17th Oct 2007, 11:10

I purchased a 2000 Honda Accord EX V6 in 2004 with 69000 miles. I am the second owner of the vehicle. It is now October 2007 and the vehicle has close to 165,000 miles.

Given the wear that I have had on the vehicle I have had the following problems thus far:

Problem 1.

Close to 76000 miles (spring 2005) I had to replace the alternator and battery. The car died / would not start in the drive way of a good friend. Thankfully I was not driving when it happened. I had noticed a whining noise for about a day before the alternator gave up the ghost.

Solution 1.

I replaced it with a top of the line alternator and 700 watt cold crank battery. I have not had issues with the alternator or battery since. (i think) after reading some comments however I am not quite sure if the other problems I had since the replacement have been related or not. It at least fixed the whining noise and no problems with starting.

Problem 2.

Check engine light came on. Summer 2005 (84000 miles) Took to dealership and was advised that the gasoline I was putting in the vehicle was not healthy for my car. Dealership recommended that I only purchase gas from Chevron or Shell. Apparently the vehicle needs Techron (or additives) to keep the engine from building up junk and clogging the system.

Solution 2.

$500 cleaning of clog build up from 'dirty' gasoline in engine and hoses. Only purchasing gas from Chevron or Shell. This seems to have relieved the issue - check engine light has not come on since. <crosses fingers>

Problem 3.

One day while happily driving in my luxurious Honda Accord (Spring 2006 94000) I looked down to find that the SRS light was on. I took it in to my dealer and they said it was going to cost me about %500 to replace the OPDS sensor.

Solution 3.

Replacement of the SRS OPDS sensor. The light turned off. Just recently however (October 2007 164000 miles) the light turned back on and has been on for a couple weeks. It would come on occasionally when I would start my car. But if I turned off the car and started it again the light would go away. Now it is on. Always. Glaring at me. Increasing my stress levels and making the car feel junky and old.

Problem 4.

About 98000 miles I started to have yet another problem. The dash lights, speedometer, gas gauge, rpm lights dim and shut off or turn on. Odometer reading light has burnt out. Cruise control light button doesn't turn on. Gas low light never comes on any more. I took it into the dealership and was told that there was not a recall for the problem. But for a couple hundred (perhaps $500?) they could fix the issue.

Solution 4.

I haven't fixed it. Dangerous? Yes. Tired of the hassle? Yes.

Problem 5.

About 120000 Miles I started noticing the car 'jumping' in to second. Just a hard shift that resulted in passengers feeling whip-lashed and I could feel it in the pedal. So I took it easier on accelerating and babied the transmission.

Then I felt rattling like the engine was not attached to the frame of the car.

Solution 5.

I was getting tired of the $500 dollar quote that the dealership was so eager to tell me so I decided to try a family mechanic. Apparently my engine and transmission mounts were bad. Replacing the mounts and paying for labor came to about $700. I don't even want to think what it would have been at the dealership.

After replacing the engine mounts I have noticed a difference in shifting. 1 out of 5 times it will still shift a little tiny winy hard - but I feel a lot more power in the car and the ride is not as shaky.

Problem 6.

Just about a week ago another light came on. It is a little yellow light that says "check". Check what? Oh well apparently this has some issue to do with my exhaust system. The manual states "if the light stays on and doesn't go away after three driving periods (which it has) take it to your dealership because this is extremely dangerous." Weeeeeee.

Solution 6. I am debating whether to go into the dealership or drive my car off a cliff and jump at the last minute.

Overall. I have enjoyed my honda accord. Yes it has cost me much more than I expected it to. Yes the luxury has been sub-par. Yes the basic functionality also stinks.

I think I know why the first owner traded in the car around 69000 miles. I think If I do get another honda in the future I will do the same.

Thanks for reading. If any one has any helpful hints for the blinking dash or yellow "check" light I would appreciate it.