CD Article: Honda Accord, 2003-2007

[CD_Editor]

Today's Used Vehicle Review:

The seventh-generation Honda Accord "hasn't quite lived up to Honda's reputation for quality," reports Contributing Editor, Chris Chase.   Accord owner forums report some problems with the five-speed automatic transmission, radio display, and brakes, he says.
   
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Read the article | View the photos: 2006 Honda Accord - 2007 Honda Accord | All The Used Vehicle Reviews

[mmret]

Earlier TSX's have had problems with the lights going out too, but I have not heard of this post refresh. Also have heard some things about front brakes and vibration. My tinfoil hat says I have warped front rotors.

EDIT: I realize this has nothing to do with the USDM Accord.

[2hondas]

Nice car, comfortable, handles pretty good for what it is.

Honda REALLY messed up with those trannies. 

[Spheric]

It was a bit of an eye-opener reading about some of the problems these cars have, especially about transmission failures. However, the article gives no sense of how common these problems are, instead referring to Accord driver forums. 

Where are the Accords built ?

[Big_Thumb]

At our office in Fredericton I know of two Oddys and an Accord that have had the transmission problem. Seemed to be a high failure rate given how few Odysseys/Accords are at the office.

[mmret]

Where are the Accords built ?

Somewhere in the US I think.

Believe the transmission problem was rectified in 04 or 05?

[2hondas]

Where are the Accords built ?

Somewhere in the US I think.

Believe the transmission problem was rectified in 04 or 05?

Its built in Ohio.

[stodge]

I test drove an 04 with 90,000km+ on the clock. The same day I drove three or four other makes and models, and the Accord drove the best of the bunch. It was a 4cyl auto, which I thought was very smooth.

[2hondas]

I test drove an 04 with 90,000km+ on the clock. The same day I drove three or four other makes and models, and the Accord drove the best of the bunch. It was a 4cyl auto, which I thought was very smooth.

Yes, one of the things I like about Honda engines...they are smooth. They just lack torque at lower RPMs. 

[Jaeger]

A colleague of mine at the office has one and has been complaining for years about how crappy it has been reliability-wise.  I think he's experienced a good portion of the problems listed ( I know for sure about the tranny) and claims the thing rattles and squeaks like crazy.  I was surprised, because all of the Hondas I have owned (including my wife's current Civic) have been anywhere from "good" to "very good" in terms of reliability.  Given what has been reported in the article, the only thing that surprises me now is that the poor reliability record of the outging model isn't more widely known.

Jaeger

[Julie]

Given what has been reported in the article, the only thing that surprises me now is that the poor reliability record of the outging model isn't more widely known.

Ditto.

The only person I know with an Accord (2004?, top of line V6) of that generation has not had any problems with it. I've ridden it in many times (including on trips lasting 3-4 hours) and I've never heard a single squeak. She loves it. So I had assumed that, with their reputation, their reliability was as per usual.

Interesting what you learn.....

[jww]

Most interesting indeed. It sounds like the grumblings I made about my 2002 Altima weren't necessarily any worse than some people's experience with Accords. To be honest, I am a bit shocked, as I have never heard anything amiss about Hondas - I simply don't buy them because of the snooty dealer network. Call me crazy, but I like to be treated like a customer not some low-life whose privilege it is to enter the grand domain of the local Honda dealership.

Rant over.... 

[carcrazy]

I knew the Accords and Oddysey had transmissions problems, but not to this extent. I never reaserched these segments though. However, my neighbour friend is a service advisor with a Honda dealer and he told me that these models in particular are far from being an example of Honda reliability.
What I know from my recent research is that the highly praised, priced and overrated CRV is far from flawless too.
A look at the recent Toyota history will most likely uncover same type of stories.

[Sir Meow]

one thing that GM didn't do for years which is listen to there customers. Honda ways do there best to fix issues.

seams to be mainly the manuals. Roll on 8th gen.

[Cortina]

That is a real surprise.

[lucid0703]

very interesting.
when i was shopping a car last year before i ended up with passat,
i almost bought an accord(4 cylinders).
even though its style and low rpm torque never satisfied me,
accord was at top of my list because of its interior and the reputation for its reliability.
i've heard about the transmission issue several times, but i'm quite surprised with how many issues are listed in the article..

[dave 2]

I knew the Accords and Oddysey had transmissions problems, but not to this extent. I never reaserched these segments though. However, my neighbour friend is a service advisor with a Honda dealer and he told me that these models in particular are far from being an example of Honda reliability.
What I know from my recent research is that the highly praised, priced and overrated CRV is far from flawless too.
A look at the recent Toyota history will most likely uncover same type of stories.

'05 Accord 4 cyl and AT, 73 000 kms no problems at all. (I will admit to a few rattles in the door window though).  Very comfortable and v-e-r-y smooth.
99 CRV 225 000 km - no issues at all.  Rock solid!

[2hondas]

seams to be mainly the manuals. Roll on 8th gen.

  Its the AUTOMATIC transmission. Is this what your talking about?

Well anyways, heres some service history of our 2 Hondas:

2001 Accord LX-G, 4AT
- 72,000 kms (98% city)
- Owned for 3+ years
- New transmission installed by dealer (Under free extended transmission warranty, Aug. 07')
- Knocking noise when turning left

2005 Odyssey EX-first year of production
- 50,000 kms (40% City, 60% highway)
- Owned since 05'
- New horn
- Windshield Whistle; new mouldings
- Power Steering whine; new power steering pump
- Rattles
- All work done under warranty

[Altima1]

This is no surprise to me at all, I've known this all along and mentioned it a few times while defending the Altima  I heard first hand info from a Honda tech.  The Camry right now is no better, and if you visit the Sonata forums right now you may not buy one of those either!!  Me personally right now I would buy what pleases me the most and will probably do as well with my choice as any other model out there!  Bottom line they can take all their ratings, surveys etc etc and shoved them where the sun doesn't shine

[Altima1]

I knew the Accords and Oddysey had transmissions problems, but not to this extent. I never reaserched these segments though. However, my neighbour friend is a service advisor with a Honda dealer and he told me that these models in particular are far from being an example of Honda reliability.
What I know from my recent research is that the highly praised, priced and overrated CRV is far from flawless too.
A look at the recent Toyota history will most likely uncover same type of stories.

'05 Accord 4 cyl and AT, 73 000 kms no problems at all. (I will admit to a few rattles in the door window though).  Very comfortable and v-e-r-y smooth.
99 CRV 225 000 km - no issues at all.  Rock solid!

I have a 2000 Echo and an 05 Nissan X-Trail, both have been very solid, but the Nissan X-Trail has been more solid than the Toyota Echo mechanically to date.