2004 Honda Civic: common problems and reliability

The 2004 Honda Civic has 386 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 15 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are air bags and power train. Owners most often flag d17 engine head gasket failure causing overheating and coolant loss: frequency: very frequent.

Safety record for the 2004 model year

386
Owner complaints
15
Recalls
53
Crash reports
6
Fire reports

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2004 Honda Civic vehicles (US, public record).

Is 2004 a good year for the Civic?

Across the 21 Civic model years we track, complaint volume runs from 256 (2024) to 2,866 (2006). With 386 complaints, the 2004 Civic sits belowthe model's median of 849.

These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.

Where owners report problems

air bags
143
power train
74
electrical system
35
vehicle speed control
27
seat belts
21

Recalls affecting the 2004 Civic

air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

Campaign 19V182000

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling specific 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2013-2016 ILX, 2013-2014 ILX Hybrid, 2003-2006 MDX, 2007-2016 RDX, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 TL, 2010-2013 ZDX and 2001-2007 and 20…

air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

Campaign 19V501000

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2012 RL, 2003-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-20…

air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

Campaign 19V499000

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2003-2006 MDX, 2001-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 E…

air bags

Campaign 14V700000

American Honda Motor Co. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2001-2005 Honda Civic, 2003-2004 Civic CNG and Element, 2002-2005 CR-V, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2005 Accord, Pilot, Civic Hybrid, and Acura MDX, 2005 Acura…

What owners report on the 8th generation Civic

Owners generally view this generation as a solid, reliable daily driver with cheap parts and good fuel economy, though many note it is not exciting or fast. The Si trim is praised as a high-revving, fun, practical car that owners describe as the last "true" Ho

  • D17 engine head gasket failure causing overheating and coolant loss: Frequency: very frequent
  • Clear coat failure and paint peeling, especially on hood, roof, and trunk: Frequency: very frequent
  • 2nd gear grind and 3rd gear pop-out in the Si manual transmission: Frequency: recurrent
  • Passenger side motor mount bolts snapping and destroying the mount (Si, TSB issued): Frequency: isolated
  • Engine block cracking (one 2008 Si owner reported this after 11 years): Frequency: isolated

Owner insights for the 8th generation Civic. Read the full 8th generation owner report.

Typical used price

Used Civic listings typically run $16,723–$27,952 across 2014 to 2026 model years.

Other Civic model years

Compare every Civic year side by side to see how 2004 ranks against the rest.

2024 Civic2022 Civic2021 Civic2019 Civic2018 Civic2017 Civic2016 Civic2014 Civic2013 Civic2012 Civic2011 Civic2009 Civic2008 Civic2006 Civic2005 Civic2003 Civic2001 Civic1998 Civic1997 Civic1996 Civic

Compare the Civic against its rivals

Civic vs Acura ELCivic vs Mazda 3Civic vs Hyundai ElantraCivic vs Nissan Sentra
Full Honda Civic owner reportCompare against another car