The 2004 Honda Accord is affordable, famously reliable, cheap to maintain, and fun to drive. But, buyer beware, there are no fewer than 11 airbag recalls on file, with complaints still rolling in.
Is the 2004 Honda Accord a Good Used Car?
- Overall Rating 8/10 – The 2004 Accord is one of the sportiest and most reliable cars you’re going to find in this price range.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 8/10 – The Accord’s interior space is limited only by its size class. If you want something roomier than this, get a full-size or an SUV.
- Reliability 8/10 – The engine and transmission will likely pass 250,000 miles, but expect to replace a lot of little things like window switches and AC compressors on the way there.
- Safety 6/10 – Excellent crash test ratings combined with dated safety tech and lots of airbag recalls add up to a mediocre safety score.
- Gas Mileage 8/10 – The V6 model gets 24/30 miles to the gallon, city/highway, which is really good for such an old car.
- Value 8/10 – The Accord is a great deal, but the Camry is a slightly better value if you’re after a 2004 mid-size.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the 2004 Honda Accord?
Consumer Reports were impressed with the quiet, comfortable ride and snappy acceleration found in the 2004 Accord, praising the car as an improvement over the 2003 edition.
Kelley Blue Book users have few complaints, raving about the V6 engine, the long lifespan, and the low maintenance costs. A handful of drivers have had some problems with the window switches and door locks, but you’ll have a hard time finding owners with major mechanical problems.
Edmunds liked the build quality, quiet cabin, powerful engines, high crash test scores, and the Accord’s reputation for reliability. They were less excited about the handling, which they called tepid, saying that it doesn’t quite live up to the sporty feel of the 240 horsepower V6.
What Common Problems Does the 2004 Honda Accord Have?
There are 341 powertrain complaints on file at present, with quite a few drivers reporting that they missed a 2004 transmission recall. Check the VIN and make sure that you’re buying a car that’s already had this problem taken care of. Honda will still pay for the transmission repairs covered in the recall, but any further damages may be on you.
A recurring problem with the airbags may be worrying for some drivers. In total there have been 11 airbags recalls, 242 complaints (as recently as late 2022), and 4 investigations, 2 of which are still open.
With 139 complaints on file, electrical problems claim a distant third place. Many of these are for blinking airbag warning lights, but we’re also seeing reports of navigation system bugs, windshield wiper failure, and radios going on the fritz. These issues aren’t common enough to constitute a major problem, but as you suffer more wear and tear you should expect the electrical accessories to be the first things to go.
The 2004 Accord has 22 recalls on file with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, plus 994 complaints. 22 recalls is a bit high for any car, especially a Honda, but it’s better to have a lot of recalls than it is to have a lot of problems that were never recalled.
How Long Will the 2004 Honda Accord Last?
With decent care, Accords are typically reported to last a minimum of 250,000 miles before the transmission gives out. Plenty of drivers shoot right past 300,000 miles with no major issues, but you can never be so sure of how well the previous owner maintained the vehicle, so 250,000 should be the number you’re keeping in mind when weighing the cost of a used Accord.
RepairPal estimate an annual maintenance cost of $400, with new balance shaft drive belts being the most expensive common fix, starting at $418.
I have only had to take the car in to be looked at once, when there was an obvious leak somewhere in the power steering line, but otherwise J have had no problems with it.
Yes this car is reliable. And no it does not have any problems. I got it used so it had a few things wrong with it. But I got them fixed and now it's a good car.
We have had little to no problems for this car, just standard tune ups oil change and battery changed even with over 250k miles
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment technology is generous for 2004, if dated by modern standards. The entry level DX comes with a CD player, which wasn’t always a standard feature back then.
Safety technology is the same story: generous but dated. Anti-lock brakes and full airbags are about as fancy as it gets here.
Is the 2004 Honda Accord a Good Value?
The 2004 Honda Accord is an excellent value. There are cheaper mid-size cars available from this model year, and some of them even match Honda for longevity and reliability. But none of them deliver 240 horsepower at a typical listing price of around $5,869.
Inline-four models are available at under $5,000, but at that price point the competing Camry arguably delivers a better value. What really make the Accord a great deal is that it gets you a sporty 3.0L for under six thousand bucks.
What are the Different Models of the 2004 Honda Accord?
The 2004 Honda Accord is available in three trim levels, from the entry-level DX to the top-of-the-line EX, with each being offered in a sedan or coupe body type.
The base DX gets you:
- Cloth seating
- AM/FM stereo with CD player
- Power windows and door locks
The mid-range LX adds:
- Remote keyless entry
- Cruise control
- Optional 8-way power adjust driver seat
- Optional steering wheel mounted audio controls
- 6 speakers Manual air conditioning
With the high-end EX you’re adding:
- Power sunroof
- Optional leather trim
- Optional heated front seats
- Touch-by-voice navigation system
- Six-disc CD changer
- Automatic dual zone air conditioning
What Engines Come In the 2004 Honda Accord?
- The base engine found in the DX trim is a 2.4L inline-four delivering 160 horsepower and 161 lb.-ft. of torque. This is paired to a 5-speed automatic transmission and configured in front wheel drive, averaging 26/34 miles to the gallon, city/highway.
- Optional in the LX and EX models, the real star of the show is a 3.0L V6 delivering 240 horsepower and 212 lb.-ft. of torque. This is paired to a 5-speed automatic and configured in front wheel drive, and averages 24/30 miles to the gallon.
What Colors Does the 2004 Honda Accord Come In?
How Comfortable Is the 2004 Honda Accord?
The 2004 Accord is very comfortable. You’ve got to search far and wide to find someone who has any complaints about the spacious seating, roomy interior, and smooth riding suspension. You’ve got 54.6 inches of hip room, which is enough for most adults to sit three to the back row, but schedule some stretch-breaks if you’re going on a long trim.
Your biggest concern in a twenty year old is going to be that the suspension may have rusted through by now, and that could have you feeling every crack and pebble in the road. In other words: Don’t skip the test drive. Hit a couple speed bumps and make sure the car doesn’t wobble around like a slinky.
How Much Storage Space Does the 2004 Honda Accord Have?
The coupe offers 12.8 cubic feet of storage space while the sedan offers 14 cubic feet. That’s enough for three large suitcases, or three large suitcases and a carry-on bag or two. In short, you’ve got about as much space as you can reasonably expect of a mid-size car, but don’t go looking for seats that fold down or anything.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
The 2004 Honda Accord was the second year of the car’s 7th Generation.
2003: The 7th Generation launched with a whole new build, with the sedan standing an extra inch in the wheelbase, and the sedan and coupe both getting an extra inch in width.
2004: The 2004 Accord saw side curtain airbags added as a standard feature, but no major changes beyond that.
2005: New wheel covers and illuminated controls led a host of new design changes for 2005.
2006: Honda modernized the Accord’s appearance for 2006 with integrated LED brake lights and brand new bumper fascias and grilles.
How Does the 2004 Honda Accord Compare to the Competition?
The Accord’s closest competitor for 2004 was, predictably, the Toyota Camry. Both are known for their longevity and low cost of ownership. The Camry has far fewer recalls on file for 2004 and it’s a better value overall, but the V6 option is about thirty horses weaker than the Accord’s.
Coming in third is the Nissan Sentra, which tends to list at about half the price of an EX Accord, and which is known for its stiff seating, wobbly suspension, cramped interior, and cheap overall build. You can save a few thousand bucks buying a Sentra, but you’ll know why you got such a good deal on it every time you hit a pothole.
The Accord and Camry are clearly the best mid-size cars of 2004, and it’s not easy picking a winner. The Accord is certainly the sportier of the two, and the most fun to drive, but the Camry just edges it out for overall value and reliability.
Do Owners Recommend the 2004 Honda Accord?
Yes, it is a very comfortable car that drives smoothly and covers it's blind spots very well. Wonderful gas mileage and had remained reliable in the years I have driven it.
Yes this car is a good vehicle. It is more updated than my 2002 Accord. It feels and looks bigger. The radio is a lot better. The bass is a lot better too.
It is great every day car especially for commuting and great on gas! reliable and has plenty of trunk space