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.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
7 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
6 / 0
Average Mileage:
102,433 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2002 Honda Accord body / paint problems

body / paint problem

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2002 Honda Accord Owner Comments (Page 1 of 3)

problem #47

Jan 042013

Accord 4-cyl

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

recalled COMPANY HONDA reason I follow them too much time recalled my car over 10 year from 2007 to now, But It did not work, It is not fix include my car was destroy more, they destroy horn my car more, include cheatting and charged my money Recalled INSURANCE department OF CALIFORNIA : they abused POWER Violate my human right and my civil right before COURT and CONGRESS, Include theft my mail certified I bought INSURANCE full way, I was involve accident TO DID NOT HIT RUN and I DID NOT AT FAULT, MY car was total loss, my head pain, injury and I was Vomit, I am not solve settlement and compensation for me, opposite order FEDERAL POLICE KIDNAP, FALSE arrest and mugshot my face as crime and TREASON when I save all my life, my enjoy even my stomach for Tax and full Insurance yes, now I am disability, But before I am disability, I was cosmetologist and professional electronic at MD, OR, CA, AZ I did not involve welfare for my son grown up I live alone and I am single mom I pay full tax and full insurance by my blood, my bone marrow, my tear eye and my sweat ' yes, I love USA and loyal with USA with all my heart I filial piety to all AMERICAN, I did not violate any even in my mind I from the hell to comeback this life too much time from my car did not air bag From accident, my car was total loss lead into my head is pain and Vomit From happen KIDNAP, false arrest, torture my life in wrongfully jail : lock all my medicine when I was surgery cancer both side my thyroid, I can not breath by my body problem anxiety My blood was bleeding none stop Now 3/18/2022 at BUILDING 300 LONGBROOK WAY PLEASANT HILL to appear BOMB and weapon ( It was FBI, department POLICE PLEASANT HILL, 911 and FOX news witness ) It is my apartment I am living now ) I want ask USA and CALIFORNIA contain CONSTITUTION OF US, CALIFORNIA yes or no ?I was injury and my car was total loss, my case is not settlement But to killed me too much time

- Pleasant Hill, CA, USA

problem #46

Jul 102020

Accord 4-cyl

  • 172,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Honda Accord. The contact stated that the passenger's side front subframe was severely rusted. The vehicle was taken to jim white Honda (1505 S. reynolds rd, maumee, oh 43537, (419) 893-5581) to be inspected. The contact was informed that due to the failure, the vehicle should be salvaged. The contact was informed that the improper placement of the drain tube caused the failure. The vehicle was not repaired nor sent to be salvaged. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximately failure mileage was 172,000.

- Lyons, OH, USA

problem #45

Nov 112019

Accord

  • 250,000 miles
Was in an accident on the expressway where a latter flew out of the back of a guys truck and became to a complete stop and I hit him when I couldn't stop fast enough and no air bags deployed. I was berrybruised up and I did go to the hostpital.

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #44

Oct 082019

Accord

  • 220,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Upon inspection of this vehicle, part of the front subframe had rusted through, from the air conditioner condenser hose emptying on top of it. Attached photos show the extent of visible damage; other damage within this structure is not visible to the eye. Honda refers to this part as the "rear beam, " part number 50200-S87-A00. The steering rack and front suspension components attach to this part, along with the rear engine mount, and can cause loss of control of the vehicle, and serious personal injury. This is a very common and very dangerous flaw in this generation of Accord.

- Saint Clair Shores, MI, USA

problem #43

Sep 152019

Accord

  • 157,610 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Honda Accord. The contact stated that a crack appeared in the subframe on the passenger side of the vehicle due to rust. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to Honda superstore of lisle (4475 Lincoln ave, lisle, il 60532, 630-852-7200) for a brake inspection and a quote for the replacement of the subframe. The contact discovered that a hose drained onto the subframe to the passenger side of the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided case number: 09919793. No further assistance was offered. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 157,610.

- Wheaton, IL, USA

problem #42

Jul 152019

Accord

  • 195,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Honda Accord. During a routine tire rotation, the technician noticed that the subframe of the front passenger side of the vehicle was completely rusted out. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 195,000.

- Chesterfield, MI, USA

problem #41

May 102019

Accord

  • 125 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Honda Accord 2002, failed inspection, front passenger side sub frame completely rotted out. Contacted dealer, quoted me over $3000 for repair. No recall as of yet, speaking with head tech at Honda states this is a common problem. Car is not drivable, major safety concern.

