RoadVitals

2004 Honda Accord Suspension Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the suspension system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Suspension 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.
20
Latest Apr 18, 2025
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.
2%
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.
1
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 suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware. 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. 20 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 suspension

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

SteeringSuspension
Filed Apr 18, 2025

I was driving and the lower ball joints on passenger side broke causing the axle to brake the car lot i got car from said they replaced everything well it happened again and the ball jounts were the same ines that were on there before..Now my rack and opion broke

NHTSA ID
11655441
Incident
Mar 26, 2025
Other / unspecifiedSteeringSuspension
Filed Feb 28, 2021

FRONT RIGHT SUSPENSION FAILURE RESULTING IN LOSS OF STEERING INPUT. THE FRONT RIGHT WHEEL SEPARATED FROM THE SUSPENSION AND WAS AT 90 DEGREES WHILE MOVING FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION , THE EVENT OCCURRED RIGHT AFTER A U TURN.

NHTSA ID
11398308
Incident
Feb 28, 2021
Mileage
188,400 mi
AirbagsSteeringSuspension
Filed May 17, 2018

TAKATA RECALL AIR BAGS SHOULD BE REINSTALLED IN ALL VEHICLES OF THE YEAR THAT WAS BEING RECALLED. I HAVE A 2004 HONDA ACCORD SEDAN AND I FIND IT APPLAUDING THAT RESPONSIBILITY ISN'T BEING ACCEPTED 100%. IF ONE AIR BAG IS DEFECTED THEN THEY ALL SHOULD AND COULD BE, WITH THAT BEING SAID I URGE THEM TO HONOR THE FAULTY EQUIPMENT AND FIX IT INSTEAD OF 'PLAYING WITH PEOPLE'S LIVES' AND WAIT I TO SEE IF THE WORSE HAPPENS WHEN THE AIR BAGS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE A SAFETY ITEM IN CASE OF A ACCIDENT IN WHICH THEY WILL RELEASE.

NHTSA ID
11096472
Incident
May 14, 2018
Suspension
Filed Mar 5, 2018

CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS RIPPED BOUGHT FROM AMAZON IN MARCH 2016, HAD TO ULTIMATELY REPLACE THE STRUTS

NHTSA ID
11076342
Incident
Feb 14, 2018
Mileage
15,500 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)Suspension
Filed Dec 19, 2016

I DID TUNE UP MY CAR BECAUSE IS RUN NOT GOOD. THE BALL JOINT BROKE GOOD THE HAPPEN ON STREET IN REPAIR GET NEW BALL JOINT AND NEW AXLE BOTH THING FOR DRIVERS SIDE USED CAR HAD A GOOD ON GAS MILEAGE BUT AFTER START GIVING BAD MILEAGES. MANY TIME TUNE UP. AFTER THAT CAR NOT PICK SPEED. ONE DAY I DID GOOGLE SEARCH. I FIND HONDA RECALL FOR TRANSMISSION OVER ONE MILLION. I CALL HONDA DEALER ABOUT TRANSMISSION RECALL HE SAY NEED UP DATE SOFTWARE BUT THEY DON'T HAVE RECALL ABOUT THIS YET . BUT THEY HAVE RECALL AIRBAGS WAS WHICH HAVEN ALREADY DONE. NOW MY CAR HAVE PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION ,BALL JOINT AXLE ,SMOKING. RADIO NOT WORKS ANOTHER I HOPE. I GET RECALL SOON . I WASN'T KNOW THAT TO FILE COMPLAINTS. NOW I KNOW AND I HELPS OTHER. *TR

NHTSA ID
10936183
Incident
Jan 1, 2016
Mileage
100,000 mi
Powertrain (other)SteeringSuspension
Filed Jul 23, 2016

