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 / 5
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 1
Average Mileage:
83,216 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 electrical problems

electrical problem

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2004 Honda Accord Owner Comments (Page 2 of 6)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #97

May 132015

Accord

  • miles

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

While driving the vehicle at night, I experienced a spontaneous total electrical failure when switching the dash control which powers the digital thermometer/odometer control. This effected headlights, steering and braking, as if the car was turned completely off, but I was able to coast toward the road shoulder.

- Avon, CT, USA

problem #96

Apr 272015

Accord

  • 134,000 miles
This reported issue is not specific to my 2004 Honda Accord, but applies to many vehicles. On almost a weekly basis, I see people driving their cars at night on freeways and city streets without their lights on, posing a danger to other motorists who might not see them. I believe the cause of this can be solved simply: Change the light switch to not illuminate the dashboard unless the lights are on. My car always has its dashboard illuminated, regardless of whether the lights are on or not. There is a small "idiot light" of a green headlight when the lights are on, but it hardly noticeable. If instead the car's dashboard would be dark when the lights aren't on (like in 25+ year-old cars), I believe most drivers would be much less likely to forget to turn their lights on -- do you agree?

- Milpitas, CA, USA

problem #95

Mar 312015

Accord

  • 97,264 miles
Honda Accord was at a complete stop when rear ended by another vehicle. The air bag sensor did come on but the air bag did not deploy. The air bag sensor remains on after impact.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #94

Mar 262015

Accord 4-cyl

  • 118,000 miles

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

Battery light continually flickers intermittently. When the battery light flickers, my headlights get very dim, my A/C fans fluctuate in speed, and my aftermarket stereo amplifiers (2) cut out. When it first happened, I immediately took my vehicle to an auto parts store where they tested the battery, starter, and alternator. Battery had a dead cell but was still holding a charge. Starter and alternator tested ok. I bought a new battery on the spot. That did not correct the problem. I have brought the vehicle to get checked at multiple auto parts stores and the auto repair shop. No one can find anything wrong. Every day seems to get a little worse. It has gotten to the point where the battery light is always on and the car loses power intermittently along with all of the other symptoms I have already listed.

- Merritt Island, FL, USA

problem #93

Feb 122015

Accord 6-cyl

  • 198,000 miles
The display where the heater and radio is does not light up, we just purchased this veh 2/12/15... I tried to drive it last night and it's a safety issue after dark, U can't see to turn knobs/buttons or any thing to do w/the heater....U have to turn overhead done lights on to see the buttons, it's very dangerous.

- Pomeroy , OH, USA

problem #92

Feb 102015

Accord

  • 143,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Honda Accord. While driving 60 mph, the instrument panel lighting failed to illuminate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that the circuit board needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 143,000. The VIN was not available.

- Pinehurst, GA, USA

problem #91

Feb 042015

Accord

  • miles

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

The contact owns a 2004 Honda Accord. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable.

- Wichita , KS, USA

problem #90

Oct 072013

Accord 4-cyl

  • 100,000 miles
Another death could be avoided, this car was recalled in 2014 too late for ea domination of the car, and now after speaking with attorneys again the air bars are involved. Our son was so evict rated that there was nothing to do, pronounced dead at the scene. Emt's were helpless, he lost his face and his chest. No protection from this vehicle, pleas notify others. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Vineyard Haven , MA, USA

problem #89

Dec 292014

Accord 6-cyl

  • 57,000 miles
I got back in my car in the parking lot at wal-mart and the center console display is no longer lighted. This is a safety concern because if the windows fog up and it is dark, you cannot see the buttons. The center of the car that should be lighted is completely dark. Honda dealer where I bought the car wants to charge $115 for a diagnostic test. I read where the warranty for this was extended to 7 years or 100,000 miles. My car should be covered, but the Honda dealer says no.

- Loganville, GA, USA

problem #88

Nov 202014

Accord

  • miles
I was driving my normal route and coming up on my right turn. The dashboard lights and all interior lights of my car went black and I was unable to steer my car. Within seconds I tried to brake. My pedal went directly to the floor and my brakes never engaged. I had no steering and no brakes going 55mph (forcing me through a red light). I was T-boned by a SUV at 60mph (no skid marks for either of us)- a full impact crash. My side of the car was destroyed, my car sent spinning into and taking out a pole, and then my car spun down an embankment. The next thing I remember is being cut out of my car and then nothing past that. I spent the next 5-6 days at 2 different hospitals. I suffered lung/heart/body trauma (especially due to airbag and seatbelt) and a major concussion. Wherever the airbag hit and seatbelt lay- I'm a rainbow of colors. I am looking at a lengthy recovery and unable to return to work for a few weeks, unable to take college finals, nor can I return to college next semester due to heart trauma. My husband and I had moments of brake and steering problems sporadically/occasionally in the last few months. Each time we took in our car we were told "we can't find any problems". and the notorious: "there are no recalls for your brakes". we have four children and this incident has affected each of us.

