2004 Honda Civic Reliability Report

NHTSA data as of Sep 17, 2026Published Oct 15, 2026

Good

Ranks 10th of 25 Civic years we score.

Owner complaints: 386; 37 are recall notices
Per 10,000 cars: 12.0; 291,019 made for the U.S.
Vs the average car: 0.37×; same age, 1× is average
Serious outcomes: 122; crash, fire, injury, stall or tow
Recalls: 10
NHTSA crash rating: Not rated; no overall rating before 2011

← 2003 Civic 2005 Civic →

Should You Buy the 2004 Honda Civic?

Yes, with the usual checks. Our reliability score for the 2004 Honda Civic is 79 out of 100, which rates Good. Owners reported about a third as many problems as for the average car of the same age. It ranks 10th of the 25 Civic years we score.

The most reported problem is airbag warning lights (59 of 386 complaints). Owners also complain about the transmission and frontal airbags. 122 of the 386 complaints describe a serious outcome, such as a crash, a fire, an injury or stalling while driving.

It has 10 recalls. Honda also offers a warranty extension that may still apply, for passenger airbag sensor (airbag warning light stays on). For comparison, the 2003 scores 74 and the 2005 scores 78.

Before you buy, check that the recalls were done, ask a Honda dealer about warranty extension 06-009 and get an independent inspection. The full checklist is at the end of this page.

Pros

Good reliability score of 79
About a third of the problems of the average car its age
Recent complaints at or below average
No do-not-drive or park-outside recalls

Cons

Airbag warning light59 complaints
Transmission: unusual noises52 complaints
Frontal airbags: no deployment in a crash22 complaints

How the 2004 Civic Earned Its Score

Every model year starts at 100. Each part takes points away when this year has more problems than the average car of the same age. How we score

Score breakdown
Item	Vs average	Points lost
Starting score		100
Serious problems	0.35×	−5
Everyday problems	0.41×	−3
Problems in the last two years	0.36×	−5
Recalls	2.3×	−8
Score		79

What Owners Report

We read all 386 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2004 Honda Civic, one by one, and grouped them by the problem they describe. The most reported problems come first.

Airbag warning light
59 complaints (15%)
Warning lights, problems that come and go and a stored fault code. In 3 complaints, the dealer could not find or fix the problem, and in 9 it came back after a repair. Median mileage when it started: about 100,000 miles.
Transmission: unusual noises
52 complaints (13%)
Unusual noises, slipping and vibration or shudder. 23 of these 52 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving. In 10 complaints, the problem came back after a repair. Median mileage when it started: about 92,000 miles.
Frontal airbags: no deployment in a crash
22 complaints (6%)
No deployment in a crash, deployment with no crash and a feature that stopped working. 3 of these 22 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often an airbag problem. Median mileage when it started: about 41,000 miles.
Unintended acceleration (cause not stated)
17 complaints (4%)
Sudden acceleration and surging. 13 of these 17 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often sudden acceleration or braking. In 5 complaints, the dealer could not find or fix the problem. Median mileage when it started: about 69,000 miles.
CVT: vibration or shudder
14 complaints (4%)
Vibration or shudder, failure or loss of drive and slipping. 7 of these 14 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving. Median mileage when it started: about 96,000 miles.
Airbags: no deployment in a crash
14 complaints (4%)
No deployment in a crash and deployment with no crash. 4 of these 14 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often an airbag problem. Median mileage when it started: about 92,000 miles.
Seat belts failure
13 complaints (3%)
A failure, warning lights and a feature that stopped working. Median mileage when it started: about 92,000 miles.
Hybrid battery failure
9 complaints (2%)
A failure and warning lights. 3 of these 9 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often a car that would not start. Median mileage when it started: about 95,000 miles.
Paint and rust: peeling
9 complaints (2%)
Peeling, rust or corrosion and peeling paint / clear coat. Median mileage when it started: about 64,000 miles.
Brakes: unusual noises
8 complaints (2%)
Unusual noises, loss of braking and early wear. 1 of these 8 complaints describes a serious outcome: loss of braking. Median mileage when it started: about 59,000 miles.
Headlights: stopped working
8 complaints (2%)
A feature that stopped working, damage and dim light output. 2 of these 8 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often loss of visibility. Median mileage when it started: about 90,000 miles.
Ignition or push-button start: sticking or stiffness
8 complaints (2%)
Sticking or stiffness, locking up and a feature that stopped working. 6 of these 8 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often a car that would not start. Median mileage when it started: about 98,000 miles.
Seats: parts breaking or coming apart
8 complaints (2%)
Parts breaking or coming apart, early wear and loose / excessive play. 2 of these 8 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often an injury. Median mileage when it started: about 45,000 miles.
Steering: pulling or wandering
8 complaints (2%)
Pulling or wandering, locking up and loose / excessive play. 2 of these 8 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often a crash. Median mileage when it started: about 32,000 miles.
Fuel filler door: not opening or unlocking
7 complaints (2%)
Not opening or unlocking, a failure that needed a new part and rust or corrosion. 3 of these 7 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often a tow. Median mileage when it started: about 108,000 miles.

Show 44 more problems

Wiring, fuses or body control module failure
7 complaints (2%)
A failure, a fire and smoke or a burning smell. 2 of these 7 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often a fire. Median mileage when it started: about 85,000 miles.
12V battery failure
6 complaints (2%)
A failure and the car not starting. 1 of these 6 complaints describes a serious outcome: loss of braking. Median mileage when it started: about 105,000 miles.
Car not starting (cause not stated)
6 complaints (2%)
The car not starting and hard starting. 2 of these 6 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often a car that would not start. Median mileage when it started: about 85,000 miles.
Door latches: not opening or unlocking
5 complaints (1%)
Not opening or unlocking, parts breaking or coming apart and sticking or stiffness. Median mileage when it started: about 32,000 miles.
Fuel pump: shattering or cracking
5 complaints (1%)
Shattering or cracking, parts breaking or coming apart and a failure. 1 of these 5 complaints describes a serious outcome: a tow. Median mileage when it started: about 146,000 miles.
Instrument cluster: wrong readings
5 complaints (1%)
Wrong readings, a feature that stopped working and problems that come and go. Median mileage when it started: about 3,000 miles.
Manual transmission or clutch: unusual noises
5 complaints (1%)
Unusual noises. Median mileage when it started: about 78,000 miles.
Vibration (cause not stated)
5 complaints (1%)
Vibration or shudder and harsh or delayed shifts. 1 of these 5 complaints describes a serious outcome: stalling or losing power while driving. Median mileage when it started: about 76,000 miles.
Uneven tire wear failure
4 complaints (1%)
A failure that needed a new part and early wear.
Engine: stalling
4 complaints (1%)
Stalling and surging. 3 of these 4 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving. Median mileage when it started: about 12,000 miles.
Fuel gauge or level sensor: wrong readings
4 complaints (1%)
Wrong readings.
Loss of power (cause not stated)
4 complaints (1%)
A loss of power and failure or loss of drive. All 4 describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving. Median mileage when it started: about 91,000 miles.
Power windows or regulator: works on and off
4 complaints (1%)
Problems that come and go and locking up. Median mileage when it started: about 88,000 miles.
Side or curtain airbags: no deployment in a crash
4 complaints (1%)
No deployment in a crash and deployment with no crash. Median mileage when it started: about 7,000 miles.
Stall (cause not stated)
4 complaints (1%)
Stalling. All 4 describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving. In 3 complaints, the dealer could not find or fix the problem. Median mileage when it started: about 160,000 miles.
Struts or shocks: a leak
4 complaints (1%)
A leak, loose / excessive play and unusual noises.
Tires: parts breaking or coming apart
4 complaints (1%)
Parts breaking or coming apart, vibration or shudder and a leak. Median mileage when it started: about 8,000 miles.
Shifter or park: the car rolling away
4 complaints (1%)
The car rolling away, a failure that needed a new part and sticking or stiffness. 1 of these 4 complaints describes a serious outcome.
Wheel bearings failure
4 complaints (1%)
A failure that needed a new part and unusual noises.
Exterior trim: parts breaking or coming apart
3 complaints (under 1%)
Parts breaking or coming apart, missing reinforcement and damage.
Interior trim: damage
3 complaints (under 1%)
Damage. All 3 describe a serious outcome, most often an injury. Median mileage when it started: about 126,000 miles.
Noise (cause not stated)
3 complaints (under 1%)
Unusual noises.
Accelerator pedal: sticking or stiffness
3 complaints (under 1%)
Sticking or stiffness and loose pedal. All 3 describe a serious outcome, most often sudden acceleration or braking.
Cruise control: the system acting on its own
3 complaints (under 1%)
The system acting on its own, sudden acceleration and problems that come and go. 2 of these 3 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often sudden acceleration or braking.
Fire (cause not stated)
3 complaints (under 1%)
A fire. All 3 describe a serious outcome, most often a fire. Median mileage when it started: about 3,000 miles.
Poor acceleration (cause not stated)
3 complaints (under 1%)
Hesitation and vibration or shudder.
Airbag inflator (rupture risk or Takata): warning lights
2 complaints (under 1%)
Warning lights and parts breaking or coming apart. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome: an airbag problem.
Ball joints and control arms: parts breaking or coming apart
2 complaints (under 1%)
Parts breaking or coming apart and shattering or cracking. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome.
Check engine light (cause not stated)
2 complaints (under 1%)
Warning lights.
Control arm bushings: shattering or cracking
2 complaints (under 1%)
Shattering or cracking and early wear.
Cylinder head gasket: damage
2 complaints (under 1%)
Damage and a failure. Both describe a serious outcome.
Engine overheating
2 complaints (under 1%)
Overheating.
Exhaust or catalytic converter failure
2 complaints (under 1%)
A failure and a stored fault code.
Fuel economy: high fuel use
2 complaints (under 1%)
High fuel use.
Hood latch: not closing or latching
2 complaints (under 1%)
Not closing or latching and a feature that stopped working. Both describe a serious outcome, most often a crash.
Hybrid system (inverter, motor, IPU): surging
2 complaints (under 1%)
Surging and a failure.
Screen and audio: the system acting on its own
2 complaints (under 1%)
The system acting on its own and problems that come and go.
Passenger airbag sensor failure
2 complaints (under 1%)
A failure and a feature that stopped working.
Turn signal combination switch failure
2 complaints (under 1%)
A failure.
Window film or haze: obstructed view
2 complaints (under 1%)
Obstructed view. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome: loss of visibility.
Parking brake: the car rolling away
2 complaints (under 1%)
The car rolling away and a feature that stopped working.
Timing belt failure
2 complaints (under 1%)
A failure.
Windshield: shattering or cracking
2 complaints (under 1%)
Shattering or cracking.
Windshield wipers failure
2 complaints (under 1%)
A failure and a feature that stopped working.

