The Lemon Index2004 Honda Civic.
The 2004 Honda Civic is one of the most reliable years by owner complaints: 91 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 35, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about airbags, it has 15 recalls, and it gets 28 to 41 mpg combined. The best Honda Civic year is 2011.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 385 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Honda Civic year. 2004 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 45K to 125K miles on the car (268 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- airbags complaints mostly came at 53K–131K miles
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 66K–123K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 48K–128K miles
Recalls 15
- airbags 2019
The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high …
- airbags 2019
These vehicles are equipped with driver frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high a…
- airbags 2019
The affected vehicles received a replacement driver air bag inflator as part of a previous Takata inflator recall remedy or a replacement driver air bag module containi.
Show all 15 recalls
- airbags 2018
The front passenger air bag may have been installed incorrectly during replacement.
- airbags 2015
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the passenger seat occupant or other occupants possibly causing serious injury…
- airbags 2015
The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion and other factors, including manufacturing variability that, over time, could cause the inflator t…
- airbags 2014
Specifically, vehicles sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, U.S.
- airbags 2014
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 200…
- lights 2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
- visibility 2007
CERTAIN CURVED TEMPERED REPLACEMENT GLASS MANUFACTURED BY HANGZHOU SAFETY GLASS LTD AND SUPPLIED TO SAFELITE BY AUTO TEMP INC., IDENTIFIED AS DOT-430, AND SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN VEHICLES MAY NOT BRE…
- fuel system, other 2007
ON CERTAIN COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS (CNG) VEHICLES, IN THE EVENT OF A SEVERE INTERIOR FIRE IN THE AREA OF THE REAR SEAT, THE CNG TANK MAY BE HEATED UNEVENLY, PREVENTING THE PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICE FROM VENTING THE CONTENTS …
- lights 2006
CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- lights 2006
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.
- lights 2006
CERTAIN ANZO COMBINATION HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- seat belts 2004
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, SOME FRONT SEAT BELT ANCHORS MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED WITH AN INCORRECT WASHER, WHICH COULD RESTRICT ANCHOR MOVEMENT.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Honda told dealers about
Honda sent dealers 251 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Sport suspension kit alignment specifications
- Sport suspension alignment specifications
- Lower ball joint replacement
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- OpenDesiccated air bag inflator rupture2021
- OpenAir bag inflator rupture2015
- ClosedPedestrian alert sounds2023
- ClosedAir bag inflator rupture2014–2015
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $1550–2200 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 1.3L 4-cyl, 1.7L 4-cyl.
In owners' words
The consumer was involved in an accident,the driver side air bag did not deploy, but the passenger air bag deployed and the seat broke from the base.
2004 Honda Civic owner · NHTSA complaint 10101574
More owner reports
There is a recurring popping noise coming from the front of the vehicle, which is causing the steering to feel loose. Took vehicle to dealer for check up and repair of the struts for the third time.
NHTSA complaint 10107248
2004 Honda Civic drifts to the side while driving. All of the uneven, worn out tires were replaced as well as the rims.
NHTSA complaint 10137746
Quick answers
Is the 2004 Honda Civic reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew 2.9× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 35; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Honda Civic year by this measure is 2011.
What are the most common 2004 Honda Civic problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are airbags (25%), suspension (13%) and speed control (13%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2004 Honda Civic have?
15 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2004 Honda Civic get?
28 to 41 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2004 Honda Civic problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 45,000 and 125,000 miles. The middle report was at 85,000 miles, from 268 complaints.
Does the 2004 Honda Civic have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 13% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2004 Honda Civic cost in fuel a year?
About $1550 to $2200 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2004 Honda Civic have?
1.3L 4-cyl, 1.7L 4-cyl.
What Honda Civic year is better than the 2004?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2011, 2013 and 2015.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works