2004 Honda Accord: Is It Reliable?
Problems, Recalls & Buyer Verdict
Shopping for a used 2004 Honda Accord? This page highlights owner-reported complaint patterns and recall history so you can inspect the right systems before buying. Current data includes 1,016 complaints, with Transmission / Drivetrain as the top reported area.
2004 Honda Accord Fuel Economy
✓ EPA Official DataEPA-rated fuel economy across 4 2004 Honda Accord trim configurations. The median figure is shown; range reflects all available trims.
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions. 4 trims analysed.
2004 Honda Accord Safety Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Program2 variants tested — showing 2004 Honda Accord 4-DR.Official crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.
Overall
Not RatedFrontal Crash
Not RatedSide Crash
Not RatedRollover
Not RatedSource: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2004 Honda Accord has 1,016 owner complaints, 89 crash-related complaints, and 22 recall campaigns on record. The most frequently reported component is Transmission / Drivetrain. NHTSA reliability signal: Severe Issues.
- Make
- Honda
- Model
- Accord
- Model year
- 2004
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 1,016
- Crash-related complaints
- 89
- Safety recall campaigns
- 22
- Top reported component
- Transmission / Drivetrain
- Reliability signal
- Severe Issues
- EPA MPG combined
- 24
- EPA MPG city / highway
- 21 / 31
- Fuel type
- Regular Gasoline
- Electronic stability control
- No
Most Common 2004 Honda Accord Problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Transmission / Drivetrain
Airbag Malfunctions
Electrical Faults
Complaint patterns center on Transmission / Drivetrain, Airbag Malfunctions, Electrical Faults. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Should You Buy a Used 2004 Honda Accord?
The 2004 Honda Accord shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase.
Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report.
What to Check Before Buying a Used 2004 Honda Accord
Inspection Focus
- Inspect transmission/drivetrain for signs of failure or prior repairs.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for airbag and electrical system repairs.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase.
Before You Close the Deal
- Inspect transmission/drivetrain for signs of failure or prior repairs.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for airbag and electrical system repairs.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase.
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2004 Honda Accord, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.
What the Complaint Data Suggests
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology
Complaints for the 2004 Honda Accord are concentrated in transmission/drivetrain and airbag systems, with a notable number of electrical faults. Crash-related complaints are relatively low compared to total complaints, but the data is based on consumer reports and does not confirm defects.
- Transmission/drivetrain complaints account for the largest share of reported issues.
- Airbag malfunctions are the second most common complaint category.
- Electrical faults, steering defects, and brake system issues are also frequently reported.
- Transmission / Drivetrain
- Airbag Malfunctions
- Electrical Faults
All 2004 Honda Accord Complaints by Category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2004 Honda Accord. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 347 | 11 | 2 | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 250 | 46 | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 145 | 6 | 7 | — | |
| Steering Defects | 66 | 8 | 3 | — | |
| Brake System | 61 | 9 | 2 | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 58 | 20 | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 55 | 3 | 3 | — | |
| Hydraulic | 44 | 7 | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 38 | 8 | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 37 | — | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 36 | 6 | — | — | |
| Visibility | 34 | — | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 31 | 1 | 1 | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 21 | — | 1 | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 20 | 1 | — | — | |
| Equipment | 14 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 13 | 1 | — | — | |
| Tire Issues | 13 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 9 | 1 | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 7 | 2 | — | — | |
| Interior Lighting | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 5 | 1 | — | — | |
| Gasoline | 5 | 1 | — | — | |
| Door Lock Issues | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Air | 5 | 1 | — | — | |
| Parking-Brake Issues | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Electric | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Traction Control System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Real Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2004 Honda Accord. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2004 Honda Accord. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of the purchase, the mileage was approximately 134,000. The contact stated that while attempting to res…
I have 22 recalls in my Jerry app and also on here. Have problems when first starting up and shifting just got from a dealer in Ohio. Maybe a year and a half ago my name is Tracy Harney my address is 702 Inverness place ft thomas Ky 41075 also my air bag light is on and my headli…
The transmission in my 2004 Honda Accord V6 3.0L is experiencing a serious safety defect. The transmission overheats while driving, begins slipping, and eventually the vehicle will not move at all. When this happens, I lose the ability to accelerate or maintain speed, creating a …
I bought a used 04 v6 accord with 84,000 on it I bought it for $7500 that was in May/June 2021 he was going on and on about the air conditioner and the jbl radiothe About the time it started getting cold I noticed problems with it not wanting to go when put in drive unless it w…
Second gear jumps erratically , loses power and won’t move until you shut the engine off and start again , second gear still jumps afterwards..
