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.
Bought my 2004 Honda Accord new in June 2004. Replaced the rear brake pads at 42000 miles; front pads showed very little wear. Just recently replaced the rear pads at 68000 miles. Front pads are now showing about 50% wear. Have gotten no satisfaction from the dealer; he claims that what I am experiencing is normal wear. In a well engineered vehicle it is not normal to replace the rear pads twice while the front pads are only showing 50% wear. In a well engineered brake system the front pads should wear slightly faster than the rear pads. Sounds to me like the braking system is not balanced or calibrated properly. Others for both this year and other years of also complained about this problem. Honda has done nothing to rectify the problem. Hence, I will go back to Toyota or Ford for my future vehicles.
I own a 2004 Accord EX, which now has 33,700 miles on it. I purchased it new from the Tampa dealer with less than 150 miles ont it. It has only ever been serviced by the dealership; every 5000 miles, which is easier for me than the factory 7500 or the dealerships 3750. Each time it goes in for service with tire rotation, I request the brakes be inspected, due to the tremendous amount of brake vibration/shudder/pulsation in the front end and steering wheel at all speeds. Each time, they claim there is no problem; merely the ABS system at work. Well, at 33,700 miles the rear brake wear indicator is screeching like a Banshee. The dealership states, "70% of the front pads left, but 0% of the rear pads remain"... plus they recommend turning the front and rear rotors. WHAT?!?! How do the rear pads wear so much faster than the front brakes when the majority of the braking and weight of the car is caught by the front brakes.... dealership answer: normal wear and tear based on different drivers and driving patterns. HUH? I drive forward much more than I reverse. Obviously, after searching the web, I have found numerous comnplaints about the wear and tear brake issue with Honda. The dealership alleges it is Internet banter and discontent without any validity. Also, the dealership tells me they "don't know, who else has serviced this car." HINT: Only Tampa Honda dealer, since you see every 5,000 miles service. Ok, well, this is most likely my last Honda. I was considering the purchase of an Odyssey, but this Accord is not inexpensive to maintain. I have a Toyota 4Runner with 94,500 miles and the DEALER told me "50+% front brakes and 60+% rear brakes still." Even after I requested they change the pads, they declined.
I guess I will just follow the trend and file a BBB complaint. Might need a class action lawsuit to get this "affordable" and "economic" Honda, which it is not either, (just check out the cost of a 30k service), in line regarding their brake issues.
I cannot tell you how disappointed I am in Honda. We have had 6 hondas since 1992 and I have always sworn by them. I have a 2004 and a 2005 Accord - we have had front brakes done on the 04 with only 15K miles, then all 4 brakes done with less than 30K. We had front brakes on the 05 18 mos ago, and are now being told all 4 need to be done again. This is nuts. When we complained, we're told it's the new high performance brakes and 'typical normal wear'. That is crap Honda. I checked this site b/c we thought it might ID the problem was a new model year in 04-05 and the new cars are better. Imagine my dismay to find it's a problem all the way up through 2008. I need a new car. It will not be a Honda.
- Cynthia V.,
Pittsfield, MA, US
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Bought my 2004 Honda Accord new in June 2004. Replaced the rear brake pads at 42000 miles; front pads showed very little wear. Just recently replaced the rear pads at 68000 miles. Front pads are now showing about 50% wear. Have gotten no satisfaction from the dealer; he claims that what I am experiencing is normal wear. In a well engineered vehicle it is not normal to replace the rear pads twice while the front pads are only showing 50% wear. In a well engineered brake system the front pads should wear slightly faster than the rear pads. Sounds to me like the braking system is not balanced or calibrated properly. Others for both this year and other years of also complained about this problem. Honda has done nothing to rectify the problem. Hence, I will go back to Toyota or Ford for my future vehicles.
- Lee H., Eau Claire, WI, US