36 of the 1,307 complaints about the 2004 Honda Accord are about the body and structure — 3% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 100,000 miles.
36
Complaints
6
Crashes
0
Fires
3
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
STRUCTURE:BODY
SEAT BELT WILL NOT RESET THE LIGHT IS ON CONSTANTLY THE WIND SHIELD WIPERS CONTROL THE WATER WILL NEVER PUMP THE WATER OUT HOWEVER THE PUMP IS GOOD. THE RADIO WORKS HOWEVER YOU CAN NOT SEE THE PANEL AND LIGHTS, THAT INCLUDES THE AIR CONDITIONAL AND HEATER LIGHTS. THE PAIN ON ALL OF MY HONDA'S ARE COMING OFF OR FADING WITH A WHITE COLOR AND SPOTS ALL OVER.
NHTSA complaint #11309389 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
MY CAR GOT INTO A MINOR ACCIDENT A NEIGHBORHOOD. THE AIRBAG ON THE PASSENGER SEAT CAME OUT. EVERYONE INCLUDING THE POLICE THOUGHT IT WAS ODD BECAUSE THERE WASN'T ANYONE SITTING ON THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE DRIVER'S SIDE ON THE OTHER HAND, THE AIRBAG DID NOT COME OUT. AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS OFF EVEN THOUGH THE PASSENGER AIRBAG CAME OFF. I HAVE A QUESTION AS TO WHY THAT IS? ALSO MY SEAT BELT BECAME TOO TIGHT AND DOES NOT ALLOW ME ROOM TO MOVES.
NHTSA complaint #11243529 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD
I HAVE A 2004 HONDA ACCORD EX THAT I PURCHASED NEW IN MAY OF 2004. ON 10/23/2011 I OPENED THE HOOD TO CHECK THE OIL. I WALKED AWAY TO GET A RAG AND THE HOOD SLAMMED SHUT WHILE I WAS LOOKING THE OTHER DIRECTION. I REOPENED THE HOOD AND WATCHED TO SEE WHAT WAS HAPENNING. 18 SECONDS AFTER THE HOOD IS OPENED, THE HOOD FALLS ABOUT 5" SLOWLY AND THEN FREE FALLS THE REST OF THE WAY. I CALLED AND TALKED TO THE SERVICE MANAGER OF MY LOCAL HONDA DEALER TO SEE IF HONDA WAS WILLING TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. HE INFORMED ME THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE THE 2 SHOCKS THAT HOLD THE HOOD UP FOR FREE BECAUSE THE CAR WASN'T UNDER WARRANTY ANYMORE. AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED, WHAT EVER THEY USE TO HOLD THE HOOD UP ON THE VEHICLES THAT THEY PRODUCE SHOULD NEVER FAIL. IF I WOULD HAVE HAD MY HEAD UNDER THE HOOD CHECKING THE OIL, I COULD HAVE HAD A VERY SERIOUS BLOW TO THE HEAD. I FAXED A LETTER TO THE HONDA CORPORATE OFFICE ON TUESDAY 10/25/2011 AND A WOMAN NAMED MARIBEL CALLED ME ON THE PHONE TO DISCUSS THE PROBLEM (EVEN THOUGH I DIDN'T GIVE THEM MY PHONE NUMBER IN THE LETTER THAT I SENT THEM BECAUSE I WANTED A RESPONSE IN WRITING), SHE PRETTY MUCH TOLD ME THE SAME THING. THE CAR ISN'T UNDER WARRANTY ANY MORE, SO IT IS ON ME TO REPLACE THE BAD SHOCKS THAT HOLD THE HOOD UP. ONCE THE HOOD OF A VEHICLE IS RAISED AND SEEMS TO BE SECURE, NOBODY WOULD EVER EXPECT TO HAVE THE HOOD FREEFALL ON THEM WHILE CHECKING FLUID LEVELS OR ANY OTHER THING THAT THEY WOULD BE UNDER THERE INSPECTING. IT SEEMS TO BE OF THE OPINION OF HONDA THAT THIS IS JUST SOMETHING THAT HAS TO BE REPLACED IN TIME. I THINK THEY ARE VERY WRONG. THESE SHOCKS NEVER GAVE ME ANY WARNING THAT THEY WERE GETTING WEAK AND WERE GOING TO NEED TO BE REPLACED UNTIL THE HOOD ACTUALLY SLAMMED SHUT.
