AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
2004 Honda Civic
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 350 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2004 Honda Civic, most frequently naming the airbags, electrical and transmission categories. 15 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 3 NHTSA investigations name it; and 244 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 2014 | 1 | 225 |
| Sep 2014 | 2 | 227 |
| Oct 2014 | 3 | 230 |
| Nov 2014 | 11 | 241 |
| Dec 2014 | 5 | 246 |
| Jan 2015 | 2 | 248 |
| Feb 2015 | 2 | 250 |
| Mar 2015 | 2 | 252 |
| Apr 2015 | 2 | 254 |
| May 2015 | 4 | 258 |
| Jun 2015 | 1 | 259 |
| Jul 2015 | 7 | 266 |
| Aug 2015 | 6 | 272 |
| Sep 2015 | 6 | 278 |
| Dec 2015 | 2 | 280 |
| Jan 2016 | 1 | 281 |
| Mar 2016 | 1 | 282 |
| Apr 2016 | 2 | 284 |
| May 2016 | 2 | 286 |
| Jun 2016 | 2 | 288 |
| Jul 2016 | 4 | 292 |
| Oct 2016 | 2 | 294 |
| Nov 2016 | 1 | 295 |
| Feb 2017 | 1 | 296 |
| Apr 2017 | 1 | 297 |
| May 2017 | 1 | 298 |
| Aug 2017 | 2 | 300 |
| Nov 2017 | 2 | 302 |
| Dec 2017 | 6 | 308 |
| Jan 2018 | 1 | 309 |
| Feb 2018 | 2 | 311 |
| Mar 2018 | 2 | 313 |
| Apr 2018 | 1 | 314 |
| May 2018 | 1 | 315 |
| Jul 2018 | 1 | 316 |
| Aug 2018 | 1 | 317 |
| Sep 2018 | 2 | 319 |
| Oct 2018 | 2 | 321 |
| Dec 2018 | 2 | 323 |
| Mar 2019 | 3 | 326 |
| Apr 2019 | 3 | 329 |
| May 2019 | 1 | 330 |
| Jun 2019 | 2 | 332 |
| Jul 2019 | 1 | 333 |
| Aug 2019 | 1 | 334 |
| Nov 2019 | 1 | 335 |
| Jan 2020 | 2 | 337 |
| Feb 2020 | 1 | 338 |
| Sep 2020 | 1 | 339 |
| Oct 2020 | 1 | 340 |
| Dec 2020 | 1 | 341 |
| Mar 2021 | 1 | 342 |
| Aug 2021 | 1 | 343 |
| Dec 2021 | 1 | 344 |
| Feb 2022 | 1 | 345 |
| Mar 2022 | 1 | 346 |
| Oct 2022 | 1 | 347 |
| Feb 2023 | 1 | 348 |
| Mar 2023 | 1 | 349 |
| Nov 2023 | 1 | 350 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Airbags13333.1%
- Electrical338.2%
- Transmission317.7%
- Engine266.5%
- Powertrain (other)256.2%
- Driver assistance246.0%
- Seat belts235.7%
- Fuel system184.5%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
15 campaigns cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govAIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Safety investigations
NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE14-016 in June 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers.All six vehicles were operated in Florida or Puerto Rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their service life, and were equipped with inflators produced by Takata, a tier-one supplier of automotive air bag systems.During the course of PE14-016, ODI determined that five additional vehicle manufacturers used inflators of a similar design and vintage also supplied by Takata. No evidence of field failures was found in vehicles produced by these five additional manufacturers.Nonetheless, at ODI's insistence, all 10 vehicle manufacturers initiated a regional recall within approximately two weeks of the opening of the investigation.The regions recalled initially included Florida, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, areas with high absolute humidity and climatic conditions believed to be a significant factor in the inflator ruptures.As part of the recall actions, inflators removed from remedied vehicles are to be returned to Takata for testing.Takata's initial test results on passenger inflators from remedied vehicles indicated a much higher than anticipated rupture frequency for inflators returned from Florida.Accordingly ODI requested all 10 manufacturers expand the regional recalls for passenger inflators to include other geographic areas where high absolute humidity conditions exist, including the Gulf States and other coastal areas.Takata's testing of the passenger inflators to date continues to indicate this geographic area as having the highest risk, with no ruptures occurring from inflators returned from outside the expanded recall regions.During PE14-016 four additional passenger inflator field events occurred, all in vehicles from the same expanded geographic region.Also during PE14-016 four additional driver inflator field events occurred including two in vehicles from regions not known for high absolute humidity, specifically California and North Carolina.Accordingly, ODI requested all five of the affected vehicle manufacturers currently using the subject Takata driver inflators expand to nationwide recalls.Significantly, neither of the affected vehicle manufacturers or Takata provided any explanation to account for these two driver air bag inflator ruptures outside the area of high absolute humidity.Takata testing of returned driver inflators indicates a lower rupture frequency as compared to passenger inflator testing.All test ruptures reported by Takata to date have occurred on inflators returned from high absolute humidity areas.The investigation now includes all manufacturers and vehicles known to be affected at this time.ODI's investigation will focus on, among other things, root cause analysis, other potential defect consequences, identification of affected vehicles scope, and adequacy of the remedy.The five ODI reports cited above can be reviewed online at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification numbers: 10537899, 10568848, 10585224, 10605877, 10651492
