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.

7.9

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$2,500
Average Mileage:
94,950 miles
Total Complaints:
354 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. recall should be issued, replaced @ Honda's expense (188 reports)
  2. replace transmission (53 reports)
  3. not sure (45 reports)
  4. replaced transmission (32 reports)
  5. replaced transmission, split cost with Honda (14 reports)
  6. Honda refused to repair under warranty, had to pay (9 reports)
2002 Honda Accord transmission problems

transmission problem

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2002 Honda Accord Owner Comments (Page 10 of 18)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #174

Sep 012009

Accord LX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 74,000 miles

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

I owned two cars, both from Honda, I bought Honda because historically Honda is a great brand known for its reliability and standing for its quality,however, when my 2002 Honda accord failed the transmission at only 74K miles,my dealer told me it will cost me 3200 to replace it. I am very disappointed, even more, finding this web and seeing so many others having the same issue, but Honda refused to take their responsibility. I will call Honda America Tuesday , wish me good luck and I will share with you my experience with them

- mchi, Round Rock, TX, US

problem #173

Feb 102009

Accord EX 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 49,258 miles

This is first Honda we have owned, son has owned Honda's. We brought a Honda because we wanted a safe, reliable car. My husband is disabled and getting him in and out of a car is not easy, the leather seats help a lot. The reliablity of the Honda was very important to us when I transported my husband. We have always maintained this Honda, so when engine light came on I was surprised. Our son, who is a auto mechanic, said if we flushed transmission fluid maybe that would cure the problem, that maybe some thing had gotten in fluid. Son also could not believe transmission was bad at 49,000 miles! We took car to Honda specialist, had fluid completely flushed $139.00, problem did not go away. Took car back, for free they used tester and got three transmission codes. He said if was transmission, quoted me a price of almost $2800.00 Honda dealership where I brought the car wanted $109.00 just to test for the codes. I think Honda should recall and replace free of charge the transmission. It is ridiculous that this car at this low mileage, alway maintained, and never driven roughly should have transmission failure! Thank you for letting me vent. I am going to contact Honda!

- Brenda R., Bettendorf, IA, US

problem #172

Jul 302009

Accord EX 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 85,276 miles

I got a Honda Accord EX 4cyl for Christmas from my husband in 2004. It was the most beautiful car I have ever owned and I loved driving it for 5 years. When it hit 85k miles, the dealership told us that the transmission needed to be replaced and that it was not covered on the extended warranty my husband bought even though it expires at the end of this year! I had to sell it because of the problem but i would easily have kept it if there was not such a problem. I was good to that car and kept it up on every maintenance marker. Honda would not replace it and told us it was going to cost 2200 dollars to fix. That is a very short time to have and own a vehicle only to have to replace the transmission that soon. They say Honda's will run forever, especially Accords but I would like to know why mine would not!!! I now own a Chrysler - Honda sucks.

- lonnamarie28, West Valley City, UT, US

problem #171

Sep 072009

Accord SE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 135,000 miles

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

Honda what a rip off and to know you have a defect out there! I will call about a recall there should be one!

Update from Sep 10, 2009: I called the 1 800 number for Honda and they sort of knew their screwed up product and didn't offer any new warranty or goodwill so as I heard SOL./

Please let other future buyers beware! Choose Nissan

- Rudolph V., Fort Worth, TX, US

problem #170

Mar 102008

Accord Limited 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 63,000 miles

bought this junk because of hondas false reputation. Thats what you get when you listen to all those lying commercials. this is definetly my last honda. back to buying fords.If honda stands up for their name they will fix this ,because i am going to tell 5 other people not to buy hondas. you know what telling 5 people does

- John C., Westfield, MA, US

problem #169

Aug 262009

Accord SE 2.3L 4cy

  • Automatic transmission
  • 155,000 miles

I have had my Accord for 3 years now and everything was fine until 2 weeks ago. Out of no where my Malfunction light went off, so I immediately took it to the shop that always services my car for them to run a test on it and it came back as being the transmission. A day later my car starts to shift really hard and jerky like, and now it is to the point where it has a hard time shifting from 1st to 2nd. When it does finally get into gear it knocks itself in and out of neutral. I have my car serviced regularly and like all of you have said, when I bought this car I was expecting to get 300,000 miles out of it, I mean Honda is supposed to be a great car! Not to mention the price we all had to pay, I have 2 years left to pay on this car and its sitting in my back yard because its going to cost me around $2,500 to have it fixed!!! I called several mechanics, they ALL said to call Honda and ask about a recall because of the number of transmissions going bad they have heard about from people who own a Honda. And when I did that the service guy basically laughed at me for even thinking such a thing as a recall on a transmission. I am very frustrated just as you all are, and I hope that with the power of a crowd, Honda will make something happen. I'm going to call the corporate office and push this.

- Jessica D., Gilbert, SC, US

problem #168

Jul 152009

Accord EX 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 115,000 miles

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

I see alot of transmission problems here with the same Honda car , they should definitely do a recall on these transmissions or repair them for free if they want to keep these soon to be pissed of customers , if i don't get a good deal on my repair , i will swear off Honda and tell everyone i know or meet never to get a Honda, this is ridiculous that we are all victims here of the same stupid transmissions. ive called American Honda they said they may be able to give me a goodwill gesture repair at maybe half the cost that would be more acceptable than paying the full transmission repair, then maybe i wont be so angry at them , someone in Honda needs to step up and resolve this issue!

- ufkes, Seattle, WA, US

problem #167

Jul 222009

Accord 4 Door Sedan 2.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 86,000 miles

i think Honda knew about this problem they should fix it .we need to get a group together and file a law suit .

- marshallm, Savannah, GA, US

problem #166

Aug 012009

Accord

  • Automatic transmission
  • 96,000 miles

Honda should really step up and save their asses because I will, like others herein, become a preacher against Hondas if they do not do the right thing. I just don't buy the argument that mileage had anything to do with this failure. These are faulty transmissions and Honda knows it or at least they should know now and do something about it. I also doubt that driver habits or failure to maintain the vehicle has had anything to do with this many complaints on the save vehicle! Will Honda be the new Ford ? FORD=Found On Road Dead; HONDA= Had One Never Did Again

- frankstillhere, Modesto, CA, US

problem #165

Aug 242009

Accord VP

  • Automatic transmission
  • 76,500 miles

I have a 2002 Accord VP with 76,500 miles, my check engine light came on so I tightened the gas cap and the light went off for a few days. Then it came back on and stayed on. I took it to the dealer and was told the diagnostic test says I need new o2 sensors and the transmission is failing. I called Honda motors and they have opened a case file, I am waiting to hear if they will repair it. The service manager says they may pay for half of it and it could cost around 3,000. I don't know if it's worth fixing unfortunately it does not qualify for cash for clunkers.

- melissact, West Hartford, CT, US

problem #164

Feb 072009

Accord EX 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles

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

When I finished High School I thought I'd purchase a reliable car. With everything I'd heard about Honda, I thought I had made a sensible choice with the 2002 Accord EX 4 cylinder sedan. Biggest mistake of my life! At about 60,000 miles the transmission is slipping and jerking and has almost gotten me into numerous accidents. I did tons of research only to be disheartened by the fact that Honda only extended the transmission warranty (to 7 years) for 1998 to 2001 Accords. Ridiculous! How can they ignore the same problem on the same vehicle for the 2002 model?! I own 3 Toyota vehicles, two of which I purchased after the Accord because I will never, NEVER purchase a Honda again, and I am sure to tell any friend or colleague the same. It's one thing to have a major defect in a mass produced vehicle... it's an entirely different offense to pretend that problem does not exist. And it is just plain BS when you refuse to stand by your product. I'm saving my receipts if I do get a repair because Honda is going to pay for this! 60k miles and the car is a piece of junk. RIDICULOUS!

- david m, Flushing, NY, US

problem #163

Aug 122009

Accord EX V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 45,000 miles

ONLY 45k miles on it and I'm being told that I've got to replace the transmission at a cost of $3000. I can't believe it! When I called American Honda, I got the same, "It's out of warranty" that everyone else got - not on miles, mind you, but on TIME!

Count me in on any class action suits. I'm mad as hell and think that Honda needs to stand behind their products. I'll be calling the NHTSA as another poster mentioned. If enough of us do it, maybe the government will step in and do something about it.

- tomsil, Mount Prospect, IL, US

problem #162

Jul 242009

Accord EX 3.0L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 106,000 miles

I am the only owner of my '02 Accord which I've always done the regular maintenance on. Just hit 106K miles when the check engine light came on and my D4 light started blinking, immediately followed by a hard jerking when slowing down. Promptly took it to a transmissions shop. Got a quote for $2100 (w/ 1 yr warranty) to rebuild the transmission. I plan on getting a second and third opinion on this but based on these complaints, sounds like I'm getting a deal at 2100. I'm definitely on board for this class action suit. I bought Honda to avoid problems like this, especially at only 100K

- mikeri, Rumford, RI, US

problem #161

Jan 012009

Accord EX 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 52,000 miles

After reading about many other complaints on the 2002 Honda Accord Ex 4 cylinder, I realize that I'm just another statistic.It is very hard to believe that any vehicle with around 50k miles would have transmission problems, never mind a Honda.I think that's where the public has been very misguided in buying these vehicles like Gods hand was used only on Honda's. People pay so much more for this piece of junk when they buy one, pay so much more to have it serviced, and still have it crap out at 50k miles.If people stop buying these money pits, Honda may have to start standing behind their products...until then, we need to buy our own American cars.

- Phil F., Jacksonville, FL, US

problem #160

Jul 242009

Accord EX V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 121,000 miles

This is my second Honda Accord with transmission problems. My first accord was a 1999 V6 coupe leased. I was fortunate that I leased it, because when I returned it after 3 years, the tranny was feeling rough. When I returned it, I purchased a 2002 V6 accord coupe afterwards. WHAT WAS I THINKING!? Now, at 121,000 miles and after taking really good care of the car, I don't think the transmission will last much longer. I'm up for a major tune and belt replacement, but I don't know if I should even waste my money on that. Don't know how much longer my tranny is going to last.

- waza8i78, Van Nuys, CA, US

problem #159

Jul 162009

Accord EX V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 115,000 miles

My car when taking off from a stop will jerk and slip it has a hard time going up small inclines. I called Honda Customer Care line and asked if it was under recall since it is apparent is a ongoing problem for owners and they said no. There seems to be ALOT of the same problem!!! I am VERY UPSET with Honda! My car has been very well tajken car of there is no reason it is doing this it looks like a brand new car but now its going to cost me $3000.00 PLUS because they cant honor their PROBLEM!

- Carey T., Lawton, OK, US

problem #158

Jul 012009

Accord ES V4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 127,000 miles

Currently I own two Honda Odyssey 2000, and Accord 2002. My 2002 Accord started to experience problem around Jul 2009. My wife and I are the original owners of these vehicles. The problem with my Accord is that check engine light and maintenance lights are on. When I accelerate from stop, I feel the jerk when it tries to shift to first and second gear. Sometime I see D4 blink when it finds hard to higher gear. When vehicle come to a stop, I feel a sudden jerk. To climb a small hill it is very difficult.

I took the vehicle to local Honda dealer. When I told them about the problem I am experiencing with my Accord, the agent told me that it is most likely a transmission problem, the technician need to perform a complete diagnosis to give an estimate about how much it will cost me. When insisted for a rough estimate, he said it could run around $3000. I came home disappointed, and I tried to find out if anyone has experienced problem like this. To my surprise I found out there are quite a few number having the exact same problem with Honda Accord 2002 model. I called American Honda Corporation Customer Service 1-800-999-1009 to see if Honda can help me to get out of this problem. The answer I get from customer rep, was not encouraging, basically the rep said because the warranty has expired in 2005, they will not cover any cost for repair, and the are not wiling to assist in "Goodwill Repair". I am very unhappy with Honda, and the service I received.

