2003 Honda Accord Suspension Problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA ACCORD. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AXLE CONNECTED TO THE TRANSMISSION AND WHEELS WERE CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,680.

THE RIGHT FRONT AXLE SUDDENLY FAILED WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AT SLOW SPEED. THE AXLE CRACKED IN HALF AT MID SHAFT AT THE LOCATION OF THE AXLE DAMPER UNDER WHICH THE AXLE HAD CORRODED EVIDENTLY RESULTING IN ITS FAILURE. THIS SUGGESTS THAT WATER (AND SALT IN OUR CLIMATE) CAN COLLECT UNDER THE AXLE DAMPER LEADING TO CORROSION AND POTENTIALLY CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON INSPECTION BY THE DEALER, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE SUSPENSION COMPLIANCE BUSHINGS HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,183. UPDATED 06/09/14*LJ UPDATED 06/13/14 *JS

(Please check the attached full complaint letter) I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to bring to your attention a concerning matter regarding my experience with the American Honda Motor Company. As a loyal consumer and a law-abiding citizen, I believe it is crucial to address issues that impact consumers and the general public. Since 2013, I have been trying to resolve a critical issue with my brand-new Honda Accord car I bought from Honda. Unfortunately, American Honda company didn’t resolve the issue that affected my car and hundreds of thousands of the same cars’ owners that they sold in NJ and in 22 salt belt states. My argument with the American Honda company is that they have a major design issue with their front left and right axles for Honda Accord cars that have been manufactured since 2003.

AT AROUND 107,000 MILES, I NOTICED MY TRANSMISSION LEAKING FLUID VERY RAPIDLY. IN ADDITION, THE FRONT END OF THE CAR STARTED VIBRATING VIOLENTLY BETWEEN 50MPH AND 60MPH. *KB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, HE NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A NON-MECHANIC AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE SWAY BAR HAD FRACTURED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN INSPECTED BY A DEALER AND THEY CONFIRMED THE FAILURE AND ADVISED REPLACING THE SWAY BAR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 20,000.

HONDA ACCORD EX V6 PULLING TO THE RIGHT. I HAD MY CAR ALIGNED 6 TIMES IN TIRE KINGDOM. WHEN I CALLED REGAL HONDA LAKELAND FLORIDA ABOUT THE PROBLEM. THEY SAID THEY NEED TO DO AN ALIGNMENT AGAIN. I TOLD THEM I HAVE DONE IT 6 TIMES. AND THE CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA ACCORD. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HESITATED INTERMITTENTLY. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WERE MECHANICAL FAILURES IN THE TRANSMISSION. THE DEALER RECOMMENDED THAT THE TRANSMISSION BE REPLACED AT THE COST OF $ 3,000. THE VEHICLE IS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 122,000. UPDATED 06/09/09. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE SLAMMED INTO GEAR WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE VEHICLE HAD INTERNAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE. ALSO, THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS AND FRONT STRUTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 06/10/09.*JB

