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Research · Midsize Cars

2003 Honda AccordRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 24 safety recalls and 2,013 owner complaints for the 2003 Honda Accord. Most complaints involve power train (926) and air bags (324). The EPA rates it 21–26 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
21–26mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
24campaigns
Latest Oct 2019
Owner complaints
2,013
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$2,450est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

24 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal

Free remedy

Dorman Products, Inc. (Dorman) is recalling certain Accelerator Pedal Assemblies part numbers 699-114 and 825-5029-1, sold as replacement parts for 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2004-2008 Acura TL and TSX, 2003-2007 Honda Accord, 2005-2006 Honda CR-V, 2007-2011 Honda Element, 2005-2008 Honda Pilot and 2006-2014 Honda Ridgeline vehicles. The rotating portion of the accelerator pedal assembly may bind. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 124, "Accelerator Control Systems."

Vehicle speed controlReported Oct 10, 2019NHTSA 19E068000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2003-2006 MDX, 2001-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot and 2006 Ridgeline vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with driver frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Air bagsReported Jun 27, 2019NHTSA 19V499000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2012 RL, 2003-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Air bagsReported Jun 27, 2019NHTSA 19V501000
See all 24 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 2, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

2,013 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jul 2002 – Jun 2026
  1. Power train926
  2. Air bags324
  3. Service brakes, hydraulic146
  4. Electrical system143
  5. Engine and engine cooling95
  6. Steering91
  7. Vehicle speed control81
  8. Structure75
  9. Visibility65

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Accord model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996478
1997467
19981,215
19991,144
20001,193
2001932
20021,062
20032,013
20041,018
2005686
2006433
2007524
20081,521
2009727
2010581
2011296
2012381
20131,438
2014984
2015602
2016613
2017540
20181,897
2019698
2020368
2021246
2022262
202388
2024153
202599
202614
Crashes reported
158
Fires reported
19
Injuries reported
157
Deaths reported
1
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 2, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Power train

926 reports20 crashes3 fires
“The contact owns a 2003 Honda Accord. The contact stated that there were several mechanical failures with the vehicle. The contact stated that there was a failure with the ignition switch, and the key could not be removed from the cylinder, and the shift lever failed to shift into drive(D), park(P), or into reverse(R). The contact stated that while the vehicle was in drive(D), the drive(D) indicator was flashing. Additionally, the contact had been having a failure of the power steering assist. The contact stated that the steering wheel was difficult to turn to the left or to the right. The contact was unaware of any warning lights during the power steering failure. The contact stated that the power steering failure was recurring. There was also a failure with the transmission. The contact stated that after being able to shift to drive(D), and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle hesitated before responding. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was shaking abnormally and hesitating. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 22, 2025Steering, Power train, Electrical systemODI 11688957

Air bags

324 reports93 crashes3 fires
“The vehicle was rear-ended on I-5 in Seattle Washington. The impact drove the subject car into the car in front of it. The front passenger airbag deployed (no occupant). The front driver airbag did not deploy, resulting in the driver hitting their nose and forehead on the steering wheel. The driver sustained relatively minor nose bruising and possibly a mild concussion. (Note, airbag recall had been performed on this vehicle)”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 27, 2026Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11746949

Service brakes, hydraulic

146 reports13 crashes
“I AM THE FIRST OWNER OF 2003 ACCORD, EX. MY CAR HAS 113,000 MILES ON IT. ITS A WELL MAINTAINED CAR I KEPT FOR YEARS. I MUST SAY THAT THIS CAR IS EXCELLENT, HOWEVER, THERE ARE SIGNS THAT SOME PARTS ARE NOT FUNCTIONING REALLY WELL LATELY. FOR THE PAST FEW MONTHS, I NOTICED MY TCS SIGN ON THE DASHBOARD COMES ON AND OFF TOGETHER WITH THE TRIANGLE SIGN IN ORANGE. IT STARTED COMING ON AFTER I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION TO MY FIRST DESTINATION AND AFTER JUST LIKE 10-15 MINUTES AND START MY ENGINE AGAIN, IT WILL COME ON AFTER DRIVING FOR NEXT 5-10 MINUTES. ALSO, JUST TWO WEEKS AGO I NOTICED THAT THE GEAR GETS STUCK ON "PARK" MODE AND I HAVE TO PRESS THE HANDLE BEFORE IT GETS RELEASED. I AM NOT SURE IF THE GEAR HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE TCS AND TRIANGLE SHOWING ON THE DASHBOARD. ALSO, I NOTICED MY CAR HAS AN ISSUE WITH BRAKES WHEN DRIVING WHILE RAINING. I HAVE TO STEP ON THE BRAKES A FEW TIMES WHEN ITS SLIPPERY TO BE ABLE TO COME TO A FULL STOP. IT'S SO SCARY THAT I ALMOST HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME A FEW TIMES. I AM LODGING MY COMPLAIN SO THE MANUFACTURER WOULD TAKE A LOOK ON THIS ISSUE AS I FOUND ALL THE COMPLAINTS ON TCS ISSUE ON 2003 HONDA ACCORD EX ONLINE WHEN I…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 1, 2013Steering, Service brakes, hydraulic, Power trainODI 10490661
All 2003 Accord problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 2, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl · 3.0L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 5-spd · Automatic 5-spd · Manual 6-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 2, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Accord
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
233126$2,450342
Accord
Auto 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
213125$2,550355
Accord
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
192722$2,900404
Accord
Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
182721$3,050423
  • Accord
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    23 city · 31 hwy · $2,450/yr
    26
    mpg comb.
  • Accord
    Auto 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    21 city · 31 hwy · $2,550/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
  • Accord
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L
    19 city · 27 hwy · $2,900/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Accord
    Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L
    18 city · 27 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 2, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

4 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2003 Honda Accord as of Nov 2, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 2, 2026Vehicle 4739Vehicle 4738Vehicle 4737
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2003 Accord questions

How many recalls does the 2003 Honda Accord have?

24 safety recalls as of Nov 2, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2003 Honda Accord problems?

Owners filed 2,013 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (926), air bags (324), service brakes, hydraulic (146). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2003 Honda Accord get?

The EPA rates the 2003 Honda Accord at 21–26 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 2, 2026