10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
104,907 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.

2004 Honda Civic engine problems

engine problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2004 Honda Civic:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2004 Honda Civic Owner Comments

problem #10

Sep 132023

Civic

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

2004 HONDA Civic Cracked Block TSB [XXXX] Honda settled in a class-action lawsuit that covers 2008 - 2009 Civic engine block failures with unlimited miles for an extended 10-year warranty period. Covered Civics will receive an engine repair or replacement at no cost. The covered Civic engine castings were built using thinner aluminum and the cracked block will leak coolant causing the engine to overheat. Civics Covered 2006 - 2008 - ALL VINs beginning with 2HG & 1HG 2009 - Check eligibility with VIN Civic VINs beginning with 2HG & 1HG - Check eligibility * Excludes SI and Hybrid. My 2004 Civic has an identical engine crack with a 1HG VIN, and only 130k miles. The location of the crack is identical to the TSB and is not a result of the vehicle's maintenance and driver habits. I have found several cases where Honda Goodwill Assistance covered costs of repairs on vehicles past warranty. The 2004 Honda Civic has been recalled 15 times by the NHTSA with the engine problems severity rating a 10, on a scale of 1 - 10 (10 being the worst). [XXX] labeled the 2004 Honda Civic with a red Alert Notice of the recalls rendering the appeal of owning a 2004 Civic an unreliable purchase. As well as, 2006 - 2019 Civics due to the TBS extended warranty on known engine issues. [XXX] reviews for a 2004 Honda Civics a 1 out of 5 (1 being the worst). Honda Recall, Q5A, Y58 on 2001 Civic airbags caused death, yet the recall was not announced until 2019. Placing a 10-year extended warranty has proven to not cover all Honda-??s and should be reviewed on a case by case basis to catch any cars not covered by warranty. My Civic was agreed to be looked at by Honda, and I'm to send the detailed inspection report for review by the NA Honda Headquarters. Awaiting reply 11/14/2023. Our of Pocket Repairs est. $5,200 INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Rutherfordton, NC, USA

problem #9

Aug 032018

Civic

  • 250,000 miles
The hood rod contacted the battery terminal and appears to have started a fire during highway driving.

- Stillwater, OK, USA

problem #8

Oct 302017

Civic

  • 85,405 miles
This is the second 04 Honda Civic I've owned. The first one was a hybrid and the transmission blew while driving on the highway. The Civic I own now only has 85K and was previously owned by an old lady since it was new. But low and behold the transmission blew while driving again. How many people need to get injured or killed in order for this to be recalled"???"

- Erie, PA, USA

problem #7

Feb 072017

Civic

  • 84,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I was stopped at a light with my R foot on the break. Suddenly the car went into an uncontrolled acceleration. I could hear the engine revving. In a few seconds, it hit the car directly in front of me and stopped upon impact but if that car hadn't been there I would have been propelled into a busy intersection with crossways traffic. It was like a nightmare. This was at a very busy city street intersection at a busy time of day (3 pm), on the access rd to a major interstate hwy in a large metro area. The other driver and valet guys from a hotel across the street witnessed I was extremely shaken up but alert and in my right mind, etc.

- Dallas, TX, USA

problem #6

Mar 022016

Civic

  • 168,650 miles
SRS light on for years. Told it was nothing to worry about. Then Honda says it is a serious safety issue, I have to pay hundreds of dollars for repair. Transmission went out cost over $2500 so far, car still isn't working. Well known problem but Honda is greedy and won't pay to fix their unsafe vehicles. Car overheats when using the heater. Driver seat feels like it is going to move while driving. I will never buy a Honda ever again.

- Mesa, AZ, USA

problem #5

Jan 282016

Civic

  • 74,515 miles
At 74,515 miles the transmission is out of my 2004 Civic, ..the car is in excellent condition even the original floor mats are in place and look great because of my care of the car, ...I want Honda to pay for the cost of a new transmission for choosing to install a cheep one and knowing it wouldn't last. I was driving home from work and was just about ran over by traffic when my car began to slow and make noise putting me in a very stressful situation.

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #4

Aug 242014

Civic

  • 110,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Manual transmission Honda Civic LX 2004 reaches rattling/grinding noise when reached 2000 RPM or so. The noise is loud and downshifting becomes very rough. The car slows down when not pressing accelerator. Even when in neutral the car sounds with a rattle. Only when the clutch is pressed does the sound minimize. Car feels vulnerable when driven like this. It's mainly due to the noise, and feeling of the car. The input shaft bearing is the problem. Many reports were blogged and diagnosed. The car still runs. Unfortunately it's not clear for how long.

- Ithaca, NY, USA

problem #3

Nov 132014

Civic 4-cyl

  • 104,500 miles
Hot air was not blowing. Noticed little bit of green coolant on the garage floor. There was enough coolant in the reservoir. Took it to the Honda dealer. Pressure test was performed. Service told me that head gasket blown and need to be fixed immediately otherwise car may become stalled anytime. 5 months ago same dealer performed timing belt, water pump maintenance. Mileage is very low for head gasket related issues.

- Olathe, KS, USA

problem #2

Nov 152013

Civic

  • 77,000 miles
The vehicle is growling and rumbling in low gears, shifting from first to second. I took the car in and they want to rebuild transmission. I find at 77000 miles the vehicle transmission should not be failing. Researching has amounted to numerous vehicles that have the same problem. One mechanic has personally seen 4 vehicles in past few months with the same problem. I believe the manufacture should take responsibility for this matter!

- Portland, OR, USA

problem #1

Sep 252012

Civic

  • 95,000 miles
Today, I was driving my wife S 2004 Honda Civic in the highway at about 60 miles per hr when all of the sudden the car started accelerating as if it was in cruise control.. I took my foot off the gas pedal and pressed the brake with little results. The brakes felt so hard as if they were locked. Then I decided to change gears to D2 and together with the emergency brake I was able to slow down the car a bit. After that, I pulled over the brake down lane at about 10 miles per hour but I still could not stop the car. With the help of the emergency brake I was able to stop the car however, the engine was still running as if it was accelerating. This is when I decided to put it on neutral and follow by a loud noise the engine finally stop running....thank god no one was hurt....

- Lowell, MA, USA

Not what you are looking for?