2004 Honda Accord Power Train Problems

Source: NHTSA · Updated Oct 12, 2026 · 348 complaints analyzed

Owners have filed 348 complaints with NHTSA about power train problems on the 2004 Honda Accord, 34% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 100,000 miles. The words owners use most often: “transmission failed” (15% of reports).

What owners describe

Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.

  • Transmission failed: mentioned in 53 of 348 complaints (15%)

How much does it cost to fix?

Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical power train repair on the 2004 Honda Accord at $6,000, and half of them between $4,850 and $7,250.

Based on 44 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2007–2016), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.

At what mileage do power train problems happen?

Based on 318 complaints that reported the odometer reading.

Under 10k miles10 · 3%
10k–25k miles5 · 2%
25k–50k miles16 · 5%
50k–75k miles37 · 12%
75k–100k miles87 · 27%
100k–150k miles124 · 39%
150k+ miles39 · 12%

How serious are the reports?

Of 348 complaints, 11 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 9 an injury.

Honda Accord power train complaints by model year

Peak: 2003, with 924 complaints
1995: 1819951996: 271997: 331998: 27619981999: 2462000: 2012001: 20920012002: 4782003: 9249242004: 34820042005: 1132006: 502007: 5820072008: 702009: 362010: 4520102011: 212012: 272013: 11020132014: 642015: 402016: 2920162017: 332018: 1372019: 4320192020: 162021: 142022: 820222023: 32024: 62025: 52025

n = 3,688 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Model yearPower Train complaintsShare of that yearMedian miles
2025 Accord56%—
2024 Accord64%75,000
2023 Accord34%—
2022 Accord83%—
2021 Accord146%—
2020 Accord164%2,833
2019 Accord436%32,500
2018 Accord1377%14,110
2017 Accord336%15,814
2016 Accord295%28,750
2015 Accord407%29,000
2014 Accord647%53,314
2013 Accord1108%15,500
2012 Accord277%62,000
2011 Accord217%4,700
2010 Accord458%64,121
2009 Accord365%62,175
2008 Accord705%78,150
2007 Accord5811%88,306
2006 Accord5012%98,640
2005 Accord11317%70,000
2004 Accord34834%100,000
2003 Accord92447%98,000
2002 Accord47846%88,000
2001 Accord20923%84,500
2000 Accord20117%113,006
1999 Accord24622%83,000
1998 Accord27623%86,000
1997 Accord337%82,500
1996 Accord276%125,000
1995 Accord183%147,323

When owners reported it

Peak: 2011, with 58 complaints
2004: 520042005: 92006: 420062007: 82008: 2120082009: 232010: 4920102011: 58582012: 4820122013: 292014: 2820142015: 152016: 1720162017: 32018: 520182019: 102020: 420202021: 12022: 420222023: 22025: 320252026: 2

n = 348 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Related recalls (1)

Power train:automatic transmissionApr 15, 2004 · NHTSA campaign 04V176000 · 1,099,796 vehicles

Problem: 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 transmission, eventually leading to gear tooth chipping or gear breakage.

Risk: Gear failure could result in transmission lockup, which could result in a crash.

Fix: 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 experienced discoloration due to overheating. If discoloration exists, the transmission will be replaced if discoloration is not present, the dealer will perform the revision to the oil cooler return line. The recall began on april 21, 2004, for pilot, odyssey, and mdx owners. Owners of the accord vehicles will start receiving letters on june 28, 2004, and on june 29, 2004, for owners of the tl and cl vehicles. Owners should contact honda at 1-800-999-1009 or acura at 1-800-382-2238.

What owners report

Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.

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…

Received Sep 19, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11765462

I have 22 recalls in my Jerry app and also on here. Have problems when first starting up and shifting just got from a dealer in Ohio. Maybe a year and a half ago my name is Tracy Harney my address is 702 Inverness place ft thomas Ky 41075 also my air bag light is on and my headlights are not very…

Received Feb 15, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11718121

The transmission in my 2004 Honda Accord V6 3.0L is experiencing a serious safety defect. The transmission overheats while driving, begins slipping, and eventually the vehicle will not move at all. When this happens, I lose the ability to accelerate or maintain speed, creating a dangerous situation…

Received Nov 28, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11701954
Honda Accord
Urban Gray Pearl Honda Accord Hybrid Touring CY2 sedan at Honda Ilsan Dealership.. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: Damian B Oh, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Frequently asked questions

Do all 2004 Honda Accords have power train problems?

No. NHTSA has 348 owner complaints about power train for the 2004 Honda Accord (34% of the 1,018 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.

Was there a recall on the 2004 Honda Accord power train?

Yes: 1 safety recall list power train. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.

At what mileage do power train problems start?

The median reported mileage is 100,000 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.

How much does it cost to fix power train problems on the 2004 Honda Accord?

Owners report a typical cost of $6,000 (half paid between $4,850 and $7,250), from 44 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.

What do owners say about power train problems on the 2004 Honda Accord?

The most frequent phrase is “transmission failed”, in 53 of 348 complaints.

Other 2004 Honda Accord problems

See all 2004 Honda Accord problems or power train problems across all Accord years.