- Rochester, NY, USA

problem #40

Oct 262018

Accord

  • 89,000 miles
I was involved in a frontal crash and none of the airbags deployed. The vehicle was deemed a total loss by the insurance company; no injuries in either vehicle. Oct 26, 2018 intersection of Maine avenue and 7th street, S.w., Washington,

- Mclean, VA, USA

problem #39

Sep 062018

Accord

  • 96,500 miles
Right side subframe by rear connecting point rotted through with holes under where right lower control arm connects to subframe. Most likely caused from A/C drain dripping directly on subframe. Vehicle will not pass state safety inspection. Contacted local Honda dealership and they stated this is a common issue.

- Clarks Summit, PA, USA

problem #38

Apr 232018

Accord

  • miles
The subframe has rusted due to a design flaw by Honda... the ac drains on it. This creates a safety issue and the potential for a fatal crash to occur.

- Cotton, MN, USA

problem #37

Jan 122018

Accord

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Ac fluid drip system on the subframe passenger side and rust it until it breaks it's a huge safety hazard for many people kids included it's how Honda made the car so there should be a recall on the car with the mistakes they've made making the car and placing the parts in those spots for that to happen someone could crash and die because of that there are tons of articales and complaint and 1.5million + Honda Accord from 99-02 are like this it wasn't changed until 03 Honda can't deny the mistake they've made by put parts in the spots for that to happen people's lives are at risk and they deserve recalls

- Elmira, NY, USA

problem #36

Dec 042017

Accord

  • 146,000 miles
When driving along the highway the traction control light pops on along with the side air bag light. My transmission seems to be going out. When I'm at a complete stop and attempt to proceed through a green light the car seems to not want to get gas. I'm not sure what the problem is. Can someone please help me?

- Uniontown, AL, USA

problem #35

Oct 282017

Accord

  • 184,521 miles
While inspecting my 2002 Honda Accord I noticed the front passenger side sub-frame is rotting out and appears to be close to breaking apart. This looks to be extremely dangerous.

- New Kensington, PA, USA

problem #34

Jun 012016

Accord

  • miles
My Honda was hit and the airbags at the steering wheel went off and burnt my arm and it was very hard to breath

- Cockesville, MD, USA

problem #33

Oct 072017

Accord

  • 106,000 miles
I am the original owner of a 2002 Honda Accord. The passenger side subframe is badly corroded, due to the A/C drain hose dripping onto the subframe. The driver's side looks fine though. I noticed the issue, after reading about complaints from other owners and checked out of curiosity. I have been quoted $2000-$2500 to replace the subframe (about a $1,000 for the subframe and another $1,000-$1,500 for labor) and was told this is a safey issue. If the subframe were to fracture, the handling of the vehicle could be compromised and steering will cease.

- Wheeling, IL, USA

problem #32

Jul 052017

Accord

  • 137,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while having the vehicle inspected, he was informed by the inspector that the passenger side sub-frame was rusted and needed to be replaced. The contact did not notify a dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 137,000.

- Ashburn, VA, USA

problem #31

May 012015

Accord

  • 135,000 miles
Paint failure. Paint is peeling and fading. Honda should stand behind this product.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #30

Nov 152016

Accord

  • 129,000 miles
November 2016. Noticed that there was a creeking sound coming from passenger side of the car when driving it. My mechanic told me that sub frame holding the engine has rusted out on the passenger side and that the car is not road worthy. His exact words were "the engine could pop out at any time" and that "he would not drive it".

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #29

Nov 012015

Accord

  • 70,000 miles
Every time I drove the car the front passenger side was making noises at the wheel. I had my mechanic take the wheel off to check it. He noticed that the subframe is completely rusted through. I tried to purchase the part from Honda estore and they don't sell a subfame so I called over 25 used parts stores and all 25 or so places told me the same thing "on every 1999-2002 Honda that we've seen that part is rusted away". I would like to know why this part has not been recalled since it is such a large problem with everyone that I've spoke to.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #28

Jul 072016

Accord

  • 230,000 miles
Hit a pothole, and heard loud crack. Body shop found large crack in subframe and deemed unrepairable. Found large rusted area on subframe, which was deemed a "Honda defect" and state farm refused to cover the claim. Honda reports there was no recall.

- Farmington Hills, MI, USA

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