Hello I'm in Australia and i'm interested in a gold 2004 honda accord with 67000 kms on the clock.

From reading this forum i've become interested in the transmission problems with this series. So i rang up honda to find out if the transmission recall was done for this car.
According to them it was done in jan 05.
All services were carried out but one thing I've noticed is a slight whine when decelerating from around 50 - 80. Is this normal for this car or a sign that it does have the common fault.
The auto trans fluid was just changed so it looks the normal red/ pink colour

I really enjoyed driving this car but I need something that will be reliable.

If it helps anyone with extra info the vin number is
MRHCM66803P031022

So about 42,000 miles on the car and I assume it's the V6 right? I also have the same year accord with around 46,000 miles on it and so far no problems with the transmission, but do you feel a difference when it shifts? If there is only a whine I would say you're pretty much safe but if theres a difference in shifting I would say have it looked at.

Buy it! I have about 107K miles on my car ('04 V6), and the transmission runs great!

The Honda Accord is as reliable a car as there is on the market; for many, it sets the bar so high that no other car can clear it. If reliabilty is your only concern with the car, buy it. You'll be as happy with it as all of us have been.

I am now the proud owner of a honda accord.
:)

It is really quite a nice car and well looked after.

If it helps anyone with extra info the vin number is
MRHCM66803P031022

Hi, also in Australia. That is a 03 Model. The dealer will sell it as a 04 (Australian compliance date) and buy it back form you as a 03 (Build date). Look above the Vin Plate and you will see a build date plate. If it is an October, November build month you should be ok.

Don’t let the seller con you into believing that this is a 04 model. It will show up as a 03 on the Australian Honda Owners site.

These cars can have a very slight high pitched whine, almost turbine like. I notice it mostly around 60kph to 70kph or when holding that speed on a very light throttle.

Have a look for the recall stickers on the front drivers door pillar, you should see Recall Stickers 5FA for Fuel and 5CS – for the transmission.

NOTE.
Don't worry about it showing as a 03, most 04 models sold here appear to have a late 03 built date. Price is about the same.

Oh gees.
How worried should I be given that the recall was done on this car in jan 05.

Has anyone got numbers on the failure rate of 03 accords with the Oil jet kits installed from that recall.

Oh gees.
How worried should I be given that the recall was done on this car in jan 05.

Has anyone got numbers on the failure rate of 03 accords with the Oil jet kits installed from that recall.

I have researched this subject in detail. There were a host of reasons for the problems on early 03 transmissions (02 built transmissions). The units arriving here appear to be later units or have been spared the build problems and are pretty much ok except for the 2nd gear lube problem. Do you know if the 2nd gear mod needed to be fitted on this transmission?

For your interest some people are saying that later 05 and 06 models are a different or improved transmission (no problems). The Honda factory transmission workshop manual tells a different story, 03 to 05 are virtually identical, 06 had a slight change in one clutch and a few minor revisions. Most of the problems were solved when the transmission build tolerances were followed correctly, not the case on early transmissions coming from some factories and build teams.

One thing I would do about now is replace the external transmission filter. Your Honda dealer may tell you that there is no replaceable filter on the transmission or that it never needs changing, this is either a lie or total dumb ignorance on their part. I can supply you with part numbers and cost if you need it. You can replace it yourself; I have a web site with a DIY and pictures for this.

There are a few tips to keep in mind when driving this auto. In start stop traffic drive in D3. Do not manually shift down from D to D3 on a closed throttle at speed. No WOT changes until transmission fluid is at operating temp. Not following these driving tips has been identified by Honda as a cause of high fluid temp and premature clutch wear and failure. The reasons for this have been documented and I am not going to repost them here.

Wow, I was quite suprised. The Honda parts sites here in the US can identify it.
A 2003 EX V6 4dr NAVI Auto.

If you have an owner link site in AU like we do in the US, you can register to confirm that the recall was done. I believe the recall for that trans for the mis-machined case and the defective units were replaced. If it was done in '05 it should already have the internal modification for the 2nd gear lube issue, or else it has the jet kit setup on it.

The filter Mike mentions is a cartridge style in a housing near the left "frame" rail. There's a 3 bolt housing that covers it.

I don't think there's any real harm in driving it in normal D for most driving. Since 3rd is the weakest clutch in the 5 speed auto, I'd not want it in 3rd all the time. Converter locked or not.

It's really a shame that Honda didn't put an overdrive cancel button on the shifter like many others do.

I do agree about not beating on it when cold, but with the "warmer" on the unit it will bring the temp up nearly as fast as the coolant does.

