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:
6 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
5 / 0
Average Mileage:
105,842 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.
When I attempted to shift the vehicle out of park and into gear the silver gear shift knob broke off. I super glued it back together in order to shift gears to go to store to get new part. It later fell off again and multiple pieces came out of the opening. The gear shift knob broke into about 7 to 10 pieces. Had to stick my finger into opening in order to push the shift mechanism down to get it out of park. Spoke to local Honda dealership and they reported they keep those parts in stock from about 03 to 05 because for some reason alot of those are breaking. He was able to tell me that without looking up the part number.
I was driving on the highway and noticed that my RPM increased all of the sudden. After my RPM increased my vehicle started jerking and was not responding. The transmission started slipping into neutral. I managed to get home driving 10 mph. I have looked online and this is a major issues with these cars! Honda needs to recall these transmissions!
We experienced a transmission failure while driving on I-77 in West Virginia. The transmission all of a sudden began spewing transmission fluid, and started to slip whil driving up a hill. We had to frantically get out of the way of a tractor-trailer, but it was difficult because the transmission was slipping and the car had no power.
The contact owns a 2004 Honda Accord. The contact stated that the vehicle was inspected by the dealer and was told that the transmission needed to be replaced. The dealer did not inform the contact of what caused the failure. The contact found NHTSA recall campaign id number:04V176000 (power train) and was told by the manufacturer that the vehicle was not included. The VIN was not available. The failure and current mileage was 108,000.
The contact owns a 2004 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while accelerating from a complete stop, the transmission failed to operate upon engaging the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and a transmission center for diagnosis where both technicians stated that the transmission would need to be replaced. In 2004, the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign id number 04V176000 (power train). The vehicle had not been repaired for recent failure. The manufacturer was notified of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 136,000.
- Fishersville, VA, USA
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The car pulls when easing off gas or coming off brakes. Took the car to a mechanic and he stated there was a problem with the transmission internally. Called Honda home office and stated I was aware of problems they were having with the 1999 to 2005 models and they stated there was nothing they could do.
The car began driving rough in city driving, gradually becoming worse. Now it shudders and rattles at 30-40 mph. Several trips to the dealer ultimately resulting in diagnosis of transmission/torque converter failure. Fortunately it didn't just cut out at a dangerous time. Replacement cost is nearly the value of the vehicle.
The contact owns a 2004 Honda Accord. The contact started the ignition and the transmission shifted into drive independently, crashing into a parked, unoccupied vehicle. There was no personal injury. A police report was filed of the incident. The vehicle was driven to the contact's residence and was later taken to an independent mechanic for exterior body damage repairs. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was not notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 146,000.
The contact owns a 2004 Honda Accord. The contact stated that the transmission was replaced in 2007 because the gears were chipped and fractured within the transmission. The contact had the transmission replaced again in 2011 because the gears had dried, overheated and fractured within the transmission for the second time. Each time the vehicle was repaired, the manufacturer advised that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign id number: 04V176000 (power train) which dealt with the gears overheating and needing an oil cooler return line or replacement of the transmission. The failure mileage was 45,000.
Was driving on a highway at approximately 60mph when the vehicle would not accelerate but the RPM's would increase when the gas pedal was pressed. Appearing almost as if the vehicle was in neutral. I checked the shifter to make sure I was still in drive which it was. Tried to shift the gear to D3 and D2 however there was no change. While this was happening the speed of the vehicle was reduced to about 30 - 35mph when I was almost rear ended as it was during rush hour traffic. I was able to coast the vehicle to the side of the road, where a state trooper stopped to see if everything was ok. I placed the vehicle in park while speaking with the trooper. I attempted to place the vehicle in drive to try and get back onto the road however the vehicle did not engage and would not move forward. I placed the vehicle in reverse and it jerked backwards. I turned the vehicle off and immediately restarted it. I was able to place it in drive and get back on the highway until I reached 60mph and the problem started again. I again pulled over, turned off the vehicle, restarted it and would continue for a few miles until the vehicle acted up again. I had to repeat this process about 4 times until I got to the dealership where the vehicle now sits. It appeared that this wasn't a problem while I stayed under 60mph as when I hit local roads and the speed limit was 30mph the car did not act up.
I had a sudden fallen transmission problem while I was driving the car started jerking and loose speed due to the transmission not putting in the gears it got over heated fast and I was in traffic and had a stranger help me push it to the side and aaa towed it to my home then the next morning towed it to the dealer and the dealer said I need a new transmission after reading comments on motor trend.com Honda failed to send me a recall notice about my transmission. The 2004 accordv6 obviously have transmission defects and I want my transmission paid for from Honda im really upset and Honda Corp. Needs to pay for this.
