2004 Honda Accord Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 348about this part
- Share
- 34%of 1,018 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 100,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 348 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2004 Honda Accord, 34% of the 1,018 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 100,000 miles. 11 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“When driving on the interstate for over an hour the transmission began slipping but once I began driving on hills the transmission was no longer catching and I could no longer drive the car. The electrical issue comes from the windows not responding immediately to me pressing them down and the lock button on the remote and the lock button on the car door do not lock.”
NHTSA complaint #11290826, filed 2019-12, 122,000 miles“Transmission slipping and grinding. Took it to our trusted mechanic and he said the transmission is failing and has to be replaced. The vehicle only has 128,000 miles. There was a NHTSA recall #: 04v176000 for 2003/2004 hondas due to transmission failure which could lead to an accident. I contacted Honda and they are not willing to help.”
NHTSA complaint #10945545, filed 2017-01, 128,000 miles“Driving on I-205 and the transmission started slipping. Engine would go from normal to racing while I was driving. Got off and parked to pick up a friend and it would not go in to reverse to back out of the spot. Had to have it towed and the transmission rebuilt. For about $4500. There was only about 47000 miles on it at the time.”
NHTSA complaint #10871211, filed 2016-05, 47,000 miles“Was driving my daughter to school in the 2004 Honda Accord v6. Heard a loud pop and it just stopped and revved up in every gear and when I tried putting it in park it made a loud grinding noise. Had to have it towed home and it hasn't worked since!”
NHTSA complaint #11302361, filed 2020-01, 120,000 miles“I was driving on an express way, and all of suddenly the transmission would not engage and slip to neutral while my engine rev up to higher RPM. My speed limit went from 50 to almost zero, but luckily traffic was light and I was able to move to the shoulder safely. Same thing happened to my son a couple of days ago. I had my transmission fluid changed yesterday hoping this will prevent it from happening again.”
NHTSA complaint #10994363, filed 2017-06, 65,414 milesRelated recalls
- 04V176000Apr 15, 2004On some mini vans, sport utility and passenger vehicles, certain operating conditions can result in heat build-up between the countershaft and secondary shaft…Covers: Honda Accord 2003–2004, Acura TL 2000–2004, CL 2001–2003 +3 more
Related service bulletins
- 10194971May 28, 2021Service Bulletin - Case v. American Honda Motor Co., Inc., Case No. BC 424169 (Third Clutch Transmission Settlement - $25 Credit Vouchers).
- 10129451Apr 25, 2014Dealer message - On September 27, 2012, Honda notified NHTSA of a Stop Sale order and Safety Recall for some 2003-2007 Accord V6 units to address power steering feed hoses that…
- 10129443Apr 25, 2014Dealer message - On September 27, 2012, Honda notified NHTSA of a Stop Sale order and Safety Recall for some 2003-2007 Accord V6 units to address power steering feed hoses that…
- 10039537Jul 21, 2011Honda: the vehicle moves faster than expected with the transmission in gear, foot off the brake, and foot off the throttle. Software is causing extra engine torque after a cold…
- 10018868Dec 16, 2005Transmission grinds at shifts, skip shifting.
- 10018079Jul 16, 20051-2 upshift shudder, judder, vibration at 2,000 rpm.
- 10018029Jun 1, 2005Replacing a canon a75 digital camera to take inspection photos for s/b 04-021, safety recall: a/t 2nd gear inspection, or s/b 04-037, safety recall: accord v6 a/t 2nd gear…
- 10016346Apr 16, 2005Automatic transmission fluid (atf) leaks. Honda tech line summary.
- 10014742Jan 1, 2005Mtf leak check for overfilling.
- 10018084Dec 16, 2004Manual transmission fluid (mtf) leak at clutch housing.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 5 | 5% |
| 2024 | 6 | 4% |
| 2023 | 3 | 3% |
| 2022 | 8 | 3% |
| 2021 | 14 | 6% |
| 2020 | 16 | 4% |
| 2019 | 43 | 6% |
| 2018 | 139 | 7% |
| 2017 | 33 | 6% |
| 2016 | 29 | 5% |
| 2015 | 40 | 7% |
| 2014 | 65 | 7% |
| 2013 | 110 | 8% |
| 2012 | 27 | 7% |
| 2011 | 21 | 7% |
| 2010 | 45 | 8% |
| 2009 | 36 | 5% |
| 2008 | 70 | 5% |
| 2007 | 58 | 11% |
| 2006 | 50 | 12% |
| 2005 | 113 | 17% |
| 2004 | 348 | 34% |
| 2003 | 924 | 47% |
| 2002 | 478 | 46% |
| 2001 | 209 | 23% |
| 2000 | 201 | 17% |
| 1999 | 246 | 22% |
| 1998 | 276 | 23% |
| 1997 | 33 | 7% |
| 1996 | 27 | 6% |
| 1995 | 18 | 3% |
| 1994 | 21 | 6% |
| 1993 | 17 | 9% |
| 1992 | 25 | 12% |
| 1991 | 18 | 8% |
| 1990 | 15 | 8% |
| 1989 | 3 | 3% |
| 1988 | 11 | 13% |
| 1987 | 7 | 6% |
| 1986 | 5 | 9% |
| 1985 | 1 | 8% |
| 1983 | 1 | 14% |
| 1982 | 1 | 10% |
| 1981 | 1 | 14% |
Other parts of the 2004 Honda Accord
251 complaintsElectrical system
146 complaintsSteering
66 complaintsBrakes
62 complaintsVehicle speed control
58 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
47 complaintsSeat belts
38 complaintsExterior lighting
37 complaintsBody and structure
36 complaintsOther or unknown
32 complaintsEngine
28 complaintsEngine cooling
28 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 Honda Accord
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology