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:
29 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
27 / 1
Average Mileage:
78,272 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 seat belts / air bags problems

seat belts / air bags problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2004 Honda Accord:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2004 Honda Accord Owner Comments (Page 9 of 10)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #31

Aug 172012

Accord 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 84,000 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 air bag warning light illuminated. The contact was alerted to a recall under NHTSA campaign id number: 07V001000 (air bags:frontal:sensor/control module) and the dealer was notified but informed the contact that his VIN was not included in the recall campaign. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 84,000. Updated 11/14/12 updated 11/15/12

- Hesperia, CA, USA

problem #30

Sep 042012

Accord

  • 68,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Honda Accord. The contact stated that the air bag sensor light remained illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to have a diagnostic performed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and denied assistance with the repair because the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign id number: 07V001000 (air bags: Frontal: Sensor/control module) the vehicle was not repaired. The failure and he current mileage was 68,000.

- Highland Mills, NY, USA

problem #29

Jun 012011

Accord 4-cyl

  • 127,000 miles
Major electrical problems began about 2 years ago. Radio display won't light, but radio/cd still plays; air conditioner cools intermittently, though compressor is working and freon is adequate; tail lights sometimes work, sometimes don't; ignition switch makes a noise as though the engine was already started when I turned the key, even though it wasn't - eventually the ignition switch had to be replaced (problem still occurs from time to time); brake calipers have always pulsed no matter how slow I come to a stop; and airbag light comes on for no apparent reason as there is not hindrance to the sensor switch mechanism below the seats.

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

problem #28

Mar 152012

Accord

  • 150,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2004 Honda Accord. While parked, the air bag warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic. There was a recall under NHTSA campaign id number: 07V001000 (air bags: Frontal: Sensor/control module) that could have been related to the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.

- Smithtown, NY, USA

problem #27

Apr 092012

Accord

  • 97,000 miles
The contact owned a 2004 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while driving 30 mph, the proceeding vehicle stopped and she crashed into it. The front driver's air bag did not deploy during the crash. The contact suffered injuries to the chest. The police department was notified. The manufacturer took a complaint. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure and current mileages were 97,000.

- Alexandria , VA, USA

problem #26

Jan 052012

Accord

  • 55,000 miles
The air bag warning indicator is illuminated spontaneously regardless if the vehicle was in motion or at start-up and whether the front passenger seat was occupied or unoccupied. The recall 07V001000 (air bags: Frontal: Sensor/control module) does not include my VIN.

- Germantwon, MD, USA

problem #25

Nov 012011

Accord

  • 83,000 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 air bag warning light illuminated intermittently. The dealer had not been notified. The manufacturer was aware of the failure but did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was no longer under warranty and was not associated with any recalls. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic who informed the contact that there was an open circuit within the air bag system that needed to be replaced. No repairs were performed. The current mileage was 89,000 and the failure mileage was 83,000.

- Rosedale, NY, USA

problem #24

Dec 192011

Accord

  • 120,194 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the driver side air bag deployed inadvertently. The contact sustained injuries as a result of the deployment. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to have the vehicle towed to the dealer. The vehicle was not towed, diagnosed for the failure or repaired. 120,194.

- Encinitas, CA, USA

problem #23

Dec 182011

Accord 4-cyl

  • 120,194 miles
My 2004 Honda Accord had been left parked overnight on our driveway. At about 10:30 in the morning the next day,12/18/11, I got into the car, and with my door still wide open and the car in "park", I turned on the ignition and started the motor for a 2 or 3 minute warm-up. I was on the driver seat and my wife on the passenger seat with her door also wide open. I was talking to my wife with my face turned towards her while the car warmed up. After about two minutes, I turned off the motor and pulled out the key from the ignition switch to hand it to my wife still facing her with my left side towards the steering wheel. Our house key and the car key were on the same key chain and I was handing it to my wife to lock the front door of the house. Right at that moment, the driver side airbag violently exploded with full force and with a very loud bang whipping my face and my left ear. Whatever I had in my hands (my wallet, a cd and the car keys) were all blown away and landed outside the car and I was completely deafened and disoriented by the blow and the loud explosion. For the next two hours or so, I was hurting in my left ear and was unable to hear anything with that ear. Its been more than 24 hours since that incident and my ear though not hurting as much, still has some ringing. I reported the incident to the american Honda motor company but am very disappointed with their handling of this situation. They want me to have the car towed to a dealership and have it checked all at my expense. They refuse to pay for any expenses whatsoever that I may incur with regards to this incident including medical check-up. And to make matters worse, they claim that the car is out of warranty and as such they are not obligated to pay for any repairs. This is not a warranty issue, it is a serious safety matter, they cannot absolve of their responsibility. I feel totally helpless!!

- Encinitas, CA, USA

problem #22

Aug 272011

Accord 6-cyl

  • 94,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Honda Accord. The contact stated that in an attempt to avoid colliding with another vehicle, the contact lost control and crashed into a cement wall at 65 mph. All of the air bags deployed except for the front driver side air bag. As a result, the contact was reported injured. The vehicle was towed to and authorized dealer where it was deemed as destroyed. The vehicle was not inspected for the air bag failure. The failure mileage was 94,000. Updated 11/22/11 updated 06/13/2012

- Richmond, CA, USA

problem #21

Dec 012010

Accord

  • 60,000 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 the SRS warning indicator light illuminated constantly while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the dealer confirmed that the VIN did not qualify for repairs under NHTSA campaign id number:07V001000 ( air bags:frontal:sensor/control module). The manufacturer was not contacted and the vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 60,000 and the current mileage was 77,264.

- Jeffersonville, IN, USA

problem #20

Jan 152011

Accord

  • 70,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Honda Accord. The contact stated that the air bag warning lamp was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostics or repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign id number: 07V001000 (air bags:frontal:sensor/control module). The failure and current mileage was 70,000.

- Edmond, OK, USA

problem #19

Jul 092011

Accord

  • 62,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 mph and making a right hand turn, the vehicle suddenly accelerated to 50 mph. The vehicle crashed into a pole and the airbags did not deploy upon impact. The driver was not injured during the crash. The police were not notified. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was pending an investigation. The manufacturer had not been notified. The failure mileage was approximately 62,000.

- Brook Haven, PA, USA

problem #18

Sep 282009

Accord

  • miles
The air bag sensor light for our 2004 Honda Accord is on almost all the time while driving. Sometimes goes off, sometimes just stay on the whole time we drive. I believe it's under the air bag recall (NHTSA campaign #07V001000), but when we call the dealership they said our VIN number is not in the recall list. I need to know why our VIN number is not on the list and we have the same problem that's.

- Fort Drum, NY, USA

problem #17

Mar 012010

Accord

  • 60,000 miles
Airbag light comes on because of a faulty sensor under the driver's side seat. While you published recall information for this problem, Honda is attempting to make me pay to fix the problem that they created. They stated that it is not listed for my VIN # however, if a recall exist for the problem my vehicle should be fixed free of charge.

- New York, NY, USA

problem #16

Apr 022010

Accord

  • 58,500 miles
2004 Honda Accord. The SRS warning light was coming on intermittently. When it came on, if I restarted car it usually disappeared. It started happening more frequently. I took it into Honda, they diagnosed it as code 61-10 left front buckle failure and replaced it under lifetime warranty.

- Greenbelt, MD, USA

problem #15

Oct 012009

Accord

  • 117,000 miles
2004 Honda Accord has an intermittent problem with the drivers seat belt. A contact in the seat belt latch is causing the air bag system to malfunction. My local Honda dealership stated that the air bag will not function with this problem. An internet search shows many Honda"S with the same problem. This problem in the seat belt disables the air bag and also disables the seat belt warning light which warns the driver if the seat belt is not latched. The Honda warranty states that ??any Honda seat belt component that fails to function properly during normal use" is covered by a lifetime warranty. However, Honda is refusing to replace the seat belt latch under warranty.

- Brazoria, TX, USA

problem #14

Aug 022009

Accord

  • 44,000 miles
I was hit by a truck from behind while I was waiting for oncoming cars to pass ( I had to turn left). The truck was going at least 50 M/H. my Honda is totaled. None of the six airbags in the car deployed.

- Corpus Christi, TX, USA

problem #13

Aug 012007

Accord

  • miles
Red air bag light went on in Aug of 2007, took to dealer was told the battery was bad and replaced it. I had a new battery put im the previous year (2006-July. I was then told that the SRS unit could be bad, but was not replaced. The light was then turned off. In Aug of 2008 the light turned on again, I was told the SRS unit was bad again and this would cost $500 dollars to fix, it was no longer under warranty. I am feeling taken advantage of the situation. It is now July of 2009 and the light is on again. It seems just as soon as it gets hot the light goes on. I feel this is a safety hazard and that I should not be responsible for it. Could you please help me with this problem.

- Canyon Country, CA, USA

problem #12

May 012008

Accord

  • 45,000 miles
My air bag light has been coming on my Honda Accord for about 2 months. I took it to frank brown dealership. They kept it all day and did not find anything wrong with it. The light comes on continually. I am taking it back in tomorrow because you never know if air bag will go off. They charge $75 diagnostic fee even if they do not repair the problem.

- Lubbock, TX, USA

Read the next 11 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?