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE14-016 in June 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers.All six vehicles were operated in Florida or Puerto Rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their service life, and were equipped with inflators produced by Takata, a tier-one supplier of automotive air bag systems.During the course of PE14-016, ODI determined that five additional vehicle manufacturers used inflators of a similar design and vintage also supplied by Takata. No evidence of field failures was found in vehicles produced by these five additional manufacturers.Nonetheless, at ODI's insistence, all 10 vehicle manufacturers initiated a regional recall within approximately two weeks of the opening of the investigation.The regions recalled initially included Florida, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, areas with consistently high absolute humidity and climatic conditions believed to be a significant factor in the inflator ruptures.As part of the recall actions, inflators removed from remedied vehicles are to be returned to Takata for testing.Takata's initial test results on passenger inflators from remedied vehicles indicated a much higher than anticipated rupture frequency for inflators returned from Florida.Accordingly, ODI requested all 10 manufacturers expand the regional recalls for passenger inflators to include other geographic areas where high absolute humidity conditions exist, including the Gulf States and other coastal areas.Takata's testing of the passenger inflators to date continues to indicate this geographic area as having the highest risk, with no ruptures occurring from inflators returned from outside the expanded recall regions.During PE14-016, four additional passenger inflator field events occurred, all in vehicles from the same expanded geographic region.Also during PE14-016, four additional driver inflator field events occurred including two in vehicles from regions not known for high absolute humidity, specifically California and North Carolina.Accordingly, ODI requested all five of the affected vehicle manufacturers currently using the subject Takata driver inflators expand to nationwide recalls.Significantly, neither of the affected vehicle manufacturers or Takata provided any explanation to account for these two driver air bag inflator ruptures outside the area of high absolute humidity.Takata testing of returned driver inflators indicates a lower rupture frequency as compared to passenger inflator testing.All test ruptures reported by Takata to date have occurred on inflators returned from high absolute humidity areas.The PE is now closed/upgraded to an Engineering Evaluation (EA15-001) to include all manufacturersand vehicles known to be affected at this time.ODI's EA investigation will focus on, among other things, root cause analysis, other potential defect consequences, identification of affected vehicles scope, and adequacy of the remedy.The recalls related to this PE are: 14V343, 14V344, 14V348, 14V351, 14V353, 14V655, 14V700, 14V701, 14V752, 14V763, 14V770, 14V773, 14V787, 14V802 and 14V817.The number of vehicles affected are an estimate since some vehicles may have both the driver and passenger side inflators recalled. The five ODI reports cited above can be reviewed online at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification numbers: 10537899, 10568848, 10585224, 10605877, 10651492
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
2004 HONDA Civic Cracked Block TSB [XXXX] Honda settled in a class-action lawsuit that covers 2008 - 2009 Civic engine block failures with unlimited miles for an extended 10-year warranty period. Covered Civics will receive an engine repair or replacement at no cost. The covered Civic engine castings were built using thinner aluminum and the cracked block will leak coolant causing the engine to overheat. Civics Covered 2006 - 2008 - ALL VINs beginning with 2HG & 1HG 2009 - Check eligibility with VIN Civic VINs beginning with 2HG & 1HG - Check eligibility * Excludes SI and Hybrid. My 2004 Civic has an identical engine crack with a 1HG VIN, and only 130k miles. The location of the crack is identical to the TSB and is not a result of the vehicle's maintenance and driver habits. I have found several cases where Honda Goodwill Assistance covered