Owner-reported complaints naming the body or structure system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Body & structure reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
73
Latest May 1, 2023
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
4%
of 1,987 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
6
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
10
What this page shows
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2003 Honda Accord submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 73 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Owner reports naming body or structure
The 25 most recent of 73, in the owner's own words
Rear sub frame allowed for rear suspension arms to be bolted to. One of the locations where those arms have ways to be attached to is no longer safe to do so because of corrosion and rust. I noticed there was a recent safety concern for a generation of Honda CRV having a similar, or indeed the same complaint.
NHTSA ID
11519764
Incident
Apr 25, 2023
Body & structure
Filed Oct 18, 2022
Honda Accord paint completely fades after 10-15 years of owning the car, very embarrassing to drive the car. This did not happen to Ford Mustang and Cadillac Escalade I own that are at same age. I would like this issue be resolved during recall.
NHTSA ID
11489748
Incident
Oct 18, 2022
AirbagsBody & structureOther / unspecified
Filed May 9, 2018
Crash reported1 injury reported
I WAS GOING BACK HOME FROM WORK AT 5:50 AM IN THE MORNING IN MY HONDA ACCORD. I LOST CONTROL OVER MY CAR AND HIT SIDE WALK AND A MAIL BOX ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD MY CAR TOPPLED ON THE LEFT SIDE. THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW WAS UNDER MY FEET AS THE CAR TOPPLED AND THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WINDOW WAS ON THE TOP OF MY HEAD AS I WAS STANDING IN THE A TOPPLED CAR. TO COME OUT OF THE CAR I REMOVED THE HEAD REST FROM THE DRIVERS SEAT AND STARTED HITTING THE WINDOW GLASS TO BREAK IT WITH METAL PART OF THE HEAD REST. I HIT IT AS HARD POSSIBLE, I BROUGHT THE HEAD REST DOWN TO MY KNEES TO GATHER FORCE, DISTANCE AND SPEED SO THAT THE WINDOW GLASS CAN BE BROKEN AND I CAN COME OUT. I TRIED FOR FEW MINUTES BUT THE WINDOW GLASS DID NOT BREAK. I WANT BRING IT TO THE ATTENTION OF YOU ALL THAT IF A WINDOW GLASS CANNOT BE BROKEN WITH METAL IN CASE OF EMERGENCY IN THE CAR. THE TRAPPED PEOPLE WILL BURN TO DEATH. IF YOU HAVE FURTHER QUESTIONS/QUERY TO CLARIFY PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CALL ME OR WRITE TO ME AT THE FOLLOWING ADDRESS: [XXX] THANK YOU, [XXX] PS: TAKE THE ABOVE MATTER SERIOUSLY TO SAVE THE LIVES OF TRAPPED PEOPLE IN THE CAR INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ID
11092763
Incident
May 31, 2017
Mileage
256,000 mi
Body & structureOther / unspecifiedSteering
Filed Dec 12, 2017
Crash reported1 injury reported
HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN 3 ACCIDENTS WHERE I FEEL THAT AIR BAG SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED, RESULTING IN EXTRA DAMAGES AND INJURY THAT WASNT TREATED
NHTSA ID
11054296
Incident
Jan 1, 2006
Mileage
70,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Apr 26, 2017
BODY PAINT ON THE HONDA ACCORD IS FADING IN PATCHES ACROSS VARIOUS AREAS OF THE VEHICLE. I WAS UNSURE OF THE CAUSE OF THIS ISSUE UNTIL SEEING PHOTOS ONLINE OF OTHER HONDA VEHICLES FROM THAT SAME TIME PERIOD WITH SIMILAR DAMAGE. WEBSITES BLAME THE PROBLEM ON HONDA'S PRIMER/PAINT FROM THE PERIOD WHEN THE CARS WERE MANUFACTURED. I BELIEVE THE CARMAKER SHOULD COVER THE COST OF REPAIRS FOR THE BODY PAINT.
NHTSA ID
10980975
Incident
Jan 1, 2011
Mileage
70,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Apr 15, 2017
A FEW YEARS AGO THE PAINT STARTED WEARING AWAY AND NOW IT'S PITTED ALL OVER THE CAR AFTER NORMAL USE AND DRIVING. IT LOOKS HORRIBLE, SO BAD THAT PEOPLE KEEP ASKING ME WHAT'S WRONG WITH MY CAR.
