MYRModel Year Report

2004 Honda Accord

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2004 Honda Accord
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
1,017
Recalls
22

Campaigns on file for 2004

Investigations
4

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Power train

35% of complaints

Complaints per year

1980: 2 complaints 1980 1981: 7 complaints 1982: 10 complaints 1983: 7 complaints 1984: 22 complaints 1985: 13 complaints 1986: 56 complaints 1986 1987: 112 complaints 1988: 90 complaints 1989: 86 complaints 1990: 193 complaints 1991: 212 complaints 1992: 208 complaints 1992 1993: 186 complaints 1994: 395 complaints 1995: 544 complaints 1996: 472 complaints 1997: 460 complaints 1998: 1,200 complaints 1998 1999: 1,135 complaints 2000: 1,183 complaints 2001: 922 complaints 2002: 1,050 complaints 2003: 1,987 complaints 2004: 1,017 complaints 2004 1,017 2005: 656 complaints 2006: 431 complaints 2007: 524 complaints 2008: 1,520 complaints 2009: 725 complaints 2010: 580 complaints 2010 2011: 296 complaints 2012: 373 complaints 2013: 1,421 complaints 2014: 981 complaints 2015: 601 complaints 2016: 608 complaints 2016 2017: 536 complaints 2018: 1,886 complaints 2019: 690 complaints 2020: 360 complaints 2021: 236 complaints 2022: 253 complaints 2022 2023: 88 complaints 2024: 146 complaints 2025: 87 complaints 2026: 10 complaints
1980: 2 complaints 1980 1981: 7 complaints 1982: 10 complaints 1983: 7 complaints 1983 1984: 22 complaints 1985: 13 complaints 1986: 56 complaints 1986 1987: 112 complaints 1988: 90 complaints 1989: 86 complaints 1989 1990: 193 complaints 1991: 212 complaints 1992: 208 complaints 1992 1993: 186 complaints 1994: 395 complaints 1995: 544 complaints 1995 1996: 472 complaints 1997: 460 complaints 1998: 1,200 complaints 1998 1999: 1,135 complaints 2000: 1,183 complaints 2001: 922 complaints 2001 2002: 1,050 complaints 2003: 1,987 complaints 2004: 1,017 complaints 2004 1,017 2005: 656 complaints 2006: 431 complaints 2007: 524 complaints 2007 2008: 1,520 complaints 2009: 725 complaints 2010: 580 complaints 2010 2011: 296 complaints 2012: 373 complaints 2013: 1,421 complaints 2013 2014: 981 complaints 2015: 601 complaints 2016: 608 complaints 2016 2017: 536 complaints 2018: 1,886 complaints 2019: 690 complaints 2019 2020: 360 complaints 2021: 236 complaints 2022: 253 complaints 2022 2023: 88 complaints 2024: 146 complaints 2025: 87 complaints 2025 2026: 10 complaints
1980: 2 complaints 1980 1981: 7 complaints 1982: 10 complaints 1982 1983: 7 complaints 1984: 22 complaints 1984 1985: 13 complaints 1986: 56 complaints 1986 1987: 112 complaints 1988: 90 complaints 1988 1989: 86 complaints 1990: 193 complaints 1990 1991: 212 complaints 1992: 208 complaints 1992 1993: 186 complaints 1994: 395 complaints 1994 1995: 544 complaints 1996: 472 complaints 1996 1997: 460 complaints 1998: 1,200 complaints 1998 1999: 1,135 complaints 2000: 1,183 complaints 2000 2001: 922 complaints 2002: 1,050 complaints 2002 2003: 1,987 complaints 2004: 1,017 complaints 2004 1,017 2005: 656 complaints 2006: 431 complaints 2006 2007: 524 complaints 2008: 1,520 complaints 2008 2009: 725 complaints 2010: 580 complaints 2010 2011: 296 complaints 2012: 373 complaints 2012 2013: 1,421 complaints 2014: 981 complaints 2014 2015: 601 complaints 2016: 608 complaints 2016 2017: 536 complaints 2018: 1,886 complaints 2018 2019: 690 complaints 2020: 360 complaints 2020 2021: 236 complaints 2022: 253 complaints 2022 2023: 88 complaints 2024: 146 complaints 2024 2025: 87 complaints 2026: 10 complaints 2026

2004: 1,017 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19802
19817
198210
19837
198422
198513
198656
1987112
198890
198986
1990193
1991212
1992208
1993186
1994395
1995544
1996472
1997460
19981,200
19991,135
20001,183
2001922
20021,050
20031,987
20041,017
2005656
2006431
2007524
20081,520
2009725
2010580
2011296
2012373
20131,421
2014981
2015601
2016608
2017536
20181,886
2019690
2020360
2021236
2022253
202388
2024146
202587
202610

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Power train

35% · 351 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

When parking the car in a parking lot, as I was turning into the parking space the car jumped (Went very fast forward and hit the wall in front of me) even though I had my foot on the brakes I felt I had no control of the car and the engine turned...

