Honda Car Forum

I have a new Accord V6 without NAV made in Ohio. The driver's seat is
flawless. No rattles on the dashboard or otherwise. The paint is fine.
The CD player is as you describe but I don't care. The speakers are an
improvement over my previous Accord EX. I find an improved midrange. I
don't think the stock sound system will let you boom bass and play
extremely loud while you are doing 80 MPH, but I don't want that. I find
the car is quiet enough to play sound at a reasable volume level at
ordinary speeds and have it sound very good. What speakers did you put
in and how are they better?

As for the NAV, you asked for it. It's the first year out. I wouldn't
even trust Honda with that. Voice recognition and GPS are things that
will depend on your voice and the reception of GPS signals which depends
on the topography of the areas you drive in. Even the best system might
be unreliable for you. On the other hand, maybe the NAV system isn't
fully ready yet. We all know how reliable software can be.

Maybe you got a bad apple.

I hear these horror stories about the Accord V6 and wonder how folks are
driving their cars. I doubt your minivan can accelerate, corner, or stop
like an Accord V6. Any chance you punish the Accord V6 much more than
the minivan? I find the car so quiet during hard acceleration that I
don't even know when I am whipping the engine. The car just moves out. I
see other cars get small quickly in the rear view mirror and hear the
muffled whoosh of air moving around the car.

Oldsmobile is better? <LOL> That's gotta be a fluke otherwise GM would
not be killing the brand. The Accord isn't one of the best selling
vehicles in the US because it's a horrible value.

JD Power did report overall new car quality for Honda took a slight hit
this year but it is still far above average. It seems someone has to
get the bad apple.

Good luck.

John Horner wrote:

>About one month ago I purchased a 2003 Accord V6 with navigation, which
>means with every factory installed option available. So far I have not been
>impressed by the supposedly amazing level of quality Honda is reputed to
>provide.
>
>Problem 1: The driver's seat rocks back and worth when stationary. After
>the dealer had the car for three days to "fix" this problem they told me
>that Honda USA would be sending them some special bushings to fix it and
>that they would call me when these special parts arrived. That was three
>weeks ago, and no call.
>
>Problem 2: The dash board has multiple annoying squeaks, thumps and rattle
>which come and go depending on how much sunlight is beating down on the
>dash. Dealer was not able to do anything about this.
>
>Problem 3: Both front door inner panels also have random squeaks, buzzes
>and rattles. Again, dealer unable to do anything about it.
>
>Problem 4: Paint has a large particle of foreign matter in it which clearly
>happened at the factory. Dealer agrees it should not be there and "will
>advise" what to do about it.
>
>Problem 5: The navigation system's lookup function is so badly designed as
>to be almost unusable. Tell it to find the nearest "Wells Fargo Bank" and
>it is more likely to lead you to one 1500 miles away than it is to the one 2
>miles away. The software is lacking sorely in real ease of use
>sophistication.
>
>Problem 6: The built in CD player does not offer a fast forward or reverse
>function. You can only go ahead one full track or back one full track.
>Considering that the interface is a touch panel LCD, offering the normal
>expected range of controls is a simple thing to do which Honda left out.
>
>Problem 7: The factory speakers were some of the cheapest, most horrible
>sounding things I have run across in a long time. Considering that this is
>the top of the range Accord, Honda should have done better. I fixed this
>problem with good aftermarket speakers.
>
>Problem 8: The handbrake control has sharp edges at the mold lines of the
>plastic. This is the kind of thing auto magazine reviewers always pillory
>GM for, but here it is on that supposed paragon of excellent, the Honda
>Accord. The transmission shift lever is likewise a very cheap feeling bit
>of plastic.
>
>If I had bought a Hyundai I would expect to find these kinds of problems.
>Now I'm wondering if Honda's cost reduction engineers have taken their jobs
>too far. Maybe the Ohio plant where my car was built doesn't really have
>their act together on the new generation Accord. In the past I have always
>followed the policy of not buying the first model year of any design. This
>time I thought that Honda would not have such problems, but I was wrong.
>Yes, my expectations when spending $27,000 for a new car are high. So far I
>regret having bought a Honda. Our two year old, much maligned Olds
>Silhouette minivan has delivered a much better initial owner experience (30k
>miles so far) than has the much vaunted Honda.
>
>John
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

> As for the NAV, you asked for it. It's the first year out. I wouldn't
> even trust Honda with that. Voice recognition and GPS are things that
> will depend on your voice and the reception of GPS signals which depends
> on the topography of the areas you drive in. Even the best system might
> be unreliable for you. On the other hand, maybe the NAV system isn't
> fully ready yet. We all know how reliable software can be.


