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:
0 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
26,116 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.
(1) & (2) red safety restraint system (SRS) light sporadically light on dash, within one month SRS light consistently on. Dealer discovered broken ground wire under driver's seat. The purpose of the ground wire is solely to transmit information from the seat belt to the SRS. (3) dealer repaired the broken wire and charged me $112.25. My request is for a refund in the amount of $112.25 because the repair as solely a safety repair and the diagnositc fee should not have been charged.
While driving at 35 mph consumer smelled an odor of smoke. After pulling off to the side of the road consumer went to open the hood and was unable to to do so because the vehicle was consumed with flames.
While driving vehicle caught on fire. There was no warning. Vehicle was towed to the dealer, where a technician found that a piece of insulation started the fire. Manufacturer stated they will make only the repairs necessary.
- Wynnewood, PA, USA
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Prior Lake, MN, USA