I was driving on the interstate when all of a sudden I was no longer able to accelerate. The car jerked when I tried to accelerate or brake. I was able to steer it off onto the side of the road. After taking it in to get it looked at, I was told it is the transmission. According to several articles online and mechanic at the shop I took it too, 2004 Honda Accord are known for having weak transmissions. It was so unexpected and I take car of my car. I felt completely unsafe trying to get it off the interstate going 20 miles an hour as it jerked along and apparently people already know about this issue?? I have just had the car for a year now and bought it from a Honda dealership. Not a word was said to me about the issues with these models or safety recalls for several Honda models made in 2004 - but apparently not mine.
As I was driving the transmission (automatic, V6 Accord) kept slipping so although I was applying the gas the car was slowing down and not moving. So I had to turn the car off and then back on and it would move again for a little but and then the transmission would slip again and I would have to pull over and turn the car off and back on. I then had to have the car towed to a transmission shop for repairs. The transmission show replaced the transmission, so parts and labor came out to $1750.
As I am driving my vehicle gets stuck at 20 mph and the rpms go high (above 3,000-4,000). Then the rpms eventually go back down and the vehicle speeds up. I have 2 boys, a 2 year old and a 5 year old along with my wife. I am fearful for their safety. I researched that there was a recall in regards to the transmission over heating at 2nd gear from lack of lubrication but I never received a recall, or at least my dealership did not receive a recall notice. I am not in the best financial situation to have a transmission serviced, but I have kept up with all of the vehicle maintenance including the timing belt, water pump seals belts etc which were replaced not too long ago. I was hoping that the NHTSA could assist me with this urgent matter.
Transmission suddenly started slipping badly at 115K miles. The transmission was always slow to get into initial gear to begin with but I thought it was normal. At near highway speeds my RPM's shot up but the car was slowing down due to the transmission just slipping, it also down shifted wit ha jerk. A notorious issue with these years of Honda's! "working" now with american Honda and hoping for a helping hand as I'm just out of the certified warranty. Honda dealer quoted $6,040 to replace the transmission with a rebuilt. I bought a Honda to have it last, is 6K worth putting into a car worth $9,000 in great condition? please help Honda!!!!
On December 10th, 2012, transmission failed completely while commuting to work on mn 95. Barely avoided collision reaching safe shoulder area (winter conditions). Injured back pushing vehicle out of way of oncoming traffic. Transmission began whining upon cold start and slow in shifting at approximately 125,000. Attempted diagnosis at Honda dealership - failing transmission. Was told to contact Honda America regarding 2004 recall and 2006 settlement. No response to request for assistance from Honda America. Local transmission repair shop diagnosed slight slipping in 3rd and 4th gears, even when warmed up. Looked up technical service bulletins regarding 2004 recall repairs utilizing jet pack to increase transmission fluid flow (and pressure?). called Honda America and was told VIN indicated the problem had already been addressed during vehicle manufacture (2nd half of 2004) and recall for jet pack was not needed. Vehicle had to be towed and remanufactured transmission installed. Cost - $4,000 plus lost work. Despite 2004 recall, 2006 settlement and extended warranty (7yr/100K), Honda America refuses to assist. Have owned 6 Honda since 2000 (1998 Accord, 2000 civic, 2001 Accord, 2003 Odyssey, 2004 Accord and this 2004 Accord). Will now sell my repaired 2004 Accord and my 2003 Odyssey fast before its transmission fails and will have to seek another company that actually stands behind its products.
The car initially would stick with a brief pause when shifted from reverse to forward. Several days later while driving on the freeway the car suddenly began to slow between 30-40 miles an hour. In order to get home we had to turn off the car and then restart and coast. In an effort to Transport to our mechanic the car would not go in reverse and would not go into drive so we had to tow it in neutral to the shop. The mechanic was able to verify how the transmission fluid was black and smelled burnt. His prognosis was that I will need a new transmission. Within the past couple of months I had the car in the shop because of engine noise. It was thought to be the transmission and further diagnostics revealed the idler tensioner pulleys had to be replaced. At the time computer diagnostics revealed no problems with the transmission and the fluid was fine as well.
The contact owns a 2004 Honda Accord. The contact stated that the vehicle suddenly lost acceleration power and was unable to exceed 30 mph. The vehicle was not taken to a mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure and current mileage was 53,800.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Palm Harbor, FL, USA