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 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
106,173 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.
I was driving my normal route and coming up on my right turn. The dashboard lights and all interior lights of my car went black and I was unable to steer my car. Within seconds I tried to brake. My pedal went directly to the floor and my brakes never engaged. I had no steering and no brakes going 55mph (forcing me through a red light). I was T-boned by a SUV at 60mph (no skid marks for either of us)- a full impact crash. My side of the car was destroyed, my car sent spinning into and taking out a pole, and then my car spun down an embankment. The next thing I remember is being cut out of my car and then nothing past that. I spent the next 5-6 days at 2 different hospitals. I suffered lung/heart/body trauma (especially due to airbag and seatbelt) and a major concussion. Wherever the airbag hit and seatbelt lay- I'm a rainbow of colors. I am looking at a lengthy recovery and unable to return to work for a few weeks, unable to take college finals, nor can I return to college next semester due to heart trauma. My husband and I had moments of brake and steering problems sporadically/occasionally in the last few months. Each time we took in our car we were told "we can't find any problems". and the notorious: "there are no recalls for your brakes". we have four children and this incident has affected each of us.
Power steering fluid is leaking onto the exhaust from the power steering pressure hose. There was a recall on this exact same problem for 2003-2007 Honda Accord. However my vehicle wasn't included. It is the exact same issue described in the recall.
The power steering hose was recently replaced due to recall 12V-222. However, I believe the power steering pump is damaged and is related to this recall. Multiple mechanics, including the dealer, suspect the pump may be going out, though it is still functioning fine. Honda should cover the cost of replacing the power steering pump. Also, the O-ring in the inlet hose was not replaced. I realize it was not part of the recall, but there are wide reports that this O-ring, once replaced, will resolve a leaking issue. Honda should also cover this.
I have noticed that when I try to turn on car there is a lost in connection and car won't turn on I have to turn the steering wheel in order for car to finally turn on. I think there is a problem with the ignition switch. I have done research and seems like other Honda owners have had the same problem. I'm just afraid that car will stop in the road while I'm driving.
The contact owns a 2004 Honda Accord. The contact stated that the power steering hose became cracked and was leaking fluid. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where it was confirmed that the power steering hose was leaking and needed the be replaced. The manufacture was notified of the failure and stated that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 12V222000 (steering). The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure and current mileage was 166,000.
- Rialto, CA, USA
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The contact owns a 2004 Honda Accord. The contact stated that the vehicle exhibited a loud screeching noise while starting the engine. In addition, power steering fluid was leaking from the vehicle. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.
The contact owns a 2004 Honda Accord. The contact took vehicle to through inspection and failed because there was a leak in the steering rack. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who determined that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 58,000.
I received a recall notice for my 2004 Honda Accord. I work very long days and have very little time to get this recall completed. The problem is that the closest authorized Honda dealer is 70 miles away. This makes getting the work done very difficult. My complaint is that there should be circumstances that Honda allows others to fix these issues. Now, I may never be able to get this fixed and who knows what may happen to me or my car if that is the case...
Please help me figure out what to do with this.I received a call from Honda approximately a year ago...for power steering hose to be replaced free of charge due to it over heating and deteriorating causing a leak of power steering fluid. Once I got the notice I went to have it replaced but I believe by the time I got the notice it may have been to late because now it has caused it to now leak power steering could into the rack and pinion. I have done oil changes and done a complete tune up to date but this is causing the power steering fluid to waste and is deteriorating the rack and pinion. Not having the proper amount of power steering makes it much more difficult to steer the car easily. I have to constantly drive worried that the car may lose control and I have two children I am driving with everest I cannot afford for me to lose control over something that should have been detected and gives when I went to Honda to change the hose. It is obviously not a problem with just the hose it is a problem much more profound then that which needs to be fixed. I have done my research and if the power steering fluid is flammable and can cause toxic fumes. This in my opinion is not to be played around with and is dangerous. It has also cause my brand new tires go bald.
