Accord 2004 Customer feedback

I have two minor design criticisms.

The backlit dash looks cool, but I always have to adjust it. Sometimes
during the day I need the headlights on, then the dash goes dark and have to
turn up the brightness. At night I have to turn it down again.

The single door lock key hole is set it the door handle and the cavity is
tilted up slightly. This causes the rain water to enter the lock and it
freezes in cold weather. If it were not for the electronic key, I would be
locked out.

Is there an e-mail address to send Honda this info? It does not seem to be
on their web site. I have two Hondas and my buy another in the future and
would like not to have these problems again.

Does anyone like the dash and key hole design?

 

You probably know that you can adjust it so that it is the same all the
time, but I would prefer an easier way to adjust, as I do prefer to dim it a
little at night.

Hmm, not an issue out here in CA!

Have you registered on their website? I'm sure there is an email link
somewhere, though I haven't used it.

You can set up to have maintenance reminders sent to you, keep records on
line and review your loan history (if using Honda financing).

 

I'm assuming the 04 is the same as the 03.

I really like the lit dash. For me it makes it much easier to read in
the day than any car I've owned. It's also cool, as you noted. I
agree, however, that it is too dark in the day when the lights are on
and I have to manually turn it to bright and then back down again at
night. Seems like a simple button to do this, or even better a sensor
to keep it bright when it is bright outside seems like an obvious
solution.

I hadn't noticed the key hole, but then again, I don't think I've ever
used the key to open the door except to use the windows down option
when it was really hot. Have you actually experienced the freezing
problem? It would seem like a basic design consideration. I'm
surprised that it would be that way.

 

I agree with this.

It does sound like poor design, and I was surprised to find there is only
the key hole on the drivers side on the 2003 LX.
No problem as long as your remote works, unless maybe if you're using the
valet key.

I think on the 2003 you can use the remote to do the all windows down
thing (hold the second or third click?). But I think you may need the key
to roll all windows up from outside. I'm not sure.

 

--

I have a dumb question. I have not figured out how to change the
intensity of the lighting on the console. Would anybody care to give me a
hint?
Thanks in advance.
Bill M

 

I just leave mine full brightness.

I've never used the key in the door. I don't see the need for this.
I don't like where they put the trunk lock on the floor by the trunk
release, crap gets all in there.

How's your rear defroster? Mine takes forever to thaw out the window.
It also doesn't blow very strong towards your feet when you have it
set to defrost/feet. It would be better it there where rotating knob's
or sliders as opposed to buttons.

 

--

I have a dumb question. I have not figured out how to change the
intensity of the lighting on the console. Would anybody care to give
me a
hint?
Thanks in advance.
Bill M


Just turn the little trip meter button.

 

There is a little knob in the lower right hand corner of the clear portion
of the dash (the one used for the trip odometer).

 

I think the whole thing is silly, and prefer classic mechanical
front-lit gauges.

I also find the radio console hard to read in many day and night
situations, but it is fun to load six CDs in, I never had that feature
before! Also, the sound has odd effects, small percussion instruments
sound very loudly out of the speakers, I keep thinking I'm having a
mechanical problem with the car! Overall I think the sound is quite
good, though, far better than in my 1999 CL.

I'm another warm-weather guy, haven't had the key problem, though I
often do still use the mechanical key, don't ask me why.

--

Here's another issue, a positive I guess, which is the ABS brakes. I
had ABS on my CL, and it fired maybe three times in four years, none
in emergencies, just in hard braking, turning situations. On my new
Accord, I've had it six weeks, and the ABS seems to find a reason to
fire once or twice a week. I expect to hear tire squeal and I don't,
I get ABS noise -- and nice stoppage! I just think the algorithm has
been tuned to fire more easily, and it's a good thing, but it is a
change for me (I guess the CL had a bit more tire width and the V6,
maybe that's enough for the difference, my Accord is the 4-banger).

J.

 

This is one of my complaints, and I'm glad to see that it is not my car
alone. Even if you set it to feet only, there is not much heated air flow
to the floor area of the compartment. I also agree with the dash lighting
comments - I normally leave my headlights on in the daytime and it is
inconvenient to have to turn the dash lighting up and down between daylight
and dark. But those are both relatively minor complaints. Overall I am very
happy with my 2003 Accord EX.

Carl.

 

My problem w/ the backlit dash in the daytime is I think the headlights are
on at night because the dash is lit and in my other car, the lights come on
automatically at dusk (Best thing they ever did). Here in NJ we must keep
our headlights on in the rain so I too can't see (I read the manual cover to
cover and must have forgot I could adjust - thanks!). If the car had DRL's I
wouldn't have to turn them on in the rain (My other car has DRL's too).

I agree about where the truck release is. I also think it odd that you can
open the trunk while driving. All my other cars would lock it out unless in
park.

Try wearing polarized sunglasses and seeing the radio console. It's
impossible to see any part of it. At least w/ my glasses it is. And the sun
glare w/ them off makes it hard to read too.

BUT, we love the car. One of the best cars we've ever owned. Hasn't been
back in the shop yet (7K miles). Our old Chevy was in many times by now. My
old GMC too.

My other minor complaint is you can't listen to the radio w/ the key off
like most new cars allow and if you unlock the doors, they lock in 30
seconds and you can't lock the doors w/ the fab if any door is open (IE -
kids getting out - I have to wait til everyone is out and doors closed.
Other cars can lock in advance).

Not complaining - just not used to this way yet.

I have never used the key so can't comment on the freezing lock. I have not
had a problem w/ the floor heat. We just use auto all the time so not sure
where it's set.

Jim / NJ

 

Unless this is different from my 03 to the 04, the knob for adjusting
the brightness is indeed in the lower right hand corner, but it is NOT
the same knob that controls the trip odometer.

 

Or you could look in the glove box. That book that came with the car--it's
an
owners manual. Even has pictures in it.
Mike

 

Our intensity knob is in the lower right corner on our 03 EX and it is the
same knob that controls our tripometer. Wonder why yours (Mike) is
different. We have the leather w/ outside temp and all - maybe that changes
something. I'll have to look in my book now.

Jim

 

Sorry I think I had an early senior moment! Not sure what I was
thinking, but clearly the knob on the Accord is the same. Mixing up
cars, I think. Sorry about that.

 

As per my other note, my apologies for confusing this. Not sure what I
was thinking about, but clearly not the controls arrangement in my
Accord! The dash intensity and the trip reset knob are indeed one and
the same.

 

-
GusTheCa

 

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