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Research · Compact Cars · 2 NHTSA variants

2004 Honda CivicRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 15 safety recalls and 351 owner complaints for the 2004 Honda Civic. Most complaints involve air bags (134) and power train (56). The EPA rates it 25–34 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
25–34mpg
EPA · 8 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
15campaigns
Latest Jun 2019
Owner complaints
351
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$1,650est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

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

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

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

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 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2007 and 2010-2011 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. The affected vehicles received a replacement driver air bag inflator as part of a previous Takata inflator recall remedy or a replacement driver air bag module containing the same inflator type as a service part. Due to a manufacturing error, in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver frontal air bag, these inflators may explode.

Air bagsReported Mar 6, 2019NHTSA 19V182000
See all 15 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 6, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

351 complaints filed with NHTSA · Nov 2003 – Nov 2023
  1. Air bags134
  2. Power train56
  3. Electrical system32
  4. Vehicle speed control23
  5. Seat belts20
  6. Structure17
  7. Engine and engine cooling16
  8. Suspension15
  9. Exterior lighting12

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 Civic model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996314
1997383
1998450
1999348
2000297
20011,089
2002717
2003525
2004351
2005316
20061,411
20071,212
2008923
2009398
2010400
2011170
2012462
2013320
2014293
2015389
20161,083
2017608
2018602
2019460
2020240
2021162
2022962
2023338
2024144
202588
202632
Crashes reported
48
Fires reported
6
Injuries reported
37
Deaths reported
1
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 6, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

134 reports32 crashes1 fire
“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…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 14, 2023Air bags, EngineODI 11555093

Power train

56 reports1 crash
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE TRANSMISSION AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE AND INDEPENDENTLY DECELERATE. ADDITIONALLY, WHILE ACCELERATING THE VEHICLE WAS SKIPPING GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE WAS DUE TO A FAULTY CVT SKIPPING OR AN EGR VALVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 85,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 2, 2020Power trainODI 11377505

Electrical system

32 reports4 fires
“DRIVER SIDE SEAR BELT DOES NOT RETRACT. IT HAS BEEN REPLACED BEFORE BY THE DEALER. FRONT MUD FLAPS ARE TO LOW AND ARE DAMAGES AND NEED REPLACING. ELECTRIC PLUG SOCKET DOES NOT WORK (LIGHTER AND CELL PHONE)”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 3, 2019Electrical system, Seat belts, Unknown or otherODI 11183775
All 2004 Civic problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 6, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

8 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Compact Cars
Engines
1.7L 4-cyl · 1.7L 4-cyl cng · 2.0L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 5-spd · Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline · Natural Gas

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 6, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Civic
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.7 L, VTEC-E · Front-Wheel Drive
313934$1,900261
Civic
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.7 L, VTEC-E · Front-Wheel Drive
293632$2,000278
Civic
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.7 L, VTEC · Front-Wheel Drive
263530$2,150296
Civic
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.7 L · Front-Wheel Drive
273430$2,150296
Civic
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.7 L, VTEC · Front-Wheel Drive
273430$2,150296
Civic
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.7 L · Front-Wheel Drive
253429$2,200306
Civic CNG
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.7 L · Front-Wheel Drive
263128$1,650251
Civic
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
222825$2,550355
  • Civic
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.7 L, VTEC-E
    31 city · 39 hwy · $1,900/yr
    34
    mpg comb.
  • Civic
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.7 L, VTEC-E
    29 city · 36 hwy · $2,000/yr
    32
    mpg comb.
  • Civic
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.7 L, VTEC
    26 city · 35 hwy · $2,150/yr
    30
    mpg comb.
  • Civic
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.7 L
    27 city · 34 hwy · $2,150/yr
    30
    mpg comb.
  • Civic
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.7 L, VTEC
    27 city · 34 hwy · $2,150/yr
    30
    mpg comb.
  • Civic
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.7 L
    25 city · 34 hwy · $2,200/yr
    29
    mpg comb.
  • Civic CNG
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.7 L
    26 city · 31 hwy · $1,650/yr
    28
    mpg comb.
  • Civic
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    22 city · 28 hwy · $2,550/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 6, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

5 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2004 Honda Civic as of Nov 6, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 6, 2026Vehicle 1149Vehicle 1148Vehicle 1147
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 Civic questions

How many recalls does the 2004 Honda Civic have?

15 safety recalls as of Nov 6, 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 Civic problems?

Owners filed 351 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (134), power train (56), electrical system (32). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2004 Honda Civic get?

The EPA rates the 2004 Honda Civic at 25–34 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (8 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 6, 2026