TOOK MY CAR IN FOR A REGULAR OIL CHANGE. HOURS LATER I RECEIVED A PHONE CALL FROM THE SERVICE ADVISOR ASKING ME, IF I HAD TIME SO HE COULD TALK TO ME REGARDING MY CAR. I SAID, YES AND THE SERVICE ADVISOR FROM HONDA DEALERSHIP WENT ON TO TELL ME THAT I NEEDED MY TRANSMISSION FLUID CHANGED, BRAKE FLUID CHANGED, AND MY ENGINE COOLANT CHANGED. THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF COST CAME TO $500.29 WHICH I THOUGHT I WAS BEING RIPPED OFF. THE HONDA SERVICE ADVISOR ALSO WENT ON TO TELL ME THAT I NEED TO HAVE MY FRONT STRUTS REPLACED BECAUSE THEY ARE BAD. I NOTICED WHEN I WOULD MAKE A RIGHT HAND TURN I WOULD HEAR A SQUEAKY NOISE. HE CONFIRMED THAT IT WAS MY FRONT STRUTS. I ASK THE SERVICE ADVISOR HOW LONG DOES IT NORMALLY TAKE FOR STRUTS TO WEAR OUT HE TOLD ME AROUND 80,000-100,000 MILES WELL MY 2003 HONDA ACCORD EX ONLY HAVE 48,000 MILES ON IT. I'M ASSUMING THAT I PROBABLY STARTED OFF WITH BAD STRUTS IN THE BEGINNING SINCE I HAD MY HONDA ACCORD EX, I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS. NOW, THAT MY CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY I'M HIT WITH A HUGE FEE TO GET STRUTS REPLACED ON A CAR WHICH I THINK WAS BAD IN THE FIRST PLACE. MY HONDA ACCORD EX WAS ORIGINALLY PURCHASED BY ME IN DECEMBER OF 2002. I HAVE BEEN THE ONLY DRIVER OF THE CAR. AT THIS TIME I WOULD NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER HONDA ACCORD. I USED TO HAVE AN 2000 HONDA ACCORD EX NEVER HAD A PROBLEM. SINCE I HAVE HAD THIS CAR THERE HAVE BEEN RECALLS ON MY CAR. I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE DOOR LATCHES, INSIDE PANEL ON PASSENGER SIDE COMING OFF. SUNROOF RUBBER COMING UNGLUED. I HAD TO HAVE THE WINDSHIELD REPLACED BAD WIPERS WHICH SCRATCHED THE WINDSHIELD UP. NEW RADIO SYSTEM. TROUBLE WITH THE LIGHTS FOR THE HEATED SEATS, DASH BOARD LIGHTS WENT OUT. RADIO LIGHTS WENT OUT. I WAS SOLD A COMPLETE LEMON. I BELIEVE HONDA SHOULD LOOK INTO MY MAINTENANCE RECORD AND SEE ALL THE PROBLEMS I HAVE HAD WITH THIS CAR AND REALLY CONSIDER REPLACING THE STRUTS FOR ME. I DO NOT HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY IT'S GOING TO COST ME $700. *JB

FRONT END PRODUCES A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM . *AK

TWO FRONT END ALIGNMENTS WERE PERFORMED AND THE TIRES WERE ROTATED. A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN INDICATED THAT THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED BECAUSE THE CRATE UPON WHICH THE ENGINE SITS WAS NOT POSITIONED CORRECTLY AT THE FACTORY. THE DEALERSHIP POSITIONED THE CRATE CORRECTLY, BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK THE CONSUMER NOTICED WHEN HE BACKED UP THE VEHICLE , A CLICK WOULD BE HEARD AS IF THE GEAR WAS NOT POSITIONED CORRECTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLING TO THE RIGHT. THE CONSUMER ALSO FELT SOMETHING LIKE A CRATE OR TIRE AXLE WOULD SHIFT TO ONE SIDE. *SC THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT WAS THE WAY THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED. *JB

CONSUMER PURCHASED A 2003 HONDA ACCORD BRAND NEW,AND SINCE THEN IT HAS BEEN RATTLING. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER, AND DEALER REPLACED A FEW THINGS. BUT HAD NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM. CONSUMER DID NOT KNOW WHERE THE SOUND WAS COMING FROM. *AK

1. CAR WAS SOLD AS A WHITE HONDA ACCORD, ALL BUMPERS ARE EGGSHELL, DEALER TOLD ME THAT IS THE COLOR ON ALL WHITE HONDA VEHICALS. 2. CAR PULLS TO THE RIGHT AT ALL SPEEDS, DEALER TOLD ME THAT IS THE WAY ALL NEW HONDAS ARE BUILT TO VERE OFF THE ROAD RATHER THEN ONCOMING TRAFFIC. 3. BRAKES MAKE A LOUD CLICKING NOISE AFTER IN REVERSE TO DRIVE, DEALER SAID THAT WAS THE BRAKES RESETTING.*AK

