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Honda · Mid-Size · 2003–2007 Custom Search

Honda Accord 7(CM/CN)

Weaknesses, engine ratings and buying advice

★★★★★
3.7 / 5.0 · Based on 6 engine variants · How we rate
Most Fun Engine

240 PS

Accord · Benzin

The quiet sleeper

Fun to Drive!
Most Reliable Engine

140 PS

2.2L i-CTDi Diesel

4 weaknesses

Good Choice

Body Variants

The Honda Accord 7 is available as Sedan and Coupé — choose your body type for specific insurance data:

Generations

Engine Overview

The Honda Accord 7 is available with 3 engine variants — from 140 to 248 hp.

2.4L K24A8 i-VTEC · Petrol· 160 PS
2003 2007

Solid 2.4L four-cylinder from Ohio production. Reliable past 300k km with regular oil changes every 5k miles. Timing chain (no belt service needed). Main weaknesses: exhaust manifold cracks after 150k km and motor mount wear. Simple to maintain, cheap parts.

No known weaknesses documented.

3.0L J30A4 SOHC VTEC · Petrol· 240 PS
2003 2005

3.0L V6 without VCM, built in Ohio. Strong and smooth, 240 hp delivers solid performance. Timing belt service mandatory at 105k miles. Power steering hose is a recall item (fire risk). Paired with 5-speed automatic that was subject to recall for countershaft gear failures. If the transmission survives, the engine lasts a long time.

No known weaknesses documented.

3.0L J30A5 SOHC i-VTEC · Petrol· 244 PS
2006 2007

Revised J30A4 with i-VTEC for facelift 2006-2007 models. 244 hp. Same weaknesses as J30A4: timing belt service, power steering hose recall, 5-speed automatic risk.

No known weaknesses documented.

Vehicle Weaknesses

WeaknessCost
✖5-speed automatic countershaft failure (V6)

V6 models with BAYA 5-speed automatic suffer countershaft secondary gear failure from heat buildup. Recall 04V176000 (1.1M vehicles) plus 2012 expansion adding 573,000 more 2003-2007 V6 Accords. Transmission can lock up while driving.

Symptoms: Shift jerks, D4 light flashing, harsh engagement, eventually complete failure
from 150,000 km
Ad BAYA transmission Honda Accord V6countershaft 5-speed HondaMDLA BAYA automatic transmission
 High

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Known Problems and Issues +

A total of 21 weaknesses have been documented for the Honda Accord 7 (2003–2007) — 14 engine-related and 7 vehicle-related. Typical issues affect Gearbox, Other, Suspension, Brakes. Considered reliable: N22A (2.2L i-CTDi), K24A (2.4L i-VTEC).

Accord (K20A, 2002–2007) — Be Careful: Timing chain stretch from 140,000 km, VTC solenoid cold-start rattle, Oil consumption from worn valve stem seals. Power: 155 PS.

What to watch out for with the Honda Accord? See the detailed listing of all engine and vehicle weaknesses in the sections above.

Frequently Asked Questions

What problems and weaknesses does the Honda Accord 7 have? +
The Honda Accord 7 has 14 known engine weaknesses and 7 vehicle weaknesses.
What should I look for when buying a used Honda Accord 7? +
faq.watch_a_solid
Which engine is recommended? +
Good choice: N22A (2.2L i-CTDi), K24A (2.4L i-VTEC). The most reliable engine is the N22A (2.2L i-CTDi) with the lowest risk score. The most fun to drive is the J30A4 (3.0L J30A4 SOHC VTEC).
Which Honda Accord 7 engine is the most reliable? +
The {code} ({displacement}) is the most reliable engine in the Honda Accord 7. It has the lowest risk score of all available engines and is rated "Good Choice". However, there are 4 known weaknesses to be aware of.
Which Honda Accord 7 engine is the most fun? +
The {code} ({displacement}) offers the most driving fun in the Honda Accord 7 — rated: "Fun to Drive!". {description} 240 hp V6, six-speed manual, 3,300 lbs. Sidesteps the problematic automatic entirely. Sounded great, drove great, disappeared in traffic. Today an increasingly sought-after cult car.
Is the Honda Accord 7 worth buying used? +
The Honda Accord 7 is a good choice as a used car — 2 of 6 engine variants are rated 'Good Choice'.
What horsepower variants are available for the Honda Accord 7? +
The Honda Accord 7 is available with engine variants from 140 to 248 hp. Petrol: K20A (2.0L i-VTEC), K24A (2.4L i-VTEC), K24A8 (2.4L K24A8 i-VTEC), J30A4 (3.0L J30A4 SOHC VTEC), J30A5 (3.0L J30A5 SOHC i-VTEC). Diesel: N22A (2.2L i-CTDi).

Last updated: February 2026 · All information without guarantee