NHTSA ID
10978662
Incident
Apr 1, 2015
AirbagsBody & structureVisibility
Filed Apr 10, 2017
Crash reported1 injury reported
TAKATA RECALL I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN I LOST CONTROL OF MY CAR. THIS RESULTED IN MY AIR BAG BEING DEPLOYED AS I CAME INTO COLLISION WITH A GUARD RAIL ON A CITY STREET. LUCKILY, ONLY THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. THIS RESULTED IN MY WINDSHIELD BEING CRACKED.
NHTSA ID
10971614
Incident
Dec 11, 2016
Mileage
110,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Dec 29, 2016
TRUNK LID WON'T STAY UP. WHEN TRUNK LID UP, IT COMES CRASHING DOWN ON MY HEAD. IT HAS DONE THIS FOR SEVERAL YEARS, AND HAS GOTTEN WORSE. IT HAS PUT SEVERAL GASHES IN MY HEAD. HONDA SAYS THE BAR CONNECTING TO THE HINGES OWN MADE ANYMORE. THERE MUST BE A WAY TO FIX THIS BEFORE I GET A CONCUSSION.
NHTSA ID
10938624
Incident
Dec 1, 2011
Mileage
50,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jul 11, 2016
I'VE NOTICED OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS THAT THE PAINT HAS FADED. IT SEEMS LIKE THE CLEAR COAT HAS BEEN REMOVED. THERE'S SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE HOOD, ROOF, FRONT FENDER, AND THE TRUNK. POSSIBLY BECAUSE THE MANUFACTURE USED POOR QUALITY PAINT.
NHTSA ID
10884040
Incident
Apr 1, 2010
Mileage
54,000 mi
Body & structureElectrical
Filed Apr 18, 2016
Fire reported1 injury reported
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA ACCORD. UPON EXITING THE VEHICLE, BEFORE THE PASSENGER EXITED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE, SMOKE APPEARED WITHIN THE INNER PART OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR AND A FIRE ERUPTED. THE DRIVER AND THE FRONT PASSENGER WERE ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES. A FIRE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. THE PASSENGER WAS BURNED AND HAD TO EXIT THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL TREATMENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 06/29/16*LJ
NHTSA ID
10860099
Incident
Apr 15, 2016
Body & structureElectricalVisibility
Filed Jan 6, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED FAILURES WITH THE WINDOW MOTORS, THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOORS, AND THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR WAS REPAIRED. THE OTHER TWO DOORS AND WINDOW MOTORS WERE NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
NHTSA ID
10818538
Incident
Jun 10, 2008
Mileage
90,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Dec 5, 2015
SEVERAL YEARS AGO, THE CLEAR COATING ON THE TOP, BACK AREA OF ROOF STARTED PEELING OFF AND THIS YEAR IT BECAME BIGGER ABOUT THE SIZE OF 6 " X 18 " AREA. DESPITE TO MY COMPLAINTS TO HONDA SERVICE DEPT., THE AUTO BODY SHOP SAID IT REQUIRES WHOLE TOP REWORK IS THE ONLY OPTION THAT I HAVE TO PAY FOR. LAST JUNE, I REPORTED TO COMPLAIN HONDA SERVICE DEPT MANAGER, I WAS TOLD TO BUY THE PAINT PENS FOR $15.00. EVEN THOUGH I BOUGHT IT, I HAVE NOT APPLY IT YET BECAUSE THE PROBLEM REQUIRES PROFESSIONAL WORK TO BE DONE. I REQUESTED THAT HONDA IS TO BE RESPONSIBLE TO COVER THE WORK EXPENSES, NOT ME. AFTER THE SERVICE MANAGER TOOK THE PICTURES OF IT, HE CLAIMED HE WILL SEND PAPERWORK TO HOME OFFICE FOR REVIEW. I REQUESTED SEVERAL TIMES FOR A COPY OF PAPERWORK TO PROVE HIS CLAIM HE HAD PROCESSED THE PAPERWORK WITH PHOTOS. HE NEVER GIVE TO ME. ONLY HE CLAIMED HE HAS NOT HEARD FORM CORPORATE OFFICE. OUR LAST CONTACT IS LAST AUGUST. I RESEARCHED RECALL AND LEARNED THAT CIVICS ARE THE ONLY ONE BEING RECALLED FOR BAD PAINTING JOB. I REQUEST FOR AN INVESTIGATION THAT HONDA SHOULD RECALL FOR ACCORD 2003 PAINTING JOB, NOT JUST THE CIVICS! I CAN PROVIDE THE PHOTO WHEN YOU CONTACT ME BECAUSE I COULD NOT UPLOAD IT TO THE DESKTOP FROM MY CELLPHONE,