The contact owns a 2004 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while driving 30 mph, the steering malfunctioned and the passenger rear wheel seized causing her to lose control of the vehicle. The vehicle crashed into a ditch and the air bags deployed. No injuries were reported. The contact stated that she had recently received a notice for NHTSA campaign number: 12V222000 (steering). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 119,000.
The contact owns a 2004 Honda Accord. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 12V222000 (steering) however, the steering wheel was still very hard to maneuver whenever making a turn. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown and the current mileage was 153,392.
The contact owns a 2004 Honda Accord. The contact stated that after having repairs performed on the vehicle under NHTSA campaign id number: 12V222000 (steering), the vehicle started to exhibit a loud, unusual noise. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, the technician refused to provide any assistance since they had already performed the repairs specified to the recall campaign. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 88,000 and the current mileage was 91,000.
The contact owns a 2004 Honda Accord. The contact stated the power steering hose was cracked and leaked fluid, causing air to seep into the power steering pump. As a result, tehre was an abnorma noise cming from the steering wheel. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic, who repaired the power steering hose but not the power steering pump. The manufacturer was notified of the failure who advised the contact that they would reimburse him for the cost of the power steering hose repair, in which his vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 12V222000 (steering) but not for the power steering pump. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 138,592 and the current mileage was 156,400.
The contact owns a 2004 Honda Accord. The contact stated that she took the vehicle to the dealer for an oil change and the mechanic noticed that the power steering hose had a leak and they stated that the hose needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 63,000.
2004 Honda Accord. Consumer writes in regards to power steering pump failure recall. The consumer stated the Honda service advisor confirmed with him, that a leak in the power steering hose could cause a failure in the power steering pump due to reduced power steering fluid. The consumer stated it would seem to him, that replacing a hose and O-ring on vehicles that have already had the hose fail was not going to fix the problem in its entirety. The hose on the consumers vehicle was confirmed to have failed and it caused the power steering pump to fail.
I was driving on the interstate when all of a sudden I was no longer able to accelerate. The car jerked when I tried to accelerate or brake. I was able to steer it off onto the side of the road. After taking it in to get it looked at, I was told it is the transmission. According to several articles online and mechanic at the shop I took it too, 2004 Honda Accord are known for having weak transmissions. It was so unexpected and I take car of my car. I felt completely unsafe trying to get it off the interstate going 20 miles an hour as it jerked along and apparently people already know about this issue?? I have just had the car for a year now and bought it from a Honda dealership. Not a word was said to me about the issues with these models or safety recalls for several Honda models made in 2004 - but apparently not mine.
My 2004 Honda Accord had an engine fire caused by a defective high pressure power steering hose. The hose sprung a leak, spraying power steering fluid onto the engine, which caught fire. This defect is already the subject of NHTSA recall 12V-222, but inactivity and foot-dragging on Honda's part has caused this otherwise avoidable safety incident.
The power steering fluid was leaking, so I took the car to a mechanic. They informed me that the hose was cracked and deteriorating and cause of the leak leads back to the rack and pinion which will have to be replaced. I subsequently received a recall notice from Honda, but parts will not be available for repair until early 2013.
I was driving the highway and merging on an uphill ramp, the transmission raced and the car lost speed. About 20 miles later, I could feel something wrong with maintaining my speed and there was hesitation. Another 20 miles later, I lost all forward movement in drive and left the highway. I was able to go another few miles on a side street in 2nd gear and then the car stalled in the middle of the street. The transmission is completely lost.
I was driving 55 mph. As I attempted to change lanes, the car veered right to left uncontrollably. The steering wheel turned back and forth, and I could not gain control of it. I crossed 4 lanes of traffic, went over a median and hit a brick retaining wall, and my car was turned around to face oncoming traffic when it finally stopped. Updated 11/19/12 updated 12/4/2012
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Sonora, CA, USA