Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2004 Honda Accord owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owned a 2004 Honda Accord. The contact was stopped at a traffic sign and was rear-ended by a light truck. The contact stated that she had looked down at her lap when she was struck she said the impact caused her to hit the steering wheel with her face. The contact stated that she was rendered unconscious. The contact stated that when she regained consciousness the police and emergency technicians were on scene. The driver of the other vehicle had fled the scene. The contact stated that the air bags had not been deployed. The contact stated that the police had filed a report. The contact stated that the damage to the rear end of her vehicle was so severe that the vehicle had to be towed to an impound lot. The contact was transported to an ER where she was diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury, she had suffered a broken nose and whiplash to her neck. …
I Was hit extremely hard by a semi truck on the driver side of my car when the semi was making a small right turn in the middle lane on Race Street my little car became wedged almost underneath the shield and roof slightly began to get crushed but the AIRBAGS never deployed,when I heard the cracking of the shield i looked back at my children who are and still to this day are terrified! the back tires of the semi is staring them in the face I immediately squeezed out of my seat belt it wouldn't unlock at this point my car is being pulled back and forth from the driver of the semi keeps trying to widening his turn while I'm blowing the crap out of the my horn he still doesn't realize he hit me yet, maybe because his dog is all over the passenger side from him jerking the semi back and forth I grabbed my children and jumped out I was literally stuck between a traffic poll and a nightmare …
On September 18, 2026, my father was driving a 2004 Honda Accord southeast on State Route 56 in Madison County, Ohio. According to the crash report, the vehicle failed to negotiate a curve, crossed left of center, left the right side of the roadway, struck a ditch, overturned, and struck a utility pole. My father sustained severe injuries, was transported by MedFlight to OSU Wexner Medical Center, and later died. After the crash, we observed that the driver's steering-wheel airbag had not deployed. However, the police report indicates that both front and side airbags deployed. I am requesting an investigation into this discrepancy and whether a safety defect involving the driver's airbag may have been involved. The vehicle is being held by Pro Tow until November 2, 2026, and is available for inspection. …
The contact owns a 2004 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while attempting to make a right turn, the air bags deployed independently. No warning lights illuminated. A dealer or independent mechanic was not contacted. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact's fianc sustained injuries to the face, left eye, causing her to have a black eye, and her chest and the contact sustained injures to left side of his face and his left hand. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact was relating the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V268000 (AIR BAGS); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The approximate failure mileage was 147,486.
The contact owns a 2004 Honda Accord. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the SRS air bag warning light started blinking off and on. The contact related the failure to having had the driver's side air bag replaced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V320000 (Air Bags). The contact stated that the air bag warning light remained illuminated continually. Additionally, the contact stated that the horn, cruise control, and the passenger's side air bag sensor had also failed to operate as needed. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 405,000.
The passenger seat air bag light comes on and off intermittently, when no one is sitting in the seat! Specific recall; ID 07V001000. There are several recalls listed for airbags, but it said my car is not affected; however obviously it is!
Air bag light continues to stay on even after having the recall of the wiring harness replaced. Went to the dealership and had the air bag inflater recall fixed on April 1,2021 the light came on and continued to stay on. On 5/24/2024 I serviced my vehicle at Honda of Cleveland and they stated I had an air bag code stating that my driver side airbag sensor is bad but because they fixed the recall in 2007 they said the air bag itself is faulty but not covered under recall. Just needing this documented in case an incident occurs and the air bag is faulty as indicated by the dealership.
My 2 door (coupe) has yet to be recalled for the exploding airbag. The sedan was recalled a long time ago. Undoubtedly the airbags are the same in both cars. Why no recall for the coupe? My guess is that the NHSTA applies separate statistical tests to the coupe and sedan as a matter of course--even if it makes no sense when both use the same part. Because so few coupes were made, the statistical threshold for exploding airbags was never reached to trigger a recall. Am I driving a timebomb? Will my death be the one to trigger a recall? Thank you for your response.