NHTSA complaint #11234430 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
2004 HONDA ACCORD. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO RECEIVING A SAFETY RECALL FOR A VEHICLE THEY NO LONGER OWN. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED DOES NOT WISH TO BE CONTACTED ANY FURTHER DUE TO THE FACT THE CAR IS NO LONGER IN HIS POSSESSION.
NHTSA complaint #11082769 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
CLEAR COAT IS PEELING.
NHTSA complaint #10893215 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
THE EXTERIOR PAINT OF ENTIRE CARE IS PEELING AS IT HAS BEEN REPORTED MANY TIMES. HONDA USED VERY POOR PAINT QUALITY.
NHTSA complaint #10862855 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
PAINT DELAMINATION
NHTSA complaint #10853325 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
I WAS IN A PARKING GARAGE AND PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT. I WAS WITHIN 2 FEET OF THE CONCRETE WALL AND FOOT OVER BREAK WHEN MY CAR ACCELERATED WITH ENOUGH FORCE TO DEPLOY THE AIRBAG AND PUSH THE FRAME INTO THE RADIATOR. IT HAPPENED SO FAST, I TRIED TO BRAKE BUT IT WAS OVER WITHIN SECONDS. I COULD NOT HAVE BEEN GOING MORE THAN 2MPH OR LESS AS I DID NOT EVEN HAVE FOOT ON GAS.
NHTSA complaint #10824466 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING MY 2004 HONDA ACCORD AND WAS TRAVELING AT ABOUT 30 MPH. SHE HAD MY 12 YR OLD IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND GOT TOO CLOSE TO THE EDGE OF A ROAD THAT DIDN'T HAVE A SHOULDER. IT PULLED THE TIRES OFF AND SHE OVERCOMPENSATED SWERVING BACK ONTO THE ROAD. THERE WAS ANOTHER CAR COMING SO SHE SWERVED BACK TOWARDS THE DITCH AND HIT A POWER POLE HEAD ON. THE AIRBAG ON DRIVERS SIDE DEPLOYED BUT SLOWLY AND WITH VERY LITTLE FORCE AT ALL. MY DAUGHTER DESCRIBED IT AS FALLING OUT AND BARELY INFLATING. HOWEVER, THE OTHER DAUGHTER'S AIRBAG SHOT OUT HARD AND FAST AND CAUSED HER TO BREAK A BONE IN HER RT DOMINANT HAND. SHE HAD TO HAVE SURGERY ON THAT KNUCKLE/FINGER USING THREE PINS. THEY HAD TO EVENTUALLY GO BACK AND DO SURGERY TO REMOVE THEM SINCE THEY BURIED UNDER THE SKIN. I WAS COMPLETELY UNAWARE THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE AIRBAGS SINCE I WASN'T THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10818973 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
THIS IS A REALLY APPALLING SITUATION REGARDING OUR HONDA. THE PAINT STARTED PEELING FOR NO APPARENT REASON AND NOT IT LOOKS LIKE A CAR WITH LEPROSY... I HAVE ALREADY REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION TO THE TUNE OF $3,500.00 WITH NO HELP FROM HONDA AFTER SELLING MY 2001 FORD F-150 AND NOW THEY SAY THEY DON'T HAVE ANY PAINT PROBLEMS. I BEG TO DIFFER. THE QUOTE I HAVE TO HAVE IT RE-PAINTED IS $2,500.00. IF HONDA CARES THIS LITTLE ABOUT THEIR CUSTOMER'S EXPERIENCE, I WILL NEVER OWN ANOTHER ONE OF THESE PIECES OF [XXX]... INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10766293 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
THE PAINT STARTED PEELING AROUND THE BEGINNING OF 2012. IT HAS GOTTEN WORSE AFFECTING ALMOST 100% OF THE BODY OF THE CAR AND HAS REDUCED ITS VALUE DRASTICALLY.
