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.
: the contact stated that the vehicle was having a problem with the transmission and was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that the transmission problems were a manufacturer defect and the transmission would need to be rebuilt and repaired. The vehicle was serviced by the independent mechanic because the dealer and manufacturer were called who stated that the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer also stated that reimbursement for the repairs to the transmission would not be provided because the vehicle was not taken to the dealer for service.
2002 Honda Accord ex 4 cylinder 58K miles transmission needs to be repaired B/C of something "internal". estimated cost from a Honda dealership: $2600.
At 47500 miles (the warranty ended at 36K), my 2002 Honda Accord (4 cylinder.) had transmission problems (started with a strong "thump", as if another car had rear-ended my car, jerky upshifts especially in the morning, slipping gears, leaking transmission fluid from the differential). The Honda dealer where I purchased the vehicle diagnosed the problem, determined that the transmission had to be replaced, contacted american Honda, and received a goodwill warranty approval for transmission replacement. I still had to pay out of my own pocket for a new rear main seal as a preventive maintenance. The transmission was replaced with a Honda re-manufacturer transmission, paid by Honda. I was offered a 3-year, 36000-mile warranty on the replacement. I can only hope that I won't need to take advantage of the warranty in the future or that the warranty is long enough...only time will tell...
I have 25000 miles on a 2002 Honda Accord SE. Last year we started to have a low whine between 30 and 50 mph. This year (2006) there is a rumbling noise on acceleration and disappears when the speed is decreased. I thought is was the tires and replaced them but the noise remains. I brought the car to several mechanics and they all believe it is the transmission. Called Honda public relations to discuss and I was essentially told tough luck. There appears to be many failures of Honda transmissions and an obvious engineering flaw.
I was driving my 2002 Honda Accord when there was jerking motion when the car would shift gears. The jerking motion also occurred when the car was shifted to reverse. I was instructed by a mechanic to call american Honda. After speaking with a customer service representative I was told to take the car to a local Honda dealership. The dealership performed a diagnostic test on the car and reported that the car needed a solenoid.after having replaced the solenoid the car still did not function properly and it was found that the car needed a new transmission. American Honda did pay for the transmission but I had to pay for the labor. Doing a diagnostic test on the car the dealer told me that the transmission had failed.
I have a Honda Accord ex 2002. The transmission failed a month ago and the company replaced it under guarantee, after that was done the side airbag sensor light keeps coming on an off, now staying on for long periods of time. I am concerned that this may be a safety issue, it was not doing this before the transmission work replacements and the dealer does not seem to think this is something to be concerned about. I am.
My 2002 Honda Accord coupe has a bad transmission, it's the same problem that Honda put an extended warranty on for the older models. I believe they need to extend that warranty to 2002 models as well.
While the contact's son was driving vehicle started to slow down and stalled. The contact's son took the vehicle to a local mechanic who determined it was transmission failing. Updated 12/7/2005.
I purchased a 2002 Honda Accord in March of 2005. In mid August I noticed the transmission slipping. I took it to the dealership and they said the transmission needed to be replaced. The car has 80K miles on it, and has had regular scheduled maintenance by the dealer. They said that they had problems with 1998-2001 transmissions but they fixed the problem. 2002 models have the same motor and transmission with "upgrades"., yet my car was not the only one with this problem. There was another Accord with less miles and a bad transmission. Honda said that my car didn't qualify for the extended warrany that they issued for the previous years with the same problem. They told me that there was no problem with that transmission so it would be $5,000 dolars for a new transmission. I have owned 4 Honda previously and have never had a problem like this before. This is ridiculous.
On April 6 and July 1 of this year I was traveling at 70 mph on the interstate when a loud explosion occurred. The first time I thought I must have hit something or been near a gunshot. When the same thing happened months later the noise sounded as though it was in the cabin with me. No warning lights, difficulty in handling, or visible damage has appeared. The noise is sudden, without warning, and immense--ringing in ears an hour later--not to mention frightening. We replaced tires in June, and all regular maintenance has been done on schedule. There was a transmission problem when the car was brand new-a clunking noise-which was difficult to diagnose, and required extended days in the shop (nearly four of the first six weeks owned). It was finally eliminated when the shop "dismantled" the car, drained transmission fluid (twice) and did assorted other "fixes". I have contacted the service department concerning the explosions, but they have no suggestions. In about 3 weeks the odometer will be at the same mileage as between the previous two booms, would really like someone else to be with me if it happens again.
The salesman falsely stated that the car had warranty, and the car is not in the condition stated, the transmission is not woking properly. I have made several attempts to fix the problem and it has been in vain. Teh disclosures were not explained to me and there are optional services charged that I have no idea what they are in the contract.I felt pressured to buy a car I did not want.
The vehicle was parked in garage, with no key in ignition when it rolled backwards causing damage to the rear bumper. That was the first time it had ever happened. Afterwards, the consumers spouse tested to see how a parked vehicle rolled back and again, with no key in ignition, the vehicle could still roll back when the vehicle was not placed in park the key could be taken out of the ignition.
I bought a 2002 Honda Accord 2dr ex V6 new around Dec '01. The day after delivery I noticed a whining sound around 40-45mph. I practically begged the sales mgr to let me do an even trade... he said no (albert fieto). Honda replaced the transmission under warranty but the same problem appeared about a year later. It is just at the right sound level where it drives me nuts but the tech from the dealer can't hear it; my wife hears it as well. There is no excuse for the same problem appearing twice on a new car.I fell like I threw away 25K! I real feel Honda should replace the vehicle.
While driving, the transmission would not down shift from 4th gear to 3rd gear when manually shifted. The consumer noticed that this problem developed on many occasions. The consuemr took the vehicle to the dealer for inspection, however, the mechanic could not duplicate the problem.
I had to replace the transmission in my 2002 Honda Accord SE at just over 50,000 miles. I noticed the transmission kept slipping and the gear indicator light on my dash kept flashing. Also, noticed some fluid leakage on my driveway, which turned out to be my transmission fluid.
December 2004 vehicle jerked while shifting when cold. After warming up, it shifted fine. Took in to dealer, told there are metal shavings in the fluid, needs new transmission. Honda replaced with rebuilt transmission at their cost, I paid labor.
While driving 25 mph vehicle jerked and vibrated uncontrollably. Consumer was able to maintain control of the vehicle, and drove it to the dealer for inspection. Mechanic determined that transmission needed to be replaced.
Transmission failure, at first it was not shifting normally then the check engine and D4 (flashed) lights turned on. Within a week it smelled terrible and was leaking huge amounts of transmission fluid. A local transmission shop looked at the transmission and told me that it was the internal bearings, that this was a known problem on Accord and that the dealership should honor an extended warranty. The dealership told me that my VIN # was not covered by the extended warranty only the V6 model even though they share the same transmission. After I complained Honda agreed to cover parts only and I was stuck with over $600 bill for labor. I find this offensive due to the fact that they were aware of the problem and choose not to cover it on the 4 cylinder model.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Bridgeport, CT, USA