- Dharanidhar K., Alpharetta, GA, US

problem #157

Jul 082009

Accord EX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 110,000 miles

Ok so last year I bought a 2002 Honda Accord Ex...never once was I told that this particular generation Accord had transmission issues...well today at 110,000 miles the transmission went out....might I also add that this car has been perfectly maintained....but much to my surprise Honda said there was nothing they could do since it was never an issue with every 2002 Accord. Since it wasn't with every Accord they said they were not going to help cover the cost of the $2800.00 bill I had to pay to get the transmission replaced.

Update from Jul 11, 2009: Well I took my car into the Honda dealership and sure enough my bill is going to be $2900.00 it's pretty ridiculous if you ask me that we have to come out of pocket on this issue with this particular year Accord...and of course when Honda called me back they said they wouldn't have any answer as far as reimbursement until 7-17-2009 once they have had time to discuss the issue with the dealership that's fixing it....complete bull if you ask me!!!!

- vixen197969, Warner Robins, GA, US

problem #156

Jun 012009

Accord

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,000 miles

LOOKS LIKE A CLASS-ACTION LAWSUIT IS NEEDED TO FIX A KNOWN PROBLEM BY HONDA. SAME PROBLEM AS EVERYONE ELSE. HAVE '02 ACCORD; RAN GREAT; MAINTAINED REGULAR CHECK UP AT HONDA DEALERSHIP; 2 MONTHS AGO STARTED JERKING FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR. HAD TRANSMISSION FLUID REPLACED – DIDN’T FIX THE PROBLEM. NOW I HAVE TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKING, ENGINE LIGHT ON AND TRANSMISSION STILL JERKING AND SLIPPING. TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP. DAVID AT HONDA IN TEMPE SAID "IT WAS NOT A DEALERSHIP PROBLEM, BUT A MANUFACTURER ISSUE.” ORIGINAL TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED (UNDER WARRANTY) IN 9/07 – IT HASN’T BEEN TWO YEARS AND THE CAR NEEDS ANOTHER TRANSMISSION!!!! DAVID SAID HE WOULD CALL CORPORATE “TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANYTHING HE CAN DO.” HONDA REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING. NOW I’M STUCK WITH A PAPER WEIGHT CALLED A HONDA ACCORD…..

FROM THIS DAY FORWARD, I WILL BE A SPOKESMAN AGAINST BUYING HONDA CARS. THEY REFUSE TO STAND UP WITH THEIR PRODUCTS. DO NOT BUY HONDA!! THERE ARE BETTER ALTERNATIVES…

- Rich C., Tempe, AZ, US

problem #155

Jul 072009

Accord EX 4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 147,911 miles

I REFUSE TO FIX THIS CAR FOR $4000. I KNOW PEOPLE WILL SAY ITS THE MILEAGE BUT ITS NOT. HONDA RECALLED 2002 ACCORDS YEARS AGO BUT TO MY SURPRISE I LEARNED ABOUT IT TODAY WHEN I HAD TO HAVE MY BEARINGS REPAIRED. I CONTACTED HONDA WHO SAID THERE WAS NEVER A RECALL. THEY LIED, FIRST A REP SAID MY VIN # WAS NOT RECALLED THEN ANOTHER REP SAID THERE ISNT ANY RECALLS.

WELL I'M GOING TO CONTACT THE NYS ATTORNEY GENERAL B/C THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL & IM ENCOURAGING OTHER NYORKERS & OTHERS FROM DIFFT STATES TO CONTACT ME FOR A CLASS ACTION SUIT. HONDA SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE IN WHOLE OR IN PART.

- Traci W., Albany, NY, US

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