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.

8.1

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$3,700
Average Mileage:
108,300 miles
Total Complaints:
83 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. have the car repainted (52 reports)
  2. not sure (19 reports)
  3. repaint the entire car (7 reports)
  4. repaint (5 reports)
2004 Honda Accord body / paint problems

body / paint problem

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2004 Honda Accord Owner Comments (Page 2 of 5)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #63

Oct 012014

Accord EX-L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 150,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Worst is on the hood, once clear coat is gone then paint begins to fleck off

- pjtn, Nashville, TN, US

problem #62

Sep 012010

Accord V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles

click to see larger images

clear coat/paint peeling clear coat/paint peeling clear coat/paint peeling

There have been many recalls due to paint issues on Honda Civics and Odysseys but not on Accords. My 2004 Accord clearly has the same paint issue detailed in other recalls but my car is not covered. Escalated to Honda Customer Service and was told that my car is too old to receive consideration for "Good Will Assistance". I bought the car new and have taken the car in for all maintenance suggested by Honda. This car should be included under the recall. Very unhappy with Honda's inability to help cover the cost of a new paint job for the car.

- Scott B., Winter Park, FL, US

problem #61

Nov 152013

Accord EX 3.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 115,000 miles

This is really appalling! Our 2004 Honda has already cost me my Ford Pickup due to having to sell it to have the transmission replaced in the Honda that cost $3,400. Now, the paint is coming off and Honda says they have no paint problems and won't do anything about it! Well, I will! I will never own another one of these pieces of sh*t.........

Update from Sep 20, 2015: Have gotten a quote to have it repainted which will run $2,500. What a money pit!!!

- mshelton, Greeneville, TN, US

problem #60

Sep 132015

Accord EX-L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 113,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Paint is bad several people have same issues. Black car looks grey and silver now. Embarrassing to wash and wax it because of how it looks.

- Maurice R., Bel Air, MD, US

problem #59

Sep 012008

Accord EX 3.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 41,063 miles

I have a car that I paid $23,500 for and it looks like a piece of junk.

- valb22, Virginia Beach, VA, US

problem #58

Jun 082015

Accord EX V6

  • Manual transmission
  • 136,000 miles

Unbelievable!!!! I have owned several cars in the past, including Hondas, and I have never had any issues with the paint and clear coat until I purchased my 2004 Honda Accord EX.

It began as a small spot on the roof of my car where the clear coat started peeling off, and rapidly spread across the roof, onto the hood, the trunk, and even the small ledges on the doors just below the windows!!! How is it that I still have a '91 CRX Si with the original paint job and no issues, but an '04 Accord that looks like it is infected with a form of skin disease?!

This is absolutely ridiculous, and I am outraged that Honda has not issued any recalls on this! I am embarrassed to be seen in my car now, but I refuse to pay for a new paint job simply because Honda put out a faulty product! I know for a fact I am not the only one facing this issue, and it's about time Honda took some responsibility for it's poor quality paint and clear coat!

- Andrew S., Summerville, SC, US

problem #57

Jan 182012

Accord EX 4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 87,715 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

click to see larger images

clear coat/paint peeling clear coat/paint peeling clear coat/paint peeling clear coat/paint peeling clear coat/paint peeling clear coat/paint peeling

WE have ALWAYS owned Honda s (2 red , 2 green ones, 2silver, 1 blue) since 1980's - thus far. We've also never had any paint issues with previously owned Honda's. This is our 8th Honda (our first Black Honda). So I am very surprised that this one is having paint issues. It runs perfectly well, the interior is lovely -- so my question is WHAT HAPPENED to the paint?

I went in to my Honda dealership to find out what the trade value of this car is now as is (because of the paint) . I was sad to find out that It's value has drastically reduced due to the paint. It is about half of a Blue book value's lowest trade in estimate. At the dealership I was informed that some Civics were recalled due to paint issues. I researched to see if my Accord EX would have had a recall, and this led me to this site.

Pictures are of car as it is now. The problem started on top of the car- it seemed as if wax was coming off and it has been getting worse since 2012.

One reason we bought Honda's was because they retained their value so well.

Seems to me that if Honda wants to keep their customers returning to get more Honda's, they should do something about this issue.

- Rocio A., Canyon Country, CA, US

problem #56

Jan 012015

Accord LX 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 153,000 miles

Bought the car used in June 2012 with no paint problems. Kept the car washed and cleaned on a regular basis, but paint started peeling first of this year. Other than the paint, it is a solid car that gets great gas mileage and is very dependable.

- bmurphy7, Murphy, NC, US

problem #55

May 312014

Accord

  • Automatic transmission
  • 120,000 miles

Anybody have any suggestions? Will Honda cover any of the expense since quite evident that their primer failed?

- John T., Farmington, AR, US

problem #54

Apr 062010

Accord EX V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 125,000 miles

My Honda is in great running condition and in the inside like new. But the outside paint job is AWFUL l. My Red Honda looks like a clunker and I paid a lot for it. Looking at it it looks like I don't take care of it. The paint has blistered and peeling off on the roof and all over. I had a teal green 1989 Honda Accord for 14 years and the paint never peeled, blistered nothing like the red Honda. I think Honda should warranty a new paint job and not say its normal wear and tear when it is not. If you noticed there are a lot of red Honda's with this same problem.

It took me this long to file a complaint as I didn't know about this website.

- pbryant, Vacaville, CA, US

problem #53

Jan 232012

Accord LX V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 62,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

click to see larger images

clear coat/paint peeling clear coat/paint peeling clear coat/paint peeling clear coat/paint peeling

This is in regards to the paint problems. Garage kept, professionally washed, passionately maintained. This vehicle still managed to receive paint peelings and fading. I want my recall fixed!

- Albena P., Virginia Beach, VA, US

problem #52

Jul 172013

Accord EXL 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 146,000 miles

MY PAINT HAS BEEN FADING AND PEELING FOR TWO YEARS...I THINK THEY SHOULD FIX THIS AND REPAINT MY CAR!!!

- Judy M., Marshall, AR, US

problem #51

Oct 012014

Accord EX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 130,000 miles

Looks like a clunker. What bad advertising! We won't buy another.

- ellentx, San Antonio, TX, US

problem #50

Jun 112014

Accord LX 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 180,000 miles

I love my 04 Honda Accord but the paint and clear coat has and is peeling and fading. You would think as much as I paid for it that the paint would last longer. You would think that Honda would have a recall for the paint job. Honda's are built to last and the paint and clear coat should also last, but isn't. If there is any way to resolve this paint issue please someone contact me ASAP. If there is a Class Action Lawsuit for the paint on the Honda, please add my Honda to this list. I just want my Honda painted so it will look the way it drives.

- Elizabeth W., Hemingway, SC, US

problem #49

Nov 142014

Accord EX V6

  • Manual transmission
  • 101,956 miles

CLEAR COAT STARTED TO PEEL ON THE ROOF AND TRUNK AROUND 100,000. SEEMS LIKE JUST AFTER I SPENT OVER $1,000 FOR A NEW TIMING CHAIN AND WATER PUMP, $1,000 MORE FOR EXHAUST PROBLEMS AND STEERING PUMP. EACH TIME I WAS REMINDED HOW IT WAS WORTH PUTTING MONEY INTO THE 10 YEAR OLD CAR BECAUSE IT WOULD EASILY LAST ANOTHER 100,000 MILES.

WHEN I ASKED THE DEALER TO PUT IN A CLAIM, AND SHOWED HIM THE CLASS ACTION MATERIAL WITH A PICTURE OF MY EXACT MAKE AND MODEL, HE TOOK PICTURES AND "SENT IT IN TO CORPORATE". AFTER A COUPLE OF MONTHS I GOT A MESSAGE THAT FOR $2,200 THEY WOULD PAINT THE CAR. THIS IS THEIR DEFECT AND THEY EXPECT ME TO PAY FOR IT. IT IS JUST WRONG.

THEY ALSO ALLEGED THIS WAS A CIVIC PROBLEM. WELL IT WAS AND IN ONE MINUTE OF INTERNET SEARCH YOU WILL EASILY SEE IT IS MORE THAN THAT.

NOW THE TRADE IN VALUE WILL BE NOTHING. THE LOOKS OF THE CAR WILL BE RUINED. I WAS ROBBED OF MY INVESTMENT.

- Jack L., Natick, MA, US

problem #48

Jan 012014

Accord V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 140,000 miles

The clear coat on my 2004 Honda Accord is failing. Keep in mind this car has been in a garage from the time I bought it new, Jan 2004. When I went to the dealer where I bought it they immediately said "NO", not even a sorry!

When I went to get an estimate on a repaint, the auto body guy said he sees a lot of this on the Honda Accords and there was a class action suit. But the dealer had "NO" knowledge of it. Can I say "BULLSHIT!" Does anyone out there know about the class action suit or warranty on the seal coat failure?

- barbaraidaho, Nampa, ID, US

problem #47

Sep 172014

Accord EX V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 117,000 miles

Honda refuses to assist with what is apparently a known issue.

- Yale N., Woodbridge, VA, US

problem #46

Jan 012012

Accord LX V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 143,000 miles

Paint job has complely deteriated, even after years in the garage.

- Jon N., Tracy, CA, US

problem #45

Aug 012012

Accord V6

  • Manual transmission
  • 100,000 miles

I love my Honda but the paint is unsightly - I intend to keep my Honda another few years so I will have to pay out of pocket to fix the peeling paint that gets progressively worse. I've mentioned it to the dealer service technicians but the dealership hasn't offered to re-paint. I have not yet contacted Honda directly but will do so upon learning of the paint recall on Civics....presumably the paint is identical to what is on my Accord, why is this not under recall as well?

- Valerie O., Germantown, MD, US

problem #44

Jan 012012

Accord EX 4 Cl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 135,000 miles

A few years ago I noticed the paint on my roof was starting to chip off. It was a little hard to see with my car being silver but you could tell it was getting a dull color. Now fast forward a few years, my cars been in a garage or in a parking garage 90% of the time and now my roof is entirely peeled off and now has rust.

- Stephanie L., Manhattan Beach, CA, US

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