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.
3.6
definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
34,909 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.
Radio stopped playing music and makes loud cracking noise that is startling when driving. When searching for solutions online, it was suggested "a chip for the audio output has failed and exploded on the internal printed circuit board." There are hundreds of complaints posted online by other Honda Accord owners. Honda won't fix and some comments say that the non-dealer mechanics have further damaged the vehicle when trying fix the issue. The costs to possibly fix with chances of causing more damage is greater than $500. If it's not a common issue, Honda should take responsibility and correct the issue. It is dangerously loud sometimes and causes me to lose Focus on the road.
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.
I leased a 2004 Honda Accord ex V6 in may of 2004, from rick case in miramar fl. On August 31, 2005, I had to have my O ring discharge line replaced, due to leaking power steering fluid and noise. Then, on April 3, 2006 I had to have my entire radio/cd player changed out due to led not working and both back window motors replaced due to loud noise and rolling down slowly. In July 2006, I relocated to atlanta, ga and purchased this vehicle via retail (transferred the title) in August 2007. Then, November 9, 2007, I had to have the power steering pump replaced due to leaking fluids and a loud noise. Today is August 6, 2009 and I am again having the same power steering issues!! other problems that I am currently having with my car: Had to get my battery changed August 9, 2007; window motor problems with both my front seat windows; internal lights not working on transmission gear-shift, over-head light. I am so unhappy with this Honda purchase as I thought that they were known for their longevity, especially since I have been the only owner and got the car brand new. The main thing is I need answers or directions as to what my next step. Please advise, thank you. I am still making payments on this car!! updated 08/07/09.
The display light for my radio, lights for HVAC system slowly dimmed and eventually went out. Took the 2004 Honda Accord ex to a local dealer with an appointment and a full description of the problem. After they performed their troubleshooting I was informed that a chip for the radio failed. Thankfully they were holding the component for another customer who had not come back for the repair and the next day the display lights were repaired.
Stereo stopped working completely and has been draining the battery, even when the car is off. The battery has a 5 year warranty, but had to be replaced after only 3 years. After a mechanical diagnostic, it was determined that power is going to the stereo, but the stereo is not working. Specific cause for malfunction has still not been determined.
- Rancho Pv, CA, USA
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I bought my Honda Accord in Oct. 2004 @ 34000 miles and the display light went out in about 3 weeks. I was driving the car and as I pulled up to park the radio display light just went black. The radio still works but display light is out. In the sunlight you can see the screen but very dim. I called Honda to schedule a repair and when I described the problem, they said "usually in the case, it's an internal problem and they would have to replace the whole unit". when I asked if this was a common problem, I was told "no". I went online to search to see if there are similar problems listed and found that a lot of people have had the same problem.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Houston, TX, USA