New here - so hello everyone. I currently drive a Passat (which by the way is built in Germany, not Mexico contrary to an old thread here), but the wife to be has an Accord, which is the 3rd one I've owned in some way in the last 6 years. I've had a '97 EX, '98 EX-V6, and now a '03 EX-V6 w/ NAV.

So the fiancee asks me to come drive her car b/c its making some noise again. No, not another rattle, but now some popping noise under light acceleration, which I believe is more prevalent when making right turns. It also occasionally does it while braking lightly. This from the car I bought to be our "dependable" car so we wouldn't have to rely on my VW.

Could the CV boots already be worn at just 50k on a 2003 car? Seems real early to me, although my entire CV axles did have to be replaced at 60k on the Passat, so who knows. Just curious what your thoughts are - and more importantly, how urgent of a problem it is as far as further damage.

Also, three other noises I'd appreciate some help with are as follows:
1) Creak in the drivers door panel - I've found just pushing in on the leather portion or upper portion of the panel will solve it, thinking some silicone spray in a good spot might help?

2) Vibration in the left a-piller/dashboard area - This is a new one, and just occasionally you hear it build in strength and then just go away. It sounds like a string instrument in the way it builds up in volume, and then fades off.

3) Metallic Clatter from Engine Bay at 5,000 RPM+ - Under hard acceleration, a noticeable clatter comes from the engine bay as the tach winds past 5k rpm, almost as if a manifold or something metallic is loose. Any ideas?

TIA for any help. We're getting married here in two weeks, so the last thing we need is a failing car. Seems like my Accords have been getting progressively worse in quality. My '97 was solid, '98 was slightly annoying, and this '03 hasn't quite been what I was hoping for as of yet.

Have you guys owned the car from new? The creaks and rattles are inevitable, can't say much about those! The metallic sound might be your valves tapping, although just a guess. If the car was driven very hard it might be possible that the valve clearance needs to be adjusted.

No, we bought it off lease with about 30k on it. The clatter doesn't bother me, I just don't want to be doing damage to anything in the motor. It pulls just as strongly as it did the day we bought it.

Just curious what your thoughts are - and more importantly, how urgent of a problem it is as far as further damage.If your CV boots are leaking, you should get it replaced right away to prevent axle damage (at least that's what my mechanic tells me).

1) Creak in the drivers door panel - I've found just pushing in on the leather portion or upper portion of the panel will solve it, thinking some silicone spray in a good spot might help?Sorry, can't help on this one, but maybe thoots may have some idea.

2) Vibration in the left a-piller/dashboard area - This is a new one, and just occasionally you hear it build in strength and then just go away. It sounds like a string instrument in the way it builds up in volume, and then fades off.There is a TSB for this problem here (http://www.driveaccord.net/forums/showthread.php?t=1422).

3) Metallic Clatter from Engine Bay at 5,000 RPM+ - Under hard acceleration, a noticeable clatter comes from the engine bay as the tach winds past 5k rpm, almost as if a manifold or something metallic is loose. Any ideas?May be a loose heat shield or a loose a-pipe IIRC (had this problem on my integra when the rpms hit 4K).

My '97 was solid, '98 was slightly annoying, and this '03 hasn't quite been what I was hoping for as of yet.First model year cars tend to have a greater share of problems, regardless if it's a Honda or Toyota (, the current Avalon apparently is going though some teething problems).

And btw, welcome to the forum! :wave:

Guys the clunking is increasing in frequency and strength - I'm beginning to suspect a shock/suspension issue, as it now seems to do it loudly on bumps and also if you simply park the car and steer the tires to the right.

Have there been any reports of early right front suspension problems?

coupe or sedan

A pillar noise could be the inner body panel interference problem. Is it more noticeable when it is cooler outside?

Popping on acceleration, check for the bulletin (I think it's a tsb) about the missing welds on the firewall/floorpan that create a distinct pop on power application. Not sure if this was 4 cyl only though.

The noise on bumps, check out the inner tie rods, there is also a bulletin about this that princess has posted.

The clattering noise could be the intermediate shaft heatshield, they did have some of them that made noise, they resonate with engine rpm. They are not normally noisy at high rpm, but anything could be possible.

coupe or sedan

A pillar noise could be the inner body panel interference problem. Is it more noticeable when it is cooler outside?

