2003 Honda Honda problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Air Bags (5) · Visibility:windshield (4) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic (3)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Honda Honda model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
20 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (8)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Equipment:other:labels 2008-05-31 · 08-040 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
load carrying capacity reduced label for all honda vehicles. *pe
Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel 2008-05-09 · SB-06-085 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
honda: warranty extension-vehicle warranty mileage. class action lawsuit alleging that the odometers on certain 2002-2006 honda models were overstating mileage. federal court provided final approval of settlement on 12/29/07. no models listed. *pe
Seats:mid/Rear Assembly 2003-03-25 · 03024 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
rear seat release strap is damaged or missing. (2003 honda element) *jb
Structure:body:hatchback/Liftgate 2003-03-18 · 9977 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
creak, pop or clunk noise from rear hatch/tailgate. element 2003. *tt
Visibility:windshield 2003-03-17 · 031703 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
request for visit 2003 element windshield cracks. *tt
Latches/Locks/Linkages:doors:latch 2003-03-03 · 030303 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
door locks cycling by themselves. 2003 element. *tt
Showing the 6 most recent of 8 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2007-11-29 · Structure · 69,196 mi“i took the car in to have the srs system checked because the light came on. the dealer did a 40 point inspection which resulted in the recommendation to replace the front motor mount due to a "failure" in the system. i was told the mounts (front, side and back) fail on the honda odyssey's (newer models, ours is an '03) often. the result of motor …”
2007-10-29 · Power Train:automatic Transmission · 62,000 mi“while driving on the interstate at a steady 60mph the automatic transmission began shifted from 5th gear to 2nd gear with no warning or indications of any kind. this almost caused a major accident. the vehicle had the recall repair in 2004 for a known transmission fault but this has obviously not fixed the issue. the incident has occurred 3 tim…”
2007-08-04 · Power Train:automatic Transmission · 72,916 mi“2003 honda odyssey with automatic transmission failure. the transmission failed at 73,000 and i question if related to the recall and i am looking for suggestions. i would like to be reimbursed for the repairs of the vehicle. *jb…”
2007-07-27 · Equipment:appliance:air Conditioner · 62,000 mi“air conditioning went out on 2003 honda crv took it to a dealership, where parts were covered but had to pay for labor. *jb…”
2007-06-24 · Equipment:appliance:air Conditioner“honda accord 2003 air conditioner (a/c) failure . a/c stopped working due to faulty compressor clutch, and coil . a/c did not blow cold air or work any longer due to the fact that the compressor was not functioning to kick a/c on. *ak…”
2007-03-21 · Electrical System:wiring · 37,000 mi · 💥 crash“my 2003 honda odyssey had been stalling and shutting down losing complete power steering, brakes everything. i took it to my local honda dealer repair shop. dec 2006. they could'nt find anything wrong. on friday march 15, 2007 my daughter went for chinese food. she backed out of the parking space, proceeded to put it into drive released her foot, a…”
2005-12-12 · Visibility:windshield · 62,000 mi“stress crack in windshield not due to an impact of rock or similar flying object. *jb…”
2005-12-01 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · 29,999 mi“since i bought my pilot last nov. everytime i apply the brakes, going less than 10 mph, but more than 5 mph, my brakes pop very load, it continues even after the car has been running all day. i bought it in twice to the dealership, and they told me it's suppose to do that. i talk to people that own pilots and have know problem with load popping noi…”
2005-09-24 · Air Bags · 💥 crash“was at a red light and a car hit me from behind at 45 mph and the air bag did not deploy. this cause me to have severe neck and shoulder pain. *nm…”
2005-09-05 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · 4,000 mi“my brakes and rotors have continually had problems since about 4,000 miles. i now have 44,000 miles on my 2003 honda accord lx, and the brakes/rotors have been serviced 9 times since i purchased the car. the brake pads have been replaced; rotors have been turned and also replaced throughout this period. the brakes grab when applied, which has oc…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.