RoadVitals

2004 Honda Accord Exterior lighting Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the exterior lighting system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Exterior lighting 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.
34
Latest Jan 26, 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.
3%
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.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting. 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. 34 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 exterior lighting

The 25 most recent of 34, in the owner's own words

AirbagsExterior lightingSeat belts
Filed Jan 26, 2020

THE SRS LIGHT OF MY CAR COME ON AND GOES OFF ALL THE TIME. SOMETIMES WHEN I AM DRIVING, SUDDENLY WILL TURN ON FOR A WHILE. I USUALLY PULL OVER AND TURN OFF THE ENGINEER AND TURN IT ON BACK AND WAIT A FEW. THIS HAPPENS CONSTANTLY, AND I HAVE READ THE MANUAL, THIS HAS TO DO WITH THE FRONT AIR BAGS, AND ACCORDING TO THE MANUAL BOOK CAN BE 'AN ALERT TO A POTENTIAL AIRBAGS, SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS, FRONT SEAT BELT TENSIONERS OR THE DRIVER'S SEAT POSITION SENSOR AND THE FRONT PASSENGER'S WEIGHT SENSORS' WE HAVE CHECK IT ALL THE TIME AND IT JUST GOES ON ALL THE TIME AS IT COMES OFF ALL THE TIME. I HAVE GOTTEN TO A POINT THAT CONCERNS ME A LOT.

NHTSA ID
11302077
Incident
Jan 25, 2020
Mileage
130,000 mi
Exterior lightingSteering
Filed Nov 29, 2019

THIS VEHICLE AND MODEL HAS HAD 2 RECALLS REGARDING AFTERMARKET PARTS IN STEERING WHEELS, HOLES IN LEAKING HOSES AND VALVES AND FIRE HAZARDOUS. THE SECOND ONE IS REGARDING LOW BEAM LIGHTS AND VERY POOR VISIBILITY, INCREASING PROBABILITIES OF A CRASH. I HAVE CALLED AMERICAN HONDA TO HONOR THE REPAIRS OF THIS 2 RECALLS AND THEY DO NOT WANT TO DO IT, BECAUSE THE CAR IS ALREADY 14 YEARS OLD. SO I AM DRIVING A FAULTY VEHICLE, AND TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE I AM ALREADY DISABLE FROM 2 CAR ACCIDENTS (AS A PASSENGER) ONE OF THE RECALLS, THE STEERING WHEEL, WAS ALREADY TAKEN CARE OF IN THE PAST, BUT IT STILL PERSIST NOW AS I BOUGHT IT. 2 LEAKING STEERING WHEEL HOSES. AND THE HEAD LIGHTS HAVEN'T BEEN DONE EVER! MY CAR HAS ALREADY BEEN DIAGNOSED BY A HONDA DEALER SPECIALIST AND AMERICAN HONDA DOES NOT WANT TO ASSUME THE REPAIRS OF THESE 2 RECALLS. AMERICAN HONDA DOES NOT MAKE THEMSELVES RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR OWN FAULTY VEHICLES, PASSED A CERTAIN TIME! WHERE ARE MY RIGHTS??????

NHTSA ID
11282901
Incident
Nov 1, 2019
Mileage
65,000 mi
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Dec 11, 2017

HEADS LIGHTS DIM AS I DRIVE IN CITY STREETS. HONDA HAS A SERVICE BULLETIN ON THIS BUT NEVER DID A RECALL ON HONDAS 2003 TO 2005. THE ELD HAS A FAULTY SOLDER JOINT. THIS IS WHAT THE HONDA FACTORY SERVICE BULLETIN STATES. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AT NIGHT. PART IS OVER $550.00 PLUS LABOR.

NHTSA ID
11054064
Incident
Sep 4, 2017
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Jun 5, 2016

THE PANEL LIGHTS ON THE RADIO HAS WENT OUT. I CAN'T RECALL IF IT HAPPENED WHILE I WAS DRIVING OR NOT, BUT I NOTICED IT WHILE DRIVING. IN THE 2004 HONDA ACCORD, THE AC, RADIO, & CLOCK SHARE THE SAME DISPLAY. IT WAS RAINING THE OTHER NIGHT WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND MY WINDOWS FOGGED UP. IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO FIND THE DEFROST BUTTON AT NIGHT SINCE ALL THE DISPLAY LIGHTS STOP WORKING. THIS IS A BIG SAFETY ISSUE AND HOPEFULLY HONDA WILL STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND FIX THIS ISSUE TO ENSURE THEIR CUSTOMERS ARE SAFE WHILE DRIVING THEIR VEHICLES.