The contact owns a 2004 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while attempting to make a right turn, the air bags deployed independently. No warning lights illuminated. A dealer or independent mechanic was not contacted. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent m…
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2004 Honda Accord. The contact stated that upon retrieving the vehicle Carfax history report, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 156,100; …
2004 Honda Accord V6 178000k miles Car was just driving fine through all gears then out of nowhere as I was driving on the freeway going approximately 65 mph the car violently jerked because the transmission locked up and my car broke like if i pulled the emergency brake almost…
My car is beinbtg locked remotely. I do not have a working key fob so it is not anything I am doing. I am having difficulty opening the lock ad well on my car doors. This is very recent
A/c compressor and some light came on on dashboard
Mechanic states that driver buckle is causing error message concerning air bag deployment on driver side, says belt buckle should be replaced so connectivity will be re-established, to enable air bag deployment. I would think this would be a safety recall, if this is the case.
I was driving and the lower ball joints on passenger side broke causing the axle to brake the car lot i got car from said they replaced everything well it happened again and the ball jounts were the same ines that were on there before..Now my rack and opion broke
The contact owns a 2004 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, it was difficult to place the key into the ignition, and it was also difficult to remove the key from the ignition. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer …
Air bag light continues to stay on even after having the recall of the wiring harness replaced. Went to the dealership and had the air bag inflater recall fixed on April 1,2021 the light came on and continued to stay on. On 5/24/2024 I serviced my vehicle at Honda of Cleveland …
Rear window shattered, spontaneously, parked. Mostly 1/4 to 3/8 inch pieces, no impact center or chips anywhere. Cause UNKNOWN. With slight vibration the rear window fell into the car, except around glued edges, also including tiny slivers. While the shattered rear window held,…
The warning light for defective passenger airbag came on. Honda denies it and yet cannot get the warning light off. My grandson is the passenger. He is in constant danger.
UNKNOWN - I have a 2004 Honda Accord which indicates an airbag issue. The seat belt buckles but the light stays on. Many 2004 Accords were in a recall over SRS but my VIN did not show as part of the recall. The dealer says the seat sensor is bad but they are not making the pa…
The contact owned a 2004 Honda Accord. The contact was stopped at a traffic sign and was rear-ended by a light truck. The contact stated that she had looked down at her lap when she was struck she said the impact caused her to hit the steering wheel with her face. The contact sta…
The honda accord 2004 and close models have an issue with gps control screen that fails to turn on, it keeps getting stocked in one position on which prevents access to air controls as well as gps controls but more important air controls to defog front windshield when in cold wea…
One day I was driving on the highway I all of a sudden lost power to acceleration. The rpm went up and I pulled over. Put it back in drive to a lower gear to make it home safe. Never had problems with my car until recently. It seems when I get up over 45mph is when the accelerati…
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2004 Honda Accord.
2004 Honda Accord Recalls
22 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2004 Honda Accord. 22 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
2004 Honda Accord Buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2004 Honda Accord reliable?▾
Severe Issues. NHTSA currently shows 1,016 owner complaints, 89 crash-related complaints, and 22 recall campaigns for this model year. The 2004 Honda Accord shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Honda Accord?▾
#1: Transmission / Drivetrain (347 complaints). #2: Airbag Malfunctions (250 complaints). #3: Electrical Faults (145 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2004 Honda Accord?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2004 Honda Accord?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2004 Honda Accord, NHTSA complaints include 89 crash-related reports and 14 fire reports out of 1,016 total complaints. 76 injury reports are also on file. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2004 Honda Accord have any recalls?▾
Yes. 22 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2004 Honda Accord. A major recall area is AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. 22 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Always verify open recalls by VIN because completion status varies by vehicle.
Should I buy a 2004 Honda Accord?▾
The 2004 Honda Accord shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report. Pay extra attention to Transmission / Drivetrain during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Honda Accord reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Owner Reliability Rating
Rate the 2004 Honda Accord based on your ownership experience.
Add your rating:
Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.
Check the Exact Vehicle History Before You Buy
Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.