IN 3-04 (1 YEAR OLD -APPROXIMATELY) NOTICED A NOISE IN FRONT(WOBBLING/METALLIC)AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. COULD NOT DETERMINE IF NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE FRONT/BACK BUT APPEARED TO BE LOUDER IN FRONT. RETURNED VEHICLE TO DEALER (4-9-04) BUT THEY FAILED TO FIND ANY PROBLEM. PROBLEM REMAINED CONSISTENT, DID NOT WORSEN SIGNIFICANTLY DURING THE NEXT 8-10 MONTHS. SOMETIME IN EARLY 2005, NOISE BEGAN TO GET WORSE. BROUGHT TO A REPAIR SHOP. CAUSE COULD NOT BE LOCATED BUT DETERMINED THAT BACK LEFT REAR TIRE WAS WEARING UNEVENLY AND IT WAS SUGGESTED THAT POSSIBLY TIRES HAD BEEN ROTATED INCORRECTLY IN 2004. BACK-WHEEL ALIGNMENT WAS PERFORMED AND NEW TIRES WERE PURCHASED IN MAY 05. NOISE APPEARED TO SUBSIDE. IN LATE 05, NOISE RETURNED & BEGAN TO WORSEN. ALTHOUGH BRAKES HAD APPROXIMATELY 30% WEAR STILL LEFT ON THEM, REPLACED THEM IN 12/05. TOOK VEHICLE TO LOCAL SHOP ON 3/10/06. NEW TIRES HAD WORN ON THE LEFT REAR BUT CAUSE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. RETURNED TO THE DEALER ON 3/17 WHO DETERMINED THAT 3 OF 4 WHEELS HAD DEFECTIVE WHEEL BEARINGS. IT WAS RECOMMENDED THAT THE LEFT FRONT AND LEFT REAR BE REPLACED IMMEDIATELY AND THAT THE RIGHT FRONT BE REPLACED IN NEAR FUTURE. WE HAD THE DEALER REPLACE THE TWO LEFT BEARINGS AND HAD A LOCAL MECHANIC REPLACE THE RF ON 3/24/06. A 2ND BACK WHEEL ALIGNMENT WAS PERFORMED/NEW SET OF TIRES NOW NEEDED. THE DEALER HAS INDICATED THIS IS A RARE FAILURE. HARD TO BELIEVE THAT SOMETHING THIS "RARE" CAN OCCUR ON 3 WHEELS UNLESS PRODUCT IS DEFECTIVE. INTERNET CONTAINS MULTIPLE CASES OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE ACCORD (VAR. YEARS). IN SOME INSTANCES, BEARINGS HAD TO BE REPLACED MULTIPLE TIMES! ALMOST ALL DRIVING IS AT HWY SPEEDS. VEHICLE HAS APPROX. 87000 MILES ON IT WE DID NOT RETURN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AFTER THEY FAILED TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM INITIALLY BECAUSE WE LIVE MORE THAN 120 MILES (ROUND TRIP) FROM OUR HOME AND IT REQUIRES THAT I TAKE A DAY OFF OF WORK TO RETURN THE VEHICLE TO THEM. *JB

THE ENGINE EMITTED A ROTTEN EGG SMELL. THE DRIVER HEARD A GRINDING NOISE. THE VEHICLE ALSO HAD A BRAKE PROBLEM. THE DRIVER'S SEAT WAS NOT STABLE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER AT LEAST 9 TIMES FOR MULTIPLE PROBLEMS. *NM PAINT ON THE HOOD IS FLAKING. SEAT IS NOT FIXED. THE DOOR PANEL WAS FIXED TWICE BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. CONSUMER CONFRONTED DEALERSHIP ABOUT PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE BUT CONSUMER WAS IGNORED. CONSUMER CALLED AMERICAN HONDA TO REPORT ISSUE WITH DEALER. *LA