Honda has been selling Navigation in the Acura division for several years,
so they should have had plenty of time to work out any kinks.

John

> Who writes the software for Honda and what version is it in? I read
> about a new upgrade DVD for more than $100. Maybe that can help you. .
>
Apparently Alpine makes the system for them based on information in the Navi
manual.

> The fact you said that it gave you instructions to the wrong closest
> location suggests to me that you should check your GPS. Does is
> correctly list your location when this happens?

It really is a software problem with names. Wells Fargo, for example, does
business under dozens of different names in different states. In one state
it might be Wells Fargo Co., in another Wells Fargo Bank and in another
Wells Fargo Bank and Trust. You have to know exactly what corporate name
Wells Fargo uses where you are in order to get the right bank. Of course no
customer knows that information. An elegant navigation system would find
the nearest anything which starts with Wells Fargo. Also, for many place
names you have to know which subheading of the directory structure the place
you are trying to find is under. The long and short of this is that many
times it is very difficult to find the place you are trying to find when
using the name directory. Using the address directory is generally pretty
reliable.

Perhaps the recently released software upgrade fixes some of these problems,
though I'm not keen on having to spend $180 to upgrade the software on a 30
day old car. Honda should include these upgrades for free at least during
the initial warranty period.

The major annoyances I have with this car are the multiple squeaks and
rattles. Today I found and fixed one of them. The front license plate
bracket attachment bolts were only screwed about 3/4 of the way in. I don't
know if this bracket goes on at the factory or at the dealer, but whoever
did so did not finish the job.

I also located the source of another nasty noise at the interface between
the storage compartment under the radio and the not-an-ash-tray cover. I
plan to pull that storage bin and apply foam tape at the interface.

Another noise source is where the vinyl and plastic sections of the front
door panels meet. Since the dealer didn't fix that problem I will
disassemble it and fix it myself.

I've been working on automobiles for 25 years now and I'm sure I can find
and correct most of these minor problems, but I should not have to.

John

I too just purchased an Ohio build EX V6 w/Navi in Graphite pearl for
$26200. I added a rear wing to improve the look of the rear end.
Overall, no major problems. I had two rattles/buzzes that occur on
concrete road surfaces. The first is in the piller between the
drivers front and rear door. Sounds like sheet metal vibrating. The
second is more of a rattle need the console storage door (just under
the radio/nav display). Does anyone have a fix for these or know
what's buzzing and rattling?

The navigation systems works fine but putting a DVD dated 2001 seem
pretty lame. I'd expect that from a Ford or GM manufacturer.......


