CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2002 Honda Accord suffers from widespread transmission failure, subframe rust, & problems with the airbag system (SRS). We recommend avoiding this model year like the plague.
The transmission begins slipping & eventually has to be replaced, typically soon after 90,000 miles & with a repair cost of over $2,000. Transmission failure has been a huge problem for the Accord & several other Honda models all through the early 2000s model years. Honda extended the transmission warranty to 93 months/109k miles for the 2000-2001 Accord as a class action lawsuit settlement, but owners of other Accord model years with transmission problems are out of luck.
Subframe rust near the front passenger side wheel has become a problem recently, due to the poorly positioned A/C drain hose directly above that area. Repair cost to the subframe is over $2,000.
The SRS warning light likes to come on due to a defective seat belt sensor -- typically the driver's side. This sensor is covered under Honda's lifetime seat belt warranty, but some dealers charge a $100+ "diagnostic fee" or tell customers the entire SRS unit ($800) is bad.
I have owned the car since it was new. About two years ago the paint started fading and turning white in areas. It is like a cancer and growing. Honda should stand behind this paint and fix these cars. They are everywhere on the road and look awful.
The paint clear coat is horrible and years later it just looks so bad. Honda should take care of the issue. I also had an engine problem at 70,000 miles of the car burning oil. Honda admits that the 2002 engine cylinder wall start to egg shape and oil passes and it burns it off. Transmission. I had the transmission replaced at 12000 miles and again at 100,000 miles They know the trans had issues and never recalled it. I also replaced the engine at 100,000 mile with a jdm engine with 40,000 miles and it is working fine. The vtec accord was a disaster in 2002 and honda should be ashamed. The paint is pissing me off the most even after all the work I did to fix the car right.
The paint started flaking off and over the next couple of months started falling off in bigger sheets, until recently when large sections came off just rinsing it with water. Looks like a junker! My sister in law won't even let her son be seen in it.
- Ruth S.,
Bozrah, US
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Honda should recall the vehicles that they used this oxidizing crappy paint on and compensate drivers for the cost of the paint job to fix or pay for new paint jobs for these vehicles.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
I have owned the car since it was new. About two years ago the paint started fading and turning white in areas. It is like a cancer and growing. Honda should stand behind this paint and fix these cars. They are everywhere on the road and look awful.
- Robert B., Atlanta, GA, US