also, will the car perform differently with those two codes/malfunction?

Thanks for reply.

quietgiant

Same with me but with a 2004 LX 4cyl AT. Just 100 miles and poof! Hot air. In Phoenix, not an option!
When I bought it last week the A/C was not cooling right. Dealer pulled the car to service and said they evacuated and recharged the system and found no leaks but, was low on freon. (That in it self says it leaks). I suspect they simply dumped in a few ounces of freon to get it off of the lot. Looks like I will have an ongoing relationship with my dealer service dept from here on. Are there any other problems I should know about with this Yr/Model?

bd21

No luck with your procedure. The passenger side door locks act like they want to work, but they just won't actuate with the key, remote or inside switch. Do you think both actuators for the locks could have failed at the same time?

isellhondas

You are wrong, Justin.

It was, indeed possible to buy an LX Accord with ABS in 2002. These came from the factory.

They sure weren't very popular but they were definatly available.

justin

..of course you could get an "LX" Accord in model year 2002 with ABS. it would be a V6.

i must have mis-posted - i meant to say that in the 4 cylinder model "LX" for 2002, ABS was not available. for vehicles destined to be sold in the U.S. anyway. perhaps in Canada, if they had an LX model, ABS was available.

at that time, the Accord was out of the running for several people that i knew (including dear old mom) because ABS could only be had on "highline" models.

i have a feeling "isell" wants to prove me wrong, so i am open to that. if he has proof from Honda of U.S., i only wish i would have seen it when i needed it! the 98-02 4 cylinder automatics were the last of the rock-solid Accords! but you couldn't get safety equipment on the "bread and butter" models.

***EDIT - i just checked Edmunds and low and behold, on their used car appraisal section for an 02 LX 4 cylinder, ABS is listed as an option. right before my eyes. that is great, but also stinks! anyway, i guess i have to believe it, don't i? isell is RIGHT, justin is WRONG.***** guess we should have went to him when we were looking at LX Accords in 01, huh?

anyway, the Wash Post on Tuesday reported still more fires with CR-V's. at least we don't have that problem, right?!

justin

has anyone had this TSB performed? i called Honda, they say it involves the rear glass of the drivers door, installing some insulation. that might get rid of the noise i hear at ear level.

anyone have any experience with it?

thanks!

isellhondas

Funny, you refuse to believe me even though I've sold them for nine years.

damenotre

I drive a 2004 Accord EX-V6 and I noticed on my way to work this morning that the seat heater button on the drivers side is not lighting up when my headlights are on. Just wondering if anyone else has had this happen, and if the dealer will fix it. I'm scheduled to go in this weekend for a 22,500 mile service, and was hoping they might fix the light then. Thanks in advance for any info!

justin

huh? i totally admitted that you were right and i was wrong. what else do you want? blood?

now tell me if that TSB 03-085 (or TSB 03-057)has been done in your shop - and more importantly - do your techs seem to think it works? what is the difference between the two? AHC only admitted to 085 being relevant...

promise i will believe you!

thanks!

justin

i called a local dealer (not sure if i can name names or not) but they told me to WAIT until after 15k to get the recall done. they said if i have 14k-ish now, i would be better off getting the pics done (only done at the 15k mark), in case it is borderline and needs a new transmission. hmmmm. not sure what i think about that.

isellhondas

Of course I don't want blood. It's just you didn't seem to believe me until you checked another source. Oh...nevermind...

As far as those bulletins you'll have to ask someone with more knowledge on those bulletin numbers.

I do know you should be fine. The vast majority of those photos show no damage. I do know that much.

gdzlla13

This is definitely going to sound lame. Have a 2005 Accord LX. The fuel door is stuck. When pressing down on the door release I can hear a click, but it won't release. Is there an alternative way to open this thing?

Thanks

waltaz

Hi. I've been watching posts relative to my original post (#8188) and it seems most people think it's the ABS self-check or the TCS self-check. I have it into the dealer right now and they are saying it's the ABS and it's "normal."

Well, I've told them I'm not satisfied with that for the following reasons:
- My wife has an '04 Accord EX V6 (same exact car) and it has NEVER done it in 5 months.
- I have driven a bunch of '04 EX V6's (same exact car) and have NEVER felt that.

Again, this is slightly heard and felt through the gas pedal after engaging 'D' after the car has sat while off for 15 min. or more. It's a grinding vibration, then does not re-occur, even after stops. But once you turn it off and it sits, when you go into 'D', there it is again...

Help!

auburn63

bd21
 Yes it is possible for them to be bad at or near the same time as they get week over the years...

TSB 03-085
 Have not done it yet but did look it over and looks easy and like a good repair...03-057 is for the front side of the glass by the mirror and the 085 is for the rear upper corner of the glass...

auburn63

doesnt cover odd repairs or resets like that we learn them from service buletins and tech news.....

rascale

My wife had the same problem one time with her '94 Accord. I believe we got it open by one person inserting a credit card in the space between the body and fuel door and another person to pull/push the fuel door release. Use the credit card to catch the "cylinder" that pops when the door release is pushed. Hope this helps. Oh, be sure to lubricate the cylinder with some WD40 once it is open.

justin

thanks. is there a place that i can SEE the directions on what exactly the technician is supposed to do? (TSB's referenced before)

really appreciate it!

mattw

2001 Accord EX-V6 Coupe, 42K miles.... Car sat undriven for 3 or 4 days.

Went for a short drive in-town. Car seemed to idle and drive at higher RPM than normal.... shifts in the auto. transmission were fewer and farther between than normal.... car would accelerate on its own and maintain a speed of about 35mph wihthout a food on the accelerator....

put the car in N and P... RPMs fluctuated wildly... car revved as if I were stomping the accelerator repeatedly.... TCS light and Check engine light came on and stayed on... turned off car and left it for a few hours...