M No spam <M_no_spam_@nowhere.net> wrote in message news:<c5dZa.32785$5f.31547@lakeread05>...
> I have a new Accord V6 without NAV made in Ohio. The driver's seat is
> flawless. No rattles on the dashboard or otherwise. The paint is fine.
> The CD player is as you describe but I don't care. The speakers are an
> improvement over my previous Accord EX. I find an improved midrange. I
> don't think the stock sound system will let you boom bass and play
> extremely loud while you are doing 80 MPH, but I don't want that. I find
> the car is quiet enough to play sound at a reasable volume level at
> ordinary speeds and have it sound very good. What speakers did you put
> in and how are they better?
>
> As for the NAV, you asked for it. It's the first year out. I wouldn't
> even trust Honda with that. Voice recognition and GPS are things that
> will depend on your voice and the reception of GPS signals which depends
> on the topography of the areas you drive in. Even the best system might
> be unreliable for you. On the other hand, maybe the NAV system isn't
> fully ready yet. We all know how reliable software can be.
>
> Maybe you got a bad apple.
>
> I hear these horror stories about the Accord V6 and wonder how folks are
> driving their cars. I doubt your minivan can accelerate, corner, or stop
> like an Accord V6. Any chance you punish the Accord V6 much more than
> the minivan? I find the car so quiet during hard acceleration that I
> don't even know when I am whipping the engine. The car just moves out. I
> see other cars get small quickly in the rear view mirror and hear the
> muffled whoosh of air moving around the car.
>
> Oldsmobile is better? <LOL> That's gotta be a fluke otherwise GM would
> not be killing the brand. The Accord isn't one of the best selling
> vehicles in the US because it's a horrible value.
>
> JD Power did report overall new car quality for Honda took a slight hit
> this year but it is still far above average. It seems someone has to
> get the bad apple.
>
> Good luck.
>
> John Horner wrote:
>
> >About one month ago I purchased a 2003 Accord V6 with navigation, which
> >means with every factory installed option available. So far I have not been
> >impressed by the supposedly amazing level of quality Honda is reputed to
> >provide.
> >
> >Problem 1: The driver's seat rocks back and worth when stationary. After
> >the dealer had the car for three days to "fix" this problem they told me
> >that Honda USA would be sending them some special bushings to fix it and
> >that they would call me when these special parts arrived. That was three
> >weeks ago, and no call.
> >
> >Problem 2: The dash board has multiple annoying squeaks, thumps and rattle
> >which come and go depending on how much sunlight is beating down on the
> >dash. Dealer was not able to do anything about this.
> >
> >Problem 3: Both front door inner panels also have random squeaks, buzzes
> >and rattles. Again, dealer unable to do anything about it.
> >
> >Problem 4: Paint has a large particle of foreign matter in it which clearly
> >happened at the factory. Dealer agrees it should not be there and "will
> >advise" what to do about it.
> >
> >Problem 5: The navigation system's lookup function is so badly designed as
> >to be almost unusable. Tell it to find the nearest "Wells Fargo Bank" and
> >it is more likely to lead you to one 1500 miles away than it is to the one 2
> >miles away. The software is lacking sorely in real ease of use
> >sophistication.
> >
> >Problem 6: The built in CD player does not offer a fast forward or reverse
> >function. You can only go ahead one full track or back one full track.
> >Considering that the interface is a touch panel LCD, offering the normal
> >expected range of controls is a simple thing to do which Honda left out.
> >
> >Problem 7: The factory speakers were some of the cheapest, most horrible
> >sounding things I have run across in a long time. Considering that this is
> >the top of the range Accord, Honda should have done better. I fixed this
> >problem with good aftermarket speakers.
> >
> >Problem 8: The handbrake control has sharp edges at the mold lines of the
> >plastic. This is the kind of thing auto magazine reviewers always pillory
> >GM for, but here it is on that supposed paragon of excellent, the Honda
> >Accord. The transmission shift lever is likewise a very cheap feeling bit
> >of plastic.
> >
> >If I had bought a Hyundai I would expect to find these kinds of problems.
> >Now I'm wondering if Honda's cost reduction engineers have taken their jobs
> >too far. Maybe the Ohio plant where my car was built doesn't really have
> >their act together on the new generation Accord. In the past I have always
> >followed the policy of not buying the first model year of any design. This
> >time I thought that Honda would not have such problems, but I was wrong.
> >Yes, my expectations when spending $27,000 for a new car are high. So far I
> >regret having bought a Honda. Our two year old, much maligned Olds
> >Silhouette minivan has delivered a much better initial owner experience (30k
> >miles so far) than has the much vaunted Honda.
> >
> >John
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >

"John" <jebinc@gte.net> wrote in message
news:fde0447e.0308101624.1e3397e0@posting.google.c om...
> I too just purchased an Ohio build EX V6 w/Navi in Graphite pearl for
> $26200. I added a rear wing to improve the look of the rear end.
> Overall, no major problems. I had two rattles/buzzes that occur on
> concrete road surfaces. The first is in the piller between the
> drivers front and rear door. Sounds like sheet metal vibrating.

I am not the only one then .

> The
> second is more of a rattle need the console storage door (just under
> the radio/nav display). Does anyone have a fix for these or know
> what's buzzing and rattling?
>

This one seems to be at the interface of the storage bin and the ashtray
area on my Accord. I'm going to try pulling the storage bin and putting a
thin layer of foam tape in there. On well made, quiet cars (like my '96
Volvo) this technique is used liberally anywhere two plastic parts touch.
This seems to be one of the things Honda is not doing in order to reduce
costs. Another issue, IMO, is that the dash assembly of a 2003 Accord is
made up of many individual plastic parts, each touching the others. This
gives Honda flexibility, but also provides more opportunities for those
annoying noises.

Some people and car companies make a big mental distinction between major
(can will not run) and minor (rattle, squeek, etc.) problems. To me the
small problems are in a way a bigger hassle. They drive me crazy and are
generally something dealers do a ****-poor job of fixing. Dead engines and
transmissions are something the dealer usually can fix .


