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2004 Honda Accord Body & structure Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the body or structure system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Body & structure reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
36
Latest Feb 15, 2020
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
4%
of 1,016 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
6
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
3

What this page shows

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2004 Honda Accord submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 36 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming body or structure

The 25 most recent of 36, in the owner's own words

Body & structureElectricalSeat belts
Filed Feb 15, 2020

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 ID
11309389
Incident
Jul 1, 2018
AirbagsBody & structureSeat belts
Filed Aug 13, 2019
Crash reported

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 ID
11243529
Incident
Aug 5, 2019
Mileage
149,998 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jul 24, 2019

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. *JS

NHTSA ID
11234430
Incident
Oct 23, 2011
Body & structure
Filed Apr 11, 2018

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. *TR

NHTSA ID
11082769
Incident
Mar 13, 2013
Body & structure
Filed Aug 4, 2016

CLEAR COAT IS PEELING.

NHTSA ID
10893215
Incident
Sep 1, 2014
Mileage
150,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed May 3, 2016

THE EXTERIOR PAINT OF ENTIRE CARE IS PEELING AS IT HAS BEEN REPORTED MANY TIMES. HONDA USED VERY POOR PAINT QUALITY.

NHTSA ID
10862855
Incident
Jan 1, 2013
Body & structure
Filed Apr 4, 2016

PAINT DELAMINATION

NHTSA ID
10853325
Incident
Dec 1, 2015
Mileage
120,000 mi
AirbagsBody & structure
Filed Feb 5, 2016
Crash reported

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 ID
10824466
Incident
Jan 12, 2016
Mileage
114,000 mi
AirbagsBody & structure
Filed Jan 8, 2016
Crash reported1 injury reported

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 ID
10818973
Incident
Apr 9, 2015
Mileage
67,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Sep 20, 2015

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). *TR

NHTSA ID
10766293
Incident
Nov 12, 2012
Mileage
115,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jul 28, 2015

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 ID
10744386
Incident
Jan 15, 2012
Mileage
87,700 mi
Body & structure
Filed May 19, 2015

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 ID
10717385
Incident
May 19, 2015
Mileage
130,000 mi
AirbagsBody & structureElectrical
Filed Apr 21, 2015
Crash reported

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. *TR

NHTSA ID
10712006
Incident
Mar 31, 2015
Mileage
97,264 mi
Body & structure
Filed Feb 17, 2015

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. *TR

NHTSA ID
10683859
Incident
Jan 1, 2009
Body & structure
Filed Jan 31, 2015
Crash reported

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). *TR

NHTSA ID
10680260
Incident
Jan 17, 2015
Mileage
69,300 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jan 31, 2015

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. *TR

NHTSA ID
10680172
Incident
Nov 18, 2014
Mileage
102,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jan 26, 2015

THE CLEAR COAT ON MY BLACK EXTERIOR PAINT IS PEELING OFF ON THE DOOR PANELS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10678958
Incident
Sep 8, 2014
Mileage
117,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Nov 18, 2014
Crash reported

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. *TR

NHTSA ID
10659140
Incident
Aug 13, 2014
Mileage
103,100 mi
Body & structure
Filed Oct 4, 2014

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. *TR

NHTSA ID
10641365
Incident
Jan 1, 2007
Body & structureBrakes
Filed Sep 30, 2014

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. *TR

NHTSA ID
10640317
Incident
Sep 18, 2014
Mileage
75,500 mi
Body & structure
Filed Sep 27, 2014

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. *TR

NHTSA ID
10639535
Incident
Jul 11, 2011
Body & structure
Filed Aug 27, 2014

HONDA PAINT & CLEAR COAT PEELING. *TR

NHTSA ID
10628670
Incident
Jun 1, 2010
Mileage
100,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Nov 27, 2013
1 injury reported

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. *TR

NHTSA ID
10553970
Incident
Nov 6, 2013
Mileage
130,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Nov 17, 2012

PEELING CLEARCOAT AND FADING PAINT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10485027
Incident
Sep 3, 2012
Mileage
99,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jun 13, 2012

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 ID
10461612
Incident
Oct 23, 2011

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .