Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
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).
Rear window shattered, spontaneously, parked. Mostly 1/4 to 3/8 inch pieces, no impact center or chips anywhere. Cause UNKNOWN. With slight vibration the rear window fell into the car, except around glued edges, also including tiny slivers. While the shattered rear window held, it created a huge blind spot behind car, which is a large safety problem. Also driving could leave a trail of glass on public streets. Rear window was vacuumed up and replaced by Glass America, who also had no idea why it shattered. Vehicle was inspected and passed by Colorado vehicle inspectors on January 31, 2024. No warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure found on April 13, 2024. Car had not been driven for 10 days, parked.
This is a followup on Incident 11113944. The problem was actually an aftermarket Ipod adapter connected to the car stereo, it was draining the battery even when the car was off. Also, simply driving the car for a while (like to the mechanic) would always make the problem go away, because the battery eventually recharged. After removing the Ipod adapter and replacing the battery again, I have not had the wipers fail in ~3 years. I think Honda should provide some alert if the battery is at insufficient voltage to run the wipers, however.
Both front wipers stop working intermittently during a rain or snow storm. Nothing solves the problem - e.g. Changing from on/off/high/medium/intermittent. Turning lights and fan off doesn't help. The wipers stop moving at random positions, sometimes stopping for a few seconds, to minutes. Note that both wipers stop working together; they either both are moving or both stopped. This has happened during driving (on highway and city) in at least 2 rain storms and one snow storm, within the last 5 years. My only recourse has been to try to look out the side window, because I have about 10% visibility through the windshield. I am very lucky to have not crashed. Note that this problem is hard to reproduce - the wipers normally work, except when I actually need them. I refuse to drive this car with rain or snow in the forecast. 2 dealers have looked at it and found nothing wrong. …
While driving on the highway, it started pouring rain. I turned on my wipers. When the wipers were in a vertical position they stopped. I immediately lost visibility because it was raining so hard. I was able to get to the side of the road. I put the wiper speed lever in several different positions but nothing would make them work. I checked the fuses while I waited on the rain to stop. Once it stopped raining, I returned the wipers to the down position and was able to drive safely. There are numerous complaints about the wiper motor and also the wiper switch. The wiper motor was recalled for the 2003 Accord. I feel like a similar recall should be done for the 2004 accords.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Honda Accord. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the contact activated the defroster to clear the windshield but it would not function. The contact was unable to see the roadway and crashed into a mail box. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostics. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised that there was a common problem with the circuit board but they would not cover any repair costs because the warranty had expired. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 103,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Honda Accord. When the vehicle was started, the windshield wipers were activated and unexpectedly became inoperable. There was a recall for the 2003 Accord models under NHTSA campaign: 08V169000 (visibility). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 41,475.
I leased a 2004 Honda Accord ex v6 in May of 2004, from rick case in miramar fl. On August 31, 2005, I had to have my o ring discharge line replaced, due to leaking power steering fluid and noise. Then, on April 3, 2006 I had to have my entire radio/cd player changed out due to LED not working and both back window motors replaced due to loud noise and rolling down slowly. In July 2006, I relocated to atlanta, ga and purchased this vehicle via retail (transferred the title) in August 2007. Then, November 9, 2007, I had to have the power steering pump replaced due to leaking fluids and a loud noise. Today is August 6, 2009 and I am again having the same power steering issues!! …
Windshield wiper do not work properly when driving in the rain. I live in san diego and it rarely rain here so I rarely had to use my wipers. Every time I use my wipers in the rain it would stop working after about 5 minutes - the wiper would start moving sluggish as if getting stuck then it would actually stop midway on the windshield. I had to turn the wipers off and on a few times to get it working again and then after a few seconds the same thing happened again. I no longer drive this car in the rain fortunately it does not rain very often in san diego. It works fine when not raining (windshield fluid cleaning window). I checked the recall for Honda and found that the 2003 Accord was recalled for defective wiper motor and this recall was issue on 4/17/2008. I can't help but wonder how many other Accord years were affected with the same defective wiper motor issue. …
I was traveling on route 50 and my windshield wipers stopped working on the kent narrows bridge in the middle of the down pours that we were having here in centreville maryland on Saturday 8-22-2009. I called Honda of America today after speaking to my mechanic and he said that there was a recall on some of the accords for the motors corroding due to water getting under the windshield wiper motor covers. Honda of America told me that only covered the Honda accords for the year of 2003. This recall occurred July 2008. I had the same problem and my motor stopped working on route 50 in traffic traveling with no visibility. I could have been killed as I could not see a thing in front of me and I had my 13 year old son in the car with me. I had the motor replaced today 8-24-2009 if you need the part I would have to know by tomm so that I could get my mechanic to keep it for me. …
Tl contact owns a 2004 Honda Accord. The front passenger side windows has eight cuts and grease or glue stains on the inside panel of the window. The contact stated that the failures impede her side visibility. She was informed that the window tinting and too much lubrication in the lock mechanism were the cause, also the window was in too tightly, and the window strips needed to be replaced. She took the vehicle to the dealer six different times, but the failure has not been corrected. The dealer and regional manager informed her that she can do whatever she wants, but they would no longer assist. The contact has pictures available and records of the six trips that were made to the dealer. She also stated that her vehicle has been to the dealer 21 times for various failures. …
Window & Wiper complaints in other Accord years
Frequently asked questions
How common are window & wiper problems on the 2004 Honda Accord?
NHTSA has 44 complaints about the windows, wipers & sunroof of the 2004 Honda Accord, 4% of the model year's 1,018 complaints. The component named most often is power window devices and controls (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Honda Accord window & wiper problems?
No. NHTSA lists no windows, wipers & sunroof 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 window & wiper problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles, and 24% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 3 injuries to windows, wipers & sunroof 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.