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.
The honda accord 2004 and close models have an issue with gps control screen that fails to turn on, it keeps getting stocked in one position on which prevents access to air controls as well as gps controls but more important air controls to defog front windshield when in cold weather as driving creating a hazardous condition for the drivers as a potential for accident as the driver attempt to clean windshield but air controls are not accessible on screen, it also controls the radio and maps that are not as important as the air control. Please note that the issue is been present for many years on cars and Honda have not provided a solution just yet as is not a warranty issue instead it will be considered a manufacturers defect that was carried by car owner for the rest of the car life and the challenges presented during the driving on the road unable to access those controls. There are many people complaining about the same issue on these models and have been but a repair have not been offered that I'm aware of it. Once again is not an owners problem or anything that is been caused by car owners instead the part became a defective product. My complain is not about receiving a free product instead receiving assistance on asking the manufacturers to respond to a deflective product provided to consumers and assist with repair and provide parts needed if necessary to correct problem rather that directing consumer to purchase new product that will cost thousands of dollars and not been a consumers fault. Thank you for your assistance.
I got off of work early in the morning I get in my 04 Honda Accord and start driving home which only takes about 10minutes, I'm super tired so I go inside and go to sleep rougly around 2 hours, I wake up suddenly to my car alarm going off which I always keep my vehicle locked when Its not visible from me, Anyways I grab my key and click the unlock and lock button but I still hear the alarm going off so I head outside of my home and I see my cars interior on fire and my neighbors already on the phone with 911as he was sitting outside 20 minutes prior, me running frantic back inside for a fire extinguisher first responders we're already there so I run back out the doors are still locked so the first responder climbs on top of my car and kicked the sunroof in and starts using his fire extinguisher which at this point the fire is practically in his face he had to get checked out after incident, there was a police report stating it was a open investigation that they aren't ruling anything out but the thing is the doors and windows were all locked. They did a full scan of the car and the fire started somewhere around drivers side stating it was drivers seat steering wheel/collum and or pedals there was no issues with my car I had it fully inspected/maintenance every 3 months checking levels/gage's every other week I had no warning lights on the dash when I parked to go inside. Also in the police report everything was so melted that they couldn't figure out the cause just a idea of where it started, but I have read about other people that have had this same issue with the same circumstances stating that it's the power steering hoses that can deteriorate prematurely, causing cracks and leaks. I hope that this doesn't happen to anyone else, I loved my car and unfortunately I had liability and my girlfriend and Dad had passed away withing a 5 month gap of this incident so I was extremely devastated from losing my car and didn't know what to do hopefully this helps someone.
Please note that my 2004 honda accord ex is been having issues with navigation system turning off by itself as we are driving, we purchased the last update cd orange 2014 and caused the car to do that. the screen goes blanc and controls air system as well as radio and navigation operations, honda was contacted in the past and technician stated to wait for honda for a possible repair or update for software that they were looking for a solution but it has not happened. the air control is an important issue since the car will fog out windows as driving in cold weather and been unable to defog due to lack of access to screen controls is dangerous. To better explain the clock display time can not be changed either and it was explained to me to be controlled by gps system but since software is not recognized or updated those issues can not be corrected. Please assist with these issues with gps-navigation system, it is an issue with software honda related as I have been explained but can not be corrected with out further assistance from honda. Thank you
Seat belt will not reset the light is on constantly the wind shield wipers control the water will never pump the water out however the pump is good. The radio works however you can not see the panel and lights, that includes the air conditional and heater lights. The pain on all of my Honda's are coming off or fading with a white color and spots all over.
When driving on the interstate for over an hour the transmission began slipping but once I began driving on hills the transmission was no longer catching and I could no longer drive the car. The electrical issue comes from the windows not responding immediately to me pressing them down and the lock button on the remote and the lock button on the car door do not lock.
- Warner Robins, GA, USA
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The contact owns a 2004 Honda Accord. When the vehicle was started, the driver's seat belt warning indicator illuminated and remained lit until the vehicle was turned off. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The failure mileage was unknown.
