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:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
6,154 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.
I bought a new Honda Accord LX in may of 2004. As the brakes wore down they began to have a surge type of problem and make a grinding noise once in a while. When I replaced the brake pads I found that one of the pads was close to being worn out on one side of the rotor and the other was like new, on both left and front rotors. After I replaced them, everything seemed to be fine until after they had worn about 25,000 miles. Now they have about 45,00 miles on them. Now they are doing it again except the surge problem is much worse this time and the steering wheel will shake violently sometimes if I put the brakes on hard. Sometimes the problem seems to be minor and sometimes it is really bad. I ask the Honda people about it and they want money to put it on the rack to look at it; something I don't have a lot of. Hope this will be of help to someone else.
I went to Honda dealership for routine maintenance on car. The mechanic came out and told me my rear brakes were nearly worn out and needed to be replaced. The car had 20,959 actual miles on these brakes. I had them replaced at my expense even though I felt this was highly unusual. Now my front rotors are giving me problems at 23,000 miles. The car jerks when the brakes are applied at highway speeds. I called Honda.....was told they hadn't had any problems or complaints, but I see same problem posted on this site.
The contact owns a 2004 Honda Accord. While driving 30 mph, the brake pedal went to the floorboard when depressed and the vehicle pulled to the right. The contact stated that the ABS engaged. The dealer was unable to diagnose the cause of failure. He felt that the bypass valve on the ABS modulator caused the failure. The dealer re-inspected the vehicle and replaced the ABS modulator. Approximately two years later, the failure recurred. As of August 7, 2007, the dealer has not repaired the vehicle. The failure mileage was 15,000 and current mileage was 57,500. Updated 01-15-08. The consumer stated 2 ABS modulators have been replaced and 2 master cylinders replaced by the dealer. The failure started with a soft brake pedal and over time it became worse. When the problem occurred, the vehicle would pull hard to one side and/or the ABS modulator would activate when braking power was established. Updated 12/12/07
While I was taking an exit of the highway (traveling about 30-35 mph), gradually applying the brakes, the vehicle's brakes all of the sudden were locked up and the car was out of control. It spun around, steering was locked and engine was cut off. Fortunately, there we're no cars behind me and damage was minimal. Only the rear bumper was hit by the guard rail on the ramp. Took the vehicle to the Honda service center. They did not find any fault in the vehicle. However, I have noticed one thing after I got the vehicle back from the shop - fuel efficiency went up. When I purchase the vehicle, it was averaging about 32-33 mpg. But in pass three to four months the average as about 28 mpg. Initially though was that fuel efficiency was low because of warm weather and A/C turned on. Interestingly, the fuel efficiency went up to 32-33 mpg after I got the vehicle back from the shop. The A/C's on and the driving environment have not change. Fuel efficiency has been consistence for laser few fill-ups.
Problem with excessive brake grabbing since purchase of vehicle on 05/29/2004. Discussed with tameron Honda service many times since purchase and it seems everone (sales and service) knows of this problem, but Honda has not done something to correct the potentially deadly problem.
- Calera, AL, USA
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The steering wheel started jerking uncontrollably while driving, the consumer was unable to maintain control of the vehicle. The driver applied the brakes, but the pedal went to the floor. The vehicle crashed into a parked vehicle and it flipped over. The air bags did not deploy. The insurance company repaired the vehicle.
Consumer stated that she is afraid that she will have an accident with her vehicle. She states that when she stops her vehicle at a stop light/sign, she has to hold the brakes down extremely hard.
Brakes have been dangerously sensitive (grab) since day I bought the car. They can grab very dangerously, causing passengers to lurch forward in the car. Honda service says this is a problem with all 2004 Accord and there is nothing that can be done.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Pearl, MS, USA