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.
Bought a Honda Accord thought would be reliable. Not used since bought as timing chain rattles when warm. Also the VSA light is on,faulty abs module. Very expensive to fix. Paid a lot of money for car. My fingers have been burnt. Never again I will buy a Honda, my french pug 406 is a lot better.
I brought this vehicle brand new in 2004 from Bryan Honda in Fayetteville, NC. At 30,000 mile I started to heard a noise as if i were dragging a chain under the car. i stopped to look under the car and nothing. I took it to the dealership and of course they couldn't hear the noise. I went back at 34,000 mile because the noise had become louder. Again they couldn't hear it. They took it to the maintenance bay and found.... nothing. I drove home about 9 miles from the dealership and waalaa the noise was still there. I took it back immediately . I had 3 service tech come to the car and they heard the noise. They took it to the bay and concluded that because I use synthetic oil, it (the Synthetic oil)is causing the car to sound this way. I am fed up with Honda. I have owned 4 Hondas before this without any mechanical issues. This will be my last one!!
- T S.,
Fort Bragg, NC, US
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Bought a Honda Accord thought would be reliable. Not used since bought as timing chain rattles when warm. Also the VSA light is on,faulty abs module. Very expensive to fix. Paid a lot of money for car. My fingers have been burnt. Never again I will buy a Honda, my french pug 406 is a lot better.
- hmunde, nottingham, UK