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.
Joined AAA , towed car to shop, mechanic calls me, "Congratulations. Your timing chain broke in turn fouling the engine....." Look on my face... o.O Three mechanics have told me that they can't believe a timing chain would break on a vehicle with only 85k... Am I the only one who had this problem?
Local Honda Dealer said that something else had to cause the problem for the timing chain to break... I said there was no warning, no nothing...
Total costs: Joining AAA - 60.00 per year, mechanic checking vehicle, $60.00, towing vehicle to engine shop, $75.00, new "used" engine($600-$1500) + new timing chain ($200) and installation of everything ($800) Total: $2,695....
Timing Chain broke and caused damage to the valves. The dealer at King Honda charged me $1200.00 to tell me the engine was shot. We were from out of state and feel we were taken advantage of by the service manager and the owner.
- Keith F.,
Southfield, MI, US
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Car Stalled, Wouldn't turn over, towed to shop...
Joined AAA , towed car to shop, mechanic calls me, "Congratulations. Your timing chain broke in turn fouling the engine....." Look on my face... o.O Three mechanics have told me that they can't believe a timing chain would break on a vehicle with only 85k... Am I the only one who had this problem?
Local Honda Dealer said that something else had to cause the problem for the timing chain to break... I said there was no warning, no nothing...
Total costs: Joining AAA - 60.00 per year, mechanic checking vehicle, $60.00, towing vehicle to engine shop, $75.00, new "used" engine($600-$1500) + new timing chain ($200) and installation of everything ($800) Total: $2,695....
- J G., Pittsburgh, PA, US