costs of repairs on vehicles past warranty. The 2004 Honda Civic has been recalled 15 times by the NHTSA with the engine problems severity rating a 10, on a scale of 1 - 10 (10 being the worst). [XXX] labeled the 2004 Honda Civic with a red Alert Notice of the recalls rendering the appeal of owning a 2004 Civic an unreliable purchase. As well as, 2006 - 2019 Civics due to the TBS extended warranty on known engine issues. [XXX] reviews for a 2004 Honda Civics a 1 out of 5 (1 being the worst). Honda Recall, Q5A, Y58 on 2001 Civic airbags caused death, yet the recall was not announced until 2019. Placing a 10-year extended warranty has proven to not cover all Honda’s and should be reviewed on a case by case basis to catch any cars not covered by warranty. My Civic was agreed to be looked at by Honda, and I'm to send the detailed inspection report for review by the NA Honda Headquarters. Awaiting reply 11/14/2023. Our of Pocket Repairs est. $5,200 INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
- NHTSA ID
- 11555093
- Incident
- Sep 13, 2023
It takes many attempts to get the drivers side seat belt to latch/click. I am concerned after seeing other recalls that mine maybe in fact affected as well.
- NHTSA ID
- 11512175
- Incident
- Oct 21, 2022
I got into an accident today and airbag inflator that was replaced due to a recall never deployed upon impact causing me to slam into my steering wheel with my head. Officer looked in car and realized airbag never deployed. I drove car home. Now waiting for hopefully someone to give me an answer to why my airbag did not deploy?
- NHTSA ID
- 11505436
- Incident
- Feb 3, 2023
Unknown
- NHTSA ID
- 11488702
- Incident
- Oct 10, 2022
The air bag failed to deploy during the vehicular collision on Jan.27, 2022 at the intersection in a city in Virginia. The HONDA Civic LX 2004 was hit by another vehicle on the driver side; the air bag on the passenger side deployed BUT NOT THE AIR BAG ON THE DRIVER SIDE. The driver suffered head injury (hematoma and cuts on scalp) & lumbar fracture and has to be treated in ER and was hospitalized for a few days. The injured driver also cannot go back to work until completely healed and still undergoing treatment. The car was moved from the towing service company shop to the storage facility of USAA (as of this writing, the vehicle is still there). In the police report, in the box for "Airbag Deployed", the officer encircled YES but did NOT specify it was for the passenger side ONLY. The insurance company declared the car NOT REPAIRABLE based on their inspections.
- NHTSA ID
- 11457899
- Incident
- Jan 27, 2022
It is not safe to drive because of the slippage is really hard and it still kicks when braking and can cause the car to keep driving while harshly pressing the brake to stop.
- NHTSA ID
- 11453965
- Incident
- Feb 24, 2022
On Thursday the 2nd of December 2021 at 8:50 AM, I was driving by myself on the freeway heading to work and the hood popped up and smashed my entire windshield. I was unable to see and luckily managed to pull over to the left hand side of the road without hitting anything or anyone. I could have easily been hit by another car traveling at 70-80 miles per hour. Although glass shards hit me, I did not receive any personal injury. Stauffer Towing towed the vehicle to Caliber Collision. The windshield was replaced on Friday December 3rd by Caliber Collision in Salt Lake City. Caliber Collision also inspected the hood and related components. The hood will require replacement because the hinges were so badly damaged and I had to remove the hood so that this won't happen again. The hood latch had released and I later noticed that the metal supporting the latch is also having issues. The latch has been giving problems with opening and closing properly at times.
- NHTSA ID
- 11442822
- Incident
- Dec 2, 2021
The contact owns a 2004 Honda Civic. The contact stated that the airbag warning light was illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact then received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V501000 (Air Bags). The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the recall was serviced; however, the airbag warning light remained illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact notified the dealer of the failure and he was informed that the warning light was related to a failure that was not associated with the recall. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.
- NHTSA ID
- 11430996
- Incident
- Jan 20, 2016
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
AIR BAGS
Service Bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating to airbag inflators. American Honda is offering a Customer Support Program (Warranty Extension) to cover any manufacturing defects in the replacement driver's airbag inflator only.
