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.
3.1
definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
43,534 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. Consumer writes in regards to receiving a safety recall for a vehicle they no longer own. The consumer stated does not wish to be contacted any further due to the fact the car is no longer in his possession.
Clear coat is peeling off on the roof and trunk. Dealer took pictures and came back two months later saying they would paint it for $2,200. This is a clearly documented manufacturer's defect. Two minutes on the internet will confirm that. Recently I paid over $2,000 for maintenance and repairs. At that time they reminded me what a good investment it was as the car would last another 100,000 miles. Now with the paint coming off, my investment is gone. This is not right. Please help me an 100's others.
Defective body paint (black). Clear coat/paint peeling. Local Honda's dealer have made several excuses over the years. I just found out last year from another owner that has the same model/color. Local dealer and Honda's corporate office will not resolve issue. Only civic not Accord models are being repainted for free.
This is a factory clearcoat failure. 2004 Honda Accord exl, red. Within two years, the clearcoat had started to peel. In the third year, I contacted the Honda main offices with my complaint. After having two insurance adjusters, a body shop, and an auto paint salesman look at the car and in every case, their opinion is that this failure is a factory defect. Honda repeatedly refuses to take that responsibility. The peeling clearcoat is spreading like a disease eating away at it.
- Hot Springs, AR, USA
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
2004 Honda Accord exl with red paint. Clear coat began to peel in places all over the car. I contacted Honda and after several letters and phone calls back and forth, they are not willing to accept responsibility for a factory failure. Have had insurance adjusters, body shop, and an auto paint salesman examine the paint and all say this is something gone wrong at the factory. Honda keeps wanting to say I parked somewhere that "something" blew on the car all over such as crop dusters. The nearest crop duster is 150 miles away and the area where I live is lakes and mountains.
NHTSA# 10016310... 2004 Honda Accord 2.4L coupe. A water leak in the middle-front dash board. The leak had run into the ECU of my car and caused my car to lock the transmission. I was lucky to not be traveling at a high rate of speed and in a populated area. Anything could have happened with the ECU shorting in water. My car is currently in the Honda shop being trouble shot for the extent of electrical damage. Car will not start.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Saint Johnsbury, VT, USA