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT.*AK

I TEST DROVE 03 ACCORDS THAT TRACKED STRAIGHT AND SOME THAT DID NOT. THE CAR I PICKED PULLED TO THE RIGHT, BUT THE SALESPERSON ASSURED ME THAT THE CAR COULD BE CORRECTED BY AN ALIGNMENT. BEFORE I TOOK DELIVERY OF MY CAR, I ASKED THEY DO AN ALIGNMENT, BUT WHEN I DROVE THE CAR UPON DELIVERY IT STILL PULLED TO THE RIGHT. SO I TOOK IT BACK FOR A SECOND ALIGNMENT THAT AGAIN DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. ON MY THIRD TRY TO DO AN ALIGNMENT, THEY FOUND A SERVICE BULLETIN THAT SAID THAT MY ACCORD NEEDED TO HAVE ITS SUBFRAME ADJUSTED. THEY DID THE SUBFRAME ADJUSTMENT AND IT MADE THE SITUATION BETTER, BUT WAS STILL MISALIGNED. ON MY FOURTH ATTEMPT AT THE DEALER TO GET THE ALIGNMENT RIGHT THEY SAID THAT MY CAR WAS WITHIN SPEC BECAUSE IT DID NOT DRIFT OUT OF ITS LANE IN UNDER 6 SECONDS. THEY SAID THAT ALIGNMENTS COULD NOT ALWAYS BE RIGHT ON NEW CARS AND I SHOULD ACCEPT THE CAR BECAUSE IT WAS WITHIN SPEC. BUT IT IS UNACCEPTABLE THAT EVEN WHEN THE ROAD SLOPES SLIGHTLY DOWN ON THE LEFT OF THE ROAD, THE CAR STILL DRIFTS TO THE RIGHT. OUT OF FRUSTRATION, I WENT TO AN INDEPENDENT WHEEL AND BRAKE SHOP FOR ALIGNMENT (WHICH HONDA WILL NOT PAY FOR, SO IT WAS $60 OUT OF MY POCKET.) THEY WHERE ABLE MAKE THE CAR TRACK STRAIGHTER THAN BEFORE, BUT IT STILL DRIFTS TO THE RIGHT, EVEN ON ROAD COMPLETELY FLAT OR SLOPING SLIGHTLY DOWN ON THE LEFT. THEY FOUND THAT THE SPRINGS OF MY CAR MADE THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE ON MY CAR RIDE 1/4" LOWER THAN THE LEFT FRONT TIRE. THEY THINK THIS CREATES A SLIGHT PROBLEM THAT CANNOT BE COMPLETELY COMPENSATED FOR. I AM CURRENTLY IN THE PROCESS OF TRYING TO GET THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE FROM AMERICAN HONDA CORP. TO TRY TO FIX THE SITUATION, BUT I MIGHT BE OUT OF LUCK. THEY KEEP SAYING CAR IS "WITHIN SPEC". MY CASE # AT HONDA IS N012003-09-0500462. THE REPRESENTATIVE IS ANTHONY HILL.

(1) A. WINDOW BEING SCRATCHED BY SOMETHING IN PANEL. BOTH DRIVER AND PASSANGER WINDOW. B. AT ABOUT 16000 MILES IT WAS NOTICED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS LEAKING SO BADLY I COULDN'T DRIVE OUT OF THE DEALERSHIP. ( I BELIEVE THE CAR MAY HAVE BEEN LEAKING SINCE PURCHASE. NEW WITH ONLY 36 MILES.) C. TRUNK LINER SAGGING. D. WHEN MAKING LEFT HAND TURNS IF YOU HAVE THE SUNVISOR OUT IT CAN SWING AND HIT YOU IN THE HEAD. E. PASSENGER DOOR LATCH NOT ACTIVATED. COULD NOT OPEN DOOR FROM INSIDE. (DEALER FORGOT TO INSTALL THIS ON WINDOW REPAIR.) F. MOTOR MOUNTS NOT INSTALLED CORRECTLY. G. BELT TENSIONER NEEDED REPLACEMENT. H. CAR PULLING TO THE RIGHT. F. BLACK SEAL AROUND DOOR FRAME WARPING. (2) NO CONSEQUENCES FROM ANY OF THESE FAILURES. EXCEPT LOSS TIME HAVING TO LEAVE CAR OVERNIGHT FOR SEVERAL DAYS. WHO KNOW WHAT LONGTERM EFFECTS OF A LEAKY TRANSMISSION, BELT TENSIONER, AND IMPROPER MOTORMOUNTS HAVE ON THE CAR. (3) UNDER WARRANTY THE DEALER CORRECTED EVERY PROBLEM. MOSTS TIMES MORE THEN ONE REPAIR FOR THE SAME PROBLEM WAS NEEDED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. FOR THE TRANMSISSION THE DEALER TRIED TO STOP THE LEAKS WITH HONDABOND. THE NEXT MORNING I HAD LEAKS IN THE DRIVE WAY. THEY HAD MY CAR FOR A WHOLE WEEK ON THE FIRST FIX ATTEMPT. FINALLY HONDA REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION WITH A NEW ONE. NOTHING WAS DONE ABOUT THE VISOR BECAUSE THE DEALER SAID IF THEY INSTALL A NEW ONE IT WILL DO THE SAME. MY WINDOWS ARE STILL BEING SCRATCHED BY THE FELT LINING IN THE WINDOW PANEL. *JB