NHTSA ID
10872614
Incident
Mar 1, 2016
Mileage
140,000 mi
ElectricalExterior lightingPowertrain (other)
Filed Dec 22, 2015

THE HEADLIGHTS FLICKER BETWEEN NORMAL OUTPUT AND DIM OUTPUT MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO VERIFY IF THE HEADLIGHTS ARE EVEN OPERATIONAL AT TIMES MUCH LESS SEE IN FRONT OF YOU WHILE DRIVING. IT LOOKS AS IF THE HEADLIGHTS ARE RAPIDLY TURNING OFF AND ON. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE THE CAR WAS BRAND NEW BUT EVERY TIME IT'S TAKEN TO A HONDA DEALERSHIP, THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT THE ISSUE IS. I HAVE PAID HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS REPAIRING RANDOM THINGS HONDA "THINKS" MIGHT FIX THE PROBLEM BUT IT'S STILL A MAJOR ISSUE THAT AFFECTS SAFETY OF THE HONDA DRIVER, PASSENGERS AND OTHER DRIVERS ON THE ROAD.

NHTSA ID
10811626
Incident
Dec 22, 2015
Mileage
150,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Dec 2, 2015

CLOCK, RADIO, AC LIGHTING PANEL WENT OUT AND DID NOT COME ON WHEN IGNITION WAS TURNED ON. NO DISPLAY.

NHTSA ID
10808036
Incident
Dec 1, 2015
Mileage
138,000 mi
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Sep 17, 2015

THE UNIT LIGHTS BEHIND THE RADIO KNOBS, A/C FUNCTIONS ETC. HAS GONE OUT. IT IS A CONSISTENT ISSURE WITH THESE HONDA'S. HONDA IS REQUIRING ALMOST A 1000.00 TO FIX. READ THE CUSTOMERS REVIEWS ONLINE ..ITS A COMMON ISSUE.

NHTSA ID
10764748
Incident
Jan 13, 2015
Exterior lighting
Filed Jun 20, 2015

THE CONTROL PANEL FOR THE HEATING AC AND DEFROSTER IS NOT LIGHTING UP . CANNOT SEE WHEN THE CAR FOGS UP !

NHTSA ID
10726325
Incident
Jun 19, 2015
Mileage
128,000 mi
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Feb 14, 2015

THE DISPLAY WHERE THE HEATER AND RADIO IS DOES NOT LIGHT UP, WE JUST PURCHASED THIS VEH 2/12/15... I TRIED TO DRIVE IT LAST NIGHT AND IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE AFTER DARK, U CAN'T SEE TO TURN KNOBS/BUTTONS OR ANY THING TO DO W/THE HEATER....U HAVE TO TURN OVERHEAD DONE LIGHTS ON TO SEE THE BUTTONS, IT'S VERY DANGEROUS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10683427
Incident
Feb 12, 2015
Mileage
198,000 mi
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Apr 21, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE LOW BEAM, HIGH BEAM AND FOG LIGHTS BECAME DIM. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND RADIO LIGHTING WOULD ALSO SPORADICALLY FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE IT WAS INDICATED THAT THE ELD DEVICE IN THE FUSE BOX NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUSE BOX NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TO BE INSPECTED AND REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40000.

NHTSA ID
10583915
Incident
Feb 2, 2009
Mileage
40,000 mi
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Jun 12, 2013

CAR JUST SHUT OFF WHEN I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE. HAD TO RESTART THE CAR AND IT RAN FINE UNTIL I HIT THE BRAKES AGAIN. NOW IT SHUTS OFF OR STALLS WHENEVER I USE THE BRAKES, TURN SIGNALS, HEAD LIGHTS, AND HIGH BEAM LIGHTS. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL FLASH RAPIDLY AND GO OUT SOMETIMES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10519505
Incident
May 22, 2013
Mileage
58,643 mi
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Jan 4, 2013

LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS WONT WORK, SYSTEMIC PROBLEM WITH HONDA MOTORS 2003-2004 PRODUCT LINE,MANY PILOTS AND CIVICS RECALLED BUT NOT ACCORDS . MUST USE SAME PARTS AND ENGINEERING. *TR

NHTSA ID
10491428
Incident
Jan 3, 2013
Mileage
940,000 mi
ElectricalExterior lightingVisibility
Filed Oct 24, 2012