> The navigation systems works fine but putting a DVD dated 2001 seem
> pretty lame. I'd expect that from a Ford or GM manufacturer.......
>
>

Indeed. It would be like buying a new computer and finding that the bundled
version of Microsoft Streets and Maps was two years old. Lame indeed. At
the least Honda should give the next upgrade free to it's customers.

John

On Sat, 9 Aug 2003 20:44:58 -0700, "John Horner" <jthorner@yahoo.com>
wrote:

>> As for the NAV, you asked for it. It's the first year out. I wouldn't
>> even trust Honda with that. Voice recognition and GPS are things that
>> will depend on your voice and the reception of GPS signals which depends
>> on the topography of the areas you drive in. Even the best system might
>> be unreliable for you. On the other hand, maybe the NAV system isn't
>> fully ready yet. We all know how reliable software can be.
>
>
>Honda has been selling Navigation in the Acura division for several years,
>so they should have had plenty of time to work out any kinks.
>
>John
>
And they have, many reviewers consider the Honda/Acura GPS navigation
system to be the best one available from any manufacturer. I've
simply found very few problems with it. I think it's rather an
amazing device, in fact.
Ron

FWIW, my EX-L (4 cyl) was built in Japan. I've had none of the
problems cited, though I should point out that I've only had the car
for about 3 months and haven't driven it all that much (like a couple
of thousand miles). No squeaks from the dask or rattles in the
pillars. The seats are solid (and I believe my power leather driver's
seat is the same as the one in the V6). The passenger is not powered;
it is in the V6.

My main complaints are

1) a lot of tire noise which I'm told by several friends who own /
have owned Hondas is a trait of Hondas going back many years - might
even be better in the new ones than the previous model according to
one friend who has ridden in my car,

2) harsh suspension. I like the firm feel versus the mush of the newer
Camrys, but I think there's more in between. I don't have to feel
every tar strip. My Passat handles very well and rides more
comfortably.

3) Sunroof noise when I use the tilt. I like to use the tilt to add
ventilation but in my Accord I get a constant whistling noise. Again,
my Passat does not do this. The service department is looking at it
this week to see if there is any adjustment possible.

Overall, it's a great car. I had some doubts shortly after purchasing
it, but I'm pretty happy now. I actually think the sound system is
great and several people have commented on how good it sounds. Go
figure.

Easy and fun to drive. Took a trip with four adults in the car and
luggage. Plenty of zip and power with the 4 cyl. The V6 must be
amazing.



On 10 Aug 2003 17:24:43 -0700, jebinc@gte.net (John) wrote:

>I too just purchased an Ohio build EX V6 w/Navi in Graphite pearl for
>$26200. I added a rear wing to improve the look of the rear end.
>Overall, no major problems. I had two rattles/buzzes that occur on
>concrete road surfaces. The first is in the piller between the
>drivers front and rear door. Sounds like sheet metal vibrating. The
>second is more of a rattle need the console storage door (just under
>the radio/nav display). Does anyone have a fix for these or know
>what's buzzing and rattling?
>
>The navigation systems works fine but putting a DVD dated 2001 seem
>pretty lame. I'd expect that from a Ford or GM manufacturer.......
>
>
>M No spam <M_no_spam_@nowhere.net> wrote in message news:<c5dZa.32785$5f.31547@lakeread05>...
>> I have a new Accord V6 without NAV made in Ohio. The driver's seat is
>> flawless. No rattles on the dashboard or otherwise. The paint is fine.
>> The CD player is as you describe but I don't care. The speakers are an
>> improvement over my previous Accord EX. I find an improved midrange. I
>> don't think the stock sound system will let you boom bass and play
>> extremely loud while you are doing 80 MPH, but I don't want that. I find
>> the car is quiet enough to play sound at a reasable volume level at
>> ordinary speeds and have it sound very good. What speakers did you put
>> in and how are they better?
>>
>> As for the NAV, you asked for it. It's the first year out. I wouldn't
>> even trust Honda with that. Voice recognition and GPS are things that
>> will depend on your voice and the reception of GPS signals which depends
>> on the topography of the areas you drive in. Even the best system might
>> be unreliable for you. On the other hand, maybe the NAV system isn't
>> fully ready yet. We all know how reliable software can be.
>>
>> Maybe you got a bad apple.
>>
>> I hear these horror stories about the Accord V6 and wonder how folks are
>> driving their cars. I doubt your minivan can accelerate, corner, or stop
>> like an Accord V6. Any chance you punish the Accord V6 much more than
>> the minivan? I find the car so quiet during hard acceleration that I
>> don't even know when I am whipping the engine. The car just moves out. I
>> see other cars get small quickly in the rear view mirror and hear the
>> muffled whoosh of air moving around the car.
>>
>> Oldsmobile is better? <LOL> That's gotta be a fluke otherwise GM would
>> not be killing the brand. The Accord isn't one of the best selling
>> vehicles in the US because it's a horrible value.
>>
>> JD Power did report overall new car quality for Honda took a slight hit
>> this year but it is still far above average. It seems someone has to
>> get the bad apple.
>>
>> Good luck.
>>
>> John Horner wrote:
>>
>> >About one month ago I purchased a 2003 Accord V6 with navigation, which
>> >means with every factory installed option available. So far I have not been
>> >impressed by the supposedly amazing level of quality Honda is reputed to
>> >provide.
>> >
>> >Problem 1: The driver's seat rocks back and worth when stationary. After
>> >the dealer had the car for three days to "fix" this problem they told me
>> >that Honda USA would be sending them some special bushings to fix it and
>> >that they would call me when these special parts arrived. That was three
>> >weeks ago, and no call.
>> >
>> >Problem 2: The dash board has multiple annoying squeaks, thumps and rattle
>> >which come and go depending on how much sunlight is beating down on the
>> >dash. Dealer was not able to do anything about this.
>> >
>> >Problem 3: Both front door inner panels also have random squeaks, buzzes
>> >and rattles. Again, dealer unable to do anything about it.
>> >
>> >Problem 4: Paint has a large particle of foreign matter in it which clearly
>> >happened at the factory. Dealer agrees it should not be there and "will
>> >advise" what to do about it.
>> >
>> >Problem 5: The navigation system's lookup function is so badly designed as
>> >to be almost unusable. Tell it to find the nearest "Wells Fargo Bank" and
>> >it is more likely to lead you to one 1500 miles away than it is to the one 2
>> >miles away. The software is lacking sorely in real ease of use
>> >sophistication.
>> >
>> >Problem 6: The built in CD player does not offer a fast forward or reverse
>> >function. You can only go ahead one full track or back one full track.
>> >Considering that the interface is a touch panel LCD, offering the normal
>> >expected range of controls is a simple thing to do which Honda left out.
>> >
>> >Problem 7: The factory speakers were some of the cheapest, most horrible
>> >sounding things I have run across in a long time. Considering that this is
>> >the top of the range Accord, Honda should have done better. I fixed this
>> >problem with good aftermarket speakers.
>> >
>> >Problem 8: The handbrake control has sharp edges at the mold lines of the
>> >plastic. This is the kind of thing auto magazine reviewers always pillory
>> >GM for, but here it is on that supposed paragon of excellent, the Honda
>> >Accord. The transmission shift lever is likewise a very cheap feeling bit
>> >of plastic.
>> >
>> >If I had bought a Hyundai I would expect to find these kinds of problems.
>> >Now I'm wondering if Honda's cost reduction engineers have taken their jobs
>> >too far. Maybe the Ohio plant where my car was built doesn't really have
>> >their act together on the new generation Accord. In the past I have always
>> >followed the policy of not buying the first model year of any design. This
>> >time I thought that Honda would not have such problems, but I was wrong.
>> >Yes, my expectations when spending $27,000 for a new car are high. So far I
>> >regret having bought a Honda. Our two year old, much maligned Olds
>> >Silhouette minivan has delivered a much better initial owner experience (30k
>> >miles so far) than has the much vaunted Honda.
>> >
>> >John
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >

"John Horner" <jthorner@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:vjbftrar26en59@corp.supernews.com...

> Honda has been selling Navigation in the Acura division for several years,
> so they should have had plenty of time to work out any kinks.
>
> John

Troll

"John Horner" <jthorner@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:vjbrf0sscov7e8@corp.supernews.com...

> I've been working on automobiles for 25 years now and I'm sure I can find
> and correct most of these minor problems, but I should not have to.
>
> John

Troll

"John Horner" <jthorner@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:vjduqk2agpch50@corp.supernews.com...

> I am not the only one then .

Troll