CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2004 Honda Accord suffers from widespread transmission failure & problems with the stereo backlight failing. We recommend avoiding this model year like the plague.
The transmission begins slipping & eventually has to be replaced, typically soon after 90,000 miles & with a repair cost of over $2,000. Transmission failure has been a huge problem for the Accord & several other Honda models all through the early 2000s model years. Honda extended the transmission warranty to 93 months/109k miles for the 2000-2001 Accord as a class action lawsuit settlement, but owners of other Accord model years with transmission problems are out of luck.
The stereo backlight problem has been an issue ever since these Accords were only a few years old. Honda eventually issued a recall which covered the repair for 7 years/100k miles, which was nice while it lasted but now that period is over. Honda initially replaced the entire radio ($800) but eventually began replacing just the PCB which at ~$300 is much cheaper. That sounds like a deal, but keep in mind we're talking about a backlight bulb that costs $2 to fix in most other cars.
6.7
fairly significant
Typical Repair Cost:
$280
Average Mileage:
71,700 miles
Total Complaints:
68 complaints
Most Common Solutions:
not sure (32 reports)
call American Honda (1-800-999-1009), ask for goodwill repair (11 reports)
Honda Radio 03 04 Accord Display Dim Screen Repair Fix - Honda Radio 03 04 Accord Display Dim Screen Repair fix
This problem is very common for this type of vehicle.
It is going to cost you lot of money (aprox. $300+) to replace the radio or to ask the dealership to fix it
Don't waste your money!!
I can bring your radio back to life!!
Your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed!!
The service is as cheap as $70!!
Honda Accord 03 04Dim Display Radio Repair - If you don't fill comfortable doing it yourself, please delegate this job to reliable people who's been doing this since 2005 with 100% money back guarantee. Links: http://jycomputerservices.com/2013/10/honda-radio-03-04-accord-display-dim-screen-repair-fix/
http://www.ebay.com/itm/121171250734?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1558.l2649
My screen also died. Had to "shop around" to find a dealer that would replace it under warranty. The dealer I bought the car at wouldn't replace it. After calling around, I found one that would. This is a known defect, and only affects 2003-2004. They changed CD player manufacturer for 2005.
Display went completely dark. Could only see the display very faintly in the bright sunlight. Car had <36K miles, but was 3 months beyond the 3-year warranty.
Googled and found the TSB was issued in July 2004 for this issue!
Honda service department charged me $50 to replace (they said it normally would be $1000), but I thought this was wrong since a TSB was issued and it was tough luck it went out 3 months after the warranty expired, so I called Honda corporate affairs and the Honda service department refunded my money.
Yesterday, the display in the radio went blank. The radio works fine, you can't see any of the displays for the radio/AC controls. Everything else works fine.
So far I'm the winner on lowest miles. My car only has 34,200 miles. I purchased the car in April of 2004. I'll post the outcome of the dealer visit later.
I thought I should post this to show that there are probably a lot more out there with the same problem. I checked all of the fuses and they are fine. I called the dealership and she told me to bring it in and that a fuse would not fix it. I asked if it would be covered under warranty. I did not get a straight answer.
Please issue a recall or a free service agreement for this problem. It's the right thing to do. One of the strong selling points for this car for us was the Stereo/HVAC display. Stand behing your design and fix it for free!
- Charles M.,
Fort Walton Beach, FL, US
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After only 45,000 miles on my car the dashboard's back light went out. I can't see view my radio/CD, ac system and clock. It is definitely annoying. I took in to the Honda dealer and the repair people will charge $95.00 just to see what the problem is. The cost will be applied to the charge of the repair if I choose to fix it at the time. Otherwise I am out $95.00 what a rip off. I am very disappointed!!!
Recently purchased this vehicle from a used car sale and discovered that the back light on the stereo was not working. The LED can only be viewed in the daylight or when the interior lights are shining on the display. I have no access to a clock, or any stereo controls. I suspected it was a blown fuse or something minor until I did some research on the web and discovered this was a $900 problem. I got a pretty good deal on the rig so I may just have to live with it. I did want to make sure that people know this is an issue on the 2004 Honda Accord LX which is excluded from the Service Bulletin 04-027
Radio and heater/ac controls all go dark. Everything works, you just can't see any channels, time, temp settings or anything else the display shows. You can see it's there when bright sunlight is directly on it. I've read forums and it's a know problem with American Honda. Service bulletin 04-027 and it says at the top "Audio - HVAC Display Module." The number for American Honda is 1-800-999-1009. Sounds like some people are getting good service from their dealers and they are just replacing it... others not so lucky. The price is around $1000 to replace the whole radio! HONDA NEEDS TO ISSUE A RECALL!!
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
My screen also died. Had to "shop around" to find a dealer that would replace it under warranty. The dealer I bought the car at wouldn't replace it. After calling around, I found one that would. This is a known defect, and only affects 2003-2004. They changed CD player manufacturer for 2005.
- claudes, Brampton, Ontario, Canada