NHTSA ODI report, 2004-05-11

Also filed under Engine and engine cooling and vehicle speed control

While driving, the car’s engine suddenly shut off, and the brakes were barely responsive, making it extremely difficult to bring the vehicle to a complete stop despite continuously applying the brakes.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-09-19

Also filed under Electrical system and engine

Air bags

25% · 257 reports

Most commonly citing frontal and side/window.

CRASHINJURYDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2025-09-26

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Honda Accord. While driving 15 MPH, the contact crashed into a stationary vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. The contact was not allowed to drive the vehicle in the event that the air bags would deploy later.

NHTSA ODI report, 2019-02-12

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Honda Accord. While driving approximately 45 MPH, the contact rear ended another vehicle that stopped abruptly. The air bag did not deploy. A police report was filed.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-11-28

Electrical system

15% · 153 reports

Most commonly citing instrument cluster/panel and ignition.

CRASHFIREINJURYDEATH

Steering

7% · 69 reports

Most commonly citing column and hose, piping, and connections.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Service brakes

6% · 64 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Safety timeline

22 recalls · 4 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2004Complaint volume 1,017 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    2004-04-27Power train04V176000 On some mini vans, sport utility and passenger vehicles, certain operating conditions can result in heat build-up between the countershaft and secondary shaft second gears in the automatic…

    Remedy: On vehicles with 15,000 miles or less, the dealer will update the transmission with a simple revision to the oil cooler return line to increase lubrication to the second gear. On vehicles with more…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. I
    2004-07-26Preliminary evaluationClosed 2004-11-22 Frontal driver air bag
  4. R
    2004-11-30Air bags04V551000 On certain sedans, a tear in the fabric of the driver's front air bag occurred after apparent contact with the inside surface of the air bag cover during deployment.

    Remedy: Dealers will install a protective fabric flap between the air bag module cover and the inner module. The recall began on November 30, 2004. Owners should contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2006-04-17Exterior lighting06E032000 Certain eagle eyes and sonar headlights and corner lights sold as aftermarket for use on 1988-2005 Honda civic, 1990-2005 Honda Accord, and 1990-2001 Acura integra passenger vehicles listed above.…

    Remedy: Tom motorsport will notify owners and offer reimbursement for the purchase of noncompliant lights. The recall began April 17, 2006. Owners may contact tom motorsport at 626-968-4007.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2006-05-09Exterior lighting06E023000 Certain anzo combination headlamp assemblies sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles. Some combination lamps are not equipped with amber side reflectors which fail to…

    Remedy: Anzo will notify owners and replace the headlamps free of charge. The recall began May 9, 2006. Owners may contact anzo USA at 909-468-3688.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    2006-05-10Exterior lighting06E038000 Certain alfaotto combination headlamps sold as replacement lamps for use on the above listed passenger vehicles. Some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to…

    Remedy: Alfaotto will notify owners and replace the headlamps free of charge. The recall began on May 10, 2006. Owners may contact alfaotto at 626-656-2992 or visit their website at www.alfaotto.com.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. R
    2007-01-26Exterior lighting07E004000 Certain tyc headlamp assemblies p/ns 20-6361-00 and 20-6362-00 sold as aftermarket equipment for 2003-2006 Honda Accord passenger vehicles. The photmetric were misaligned which does not comply with…

    Remedy: Genera will notify owners and offer to repurchase the noncompliant lamps. The recall began on January 26, 2007. Owners can contact genera at 714-522-6688.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. R
    2007-02-08Air bags07V001000 On certain vehicles, the seat position sensor (Sps) detects the driver's seating position and adjusts the air bag inflation pressure accordingly. The wiring harness for the sps was attached to the…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat position sensor wiring subharness. The recall will begin on or about February 8, 2007. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  10. R
    2007-05-27Exterior lighting07E031000 Certain maxzone headlight assemblies, depo brand, p/nos. 317-1131L-as, 317-1131R-as, 317-1131L-us, and 317-1131R-us, sold for use as aftermarket equipment for the above listed passenger vehicles.…

    Remedy: Maxzone will notify owners and offer reimbursement for any noncompliant headlights. The recall began on May 17, 2007. Owners may contact maxzone at 909-822-3288.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  11. R
    2009-05-11Exterior lighting09E012000 Sabersport is recalling 16,270 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to…

    Remedy: Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on May 11, 2009. Owners may contact sabersport at 1-909-598-7589.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  12. R
    2009-07-28Exterior lighting09E025000 Dope, inc. Is recalling 42,540 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to…

    Remedy: Dope, inc. Will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on July 28, 2009. Owners may contact dope, inc. At 1-626-272-1798.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  13. R
    2012-06-15Steering12V222000 Honda is recalling certain model year 2007 and 2008 Acura TL and model year 2003-2007 Accord V6 vehicles. In May 2012, Honda filed a defect report to recall certain model year 2007 and 2008 Acura…

    Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will install a new heat resistant power steering hose, free of charge. The original recall began in June 2012, and owners of those vehicles may obtain the free…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  14. I
    2014-06-11Preliminary evaluationClosed 2015-03-02 Air Bag Inflator Rupture
  15. R
    2014-09-12Air bags14V353000 American Honda Motor Company, Inc.'s (Honda) is conducting a limited regional recall for certain model year 2003-2005 Accord, Civic, CR-V, Pilot and Acura MDX, model year 2003-2004 Odyssey and Element, and model year 2005 Acura RL, and 2006 Honda...

    Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inflators in all affected vehicles, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during August 2014. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  16. R
    2015-01-26Air bags14V700000 American Honda Motor Co.

    Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 26, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  17. I
    2015-02-24Engineering analysisOpen Air Bag Inflator Rupture
  18. R
    2015-07-01Air bags15V320000 Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2001-2007 Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2001-2004 Honda Civic GX, 2003-2005 Honda Civic Hybrid, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2006 Ridgeline, 2003...

    Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  19. R
    2015-07-01Air bags15V370000 Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2001-2005 Honda Civic vehicles manufactured March 21, 2000, to January 20, 2005, 2001-2004 Honda Civic GX vehicles manufactured June 14, 2000, to August 19, 2004, 2003-2005 Honda Civic...

    Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  20. R
    2016-05-02Air bags16V178000 Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2004-2007 Accord vehicles manufactured October 1, 2003, to August 17, 2007.

    Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the air bag module as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on May 2, 2016. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009. Honda's number for this recall is JZ3.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  21. R
    2018-06-22Air bags18V268000 Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2012 Honda Accord and Pilot, 2010 Accord Crosstour, 2001-2011 Civic, 2002-2011 CR-V, 2003-2004, 2006-2008 and 2011 Element, 2007 and 2009-2013 Fit, 2010-2012 Insight, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and...

    Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began June 22, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  22. R
    2019-04-10Air bags19V182000 Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling specific 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2013-2016 ILX, 2013-2014 ILX Hybrid, 2003-2006 MDX, 2007-2016 RDX, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 TL, 2010-2013 ZDX and 2001-2007 and 2009 Honda Accord, 2001-2005...

    Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began April 10, 2019. Honda owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  23. R
    2019-08-12Air bags19V499000 Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2003-2006 MDX, 2001-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey,...

    Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are Q5A and Y58.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  24. R
    2019-08-12Air bags19V501000 Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2012 RL, 2003-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey,...

    Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal airbag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  25. R
    2019-12-09Vehicle speed control19E068000 Dorman Products, Inc.

    Remedy: Dorman will notify owners, and qualified service facilities will replace the affected accelerator pedal assemblies, free of charge. The recall began December 9, 2019. Owners may contact Dorman customer service at 1-800-523-2492, using option 5.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  26. I
    2021-09-17Engineering analysisOpen Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
  27. R
    Date not on fileExterior lighting06E064000 Certain tradesonic combination lamps sold as replacement lamps for use on the above listed passenger vehicles.

    Remedy: Tradesonic will notify owners and replace the lamps free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during July 2006. Owners may contact tradesonic at 626-934-8884.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2004 Honda Accord — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Power train: 351 reports on file for this year.
  • Air bags: 257 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 153 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 06E064000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 04V176000 · Power train
  • Recall 04V551000 · Air bags
  • Recall 06E032000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 06E023000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 06E038000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 07E004000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 07V001000 · Air bags
  • Recall 07E031000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 09E012000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 09E025000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 12V222000 · Steering
  • Recall 14V353000 · Air bags
  • Recall 14V700000 · Air bags
  • Recall 15V320000 · Air bags
  • Recall 15V370000 · Air bags
  • Recall 16V178000 · Air bags
  • Recall 18V268000 · Air bags
  • Recall 19V182000 · Air bags
  • Recall 19V499000 · Air bags
  • Recall 19V501000 · Air bags
  • Recall 19E068000 · Vehicle speed control
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2004 Honda Accord reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2004 Honda Accord is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Honda Accord?
The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 35% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2004 Honda Accord have?
22 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.