I am considering the purchase of a 2003 Accord 4-cyl. automatic. I currently have a 2001 and am getting rid of it before the transmission goes. Did Honda resolve the transmission issues for 03 accords?

 

I can only give you what I've read, never owned either.

Some have reported issues with the '03 - haven't read much on the '04 which is strange since they are the same gen Accord.

Anyway, I would say YES. The 98-02 are junk, hate to say it but. The 03 and up are way better and back to what you would expect from a Honda.

Just my .02, take it for what it is

 

Interesting, I consider my 2001 to be a pretty fine car; what was "junk" about them?

 

When I was typing that I was thinking "if shipo reads this he is going to kill me"

Ok, not junk. Just don't have a good reputation for the auto trans lasting as long as other Accord's do.....better ?

 

Ahhh, got it; it's all about the autotragic transmission. Well, from that perspective, I have to agree, my car would be so very much nicer if it had the 6-Speed manual of the 2004 Acura TL.

 

Hi Grand Rapids,
I bought a 03 Accord 4 cyl (thankfully) for my son.
From what I've read the 03 V6 trannys are really bad. It is the extra power and it can only handle the 4 cyl. So if you get the car get the fluid flushed (not with a machine) and you should be good. I found a filter at OEM: 25430 PLR 003 Filter (ATF) for $10.45 with free shipping from China. It is taking a few weeks to get it, but it is about 1/3 of Honda's price.

 

Thanks for all the helpful info, guys. I have a 2001 V6 and the trans has already thrown a code for a slip condition. I did change fluid, 3-step, at 120K per manual. Bought used at 115K. Used Honda fluid for fluid change. Am looking at a 03 EX 4-cyl auto with 108K. Yes, entirely new: 5 speed auto.

 

I've become addicted to the relatively effortless power of the V6, I rather doubt I'd be able to take moving down to a four banger car just in the name of transmission life. I look at it this way, buying a remanufactured transmission is rather cheaper than buying another car, so unless I find a smokin' deal on say a 2004 Acura TL 6-Speed manual, I would rather stay with my 2001 V6 Accord.

 

I'm not a fan of the noise level produced by V6 engine in my 2001; I've enjoyed the refined Camry V6. I've also grown tired of the stodgy look of the sixth generation.


I recently learned of the braking system issues with the seventh generation Accords. Anyone have a poor experience with calipers, brakes, rotors needing more-than-usual replacement?

 

I get the bit about looks, but noise level? Mine is pretty darned quiet; quieter than pretty much any car I've driven in recent memory, and much quieter than my coworker's 4-cylinder Gen 7 Accord. Is it possible you have an exhaust leak or maybe some of the intake plumbing is broken or was modified by the previous owner?