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.
I had used a Japanese made Prelude and Civic before, and I never experienced small but annoying problems like this. Hate to say it but it seems to me that such problems start to exist when the Japanese merges with the American. I used to work for a Japanese led company that manufactured seat covers for Toyota in Stockton, CA in late 1980's. I know how strict they are when it comes to product quality assurance.
After buying a Brand New Accord I had window problems withing the first 2-3 weeks... its been a year now and the problem still exists. First it was a grinding noise, then a screaching noise and now the windows rattle, especially when I power them down? The dealership has replaced the regulators and every part inside both driver and passenger doors and the problems still persist! It also started making scraping noises from the window. I've brought my car in over 8 times, still waiting for repair. The loaner car the dealership gave me was an Accord as well, and as I left the dealership, their loaner car was having the same noise problems with the windows.
- suer,
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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I had used a Japanese made Prelude and Civic before, and I never experienced small but annoying problems like this. Hate to say it but it seems to me that such problems start to exist when the Japanese merges with the American. I used to work for a Japanese led company that manufactured seat covers for Toyota in Stockton, CA in late 1980's. I know how strict they are when it comes to product quality assurance.
- soeum, Hayward, CA, US