2004 Honda Civic Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2004 Honda Civic, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Airbags13333.1%
- Electrical338.2%
- Transmission317.7%
- Engine266.5%
- Powertrain (other)256.2%
- Driver assistance246.0%
- Seat belts235.7%
- Fuel system184.5%
- Body & structure174.2%
- Suspension153.7%
- Exterior lighting123.0%
- Interior & seats123.0%
- Brakes112.7%
- Visibility92.2%
- Steering61.5%
- Tires & wheels51.2%
- Other / unspecified10.2%
- Heating & air conditioning10.2%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
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)
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?
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
DRIVER SIDE SEAR BELT DOES NOT RETRACT. IT HAS BEEN REPLACED BEFORE BY THE DEALER. FRONT MUD FLAPS ARE TO LOW AND ARE DAMAGES AND NEED REPLACING. ELECTRIC PLUG SOCKET DOES NOT WORK (LIGHTER AND CELL PHONE)
MY 04 CIVIC WIRING ALMOST SET MY CAR COMPLETELY ON FIRE. THE WHOLE ELECTRICAL HARNESSES WHERE MELTED THE CAR WITHOUT WARNING STARTED BLOWING SMOKE OUT OF THE AIR VENTS, I PULLED OVER AND THE CAR WAS THICK WITH SMOKE. THE WIRES UNDER THE HOOD AND INSIDE THE CAR ALL THE WAY TO THE TRUNK WERE ALL MELTED. I TOWED THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY HAD TO REPLACE ALL THE ELETRICAL AND SENSORS IN THE WHOLE CAR. IT COST OVER $3100. TO REPLACE EVERYTHING, THE CAR SOMTIMES WONT START AND THE COMPUTER HAS TO BE RESET TO START ALSO THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS NOW ON., THE DEALER SAID EVERY ELECTRICAL COMPONENT ON THE CAR MIGHT NEED TO BE REPLACED, COMPUTER ETC. BUT IT WILL COST ABOUT $4000+ DOLLARS AND ITS POSSIBLE THAT THE AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT., 2004 HONDA CIVICS ARE UNSAFE TO DRIVE., DRIVING HONDA CIVICS ARE DANGEROUS AND NO ONE SHOULD BUY THEM.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
TRANSMISSION INPUT SHAFT BEARING FAILURE. NO SIGNIFICANT EVENT LEAD UP TO THE FAILURE. I HAVE NOT HAD IT REPAIRED. THE MECHANIC SAID IT IS $3500 TO REBUILD. IS A DAILY PROBLEM. NEVER GOES AWAY. A MECHANIC AT HONDA TOLD ME IT IS THE INPUT SHAFT BEARING AND I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. HE SAID THIS IS COMMON WITH HONDAS FROM MID 1990'S TO 2004. HE SAID IT WAS BOUND TO HAPPEN REGARDLESS OF MAINTENANCE & GOOD DRIVING. HARSH GRINDING NOISE WHEN DRIVING CAR OR CAR IS IDLING. NOISE STOPS WHEN CLUTCH IS ENGAGED. DIFFICULT AT TIMES TO PUT INTO GEAR. I HAVE TO EASE IT INTO GEAR AT TIMES. I FEAR FOR MY LIFE FOR WHEN THE BEARING COMPLETELY FAILS AND THE TRANSMISSIONS FALLS APART. IF I AM DRIVING WITH OTHER CARS BEHIND ME, I MAY BE RAN INTO WHEN MY CAR COMES TO A STOP. I AM AFRAID TO LEAVE TOWN IN MY CAR. I GET ANXIETY EVERY TIME I DRIVE IT. *TR
WE HAVE HAD BOTH THE BATTERY AND THE TRANSMISSION FAIL. THE BATTERY FAILED AT 82K MILES, JUST PAST THE 80K MILE WARRANTY. NOW, AT 91K MILES, THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. IN REVIEWING OUR RECORDS, IT SEEMS THAT TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS BEGAN AT 51K MILES, AS A "SURGING" WHEN WE WERE ON THE INTERSTATE SUCH THAT THE ENGINE WOULD REV WHILE WE WERE COASTING. THE DEALER COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE ISSUE AND THE STOPPED (FOR WHATEVER REASON). TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS BEGAN AGAIN