I PURCHASED A 2003 ACCORD IN JUNE 2003. THE DAY I DROVE IT OFF THE LOT I NOTICED A VIBRATION THAT CAN BE FELT IN THE STEERING WHEEL. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, AND THEY CLAIMED THAT THE VIBRATION WAS CAUSED BY OUT OF BALANCE TIRES, AND THEIR SOLUTION WAS TO BALANCE ALL FOUR WHEELS. AFTER BALANCING THE TIRES, THE VIBRATION STILL EXISTED. I TOOK MY CAR BACK FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND TOLD THEM THAT THE VIBRATION WAS STILL PRESENT. I TOOK THE TECHNICIAN ON A TEST DRIVE AND HE CONFIRMED THE VIBRATION, HOWEVER WHEN I RETURNED TO PICK UP MY CAR IT WAS INDICATED ON THE REPORT THAT THE VIBRATION WAS A NORMAL CONDITION OF THE HONDA ACCORD. STRONG VIBRATIONS IN THE STEERING WHEEL ARE NOT NORMAL, AND HONDA SHOULD TAKE CORRECTIVE ACTION TO FIX THIS PROBLEM.*AK

MY NAME IS [XXX] AND I PURCHASED A 2003 HONDA ACCORD COUPE EX (2-DOOR COUPE) FROM THE MADISON HONDA DEALER LOCATED IN MADISON, NJ IN APRIL OF 2003. A FEW MONTHS AFTER I PURCHASED MY NEW CAR I REALIZED THAT MY CAR WAS PULLING TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD. I TOOK MY CAR INTO HONDA AND THEY ROTATED MY TIRES TELLING ME THAT THE PROBLEM WASN'T AN ALIGNMENT ISSUE BUT BALANCING OF THE TIRES. I DROVE MY CAR AND REALIZED THAT IS WAS PULLING TO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ROAD, I TOOK MY CAR IN AGAIN AND THEY RE-ROTATED AND BALANCED MY TIRES. AFTER THAT, MY CAR STARTED PULLING TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD. I THEN TOOK MY CAR IN AGAIN STATING THAT I WANTED TO HAVE THE TIRES CHECKED OUT AS IT APPEARED THAT THE PROBLEM FOLLOWED THE TIRES. THEY SAID THE TIRES WERE FINE AND THERE WAS SOMETHING OFF IN MY FRONT SUSPENSION THAT THEY RE-ADJUSTED. I DROVE MY CAR AFTER THE ADJUSTMENT TO DISCOVER THAT THE CAR STILL PULLED TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD. I TOOK IT IN YET AGAIN AND DROVE WITH A MECHANIC WHO TOLD ME THAT THIS WAS NORMAL FOR ALL 2003 ACCORDS TO PULL TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THERE WAS NOTHING MORE THAT THEY COULD DO AS MY CAR WAS WITHIN THEIR SPECIFICATIONS. NOT BEING SATISFIED I KEPT REQUESTING TO SPEAK TO MORE INDIVIDUALS WITHIN THE HONDA ORGANIZATION ONLY TO BE TOLD THEY WOULD DO NOTHING MORE, THAT PULLING TO THE RIGHT IS NORMAL ON ALL CARS. I AM NOT SATISFIED WITH THE ANSWER THAT HONDA HAD GIVEN ME AND I WANTED TO RAISE THIS ISSUE TO THE NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL AS I THINK THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS RISK IF MY CAR IS PULLING TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD. I COULD BE PUTTING NOT ONLY MYSELF AT DANGER BUT OTHERS ON THE ROAD AROUND ME. ANY RESPONSE WOULD BE APPRECIATED. THANKS! *NLM INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR