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.
3.3
definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
40,070 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.
SRS light came on for no reason. Took car to dealer, they advised no problem. Reset it. Light came on again, took it back to the dealer. They advised again, no problem. Possibly the control unit...reset it, but advised light may come on again. They cannot be sure that unit is the problem, can repair, but cannot be sure that it will not happen again. Light is now back on. Unsure if I have an accident if my airbag will deploy or if it will just deploy for no reason.
The SRS warning lite is continually lit at 49,000 miles. After the obdii scanner was connected the system reported code 7-1. code 7.1 refers to SRS controller unit failure. The car is well maintained and cleaned. The recomened repair is to replace the SRS controller unit at a cost of over 500 dollars. The SRS unit is computer controlled as even though the other engine computers are warantyed for 8/80,000 the SRS unit is not. I have now been told that the car I purchased for quality and reliability no longer has functioning airbags or automatic seat belt tensioners. Honda has opened a case and I must go through my local dealer to request a waranty extention on the part. Rd major problem with the car.
SRS light activited due to defective opds sensor. Defective sensor would have prevented the air bag from deploying in the event of an accident. Car only has 68K miles. Vehicle is garaged indoors and has never been in any type of accident and/or incident. A non-mechanical critical part should not fail in such a manor. Corrective maintenance work was not covered by warranty. Dealer could not provide a good answer as to why the part failed to function.
- Oswego, IL, USA
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Laurel, MD, USA