There have been no safety recalls. The brake issue itself isn't yet a full recall, just a TSB for maintenance to be performed. I'm not happy with the brake thing eigher, but the actual recall was for the breather pipe and the transmission software reprogra--and those notices were sent out at the same time. Neither of them posed a real issue.

 

The recalls we are doing
1: intake breather pipe, the old one does not have a flange on one end and can pop out. New one has a flange.

2: No reverse recall, if you get stuck in the snow and start rocking the car back and forth between drive and reverse the ECU will not let the car go into any gear. We reprogram the ECU's and this takes care of that.

3: Evap cansister elbow: The old drain elbow's can let moisture in, causing the Canister Vent Shut valve to not work correctly. The new elbow is supposedly water tight.

These are all very minor, and expected for a car's 1st year of production. Believe it or not those updated brake pads are on National backorder. I had an 03 accord come in the other day that needed front brakes. We called the customer, sold the brakes, i go to parts to get the pads, and he tells me the brake pads for that car have been updated and are on national backorder. If thats not bad enough, even the old-style pads are on national backorder. So pretty much this person needs brakes and we cant even get them yet. I'd be pissed if it were me.

 

Yikes I would be pissed too! I guess my dealer had them in stock.

BTW--thanks fast93 for the details of the other parts to be replaced. It's cool to get the exact causes.

 

Hey whats up all, I have been reading this thread for a few weeks now and have been experiencing the same thing with my 2003 Accord. I initially started noticing it about a month ago when it started to get cold here, and I thought it may just be the cold weather since it only does it when the car is cold started. I took my car into the dealership today and they looked at it and called me back saying they were going to order some new brake pads. They said they were backordered so no estimate on how long it would take to come in, but I guess it's good that I'm getting replacement pads? I'm new to the scene so what do I need to do to ensure I'm not getting screwed on the whole deal? Do I need to ask anything about rotors? Please help.

Thanks,

Akhil

 

My dad and I are amased by his brakes on the 03 i4 ex coupe. They are very sensitive but braking is superb. I have never felt brakes with stopping power like that before. There is no noise and vibration.... Is this a problem with the coupe as well? Should we be worried about the brakes going bad. There are barely any miles on this car.

 

I wouldn't worry about it at all. Just keep going until you notice something wrong, then visit the dealer.

Leland

 

Hopefully I'm not too late, but I had to get a complete 4 wheel resurface and pad replacement at about 35k miles on my 03 Accord V6 4 door back in October. Seemed a little soon for a complete redo minus new rot's, but I got a wicked shimmy out of my front pass. brake at about 29k miles, especially after being on the highway for a while.

Any thoughts on this or am I just too late? Haven't usually needed this much of a brake job until 50k+ miles.

 

hi dhasha!

I assume that you have read my post above, on this page, under the name James Casson.

I just mailed a Demand Letter and Notice of Claim Letter (under the Ohio Lemon Law statute) to Honda seeking remedies under the Ohio law for the ongoing (FOUR attempts) "repairs" to my 2003 Honda Accord brake pads AND rotors. The problem cannot be repaired, and it is obvious that this brake problem is only a symptom of and underlying problem elsewhere! I believe it is a design defect.

In any event, there are thousands and thousands of 2003 Accord owners with the same problem.

They should give you new brake pads, and rotors WITHOUT CHARGE!! However, you MUST INSIST that that be done. If the dealer fails to agree, then call the Hoda warranty customer service national telephone number--that toll free number is listed inside your warranty book.

*****You should know that a TSB (Tecnical Service Bulletin) has been sent to ALL Honda dealers from Honda regarding this issue, so mention to the dealer that you are aware of that TSB. However, that TSB, in my opinion, does not correct the problem as it merely tells the dealers to change the poorly designed brake pads that came on the 2003 Acccord from the factory--because they are not the right design--and to replace them with a "more meaty" brake pad that Honda "thinks" will solve the problem.

Hope this helps.

James

 

Hey James,

Well, I liked my dealership until the service guy told me that it's "an everyday thing to get Accords in that need new pads and resurfaced rotars at 24-30,000 miles". He went on to say that the TSB is for bad pads and that mine were replaced for wear. This is my 4th Accord and I kind of remember not needing new pads and surfaces until 50 - 60k miles. Am I crazy?

Also, the TSB listed 00-088 is not the correct one. I have another service manager (Streater Smith in Conroe, TX) looking into the TSB and letting me know something. As soon as I get a good number I'll post, if anyone else knows it please post as it would help others. FYI anyone looking in Houston, Goodson Honda North is the dealer that blew me off.

 

Hi dhasha,

All I can say is that you ARE correct in saying that brake pads do NOT wear out in 25,000 to 30,00 miles. (Note: I just last week had my wife's brake pads replaced on the front & rear of her 2000 Subaru Legacy wagon--they were the ORIGINAL pads, and she has 85,000 miles on the car--and about 60% of that represents city driving!!!)

You and I (and everyone else) know that the dealer said they were being replaced due to wear in order to avoid having Honda pay for them under warranty!!

I STRONGLY urge you to complain about this to the National Honda Customer Service Department (again, the toll free number is in your warrqanty book), and I am certain that you will get satisfaction.

*****IMPORTANT: You must let them know that this is your FOURTH Honda vehicle and that this has never happened before (you always got much more wear out of your pads) AND make sure you tell them that you are aware of the bogus brake pad issues Honda is having with thousands of 2003 Accord owners--AND mention the Web site hear.

If that doesn't work, I would encourage you to go to the local Small Claims court and file a Small Claim action against them--then you would surely get the relief that you deserve!!

Good luck,

James Casson,
One of many, many disgruntled 2003 Accord owners