NHTSA complaint #10744386 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
I OWN A 2004 HONDA ACCORD THAT HAS EXPERIENCE MAJOR PAINT CHIPPING. THE PROBLEM OCCURS ACROSS THE ENTIRE BODY OF THE CAR: THE HOOD, THE ROOF, AND THE TRUNK ARE ALL PEELING AWAY. WHILE THE CAR IS 10 YEARS OLD, THE PAINT WOULD NOT BE DESCRIBED AS "NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR." HONDA RECENTLY MADE AN ANNOUNCEMENT ABOUT THE PAINT PROBLEM UNDER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT ONLY UNDER SPECIFIC VIN NUMBERS. MY ISSUE IS THAT MY CAR CLEARLY HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE PAINT, A PROBLEM THAT WAS ACKNOWLEDGED BY THE COMPANY, BUT IS NOT BEING AMENDED BY THE COMPANY. I WOULD JUST LIKE TO GET IT ON RECORD THAT THERE MIGHT BE A PROBLEM WITH 2004 HONDA ACCORDS AND THE PAINT USED ON THEM. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
NHTSA complaint #10717385 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
HONDA ACCORD WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP WHEN REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAG SENSOR DID COME ON BUT THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE AIR BAG SENSOR REMAINS ON AFTER IMPACT.
NHTSA complaint #10712006 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
CLEAR COAT BEGAN DETERIORATING 2009 AND HAS RAPIDLY EFFECTED THE ENTIRE CAR. I HAVE OWNED 3 ACCORDS, LOVE THE HONDA PRODUCT BUT NOT HAPPY WITH THE OBVIOUS DEFECTIVE PRODUCT USED ON MY CAR AND MILLIONS OF OTHERS EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE. HONDA SHOULD BE WILLING TO COMPLETELY REPAINT ALL CARS EFFECTED, REGARDLESS OF AGE, MILEAGE, ETC. COMPETITION IN THE AUTO INDUSTRY IS AT AN ALL TIME HIGH. I WOULD THINK HONDA WOULD WANT TO HANG ONTO AS MANY OF THEIR REPEAT PURCHASE CUSTOMERS AS POSSIBLE. DOING THE RIGHT THING IS ALWAYS THE FIRST THING TO DO.
NHTSA complaint #10683859 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
CLEAR COAT IS PEELING OFF ON THE ROOF AND TRUNK. DEALER TOOK PICTURES AND CAME BACK TWO MONTHS LATER SAYING THEY WOULD PAINT IT FOR $2,200.00. THIS IS A CLEARLY DOCUMENTED MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. TWO MINUTES ON THE INTERNET WILL CONFIRM THAT. RECENTLY I PAID OVER $2,000.00 FOR MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS. AT THAT TIME THEY REMINDED ME WHAT A GOOD INVESTMENT IT WAS AS THE CAR WOULD LAST ANOTHER 100,000 MILES. NOW WITH THE PAINT COMING OFF, MY INVESTMENT IS GONE. THIS IS NOT RIGHT. PLEASE HELP ME AN 100'S OTHERS.
NHTSA complaint #10680172 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
2004 HONDA ACCORD LX. I WAS IN THE RIGHT LANE ON ( QUEENS / NY CITY) GRAND CENTRAL PARKWAY WEST ( AFTER THE EXIT FROM JACKIE ROBINSON PARKWAY, COMING FROM BROOKLYN / NYC). A PICKUP TRUCK IN THE LEFT LANE, SLIGHT BEHIND ME, SKIDDED AT LEAST 3 TIMES PERPENDICULAR TO THE ROAD, HIT ME FIRST ON THE LEFT 2 DOORS AND ON THE 2ND SKID IT HIT ME ON MY (REAR) TRUNK ( LEFT SIDE). THE REAR WINDSHIELD GLASS WAS SHATTERED INTO 1000S OF PIECES. I HAD 4 AIR BAGS IN THE CAR. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS INFLATED. LUCKY FOR ME AND MY WIFE, WE DID NOT SUFFER ANY BROKEN BONES OR CUTS. THE GEICO INSURANCE CO HAS DECLARED MY CAR AS "TOTALED". THE DRIVER SIDE OUTSIDE MIRROR FLEW AWAY. I THINK THE AIR BAGS SHOULD HAVE INFLATED AS THERE WAS A LOT OF DAMAGE TO THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR. THE CAR NOW IS IN THE POSSESSION OF GEICO INSURANCE COMPANY. I WAS THE ONLY OWNER SINCE AUGUST 2004 ( BRAND NEW CAR). THE CAR PREVIOUSLY WAS IN MINOR ACCIDENT ON THE RIGHT SIDE DOORS (JUST SCRATCHES).
NHTSA complaint #10680260 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
THE CLEAR COAT ON MY BLACK EXTERIOR PAINT IS PEELING OFF ON THE DOOR PANELS.
NHTSA complaint #10678958 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
I WAS HEADING NORTH BOUND AND THE ON COMING VEHICLE WAS HEADING SOUTH BOUND HE MADE A IMPROPER LEFT TURN IN TO THE FRONT OF MY CAR, THE ENTIRE FRONT OF MY CAR WAS DAMAGED HOOD,WINDSCREEN,HEADLIGHTS,RIGHT AND LEFT FRONT FENDER, RADIATOR,AC CONDENSER, HORN AND CHASSIS FRAME. BUT MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOYED.
NHTSA complaint #10659140 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
DEFECTIVE BODY PAINT (BLACK). CLEAR COAT/PAINT PEELING. LOCAL HONDA'S DEALER HAVE MADE SEVERAL EXCUSES OVER THE YEARS. I JUST FOUND OUT LAST YEAR FROM ANOTHER OWNER THAT HAS THE SAME MODEL/COLOR. LOCAL DEALER AND HONDA'S CORPORATE OFFICE WILL NOT RESOLVE ISSUE. ONLY CIVIC NOT ACCORD MODELS ARE BEING REPAINTED FOR FREE.
NHTSA complaint #10641365 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
THE CLEARCOAT PAINT IS BEGINNING TO PEAL ON THE HOOD, ROOF AND TRUNK. COLOR OF VEHICLE IS BLACK. IT HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED AND GARAGED. I'VE NOTICED MANY OTHER HONDA VEHICLES WITH THE SAME CONDITION. IN ADDITION, THE ABS BRAKE WARNING LIGHT HAS GONE ON AND WE'VE BEEN TOLD BY HONDA THAT THE CAR NEEDS THE ABS MODULE REPLACED AT A COST OF $1,200. WE HAVE NOT MADE THIS REPAIR DUE TO THE COST AND AGE OF THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10640317 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
I PURCHASED THE CAR IN 2006, USED, IN 2011, I NOTICED CHALK-SPLOTCHES ON THE BACK OF THE ROOF EXTENDING DOWN TO THE TRUNK. IT SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE. IT IS UNSIGHTLY, OTHERWISE, I AM VERY PROUD TO OWN THIS CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10639535 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
HONDA PAINT & CLEAR COAT PEELING.
NHTSA complaint #10628670 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
HONDA IS VERY WELL AWARE OF THEIR FAULT CLEAR COAT PAINT PROBLEMS. MY CAR'S ROOF BEGAN TO DECAY, AND THE CLEAR COAT IN NO LONGER VISIBLE. I WAS LEFT WITH ONLY THE BASE COLOR OF MY PAINT, AND NOW ITS BEGINNING TO RUST AND HOLES ARE STARTING TO APPEAR AND WATER IS LEAKING EVERYWHERE INSIDE MY VEHICLE. I FEEL MY SAFETY IS AT RISK WHEN IT RAINS. I'VE CONTACTED HONDA AND THEY TOLD ME THAT ONLY HONDA ODYSSEY VANS ARE BEING COVER FOR THE FAULTY PAINT. WHY?! WHEN ALL OF YOUR MODELS ARE BEING AFFECTED!!! CIVICS, ACCORDS, CRV YOU NAME IT. YOU HAVE A FAULTY PAINT PROBLEM HONDA AND YOU'RE PUTTING EVERYONE'S LIFE AT RISK.
NHTSA complaint #10553970 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
PEELING CLEARCOAT AND FADING PAINT.
NHTSA complaint #10485027 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
CPSC#I11A0662A. 2004 HONDA ACCORD. CONSUMER STATED HE BOUGHT THE CAR NEW. HE OPENED THE HOOD TO CHECK THE OIL, AND WHEN HE WALKED AWAY, THE HOOD SLAMMED SHUT. HE ALSO SAID 18 SECONDS AFTER THE HOOD WAS OPENED, IT FELL ABOUT 5 INCHES AND THEN IT WOULD FREE FALL THE REST OF THE WAY. *LN THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE THE SHOCKS FOR FREE, BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. *JB UPDATED 07/11/12
NHTSA complaint #10461612 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
CLEAR COAT AND PAINT IS DISAPPEARING AT AN ALARMINGLY FAST RATE (AND EARLY).
NHTSA complaint #10435130 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
ON JANUARY 2, 2004 WE PURCHASED A HONDA ACCORD EX. THE CAR IS RED IN COLOR. TOTAL COST WAS $25,998.50. WE HAVE ENJOYED THIS CAR SINCE WE PURCHASED IT AND ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO WE MADE THE DECISION TO REPLACE THE TIMING BELT. THAT WAS ON APRIL 8, 2011 AS THE MILEAGE NEARED 100,000. SINCE THAT TIME (PROBABLY IN MAY 2011) WE STARTED TO NOTICE SOME PEELING ON THE FRONT ABOVE THE WINDSHIELD AND ALSO SOME AROUND THE REAR WINDOW. IT HAS GOTTEN WORSE WITH EACH PASSING DAY. HAD WE KNOWN THIS WAS GOING TO HAPPEN WE WOULD NOT HAVE REPLACED THE TIMING BELT. WE NOW HAVE A HONDA IN GREAT MECHANICAL CONDITION THAT LOOKS AWFUL. IT SEEMS THAT HONDA WHEN CONTACTED BLAMES THE ENVIRONMENT FOR THESE PROBLEMS EVEN THOUGH WE DON'T SEE THE CARS MADE BY OTHER MANUFACTURERS HAVING COMPLAINTS ABOUT A PAINT PEELING ISSUE. HONDA HAS CHANGED ITS PAINT PROCESS TO SAVE MONEY AND NOW THE CONSUMER IS GOING TO SUFFER THE COST OF REPAIR OR A CAR THAT LOOKS LIKE A JUNKER. WE ARE VERY UPSET THAT THIS WAS NOT A RECALL BY HONDA. THERE ARE SO MANY HONDA OWNERS WITH THIS PROBLEM AND THEY HAVE DOCUMENTED THESE PROBLEMS ONLINE.
NHTSA complaint #10432594 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
WATER IS LEAKING INSIDE THE CAR ON THE DRIVER SIDE FLOOR NEXT TO THE FOOT REST, BRAKE PEDAL EVERYTIME IT RAINS OUTSIDE.
NHTSA complaint #10267585 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
THIS IS A FACTORY CLEARCOAT FAILURE. 2004 HONDA ACCORD EXL, RED. WITHIN TWO YEARS, THE CLEARCOAT HAD STARTED TO PEEL. IN THE THIRD YEAR, I CONTACTED THE HONDA MAIN OFFICES WITH MY COMPLAINT. AFTER HAVING TWO INSURANCE ADJUSTERS, A BODY SHOP, AND AN AUTO PAINT SALESMAN LOOK AT THE CAR AND IN EVERY CASE, THEIR OPINION IS THAT THIS FAILURE IS A FACTORY DEFECT. HONDA REPEATEDLY REFUSES TO TAKE THAT RESPONSIBILITY. THE PEELING CLEARCOAT IS SPREADING LIKE A DISEASE EATING AWAY AT IT.
NHTSA complaint #10240181 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
2004 HONDA ACCORD EXL WITH RED PAINT. CLEAR COAT BEGAN TO PEEL IN PLACES ALL OVER THE CAR. I CONTACTED HONDA AND AFTER SEVERAL LETTERS AND PHONE CALLS BACK AND FORTH, THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR A FACTORY FAILURE. HAVE HAD INSURANCE ADJUSTERS, BODY SHOP, AND AN AUTO PAINT SALESMAN EXAMINE THE PAINT AND ALL SAY THIS IS SOMETHING GONE WRONG AT THE FACTORY. HONDA KEEPS WANTING TO SAY I PARKED SOMEWHERE THAT "SOMETHING" BLEW ON THE CAR ALL OVER SUCH AS CROP DUSTERS. THE NEAREST CROP DUSTER IS 150 MILES AWAY AND THE AREA WHERE I LIVE IS LAKES AND MOUNTAINS.
NHTSA complaint #10240093 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.