Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (buckles, retractors, anchors and pretensioners).
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).
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.
UNKNOWN - I have a 2004 Honda Accord which indicates an airbag issue. The seat belt buckles but the light stays on. Many 2004 Accords were in a recall over SRS but my VIN did not show as part of the recall. The dealer says the seat sensor is bad but they are not making the part any longer. What should I do. I guess the maker should replace with a new system.
Mechanic states that driver buckle is causing error message concerning air bag deployment on driver side, says belt buckle should be replaced so connectivity will be re-established, to enable air bag deployment. I would think this would be a safety recall, if this is the case.
My car got into a minor accident a neighborhood. The airbag on the passenger seat came out. Everyone including the police thought it was odd because there wasn't anyone sitting on the passenger seat. The driver's side on the other hand, the airbag did not come out. And the airbag light is off even though the passenger airbag came off. I have a question as to why that is? Also my seat belt became too tight and does not allow me room to moves.
On October 25, 2020, the bolt holding the drivers seatbelt unscrewed itself during normal use, stripped the bolt threads, and failed. It appears to have been in a position to fail for many miles. If an accident had occurred, the seatbelt would not have worked. The seatbelt components are mandated under 49 cfr 571.209. I have attached photos of the seatbelt buckle bolt. I have a simple solution to prevent this from occurring in the future, however, I can't seem to find anyone who cares about the technicalities. It would be great to speak with an engineer about this. The Honda dealer and customer service rep were worthless. They refused to sell me a replacement part unless I signed a liability waiver. I of course refused, because they have the liability. …
I noticed that the SRS light was intermittently illuminating on the dashboard of my 2004 Honda Accord. It turns out that the driver's side seat belt buckle switch is defective, according to the dealer. Honda states in their seat belt limited warranty: time period: this warranty continues for the useful life of the vehicle warranty coverage: Honda will repair or replace, at its option, any Honda seat belt component that fails to function properly during normal use. This includes all parts and labor charges. My Honda dealer (fairfax Honda [phone]) informed me that this wasn't under warranty because the component needing repair was an electrical component. However, the Honda warranty clearly states any Honda seat belt component, and does not differentiate between electrical and mechanical components. …
I have complained to Honda about my transmission slipping, almost stalling out and then taking a huge jerk...it normally happens when letting up off my gas...this has been ongoing for almost 2 years; last night I had the ride of my life in only a matter of seconds! I was stopping by the bank to get cash from the atm; as I let up off my gas, the car did a hard jerk and jumped the sidewalk hitting the corner of the bank. I'm so glad no one was using the atm at this time. My airbag never deployed and my seat belt released for me to get out but now it is jammed and will not pull out enough for me to wear it! With all the complaints I've found that are very similar to mine going back as early as 2003, I really feel that Honda should take these complaints more serious and that they should be held responsible for repairing the issue and any damages incurred due to the issue. …
I was pulling into a parking space in a parking garage. When I was about 3/4 of the way into the parking space, I put my foot on the brake. Apparently my foot slipped or I had put it on the gas pedal instead of the brake. My car surged into the concrete wall about 5 feet in front of me as I pushed harder on the gas pedal because I thought I was pushing the brake. None of my 8 airbags went off and I do not believe that my seat belt tightened its tension at impact. I suffered a shattered patella, 3 broken toes, a bruised sternum and a black eye. If the airbags and seat belts had worked properly I believe my injuries would be less severe as they would have kept me from flying forward at impact. The impact was strong enough to crack the transmission case, break one engine mount, break the air conditioner, destroy the bumper and hood and cause repairable damage to the quarter panels. …
While driving the speed limit to take my children to school this morning 02-18-2016, my Honda was in the last gear but suddenly downshifted into a power gear causing the car to jerk. My children and I were almost rear ended but the f-150 truck behind is swerved to keep from bitting us. I was very afraid also cause the seat belt around my children tightened to the point where my baby boy started crying cause it was like it choked him. After dropping them off, I got to the stop light which is on a hill and the car would not move. Put in park and cut off and car then went into gear but did not change fears to where it reved up the rpms. Cruised down hill to my home and decided to back up and the car would it even back up. I would like to know what can be done cause there seems to be a problem with Honda and all the can tell me is that there is no recall I. …
Tl contact owns a 2004 Honda Accord. While pulling into a parking space, the vehicle suddenly accelerated and jumped over two curbs and a bush. The vehicle finally came to a stop when it crashed into a parked vehicle. The contact had her foot on the brake pedal during the acceleration. The air bags failed to deploy. The occupant seated in the passenger seat sustained lower back injuries because the seat belt failed to restrain the passenger and the contact. The vehicle is currently being repaired at a body shop and will be taken to the Honda dealer to be diagnosed. Police report number 07171505 was filed with the cochie county sheriff's department. The speed was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 39,000. The consumer stated the air bag light had illuminated, however there was no air bag deployment. Updated 10/10/07.
Seat Belt complaints in other Accord years
Frequently asked questions
How common are seat belt problems on the 2004 Honda Accord?
NHTSA has 38 complaints about the seat belts of the 2004 Honda Accord, 4% of the model year's 1,018 complaints. The component named most often is front (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Honda Accord seat belt problems?
No. NHTSA lists no seat belts 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 seat belt problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 88,000 miles, and 15% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 8 crashes, 0 fires and 8 injuries to seat belts 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.