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 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
62,407 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 #13

Apr 232010

Accord

  • 20 miles

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

2002 Honda Accord ex V6. The transmission was determined by holler Honda to be terminal, meaning no good needing to be replaced. The danger occurs when you have to accelerate with the normal traffic flow and are unable to because of slipping and improper shifting. A accident waiting to happen. I'm sure there have already been accidents due to this by people who unaware of the severity of the problem. From what I've read this is a very common problem, Honda has agreed to split the cost of the repair of $4,600, with my mom having alzheimer's and me no job that figure might as well be 4 million dollars. Please somebody help us with this problem.

- Casselberry, FL, USA

problem #12

Dec 132011

Accord

  • 112,000 miles
Transmission skips between 1st and 2nd and needs replaced. Only 112,000 miles and I have done every service recommended - all but one were done by the dealership! there has always been a little jerk there when accelerating but was told it was fine.

- Westerville, OH, USA

problem #11

Dec 012011

Accord 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 129,000 miles
Automatic transmission jerks when accelerating past 20mph or when putting it in reverse. After some research, I found out that this seems to be a common problem with 2002 Honda Accord yet it has not been recalled. Please look into this issue since a lot of drivers appear to be having the same transmission problem.

- San Jose, CA, USA

problem #10

Nov 232011

Accord 6-cyl

  • 87,269 miles

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

Turning a corner of a busy intersection the car made a load wump thunk sound and stopped with the engine still running. Luckily, no one rear-ended me or knocked me into the policeman in the road conducting a license check.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #9

Feb 012010

Accord 4-cyl

  • 90,000 miles
Purchased the 2002 Honda Accord SE coupe in March 2008 with 64K miles. After a few months of driving I began to feel a slight jerk when I placed my feet on the accelerator. Took my car to a local Honda dealership only to be told that I needed a transmission flush. After driving car I began to feel the slight jerk and over a year I recieved 2 transmission flushes. Jerking has gotten so bad that I am not able to trade because it is basically a lemon. Honda dealership has told me now that I need a new transmission. Over 3K to replace and after calling american Honda they refused to help with the cost. This is a known problem with the 2002 Accord but yet they wont own up to it. I will never purchase a Honda ever again.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #8

Jun 132011

Accord

  • 84,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Honda Accord. The contact stated the vehicle would vibrate violently when stopped. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was informed that the motor mounts needed to be replaced, but the vehicle could possibly continue to vibrate when stopped. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 84,000.

- Rancho Mirage, CA, USA

problem #7

Jan 302011

Accord

  • 102,000 miles

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

At first instance, the car began to show sluggish conditions when shifting gears. As time went on, the 'slips' began to grow more and more dangerous to the point that the car could barely shift between gears at all and was a safety hazard for both driver and to anyone around me as I was vulnerable to be rear-ended by anyone too close behind (because the car could not accelerate) and to those ahead of me as the car tended to jerk forward. After a repair to the solenoid once before, the car's performance improved, however some sluggish conditions remain and the conditions only worsen as time goes on. At 102,000 miles, the car's 2nd' transmission appears to need to be replaced to function properly. This is a known issue for Honda Accord as reported on several websites and known and acknowledged by independent mechanics across the country. It is irresponsible and reprehensible for Honda to not take responsibility for this and be held accountable. At this current time Honda refuses to take such action and will only offer minor reduction in repair costs that hardly seems fair to the thousand's of owners affected by this. Please keep record of this and offer whatever assistance you can provide. Source: www.carcomplaints.com/Honda/Accord/2002/transmission/hesitates_and_shifts_very_hard.shtml others maybe provided upon request.

- Warrington, PA, USA

problem #6

Mar 182010

Accord

  • 107,000 miles
Vehicle caught on fire while driving on roadway.

- Duluth, GA, USA

problem #5

Jun 092006

Accord

  • 60,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Honda Accord. While driving various speeds, the vehicle stalled several times. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 02V226000. The manufacturer would not take any liability for the failures. The failure and current mileages were less than 60,000.

- Chatsworth, CA, USA

problem #4

Jan 282007

Accord 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40,000 miles
- the contact stated that while driving the 2002 Honda Accord at 30 mph and slowing down to 20 mph to make a right turn the steering wheel locked. The contact tried to step on the brakes, but the pedal would not move, the vehicle lost power. The dashboard warning lights turned on. The contact turned the key to the off position then restated the vehicle, but the vehicle drove like it had not failed. The vehicle was taken to the dealership, but the problem could not be duplicated. The enging shut down while driving. Updated 03/15/07.

- Franklin, TN, USA

problem #3

Aug 312003

Accord 2-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 0 miles

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

I tried contacting Honda to see whether it is normal to get electric shocks from the car. Every time I close my door to my car I get shock. I even seen electric wave. However, Honda indicated that it must be the way I am walking, but everyone who comes in and out of my car gets shock and its only happens in the dry winter time. When I step on my pedal the car stalls which causes me to step on the pedal harder. My engine just turns off while I step on the brakes. I have spoken to a mechanic who indicates that is normal for Honda Accord 2002. I contacted service, but they indicated that it is my responsibility and it is not the manufactures problem. I just wanted to report this information.

- Stanton, CA, USA

problem #2

Dec 152002

Accord

  • Automatic transmission
  • 0 miles
Sudden acceleration, accelerator sticking

- Redwood City, CA, USA

problem #1

Jan 022003

Accord

  • miles
While traveling on the highway she heard a loud banging noise coming from underneath the vehicle. The vehicle shut down and will not restart dealer is aware of problem please fill in additional information.

- Gardenia, CA, USA

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