[audio90]

Hi there,

I am considering getting a 2003 Accord. There are a few for sale in my areas (and not any other more recent year for some reason).

So I'm wondering, if a 2003/2004's transmission of a particular one hasn't failed by now, does that mean that chances are the transmission won't fail?

I'm looking at one with 80,000 KM/49,000 miles while a few others have 150,000km about.

Or do you know of early year Accords still failing today?

Any thoughts? Will a mechanic know how to inspect the transmission for the Accord problem in 2nd gear?

And with all the Honda recalls, would the car still qualify for repairs if I brought it into the dealership?

please advise. Thanks

 

[BLCKFLSH]

Only the V6 transmissions had a recall. Is it a V6 model? If not, no problem. The number of years doesn't have anything to do with it. The number of miles, maintenance, and driving conditions could be factors. I have an 03 V6 myself, the recall (jet kit) was done at 15k miles. It's still going strong at 68k miles (knocks on wood). Of course, I don't abuse it, and change the fluid regularly. All the recalls? The transmission recall was the one and only recall on the 03 EX V6.

 

[TonyWare]

Mine now at 180K miles (290k km) and no issues. If I have WOTed it once, I don't even remember. Plus 80% of all the miles are highway, transmission isn't really working that hard on a highway. Twice a year oil change and once a year filter change. Plus, the software on the ECU, EMU and whatever else is in there, hasn't been updated and I have refused repeatedly to be updated. Reason why? I just don't trust them to update software that works fine. Plus, when I asked what is that silent-recall or product-update, as they call it, all about, they don't know themselves! I highly suspect that these product updates have something to do with gears etc and every time someone touches a piece of software code to fix one issue, they break down something else.

Some random thoughts I guess.

 

[ypsibird]

So I'm wondering, if a 2003/2004's transmission of a particular one hasn't failed by now, does that mean that chances are the transmission won't fail?

Nope.

Or do you know of early year Accords still failing today?

My wife's 03 failed last summer with 62,000 miles on it. There are plenty of threads where people are still having current failures.

Any thoughts? Will a mechanic know how to inspect the transmission for the Accord problem in 2nd gear?

Probably not. The original service bulletin about the problem had the technician use a special camera to inspect the transmission through a small opening in the top of the trans. It would be way too expensive to take it apart to inspect it.

And with all the Honda recalls, would the car still qualify for repairs if I brought it into the dealership?

Not likely. If you are lucky they might do a courtesy repair, but I wouldn't hold my breath

The previous posts both have good advice for you in my opinion as well. Among others, you might want to check out this thread.

http://www.driveaccord.net/forums/showthread.php?t=3129&highlight=automatic+transmission

 

[hillstones]

The oil jet recall had nothing to do with it. That was a band-aid that didn't work. My 2003 Accord EX-V6 Coupe failed at 50,000 miles last year, in 2008. The oil jet recall was done in Oct 2004 with 12,700 miles on it and the transmission still failed 4 years later. Since Honda was the only one that serviced the vehicle, they knew the history and replaced the transmission and torque converter under their goodwill policy. Each case is different and if the vehicle was not properly serviced (like flushing the transmission or using non-Honda fluid), then you will be paying for that repair bill.

Not all of them have failed and the only way to know if the transmission is going bad is if it happens to slip out of gear when you are driving it.

 

[AMAN1]

If you have an I4 you should be okay. I've got 165k kms on my 03 I4 sedan, original tranny.

 

[SatinSilver]

There was a guy on here with an 03 I4 AT with 238k on the orignal trans. Lots of highway miles though.

 

[darkphantom]

180k miles, I4 AT, all around miles and lots of WOTs....still running strong, only 1 problem.

Recently I have to use the shift lock to shift.

 

[hillstones]

180k miles, I4 AT, all around miles and lots of WOTs....still running strong, only 1 problem.

Recently I have to use the shift lock to shift.

You mean the lock release in the transmission console? Check for a blown fuse under the hood, a 20 amp fuse. If the fuse is OK, then the brake switch failed. You should check your brake lights too, most likely you are driving around with none.