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.
for starters, never go to firestone for anything other than oil changes and such. i finally took it to Honda for them to tell me the condenser was clogged from something getting caught in there and it would be an addition $750 on top of the $100 i already spent for them to take it apart to tell me there was a problem. so, $500 later, still no a/c. i didn't know other people had an issue.
Last week I went to turn on my air and it started blowing hot air. I took it into to the Honda dealership and it looks like a rock hit the condenser, after reading all the complaints from 2003 Honda owners and their issues I was furious that Honda has not fixed this problem and is doing nothing about it.
I went to Honda and informed them of my Non functioning AC. They informed me that a pebble of some sort hit the condenser and caused a leak. And they tell me HONDA doesn't cover it. A new car and no AC. I wrote a letter to Honda and was given the runarround. WHAT CAN I Do NOW?
This is the 3rd time that my AC condenser has developed a hole in it due to what I would consider to be normal road debris. I have driven a Honda for nearly 20 years. I currently have 2 and I think I may have purchased my last one. I have read the numerous complaints from those owning the 2003 Accord, a similar style, and am in a quandary as to why Honda didn't do something to address this obvious design flaw.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
This is the second time the compressor has gone out in my accord. The transmission has failed twice as well. I will never buy another honda again.
- pilgrimtech, Louisville, KY, US