Took the car out for another drive.... everything seems normal except that the check engine light is still on... no TCS light....

Any clues?????

talon95

Try the site referenced in the linked post... TSBs available in .pdf format.

speedracer03 Jan 24, 2003 11:40am

dealerflorida

My wife is a Honda fan since her first car in 81. I purchased 2 Honda's on Y2K, yes all the world was in panic and I was writing checks equaling 40 grand. I brought home a 00 civic for my teenager and an Accord 4 door ex-L for the wife. The transmission was clunking on day 2. Our driveway is on a inlcine upwards and getting out of P into R caused a worrisome noise and also while riding in reverse there was additional noises. salesman told me to drive the car back to the dealers lot and select any other car I wanted, at no extra cost. The wife told me to get a coupe and not a "old ladies sedan". I obliged and brought home a silver 00 ex-L V-6. We have the car 4 years and have logged a meager 31,000 miles. I have a long list of things that went wrong with this car, however the latest incident has caused me to vow never to purchase a Honda product again. The SRS light went on and the diagnosis is we need to replace a major component of the system, otherwise the airbags will not deploy properly, if at all. Cost $300 to $400. At the same time the check engine and service engine light were blinking as well, I thought my dash was the Las Vegas Strip and I was thinking Yugo, Fiat, Edsel etc. What a garbage car, at 31,000 miles ! Other issues I cannot accept, arrogant limited 3 year 36 K warranty, engine leaking coolant from manifold where many hoses connect to motor, 3 radios replaced and on last replacement the security code was missed and I had to pinch it myself and enter and re program the radio, a transmission that lurches not shifts, uneven paint with fade spots from factory, wind can chip my paint on hood let alone stones or road debris, rough unfix able idle, clunking power window, intake manifold dirt causing car to stall, shall I go on?
I was a jerk, I paid cash ($25K) for a over hyped product. Never again buddy, from now I lease and let the headaches be someone elses. My current value is about $14K, so I have experienced $11K depreciation in 4 years?
I spoke to the dealer this week about SRS, I was blown off, never again, never again.

guayhaur

The problem is caused by the automatic air control valve. My 98 Honda Accord EX V6 had some kind problem about 4 years ago and it went away after I parked my car and opened/closed the hood. 2 days ago, the same problem came back again and it did not go away by parking overnight or any other way. So I took it to the dealer, they fixed the problem by changing the parts (charged $270). It seems the problem is most likely to happen in the raining days.

luvmyaccord5sp

Does anyone know if the 7th gen accord brakes are interchangeable with the 2002 accords? I have access to a "big brake" 2002 accord upgrade kit for the front rotors but I don't know if it will fit my 03... I'm almost sure it's a NO but I thought i'd ask

Any help would be appreciated!!!

-D

user777

peace... *i* believe you guys. i do.

i knew the ABS was optional on the LX. Edmunds wouldn't have gotten that wrong.

actually i was thrown by time pressure, a CARMAX window sticker and an unknowing salesperson, and also by a CARFAX VIN report which was worded a little ambiguously...

i should have checked for the ABS indicator light, but i was looking at a lot of other stuff.

so i was disappointed to learn that the used car i purchased to replace the LX which cratered (the cam shaft actually snapped near the timing belt pulley - ever seen that? all the rocker arms were in the up position when the top was taken off...i want to cry) did not have the ABS brakes.

anyway -

so isell - do tell... (hey that rhymes):

...why was the ABS option on the 4-cylinder for '02 unpopular? can you illuminate... or otherwise just lie to me... maybe i might feel better hearing the answer (which I will believe)

anonymousposts

The ABS was unpopular because many people aren't willing to pay extra for items that are "must haves" to the car fanatics here on Edmunds. Same thing with the optional side airbags in the Accord and Civic. Some people won't buy a car without them but others refuse to pay an extra $200 for them. Different strokes for different folks.

You say you were thrown by a Carmax window sticker? Is that where you purchased the vehicle? Did the window sticker say the car had ABS?

user777

yes. yes. yes. sigh.

isellhondas

anon did a good job of answering your question and since she isn't in the business she will be more credible.

Very slow sellers indeed!

damenotre

I have an '04 Accord EX-V6 and have a question about the brakes. I drive almost eighty miles round trip every day, mostly highway driving. Because of all of the miles, I end up getting oil changes or a checkup (like you get at 7500, 15000, etc.) every two months. At my 15K service they said my brakes were at 80% front and back, and the dealer said the same thing at my next oil change. I went in today for my 22,500 service, and the brakes are now at 45% front and 40% rear. Isn't that kind of a big change since the last time? And I didn't think rear brakes would wear faster than the front. I am now thinking that by the time I go in for a 30K service, I'm going to have to get my brakes repaired. Anyone know approximately how much Honda dealers are charging for this?

murray53

This is an interesting one. I hope that your son solves this problem. Speaking from my own personal experience, it gets COLD up there in the winter (-40C is not unknown in that city). If the squirrels get to the AC cord for the block heater (it's just about mandatory up there) then he'll be in for trouble.

anonymousposts

user: If the window sticker stated the car had ABS maybe you should try to complain to the GM and see if they will take that Accord back and find you another one that has ABS. According to people I know, Carmax is usually willing to work with customers in this type of situation as long as the customer doesn't start throwing a temper tantrum in the middle of the showroom.