2004 ACCORD TRANSMISSION BEGAN LEAKING AT THE SAME TIME AS ABS TROUBLE, WHAT SEEMS TO BE SUSPENSION PROBLEMS (BAD SPRINGS?), HOOD STRUTS FAILED. THESE ALL HAPPENED ABOUT A MONTH AFTER ONE DEALER REPLACED AN ENGINE MOUNT AND LEAKING POWER STEERING FLUID CONTAINER. THE TRUNK OPENING SWITCH WOULD NOT WORK BUT WAS TOO EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR. I HAD THE ABS LOOKED AT AT ANOTHER DEALER AND FOR $100 AN "ELECTRICAL SWITCH" UNDER THE GAS PEDAL WAS REPLACED. THE POWER STEERING FLUID WAS LEAKING AGAIN. THEY SAID THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE FIXED FOR $2000 AND THAT MY CAR WAS NOT IN THE RECALL. I SAW MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT TRANSMISSION LEAKS ONLINE AND ABOUT THE GAS DOOR NOT OPENING. THE DEALER DIDN'T WANT TO HEAR ABOUT THAT. (ENGINE MOUNTS AND HOOD STRUTS ARE POPULAR ITEMS ON AMAZON.) I WAS LUCKY THAT MY HEAD WASN'T UNDER THERE WHEN THE HOOD FELL. I HAD OPENED THE HOOD TO CHECK THE POWER STEERING FLUID AND WENT TO THE TRUNK TO GET SOME, WHEN IT FELL. I WAS ABLE TO REPLACE THEM FROM AMAZON. I HAD THE ENGINE CUT OUT TWICE WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN AFTER LAST INSPECTION. I LOST STEERING AND SAW THE ENGINE LIGHT COME ON SO I QUICKLY STARTED THE ENGINE AGAIN. ABOUT A MONTH APART. IT DIDN'T HAPPEN AGAIN. IT SEEMS STRANGE TO ME THAT ALL OF THIS HAPPENED WITHIN 6 MONTHS AFTER AN INSPECTION.

NHTSA ID
10887968
Incident
Mar 8, 2016
Mileage
72,000 mi
Powertrain (other)SteeringSuspension
Filed Jul 11, 2016

JAN. 2015 TRAVELING AT 25 TO 30 MPH, DRIVER FRONT LOWER BALL JOINT SEPARATED CAUSING WHEEL TO TURN SIDEWAYS IN WHEEL WELL, WHICH RESULTED IN DISABLING VEHICLE, SEPERATED CV SHAFT AND FENDER DAMAGE. NO INJURIES AND HAD TO HAVE TOWED. MAY 2015 TRAVELING 20 TO 25 MPH, PASSENGER LOWER BALL JOINT SEPARATED CAUSING WHEEL TO TURN SIDEWAYS IN WHEEL WELL, RESULTED IN DISABLING VEHICLE AND DAMAGE TO FENDER. LOCAL POLICE WERE CALLED, NO INJURIES AND VEHICLE TOWED. JULY 2016 BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY, PASSENGER FRONT LOWER BALL JOINT SEPARATED, CAUSING WHEEL TO TURN SIDEWAYS IN WHEEL WELL, RESULTED IN DISABLING VEHICLE, DAMAGE TO FENDER, SEPARATED CV SHAFT, AND DENTED THE OIL PAN, NO INJURIES. THERE IS A FAULT IN THE DESIGN OF THE LOWER BALL JOINT PLACEMENT, THE WEIGHT OF THE VEHICLE IS NATURALLY CAUSING THE BALL TO PRESS AGAINST THE RETAINING EDGE OF THE SOCKET, RESULTING IN METAL ON METAL CONTACT CAUSING THE RETAINING EDGE TO WEAR RESULTING IN SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT. THE ONLY WAY TO CORRECT THIS WOULD BE TO REDESIGN THE FRONT SUSPENSION STEERING KNUCKLE AND LOWER CONTROL ARM. THE BALL JOINT SHOULD BE PRESSED INTO THE SOCKET WITH WEIGHT ON THE WHEELS NOT PULLING IT APART. MY ONLY SUGGESTIONS UNTIL SOMETHING IS DONE ABOUT THIS, IS GO TO A SERVICE GARAGE AND HAVE THEM CHECK THE BALL JOINTS WITH A PRY BAR BETWEEN THE STEERING KNUCKLE AND LOWER CONTROL ARM, IF THERE IS MOVEMENT HAVE IT REPLACED AND KEEP YOUR RECEIPTS. JUST SHAKING THE WHEEL BY HAND ISN'T ENOUGH TO SEE THE MOVEMENT. DO NOT PICK THE VEHICLE UP BY THE LOWER CONTROL ARM, IT CAN RESULT IN CONTROL ARM BUSHING SEPARATION.

