My 2003 Honda Accord EX has a problem with the backlighting on the radio and the ac controls. All the lights have gone out, but everything else on it seems to work still. I have looked for a blown fuse but could not find one. Any suggestions?

Joseracer

Hello, I have 96 Civic coupe EX and Im having the exact same problem as the 03' honda accords, radio controls, center console and dashboard light go out when I turn on my headlights. Has anyone heard civics having this issue?

aframpton

There is a transistor burnt out. It will cost 300.00 to fix at the dealer or 1.50 to buy the transistor and do it yourself. Total time hour.

aframpton

They know that it is a transistor gone and it is known issue. The Radio is made by Panasonic and will cost $300.00 to fix at the dealer. The transistor cost $1.50.

pdxhonda

Just wanted to give an update on the repair. The radio (refurbished?) came in after 14 days and it took the dealer a mere 1 hour to put it in. Now I can tell time while driving again. Again, zero cost from my end.

Zarah27

My '03 Accord's (53,000 miles) radio display went dark in the middle of June. I called my longtime dealership to inquire about the problem, and was told they were well aware of the problem, but it would be a $600 repair. I said no thanks, I can live with it. That was before I drove the car at night and had zero backlights on my air conditioning unit as well. I did a little surfing, found this forum and another one that had the tech bulletin link, and promptly called American Honda.

I had a good experience with their representative, especially after I mentioned that I had had a Civic for nine years, love my Accord, and that my parents have a 98 Accord. He did not, however, offer a case number. When I asked for one, he said that he doesn't usually volunteer them because they're so long. I told him that they can't be any longer than the VIN # that I had to give him. After I got the case number, he told me to go to my dealership to have them visually diagnose the problem.

My dealership took all of 2 seconds to look at my display and agree that it was a faulty unit. I think they were surprised that I had a copy of the Tech Bulletin, a case #, and print screens of this forum thread. They ordered the part that day, and it was installed a week later. I was there for less than an hour and had zero costs. All in all, my experience was a good one, and I didn't have to spend $600 to fix a poorly designed radio unit. American Honda even called a few days later to make sure I had been taken care of.

DJNB

I live in Canada and had the same issue with my 2003 Honda Accord radio (no backlighting). The warranty had expired by six months and 20,000 km.

I returned to the dealership where I bought the car, showed the service manager the Honda Service Bulletin 04-027, and said that I wish the unit to be repaired under Honda's "goodwill consideration" as stated in the bulletin.

After some humming and hahing, he approved the replacement of the radio, charging me only 1-hour labour ($100).

Attached Images

Honda Service Bulletin 04-027.pdf (96.7 KB, 949 views)

CMCKINNEY

No Display 2003 Accord EX

I have the same issue. My car has 87k on it but I have only had it for 3 years. I am furious at this point. I have made the appointment with the dealer. They of course stated it is not a big problem. However, prior to going there, I am going to call American Honda especially after reading these posts. Can anyone tell me how their experience was with American Honda or any advice they can len me? I would do it myself if easy enough but I do not want to do any additional damage.

olydog

I parked my 2003 (with 37,000 miles) the other night and all was well. Got back in the car a few hours later and radio/AC lights were out but everything still works. THANK YOU to all who have shared information here. You have saved me hours of frustation and probably money too. Isn't the internet great? I've printed the advice and service bulletin posted on this thread. I will call Honda on Monday.

Me2

I had the same problem w/ my 03 EX. My local service dept told me this was common w/ that model & the entire radio unit had to be replaced. They told me it would cost about $400 w/labor & gave me a number to call American Honda (800-999-1009) about the problem. They said some people had luck getting the units replaced at no cost. When I called American Honda, they were extremely helpful & easy to deal with. They opened a case & within a week they arranged for me to have a new 'free' unit replacement w/ out any arugument (I was expecting one) or out of pocket expense. That was earlier this yr & I've had no problems since then.

schzad

Hi people
I have Honda accord 2003 Japanes model, car is amazing but there is one thing i hate abt it...its navigation screen is in japanes.....can any one help me and tell me how can i change the language to english.