Yes the dealer had a problem finding it until I pointed it out; they had never had one in stock nor ever ordered one before. They had to order it in for me.

The Honda AU Owners site has very little information, basic Honda service history and no mention of recalls or mods. I received full access after writing in and proving that I was the new owner, all should do this to allow Honda to contact us (hopefully) and be advised of any future recalls.

The AU 5CS recall is for the 2nd gear jet. The 03-04 Accord in AU should have this sticker if that recall was carried out.

thanks alot for that info guys,
I'll have to check for that sticker next time I'm with the car.
From what honda tells me the oil jet kit is what was installed in jan 05.
I actually downloaded a service bulletin from honda which i found on this site.
It stated that after the mod is done there should also be a centre punch above the 11th digit of the vin number in the engine bay. I could not find this, I guess some guy just didn't mark it and it's why i rang up honda.

I will double check those stickers and let you people know.

Another thing i'm wondering about is warranty. Is there any possibilty that i can get some kind of good will policy out of honda here in australia if the transmission did fail me?

For now i will take your tips to help preserve the life of this transmission.
I'll post you a message mike if i run into any trouble with that external transmission filter.

I'm interested to know the miles/kms people have on this site with the early 7th gen fitted with the oil jet kit.

You won’t find markings or punch marks on the VIN in Australia, thing are different here. This recall was started towards the end of 04 in AU. Forget about any goodwill you may have read about in other countries. Sorry to be blunt but Honda Australia is a totally different animal, it’s on a need to know basis only and over here they don’t think that you need to know anything.

Do I sound Cynical - noooooo :lmao:.

You won’t find markings or punch marks on the VIN in Australia, thing are different here. This recall was started towards the end of 04 in AU. Forget about any goodwill you may have read about in other countries. Sorry to be blunt but Honda Australia is a totally different animal, it’s on a need to know basis only and over here they don’t think that you need to know anything.

Do I sound Cynical - noooooo :lmao:.

Do you think it's possible for me to purchase some kind of extended warranty?

Do you think it's possible for me to purchase some kind of extended warranty?They advertise them on TV all the time, though it's always been my belief that with a car like this, they're not necessary and a complete waste of money. But if you're that paranoid something is going to break and that's the sort of thing that will give you peace of mind, go for it.

Do you think it's possible for me to purchase some kind of extended warranty?

What is on offer over here form Honda will be, unfortunately, quite different from the US. If you Google used car extended warranty in Australia and read the forums and consumer advice sites you will find that they have so many loop holes and are so restrictive that they are not worth the paper that the warranty is printed on. I have read a few and they are a joke. You have 3 months statutory warranty so give it a good drive.

Look, at the end of the day with that mileage and with the fact that the fluid has been changed early you should have no problems. Honda normally change it at 120000km (AU) and then only change less than half the fluid, yours was changed at around 67000km (I would like to have known what prompted the early change though, could have just been a good mechanic with a brain) You might consider doing another drain and refill to get more of the old oxidised fluid out and then doing a drain and refill every 30000km or so.

Check the transmission fluid level and colour every few days. Check the engine oil level at the same time, some engines can use more oil depending on how they were run in and serviced and how you drive them.

Don’t forget to get the timing belt done at 80000km (That’s the recommended change time in your hand book in AU).

Why so low a "mileage" for the timing belt down there?

That's about 60k miles here. We go normally 105-110k. I'd inspect it at the 80k km mark, and if it's got any dryness or cracks, replace it. Honda's V6s aren't normally hard on timing belts. He will hit 7 years before the distance though.

Is the weather that much worse than up here?

I've heard the weather can be pretty extreme over there. Lots of dangerous snakes over there also. :paranoid:

http://www.expatfocus.com/expatriate-australia-climate-weather

Why so low a "mileage" for the timing belt down there? Is the weather that much worse than up here?

Yes it is low and I have looked at the recommendations in other countries and this is one of the lowest for a timing belt. I guess it could be because of the climate extremes across AU, particularly the humidity in some states, so I think that they are being cautious and went for one size fits all.

Interesting, they only give us some specific conditions: pasted from Honda

Trips of less than 5 miles (less than 10 in freezing weather)
Extremely hot weather (over 90 degrees F)
Extensive idling or stop-and-go driving
Trailer towing, car-top carrier, or mountain driving
Muddy, dusty, or de-iced roads

The last part shouldn't make a difference for the t-belt as the covers are very well enclosed.

But then they mention a part on page 232 of the US owner's manual:

If you drive in temps of 110F regularly or temps under -20 regularly should the belt be changed at 60k intervals. Otherwise it's 105k and 7 years.

Weird.