Problems · by component

2003 Honda Accord electrical system problems

143 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2003 Honda Accord cite electrical system, 7% of all 2,013 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 1 recall on this component.

Complaints
143
7% of all complaints
Crashes
9
Reported by owners
Fires
6
Reported by owners
Injuries
3
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the electrical system

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“I brought my vehicle to a Honda dealership for a safety recall repair (airbag/SRS related). After the repair, the SRS warning light appeared on my dashboard, indicating a potential safety issue with the airbag system. This issue was not present before the recall repair. It appeared shortly after the dealership completed the service. I contacted the dealership multiple times, but they have not responded or provided any assistance. This is a serious safety concern because the airbag system may not function properly in the event of an accident. I believe the recall repair was performed improperly, creating a new safety risk. I am requesting an investigation into this issue.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 6, 2026Electrical system, Air bags, Unknown or otherODI 11729508
“The contact owns a 2003 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and occupied, the contact started the vehicle, and the vehicle shut off independently. The “Maintenance Required” message was displayed. The contact stated there was smoke coming from the hood of the vehicle, and several minutes later, the smoke dissipated. The contact stated that a technician from the Auto Care Department at Walmart inspected the vehicle and informed the contact that the positive and negative battery terminals were burned and damaged, as well as a wire near the engine. The technician from Walmart used a diagnostic machine to diagnose the vehicle however, the result was unknown. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 238,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 7, 2025Electrical systemODI 11691819
“Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2003 Honda Accord. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 156,000, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 337,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 26, 2025Electrical systemODI 11690002
“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
“My key will not go into the ignition. It also starts to get hot. The steering column also starts to get hot. It also periodically smells like something is burning. The dealership wants to charge me $140 to look at it. I don't have the money. I have not been able to have anybody look at it because I don't have the money. This first happened back in February of 2023 but I got worse around June 1, 2023”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 2, 2023Steering, Electrical systemODI 11525074
“Doors locked from inside and cannot get out unless I put my window down. Safety issue. Second time I replaced my door since I was in a car accident a few years ago. Same problem came back again after replacing the door handle it used to work for years at the driver side until recently. Also doors are unable to unlock from the switch.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 15, 2022Steering, Electrical system, Unknown or otherODI 11474137

Showing 6 of 143 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 2, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

1 recall on this component

Electrical system: ignition

Free remedy

HONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2003 HONDA ACCORD, CIVIC TWO AND FOUR DOOR, AND MODEL YEAR 2003-2004 HONDA ELEMENT VEHICLES. THE INTERLOCK LEVER OF THE IGNITION SWITCH MAY UNEXPECTEDLY DEFORM, WHICH CAN ALLOW THE INTERLOCK FUNCTION OF A VEHICLE WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION TO BE DEFEATED.

Electrical systemReported Aug 5, 2010NHTSA 10V364000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 2, 2026

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