Reported Once (40)

Show the 40 problems reported once

Alternator or charging failure
Body seals (water leak): water leaking in
Defroster: stopped working
CV axles failure
Engine failure: shattering or cracking
Engine mounts: shattering or cracking
Engine oil consumption: burning or using oil
Frame or structure: damage
Fuel leak: shattering or cracking
Ignition coils or spark plugs: damage
Accelerator linkage: parts breaking or coming apart
Accessory power outlet: works on and off
Accessory power socket: stopped working
Airbag impact sensor failure
Airbag switch: warning lights
Battery failure
Brake inlet solenoid: fault code
Child safety seat harness (accessory): parts breaking or coming apart
Diagnostic fault (system not stated) (cause not stated)
Engine belts: unusual noises
Fuel cap: loose cap
Headlight control switch: the system acting on its own
Hood support rod: a fire
Interior illumination: unusual noises
Interior lighting: not shutting off
Quarter window glass: shattering or cracking
Rear axle torsion bar failure
Rear crankshaft seal
Throttle body: sticking or stiffness
Timing belt tensioner: parts breaking or coming apart
Trunk latch: parts breaking or coming apart
Trunk lock: sticking or stiffness
Trunk support springs failure
Turn signal stalk failure
Wheel knuckle failure
Wheel stud: parts breaking or coming apart
Oxygen sensor: fault code
Door lock actuators: works on and off
Sway bar links failure
Wheel rim: damage

How the 2004 Honda Civic Compares With Other Years

The other Civic years of the 7th generation, 2001 to 2005, and the years just before and after it. When two scores are less than 3.5 points apart, treat them as about the same.

Year	Rating	Score	Vs average	Per 10k cars	Recalls	Most reported problem
2006	Caution	68	1.1×	41.1	15	Engine failure: shattering or cracking
2005	Good	78	0.37×	11.5	10	Airbag warning light
2004 This year	Good	79	0.37×	12.0	10	Airbag warning light
2003	Good	74	0.56×	17.0	11	Transmission: failure or loss of drive
2002	Good	72	0.66×	20.1	11	Transmission: failure or loss of drive
2001	Caution	66	1.1×	30.1	14	Transmission: failure or loss of drive
2000	Excellent	84	0.27×	7.8	6	Frontal airbags: no deployment in a crash

See every Civic year

2004 Honda Civic Recalls

A recall can cover some or all cars of this model year. Look up a specific car by its VIN at NHTSA to see which recalls are still open on it.