LIGHT DISPLAY WENT OUT THAT CONTROLS RADIO AND HVAC COMPONENTS 2 YEARS AGO. DARK AT NIGHT WHEN DRIVING AND WHEN THE WINDOWS GET FOGGED UP YOU CAN NOT SEE THE SWITCH TO TURN ON DEFROST BECAUSE THE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD HAS STOPPED WORKING, SO IT REQUIRES YOU TO TURN ON INTERIOR LIGHT TO FIND THE DEFROST BUTTON, THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. AFTER RESEARCHING LAST NIGHT I FOUND HONDA EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON THIS UNTIL 2011 OR 100,000. SO I CALLED HONDA AND I WAS TOLD I'M PAST THE WARRANTY IT'S WHICHEVER COMES FIRST (I NEVER RECEIVED A LETTER FROM HONDA OR IT WOULD HAVE WENT IN TO GET FIXED) THIS IN MY OPINION SHOULD BE COVERED BY THE DEALER AS IT COULD CAUSE A FATALITY WITH SOMEONE FUMBLING WITH THE INTERIOR LIGHTS JUST TO GET THE DEFROST BUTTONS ON. *TR

NHTSA ID
10482147
Incident
Jan 3, 2010
Mileage
64,000 mi
ElectricalExterior lightingVisibility
Filed Sep 25, 2012

I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WITH RAIN, AND THE WHOLE FRONT PANEL (WHERE THE STEREO, A/C, EMERGENCY LIGHT, WENT OFF. AS I WAS TRYNG TO FIND THE EMERGENCY LIGHT( CAUSE I WAS GOING SLOW IN THE RAIN AND FIX THE TEMP. TO CLEAR DE WINDOW I ALMOST CRASH WITH ANOTHER CAR. THIS SHOUL BE TAKEN MORE SERIOUS. I CALLED AND HONDA SAID I WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. IVE BEEN GOING TO THE DEALER AND THEY WANT ME TO PAY ALMOST A $1000, I CALLED HONDA CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY INSIST I VE BENN OUT OF WARRANTY.THIS AFECT THE CONCENTRATION AND VISIBILITY ON THE CAR .I'VE BEEN READING AND ITS A COMMON PROBLEM ON THIS MODEL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10477016
Incident
Apr 20, 2010
Mileage
95,000 mi
AirbagsElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Jun 29, 2012

MAJOR ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS BEGAN ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO. RADIO DISPLAY WON'T LIGHT, BUT RADIO/CD STILL PLAYS; AIR CONDITIONER COOLS INTERMITTENTLY, THOUGH COMPRESSOR IS WORKING AND FREON IS ADEQUATE; TAIL LIGHTS SOMETIMES WORK, SOMETIMES DON'T; IGNITION SWITCH MAKES A NOISE AS THOUGH THE ENGINE WAS ALREADY STARTED WHEN I TURNED THE KEY, EVEN THOUGH IT WASN'T - EVENTUALLY THE IGNITION SWITCH HAD TO BE REPLACED (PROBLEM STILL OCCURS FROM TIME TO TIME); BRAKE CALIPERS HAVE ALWAYS PULSED NO MATTER HOW SLOW I COME TO A STOP; AND AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON FOR NO APPARENT REASON AS THERE IS NOT HINDRANCE TO THE SENSOR SWITCH MECHANISM BELOW THE SEATS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10463578
Incident
Jun 1, 2011
Mileage
127,000 mi
ElectricalExterior lightingVisibility
Filed May 22, 2012

MY RADIO AND A/C DISPLAY WENT OUT. I HAVE TO TURN ON MY INTERIOR LIGHTS AT NIGHT TO ADJUST THE TEMPERATURE IN MY CAR. IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS IF MY WINDOWS GET FOGGY AND I CANNOT FIX IT WITHOUT PULLING OFF OF THE ROAD. THIS CAR NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY $1000 FOR A PROBLEM THAT ALL OF THESE MODELS ARE HAVING. *TT

NHTSA ID
10459325
Incident
Sep 21, 2011
Mileage
150,000 mi
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Apr 27, 2012

FOR NO FAULT ON MY PART, RADIO LCD CLOCK LIGHT STOP WORKING. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL, IT IS HAPPENING TO ALL 2003 TO 2007 CARS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10456688
Incident
Dec 29, 2011
Mileage
13,000 mi
ElectricalExterior lightingSeat belts
Filed Mar 29, 2012

I HAVE NO LIGHTS IN THE TOP OF THE CAR; A/C LIGHTS NOR A/C WORK AND THE DOOR LIGHTS. I FEEL VERY UNSAFE NOT BEING ABLE TO SEE WHEN I GET IN OR OUT OF MY VEHICLE. THE SEAT BELT TIGHTENS UP WHETHER BRAKES ARE APPLIED OR NOT. NOT HAVING ANY DASH LIGHTS ARE ESSENTIAL TO THE SAFETY OF ANY VEHICLE. WANT ASSIST!!!!!!!!! *JS

NHTSA ID
10453511
Incident
Aug 17, 2011
Exterior lighting
Filed Mar 29, 2012

RADIO DISPLAY LIGHTS ARE OUT. THE PANEL IS COMPLETELY DARK. THE A/C-HEAT CONTROLS, CLOCK, RADIO ARE ALL DISPLAYED ON THIS PANEL. THIS WILL NOT LET ME LEAVE THE FAILED COMPONENTS IN THE BOX AND WON'T SEND THE MESSAGE....

