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.
10.0
really awful
Crashes / Fires:
6 / 5
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 1
Average Mileage:
83,933 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
Car just shut off when I stepped on the brake. Had to restart the car and it ran fine until I hit the brakes again. Now it shuts off or stalls whenever I use the brakes, turn signals, head lights, and high beam lights. Check engine light will flash rapidly and go out sometimes.
Light for instrument panel display quit working, making it impossible to read climate controls, defrosts, radio etc. This creates a safety hazard when needing to control these functions while driving.
Vehicle air conditioner drain hose improperly installed by factory, causing excessive water build up in A/C reservoir. Water drained onto vehicle ECU, causing corrosion. Engine started running poorly, followed by failure of ECU to recognize valid keys. Vehicle would not start and had to be towed. Problem could have easily cause stalling in interstate traffic. Internet searches show this to be a common problem due to the design and placement of the ac unit directly over the unprotected ECU.
The contact owns a 2004 Honda Accord. The contact stated that the vehicle would stall sporadically and without warning. The contact stated that the instrument panel would illuminate as the failure occurred. The contact took the vehicle to a mechanic and was told that the ignition switch needed to be replaced. The failure mileage was unknown, but the current mileage was 114,000.
The contact owns a 2004 Honda Accord. The contact stated the instrument panel lighting would not illuminate. All of the gauges were operable but the lighting would not illuminate when driving the vehicle at night. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was 250,000.
- Palm Bay , FL, USA
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
Low beam headlights wont work, systemic problem with Honda Motors 2003-2004 product line, many Pilot and civics recalled but not Accord. Must use same parts and engineering.
My 2004 Honda Accord had an engine fire caused by a defective high pressure power steering hose. The hose sprung a leak, spraying power steering fluid onto the engine, which caught fire. This defect is already the subject of NHTSA recall 12V-222, but inactivity and foot-dragging on Honda's part has caused this otherwise avoidable safety incident.
The contact owns a 2004 Honda Accord ex. The contact stated that the lights on the radio and cd audio had become inoperable. The dealer was not notified of the issue. The manufacturer was also not notified. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 131,000.
Light display went out that controls radio and HVAC components 2 years ago. Dark at night when driving and when the windows get fogged up you can not see the switch to turn on defrost because the printed circuit board has stopped working, so it requires you to turn on interior light to find the defrost button, this is very dangerous while driving at night. After researching last night I found Honda extended the warranty on this until 2011 or 100,000. So I called Honda and I was told I'm past the warranty it's whichever comes first (I never received a letter from Honda or it would have went in to get fixed) this in my opinion should be covered by the dealer as it could cause a fatality with someone fumbling with the interior lights just to get the defrost buttons on.
The lcd radio display went dark. Everything works but no dashboard information. This is a well documented problem and Honda issued a warranty extension. This should be a recall.
The passenger window began rolling up and staying up all on its own, at anytime it wanted. It would return to normal working order after I restarted the car. Then one day- it rolled down, and would not work again. I found out I could override with the keys to roll up. But id have to window lock to stay. Then one day we smell burning- we traced it to the door- and the override no longer works. Now the driver window is beginning to do the same behavior. So far I've replaced driver switch= $325 --quote for motor= 400.00--I know it will need the switch too... that is over $1000 just to get the window up"?" that is absurd!
The contact owns a 2004 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while traveling 25 mph, the radio lights failed to illuminate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who confirmed that the fuse in the circuit board needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 103,502 and the current mileage was 103,705.
I was driving on the freeway with rain, and the whole front panel (where the stereo, A/C, emergency light, went off. As I was tryng to find the emergency light( cause I was going slow in the rain and fix the temp. To clear de window I almost crash with another car. This shoul be taken more serious. I called and Honda said I was out of warranty. Ive been going to the dealer and they want me to pay almost a $1000, I called Honda customer service and they insist I ve benn out of warranty.this afect the concentration and visibility on the car.I've been reading and its a common problem on this model.
The contact owns a 2004 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while driving during the evening, he was unable to see the climate control panel. The climate control panel failed without any previous warning. The vehicle was not taken to dealer or repair shop for inspection or repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure; however no assistance was provided. The failure and current mileages were 170,000.
I had been driving 10 min. (70mph) on the interstate when I went to pass another motorist as soon as I turned on my blinker the car started to shutdown. After several minutes I discovered that when I applied the brakes the car would also make an sudden jerk and begin to shutdown. The car would drive completely normal as long as you did not activate either the blinkers or the brakes. I tried several other electrical accessories and none of them seemed to effect the car. After driving for several hours we exited the interstate and put the car in neutral after engaging the brake for several seconds the car died. When I took my foot off the brake it immediately restarted and the problem stopped.
The transmission is fail according to Honda dealer inspection, Honda dealer does not take any responsability of the transmission problem neither the Honda manufacturer. Air condition does not cool on even it was repaired once but it still does not work.
Climate control display and lighting goes out(also radio display) which makes it impossible to turn on defoggers or other items at night when driving well known defect that should cause a total recall.
Major electrical problems began about 2 years ago. Radio display won't light, but radio/cd still plays; air conditioner cools intermittently, though compressor is working and freon is adequate; tail lights sometimes work, sometimes don't; ignition switch makes a noise as though the engine was already started when I turned the key, even though it wasn't - eventually the ignition switch had to be replaced (problem still occurs from time to time); brake calipers have always pulsed no matter how slow I come to a stop; and airbag light comes on for no apparent reason as there is not hindrance to the sensor switch mechanism below the seats.
The display for the radio/ac is very dim. The radio still works but you can't see the display. This is a known problem for this type of vehicle. Honda needs to have a recall and fix this on all Accord.
My radio and A/C display went out. I have to turn on my interior lights at night to adjust the temperature in my car. It is extremely dangerous if my windows get foggy and I cannot fix it without pulling off of the road. This car needs to be recalled. I should not have to pay $1000 for a problem that all of these models are having.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Holly Springs, MS, USA