The 2003 Honda Accord has 13 recalls, the most serious being multiple Takata airbag inflator defects affecting both the driver and passenger sides, where the inflators can rupture and send metal fragments into the cabin, causing serious injury or death.
The airbag recalls cover several overlapping situations: the original driver and passenger frontal airbag inflators can rupture in a crash, and on two-door four-cylinder models where the passenger airbag was previously replaced, the replacement inflator may also be a defective Takata unit that can deploy with excessive force or rupture. There is also a separate concern about incorrectly installed passenger airbag modules, which may not deploy properly in a crash. Prior repair attempts did not fully resolve all of these issues, which is why multiple airbag recalls remain open.
On the fire risk side, the power steering hose can crack from prolonged heat exposure and leak fluid onto hot engine components, producing smoke and a potential underhood fire. This concern applies specifically to V6 models. The wiper system rounds out the list: water can enter the wiper motor and corrode it from the inside, causing the wipers to stop working entirely and reducing visibility in wet conditions.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver frontal air bag inflator may explode due to propellant breakdown after prolonged exposure to high humidity, temperature, and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
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At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front airbag inflator may explode due to propellant breakdown after prolonged exposure to high humidity, heat, and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger front airbag inflator at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Driver air bag inflators installed during previous recalls or as service parts may explode during a crash when the air bag deploys due to a manufacturing defect.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the driver air bag inflator with a different inflator at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger air bag may have been installed incorrectly during replacement, potentially affecting its ability to deploy properly in a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the passenger air bag and replace the module assembly if needed, at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
On certain two-door four-cylinder vehicles with a previously replaced passenger airbag, heat and humidity can degrade the propellant, causing the airbag to deploy with excessive force and potentially rupture, sending fragments toward occupants.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the passenger frontal airbag module and replace it if needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag module may contain a Takata inflator that can rupture. Long-term exposure to low humidity and temperature changes can degrade the propellant inside.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect your vehicle and replace any Takata inflator in the passenger front air bag module at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Moisture can enter the passenger side front air bag inflator, causing it to rupture when the air bag deploys.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver air bag inflator may rupture due to moisture and manufacturing variations that develop over time.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the driver air bag inflator at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger side front air bag inflator may build up excessive pressure and rupture when the air bag deploys in vehicles registered in high-humidity areas.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger side air bag inflator at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The power steering hose may crack from heat exposure, leaking fluid that could create smoke or ignite on hot engine surfaces.
What the fix does
The dealer will replace the power steering hose.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
High under-hood and power steering fluid temperatures can cause the power steering hose to crack and leak fluid prematurely.
What the fix does
Dealers will install a new heat-resistant power steering hose at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Water can enter the windshield wiper motor's vent port, meant to release warm air during normal use, causing internal corrosion. This may stop the wiper motor from working.
What the fix does
Dealers will repair the windshield wiper motor to fix the water entry problem.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Water can enter the windshield wiper motor's breather port, causing corrosion inside the motor housing and failure of the electrical circuit breaker.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the wiper motor for corrosion. If none is found, a protective cover will be installed. If corrosion is present, the motor will be replaced.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