NHTSA ID
10453414
Incident
Mar 15, 2012
Mileage
75,000 mi
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Mar 22, 2012

THE LIGHTS ON THE RADIO AND AC PANNEL DO NOT WORK, THE LCD DOES NOT DISPLAY THE RADIO STATIONS OR THE AC TEMPERATURES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10452621
Incident
Mar 20, 2012
Mileage
49,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Feb 15, 2012

THE DISPLAY LIGHT ON THE RADIO WENT OUT AND I CANNOT SEE TO TURN OTHER ITEMS ON AT NIGHT, IE AIR/HEAT/ ETC. WHEN I LOOKED ON LINE I FOUND A NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN. HAS THERE BEEN AN OFFICIAL RECALL? *TR

NHTSA ID
10448053
Incident
Feb 11, 2012
Mileage
78,870 mi
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Feb 10, 2012

ALL LIGHTS OF DISPLAY BOX (FOR RADIO, A/C, AUDIO, CAR INFO, TEMPERATURE, CLOCK, ETC), DISPLAY PANEL, AND BACKLIGHTS OF ALL SWITCHES ON THAT BOX, SUCH AS HEATER ON/OFF, A/C, FRONT AND REAR DEFROSTER, TEMPERATURE, AND ALL CONTROLS ABOUT ELECTRONICS, ARE GONE, I.E. NOT DISPLAYED. FUNCTIONS ARE WORKING BUT BACKLIGHT ISN'T WORKING. IT IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM FOR SAFETY. FOR EXAMPLE, IN THE NIGHT WHEN YOU DRIVE HIGHWAY, YOU CAN'T FIND THE DEFROSTER SWITCH TO TURN ON TO REMOVE FOG OF REAR WINDOW. YOU CAN'T ADJUST THE CHANNEL AT THE NIGHT WHEN YOU NEED TO HEAR EMERGENCY RADIO CHANNEL. NO INFO ABOUT CAR AT ALL. HONDA ADMITTED THAT IT HAD A PROBLEM AND SO THEY EXTENDED THE WARRANT PERIOD, BUT THIS PROBLEM APPEARED IRREGULARLY. FOR ME, JUST AFTER PASSING THE WARRANT PERIOD THEY SAID (100K). IT SHOULD BE RECALLED. I FOUND A LOT OF COMPLAINTS AND SAME ISSUES IN THE INTERNET. PLEASE INVESTIGATE AND ASK HONDA TO FIX THIS PROBLEM WHATEVER THEIR WARRANT PERIOD. THANK YOU FOR YOUR EFFORT! *TR

NHTSA ID
10447393
Incident
Oct 1, 2011
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Jan 20, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WERE ACTIVATED AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT PLANNED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000. UPDATED 03/23/12 *BF UPDATED 04/09/12

NHTSA ID
10444657
Incident
Apr 7, 2009
Mileage
85,000 mi
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Jan 20, 2012

ON DECEMBER 30, 2011 THE BACK-LIGHT ON MY RADIO STEREO AS WELL AS THE A/C PANEL WENT OUT. THIS POSES A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE 1. DURING STORMS OR BAD WEATHER, I CANNOT SEE WHAT STATION TO TURN THE RADIO FOR TORNADO WARNINGS OR WEATHER UPDATES. 2. TO ADJUST A/C OR HEATER SETTINGS, I MUST TAKE MY FOCUS OFF THE ROAD TO TURN ON THE OVERHEAD LIGHT AND ADJUST SETTINGS. 3. IN WEATHER CONDITIONS SUCH AS HIGH FOG OR WHERE YOU NEED TO USE A DEFROST, I MUST MUST TAKE MY FOCUS OFF THE ROAD TO TURN ON THE OVERHEAD LIGHT AND ADJUST SETTINGS. *TT

NHTSA ID
10444632
Incident
Dec 30, 2011
Mileage
130,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Dec 1, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INTERIOR LIGHT OF THE DASHBOARD AND THE CENTER CONSOLE MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONTACT HAD DIFFICULTY SEEING THE SPEEDOMETER, FUEL GAUGE AND THE CLOCK WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT THE CONTACT DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.

NHTSA ID
10438022
Incident
Nov 16, 2011
Mileage
135,000 mi

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 .