HondaCivic Hybrid2004Overview/honda/civic-hybrid/2004/base/

2004 Honda Civic Hybrid

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2004 Civic Hybrid.

Transmission Automatic (variable gear ratios)

The 2004 Honda Civic Hybrid utilizes an automatic transmission with variable gear ratios to achieve an EPA-estimated 39 city and 43 highway mpg for a 40 combined rating, while routine engine service requires just 3.7 quarts of 5W-20 API oil. When positioned within the model's full complaint history spanning 2004 to 2025, this year sits far beneath the 2006 peak of 1,457 complaints and well above the 2025 low of seven. Amassing only 35 total owner complaints predominantly focused on the Power Train alongside six recalls, the 2004 model represents a relatively stable early iteration before the nameplate's complaints surged.

Model year201520132012201120102009200820072004

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity3.7 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque80 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy39/43/40 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 51R · 435 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 51R · 435 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP185-70R14OEM · verified
Wheel / rimN/A inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (variable gear ratios)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length174.8 in
Overall width67.7 in
Overall height56.3 in
Wheelbase103.1 in
Curb weight2732 lb
Track (front / rear)57.9 / 57.9 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)60/40

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined39 / 43 / 40 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume91 cu ft
Cargo volume10 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 3.7 qt of 5W-20 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 80 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidHonda CVT fluid
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity2.5-3.0
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil Capacity5.2 qt
Engine Oil5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity3.7 qt
Engine Oil5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.6 qt

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs8mm Bolts: 16 ft-lbs, 6mm Bolts: 9 ft-lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs8mm Bolts: 14 ft-lbs, 6mm Bolts: 9 ft-lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs16 ft-lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings24 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts33 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel BoltsAT: 54 ft-lbs, MT: 87 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel BoltsAT: 54 ft-lbs, MT: 76 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts16 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts80 ft-lbs
Automatic Transmission Drain Plug33.0-36.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub134 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub134 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)750 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerNGK
Spark Plug Gap0.039-0.0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque13.0 ft-lbs
Spark Plug ManufacturerNGK
Spark Plug Gap0.039-0.0.043 in

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.10-1.21 lbs
Oil TypePAG 46
Oil Capacity4.33-4.60 oz
RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.10-1.20 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil TypeSP-10

Service checks

Pressure Test14-18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature169-176 °F
Pressure Test14-18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature176-183 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)40-47 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)40.0-47.0 psi

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket80 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle80 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.063; Rear: 0.060 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.079 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0006 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.004 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.827 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To0.827 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
17 ft. lbs., Step 2: 907 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
114 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9014 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
127 ft. lbs., step 2: 9027 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep threads and under bolt head

122 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
2130
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
114 ft. lbs.14 ft. lbs
236 ft. lbs.36 ft. lbs
349
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
114 ft. lbs.14 ft. lbs
236 ft. lbs.36 ft. lbs
349
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages

Prep Apply engine oil to bolt threads and under bolt head, if using new bolts:

129 ft. lbs.29 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
390 degrees90 degrees
490 degrees; If using old bolts:90 degrees
129 ft. lbs.29 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
390
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
118 ft. lbs., Step 2: 4018 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
118 ft. lbs., Step 2: 3818 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 10,000 mi; spark plugs at 110,000 mi; coolant at 120,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 120,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 10,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 20,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Filter (replace) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
Every 36,000 miFuel Tank (inspect)
At 110,000 miDrive Belt Tensioner (inspect) · Engine Valves (inspect valve lash) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Timing Belt (replace) · Timing Belt Tensioner (inspect) · Water Pump (inspect)
At 120,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
At 160,000 miUniversal Vehicle Operation (inspect idle speed)
At 180,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2004 model year sits at the start of the provided federal record with remarkably low exposure, logging just 35 complaints, 6 recalls, and 45 TSBs—figures substantially lower than the 1,457 complaints and 17 recalls that appear in 2006 and define the peak of the arc. Compared with subsequent years, 2004 and 2005 represent a pre-escalation baseline, with complaint volumes remaining in the double digits before surging roughly fortyfold in 2006 and gradually tapering through 2011. The 2004 model’s leading complaint categories are Power Train (9 complaints), Air Bags (5), Power Train/Engine (3), and Power Train/Fuel/Propulsion System (2), though the data does not specify root causes; notably, the year recorded 5 crash-related complaints and zero fire complaints. Because 2004 precedes the sharp spike in reported defects and campaigns, it sits at the lowest point of the complaint curve within this dataset, though the 6 recalls and 4 investigations still warrant standard due diligence. Given its position at the low point of the complaint trend and its relatively modest federal footprint, a used 2004 Civic Hybrid appears to be a comparatively favorable year to buy within this generation, provided maintenance records account for its recall history.

6
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
45
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
4
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
35
Owner complaints
5 involved a crash · 0 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 35 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train9
Air Bags5
Power Train,Engine3
Power Train,Fuel/Propulsion System2
Power Train,Vehicle Speed Control2
Electrical System,Engine1
Electrical System1
Structure1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 6 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

19V182000Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator ModuleReported 06/03/2019

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… 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…

19V499000Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator ModuleReported 27/06/2019

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… 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 45 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
ABOM080920189012018-08-09EquipmentDealer message - Today, American Honda is notifying dealers of a voluntary noncompliance…
A180702018-08-09Engine And Engine CoolingService bulletin - Emission certification labels that were replaced on a small number of…
A-PS-03312016-302016-03-31Air BagsDEALER MESSAGE - THIS VIDEO FROM HONDA SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT BRUCE SMITH IS IN RESPONSE…
A-PS-03312016-302016-03-31Air BagsVIDEO - THIS VIDEO FROM HONDA SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT BRUCE SMITH IS IN RESPONSE TO A…
A15-0672016-03-28Air BagsSERVICE BULLETIN - IN CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG INFLATOR COULD PRODUCE…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

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VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Civic Hybrid. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
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Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2004 Civic Hybrid take?

3.7 qt of 5W-20 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2004 Civic Hybrid have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Civic Hybrid get?

EPA figures are 39 city / 43 highway / 40 combined mpg.