AT 71K MILES AS THE SHUDDERING. DEALER BURNISHED, AND THEN WE GOT THE RECALL NOTICES AT 74K MILES. IT BEGAN AS "SURGING" WHEN WE WERE ON THE INTERSTATE, THE ENGINE REVVING EVEN WHEN WE WEREN'T ACCELERATING AT 51K MILES. THEN THE SHUDDERING STARTED AT 71K MILES. WE RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICES AT 74K MILES. SHUDDERING STARTED AGAIN AT 91K MILES & WE ARE BEING TOLD IT NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION. THE DEALER SAID THAT HONDA AMERICA WILL PAY FOR THE RECALL IF THE CAR IS UNDER 100K MILES, BUT ONLY ONCE. IF THIS PROBLEM REOCCURS, ISN'T IT OBVIOUS THAT IT'S BY FAULT OF HONDA? AND THAT THESE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS OCCUR EVERY 20K MILES? THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT SEEMS TO DEMAND A RECALL ON THE PART OF HONDA AMERICA. *KB
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
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)
THE HOOD ROD CONTACTED THE BATTERY TERMINAL AND APPEARS TO HAVE STARTED A FIRE DURING HIGHWAY DRIVING.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
Unknown
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE TRANSMISSION AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE AND INDEPENDENTLY DECELERATE. ADDITIONALLY, WHILE ACCELERATING THE VEHICLE WAS SKIPPING GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE WAS DUE TO A FAULTY CVT SKIPPING OR AN EGR VALVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 85,000.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
I WAS STOPPED AT A LIGHT WITH MY R FOOT ON THE BREAK. SUDDENLY THE CAR WENT INTO AN UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION. I COULD HEAR THE ENGINE REVVING. IN A FEW SECONDS, IT HIT THE CAR DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ME AND STOPPED UPON IMPACT BUT IF THAT CAR HADN'T BEEN THERE I WOULD HAVE BEEN PROPELLED INTO A BUSY INTERSECTION WITH CROSSWAYS TRAFFIC. IT WAS LIKE A NIGHTMARE. THIS WAS AT A VERY BUSY CITY STREET INTERSECTION AT A BUSY TIME OF DAY (3 PM), ON THE ACCESS RD TO A MAJOR INTERSTATE HWY IN A LARGE METRO AREA. THE OTHER DRIVER AND VALET GUYS FROM A HOTEL ACROSS THE STREET WITNESSED I WAS EXTREMELY SHAKEN UP BUT ALERT AND IN MY RIGHT MIND, ETC.
MANUAL TRANSMISSION HONDA CIVIC LX 2004 REACHES RATTLING/GRINDING NOISE WHEN REACHED 2000 RPM OR SO. THE NOISE IS LOUD AND DOWNSHIFTING BECOMES VERY ROUGH. THE CAR SLOWS DOWN WHEN NOT PRESSING ACCELERATOR. EVEN WHEN IN NEUTRAL THE CAR SOUNDS WITH A RATTLE. ONLY WHEN THE CLUTCH IS PRESSED DOES THE SOUND MINIMIZE. CAR FEELS VULNERABLE WHEN DRIVEN LIKE THIS. IT'S MAINLY DUE TO THE NOISE, AND FEELING OF THE CAR. THE INPUT SHAFT BEARING IS THE PROBLEM. MANY REPORTS WERE BLOGGED AND DIAGNOSED. THE CAR STILL RUNS. UNFORTUNATELY IT'S NOT CLEAR FOR HOW LONG.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
Unknown
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
Unknown
THIS MODEL CAR HAS A DOCUMENTED ISSUE WITH THE START CLUTCH PERFORMANCE. THIS ISSUE CREATES A SAFETY HAZARD DUE TO THE UNPREDICTABLE ACCELERATION IT CAUSES. DESPITE RE-SURFACING PROCEDURES, THE ISSUE WILL RETURN. THIS IS NOT SIMPLY A WEAR ISSUE, THE PART(S) AND/OR DESIGN ARE FAULTY. THIS IS COMMON KNOWLEDGE AMONG HONDA MECHANICS WHO ARE FAMILIAR WITH THIS MODEL. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU NEED MORE INFO OR DETAILS.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
TAKATA RECALL DURING A JANUARY SNOWFALL AND FREEZE, I WAS TRAVELING IN THE MIDDLE LANE OF THE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 50-60 MILES PER HOUR, WITH THE SPEED OF TRAFFIC. A CAR APPROXIMATELY 7-8 CAR LENGTHS AHEAD OF ME BEGAN TO BREAK AND I DID TOO. I WAS BREAKING WHEN MY CAR BEGAN TO FISHTAIL AND I WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE CAR FOR 2-3 SECONDS BEFORE HITTING A PATCH OF ICE AND SPINNING INTO THE HIGHWAY CONCRETE MEDIAN. MY CAR DID NOT HIT ANY OTHER VEHICLES BEFORE HITTING THE MEDIAN ON THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT AND HOOD. I ESTIMATE THAT I WAS TRAVELING OVER 40 MILES AN HOUR. THE CAR THEN SPUN AROUND AND HIT THE BACK DRIVERS SIDE AND THEN SPUN AGAIN TO FACING FORWARD. MY CONCERN IS THAT THE AIRBAGS, WHICH WERE REPLACED IN THE TAKATA RECALL A FEW YEARS AGO DID NOT GO OFF. THE CAR WAS CONSIDERED TOTALED AND WAS DONATED.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
2004 HONDA CIVIC. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE SQUEALING NOISES REPAIR AND UNSATISFACTORY CUSTOMER SERVICE AT DEALERSHIP. *SMD THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE WHEEL BEARING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND IN ORDER TO FIX THE PROBLEM, THE TIRES NEEDED TO BE ROTATED AND THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE FLUSHED. THE CONSUMER RETURNED TO THE DEALER, BECAUSE THE NOISE WAS STILL PRESENT. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER, SHE NEEDED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE MORE. THE CONSUMER RETURNED TO THE DEALER SEVERAL MORE TIMES. THE DEALER THEN CLAIMED THE NOISE WAS DUE TO A LOOSE WHEEL BEARING AND IT WAS TIGHTENED. HOWEVER, THE NOISE WAS STILL PRESENT. THE CONSUMER RETURNED TO THE DEALER SIX TIMES, WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. *JB
I WISH NHTSA HAD THE AUTHORITY TO ORDER HONDA TO REPAIR FOR FREE THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL ARM AND CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS ON MY CIVIC; THE WARRANTY EXPIRED BEFORE THE PROBLEM DEVELOPED ON THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL AND HONDA CONSIDERS THE CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS AS MAINTENANCE ITEMS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY; THEY ARE HARD RUBBER AND WEAR OUT AFTER A FEW YEARS--I WAS NEVER TOLD THIS AT THE TIME I BOUGHT THIS CAR! I WILL TRY TO SEND PAPERWORK TO NHTSA IN SUPPORT OF MY COMPLAINT AGAINST HONDA. I WAS ALSO STUCK WITH A $1400 REPAIR BILL AFTER THE GAS CAP LOCK STUCK AND WOULDN'T OPEN (AGAIN, AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED!), NEEDING AN EMERGENCY SERVICE BECAUSE I COULD NOT GAS UP THE CAR! AGAIN, NHTSA SHOULD FINE HONDA FOR EACH INCIDENT AND ORDER THEM TO REIMBURSE ME IN FULL FOR THESE UNCALLED-FOR REPAIR BILLS! MY MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR COSTS FOR THIS CIVIC ARE FAR MORE THAN THE BOOK VALUE FOR THIS CAR. *TR
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
TAKATA RECALL. MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND THEN I SAW THE RECALL. MY MODEL SHOULD BE RECALLED AS WELL. ALSO EXTERIOR LIGHTING IS VERY DULL BOTH OF THESE HAVE BEEN PREVIOUSLY RECALLED. I WAS IN PARK, STARTED MY CAR AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. SCANNER SAYS IT'S THE INFLATOR
LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS STOPPED WORKING, WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE. HAD TO SWITCH TO HIGH BEAMS. DEALER SAYS IT IS AN ELECTRONICS PROBLEM
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO UNLOCK THE FRONT DRIVER'S DOOR MANUALLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY INSERTING THE KEY AND ONCE THE KEY WAS INSERTED, HE EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY TURNING THE KEY. THE FAILURE PROGRESSED UNTIL THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN WHEN INSERTED IN THE DOOR LOCK. THE FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED ON THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR. IN ADDITION, THE SAME FAILURE OCCURRED WITH THE TRUNK AND IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON VARIOUS OCCASIONS TO HAVE THE DOOR LOCK CYLINDERS REPLACED. THE IGNITION KEY CYLINDER WAS ALSO REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA CIVIC EX SEDAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRUNK WOULD NOT REMAIN LATCHED AND WOULD OPEN INDEPENDENTLY WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE FAILURE HAD BEEN ONGOING SINCE PURCHASE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SHORTLY AFTER AND WHILE ATTEMPTING TO CLOSE THE TRUNK, THE LATCH FRACTURED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. HE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER BUT RECEIVED NO ASSISTANCE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,000.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
TODAY, I WAS DRIVING MY WIFE S 2004 HONDA CIVIC IN THE HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 60 MILES PER HR WHEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN THE CAR STARTED ACCELERATING AS IF IT WAS IN CRUISE CONTROL.. I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL AND PRESSED THE BRAKE WITH LITTLE RESULTS. THE BRAKES FELT SO HARD AS IF THEY WERE LOCKED. THEN I DECIDED TO CHANGE GEARS TO D2 AND TOGETHER WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE I WAS ABLE TO SLOW DOWN THE CAR A BIT. AFTER THAT, I PULLED OVER THE BRAKE DOWN LANE AT ABOUT 10 MILES PER HOUR BUT I STILL COULD NOT STOP THE CAR. WITH THE HELP OF THE EMERGENCY BRAKE I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR HOWEVER, THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING AS IF IT WAS ACCELERATING. THIS IS WHEN I DECIDED TO PUT IT ON NEUTRAL AND FOLLOW BY A LOUD NOISE THE ENGINE FINALLY STOP RUNNING....THANK GOD NO ONE WAS HURT.... *TR
I WAS SLOWING DOWN TO 15-20 MPH TO BE READY FOR A RED LIGHT. WHEN THE DISTANCE BETWEEN ME AND THE FRONT CAR WAS ABOUT 20 FEET, I HIT MY BRAKE PEDAL TO MAKE A COMPLETE STOP, ALL THE SUDDEN, MY CAR WAS SPEEDING UP AND HIT THE CAR IN FRONT. AND BOUNCED BACK STOPPED. I WAS WONDERING, "WHY WAS THE CAR SPEEDING UP WHEN I HIT THE BRAKE, ?" THOUGHT I MISTAKENLY HIT THE GAS PEDAL, TO TEST IF MY BRAKE WAS GOOD, I HIT THE BRAKE ONE MORE TIME, THE EXACT SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN, MY CAR WAS SPEEDING UP AND HIT THE FRONT CAR VERY HARD AGAIN AND DAMAGED BOTH CARS. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED ON HIGHWAY, I WOULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. I JUST CHANGED MY BRAKES AT HONDA DEALER ABOUT HALF YEARS AGO. I BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW IN END OF 2003. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME FOR THE BRAKE TROUBLE. THE DAMAGE WILL COST ME AT LEAST $4000. REPAIR , VALUE DECREASE AND INSURANCE . I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW A PLACE I CAN GET COMPENSATION FROM THE MANUFACTURE. *TR
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT POWER WINDOW IN MY 2004 HONDA CIVIC WILL NOT IMMEDIATELY CLOSE WHEN I PULL UP ON THE TOGGLE SWITCH TO CLOSE THE WINDOW. I EITHER PULL THE SWITCH MANY TIMES, OVER AND OVER, UNTIL THE WINDOW CLOSES, OR I HAVE TO LEAVE THE WINDOW OPEN. *TR
2004 HONDA CIVIC - WINDSHIELD WIPERS WON'T WORK AT ALL. SERVICEMAN SAID IT'S EITHER MOTOR OR SWITCH AND IT WILL BE OVER $300 BECAUSE THE WHOLE DASH HAS TO BE REMOVED... *TR
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY KEY WOULD COME OUT OF THE IGNITION WHILE NOT IN PARK, THE VEHICLE SOMETIMES DOES NOT FULLY GO INTO PARK UNLESS FORCEFULLY PULLED BACK INTO PARK SO SOMETIMES THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T BE IN PARK ALL NIGHT OR WHILE IN PUBLIC PARKING LOTS. MY HONDA MADE KEY HAD TO GO INTO THE IGNITION FACING PERFECTLY ONE WAY TO START THE CAR THEN THE IGNITION COMPLETELY REFUSED THE KEY AND WOULDN'T TURN ONCE IT ACCEPTED IT. WHILE I WAS TRYING TO GET MY KEY TO TURN THE IGNITION THE CAR, IN A PUBLIC GAS STATION PARKING LOT, WAS NOT EVEN IN PARK EVEN THOUGH I WAS COMPLETELY ABLE TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND TAKE THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION. MY IGNITION NO LONGER TURNS AT ALL, I'VE ALREADY CHECKED THAT THE CHIP IN MY KEY IS STILL FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. POLICE OFFICERS TRIED TO HELP ME CORRECT THE ISSUE WITHOUT ANY SUCCESS. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS NOW ALSO ACTING UP SINCE THIS INCIDENT THE RADIO FLASHES INSTEAD OF STAYING ON, I AM NOW UNABLE TO CHANGE THE TIME ON THE RADIO CLOCK AND MY INTERIOR LIGHTS HAD TO BE REMOVED BECAUSE THEY REFUSED TO SHUT OFF.
WHEN I TOOK VEHICLE TO REGULAR FLUID EXCHANGE FOR 80K MILEAGE, HONDA SERVICE EXPERTS SAID, COMPLIANCE BUSH FOR THE FRONT WHEEL HAS BEEN CRACKED. THEY ALSO SAID IT IS PRETTY SERIOUS TO DRIVE AND NEED TO BE REPLACED SOON. THE LOCAL MECHANIC SHOP ARE NOT AWARE OF THESE REPAIRS. NONE OTHER VEHICLES HAS THIS KIND OF DEFECTS AND IT IS NEVER MENTIONED IN HONDA MANUAL. SIMPLE SEARCH IN THE INTERNET RESULTED NUMEROUS COMPLAINT ABOUT THIS. CONSIDERING THE PRETTY SERIOUSNESS OF THIS ISSUE, CONSIDER SAFETY FACT ON HONDA VEHICLES BASED ON THIS ISSUE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA CIVIC SI EQUIPPED WITH GOOD YEAR ASSURANCE TIRES, MODEL: TRIPLE TRED, SIZE: 205/55/R16 AND GOOD YEAR COMFORT TRED TOURING TIRES, SIZE: 205/55/R16. THE DOT NUMBERS FOR BOTH TIRES WERE UNKNOWN. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 20 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE VIBRATED ABNORMALLY. THE STEERING WOULD VIBRATE ABNORMALLY AT SPEEDS OVER 70 MPH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SAME FAILURE OCCURRED WITH BOTH SETS OF TIRES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT BOTH SETS OF TIRES WERE OUT OF ROUND AND THE BELTS IN THE TIRES WERE SHIFTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THE CONTACT REPLACED BOTH SETS OF TIRES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,027 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 33,466.
