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.
2.5
hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
58,465 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 owns a 2002 Honda Accord. The contact stated that there was moisture dripping from the air conditioner causing the passenger's side sub frame to rust. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 85,000.
TL 2002 Honda Accord. The air conditioner stops periodically a couple of times a week. It completely failed this weekend. There is an odor and she is worried that there may be a short and catch fire. The compressor was replaced. They also replaced the water pump and on the 3rd occasion it was a thermal coupler was also replaced. The dealer stated that they also checked the timing belt. A complaint was filed with the Honda manufacturer and the BBB approximately two weeks ago. The better business bureau stated that they are waiting on a response from the manufacturer. The failure mileage was 90395 and the current mileage was 98463.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Hopatcong , NJ, USA