Air bags: inflator module
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
NHTSA 19V501000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jun 27, 2019. By the fourth quarter of 2020, 42% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Air bags: inflator module
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
NHTSA 19V499000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jun 27, 2019. By the fourth quarter of 2020, 22% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Air bags: inflator module
An explosion of an inflator within the driver frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver, front seat passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
NHTSA 19V182000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Mar 6, 2019. By the third quarter of 2020, 49% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Air bags: inflator module
An incorrectly installed air bag may deploy improperly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
NHTSA 18V268000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Apr 26, 2018. By the third quarter of 2019, 85% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Air bags: inflator module
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 or death.
NHTSA 15V370000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jun 15, 2015. By the fourth quarter of 2017, 65% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Air bags: inflator module
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
NHTSA 15V320000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued May 28, 2015. By the fourth quarter of 2017, 68% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.

Show 4 more recalls

Air bags
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passengers frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
NHTSA 14V700000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Nov 4, 2014. By the first quarter of 2016, 70% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Air bags
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passengers frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
NHTSA 14V353000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jun 20, 2014. By the fourth quarter of 2015, 70% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Fuel system, other: tank assembly
This could result in a tank rupture, explosion, and ejection of the tank from the vehicle.
NHTSA 07V512000 Owner letter (PDF)Issued Nov 1, 2007.
Seat belts: anchorage
An improperly positioned belt could increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
NHTSA 04V550000 Owner letter (PDF)Issued Nov 18, 2004.

Honda Warranty Extensions and Programs

Repairs Honda agreed to cover or update outside a recall. Whether one applies depends on the VIN and the conditions listed. A Honda dealer can confirm.

Warranty extensionHonda 06-009
Passenger airbag sensor (airbag warning light stays on)
The problem:
The passenger airbag sensor can fail and keep the airbag warning light on.
The fix:
A Honda dealer repairs the passenger airbag sensor and its control unit for free.
Who qualifies:
The airbag warning light must be on with a listed fault. Other airbag faults are not covered. Cars with a salvage or branded title are not covered. The VIN must show as eligible.
Coverage:
10 years or 150,000 miles, whichever comes first.
Honda's bulletin (PDF)
Customer support programHonda 20-009
Driver's airbag inflator
The problem:
The driver's airbag inflator can be faulty, and the airbag warning light comes on.
The fix:
A Honda dealer replaces the driver's airbag inflator for free.
Who qualifies:
The airbag warning light must be on. A Honda dealer test must show the inflator is faulty. Only replacement inflators that fail later are covered. Open inflator recalls must be done first. Salvage or branded titles are not covered.
Coverage:
Covered until January 31, 2030.
Honda's bulletin (PDF)
Customer support programHonda 20-014
Front passenger's airbag inflator
The problem:
The front passenger's airbag inflator can be faulty, and the airbag warning light comes on.
The fix:
A Honda dealer replaces the front passenger's airbag inflator for free.
Who qualifies:
The airbag warning light must be on. A Honda dealer test must show the inflator is faulty. Only replacement inflators that fail later are covered. Open inflator recalls must be done first. Salvage or branded titles are not covered.
Coverage:
Covered until January 31, 2030.
Honda's bulletin (PDF)
Customer support programHonda 18-046Ended
Driver's airbag inflator
The problem:
The driver's airbag inflator can be faulty, and the airbag warning light comes on.
The fix:
While the program ran, a Honda dealer replaced the driver's airbag inflator for free.
Who qualifies:
The airbag warning light had to be on. A Honda dealer test had to show the inflator was faulty. Only replacement inflators that failed later were covered. Salvage or branded titles were not covered.
Coverage:
The program ended on June 30, 2022.
Honda's bulletin (PDF)
Customer support programHonda 18-049Ended
Front passenger's airbag inflator
The problem:
The front passenger's airbag inflator can be faulty, and the airbag warning light comes on.
The fix:
While the program ran, a Honda dealer replaced the front passenger's airbag inflator for free.
Who qualifies:
The airbag warning light had to be on. A Honda dealer test had to show the inflator was faulty. Only replacement inflators that failed later were covered. Salvage or branded titles were not covered.
Coverage:
The program ended on October 31, 2022.
Honda's bulletin (PDF)

NHTSA Investigations

Defect investigations by NHTSA that cover this model year, with what they found.

Takata air bag inflators rupturing, mostly in humid areas
Led to a recall
NHTSA's preliminary evaluation began in June 2014 after six Takata air bag inflator ruptures. It covered Honda Accord, Civic, CR-V, Odyssey and Pilot models from 2001 to 2007, among others. All 10 makers started regional recalls within about two weeks. NHTSA asked them to widen the recalls. It closed in March 2015 and moved to engineering analysis EA15-001.
NHTSA PE14016 Opening report (PDF)Closing report (PDF)Jun 11, 2014 to Mar 2, 2015
Takata air bag inflator ruptures across all makers
Still open
NHTSA's engineering analysis, opened in February 2015, covers Takata air bag inflators that can rupture. It includes Honda Accord, Civic, CR-V, Odyssey and Pilot models from 2001 to 2007, among others. NHTSA is studying the root cause, the affected vehicles and whether repairs are adequate. The record links 194 recall campaigns to it. It is still open.
NHTSA EA15001 Opening report (PDF)Open since Feb 24, 2015
Rupture risk in Takata inflators with a desiccant
Still open
NHTSA's engineering analysis, opened in September 2021, asks whether Takata inflators with a moisture-trapping desiccant could degrade and rupture over time. They are not yet recalled. It covers Honda Accord, Civic, CR-V, Odyssey and Pilot models from 2001 to 2015, among others. No field ruptures have been reported in them. The case is still open.
NHTSA EA21002 Opening report (PDF)Open since Sep 17, 2021
Pedestrian alert sounds on hybrid and electric vehicles
Closed
A petition asked NHTSA to apply its pedestrian alert sound rule to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. NHTSA opened a defect petition in January 2023. It lists Honda hybrids and electric cars, including Accord, Civic and CR-V hybrids. The petitioner withdrew in June 2023. NHTSA closed the case in August 2023 without a finding.
NHTSA DP22005 Opening report (PDF)Closing report (PDF)Jan 27, 2023 to Aug 7, 2023

NHTSA Crash Test Ratings

NHTSA gave the 2004 Civic no overall, frontal or side rating. It did rate each seat in those tests and lists the seat ratings under Rating Breakdown on its page. We show them the same way below. These tests are from before 2011, so the stars are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and newer models. See the 2004 Civic ratings on NHTSA.gov.

2-door

OverallNot rated

Frontal crashNot rated

Driver seat5/5

Passenger seat5/5

Side crashNot rated

Front seat3/5

Rear seat4/5

RolloverNot rated

2-door with side airbags

OverallNot rated

Frontal crashNot rated

Driver seat5/5

Passenger seat5/5

Side crashNot rated

Front seat5/5

Rear seat5/5

RolloverNot rated

4-door with side airbags, 4-door and 2-door Hatchback

OverallNot rated

Frontal crashNot rated

Driver seat5/5

Passenger seat5/5

Side crashNot rated

Front seat4/5

Rear seat4/5

RolloverNot rated

Check Before You Buy

A checklist for the 2004 Civic, from its recalls, Honda's programs and the problems owners report most.

Confirm the Recalls Were Done

Ask the seller for proof that each of these recalls was repaired.

Air bags: inflator module NHTSA 19V501000
Air bags: inflator module NHTSA 19V499000
Air bags: inflator module NHTSA 19V182000
Air bags: inflator module NHTSA 18V268000
Air bags: inflator module NHTSA 15V370000
Look up the VIN at NHTSA to see all 10 recalls and which are still open.

Ask a Honda Dealer

Ask whether this warranty extension applies to this VIN, and whether the work was done.

06-009: passenger airbag sensor (airbag warning light stays on)

On the Test Drive

Accelerate gently from a stop and again at 20 to 40 mph. Shudder, slipping or harsh shifts are warning signs. Ask for the transmission fluid records.
Confirm every airbag recall on this VIN has been repaired before you buy.

Ask the Seller

Ask whether any of these were ever repaired, and ask to see the receipts.

Airbag warning lights
Transmission
Frontal airbags
Also ask for the service records, especially oil changes and transmission fluid changes.

Before You Pay

Get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a mechanic you choose.
Decode the VIN to confirm the model year, engine and trim.
Check the title for salvage, flood or rebuilt branding.

What to do next

All Civic Years →Best years and years to avoid, side by side.Compare With Other Years →Put up to four model years side by side.Find Warranty Extensions →Repairs Honda may still cover for this year.Decode a VIN →Confirm the exact year, engine and trim of a car.