NHTSA ID
10884002
Incident
Jul 2, 2016
Mileage
159,000 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed Apr 17, 2013
Crash reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE STEERING MALFUNCTIONED AND THE PASSENGER REAR WHEEL SEIZED CAUSING HER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A DITCH AND THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HAD RECENTLY RECEIVED A NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V222000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 119,000. *TR

NHTSA ID
10508512
Incident
Apr 17, 2013
Mileage
119,000 mi
Driver assistancePowertrain (other)Suspension
Filed Oct 25, 2012

TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN ACCELERATING VERY FAST OVERHEATING, SLIPPING, IT APPEARS THE TRANSMISSION FLUID HAVE BEEN LEAKING HOWEVER I TOOK IT IN FOR SERVICE ABOUT A MONTH AGO AND EVERYTHING WAS FINE. MY DEALERSHIP FROM FEBRUARY 13, 2012 SEPTEMBER 28, 2012 COMMONWEALTH HONDA HAS BEEN CLAIMING THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THIS TRANSMISSION THE SUSPENSION OR THE TIMING BELT. THEY PERFORMED SERVICE AND ALL OF THEM THEY CLAIM EVERYTHING IS FINE. NOW LESS THAN 30 DAYS LATER MY TRANSMISSION IS BROKEN. A VEHICLE WITH JUST GOT PROBLEMS SHOULD NOT CONTINUE TO BE RESOLD. *TR

NHTSA ID
10482276
Incident
Oct 5, 2012
Mileage
123,000 mi
Powertrain (other)Suspension
Filed Feb 23, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA ACCORD. WHILE STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE AND NOTICED THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RACE EXCESSIVELY. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO LUNGE FORWARD WHEN DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED TO THE CONTACT THAT THE TRANSMISSION AND MOTOR MOUNTS WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,263. .. UPDATED 04/11/12 *BF UPDATED 06/07/12 THE FRONT STRUTS WERE REPLACED. *JS

NHTSA ID
10449101
Incident
Feb 23, 2012
Mileage
87,263 mi
Suspension
Filed Jan 2, 2007

TL* - THE CONTACT STATED HAD A PULSATING VIBRATION WHEN TURNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WEATHER AND SPEED WERE NOT A FACTOR WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER , THEY RECOGNIZED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM, BUT THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE IT, THEY CALLED THE MANUFACTURER, AND WERE TOLD THAT THE PULSATING VIBRATION WAS NORMAL. *AK

NHTSA ID
10177529
Incident
Jan 2, 2007
Mileage
25,000 mi
BrakesSuspension
Filed May 21, 2005

CONSTANT BRAKING AND STEERING VIBRATION AT SPEED 60-70 MPH. CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 7 TIMES SINCE DEC. 2004. DEALER IS UNABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. AMERICAN HONDA STATES THAT ABOVE DESCRIBED CONDITION IS NORMAL FOR ALL 2004 ACCORDS LX COUPES. INFO PROVIDED BY PATRICIA EVANS, AMERICAN HONDA CORP. CASE MANAGER. CASE NUMBER N012005-05-1001024. CONSIDERING INITIATION OF ANTI-LEMON LITIGATION.

NHTSA ID
10121791
Incident
Apr 9, 2005
Suspension
Filed Oct 9, 2004

CAR PULLS/DRIFTS TO RIGHT. DEALER APPOINTMENT PENDING. *NM

NHTSA ID
10093850
Incident
Sep 20, 2004
Suspension
Filed Aug 30, 2004

NUMEROUS SQEAKS, RATTLES, AND VIBRATIONS IN DOOR PANELS, TOPS OF WINDOWS, REAR SHELF, AND IN B-PILLARS AROUND TOP SEAT BELT ANCHOR. I'VE TAKEN MY CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP 3 SEPARATE TIMES TO HAVE THESE FIXED. THEY ARE ABLE TO MAKE THEM GO AWAY FOR ABOUT A DAY, BUT THEN THEY ALL COME BACK. THE LAST TIME I TOOK MY CAR IN, THEY SAID THEY HAVE DONE EVERYTHING THEY CAN AND THAT THESE WERE "NORMAL" SOUNDS THAT THE CAR MAKES. I HAVE NEVER HAD A CAR WITH SO MANY RATTLES AND SQUEAKS. POOR BUILD QUALITY AND CONSTRUCTION. THEY ALL STARTED ABOUT 4 DAYS AFTER I PICKED UP THE CAR AND HAD ABOUT 300 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. HAD PROBLEMS EVER SINCE.*AK

