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:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
133 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 engine problems

engine problem

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2002 Honda Accord Owner Comments

problem #3

Dec 012002

Accord

  • miles

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

Vehicle was pulling into a parking stall when the engine suddenly surged. Witnesses heard the engine surge, driver was not able to stop going up over a landscape timber and struck a concrete block wall. Unknown reason for the engine to surge. Driver reported the brakes would not hold the vehicle from forward progress.

- Winter Park, FL, USA

problem #2

Sep 292002

Accord

  • 400 miles
While the consumer was traveling the motor was about to fail. The consumer believes this problem was due to manufacturer defect and the vehicle is unsafe. The check engine light had come on, ran rough, and was slugglish.

- Chapel Hill, NC, USA

problem #1

Oct 232002

(reported on)

Accord

  • miles
Consumer has problems with her engine. Dealer was contacted.

- Sacramento, CA, USA

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