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.

9.9

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
167 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 accessories - exterior problems

accessories - exterior problem

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2004 Honda Accord Owner Comments

problem #3

Oct 052004

Accord 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

While driving 15 mph passenger's rearview mirror exploded. Vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the mirror needed to be replaced. The dealer was not interested in the incident and ordered no parts for the consumer.

- New Hyde Park, NY, USA

problem #2

Aug 032004

Accord 6-cyl

  • miles
Defective windshield. After driving the vehicle a few hundred miles after it was purchased, the consumer noticed that the windshield seemed to be distorted. The vehicle was returned to the dealer who agreed that something was wrong. A new windshield was installed and that one was also distorted. In total five replacement windshield were ordered but they all had the same defect. The consumer contacted the manufacturer who provided not furthger assistance. The driver's side exterior mirror was also distorted.

- Mishawaka, IN, USA

problem #1

Dec 222003

Accord 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 500 miles
Passenger side mirror slipped off while driving. Housing was secure but double sided tape holding mirror failed. Been to dealer twice with no satisfaction. Safety issue.

- Pasadena, CA, USA

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