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:
3 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
84,983 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 transmission problems

transmission problem

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2002 Honda Accord Owner Comments (Page 14 of 17)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #76

Apr 082008

Accord 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 110,000 miles

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

2002 Honda Accord 2.3L 4cyl automatic transmission failed around 110,000. One week ago, the transmission started slipping and jerking. I brought it to dealership for inspection. I was told the transmission need to replace. I called Honda customer service and a guy told me my car is out of warranty. I found this is a very common and safety-related problem. Over 50% complaints are from 2002 4cyl models. Honda should recall or provide extended warranty. This is a design defect. Honda must be responsible for it.

- Barrie, 00, USA

problem #75

Apr 032008

Accord 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Approx 3 months ago, the transmission started intermittently to jerk and slip gears when coming to a stop or slowing down and then it would hesitate to start. It continued at a slow pace then all of a sudden it became more frequent, loud jerking noises, slipping/disengaging gears and hesitating to start. I no longer felt safe in the care. Took it to the Honda dealer with no personality or customer service skills the best deal they offered they would pay 25% after I told them I had a case # assigned from Honda America. They made a statement that if the district manager knew that I had used a non Honda transmission fluid in the past couple of years he would not have given me this good deal. He more or less blamed the fluid for the transmission problems. I have always gone to a reputable mechanic for pms therefore the fluid was not the cause of the transmission problems especially after reading all the complaints mentioned here and other consumer complaint sites.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #74

Apr 032008

Accord 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 89,000 miles
It was 90,000 miles and my Honda Accord 02 was transmission oil leaking. Then when it becomes slipping and jerking. The 1st gear is difficultly going to 2nd gear. The transmission is bad. I went to Honda, they told me the 02 has improved the transmission problem. No 7years/100,000 miles warranty on 02 Accord. That's ridiculous. My Accord is in Honda repair center now, they told me 3,500 to 4,000 for replacing a new transmission. How can I do?

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #73

Apr 022008

Accord 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 71,000 miles

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

The power train has gone bad at about 72,000 miles on my moms 2002 Honda Accord. I have done tons of research and came across several websites and have seen numerous stuff regarding the complaints. Honda doesn't want to take responsibility for it. They are only willing to pay out 25% for goodwill and that's it. They are only picking certain VIN numbers to be recalled for the year 2002. They won't step up to the plate and take more responsibility for all the year 2002 Honda that have bad transmissions. We need to do something to make them responsible. I called corporate and talked to a supervisor named claudia in recalls, option 3, 1-800-999-1009. I filed a complaint and my mom did too, there is a case manager looking into her car and I am not giving up till Honda pays 100%. if that means going to the news to expose them, then so be it. This is horrible for so many people and I feel so sorry for all of you including my mother who has had horrible service at holler Honda in orlando due to this problem. We need to take action and not give up! persistence pays!!

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #72

Dec 022007

Accord 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,000 miles
My Honda Accord 2002, with 65,000 miles, started to jerk forward, when stopped on a red light you feel the car wants to jump forward, several times I was afraid of rear ending other cars in front of me, so I tried to keep extra distance from the other cars. Anyway, I took the car to auto repair shop "merchants" and I asked them to check the car, they recommended flushing all the fluids (oil, brake fluid, trans fluid, radiator), the cost to me was about $800 which included new brake pads. The car drove ok for couple thousand miles, then it started the slipping, jerking again. At about 70,000 miles I took the car for oil change at good year where they told me that tran's fluid is, dirty (black) and they recommended flushing the trans. I took the car back to "merchants" and showed them the report from good year, the said that they will repeat the job (flushing the fluids) at no charge. After flushing the trans for the second time, the car drove ok for few days, then it started jerking, slipping, and specially when I make a turn the car will slow down as if the gear is not engaged, when I push on the gas I get no reaction (speed wise), some times I have to switch between different gears to get it engaged, recently, many times I have to go to full stop and shift into P then to D fro the gear to get engaged. The situation was very dangerous several times and about to cause accidents, for sure attracted the attention of other drivers and many of them showed angry gestures. It is an accident waiting to happen any time I drive the Honda Accord. Couple of days ago, the tcs light came on for long time, yesterday the tcs light went off, but the check engine light came on and stayed on. I am not sure what is the problem, but I am convinced that the trans is failing, I hope that Honda will honor a trans replacement, since the car is low mileage, about 72,000 miles. I will be taking the car tomorrow to a Honda dealer in northern Virginia.

- Potomac Falls, VA, USA

problem #71

Mar 082008

Accord 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The contact owns a 2002 Honda Accord. While driving approximately 35 mph, the transmission shifted with extreme force when the vehicle began changing gears. The failure began intermittently in March of 2008, but now occurs every time the vehicle is driven. The transmission was replaced in 2005 and the failure is recurring three years later. The cost to replace the transmission was over $4,000. The contact does not expect to pay for this repair every three years. The vehicle was manufactured in 2001; therefore, the recall for the 2001 Accord should apply to her VIN. The first repair was covered by an extended warranty. The dealer stated that the part was from a junk yard; however, if she paid for the previous repair, the part would have been of better quality. A mechanic stated that Honda is known for having transmission failure and that the contact should only allow a Honda dealer to make the repairs. The VIN, engine size, and failure mileage were unknown. The current mileage was 79,445.

- Hollywood , FL, USA

problem #70

Mar 222008

Accord 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 15,000 miles

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

When the stop light changes to green and I press on gas pedal the wheels spin and it takes seconds before the car accelerates due to transmission slipping. It also jolts and many times very strongly, and scares my child in the back seat and the passengers in the car. The cars that came behind me aftrer the light changed almost hit me. When I leave work and exit the steep ramp in the public parking garage, the wheels spin while I desperately press the gas pedal. I am constantly scared the car will roll back into the line of cars waiting behind me. The Honda 2002 transmission has serious problems and it should be recalled. The problems started shortly after I bought the car, and the dealer replaced the transmission at 26000 miles, under the warranty. However, within a couple of months the problems started again. For the past 4 years I continued to bring the car to the dealer for service and explained the problem but they insisted there is nothing wrong with tha car. At 106,000 I took it to a new dealer to change transmission fluid and I was advised I need a new transmission and that I have to pay for it because now it is no longer under warranty.

- Sterling, VA, USA

problem #69

Feb 252008

Accord 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 94,450 miles
Stopped for a stop light and when it changed green I went to press on gas pedal it was several seconds before the car accelerated due to transmission slipping. A car which had not stopped for the stop light came up from behind me in my lane and almost rear ended me.

- Frankfort, KY, USA

problem #68

Oct 012007

Accord 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 81,000 miles
The transmission began to slip and jump hard into the next gear when accelerating. Looks like the problem is similar to the one affecting the other years of this make/model, but there is no recall on the 2002. Took it to the dealer, and they agreed there was a problem, but they wouldn't take care of it. Ended up $750 out of pocket for a rebuilt tranny from them.

- Elk Grove, CA, USA

problem #67

Jan 112006

Accord 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Honda Accord. While driving approximately 30 mph and below, the vehicle hesitates and fails to shift into gear normally. The vehicle slips into gear instead. The dealer stated that the vehicle needed a new transmission. The current mileage was 123,000 and failure mileage was 100,000. Updated 04/02/08. Updated

- Houston , TX, USA

problem #66

Feb 282008

Accord 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 47,549 miles

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

Transmission failure on my 2002 Honda Accord vp at only 47,549 miles. I was driving to work and stopped at light when my car would no longer drive forward just rolled backwards when brakes were lifted and gas applied. I contacted Honda and they said I'd have to bring the car to certified Honda dealer to have diagnostics done, well I'm no donald trump and my budget after just making my last car payments does not allow for me to fruitlessly tow my vehicle from garage to garage. Any ways I needed the transmission reconditioned which cost me $1,816 not at Honda but a good transmission repair shop. I would just like for someone to look into these problems with the transmissions on 2002 Honda Accord. They should not just give out at 47K. Honda should have offered at least a free tow to do diagnostics with only 47K how can they stand behind a product that is so faulty and having so many complaints.

- Haverhill, MA, USA

problem #65

Feb 282008

Accord 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 71,000 miles
I have a 2002 Honda Accord LX coupe with 71,000 miles with a 3.0L V6 automatic transmission in it that has a complete transmission failure. While driving last week, it was unable to shift from second to third gear and rapidly decelerated in the middle of traffic. Thank goodness it was not any icier that day or I would have been involved in a potentially serious accident as two cars had to swerve from behind me to avoid striking my car. The Honda dealership has stated that the car is not safe to drive until the transmission is completely replaced. However, they are not offering any assistance with the repair despite the fact that the 2000-2001 models have an extended warranty for the same problems, or that the car has extremely low mileage with an excellent (and documented) service record. I believe this is true safety issue since severe traffic accidents could occur.

- Ypsilanti, MI, USA

problem #64

Feb 282008

Accord 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 41,400 miles
Found transmission fluid on carport. Immediately took the car to Honda dealer in coral springs(where originally purchased) 2 trips to listen to repair person tell me seals were bad but I needed a new rebuilt transmission. I have no issues with noise, whining, shifting etc...only have 41,528 miles on this car. Never mistreated or driven hard in any way. Was told if seals leaked again that Honda would only replace with rebuilt transmission, not fix transmission or I could choose to go to an independent transmission shop. What is up with this"?? I have an extended warranty but come on now, this is stupid. Why would I replace a perfectly working transmission over seals??? has anyone else ran in to this issue" please let me know.

- Tamarac, FL, USA

problem #63

Nov 272007

Accord 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 73,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Honda Accord. While driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle downshifted from first into second gear. The current mileage was 77,000 and failure mileage was 73,000.

- Berkeley Heights, NJ, USA

problem #62

Feb 082008

Accord 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Transmission on 2002 Honda Accord V6 ex needs to be replaced. Honda extended warranties on the 2000-2001 Accord, but not the 2002. There were no changes from 2001 to 2002. The 2002 model should also be included. My cost to replace will be $2800.

- Wetumpka, AL, USA

problem #61

Jan 092008

Accord 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 127,000 miles
Having trouble with car getting from 1st to 2nd gear. It seems to slip. The engine will rev but the car does not accelerate. This only happens on a cold start. Once car warms up, it is fine. This seems to be a consistent problem with the transmissions on 2002 Honda Accord. Have seen this problem listed in multiple places, almost 60 times on this website (NHTSA) and almost 50 times on autobeef (www.carcomplaints.com/Honda/Accord/2002/transmission/transmission_slipping_and_jerking.shtml). can something be done about this?

- Madison, AL, USA

problem #60

Dec 292007

Accord 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 74,400 miles
Automatic transmission slips and jerks on my 2002 Honda Accord ex w/ only 75000 miles on it. It easily could cause an accident w/ tailgater behind me, and/or leave me stranded in cold weather if it breaks--which is apparently going to happen soon if the car ends up like the 2001 model (which they are fixing at Honda's cost).

- Doylestown, PA, USA

problem #59

Dec 152007

Accord 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 76,000 miles
I have 2001 & 2002 Honda Accord and 2006 Honda Pilot, I perform maintenance regularly on all my cars. Last year my Honda Accord 2001 transmission failed, good thing it was under extended warranty/recall. This year my 2002 had same symptoms, transmission gear slips and car jerks pretty bad specially first time it is driven in the day. I contacted Honda they asked me to take it to dealer, dealer came back asking to replace transmission. This time Honda don't want to pay for full amount for the same problem in earlier model (2001 Accord). I am ending up paying $ 1000 + tax and shipping. My 2002 only have 76000 miles. This explains Honda quality and Honda backing up their product. I decided, I will not buy Honda ever again. Specially when you can get other cars with 100,000 miles powertrain warranty.

- Sugar Land, TX, USA

problem #58

Dec 232007

Accord 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 49,800 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Honda Accord. While driving 25 mph, the vehicle surged forward. The vehicle shifted gears without warning and then accelerated and decelerated at will. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and they stated that the transmission caused the failure. As of January 4, 2008, the dealer had not repaired the vehicle. The current and failure mileages were 49,800.

- Salem, MA, USA

problem #57

Nov 182007

Accord 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 54,470 miles
Transmission hums...is getting louder and louder...checked by Honda repairman, ,,says previous year models transmissions have been recalled. Only 74,000 miles on odometer.

- Katy, TX, USA

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