Car would not always start when turning the key. Sometimes is would start immediately and other times I would have to keep turning the key and eventually it would start. A few times it took me over 1/2 hour to get the car started. Battery was less that a year old. Had the battery checked and it was ok. Had to take car to garage and have the starter replaced. I tried finding more information on line and found this is a common complaint with the Honda Accord. My vehicle is only 5 years old and has 63,000 miles on it. I should not of had to replace the starter. I had to pay $390.91 to replace the starter.
Heads lights dim as I drive in city streets. Honda has a service bulletin on this but never did a recall on Honda 2003 to 2005. The eld has a faulty solder joint. This is what the Honda factory service bulletin states. This is very dangerous at night. Part is over $550 plus labor.
I PURCHASE A CAR FROM SUNSHINE AUTO NEW LINK FINANCE ON WEST TENNESSEE ST TALLAHASSEE FL ON MARCH 22 2016 I PURCHASE THIS AUTO OFF GOOD FAITH FROM THE SALE WOMEN AND OWNER AFTER TAKING VEHICLE HOME I NOTICE THE VEHICLE WAS BARELY PULLING LIKE IT WAS LOW ON FLUIDS I ALSO NOTICE 2 RECALLS AIR BAGS N ONE BACK SEAT BEAT WORKING AS REQUIRE BY LAW IT WAS ALSO PENTLY MOTION ON HIGHWAY TURNING N RIDING DOWN ROAD THIS COMPANY RUNS A FRAUD SCAMS N OWNER CLAIMS HE ALWAYS OUT STATE N BUSINESS CLOSED DOWN AFTER FRAUD CUSTOMER OUT THERE MONEY COMANY HAS BEEN UNDER 8 DIFFERNT NAME SINCE 2011 PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CALL [XXX] ANY MORE QUESTIONS. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
The panel lights on the radio has went out. I can't recall if it happened while I was driving or not, but I noticed it while driving. In the 2004 Honda Accord, the ac, radio, & clock share the same display. It was raining the other night while I was driving and my windows fogged up. It was impossible to find the defrost button at night since all the display lights stop working. This is a big safety issue and hopefully Honda will step up to the plate and fix this issue to ensure their customers are safe while driving their vehicles.
The contact owns a 2004 Honda Accord. While the vehicle was parked, the air bag warning light illuminated and the radio failed to function. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the brake pads, dome light, and multiple parts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 252,869.
The contact owns a 2004 Honda Accord. While driving 35 mph, the instrument panel failed to function. As a result, all the meters and gauges displayed incorrect readings. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the circuit board needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 141,000.
The headlights flicker between normal output and dim output making it very difficult to verify if the headlights are even operational at times much less see in front of you while driving. It looks as if the headlights are rapidly turning off and on. This has been happening since the car was brand new but every time it's taken to a Honda dealership, they don't know what the issue is. I have paid hundreds and hundreds of dollars repairing random things Honda "thinks" might fix the problem but it's still a major issue that affects safety of the Honda driver, passengers and other drivers on the road.
The contact owns a 2004 Honda Accord. While driving 45 mph, the air bag warning light illuminated when the consumer hit a bump in the road. The vehicle was serviced under NHTSA campaign number: 14V700000 (air bags), but the remedy failed. The contact mentioned that the air bag warning light continued to illuminate after the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 157,247. Also, the battery was replaced and there was an issue with the driver's side seat belt buckle. Updated 10/26/15.....updated 11/02/15...updated 03/19/18... consumer stated faulty cable reel replaced per ahm updated 05/16/18
The unit lights behind the radio knobs, A/C functions etc. Has gone out. It is a consistent issure with these Honda's. Honda is requiring almost a $1000 to fix. Read the customers reviews online..its a common issue.
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.
Air bags replaced, after picking up car from Honda dealer; car will not start. Appears something is sucking all the juice so starter does not have enough power to start. Car worked great before (besides the kill people at low speeds thing), handed over to Honda, now wont start. Mind you this car was actually recalled in 2014 but only just now received new bags. Very un-pleased with the way Honda handled this very scary situation.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Santa Maria, CA, USA