vehicle signal
U.S. public vehicle records

2004 Honda CIVIC HYBRID: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

35 owner complaints analyzed

6 distinct recall campaigns

123,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2004 model year. Data snapshot: . 31 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Power Train is the most frequently named component, appearing in 18 of 35 complaints (51.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Transmission and shifting1748.6%
Electrical and battery issues720.0%
Braking behavior25.7%
Engine operation12.9%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Power Train
18
Air Bags
9
Engine
8
Fuel/Propulsion System
6
Vehicle Speed Control
4
Electrical System
3
Engine And Engine Cooling
1
Fuel System, Other
1
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Power Train18
Air Bags9
Engine8
Fuel/Propulsion System6
Vehicle Speed Control4
Electrical System3
Engine And Engine Cooling1
Fuel System, Other1

Power Train: 18; Air Bags: 9; Engine: 8; Fuel/Propulsion System: 6; Vehicle Speed Control: 4; Electrical System: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1; Fuel System, Other: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
1
25,000 to 49,999
2
50,000 to 74,999
2
75,000 to 99,999
8
100,000 to 149,999
13
150,000 and above
5
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0001
25,000 to 49,9992
50,000 to 74,9992
75,000 to 99,9998
100,000 to 149,99913
150,000 and above5

Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 8; 100,000 to 149,999: 13; 150,000 and above: 5

100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (13). 4 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2012
5
2013
4
2014
8
2015
6
2016
4
2017
5
2018
3
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20125
20134
20148
20156
20164
20175
20183

2012: 5; 2013: 4; 2014: 8; 2015: 6; 2016: 4; 2017: 5; 2018: 3

Pattern summary

Power Train leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 17 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 7 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Examples from the source records

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10443507 · 2012-01-11 (January 11, 2012)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2004 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL ABNORMALLY WHEN ACCELERATING FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR. THE CONTACT DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST OR REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

Owner-reported narrative. 160,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10443507 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10464357 · 2012-07-05 (July 5, 2012)

IMA FOR ENGINE IS IN DEGRADED STATE. TOLD THE BATTERIES ARE FAILING AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. HOWEVER, CAR IS SUPPOSED TO BE UNDER WARRANTY UNTIL 80,000 MILES, NOW @85,428. PROBLEM WITH THE IMA BATTERIES IS A KNOWN PROBLEM, YET HONDA DOES NOTHING TO RESOLVE ISSUES WITH MULTIPLE IMA ISSUES. GOOGLE HONDA CIVIC HYBRID IMA BATTERY 2004. IF ONE LIVES IN CALIFORNIA, THE BATTERY WARRANTY GOES TO 150,000 MILES. THE HONDA INSIGHT AND HONDA HYBRID CIVIC'S IMA BATTERY SYSTEM IS SIMILAR, BUT WITH THE HONDA INSIGHT, 2002-04 INSIGHTS, BUT A RECALL FOR THE …

Owner-reported narrative. 79,347 miles reported. Look up ODI 10464357 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10472472 · 2012-08-25 (August 25, 2012)

FROM MY DRIVEWAY, I SHIFTED FROM PARK INTO DRIVE, AND HEARD A LOUD WHIRRING SIMILAR TO A METAL BELT FALLING APART. IT HAS CONTINUED TO GET WORSE OF THE YEAR, AND ONLY SHOWS UP WHEN IN DRIVE AND NOW A BIT IN REVERSE. IT IS NOT PRESENT IN PARK OR NEUTRAL. THE DEALER REPLACED THE CLUTCH BRAKE, BUT I STILL HAVE THE SOUND. I ALSO HAVE MINOR SLIPPAGE, AND I HAVE READ SEVERAL OTHERS HAVING THE SAME COMPLAINT ABOUT THEIR SAME MODEL WITH REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION. WHEN I WAS SOLD THIS CAR, A FIRST GENERATION HYBRID, I WAS TOLD IT WOULD LAST 200K MILES…

Owner-reported narrative. 92,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10472472 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10474590 · 2012-09-10 (September 10, 2012)

MY VEHICLE WHEN STARTING FROM A DEAD STOP SHUDDERS FOR JITTERS WHEN YOU GO. THIS SEEMS TO SLOWLY BE GETTING WORSE. I HAVE CHANGED TRANSMISSION FLUID ON REGULAR INTERVALS WITH HONDA CVT OEM TRANSMISSION FLUID. ALSO MY AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT FOR THE DRIVERS SIDE IS CONSTANTLY ON. THIS HAS BEEN ON FOR SEVERAL YEARS. I HAVE JUST NEVER BOTHERED TO TAKE IT IN FOR FEAR THAT THERE WOULD BE A CHARGE TO FIX AN ITEM THAT I FEEL FOR SAFETY REASONS HONDA SHOULD TAKE CARE OF. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 96,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10474590 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10482437 · 2012-10-27 (October 27, 2012)

EVERY TIME I START MY HONDA CIVIC HYBRID FROM 2004 IT SHUDDERS. I HAVE SPENT MORE THEN THE VALUE OF THE CAR ON REPAIRS AND FLUID REPLACEMENTS WHICH HONDA DOES NOT DEEM NECESSARY TO PAY FOR. THIS CAR IS A DANGEROUS LEMON. IT SOMETIMES SHUDDERS GOING ONTO HIGHWAYS AND CAN EVEN JUST STOP BEFORE STARTING UP AGAIN. I HAVE HAD NEAR ACCIDENTS DOZENS OF TIMES BECAUSE OF THIS FAULTY CAR. HONDA MADE A BAD CAR AND EVEN THOUGH PEOPLE COMPLAIN ABOUT IT THEY WILL NOT ISSUE A RECALL. EACH TIME THEY ISSUE A WARRANTY BONUS TO TRY TO FIX THE PROBLEM THE WHOLE TH…

Owner-reported narrative. 11,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10482437 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10532928 · 2013-07-31 (July 31, 2013)

THE TRANSMISSION IS "FAILING" ACCORDING TO THE DEALER. IT COULD FAIL THIS WEEK, OR NEXT MONTH. EVEN THOUGH THERE ARE ONLY 126,000 MILES ON IT, AND I HAVE DONE ALL THE REQUIRED TIMELY MAINTENANCE ON THE CAR SINCE I BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW, THE DEALER SAID THIS JUST "HAPPENS" SOMETIMES TO THESE CARS. IN SEARCHING FOR INFORMATION I HAVE FOUND SEVERAL FORUMS WITH OTHER HONDA CIVIC HYBRID OWNERS DISCUSSING THE FAILING TRANSMISSION PROBLEM AND THE FACT THAT HONDA WILL NOT ADDRESS THE ISSUE. OR ADMIT FAULT. HTTP://WWW.CARPROBLEMZOO.COM/HONDA/CIVICH…

Owner-reported narrative. 126,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10532928 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10533137 · 2013-08-01 (August 1, 2013)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED A LOUD BANGING SOUND AS IT ACCELERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000.

Owner-reported narrative. 123,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10533137 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10534645 · 2013-08-10 (August 10, 2013)

CAR WAS WORKING FINE 5 RECALL PERFORM SECOND TIME TRANSMISSION FAIL AFTER RECALL PERFORM , IMA FAILS, MISS OIL, THREE TIME VISIT , 2 TIME TOWED, VEHICLE IN SHOP FOR 22 DAYS, PROBLEM CONTINUE, REPAIR BILL $4322 WARRANTY BILL 3896.00 25% WARRANTY COVER , DEALER WANTED TO BUY CAR AT $2500 BEFORE REPAIR WE PAID 34000 FOR PURCHASE CALL 9734329040, PROBLEM REPORTED TO HONDA NO RESOLUTION PROVIDED. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 130,449 miles reported. Look up ODI 10534645 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

6 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

14V700000 · Air Bags

Reported: 2014-11-04 (November 4, 2014)

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 RL and 2006 Honda Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in geographic locations associated with high absolute humidity. Specifically, vehicles sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Saipan, Guam, and American Samoa are addressed by this recall. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger’s frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 26, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
15V320000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2015-05-28 (May 28, 2015)

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2001-2007 Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2001-2004 Honda Civic GX, 2003-2005 Honda Civic Hybrid, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2006 Ridgeline, 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2003-2006 Acura MDX, and 2002-2003 Acura 3.2TL vehicles. 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 to rupture.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Owners may contact Acura customer service at 1-800-382-2238, select option 4. Note: Vehicles that have had their driver frontal air bag replaced previously as part of a recall remedy prior to September 12, 2014 need to have their air bag replaced under this recall as well. Vehicles that, on or after September 12, 2014, received a remedy for a prior driver frontal air bag inflator recall already received an inflator of a different design, and therefore are not included in this recall and do not require additional servicing. Note: This recall fully supersedes recalls 08V-593, 09V-259, 10V-041, 11V-260, 14V-351 and 15V-153. Honda's numbers for this recall are JQ9, JR0, JR1, JR2, JR3, JR4, JR5, JR6, JR7, and JR8.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
15V370000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2015-06-15 (June 15, 2015)

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2001-2005 Honda Civic vehicles manufactured March 21, 2000, to January 20, 2005, 2001-2004 Honda Civic GX vehicles manufactured June 14, 2000, to August 19, 2004, 2003-2005 Honda Civic Hybrid vehicles manufactured February 24, 2002, to January 18, 2005, 2003-2007 Honda Accord vehicles manufactured February 21, 2002, to August 28, 2007, 2002-2004 Honda CR-V vehicles, 2002-2003 Honda Odyssey vehicles manufactured June 19, 2001, to July 12, 2003, 2003 Acura MDX vehicles manufactured September 19, 2002, to June 19, 2003, 2003 Honda Element vehicles manufactured June 25, 2002, to July 31, 2003, and 2003 Honda Pilot vehicles manufactured November 26, 2001, to August 21, 2003. The affected vehicles have a passenger side frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture upon its deployment.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are JU4, JU5, JU6, and JU7. Note: Vehicles that have already received a replacement passenger air bag inflator as part of the recall remedy for an earlier campaign such as 14V353 or 14V700 (Honda recall numbers S95, JH6, JH7, JH8, JH9, JJ0, JJ1, JJ2, JJ6, JM5 and JM6) are not included in this recall. However, this recall does supersede 13V132 and 14V349. Note: On December 18, 2015 Honda informed NHTSA of an expansion of this recall to include certain model year 2004 Honda CR-V vehicles in addition to additional model year 2003 CR-V vehicles.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
19V182000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2019-03-06 (March 6, 2019)

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 2009 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2007 and 2010-2011 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. 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 containing the same inflator type as a service part. Due to a manufacturing error, in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver frontal air bag, these inflators may explode.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began April 10, 2019. Honda owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is O41. Acura owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's number for this recall is U40.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
19V499000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2019-06-27 (June 27, 2019)

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 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot and 2006 Ridgeline vehicles. 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 absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are Q5A and Y58.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
19V501000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2019-06-27 (June 27, 2019)

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, 2007-2008 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. 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 absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal airbag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are E5D and X5C.

NHTSA campaign record ↗