Older Honda Accords

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Comments

  • richards38richards38 Member Posts: 606
    Has anybody yet received a letter from Honda about the driver's airbag recall (airbag could tear as it deploys)?

     

    No letter sent to me yet for '04 Accord EX-L. The Honda, Owner-Link web site shows no recall when I click on the recall link.

     

    Any info or comments from other Accord owners?..........Richard
  • whitecloud1whitecloud1 Member Posts: 268
    As your Honda is brand new, I would assume there is a problem with the radio/cd unit. Contact the dealer. Those kind of problems never get better.
  • robr2robr2 Member Posts: 8,805
    Hope you're OK. If the baby seat was in the car at the time, tell the insurance adjustor - they should replace it.
  • anonymouspostsanonymousposts Member Posts: 3,802
    Thanks for your concern robr and sandman. Everyone was OK and there were no injuries.

     

    The baby was NOT on board or I might have been charged with assault.
  • benjaminhbenjaminh Member Posts: 6,637
    Any news or speculation yet on changes to the Accord for 2006? Usually in the last two years of the design cycle a few modest things are done. One thing in particular I think Honda has done in the past is to have a split folding rear seat added. My 2002 Accord, last year of its generation, has a split folding rear seat (which I've only used three times, but for those times it was quite useful to have a kid in the backseat and still be able to transport something long). I think the 1998-2000 Accords had single piece folding seats, but I'm not sure.

     

    I wonder if there's also a chance of a slight restyle to the front. The 2001-2002 Accords have slightly different grills (3 openings instead of 2) compared with the 1998-2000 models.

     

    What I'd really like to see is a little more power for the 4 cylinder, and broader availability of XM radio. My 1988 Olds 98 may be going to car heaven around 2006, and that's when I might buy another Accord.
    2018 Acura TLX 2.4 Tech 4WS (mine), 2024 Subaru Outback (wife's), 2018 Honda CR-V EX (offspring)
  • patpat Member Posts: 10,421
    >> The baby was NOT on board or I might have been charged with assault.

     

    LOL! I can only imagine!!

     

    Seriously, I'm very glad that no one was hurt.

     

    Now, does this mean you will be buying a new Accord in short order?

     

    :-)
  • ktnrktnr Member Posts: 255
    This is pure speculation but I'd expect an update to the rear end styling. I liked the look of the 2003-2004 Accord sedan but enough people complained that Honda restyled the taillights. Personally, I think the '05 taillights are a big flop - they're less attractive and less functional than before. (Most cars have yellow turn-signals as did the '03-'04 Accord sedan - the red rear turn-signals for '05 are less easy to spot).

     

    Hopefully, the ugly '05 taillights were only a cheap fix on the way to a more thoughtful restyle next year.

     

    Anybody in Atlanta with an '04 Accord want to trade taillights with my '05? I'll do the labor...
  • anonymouspostsanonymousposts Member Posts: 3,802
    lol. It would have gotten pretty ugly. Even uglier if, heaven forbid, gee were in the car and someone hit us with the baby in there. Whew. That's the material nightmares are made of. :)

     

    And no new Accord, yet. This is a lease so we will ride out the lease and then turn it in to AHFC. Kinda stinks because I REALLY liked this one. Fortunately the lease ends right as the 08's will be out so we might be able to pick up a new one for a few $$$$ more than the residual on the one we will be turning in.

     

    Thank you for your concern. I'm just glad that no one on either side was injured.
  • ktnrktnr Member Posts: 255
    I did a search for this and couldn't find the answer - Does anyone know why the Accord Hybrid has a short antenna angled off the roof?

     

    My guess is that it's a radio antenna but why only on the hybrid model? Anyone know for sure?
  • bucksullbucksull Member Posts: 2
    I just bought my first Honda. It was time to get rid of my Jetta with 215K on it. The 4 cyl 5M EX rides GREAT. The book says the oil change interval is 10K miles even the first change. Should I wait that long? also there is no mention of changing the timing belt, is that correct? I'll take advice ...... thanks
  • maxamillion85maxamillion85 Member Posts: 78
    But the Accord really does do a good job of protecting.

     

    I still wish I had gotten one sometimes.

     

    And I know what you mean about being charged with Assault.

     

    I don't have any children, but I have a niece who is like a daughter to me, and if she were in the car with me and I had an accident and it was the other person's fault, I'd be UNDER the jail. :)

     

    Good luck with repairs though.
  • maxamillion85maxamillion85 Member Posts: 78
    While looking over 05 Pilots for mama today, I saw the Accord hybrid.

     

    The gas mileage almost made me want to trade the Altima in...

     

    The rims look nice too.
  • lmacmillmacmil Member Posts: 1,758
    At $32K, you'd never make up the price differential in fuel savings but I'm glad they are offering more fuel efficient vehicles.
  • richards38richards38 Member Posts: 606
    Honda built the car and knows what to do--change oil after 10,000 miles or one year, whichever occurs first. This issue has been discussed to the point where it gets silly--please read the manual and act accordingly.

     

    The Honda Accord's 4 cylinder engine has a timing chain that does not need replacememt (the V6 engine still uses a timing belt).

     

    Enjoy your new Accord and drive it in good health--it's a superb car....Richard
  • clovisguyclovisguy Member Posts: 49
    Even though the timing chain doesn't need to be changed, the water pump on the average car will only last about 90K. At that point it doesn't cost much more to go ahead and replace the belt if it has one anyway. BTW, our 92 Accord developed oil seal leaks at both 60K and 90K and needed the timing belt replaced as a result. Some kind of a fix for the leaks was done the second time. I would go ahead and get another 4cyl. and feel better about having a chain even though they make the engine louder then a belt driven one.
  • maxamillion1maxamillion1 Member Posts: 1,467
    :)

     

    It would have been an half-assed excuse so I could convince my mother to let me trade the Altima. :O

     

    I am going to keep the Altima for a LONG time.
  • hmurphyhmurphy Member Posts: 278
    It sounds like your reaction to an accident would make a bad situation even worse.

     

    Accidents happen for a variety of reasons, both within and outside of a driver's control.

     

    While I understand feeling protective toward your family, it seems potentially more dangerous to react before understanding the facts. And no amount of rage will undo the accident.
  • gee35coupegee35coupe Member Posts: 3,387
    But we have all said we would be in jail. (Rather tongue in cheek} But really if someone harms my child I'm taking it out of thier {redacted profanity here}. Don't care about making a bad situation worse, since there is no worse situation to me.

     

    Thank you for your concern.
  • deltav4cdeltav4c Member Posts: 3
    I got my recall letter from Honda Canada yesterday. I have booked a time to take my '04 LX-G in to have the driver's air bag fixed. It is estimated that the job will take about 2 hours. I have noticed some low level high pitch humming noise lately when the car is idling, or after starting. I will ask the dealer to check it out. Not sure what it is, alternator whining? loose belt?

     

    -- larry
  • anonymouspostsanonymousposts Member Posts: 3,802
    I am treading in the off-topic waters here but I will take my chances.

     

    My child is the love of my life. I can't stand it when he bops himself in the head with one of his toys. If someone not paying attention causes him harm I am going to be beyond furious. Accidents do happen, I understand that. However, I refuse to feel guilty for any actions that may take place as a result of seeing my child injured due to someone's negligence.

     

    Back on-topic. I am getting pretty frustrated that the insurance company has still not been able to make contact with the owner of the car to see if the driver who hit me had permission to drive the vehicle. I will give them one more day and then make contact with my insurance company (Progressive) to see if they can get anywhere with the at-fault's insurance company (Village/Acceptance US Auto Insurance). I haven't driven my Accord in a week now. Kind of miss it. Technically, it's drivable. However, I don't want to ride around in a brand new car with the bumper hanging down on one side and other (although unlikely) possible damage.
  • hmurphyhmurphy Member Posts: 278
    I think you're assuming that you would be the only aggressor in that situation.

     

    I know of several instances in which the person at fault has become extremely aggressive. You could be dealing with someone who is drunk, unstable, or all of the above.

     

    We've had several instances here in Chicago of post-accident "road rage" that have ended in tragedy. That type of situation surely wouldn't benefit your child.
  • maxamillion1maxamillion1 Member Posts: 1,467
    You didn't take any of that stuff I said seriously did you?

     

    I would react in the best manner possible.

     

    But if that person didn't show any concern for what they did, it would be on.....

     

    I am sorry.

     

    But in all honesty, I probably would let the higher authorities handle everything. Jail is not the place to be...I like college much better ;)

     

    On another note, I think I am going to test drive the Accord Hybrid tomorrow.

     

    I am trying to talk my mother into getting one.
  • hmurphyhmurphy Member Posts: 278
    Actually I did take what you said seriously.

     

    But I'm happy to hear that you would rather be in college than in jail :-)
  • ktnrktnr Member Posts: 255
    I was going to wait to post about this until after I knew more from the dealer but here goes...

     

    I had my airbag recall done on Monday. My wife picked up the car mid-day and I drove it only later last night. I noticed right away that the airbag cover is crooked - rather than being flush with the steering wheel, it sticks up a little and more on the left than on the right. The airbag cover/horn also seems very loose and the steering now makes a clicking noise when passing center. Obviously, I'm not very happy about that on a brand new car.

     

    When you take your Accord in for the airbag recall, pay close attention to the airbag cover both before and after.

     

    I'll have to go back to the dealer and see what can be done. Yikes.
  • chucko3chucko3 Member Posts: 793
    If you have a collision coverage, I don't know why you have to wait for the other driver's insurance to contact you.

     

    My 89 Accord had rear end collisions before. I called my insurance & made an appointment with an adjuster. A few weeks later, the other driver's insurance contacted me, but I already had a repair estimate & a check on hand. The deductible was waived because it was a rear end collision. The other driver was at fault.

     

    A good insurance carrier would help you to deal with the at-fault insurance if you don't have a collision coverage.
  • anonymouspostsanonymousposts Member Posts: 3,802
    We have collision coverage along with uninsured motorist. We COULD file it through our insurance but would rather go through the at-fault party's insurance company. We have been in contact with Progressive and they have given us a contact and told us to call them if we have any problems with the other insurance company. If it isn't resolved within a reasonable amount of time we will use Progressive and let them deal with the other insurance company.

     

    I do miss the Accord but we also have 3 other cars we can drive while it is out of service. So we can be patient a little longer.
  • whitecloud1whitecloud1 Member Posts: 268
    In the DC metro area, and I imagine in most places, it is almost always better to deal with the other persons company if they are at fault. If you have the time that is. It helps to keep your rates low (it costs your company to work with those other guys on your behalf) and gives insight to the process. It can even put more money in your pocket or get you a better resolution. If the other parties company won't cooperate, then you have recourse. One should always report the accident to their company in case you need them later or the other party tries an end-around.
  • robr2robr2 Member Posts: 8,805
    anon - IMHO, forget about dealing with the other parties insurance. Get your company involved. They are required to pay you and will work very hard to get their money back from the other company through subrogation. The other insurer has no incentive to take care of you quickly. Trust me - I went through this last year.

     

    As for the issue with rates - here in MA rates are set by the state and non at fault accidents don't count against you.
  • chucko3chucko3 Member Posts: 793
    Since living in MA, I agree. I think it's quicker to deal with your insurance.
  • anonymouspostsanonymousposts Member Posts: 3,802
    We know it would be quicker to just go through Progressive and let them deal with the other insurance company. They offered to come out the day we called in to report the accident. However, we are strange people you see. My husband wants to rent a Mazda3 to see if he likes it and Progressive doesn't reimburse for rentals on uninsured motorist claims. Since we have 3 other cars as mentioned above we will wait it out a big longer even though we are not patient people.

     

    On a different note, the Accord has been named to Car & Drivers 10 Best list again. It was named the best family sedan. It's been on the list 19 of 23 years. The TSX (aka. Euro Accord) which shares the Accord's platform was also named to the list as the best sports sedan. The new for 05 RL was also named to the list as the best luxury sedan. Not a bad showing for Honda/Acura.
  • richards38richards38 Member Posts: 606
    I found this service bulletin--why it's preliminary with a 12/3/04 expiration date I don't know:

     

    http://www.driveaccord.net/forums/attachment.php?s=&postid=13- - - 298

     

    Odd that only 4 cylinder Accords are affected--must be some difference between the 4 and V6 airbag unit or steering wheel cover.

     

    It explains what's involved in eliminating the possibility of a torn driver's airbag.

     

    The above web site will bring up a PDF that can be opened with Adobe Reader...Richard
  • anonymouspostsanonymousposts Member Posts: 3,802
    I got that recall notice this past week. Will take it in once we get it repaired for the first oil change, tire rotation, and will go ahead and let them perform the recall.
  • robr2robr2 Member Posts: 8,805
    Progressive doesn't reimburse for rentals on uninsured motorist claims.

     

    It's a collison claim - they should cover the rental if the car can't be driven.
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  • deltav4cdeltav4c Member Posts: 3
    Thanks a lot for sharing your observation. Will certainly take note of it before and after.
  • indydriverindydriver Member Posts: 620
    Anyone spent enough time in a TSX to pass judgment versus the Accord?
  • ktnrktnr Member Posts: 255
    Richards38 - thank you VERY much for the URL to the airbag recall Service Bulletin.

     

    As I posted yesterday, after the recall work my airbag cover is now crooked, loose and the steering makes a clicking noise so I'm back to the dealer tomorrow and none too happy.

      

    When taking an Accord in for the airbag recall, I'd recommend that you pay close attention to the airbag cover both before and after.
  • patpat Member Posts: 10,421
    Yup - check out the discussion at this link: Acura TL vs Honda Accord EX V6

     

    :-)
  • slawendaslawenda Member Posts: 101
    I have taken my '04 EX-V6 sedan four times now for a steering column rattle: the first time, dealer replaced steering wheel covers, but this didn't work; second time at different dealer (chose only b/c more convenient location)-"didn't hear it", 3rd time at the same/second dealer - I demonstrated it clearly to service mgr, but "didn't have enough time to figure it out"; then 4th time, today- they told me it's coming from the springs that are part of the horn system, and that they contacted Honda about it. Apparently Honda is aware of this problem (several complaints already), yet there's nothing right now that can be done. It seems to be that the springs are somewhat loose and that over certain road conditions (50% of the time in my car), a rattle can be heard, which is very annoying for me.

     

    Has anyone else out there had a similar experience, and any "solutions"? The dealer told me that if they were to cushion the area with foam, for example, that that would be considered interfering with safety (horn system), and would not be allowed (i.e. 'illegal move'). Very frustrating on new car!!! Let alone 'top of the line, luxury model' Honda! Any thoughts, ideas, empathy, would be appreciated. Thanks.
  • bucksullbucksull Member Posts: 2
    Now that it is getting cold, my '05 EX started making a 'creaking' sound. I think that it is coming from around the windshield on the drivers side. Anyone else hear of this?
  • lmacmillmacmil Member Posts: 1,758
    All I can tell you from my brief test drives is that the auto TSX can't hold a candle to the Accord V6 in terms of acceleration. Other than that, both were very nice but I didn't really examine them with a critical eye. Both are on Car & Driver's 10 best list for 2005.
  • biomanbioman Member Posts: 172
    If you read my posts, Dec 15 & 16, in: "Honda Accord Owners: Problems & Solutions" you may find the answer to your problem. My experiences with a similar noise may help you get to the bottom of your creaking sounds.
  • mark17mark17 Member Posts: 2
    Planning to buy a EX-L and not sure which engine to go with. Advantages/disadvantages to the V-6? Safety factors? Input appreciated.
  • tribblestribbles Member Posts: 56
    I took my 2005 EX-L in to have a front passenger side rattle and the dealer went ahead and did the airbag recall work.

     

    FYI - they fixed the rattle by padding the front passenger side pillar. Haven't had a rattle since.
  • lmacmillmacmil Member Posts: 1,758
    You should read back thru the archives. This has been discussed in detail on more than one occasion.

     

    It all gets down to this: are you willing to pay the $3000 premium for the thrill that a powerful V6 can provide? For many, the answer is no. For some (myself included) it's a clear yes.
  • ashaidyashaidy Member Posts: 16
    I have finally taken my car to dealer and technician heard noise! Tomorrow they will rip apart the headliner and place some silicone?? I will let you know the outcome. Other than the noise I love the car.
  • richards38richards38 Member Posts: 606
    According to Consumer Reports, the TSX's acceleration time was slightly SLOWER than the 4 cylinder Accord.

     

    TSX went 0-60 in 9.1 or 9.2 seconds; Accord in 9.0 seconds (both cars had A/T). The TSX was tested a few months ago, and the Accord EX 4 cyl. AT was tested in early 2003.

     

    I emailed Consumer Reports about this and they said that the difference could have been due to weather conditions, etc. and that the TSX might have been geared for faster performance in higher speed ranges.

     

    The point is that for most driving situations, a 4 cylinder Accord is as quick as a TSX and doesn't require premium gas for good performance.

     

    If you must have more power, the V6 Accord or Acura TL (all TL's are V6s) would be better choices than a TSX......Ricard
  • ktnrktnr Member Posts: 255
    I'll probably take a lot of heat for saying this but to me, my '05 LX 4-cylinder feels kind of like a big Civic. Myself, I can't image paying for an EX or EX-L while knowing that the car is still 95% mechanically the same as a lowly DX model - a car costing less than a fully loaded Civic.

     

    I think the Accord LX is a great bargain (the reason I bought it), but the only two alternative models ever in my mind were the LX-V6 or EX-V6. The bigger engine provides a near-luxury car feel that I don't get in any 4-cylinder Accord.

     

    While the power of the 4-cylinder Accord is adequate, there are many times when I miss having the abundance of untapped power underfoot that the V-6 provides. I often floor the accelerator of my I4 in normal driving while I'm sure that I'd seldom do that with the V-6.

     

    Not gospel, just my personal feedback - others have different opinions.
  • richards38richards38 Member Posts: 606
    Civic is a good car, but it's not a small Accord nor is the Accord 4 cyl. a big Civic.

     

    A personal friend who is also a Honda mechanic and knows both cars well says that the Accord is a MUCH better car--all major parts are different and superior.

     

    The DX lacks a rear stabilizer bar among other things and the LX is a wiser purchase--especially if you pay $1000 or more to add dealer-installed A/C. The Accord LX is the best deal among the Honda models.

     

    The EX-L does seem so up-scale that it cries for a V6 over a 4; however, the 4 is so smooth and quick that I bought it anyway. No regrets......Richard
  • aggie1995aggie1995 Member Posts: 318
    I'll probably take a lot of heat for saying this but to me, my '05 LX 4-cylinder feels kind of like a big Civic.

     

    How do you feel the Accord is like a big Civic? Drive? Noise levels? Acceleration? Features? Seating? Braking?

     

    I only ask because I find nothing in common between the two. I would not buy a Civic if I was looking for a small sedan/coupe. I would reccommend nothing but the Accord for a midsize sedan/coupe.

     

    The fact that the DX is so well equipped does not take away from the value afforded by an LX or EX model.
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