Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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).
While driving, the car's engine suddenly shut off, and the brakes were barely responsive, making it extremely difficult to bring the vehicle to a complete stop despite continuously applying the brakes. This was a very serious and frightening safety issue that nearly caused me to crash into another vehicle or an object. I am very concerned about the safety and reliability of this vehicle and believe it needs to be inspected immediately.
Today was just another day to work. I have taken this road to work for past two years with me driving. First you get off the ramp, then stop at a stop sign, then you pass under the bridge to follow the straight road to work. However, today it was different. I first took the exit ramp and went to the end of it. Stopped at the stop sign. Checked both sides to see if it was clear for me to proceed and go ahead with making a turn. It was clear so I made a left turn and went straight. However, within next 5 yards after going straight my car's steering wheel started to shake and car pulled to the left. I could not control the car since all this happened so fast and my car hit the huge cement pole which is the base of the bridge. After talking with my husband and many others, they believe that car has somehow malfunctioned. …
I was driving down a city road and the vehicle started to accelerate on its own and it did not want to shift gear. I was able to apply brakes but the car continued to accelerate to very high rpms. I had no choice but to turn the shut off the car midway and pull-over. While stationary and car shut off on side of the road I tried to turn it back it and it automatically jumped to high RPM and was never able to change gears from park to drive or anything because the car would take off. After 45 minutes of letting the car figure itself out, it stopped revving too high RPM and was able to go back home. The issue has stopped but now when I start the car up and switch from park to drive the car has a delayed engagement. Also, now my steering wheel locks up ever once in a while and when making turns randomly. …
I did tune up my car because is run not good. The ball joint broke good the happen on street in repair get new ball joint and new axle both thing for drivers side used car had a good on gas mileage but after start giving bad mileages. Many time tune up. After that car not pick speed. One day I did google search. I find Honda recall for transmission over one million. I call Honda dealer about transmission recall he say need up date software but they don't have recall about this yet . But they have recall airbags was which haven already done. Now my car have problems with transmission ,ball joint axle ,smoking. Radio not works another I hope. I get recall soon . I wasn't know that to file complaints. Now I know and I helps other.
While driving on the interstate the RPM needle began oscillating rapidly between low and high numbers and the car was in a distressed state. I pulled onto the shoulder and drove slowly to an exit at which pointi had to stop at a redlight. Once green, I attempted to accelerate forward without success. The car would not engage in any gear, including reverse. I called the police who pushed me out of the road to a safe location. The Honda facility I use for maintenance advised that I have a total transmission failure. I called Honda America and was told that it was not in the best interest of the company to assist.
A fire started underneath the vehicle while driving 40 MPH. The location of the fire was a little behind the right front tire area. Other passing by motorists were flagging down the consumer to make her aware of a fire. Vehicle was pulled over, and the consumer got out of the vehicle. Local fire department arrived to extinguish the fire. The cause of the fire had not been determined. Prior to the fire the brakes function was reduced while the consumer was trying to stop in an intersection. This was immediately followed by the ABS light illuminating on the dash.
My vehicle died going up a small hill for no reason.... Like it stalled but I had to restart the vehicle... Also the stereo doesn't work I think it could be electrical or the ignition switch? Seen on youtube I'm not the only one that this is happening to. It stalls almost and doesn't propel in fifth at I have to down shift and go back to 5th and tei again... Sometimes it works other times I try 2 or three time to keep it accelerating. The hill thing was scary. What did it mean?
When parking the car in a parking lot, as I was turning into the parking space the car jumped (went very fast forward and hit the wall in front of me) even though I had my foot on the brakes I felt I had no control of the car and the engine turned off on it's own. I also noticed it jumped gears, it was no longer on d but d3. This incident caused damage to the bumper of the car.
My 2004 Honda Accord had an engine fire caused by a defective high pressure power steering hose. The hose sprung a leak, spraying power steering fluid onto the engine, which caught fire. This defect is already the subject of NHTSA recall 12v-222, but inactivity and foot-dragging on Honda's part has caused this otherwise avoidable safety incident.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Honda Accord. While driving at various speeds, the vehicle independently accelerated without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the throttle box needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 137,000.
Engine complaints in other Accord years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2004 Honda Accord?
NHTSA has 56 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2004 Honda Accord, 6% of the model year's 1,018 complaints. The component named most often is engine (8 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Honda Accord engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2004 Honda Accord, though it has 13 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2004 Honda Accord engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 100,000 miles, and 18% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 3 fires and 1 injury to engine & cooling 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.