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Research · Midsize Cars

2004 Honda AccordRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 22 safety recalls and 1,018 owner complaints for the 2004 Honda Accord. Most complaints involve power train (348) and air bags (251). The EPA rates it 21–26 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
21–26mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
22campaigns
Latest Oct 2019
Owner complaints
1,018
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$2,450est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

22 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal

Free remedy

Dorman Products, Inc. (Dorman) is recalling certain Accelerator Pedal Assemblies part numbers 699-114 and 825-5029-1, sold as replacement parts for 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2004-2008 Acura TL and TSX, 2003-2007 Honda Accord, 2005-2006 Honda CR-V, 2007-2011 Honda Element, 2005-2008 Honda Pilot and 2006-2014 Honda Ridgeline vehicles. The rotating portion of the accelerator pedal assembly may bind. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 124, "Accelerator Control Systems."

Vehicle speed controlReported Oct 10, 2019NHTSA 19E068000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

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, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Air bagsReported Jun 27, 2019NHTSA 19V501000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

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, 2003-2008 Pilot and 2006 Ridgeline vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with driver frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Air bagsReported Jun 27, 2019NHTSA 19V499000
See all 22 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

1,018 complaints filed with NHTSA · Dec 2003 – Oct 2026
  1. Power train348
  2. Air bags251
  3. Electrical system146
  4. Steering66
  5. Vehicle speed control58
  6. Service brakes, hydraulic44
  7. Seat belts38
  8. Exterior lighting37
  9. Structure36

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Accord model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996478
1997467
19981,215
19991,144
20001,193
2001932
20021,062
20032,013
20041,018
2005686
2006433
2007524
20081,521
2009727
2010581
2011296
2012381
20131,438
2014984
2015602
2016613
2017540
20181,897
2019698
2020368
2021246
2022262
202388
2024153
202599
202614
Crashes reported
90
Fires reported
14
Injuries reported
77
Deaths reported
3
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Power train

348 reports11 crashes2 fires
“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. This was a very serious and frightening safety issue that nearly caused me to crash into another vehicle or an object. I am very concerned about the safety and reliability of this vehicle and believe it needs to be inspected immediately.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 19, 2026Power train, Electrical system, EngineODI 11765462

Air bags

251 reports47 crashes
“On September 18, 2026, my father was driving a 2004 Honda Accord southeast on State Route 56 in Madison County, Ohio. According to the crash report, the vehicle failed to negotiate a curve, crossed left of center, left the right side of the roadway, struck a ditch, overturned, and struck a utility pole. My father sustained severe injuries, was transported by MedFlight to OSU Wexner Medical Center, and later died. After the crash, we observed that the driver’s steering-wheel airbag had not deployed. However, the police report indicates that both front and side airbags deployed. I am requesting an investigation into this discrepancy and whether a safety defect involving the driver’s airbag may have been involved. The vehicle is being held by Pro Tow until November 2, 2026, and is available for inspection. Any inspection must be coordinated before that date, when our family must decide what happens next with the vehicle. It is unknown whether an airbag warning light was illuminated before the crash or whether a qualified technician has inspected the airbag system.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 12, 2026Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11770627

Electrical system

146 reports6 crashes7 fires
“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 resell the vehicle, the contact was informed by an individual interested in purchasing the vehicle that the mileage reported might not be the actual mileage. The contact was advised to check the Carfax Report. While checking the Carfax Report, the contact noticed two potential reports of odometer fraud with the vehicle. The Carfax Report indicated that in 2023, the mileage was reported to be approximately 251,000. The contact had not filed a report with any other agencies.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 20, 2026Electrical systemODI 11732402
All 2004 Accord problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl · 3.0L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 5-spd · Automatic 5-spd · Manual 6-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Accord
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
233126$2,450342
Accord
Auto 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
213124$2,700370
Accord
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
182722$2,900404
Accord
Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
182721$3,050423
  • Accord
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    23 city · 31 hwy · $2,450/yr
    26
    mpg comb.
  • Accord
    Auto 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    21 city · 31 hwy · $2,700/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • Accord
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L
    18 city · 27 hwy · $2,900/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Accord
    Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L
    18 city · 27 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2004 Honda Accord as of Nov 3, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 3, 2026Vehicle 1144Vehicle 1143
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2004 Accord questions

How many recalls does the 2004 Honda Accord have?

22 safety recalls as of Nov 3, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2004 Honda Accord problems?

Owners filed 1,018 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (348), air bags (251), electrical system (146). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2004 Honda Accord get?

The EPA rates the 2004 Honda Accord at 21–26 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 3, 2026