What's Wrong with the 7th Generation Accord?

Front 3/4 view of a Honda Accord

The 7th generation Accord spans the 2003 to 2007 model years.

It has accumulated 3106 owner complaints over those year and ranks dead last in reliability out of 58 eligible Honda generations.

Our reliability rank is based on our PainRank™ system. A higher number means you can expect more significant problems. The average Honda score is 13.52 while this generation comes in at 84.85.

Compare With Other Accord Generations

The Worst 2003-2007 Accord Problems

  1. Power Steering Whine

    One of the more common complaints about Honda's power steering is how it can whine or groan everytime you turn the wheel. Turns out all that noise is due to air getting into the power steering system because of two, old O-rings. There's no …

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  2. Honda Vehicles with Recalled Takata Airbags

    A large number of Honda vehicles have been recalled because they contain dangerous airbag inflators made by Takata. The shrapnel-hurling inflators have been recalled in over 37 million vehicles (and counting).

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  3. Peeling Paint and Clear Coat

    Is your Honda shedding clearcoat and peeling off paint at an alarming rate? You're not alone. Far from it actually. Even the most ardent, wax-happy, electric car polisher wielding owner can find their paint tearing off in sheets. So what gi…

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  4. Automatic Transmission Failure

    If you own a Honda released between 1999-2004 and haven't had any issues with your automatic transmission, may I suggest you go to your nearest conevnience store and play the lottery? 'Cause you're one lucky son-of-a-gun.

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What Owners Complain About

Sometimes it helps just to tally up the complaints and see where the biggest stacks are. Use this information to learn about troublespots or to run for the hills.

Worst Issues

What Breaks

Years to Avoid

7th Generation Accord Key Numbers

  1. 5 model years

    Grouping all models by their year can reveal some baddies.

  2. 3,106 complaints

    Running tally of owner grievances filed to CarComplaints.com.

  3. 58th in reliability

    Overall reliability rank out of 58 eligible generations.

Recent Lawsuits for 7th Generation Accord Owners

  • Settled

    Case, et al. v. American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

    A Honda 5-speed transmission class action settlement has been reached for consumers residing in California who were the original owners of any of the following vehicles with 5-speed automatic transmissions and continued being the owner as of December 7, 2015.

    Status
    settled
    Class Vehicles
    • 2003-2004 Accord
    • 2002-2004 Odyssey
    • 2003-2004 Pilot
    Location
    California

Recent 7th Generation Accord News

There's a lot of news out there, but not all of it matters. We try to boil down it to the most important bits about things that actually help you with your car problem. Interested in getting these stories in an email? Signup for free email alerts over at CarComplaints.com.

  1. Honda wants to settle up a decade-old lawsuit about downshifting transmissions

    with an offer so low it's borderline insulting. A 2009 lawsuit says 5-speed automatic transmissions in some 2002-2004 Honda and Acura vehicles have a defect in the 3rd clutch. That defect can cause the transmission to suddenly downshift from 5th to 2nd gear. That's one way to reach your heart rate goal on your FitBit.

    Honda has continually denied the allegations but are ready to put this whole ordeal behind them with a ... checks notes ... $25 credit towards the future purcahse of Honda parts. And you must live in California. Oh I'm sorry, should I have told you to sit down first?…

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  3. If you thought one recall for Takata airbag inflators was a nightmare, you're really not going to like this news from CarComplaints.com.

    The 2004-2007 Accord has been recalled because they were assembled with an incorrect front passenger airbag module that doesn't comply with what Honda says is the "advanced airbag requirements._" Or put another way, the fix ain't workin'.…

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What Accord Owners Say About This Generation

Automatic Transmission Failure

I kept this vehicle running in tip top shape for years, really a dream car for the most part. Then the trans starts slipping and nothing I can really do about it. Not worth replacing as the trans cost a fortune and because it's poorly engineered it only happen again.