AIR BAGS
Service Bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating to airbag inflators. American Honda is offering a Customer Support Program (Warranty Extension) to cover any manufacturing defects in the replacement front passenger's airbag inflator only.
AIR BAGS; EQUIPMENT
Service bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating to airbag inflators. American Honda is offering a Customer Support Program (Warranty Extension) to cover any manufacturing defects to the replacement front passengers airbag inflator only.
AIR BAGS; EQUIPMENT
Service bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating to airbag inflators. American Honda is offering a Customer Support Program (Warranty Extension) to cover any manufacturing defects to the replacement driver's airbag inflator only.
AIR BAGS; FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Dealer message - On December 19, 2017 following a joint inspection, American Honda and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) confirmed that a Takata driver?s airbag inflator ruptured in the crash of a 2004 Honda Civic on July 10, 2017 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, resulting in the death of the driver. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the family of the driver during this difficult time.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY; FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE
"SERVICE BULLETIN - FOR VEHICLES WITH SCI COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS (CNG) FUEL TANKS, HONDA IS NO LONGER REPLACING THE FUEL TANK AND SOLENOID VALVE ALTOGETHER. IF YOU REPLACE THE FUEL TANK SOLENOID VALVE, YOU MUST NOW REINSTALL THE ORIGINAL FUEL TANK."
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations | Issue Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2026 | 25 | 0 | 0 | 44.1 |
| 2025 | 66 | 2 | 0 | 60.7 |
| 2024 | 116 | 3 | 1 | 62.6 |
| 2023 | 251 | 4 | 2 | 61.8 |
| 2022 | 878 | 4 | 2 | 59.3 |
| 2021 | 139 | 4 | 0 | 56.0 |
| 2020 | 219 | 5 | 0 | 58.8 |
| 2019 | 416 | 4 | 0 | 56.5 |
| 2018 | 725 | 6 | 0 | 58.8 |
| 2017 | 579 | 6 | 0 | 56.4 |
| 2016 | 1,071 | 5 | 0 | 55.2 |
| 2015 | 377 | 1 | 2 | 53.9 |
| 2014 | 290 | 2 | 2 | 61.2 |
| 2013 | 316 | 0 | 2 | 51.1 |
| 2012 | 454 | 3 | 2 | 61.8 |
| 2011 | 168 | 9 | 0 | 58.8 |
| 2010 | 396 | 8 | 0 | 54.2 |
| 2009 | 395 | 8 | 0 | 56.3 |
| 2008 | 916 | 7 | 0 | 52.1 |
| 2007 | 1,204 | 9 | 0 | 49.6 |
| 2006 | 1,402 | 15 | 0 | 52.6 |
| 2005 | 314 | 15 | 4 | 69.1 |
| 2004Viewing | 350 | 15 | 3 | 65.2 |
| 2003 | 499 | 24 | 6 | 67.3 |
| 2002 | 702 | 24 | 4 | 66.3 |
| 2001 | 1,079 | 27 | 4 | 65.9 |
| 2000 | 287 | 18 | 0 | 61.9 |
| 1999 | 338 | 15 | 0 | 58.6 |
| 1998 | 435 | 18 | 1 | 62.9 |
| 1997 | 373 | 16 | 1 | 63.1 |
| 1996 | 305 | 17 | 2 | 66.2 |
| 1995 | 199 | 12 | 0 | 64.9 |
| 1994 | 135 | 14 | 0 | 65.0 |
| 1993 | 146 | 13 | 1 | 65.9 |
| 1992 | 98 | 13 | 1 | 65.1 |
| 1991 | 110 | 8 | 3 | 65.0 |
| 1990 | 91 | 10 | 3 | 67.8 |
| 1989 | 69 | 6 | 3 | 68.3 |
| 1988 | 46 | 8 | 3 | 63.2 |
| 1987 | 39 | 3 | 3 | 65.3 |
| 1986 | 35 | 3 | 3 | 62.6 |
| 1985 | 15 | 2 | 0 | 59.8 |
| 1984 | 5 | 3 | 0 | — |
| 1983 | 9 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1982 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1981 | 1 | 0 | 1 | — |
| 1980 | 0 | 0 | 1 | — |
| 1979 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — |
| 1978 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1977 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — |
| 1976 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 1975 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 1974 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 1973 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — |
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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.