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.
My 2004 Honda Accord transmission also failed while traveling on a busy California freeway nearly causing me to be rear ended by two other cars before I could get off the road. The Honda dealer says "out of warranty". End of discussion. I have not taken it elsewhere yet but I will not be giving my money to Honda anymore. I will also never buy another Honda again either.
After reading the numerous beefs about this same problem, it surprised me Honda has not offered some sort of remedy. I called the dealer and they said with no hesitation $3200 to replace the transmission. Are you kidding me? This is my second Honda and it has definitely been a LEMON! My car started with the whining, then when changing gears it would take a second or two longer to switch gears, then ultimately it stopped moving while I was driving. Honda once was a name you could trust now it's just like its counterparts junk.
Car made a high pitched whine for a couple of days then started slipping. Cannot drive it over 30 mph. Mechanic says he has seen this problem before when codes do not show up on the computer diagnostic but they are going out in 3rd gear.
My car is exhibiting the same issue as others have reported. Driving down the highway in rush hour traffic and the transmission slipped around 45mph and wouldn't engage until I had coasted down to about 30mph. I thought originally that my wife might have bumped the gear shift to neutral but that was not the case. I'm very interested in what others have had to do to fix this problem and if there is a proper approach to address this with Honda.
I purchased my honda to replace another that was totalled in January. I bought the car used from a nissan dealership. According to the carfax there was no mention with any recalls or repairs to the transmission. Part of the purchase agreement was for Surf City Nissan to check the timing belt considering the mileage on the car.
What I thought may have been the timing issue has now turned into a transmission problem according to the Honda dealer I had check it last time. Last week 2 times I had to have the car towed in to the dealer because it would not shift or move any longer.
Luckily I was not on the freeway or in a high traffic zone. The honda dealer brought up the issue about the recall and said it appeared that the recall was done on the vehicle.
Not sure just what is going on with this car but plan on calling everyone that will take my calls tomorrow morning and see just what the next step is.
According to the dealer a new transmission for just parts start at 2500.00. I am very disappointed my last Honda ran very well and I would still be driving if I had not been rear ended and totalled.
IF ANYONE HAS ANY INFORMATION ABOUT THE RECALL OR THE CLASS ACTION SUITE I HAVE READ ABOUT PLEASE LET ME KNOW!!!
- Ellysa M.,
Huntington Beach, CA, US
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Add me to the long list of folks plagued by this horrid Honda experience. Like everyone else, I was lured into the Honda camp based on storied history of quality and reliability. I have two Honda autos in the driveway and even bought a Honda mower! This car has seriously disappointed forever stained my image of Honda.
Was driving home from a party when I notice that the car jumped a little when I pressed the accelerator. I thought nothing of it as it was brief and we were nearly home. We had to leave the house again for a show when the car began to jerk while pressing the accelerator. I would barely put my foot on the pedal, the engine would race past 5K RPMs and we'd barely be moving at 15mph. Limped to a stop light only to have the engine completely stop moving the car (as if we were stuck in Neutral). Tried to get out of traffic. Turned off the car to push it and realized that the car would move again upon restarting, but only for a few hundred feet and problem would immediately return -- jerking, slipping, racing engine, and ultimately no propulsion. Quickly turned around and took backroads to my house turning the car off at every intersection.
We're collecting quotes now on the repairs. Laughably, several of the "good" transmission shops are VERY familiar with the 03/04 Honda Accord transmission problems with one offering to alter the vehicle and add an in-line filter to avoid the future problems. Quotes have ranged between $2000 and $5000, depending on the severity upon seeing the car in person. I'm hoping to appeal to Honda for some "goodwill" assistance or this will forever be our last Honda product. Everyone we know will hear the story, but Honda can make the story end well for them.
Seriously, why hasn't anyone taken legal action? This is an obvious problem.
i have 2004 honda accord . i don't know what happen to the transmission , while i'm driving on the highway at speed 100k/h, when i step on the gas pedal the transmission slips. luckily no car after. i just have time to keep off to the side of the highway. i do not know how much i have to pay for the cost of transmission to replace.
Noticed High pitch whining a few days prior to my wife barely making it to the side of the interstate when the transmission decided to give up. Now - come to find out - a very common issue with Honda transmissions. wish I had known prior. Dealership not at all helpful due to mileage.
My transmission whines, slips, and its killing me. I called honda and told them what the problem was. A good friend of who is a mechanic, diagnosed the problem for me, and told me that my car needed a new transmission. I told the woman who answered the phone that i know the codes for the problem, then she took my information down and told me that I can come in for a diagnosis. I told her I refuse to pay for a diagnosis and if there is any way I can get some type of compensation or help. She told me my car was too old and has too many miles. I am done with Honda, this is the first car in my family to have transmission problems. I got it maintained from the certified dealer since I first got it in 2007. What to do.
My 2004 Accord EX failed yesterday on the freeway, dropping from 65 to 20 mph and then zero and getting me almost rear-ended while trying to move to the side of the road. Car had to be towed to the garage and we’ve just been told it needs a new transmission ($3800). A call to the Honda dealership near us resulted in “we’re not aware of any problem with transmissionâ€. Am filing a complaint with safercar.gov.
Pretty much same as the other reports here. Yesterday, a very high pitched whine when off the accelerator. Today, 1st slipped between 1 and 2, then confused which gear, then would not engage at all unless 10-15 mph. Finally found it worked better in D3 (which if reports are correct, locks the torque converter), but still hard to get going from stopped and slipping over 35mph. At least, I made it home. Trans fluid at correct level, looks red and doesn't smell at all. What a bummer. I was looking forward to another 100,000k. Not ready for a 5k repair. Maybe I'll part it out.
I bought this car used (with 82,000 miles) last month as a replacement to the '99 Accord my ex totaled the 2 months before. I've only had the car for a little over a month and now the transmission is going out! I have no warranty, and bought it because I never had a single problem with my previous Accord which died at 220,000 miles! And would still be going had my ex not killed her! Now am am going to get screwed for $3 grand to replace the transmission. I really wish I had known about this site before now. Never again will I buy a car without coming here first. I really think Honda should bear some responsibility since this model year seems rampant with this problem.
First when switched from reverse car won't move forward for 4-5 seconds. Then while driving transmission switched to neutral even though I did not shift it. I'm lucky it was close to home, I managed to drive home using 1-st gear. Reliability is exactly why I paid premium buying Honda. Now I have to pay 5K to replace transmission and sell the car.
Well the transmission appears to be going out..... So I Google Honda transmissions and seems like everyone is having this problem I bought a Honda because I thought they were reliable lol guess not. My Tranny started acting up such as slipping randomly down shifting and acting like its in neutral. Anyway funny thing is everything I find wrong with it is exactly the same problems others are having at about the same mileage. Sad Hondas Trannys cant make it much past a 100k.
after replacing the trans paying out of pocket 3,500.00, one year and 2 months later the trans went again. after only receiving 1 year 12,000 miles, the repair facility refuses to help us because it has been two months over warranty. now they want 4,000. more because how difficult it was to install the first time. this is bs. HONDA is no help either. we have called and never get anyone. please help.
Car is going into Neutral while driving. Will not go back into gear. Have to stop, put car in park and turn off engine. Then turning back on engine and putting in drive again before it will go.
It was a beautiful Wednesday morning. I dropped my son off at camp and thought this was going to be a great day- until I sat in traffic. I was in a line with other people waiting in construction when I decided to try a detour. I attempted to accelerate and the car decided to stay behind. Seriously, the car would not go above 5 miles an hour and the engine was just reving. I pulled over and called my office. They towed the car to the shop and that is where it has been for 3 days while they try to figure out what is wrong. I am beyond annoyed and without a vehicle. I am sure this will be expensive and no ones fault (meaning Honda will not take responsibility). Prior to this I loved my car and now I am afraid to drive it! Beautiful day not so beautiful anymore.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
My 2004 Honda Accord transmission also failed while traveling on a busy California freeway nearly causing me to be rear ended by two other cars before I could get off the road. The Honda dealer says "out of warranty". End of discussion. I have not taken it elsewhere yet but I will not be giving my money to Honda anymore. I will also never buy another Honda again either.
- jst1dreamr, Martinez, CA, US