Is the 2004 Honda Accord a good car?
An honest AI verdict — reliability, common problems, and real cost to own.
B+8/10
This Honda Accord is a solid choice for an affordable, reliable vehicle, but make sure any known issues have been addressed.
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Pros
- Solid reliability
- Good fuel economy
- Comfortable ride
Cons
- Common transmission issues
- Some interior wear points
- Older safety features
Ownership at a glance
Fuel economy
21 mpg
Maintenance cost
$1,500/yr
Expected lifespan
200,000 miles
Common problems to watch for
- Transmission failures
- Power steering hose leaks
- Ignition switch problems
CarsJudge exclusive data
Active recalls (22)
The 2004 Honda Accord has 22 NHTSA recalls on record. Most recent: Power Train — Automatic Transmission (campaign 04V176000). All recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer.
- Air Bags — Frontal — Sensor/Control Module-Inactive — ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE SEAT POSITION SENSOR (SPS) DETECTS THE DRIVER'S SEATING POSITION AND ADJUSTS THE AIR BAG INFLATION PRESSURE ACCORDINGLY. THE WIRING HARNESS FOR THE SPS WAS ATTACHED TO THE SEAT FRAME IN THE WRON…
- Exterior Lighting — CERTAIN EAGLE EYES AND SONAR HEADLIGHTS AND CORNER LIGHTS SOLD AS AFTERMARKET FOR USE ON 1988-2005 HONDA CIVIC, 1990-2005 HONDA ACCORD, AND 1990-2001 ACURA INTEGRA PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. HEADLIGHTS AND CORNER…
- Air Bags — Frontal — ON CERTAIN SEDANS, A TEAR IN THE FABRIC OF THE DRIVER'S FRONT AIR BAG OCCURRED AFTER APPARENT CONTACT WITH THE INSIDE SURFACE OF THE AIR BAG COVER DURING DEPLOYMENT.…
- Power Train — Automatic Transmission — ON SOME MINI VANS, SPORT UTILITY AND PASSENGER VEHICLES, CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS CAN RESULT IN HEAT BUILD-UP BETWEEN THE COUNTERSHAFT AND SECONDARY SHAFT SECOND GEARS IN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, EVENTUALLY LEADIN…
Real owner data from the CarsJudge fleet
1 2004 Honda Accord owner tracks this exact car in CarsJudge.
Recall data: NHTSA. Owner costs & MPG: anonymized aggregates from CarsJudge users who track this vehicle. Updated 2026-07-05.
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This AI-generated assessment is general guidance only, not a substitute for a professional inspection. Always inspect a used vehicle before purchase.