- Sonora, CA, USA

problem #87

Oct 202014

Accord 6-cyl

  • 66,000 miles

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

Hi, the Honda knock sensor harness wire is made with low-grade material, which is getting snapped or cut due to engine heat or attracting vermin as per blogs dirveaccord.net, odyclub.com as being soya based. The part number for Accord V6: P/N 30531-rca-A00 H/C 7134133 or Odyssey, Pilot: P/N 30531-P8F-A00 H/C 5878327. This wire cost is $5-$6 but it takes about $600 to $700 to replace in local dealership with engine malfunction happening with P0325 code which indicates knock sensor malfunction. The sensor failing suddenly with out warning is causing untold hard ships to all the Honda owners and its needs to be fixed immediately to avoid severe engine damage and over heating. So I am requesting NHTSA to investigate and request Honda to issue an recall of this small 3inch wire and avoid headaches to the common people. I also see lot of people with Acura, Honda Accord, ody have reported with Honda of this problem from year 2004 and find below is a copy of the letter from a blog. That it was reported with Sept 10,2004 with case no B012004-09-07011 to american Honda motor co.,1919 torrance blvd.,torrance, ca 90501 acurazine.com/forums/problems-fixes-114/knock-sensor-chewed-mouse-mice-eating-wires-mouse-ate-my-TL-merged-threads-554357/ the url is: www.Acura-TL.com/forums/showt...2&page=1&pp=25.

- Springfield, VA, USA

problem #86

Feb 012011

Accord 4-cyl

  • 62,000 miles
My vehicle allows me to remove the key with it not in park. I know that this was a recall on 2003 Honda Accord but not 2004. I don't understand why this can happen. It will cost me upwards of $700 to fix a defect. It has been doing this behavior since I bought the vehicle back in 2011.

- Annapolis, MD, USA

problem #85

Feb 172014

Accord 4-cyl

  • 109,000 miles
The display for the climate control and radio light went out making it impossible to see what is happening as far as defrost and heat ext.. this is a safety issue as it is impossible to see what is going on with the climate control system, and out of the windshield. This needs to be a safety recall for this reason.

- North Stonington, CT, USA

problem #84

Jun 022014

Accord

  • miles
2004 Honda Accord. Consumer requests a vehicle recall for faulty radio wiring. The consumer stated a year ago, she began having problems with the radio. It would make a very loud pop and then go off. The audio would disappear, but the radio was still on. At times, there was a popping and hissing sound. The radio issue, occurred on an intermittent basis.

- Eagan, MN, USA

problem #83

Feb 022009

Accord

  • 40,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while driving 60 mph, the low beam, high beam and fog lights became dim. The failure was recurring and the instrument panel and radio lighting would also sporadically fail. The vehicle was taken to a repair shop where it was indicated that the eld device in the fuse box needed to be replaced. The vehicle was also taken to an authorized dealer, who diagnosed that the fuse box needed to be replaced. The vehicle was to be inspected and repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 40000.

- Gastonia, NC, USA

problem #82

Apr 172014

Accord 4-cyl

  • 128,498 miles
I have noticed that when I try to turn on car there is a lost in connection and car won't turn on I have to turn the steering wheel in order for car to finally turn on. I think there is a problem with the ignition switch. I have done research and seems like other Honda owners have had the same problem. I'm just afraid that car will stop in the road while I'm driving.

- Lawrence, MA, USA

problem #81

Nov 052013

Accord

  • 159,000 miles
The radio and gear shift lights do not illuminate at all. Cd player ejects cd's immediately upon insertion of disc does not play at all.

- Fayetteville, NC, USA

problem #80

Apr 122012

Accord 6-cyl

  • 94 miles
First, I called approximately two weeks ago and filed a complaint over the telephone. The man I talked to said he would follow up with an email to me, which he never did. He also said I would receive something by mail, which I never did. My name is [xxx] I would like to know what happened to that complaint" in short: My 2004 Honda Accord's transmission failed at 94K. Honda said my VIN was not part of the recall. Who did Honda make a deal with? I had to pay to have the trans rebuilt. Now going high speeds for long distances the dash board lights up, the D light blinks, the triangle comes on, the engine light comes on. Once the car cools down most lights go off and after 3 cycles, the engine light goes off. Auto zone came up with some P code that it was a sensor. The trans guy replaced it., I am still getting dashboard lights and this time I lost the speedometer. Someone said the trans is overheating. But then why the P code that it is a sensor electrical problem? if Honda is having such a big problem with this why isn't the highway safety commission getting involved? why doesn't everyone write to them and make a complaint? why aren't you getting involved with this issue? Honda put a bad product in their cars and the consumers are suffering. In 1970S Chevy put a small trans in a mid size car with plastic parts. After 3 transmissions and a trip to court the judge ordered they put a bigger trans in my car. Is this the same thing? this is a very serious problem with Honda and their transmissions and I would like to know why the consumers are getting the raw deal on this? the Honda dealership said they don't know anything about this problem" how can that be when there are so many complaints! information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Elmwood Pk, NJ, USA

problem #79

Jun 122013

Accord 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 51,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while driving 55 mph, the air bag light warning illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was not taken to the dealer for inspection. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 51,000. Updated 08/20/13 the consumer stated when he put his seat belt on, the air bag light went out. While the vehicle was running, he un-latched the seat belt, the air bag light illuminated and stayed on, after he put the seat belt on. Updated 08/22/13

- Hubbard, OH, USA

problem #78

Jul 102013

Accord 6-cyl

  • 102,000 miles
I received a recall notice for my 2004 Honda Accord. I work very long days and have very little time to get this recall completed. The problem is that the closest authorized Honda dealer is 70 miles away. This makes getting the work done very difficult. My complaint is that there should be circumstances that Honda allows others to fix these issues. Now, I may never be able to get this fixed and who knows what may happen to me or my car if that is the case...

- Alexandria, MN, USA

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