Faults:

The car makes a high-pitched whining sound in 5th gear at between 75 and 82 mph.

I returned the car back to the dealer who could not help me. After countless telephone conversations with Honda UK they eventually sent an engineer to test-drive the car.

His report is as follows – ‘the transmission whine described by the customer and experienced by myself is a noise common to this model of Honda Accord. A report was submitted by Honda UK technical support department at the time of model launch. Reply from Honda Japan R&D was noise was caused by helical gears used with the transmission, there is no way of elevating this noise and the noise is not detrimental to the economic life of the transmission so is regarded a trait of the transmission design.’ So in other words I will just have to put up with it, but hopefully if you have read this you won't.

The drivers seat moves sideways when going around corners. The fixings were replaced under warranty.

Faults:

In less than a week after buying my 2004, I began to hear ticking sounds coming from the dashboard and door. It took a several trips to the dealership to get it fixed, including having the passenger door replaced; however, it is ticking again. The car runs well, but I am tired of the ticking sounds and ready to get another vehicle. My last car was a 1998 Accord and I loved it. I wish I was as pleased with the one that I have.

General Comments:

The car's interior makes ticking sounds which comes from not being solidly built.

Faults:

Right rear strut squeaks over small bumps.

Passenger door rattles inside.

Moon roof rattles in the tilt position.

Now, the windshield is cracked.

General Comments:

Overall, Honda made an awesome step up in 2003 with the addition of the 6-speed manual for the 240-hp V6 in the EX Cpe. I'm very impressed with the overall performance of the car. Looks fast, even sitting still. Great cruiser on the highway, peppy in town.

Sadly, I've had the 4 problems listed above, only owning the car for 5 months. The strut problem took 4 visits to the dealer to fix. I hope the windshield is coverend under warranty! I'm optimistic about the rattles needing only minor adjustment to fix, but we'll see. Other than those <minor> setbacks, I would fully recommend this car to anyone!

Faults:

Glove box rattles. Sun roof is leaking. Water is leaking into the trunk also. Excessive wind noise when driving down the road. Brakes squeal when applied. Pulls to the right constantly. Transmission is acting funky. Only getting around 17 mpg around town, and only 25 mpg on the highway.

General Comments:

Despite it's faults, I really can't complain about my new Accord. It looks good, runs good and has plenty of room inside. Honda did a good job with this version, as it is often mistaken for a Mercedes from the side view. This car is a behemoth size wise, and I wasn't sure if I could get used to it, but it didn't take long. Kudos to Honda for making a full size car that can actually be maneuvered around. This car is very peppy for it's size with the V4 motor. I've been told it makes 240 hp, and I can feel those ponies every time I drive it. In conclusion, I just want to thank Honda for making a full size car that isn't a lumbering boat, and can be handled with ease.