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.

7.6

pretty bad
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
6,386 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.

2004 Honda Accord electrical problems

electrical problem

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2004 Honda Accord Owner Comments

problem #6

Sep 062004

Accord 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 24,590 miles

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

I got out the driveway and made a right turn. The ignition key jump out of the ignition key hole and broke the key handle ( plastic with remote doors/trunk opening. The car stalled and stop. I put the key ( the metal part) in but the engine did not start. I tried super glue the metal and plastic back together and turn the ignition key. The engine was on normal. I took the key out, and tried to turn it with the metal part again. The car did not start. I did not realize the serious of the problem until I read the worcester telegram gazette ( Saturday 8/13/05) and found the Honda Acura rsx has the same problem to other and it locked him three times. I may get kill if the key jump out of the ignition and stall on the highway. Please alert Honda about these problems: Could be bad ignition lock, shift interlock mechanism, or steering column or the anti-theft. Please help and investigate this serious safety device.

- Worcester, MA, USA

problem #5

May 282004

Accord 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
I have a 2004 ex V-6 Accord coupe. I have had the vehicle in the shop numerous times. I had the car for 1 week it had 175 miles on it and the check engine light came on. All six pistons were misfiring. I have had the car in 3 times now for excessive noise on the drivers side window. The dealership fixed it once and told me that some noise is normal.. (my 76 Honda civic doesn't even make as much noise as this car does) the check engine light comes on and blinks and goes off has done this numerous times. Dealership resets it and says that it is ok. I have also had the car in 2 times because it won't start. Dealership says to turn key to first click to let the fuel injection lines fill with fuel. It doesn't work. I am taking it back to the dealership once again tomorrow because the trunk doesn't latch correctly.. what a dissappointment this car has been and its not even a year old.. I will never buy another Honda again. The quality has gone severely down hill.

- Yuba City, CA, USA

problem #4

Nov 012004

Accord

  • miles
Numerous problems, braking system, transmission, problem starting the car. Recall notice for a part to be changed in the transmission. Campaign id number : 04V176000 gear failure could result in transmission lockup, which could result in a crash. The consumer stated that underneath the car sounds like it going to fall apart. The vehicle sways while being driven.

- Bronxville, NY, USA

problem #3

Dec 052004

Accord 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 4,525 miles

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

2004 Honda Accord LX 4 cyl. Automatic 4 door 4533 miles ey will not come out of the iginition. This has happened four times. Each time I called the dealership to inform them of this event. I was told to bring it in, but they need to see the key not come out of the car to diagnose the problem. If it came out then bring it in the next time you have the problem. Each time I was successful with key removal after about 20 minutes of play. I would be able to turn the car off and on. I would drive around, come back park, play with key, giggle key up and down, side to side, and still not be able to get my key out. I made sure that I was in park, back up go forward, and park, pull up E-brake. I risked my car being stolen because I couldn't get the key out at 11:30pm on 12/5/2004. I put my jacket over my wheel to cover it up and locked the car with my spare key. I took it into the dealership, and after 24 hours of being stuck- it came out in the service drive. Honda has had 12 complaints up to date. No recall has been formatted, nor has there been a successful solution to fix this problem.

- Temecula, CA, USA

problem #2

Sep 052004

Accord 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 9,000 miles
Could not start car on 2 occasions months apart. Originally thought steering wheel was locked hard against switch. This time switch easily turned but car seemed to have dead battery. Both times no further indication of battery problems.

- Ft. Lauderdale, FL, USA

problem #1

Jan 272004

Accord 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 200 miles
My 2004 Honda Accord ex V6 occasionally has issues starting. My Honda only has 1600 miles on it. It acts as if it's flooded; everytime I've had to remove the key and try again. I had the same exact issue (along with many others) with my 2003 Honda Accord ex V6 -- so many that the dealer bought the vehicle back from me (before I could lemon law it) and put me in the 2004 -- because "Honda's are good cars".

- Brandon, FL, USA

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