PURCHASED USED 2004 CERTIFIED HONDA CIVIC ON 5/26/2007. ON JUNE 12, 2007 I REPORTED THAT THE CAR HAD A HOWLING NOISE AND YOU TENDED TO CONSTANTLY HAVE TO ADJUST THE STEERING WHEN DRIVING. THEY FOUND NOTHING. SEPT. 11, 2007 REPORTED TO SERVICE THAT VERY ROAD NOISE VERY BAD ALSO POWER SURGING WHEN DOING 55 TO 60 MILES PER HOUR ALSO HAS SHUDDER WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP. THEY REPORTED THAT THE CAR HAD THE INCORRECT TIRES ON THE CAR. SHOULD BE LOW RESISTANCE TIRES AND THE SHUDDER WAS BEING CAUSED BY A BAD START CLUTCH. THERE WAS APPARENTLY A RECALL ON THIS PART. CUSTOMER NOT NOTIFIED REGARDING THIS. CUSTOMER WOULD HAVE TO NOTIFY SERVICE THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM REGARDING THIS MATTER. OCTOBER 9TH. TOOK CAR IN TO HAVE START CLUTCH REPLACED AND 60,000 MILE WARRANTY WORK DONE. PICKED UP CAR ON OCTOBER 9TH. OCTOBER 12, TOOK CAR TO A TIRE INSTALLER TO HAVE TIRES CHECKED TO SEE WHY I HAD SUCH BAD ROAD NOISE. TIRES WERE WORN ON INSIDE OF TIRES AND WAVY. HAD ONE FRONT AND ONE BACK TIRE OUT OF LINE. REPLACED ALL TIRES. OCTOBER 13, LATCH TO OPEN LID FOR GAS WOULD NOT WORK. HAD TO CALL SERVICE DEPT TO MEET ME TO MANUALLY OPEN. OCTOBER 15, TOOK CAR IN TO HAVE CABLE REPAIRED TO ACCESS GAS FILL. HAVE HAD DISCUSSIONS WITH THE FINANCE ASST. AND USED CAR MANAGER REGARDING THE PROBLEMS. THEY HAVE ONLY AGREED TO PAY PART OF THE MONEY FOR THE TIRES. STILL ARGUING OVER THIS. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN I TOOK VEHICLE TO REGULAR FLUID EXCHANGE FOR 80K MILEAGE, HONDA SERVICE EXPERTS SAID, COMPLIANCE BUSH FOR THE FRONT WHEEL HAS BEEN CRACKED. THEY ALSO SAID IT IS PRETTY SERIOUS TO DRIVE AND NEED TO BE REPLACED SOON. THE LOCAL MECHANIC SHOP ARE NOT AWARE OF THESE REPAIRS. NONE OTHER VEHICLES HAS THIS KIND OF DEFECTS AND IT IS NEVER MENTIONED IN HONDA MANUAL. SIMPLE SEARCH IN THE INTERNET RESULTED NUMEROUS COMPLAINT ABOUT THIS. CONSIDERING THE PRETTY SERIOUSNESS OF THIS ISSUE, CONSIDER SAFETY FACT ON HONDA VEHICLES BASED ON THIS ISSUE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING 2004 HONDA ACCORD-NOT A HYBRID, SMELLED ODOR OF SOMETHING BURNING, CAR SEAT WARMER WAS SET LOW, TURNED OFF WARMER, SMELL DISAPPEARED, BUT SEAT CONTINUED WARM. ON 2/22 & 2/23 WHILE SEAT WARMER SWITCH OFF CAR SEAT HEATED. 2/23 BROUGHT CAR TO HONDA HAD WARMER DISCONNECTED. CO-WORKERS KNOW OF SIMILAR INCIDENTS DIFFERENT CAR MAKES THAT HAVE CAUSED BURNS TO OCCUPANTS OR ELECTICAL FIRES, IS THERE A DEFECT IN THESE DEVICES OR TREND OF SIMILAR REPORTS. *NM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .