HONDA CIVIC HYBRID · model year

2004 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID

55 NHTSA complaints, 8 crash reports, and 6 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2004HONDACIVIC HYBRID carries 55 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 8 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2004 CIVIC HYBRID is power train with 18 filings, followed by air bags (9) and engine (8). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 6 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 77 investigation files overlapping the 2004 CIVIC HYBRID, and 9 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

55
Complaints
8
Crashes
0
Fires
2
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

55 filings

Crashes Reported

8 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
POWER TRAIN18
AIR BAGS9
ENGINE8
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM6
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL4
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING1
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER1
STEERING1
WHEELS1
SEAT BELTS1
SERVICE BRAKES1
STRUCTURE:BODY1

Recalls (6)

15V32000028/05/2015

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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 Acur

19V49900027/06/2019

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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. The

19V50100027/06/2019

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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.

15V37000015/06/2015

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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

19V18200006/03/2019

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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

14V70000004/11/2014

AIR BAGS

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 ge

Recent Complaints

20180731POWER TRAIN

WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR, THE CVT TRANSMISSION SEEMED TO "LAG" OR DELY TO ENGAGE AND ACCELERATE. RECENTLY WHEN AT A LEFT TURN AT AN INTERSECTION, I APPLIED THE ACCELERATOR AND CAR JUDDERED, WAS VIBRATING THE WHOLE CAR, AND ALMOST GOT ME T-BONED. I KNOW THIS IS NOT A SPORTS CAR BUT WOULD LIKE TO DRIVE CONFIDENTLY TO WORK WITHOUT THE WORRY OF GETTING IN AN ACCIDENT. EVERY TIME I ACCELERATE NOW, THE RPM'S RAISE TO 1,500-2,000 RPM BEFORE THE CVT STARTER CLUTCH ENGAGES AND JERKS THE CAR FORWARD. THERE IS ALSO A WHINE COMING FROM THE CVT AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE BECAUSE THE CAR HAS 62,000 MILES CURRENTLY WHICH IS NOT A LOT. I JUST HAD HIGHER STANDARDS AND EXPECTATIONS FROM SUCH A REPUTABLE CAR MANUFACTURER. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION LOOKING OVER THIS COMPLAINT AND HOPEFULLY TO HELP ME GET MY CAR SAFELY BACK ON THE ROAD.

Mileage: 62,000

20180505ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

SHUDDER AN SLIPAGE

Mileage: 99,956

20180505ENGINE

SHUDDER AN SLIPAGE

Mileage: 99,956

20180412CrashPOWER TRAIN

TRANSMISSION SLIPPAGE AND ULTIMATE FAILURE.

Mileage: 193,000

20170821AIR BAGS

THE DASHBOARD AIRBAG "WARNING LIGHT" SUDDENLY ILLUMINATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN TRAFFIC MOVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY DURING A WARM SUMMER AFTERNOON RAIN STORM.

Mileage: 125,000

20170623CrashAIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK ON THE FRONT MIDDLE PART BY HIS SON. THE FRONT DRIVER'S AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V320000 (AIR BAGS), BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER FRACTURED THE FIFTH VERTEBRAE IN HIS NECK, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HIS HOME. THE DAMAGE OF THE VEHICLE EXCEEDED ITS VALUE, SO THE VEHICLE WAS DECLARED DESTROYED. NEITHER THE MANUFACTURER NOR THE DEALER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. ...UPDATED 08/02/17 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIRBAG WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 08/7/2017*JS

20170602POWER TRAIN

HELLO, WE HAVE THIS HONDA CIVIC 2004 HYBRID WITH CVT TRANSMISSION. THE CAR HAS AROUND 68K. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS TYPE OF ISSUES BUT HONDA SAYS THERE THEY ARE NOT LONGER ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT. THE REPAIR NOW COST MORE THAN THE VEHICLE. IS THERE ANYTHING YOU CAN HELP ME WITH ABOUT THIS ISSUE?

20170419AIR BAGS

I WAS MERGING ONTO THE INTERSTATE FROM THE RAMP AND THE PASSENGER SIDE, SEAT SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON. HONDA SHOWS NO CURRENT RECALLS FOR MY CAR. A RECALL FOR THE MAIN AIRBAGS HAD ALREADY BEEN MADE. FORTUNATELY THERE WASN'T ANYONE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AT THE TIME, OR THEY MIGHT HAVE BEEN INJURED.

Mileage: 385,360

20170331FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

BEARING FAILURE IN CVT TRANSMISSION, LEADING TO SEVERE VIBRATION AND IF NOT REPAIRED TO TRANSMISSION FAILURE COST FOR REPAIRING REPLACEMENT TO CUSTOMER $1700 . IN MY VEHICLE IS BEARING HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES IN 130,000 MILES WELL FOLLOWING FACTORS RECOMMENDATIONS OF CHANGING TRANSMISSION FLUID EVERY 30,000 MILES. ALSO HUNDRED HYBRID BATTERY SYSTEM HAS A FLAW HYBRID BATTERIES ARE ONLY GUARANTEED FOR 80,000 MILES FOR THE FIRST BATTERY AND 24,000 MILES FOR REPLACEMENT BATTERIES AT THE COST OF $2700. WELL TOYOTA GUARANTEES THEIR BATTERIES FOR 150,000 MILES. I HAVE REPLACED THE BATTERY PACKS THREE TIMES IN 130,000 MILES.

20170331POWER TRAIN

BEARING FAILURE IN CVT TRANSMISSION, LEADING TO SEVERE VIBRATION AND IF NOT REPAIRED TO TRANSMISSION FAILURE COST FOR REPAIRING REPLACEMENT TO CUSTOMER $1700 . IN MY VEHICLE IS BEARING HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES IN 130,000 MILES WELL FOLLOWING FACTORS RECOMMENDATIONS OF CHANGING TRANSMISSION FLUID EVERY 30,000 MILES. ALSO HUNDRED HYBRID BATTERY SYSTEM HAS A FLAW HYBRID BATTERIES ARE ONLY GUARANTEED FOR 80,000 MILES FOR THE FIRST BATTERY AND 24,000 MILES FOR REPLACEMENT BATTERIES AT THE COST OF $2700. WELL TOYOTA GUARANTEES THEIR BATTERIES FOR 150,000 MILES. I HAVE REPLACED THE BATTERY PACKS THREE TIMES IN 130,000 MILES.

20160628ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

IN 2004 I PURCHASED A 2004 CIVIC HYBRID. IN 2011 THE IMF BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NOW 4 YEARS LATER THE BATTERY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. THE CAR IS LIKE NEW BECAUSE I TOOK SUCH GOOD CARE OF IT. IT HAS UNDER 70,000 MILES ON IT. HONDA HAS EXTENDED THE WARRANTY TO 11 YEARS FOR THAT BATTERY. SINCE THIS CAR IS A 2004 HONDA WILL DO NOTHING TO HELP WITH THE REPLACEMENT OF THE 4 YEAR OLD BATTERY. THEY HAVE QUOTED A PRICE OF $2800 TO REPLACE THE BATTERY WHICH IS ABOUT THE BOOK VALUE OF THE CAR. MY CAR HAS BEEN SUPPORTING A YOUNG WOMAN, WHO IS PREGNANT AND WAS USING MY CAR TO GO TO WORK SO SHE WOULD BE ABLE TO PROVIDE FOR HERSELF AND HER CHILD. ON HER 21ST BIRTHDAY I GAVE HER THE CAR. WITHIN DAYS THE IMF LIGHT CAME ON AND TODAY THE CAR STOPPED RUNNING. NOW SHE IS WITHOUT TRANSPORTATION TO GET TO WORK AND EARN MONEY TO SUPPORT HERSELF AND HER SOON TO BE BORN BABY. I GAVE HER THE CAR BECAUSE IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A DEPENDABLE, WELL CARED FOR, MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION.

Mileage: 70,000

20160626STRUCTURE:BODY

OUT OF THE BLUE MY HONDA REAR BUMPER STARTED PAINT CRACKING. MY CAR IS IN PRESTINE CONDITION AND I'M REALLY PISSED THAT THE CLEAR COAT WOULD DO THIS! !!

20160527CrashAIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL - I WAS HEADING STRAIGHT TRAVELING AT ABOUT 40 MPH AND GOT IN A HEAD ON AUTO ACCIDENT WITH THE SIDE OF A SEMI TRUCK THAT PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME. I COULD NOT SEE THE SEMI TRUCK TURNING IF FRONT OF ME BECAUSE MY VIEW WAS HIDDEN BY ANOTHER SEMI TRUCK AND MY AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. I HAD THE AIR BAGS RECALL SERVICE ABOUT A YEAR AGO BECAUSE OF THE TAKATA RECALL.

Mileage: 200,000

20160425POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT 10 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN ACCELERATING OVER 10 MPH. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BURNED OIL AND THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000.

Mileage: 117,000

20151224CrashAIR BAGS

RECALL WAS NOT NOTIFIED , I HAVE THREE TIME ACCIDENT AND NONE OF THE TIME MY AIR BAG POPUP TO SAVE GLASS OR ANYTHING, ADDRESS WAS WRONG IN DEALER'S DATABASE MANY TIEM CORRECTED BUT ITS STILL MIXUP NO NOTICE RECEIVED UNTIL SEE IN THE NEWS, IN VENDOR INVOICE METER SHOW 160000 IN REAL ITS 139685 THEIR COMPUTER SHOW MORE IN INVOICE WHERE MY WARRANTY DENIED , 3 TIME TRANSMISSION FAIL PAID BY US, 2 TIME BIG BATTERY FAIL COST ME 4500+4800 LIKE NEW CAR, DEALER TOLD ME ITS WILL COVER AND I END UP PAYING ALL DUE TO THEIR ERROR , SCAM IN METER AND ITS SHOW ONLY 32/GAL IT WAS SHOW 48/GAL PROGRAM CHANGE RECENTLY

Mileage: 80,000

20151224CrashSERVICE BRAKES

RECALL WAS NOT NOTIFIED , I HAVE THREE TIME ACCIDENT AND NONE OF THE TIME MY AIR BAG POPUP TO SAVE GLASS OR ANYTHING, ADDRESS WAS WRONG IN DEALER'S DATABASE MANY TIEM CORRECTED BUT ITS STILL MIXUP NO NOTICE RECEIVED UNTIL SEE IN THE NEWS, IN VENDOR INVOICE METER SHOW 160000 IN REAL ITS 139685 THEIR COMPUTER SHOW MORE IN INVOICE WHERE MY WARRANTY DENIED , 3 TIME TRANSMISSION FAIL PAID BY US, 2 TIME BIG BATTERY FAIL COST ME 4500+4800 LIKE NEW CAR, DEALER TOLD ME ITS WILL COVER AND I END UP PAYING ALL DUE TO THEIR ERROR , SCAM IN METER AND ITS SHOW ONLY 32/GAL IT WAS SHOW 48/GAL PROGRAM CHANGE RECENTLY

Mileage: 80,000

20151224CrashFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

RECALL WAS NOT NOTIFIED , I HAVE THREE TIME ACCIDENT AND NONE OF THE TIME MY AIR BAG POPUP TO SAVE GLASS OR ANYTHING, ADDRESS WAS WRONG IN DEALER'S DATABASE MANY TIEM CORRECTED BUT ITS STILL MIXUP NO NOTICE RECEIVED UNTIL SEE IN THE NEWS, IN VENDOR INVOICE METER SHOW 160000 IN REAL ITS 139685 THEIR COMPUTER SHOW MORE IN INVOICE WHERE MY WARRANTY DENIED , 3 TIME TRANSMISSION FAIL PAID BY US, 2 TIME BIG BATTERY FAIL COST ME 4500+4800 LIKE NEW CAR, DEALER TOLD ME ITS WILL COVER AND I END UP PAYING ALL DUE TO THEIR ERROR , SCAM IN METER AND ITS SHOW ONLY 32/GAL IT WAS SHOW 48/GAL PROGRAM CHANGE RECENTLY

Mileage: 80,000

20151124POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP AND DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF AND THEN RESTARTED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO FUNCTION AS NORMAL. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. ON ANOTHER OCCASION WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND IT RESUMED TO NORMAL HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE MOUNT WAS FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DETERMINED, HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS TOLD TO CHANGE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. THE FLUID WAS CHANGED, HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDEN

Mileage: 135,000

20151124ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP AND DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF AND THEN RESTARTED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO FUNCTION AS NORMAL. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. ON ANOTHER OCCASION WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND IT RESUMED TO NORMAL HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE MOUNT WAS FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DETERMINED, HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS TOLD TO CHANGE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. THE FLUID WAS CHANGED, HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDEN

Mileage: 135,000

20151009SEAT BELTS

ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE SRS LIGHT HAS COME ON WITH CODE 4-1 WHICH WAS DIAGNOSED BY TO BE THE RIGHT FRONT SEATBELT TENSIONER FAILURE. EACH TIME THE DEALER REPLACED THE RIGHT FRONT SEATBELT ASSEMBLY. THE FIRST SEVERAL TIMES, HONDA COVERED THE COST UNDER ITS LIFETIME SEATBELT WARRANTY. THE LAST TIME THIS OCCURRED, HONDA REFUSED TO COVER UNDER WARRANTY AFTER THE DEALER REPLACE THE SEATBELT ASSEMBLY. ACCORDING TO THE DEALER, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND HONDA ISSUED NOTICE TO DEALERS SAYING THAT THEY SHOULD NOT HONOR HONDA'S LIFETIME SEATBELT WARRANTY. I OPENED A CASE WITH HONDA (N012015-04-0301347) AND HONDA REFUSED TO HONOR ITS WARRANTY AND REFUSED TO PROVIDE ANY EXPLANATION FOR WHY THE REPLACEMENT OF A DEFECTIVE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY IS NOT COVERED UNDER ITS LIFETIME WARRANTY ON SEATBELTS.

Mileage: 139,000

Compare 2004HONDACIVIC HYBRID to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 9 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2004 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID have?
The 2004 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID has 55 NHTSA complaints, 8 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2004 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID?
Yes, the 2004 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID has 6 recall(s). The most common affected component is AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID?
The most-complained component for the 2004 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID is POWER TRAIN with 18 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include AIR BAGS and ENGINE.
Is the 2004 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.