On Wednesday, JULY 27, 2022, I was riding on the highway and the left side curtain airbag exploded. There was no other vehicles involved, no accident. My left curtain airbag is hanging out my window and I need to get it repaired ASAP and it's affecting my seatbelt in the driver's seat. I need to know if my make and model has a recall for 2004 Honda Accord. For now, I have the curtain pinned to the roof of the car. The airbag just exploded and now there is a red sign on my dashboard with the seatbelt emblem and showing the airbag on the steering wheel.
I have 22 recalls in my Jerry app and also on here. Have problems when first starting up and shifting just got from a dealer in Ohio. Maybe a year and a half ago my name is Tracy Harney my address is 702 Inverness place ft thomas Ky 41075 also my air bag light is on and my headlights are not very visible at nite wondering if all recalls on vehicle were fixed. Or still open. 8599076824. Leave message if don't answer if you call.
Related recalls
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2012 RL, 2003-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal airbag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2003-2006 MDX, 2001-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot and 2006 Ridgeline vehicles.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling specific 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2013-2016 ILX, 2013-2014 ILX Hybrid, 2003-2006 MDX, 2007-2016 RDX, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 TL, 2010-2013 ZDX and 2001-2007 and 2009 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2007 and 2010-2011…
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began April 10, 2019. Honda owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2012 Honda Accord and Pilot, 2010 Accord Crosstour, 2001-2011 Civic, 2002-2011 CR-V, 2003-2004, 2006-2008 and 2011 Element, 2007 and 2009-2013 Fit, 2010-2012 Insight, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2012 Ridgeline vehicles.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began June 22, 2018.
Show 7 more recalls
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2004-2007 Accord vehicles manufactured October 1, 2003, to August 17, 2007. The affected vehicles may have been assembled with an incorrect passenger frontal air bag module that does not comply with the advanced air bag requirements.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the air bag module as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on May 2, 2016. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2001-2005 Honda Civic vehicles manufactured March 21, 2000, to January 20, 2005, 2001-2004 Honda Civic GX vehicles manufactured June 14, 2000, to August 19, 2004, 2003-2005 Honda Civic Hybrid vehicles manufactured February 24, 2002, to January 18, 2005, 2003-2007…
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2001-2007 Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2001-2004 Honda Civic GX, 2003-2005 Honda Civic Hybrid, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2006 Ridgeline, 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2003-2006 Acura MDX, and 2002-2003 Acura 3.2TL vehicles.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.
Air bags
American Honda Motor Co. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2001-2005 Honda Civic, 2003-2004 Civic CNG and Element, 2002-2005 CR-V, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2005 Accord, Pilot, Civic Hybrid, and Acura MDX, 2005 Acura RL and 2006 Honda Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in geographic locations associated…
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 26, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.
Air bags
American Honda Motor Company, Inc.'s (Honda) is conducting a limited regional recall for certain model year 2003-2005 Accord, Civic, CR-V, Pilot and Acura MDX, model year 2003-2004 Odyssey and Element, and model year 2005 Acura RL, and 2006 Honda Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or ever registered in California, and equipped…
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inflators in all affected vehicles, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during August 2014. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.
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 wrong location and May have been over tightened.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat position sensor wiring subharness. The recall will begin on or about February 8, 2007. Owners May contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009.
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.
Remedy: Dealers will install a protective fabric flap between the air bag module cover and the inner module. The recall began on November 30, 2004. Owners should contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009.
NHTSA investigations
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…
Frontal driver air bag
During two of 13 NHTSA research & development compatibility crash tests, the driver-side frontal airbag failed to properly deploy due to a large tear in the airbag fabric.both r&d test vehicles that contained a failed air bag were 4-door, 4-cylinder (l4) vehicles.subsequent static and dynamic tests conducted by Honda revealed that during severe crash conditions, the airbag fabric can snag the inside surface of the…
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.
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…
Airbag complaints in other Accord years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2004 Honda Accord?
NHTSA has 251 complaints about the air bags of the 2004 Honda Accord, 25% of the model year's 1,018 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (27 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Honda Accord airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 19V-501 (inflator module, Jun 27, 2019); NHTSA recall 19V-499 (inflator module, Jun 27, 2019); NHTSA recall 19V-182 (inflator module, Mar 6, 2019). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2004 Honda Accord airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 90,000 miles, and 9% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 47 crashes, 0 fires and 51 injuries and 3 deaths to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.