2003 Honda Accord LX-G 2.4L 4 Cylinder from North America

Summary:

Caution when buying a new Honda Accord

Faults:

- Replaced Air Conditioning Condenser

- Replaced front right shock

- Replaced catalytic converter (due to rotten egg smell)

- Replaced front right carpet

- Rattles in front passenger dash and in passenger and driver windows

- Replaced rear wheel bearing (When driving 120 kms/hour a whistling noise is apparent however when speed changes noise disappears) noise still exists dealer unable to fix this

- Replaced front air vent.

General Comments:

I am very unhappy with this vehicle as the quality standards for Honda have decreased considerably.

I have found Honda dealers lack in customer service. I also found that dealing with Honda Head Office to be quite difficult.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 17th August, 2004

2003 Honda Accord LX Sedan 4 cylinder. from North America

Summary:

Great car minus the problems

Faults:

Fit and finish problems galore, like many others mentioned in the 2003 reviews.

Pulls to right as people mentioned in the 2003 reviews.

Front seat belt adjustment sliders rattled, top inside door trim pieces vibrated, front windshield pillars vibrated, bad heat shield, delivered with permanent water spots on outside of vehicle, delivered with scratches and swirls on outside paint.

The windshield trim still rattles, even after the Honda tech put in foam tape everywhere, and now there's a noise from the front passenger door that sounds as if something came loose.

I've been back to the dealer multiple times and even took the car to a local tire center on my own. At only ~300 miles (110 of which weren't mine) the car's alignment was bad! The tire center did what they could but it still pulls to the right.

It's back in the service dept. right now, dealing with the heat shield noise and the remaining rattles. They replaced the heat shield last time (said Honda stamped it incorrectly) but the car STILL makes the same noise. Very strange.

General Comments:

Honda is supposed to be a quality car maker, but clearly things have slipped a little bit. In their quest to push more cars out of the assembly line, they have sacrificed quality for quantity.

I can't honestly recommend a Honda to anyone. Spending time waiting in the dealership instead of being out on the road is truly frustrating.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 6th August, 2004

21st Mar 2005, 06:53

I agree Camry would be a better choice. I would also look at Mazda as well. I would even look at some American made vehicles before Honda.

17th Aug 2005, 21:53

Accord or Camry? Both great cars, both with a few problems, but if you really want problems go with Ford, Mazda (same thing) etc.

A lot really depends on the stealership - have an 03 Accord now, had 00 Camry, 93 Celica, 89 Celica... and depending on the deal next year it will be either Camry or Accord.

4th Oct 2005, 17:58

I would beg to differ with the statement bashing Ford. I've had 3 Fords and all have been long-lasting, dependable vehicles. In fact, one has 220,000 miles on it and a younger family member still drives it daily.

2003 Honda Accord EX 3.0 V6 from North America

Summary:

Good performance, high reliability, good looks and great value!

Faults:

Rattles, rattles, rattles from 2,000 miles until now.

Brake rotor resurfaces, brake pads changed at 12,000 miles. This is a known problem listed on the TSB.

General Comments:

This review is for the US version of the Honda Accord. I have a 2003 Honda Accord Coupe EX V6 5AT.

I certainly would like to see Honda pay more attention to the build quality of their cars. The rattles in my car just drive me nuts. Note that there are numerous rattles in so many areas in my car. The dealer does not want to take responsibility and just says that this is how the car is.

I do like the performance of this car, the engine is very smooth, quiet, powerful and yet very fuel efficient.

There is significant lag in the accelerator response mostly due to the lag in the automatic transmission.

The looks of this car is fabulous! and the interior is very attractive!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 25th July, 2004