"How reliable is the 2004 Honda Accord?"

"Based on 1303 NHTSA complaints, the 2004 Honda Accord has a median complaint mileage of 89250 miles. The most common issue is Air Bags."

"What are common problems with the 2004 Honda Accord?"

"The most frequently reported component in NHTSA complaints for the 2004 Honda Accord is Air Bags, accounting for a significant portion of the 1303 total complaints filed."

2004 Honda Accord: Reliability Data

Source: NHTSA — 1303 complaints

1303

Total Complaints

89,250mi

Median Mileage

Air Bags

Top Issue

127

Crash Reports

When Do Complaints Happen?

Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.

49,000 25th Percentile

89,250 Median Mileage

123,000 75th Percentile

What Fails?

Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.

Air Bags

198

Power Train

189

Automatic Transmission

148

Electrical System

118

Steering

Vehicle Speed Control

Exterior Lighting

Seat Belts

Unknown Or Other

Frontal

Severity Assessment

127

Crashes

Fires

110

Injuries

Deaths

Sample Complaint Reports

"WHILE DRIVING STEERING WHEEL INTERMITTENTLY PULLED TO THE LEFT/RIGHT. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT RESOLVED. *AK"

"JUST PURCHASED A NEW 2004 ACCORD EX (37 MILES) AND IT HAS BEEN IN TWICE IN TWO WEEKS FOR ALIGNMENT PROBLEMS. THEY CLAIM THEIR IS NOTHING ELSE TO DO AS THE CAR IS WITH FACOTORY SPECS. THE CAR STILL DRIFTS TO THE RIGHT AND IS NOT CORRECT.*AK"

"AFTER DRIVING FOR ABOUT 30 MILES THE BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, AND THE BRAKES FAILED. THE DRIVER DOWN SHIFTED AND USED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP. TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND THEY REPLACED THE O-RING. SIX HUNDRED MILES LATER THE BRAKE LIGHT WAS ON AGAIN. *AK"

Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.

When Were Complaints Filed?

Number of complaints by the year the issue occurred.

When Does Each Component Fail?

Median mileage at complaint for top components.

Air Bags 198 complaints

25th: 77,257 mi Median: 100,000 mi 75th: 144,749 mi

Power Train 189 complaints

25th: 87,581 mi Median: 113,800 mi 75th: 140,000 mi

Automatic Transmission 148 complaints

25th: 74,000 mi Median: 90,950 mi 75th: 109,750 mi

Electrical System 118 complaints

25th: 54,500 mi Median: 88,000 mi 75th: 122,500 mi

Steering 59 complaints

25th: 76,670 mi Median: 130,000 mi 75th: 167,000 mi

Where Are Complaints Coming From?

Top states by complaint count.

CA: 240 FL: 102 NY: 96 OH: 60 PA: 58 TX: 56 GA: 53 MD: 53 NJ: 52 VA: 52

Who Files Complaints?

18.9%

Original Owners

81.1%

Second+ Owners

Honda Accord — Other Years

See how this model compares across different model years.

Year	Complaints	Median Mileage	Top Issue	Crashes
1990	229	170,011	Door	12
1991	242	159,000	Seat Belts	20
1992	249	120,000	Frontal	47
1993	222	156,000	Frontal	47
1994	476	122,000	Engine	105
1995	673	106,000	Frontal	94
1996	579	110,000	Air Bags	69
1997	546	108,656	Air Bags	51
1998	1428	100,500	Automatic Transmission	133
1999	1345	110,000	Automatic Transmission	92
2000	1505	95,000	Air Bags	138
2001	1157	85,000	Air Bags	199
2002	1267	90,000	Automatic Transmission	165
2003	2378	87,975	Automatic Transmission	187
2005	880	75,000	Air Bags	141
2006	541	77,150	Air Bags	72
2007	700	67,500	Air Bags	128
2008	1850	28,000	Service Brakes, Hydraulic	85
2009	855	36,000	Service Brakes, Hydraulic	64
2010	700	43,100	Air Bags	47
2011	357	44,500	Air Bags	45
2012	504	25,284	Seats	77
2013	1868	42,000	Steering	110
2014	1415	45,683	Electrical System	75
2015	805	41,999	Electrical System	51
2016	783	35,200	Electrical System	50
2017	734	23,000	Electrical System	59
2018	2638	22,000	Engine	66
2019	936	17,000	Engine	48
2020	500	11,000	Automatic Emergency Braking	25
2021	274	38,000	Automatic Emergency Braking	25
2022	248	5,000	Electrical System	4
2023	117	-	Electrical System	11
2024	155	11,000	Steering	7
2025	79	6,090	Steering	9

Active Recalls (22)

Federal safety recalls issued for this vehicle.

Inflator Module

Campaign 19V182000 | 06/03/2019

An explosion of an inflator within the driver frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver, front seat passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

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. Honda's number for this recall is O41. Acura owners may contact customer serv

Accelerator Pedal

Campaign 19E068000 | 10/10/2019

If the accelerator pedal binds, the engine may not quickly return to idle after the pedal is no longer pressed, increasing the risk of a crash.

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. Dorman's number for this recall is AS1019XXXX.

Inflator Module

Campaign 19V501000 | 27/06/2019

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

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. Honda's numbers for this recall are E5D and X5C.

Inflator Module

Campaign 19V499000 | 27/06/2019

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

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.

Inflator Module

Campaign 18V268000 | 26/04/2018

An incorrectly installed air bag may deploy improperly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

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. Honda's numbers for this recall are K1P, and M1O.

Inflator Module

Campaign 16V178000 | 30/03/2016

An air bag module does not meet the advanced air bag requirements can increase the risk of injury or death in the event of a crash.

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.

Air Bags

Campaign 14V700000 | 04/11/2014

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passengers frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

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.

Inflator Module

Campaign 15V370000 | 15/06/2015

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the passenger seat occupant or other occupants possibly causing serious injury or death.

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. Honda's numbers for this recall are JU4, JU5, JU6, and JU7. Note: Vehicles that have already received

Inflator Module

Campaign 15V320000 | 28/05/2015

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

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. Owners may contact Acura customer service at 1-800-382-2238, select option 4. Note: Vehicles that

Air Bags

Campaign 14V353000 | 20/06/2014

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.

Exterior Lighting

Campaign 09E012000 | 07/04/2009

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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.

Hose, Piping, And Connections

Campaign 12V222000 | 17/05/2012

If this occurs, power steering fluid can leak onto a hot catalytic converter, leading to smoke and possibly an under-hood fire.

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 remedy. Sufficient parts are not yet available for owners of the vehicles covered by the September 2

Exterior Lighting

Campaign 06E038000 | 08/05/2006

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

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.

Headlights

Campaign 06E023000 | 13/03/2006

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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.

Headlights

Campaign 09E025000 | 11/05/2009

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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.

Headlights

Campaign 07E004000 | 16/01/2007

MISALIGNMENT OF THE LIGHTS DEMINISHES FRONTAL ILLUMINATION WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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.

Exterior Lighting

Campaign 06E064000 | 17/07/2006

LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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.

Headlights

Campaign 07E031000 | 17/05/2007

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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.

Sensor/Control Module-Inactive

Campaign 07V001000 | 03/01/2007

A FAILURE OF THE SPS CAUSES THE AIR BAG SYSTEM TO DEFAULT TO FULL INFLATION PRESSURE, REGARDLESS OF THE SEAT POSITION. FULL DEPLOYMENT OF THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY FOR SMALLER DRIVERS IN A FRONTAL CRASH.

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.

Exterior Lighting

Campaign 06E032000 | 18/04/2006

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

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.

Frontal

Campaign 04V551000 | 18/11/2004

A TORN AIR BAG MAY NOT OFFER THE SAME LEVEL OF PROTECTION, IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THEREBY INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE DRIVER.

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.

Automatic Transmission

Campaign 04V176000 | 15/04/2004

GEAR FAILURE COULD RESULT IN TRANSMISSION LOCKUP, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

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 THAN 15,000 MILES, THE DEALER WILL INSPECT THE TRANSMISSION TO IDENTIFY GEARS THAT HAVE ALREADY EXPER

Airbag Safety

Based on the most common issues reported for this vehicle.

Check for open airbag recalls at NHTSA.gov using your VIN
Never ignore the airbag warning light — get it diagnosed immediately
Don't install aftermarket steering wheel covers that block the airbag
Keep the area around airbag deployment zones clear of accessories

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Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.

Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.

Data through: 2026-03-28