NHTSA ID
10088817
Incident
May 15, 2004
Mileage
300 mi
Suspension
Filed Aug 26, 2004

PURCHASED A NEW 2004 ACCORD EX AND IT HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER TWICE FOR ALIGNMENT PROBLEMS. THEY CLAIM THEIR IS NOTHING ELSE TO DO AS THE CAR IS WITH FACOTORY SPECS. THE CAR STILL DRIFTS TO THE RIGHT AND IS NOT CORRECT.*AK

NHTSA ID
10088638
Incident
Aug 26, 2004
SuspensionTransmission
Filed Jul 2, 2004

I TOOK DELIVERY OF A 2004 HONDA ACCORD EX WITH LEATHER ON JUNE 25, 2004. ITS BEEN EXACTLY A WEEK. I HAVE DRIVEN ABOUT 580 MILES IN A WEEK. I HAVE ENCOUNTERED THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS AND I DID'NT SEE ANY RECALLS ON THE MANUFACTURER'S WEBSITE. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED AFTER SPENDING $24000 ON A BRAND NEW CAR. *AK 1) THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE 'D' LIGHT ON DRIVER SIDE DASHBAORD IS CONTINUALLY FLASHING. 2) I CAN HEAR SOME SLIDING NOISE FROM LEFT TO RIGHT AND VICE VERSA WHEN MAKING SHARP TURNS (HAPPENS ALL THE TIME). THE SOUNDS SEEMS TO BE COMING FROM UNDER THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT 3) AFTER DRIVING ABOUT 60 MILES IN ONE GO IN WARM WEATHER(TEMPERATURES IN 80S), I HEAR A RUBBING/SQUEAKING NOISE WHEN MAKING TURNS. BECOMES MORE AUDIBLE WHEN WINDOWS ARE ROLLED DOWN. SOUNDS MORE LIKE TIRES RUBBING AGAINST THE BODY. 4) PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR IS SOAKING WET AND I ASSUME IT IS WATER. I CAN HEAR WATER SLOSHING SOUND UNDER THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT WHEN MAKING TURNS.

NHTSA ID
10079178
Incident
Jul 2, 2004
Mileage
580 mi
Suspension
Filed Jun 25, 2004

CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE SUSPENSION FELT FUNNY. THE FRONT WHEELS WANDERED. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER SEVEN TIMES, AND EACH TIME DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM,AND STATED NOTHING WAS WRONG. FINALLY A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE HONDA WAS CALLED AND DROVE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE. THE HONDA REPRESENTATIVE INDICATED THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH FRONT SUSPENSION. THERE WAS AT LEAST A 10% DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE AND ANOTHER OF THE SAME YEAR/MAKE, AND MODEL. CONSUMER STATED THAT THE HONDA REPRESENTATIVE PROMISED TO CALL HIM, BUT AS OF YET HAD NOT DONE SO. THEN, WHEN CONSUMER DID GET IN TOUCH WITH THE HONDA REPRESENTATIVE HE WAS OFFERED MUCH LESS FOR THE VEHICLE THAN WHAT HE PAID FOR IT. CONSUMER WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE WHEELS. *AK

NHTSA ID
10079975
Incident
Jun 25, 2004
Suspension
Filed Mar 16, 2004

VIBRATION IN FRONT END. STEERING WHEEL VIBRATES AND SO DOES THE STICK SHIFT. *JB

NHTSA ID
10062307
Incident
Feb 29, 2004
Mileage
15 mi
Suspension
Filed Dec 13, 2003

JUST PURCHASED A NEW 2004 ACCORD EX (37 MILES) AND IT HAS BEEN IN TWICE IN TWO WEEKS FOR ALIGNMENT PROBLEMS. THEY CLAIM THEIR IS NOTHING ELSE TO DO AS THE CAR IS WITH FACOTORY SPECS. THE CAR STILL DRIFTS TO THE RIGHT AND IS NOT CORRECT.*AK

NHTSA ID
10049679
Incident
Dec 10, 2003
Suspension
Filed Dec 8, 2003

WHILE DRIVING STEERING WHEEL INTERMITTENTLY PULLED TO THE LEFT/RIGHT. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT RESOLVED. *AK

NHTSA ID
10050192
Incident
Dec 4, 2003
Mileage
16,000 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 .