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.
The windshield wiper started banging against the side when in use, purchased new wipers and it continued to bang making a loud noise, then it snapped off on one of the wipers and I was stuck driving home with no wipers in the rain. Thank god it was just near my home.
I went on the computer to find what the problem was and realized I wasn't the only person having these issues. I'm stuck without a car because it's raining and will be according to the forecast the next two days. I am not able to fix it because all the auto parts near and in where I live do not have the part in stock. Since it was a holiday week the part will not be delivered till Tues, December 30th. Since it's my only car I am stuck without transportation and unable to get to work and around town.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
The windshield wiper started banging against the side when in use, purchased new wipers and it continued to bang making a loud noise, then it snapped off on one of the wipers and I was stuck driving home with no wipers in the rain. Thank god it was just near my home.
I went on the computer to find what the problem was and realized I wasn't the only person having these issues. I'm stuck without a car because it's raining and will be according to the forecast the next two days. I am not able to fix it because all the auto parts near and in where I live do not have the part in stock. Since it was a holiday week the part will not be delivered till Tues, December 30th. Since it's my only car I am stuck without transportation and unable to get to work and around town.
- Dominique I., Virginia Beach, VA, US