2003–2007 Honda Accord: Slipping, flaring between gears or no drive (V6 automatic)
Likely causes, ranked
- Internal transmission wear (2nd/3rd gear clutches)Shop
- 3rd gear pressure switch or old fluidDIY
Real-owner fix counts will appear here as reports come in.
Rough cost: $2,000–$4,800DIY or shop: See DIY or shop section
Parts to check
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Symptom: RPM flare on the 1-2 or 2-3 shift, slipping when accelerating, no downshift on the highway, and eventually no drive.
Likely causes
- Internal wear. DriveAccord owners say early 7th-gen V6 automatics (mainly 2003 to early 2005) would slip like a clutch pedal was pressed, then fail. Some got Honda goodwill replacements years ago.
- Fluid and pressure switch. For milder symptoms, owners recommend a series of Honda ATF drain-and-fills and replacing the 3rd gear pressure switch.
Rough cost range
| Repair | Reported |
|---|---|
| Replacement transmission (CarComplaints owner reports, 2003) | Over $2,000, with one dealer quote of $4,800 |
DIY or shop?
Fluid and pressure switch are DIY. A rebuild or replacement is a shop job.
Useful steps
- Check the fluid level and condition.
- Do drain-and-fills with genuine Honda ATF.
- Get a transmission shop diagnosis if it flares or slips.
Vehicle focus: 2003–2007 Honda Accord.
Safety / mechanic note
A transmission that slips or drops out of gear in traffic is dangerous. Verify with a mechanic or dealer.
Maintenance schedule for the Honda Accord
Recalls & service bulletins
No recalls or service bulletins are listed for this page yet.
NHTSA complaints: 1,550 keyword-matched complaints for Honda ACCORD 2003–2007 (of 4,665 unique complaints queried, NHTSA complaints API by model year, queried 2026-10-15).
Always check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Sources
What actually fixed it?
Had this problem? Tell other owners what the real fix was. Reports are counted above; we never show made-up numbers.