Popping on acceleration, check for the bulletin (I think it's a tsb) about the missing welds on the firewall/floorpan that create a distinct pop on power application. Not sure if this was 4 cyl only though.

The noise on bumps, check out the inner tie rods, there is also a bulletin about this that princess has posted.

The clattering noise could be the intermediate shaft heatshield, they did have some of them that made noise, they resonate with engine rpm. They are not normally noisy at high rpm, but anything could be possible.

Sedan. To be honest I'm not sure about the cooler/hotter question because I just noticed it recently and its been moderate here for quite a while.

As for the weld TSB, I saw it, but following the diagnosis steps could not duplicate the sound by placing the car on an incline, setting the parking brake, and tapping the gas - which is what the TSB lists as the way to determine if its the weld issue.

I'll have to look into the tie rod issue. And the heatshield explanation sounds exactly like what it may well be.

Boy this week keeps getting better... I looked over that tie rod TSB, and if I were a betting man I'd say that's what we've got going on.

What kind of cost are we looking at here? Today already I have had a washing machine fail and learned a portion of my home likely has to be rewired, so I'm becoming numb. I'd like to think Honda would cover it in good faith since the car has only 50k miles on it, but I've never had any luck with these local dealers.

anyone? I'm trying to decide if this warrants a trip to a dealer or if my local mechanic can diagnose and repair

You could try a dealership first.

Our shop could probably get it good willed as we have a really good working relationship with both the sales and parts department. Does your guy work closely with any Honda dealers?

After moving from Chapel Hill, and getting rid of my old Honda, I no longer have a guy. This is my fiancee's car, and she just recently moved here as well, so we've had little time/need to use the dealers here. The couple of times we've tried the nearest one, they've always been "too busy to work us in."

At this point I just need it fixed - our wedding is next Saturday. It would be a nice suprise if they would good will it.

Problem Diagnosed:

Bolts were 70% backed out on the right front subframe bushings. This bill may need to go to the governor - I knew our roads stunk, but good lord.

Anyone ever seen that happen on an '03? Our dealer is somewhat shocked.

We got some pretty nasty roads here....I have the same car... maybe I'd better have things checked on the next oil change!! :paranoid:

A belated welcome to the forum :wave: .... I missed this thread before! :dunno:


Door leather creaking has been normally in the armrest. If you push there, do it go away?

Congratulations on the new marriage!!! :D

Problem Diagnosed:

Bolts were 70% backed out on the right front subframe bushings. This bill may need to go to the governor - I knew our roads stunk, but good lord.

Anyone ever seen that happen on an '03? Our dealer is somewhat shocked.

was her car one of the ones with the bad trans cases? Maybe it had a tranny put in it very early on in life and the bolts were never tightened properly.

I'll be watching my '04 and my mom's '03 just in case

We got some pretty nasty roads here....I have the same car... maybe I'd better have things checked on the next oil change!! :paranoid:

A belated welcome to the forum :wave: .... I missed this thread before! :dunno:


Door leather creaking has been normally in the armrest. If you push there, do it go away?

Congratulations on the new marriage!!! :D

Thanks. We are less than a week away at this point. Pretty much pushing on any part of the door will make it go away I've found - I'll try the armrest specifically next time, but my guess is yes.

was her car one of the ones with the bad trans cases? Maybe it had a tranny put in it very early on in life and the bolts were never tightened properly.

I'll be watching my '04 and my mom's '03 just in case

Since we bought it off lease, I can't say for sure, but I doubt it because the tranny recall had not been done when we purchased it I don't believe. I know we took it in to have it, so I can't imagine they would do it twice or allow us to leave it twice. Never know though - if one of the techies can run the VIN and tell me, I'd be happy to provide it.

Drove it about 50 miles after picking it up - amazing difference. MUCH MUCH better.

Glad to hear it's better! :thmsup:

I can run the VIN, so you can PM it to me. It should tell you what's been done under warranty by the dealer. I'll email what ever I find to you if you make sure your address is included. :D

I know this isn't your year.... but I'd think it would apply to any leather interior...

PM Sent - Tks!

Along with a second one for the email b/c I'm boneheaded...