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?

firstandlasthonda

One good thing that came out of my calls to Honda was the survey form I received asking me to rate my experience. I tried to be kind as possible with my responses but made it clear that I would not buy another Honda due to the way they have handled this radio defect.

Honda should be able to get the radio manufacturer to cover the cost of a full blown recall, because as the months go by, it's increasingly apparent that more and more of these radios are failing, and that's just based on people who post on sites like this. Image how many people just pay the dealer to replace the radio.

Halee

I took in my car to our Honda dealership, and again my car is now out of warranty, they said no problem, this is a common problem and they fixed it again free of charge. Maybe you have to get to the right dealership.

jasmine2059

I have had the same experience with my 2004 Honda Accord. One morning the lighting display from the climate control and the stereo disappeared. I was out of warranty (67,000 kms) and contacted my local dealership to ask about the repair.

I told the service representative I would be asking Honda to pay for the repair as part of their goodwill program. The dealership service representative gave me the number for Honda Canada. I contacted Honda Canada and explained the information bulletin on this website. Honda Canada spoke to my dealership and called the next day to say that a new radio would be sent to the dealership and that I would only be responsible to pay for one hour of labour which I thought was a pretty fair deal.

Good luck to all others. Let's hope that the defective radio problem has been solved!

Ben Dover

I just purchased an 03 accord and the backlighting wasn't working. With the help of the information I got here, I got my Case number from Honda, then took to a dealer. They looked it up, called someone (I guess Honda) and said, no problem - free of charge - new radio will be in in 3 or 4 days. **Great way to start off with a dealer and Honda's great reputation**

dsltonsdad

Does anyone have the Honda America phone number? I have just had my backlight go out at 50,100 miles. I would appreciate any assistance I could get. I also had the condensor problem but didn't find this awesome site until now. Than you all for posting your issues. I love the web, wee never would have figured out this was an issue globally in the old days. This is my 4th Honda and it seems the "American Honda" has deteriorated in quality. I am calling the dealer today to try and get this all started toward the path of correction. I will post the results. Thanks again and that 800 number would be appreciated.

Me2

The # to American Honda is 1-800-999-1009. It's a BAD deal when I know the number by heart. As posted before, I've had several problems with my car. The exhaust, the radio backlights, the windshield wipers freeze for no reason in heavy rain & now at 78,000 miles, my transmission has gone out - violently while driving down the road.

My car was part of the transmission recall, but a 'kit' was done to 'solve' the problem. Well, I don't think the problem is solved. My car is now at the local dealership awaiting the new transmission. Since, I am over my mileage warranty, I again called American Honda about the thousands of $$$ this was going to cost me. They have agreed under 'good-will' to cover 1/2 the cost plus my rental fees while the replacement is being installed.

Unfortunately, after a few hours of research, I've found that this is a wide spread problem and even the replacements have to be replaced. I will be selling my car as soon as it is road ready again.

If you plan to buy or keep a 03 Honda Accord EX V6 Coupe YOU NEED the extended warranty.

kampui

Hi guys,

Thought I would chime in here as well after reading everyone's posts.

I live in Toronto and drive a 2003 Honda Accord Coupe EX-V6 6-speed. My car is out of warranty for the radio (38 months/68,000 km) and one day the backlight went out as well.

I phoned my nearest Honda dealership (other than the one I purchased my car from since I moved out of that city) and asked them for advice/recommendations on the radio issue. I explained to them as nicely as possible that I was surprised something like this had happened and asked what the likelihood of Honda Canada covering the costs. I made no mention of the bulletin or anything.

The service rep took down my information and dealt with Honda Canada himself and a few days later, I got a call telling me the part is in. Honda Canada will cover the radio and I just pay the $99 labour charge. Definitely better than paying the exorbant $800 amount.

Puwawa

Hi Everyone, I;ve had this problem for couple months and had no luck previously dealing with Honda Canada, after seeing several of you with success, i decided to call them again. This time i had a very nice customer relations rep, I didn't even mention the bulletin and he already offered to contact my dealership and replace my radio unit free of charge. I asked him if I had to pay labour charge and he said $0. Can't wait to go into the dealership next week, and remind them that they tried to make me pay $1000 to replace the unit last time!

BuroWerks

My radio light went out in my 2003 Accord, and my husband found this site. I was really mad that a problem like this could go ignored by HONDA. First I filled as many recall request as I could find, meanwhile not being able to afford the $700. ever or the x number weeks without a car, no public transport here! I really was annoyed so I called the Honda Corp. What a surprise when they called me back a week later, and told me that they would cover the cost of the parts, and would have the dealer order the radio before doing the work. I would still have to pay for installation but that was only $90with tax!

You could try to get your money back...call the corportation!

Mountainbikerpgh

Like so many folks on here, my Audio-HVAC display module has gone dim on my '03 Accord. I've taken all of the great advice from here called Honda of America and they say the unit should be replaced at no cost if my dealer diagnoses the problem correctly (one look and they'll know the problem.) My appointment is on Oct. 4, 2006 with Dean Honda of Pittsburgh, so I'll repost here with any news. The phone rep at American Honda was pleasant and willingly offered the case number when I asked. She did say that there may be a cost from the dealer to diagnose the problem, so we'll see if they charge me. It's posted on here in many places, but here is the info again.... Call American Honda at 800-999-1009. If you want to read the service bulletin, I found it on Google by typing "Service Bulletin 04-027." You'll be able to download the two page document in PDF and print it for reference. It spells it out pretty clearly - that there is a problem with the Audio-HVAC unit. Good luck everyone, and thanks to all who stormed this path first!