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.
Car developed a high end whine around 110k miles. I mentioned it to three different shops, including a Honda dealer, and no one could identify the problem.
Then my car developed a grinding noise to go along with the whine. Again, three shops, including a dealer, and no solution.
Tonight, I'm on the freeway at the tail end of a 100 mile trip through heavy rain, and my engine starts revving sporadically. My car became extremely difficult to control, which I found is important when the roadway is nearly flooded. Fortunately, I'm Batman with a steering wheel, and I limped'er home.
When I approached my driveway, preparing for my usual reverse into the garage, I found my car would not go into reverse. While trying to push the car in reverse, I met more resistance than I did putting it into neutral, leading me to believe it was in some sort of pseudo D(rive) still. I pushed through a 12 point turn so I could make another pass at my garage spot head first.
Under hood inspection: found a lot of fluid on underside of hood, mostly on the driver side of vehicle. Also lots of brownish fluid covering various hoses. Underneath the car there's more brown fluid on the ground, but the car and I are both still too hot to inspect more closely. Beside, I had to reserve some steam for my online nittering.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Car developed a high end whine around 110k miles. I mentioned it to three different shops, including a Honda dealer, and no one could identify the problem.
Then my car developed a grinding noise to go along with the whine. Again, three shops, including a dealer, and no solution.
Tonight, I'm on the freeway at the tail end of a 100 mile trip through heavy rain, and my engine starts revving sporadically. My car became extremely difficult to control, which I found is important when the roadway is nearly flooded. Fortunately, I'm Batman with a steering wheel, and I limped'er home.
When I approached my driveway, preparing for my usual reverse into the garage, I found my car would not go into reverse. While trying to push the car in reverse, I met more resistance than I did putting it into neutral, leading me to believe it was in some sort of pseudo D(rive) still. I pushed through a 12 point turn so I could make another pass at my garage spot head first.
Under hood inspection: found a lot of fluid on underside of hood, mostly on the driver side of vehicle. Also lots of brownish fluid covering various hoses. Underneath the car there's more brown fluid on the ground, but the car and I are both still too hot to inspect more closely. Beside, I had to reserve some steam for my online nittering.
Good day to you!
- kidneybean, Sacramento, CA, US