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.

7.6

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$1,000
Average Mileage:
115,550 miles
Total Complaints:
5 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. replacement of motor mounts (4 reports)
  2. not sure (1 reports)
2002 Honda Accord engine problems

engine problem

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2002 Honda Accord Owner Comments

problem #5

Nov 202016

Accord LX Coupe 2.3L I4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 110,000 miles

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

At least the front engine mount is easy to replace, but you have to crawl underneath to replace the back mount.

- Korey M., Fort Payne, AL, US

problem #4

Feb 012009

Accord EX V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 120,000 miles

Broken motor mount lets motor shift sideways when taking off from a start causing a huge jolt to the whole car. When I took the car in to the shop, the mechanic said it's actually 3 broken mounts. I don't know how the motor doesn't fly out of the hood. On the plus side, if I drive carefully and slowly it's not noticeable and, in fact, it doesn't seem to be getting any worse. Yet.

- Lucas I., Olney, MD, US

problem #3

Jan 072015

Accord LX 3.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 160,000 miles

I just got home after being in the vehicle for about 20 minutes. I pulled into my driveway left the car running in park for about one minute. Reentered my vehicle put the vehicle in reverse the car died out. I gave it a few and restarted the vehicle it started but as I put it in to drive once again, it died. I looked under the hood made sure the battery was connected and I noticed the alternator belt was off, so I figured that was the issue. When I turned on my flashlight that's when I noticed I had a bigger issue at hand. The engine was tilted to the left side. I got under the car to find a broken nut and bolt that came from the engine motor mount left side. How much is this going to cost me? Does insurance cover it or does Honda if neither of them cover this can I fix this my self? ..I myself have put a lot in to this vehicle. Is it worth fixing ??????

- Paul V., Pueblo, CO, US

problem #2

Oct 072014

Accord LX V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,000 miles

I am hoping for a class action suit for the 2002 Honda Accord v6. I paid 30K for this car with 55K miles on it. I have put in over 5K due to rust and now have a transmission problem. My previous Honda was a 1987 and bought new just like this one, the difference is the 2002 v6 was put into a sh*tty cheap casing and the transmissions is now leaking oil and the airbag lights are on. I am super pissed as I expected the 30K car to last at least 1/2 as long as my 15K 1987 car that had 180K miles on it.

- Denise B., Great Neck, NY, US

problem #1

Aug 102010

Accord SE 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 137,700 miles

We took our vehicle to the Honda dealership because of transmission problem. We were advised (in addition to transmission problems) that the motor mounts were broken and needed to be replaced. We using a different auto repair shop for the transmission replacement, and an estimate on the motor mounts has not been solicited yet.

- conniela, Shreveport, LA, US

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