NHTSA ID
10808576
Incident
Feb 1, 2015
Mileage
800,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Oct 6, 2015
THE PAINT OR CLEAR COATING IS PEELING FROM ROOF, HOOD AND TRUNK AREA OF THE CAR. LOOKS LIKE CRAP. IT KEEPS GETTING WORSE AND WORSE
NHTSA ID
10780100
Incident
Aug 1, 2011
Mileage
140,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Mar 6, 2015
1 injury reported
CHROME PLATING OF INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE PEELED BACK AND CREATED A THIN SHARP EDGE. WHEN I REACHED FOR THE HANDLE, TO OPEN THE DOOR, I CUT MY MIDDLE FINGER ON THE RAISED CHROME PLATING. I SUFFERED A LACERATION THAT BECAME INFECTED AND ULTIMATELY PUT ME IN THE HOSPITAL. I RECEIVED I.V. ANTIBIOTICS FOR A WEEK AND WILL CONTINUE TAKING ORAL ANTIBIOTICS FOR ANOTHER WEEK. *TR
NHTSA ID
10692588
Incident
Feb 21, 2015
Mileage
150,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Feb 11, 2015
THERE IS EXCESSIVE RUSTING ON THE: WHEEL WELLS AND IN SPOTS THROUGHOUT THE PAINTED SURFACES OF THE CAR. THE RUST ON THE PAINTED SURFACES DO NOT SEEM TO ORIGINATE FROM ANY DAMAGE TO THE PAINTS INTEGRITY (THEY START AS BUBBLES THAT THEN BREAK, SHOWING BARE METAL PAST THE PRIMER). I HAVE NOTICED THESE SINCE THE CAR'S FIRST YEAR OF OWNERSHIP (2003) AND NEW SPOTS APPEAR CONTINUOUSLY. HERE IS A REPRESENTATIVE PICTURE I FOUND ON THE WEB: HTTP://SMG.PHOTOBUCKET.COM/USER/ANDYXLE/MEDIA/IMG_4151.JPG.HTML. *TR
NHTSA ID
10682789
Incident
Feb 5, 2014
Mileage
130,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Feb 5, 2015
WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF GHOST PAINT RECALL FOR THIS CAR. REALLY TERRIBLE THAT HONDA HAS THIS PROBLEM WITH THEIR PAINT. *TR
NHTSA ID
10681633
Incident
Jan 1, 2010
Body & structure
Filed Jan 19, 2015
THE PAINT ON THIS CAR HAS DRASTICALLY BEGAN TO PEEL AND SHOW CHALKY WHITE. I THOUGHT TO SPEAK TO THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT POSSIBLE COVERAGE IN REPAINTING BUT SAT ON THE TASK. HOWEVER, IN THE PAST FEW MONTHS I'VE BEEN NOTICING THIS ISSUE WITH THE PAINT TO BE OCCURRING ON OTHER ACCORDS THAT APPEAR TO SHARE NOT ONLY MAKE AND MODEL BUT YEAR AND COLOR. THIS IS NOT SUPPOSED TO BE OCCURRING ON OUR CARS AND THIS UTTER HUMILIATION DESERVES REPAIR. *TR
NHTSA ID
10676370
Incident
Apr 15, 2013
Mileage
50,000 mi
Body & structureElectricalOther / unspecified
Filed Dec 24, 2014
DRIVER'S CAR (LEFT FRONT) KEYHOLE WON'T ACCEPT MY KEY, ELECTRONICALLY. I WENT TO DIFFERENT AUTO SERVICES AND HAVE THE SAME COMMENTS THAT MOST OF THE COMPLAINTS WERE THE SAME. I CHECKED THE INTERNET, YOUTUBE.COM, MANY OWNERS OF THE SAME MAKE, MODEL & YEAR HAVE THE SAME ISSUES AND PROBLEMS, EVEN THE HONDA CHAT ROOM HELP SITE. I THOUGHT THIS IS AN ISOLATED PROBLEM, BUT IT'S NOT, IF THERE IS SOME WAYS THAT YOUR COMPANY COULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS MATTER/ISSUE CONCERNING THE MANUFACTURER'S (HONDA) DEFECT ISSUE, PLEASE LET US KNOW, WE DON'T WANT TO SHOULDER TO EXPENSES ON THEIR BEHALF. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR CONCERN AND LOOKING FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU THE SOONEST AND FOR THE IMMEDIATE RESPONSE TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM FOR THE INCONVENIENCE THAT WE ARE EXPERIENCING FOR A LONG TIME. I HAVE TRIED CLEANING THE INSIDE OF THE KEYHOLE BY AIR PRESSURED AND WD 40, NOTHING HAPPENED. I CAN INSERT THE KEY HALFWAY ONLY AND THEN IT WILL STOPPED. ALL OTHER KEYHOLES ARE FUNCTIONING WELL, EXCEPT THE DRIVER'S KEYHOLE. *TR
NHTSA ID
10668176
Incident
Dec 16, 2013
Mileage
23,686 mi
Body & structure
Filed Dec 17, 2014
BLACK PAINT BEGAN FADING IN SPOTS ON HOOD AND FENDERS. PAINT IS NOW ALMOST COMPLETELY GONE. *TR
NHTSA ID
10664771
Incident
Jun 1, 2009
AirbagsBody & structure
Filed Oct 29, 2014
CALLED AMERICAN HONDA TODAY ON A DIFFERENT MATTER. MY CONCERN WAS IF THE AIR BAGS IN MY CAR WERE MANUFACTURED BY THE COMPANY THAT IS PRESENTLY IN THE NEWS. THE CASE MANAGER ,[XXX], ASSURED ME THAT THE AIR BAGS IN MY ACCORD WERE NOT SUBJECT TO RECALL. HOWEVER HE WAS UNABLE TO ADVISE THE MANUFACTURER OF THE AIR BAG. FURTHERMORE HE DID ADVISE THAT MEDIA REPORTS AND INFORMATION FROM NHTSB WERE NOT TOTALLY ACCURATE AND ERRONEOUS. I DID ASK HIM TO SEND ME A WRITTEN CORRESPONDENCE THAT MY AIR BAGS WERE NOT SUBJECT TO RECALL AND WOULD NOT EXPLODE BY ACCIDENT. HE DECLINED TO DO SO.I GUESS HONDA DOES NOT WANT TO PLACE ITSELF IN A PRODUCT LIABILITY ISSUE WITH ME. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ID
10651055
Incident
Sep 1, 2014
Mileage
152,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Dec 31, 2013
MY HONDA ACCORD 2003 HAS THE CLEAR COAT OF THE PAINT COMING OFF. THE LOCATIONS RIGHT NOW ARE THE HOOD AND THE ROOF OF THE CAR. THE CAR HAS BEEN KEPT OUT OF THE SUN UNDER A CARPORT. I'VE READ WHERE SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM WITH THE DEFECTIVE CLEAR COAT. I BELIEVE THAT HONDA SHOULD REPAINT MY CAR FOR FREE. *TR
NHTSA ID
10557991
Incident
Oct 31, 2011
Mileage
116,483 mi
Body & structure
Filed Dec 5, 2013
THE PAINT BEGAN PEELING UNDER TRUNK LID AND HAS NOW STARTED ON ROOF, HOOD, AND AROUND REAR AND FRONT GLASS. PAINT IS PEELING ALL THE WAY TO THE METAL IN LARGE SHEETS UP TO A DOLLAR SIZE AT A TIME. *TR
NHTSA ID
10554952
Incident
Aug 1, 2013
Mileage
150,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Sep 26, 2013
CLEAR COAT IS PEELING OFF ENTIRE CAR. *JS
NHTSA ID
10545586
Incident
Jun 1, 2010
Body & structure
Filed Aug 10, 2013
OVER TIME, THE CLEARCOAT ON THE HOOD, SPOILER, TRUNK LID & HOOD HAS DELAMINATED. *TR
NHTSA ID
10534658
Incident
Jun 1, 2012
Mileage
132,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jun 25, 2013
I HAVE JUST NOTICED THE PAINT ON MY CAR IS FADING DOWN TO THE BODY, THIS WILL CAUSE RUST AND EVENTUALLY A DANGEROUS SITUATION. I WENT ONLINE TO FIND A SOLUTION, I'VE NOTICED THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT POSSIBLY IN THE WORKS (WHERE WE ALL KNOW ONLY THE LAWYERS WILL HAVE ANY BENEFITS) YET THE CONSUMER, WHO WERE SOLD AN INFERIOR FAULTY PRODUCT WILL HAVE TO SETTLE FOR BEING RIPPED OF BY AN "UNTOUCHABLE" CORPORATION. *TR
NHTSA ID
10521667
Incident
May 15, 2013
Mileage
106,000 mi
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Other components reported on this vehicle
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own