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:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
88,510 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.
Transmission slipping gears. -€œD4-€ blinking on dash. Progressive issue that began irregularly and within a week or two made the vehicle unsafe to drive. This seems to be a known widespread issue for vehicle-€™s year and model with no recalls.
The contact owns a 2002 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while driving, the steering wheel was very difficult to steer in either direction. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the power steering fluid was leaking unto the catalytic converters. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the power steering hose and pump were defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Additionally, while driving a grinding noise was heard coming from the transmission and the transmission started to slip with the check engine warning light illuminated. The mechanic indicated that the transmission torque converter was defective and the transmission need to be rebuilt or replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The local dealer was not notified. The failure mileage was 80,000.
For the steering, the power steering pump doesn't hold power steering fluid and when you go around a curve and there is a bump in the road, your steering wheel jerks the other way. It's way worse with no power steering but it is still there even if you have fluid. The transmission will jump in between first and second gear so roughly it feels like your transmission is going to fall out, sometimes you can't go because of it and it's almost caused some accidents. You can't get up to the speed you need to with it being so rough and jumpy. Then there is a ticking noise when I press on the gas peddle, from the timing belt and transistor. Some of these problems have been happening since I got the car, like the shifting and the steering. The ticking has been there but not as badly as it is now. I also know I'm not the only Honda driver with these issues from this make and model and era for this car.
Defective transmission casing gasket seal causing fluid leak during highway speed. The transmission casing seal was taken apart and found gasket seal deteriorate one specify location.it possible cause by manufacturer process defect or installed during assembly process.quality control inspection bypass.
Defective transmission casing gasket seal causing fluid leak during highway speed. The transmission casing seal was taken apart and found gasket seal deteriorate one specify location.it possible cause by manufacturer process defect or installed during assembly process.quality control inspection bypass.
- West Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Automatic transmission fluid leaking on highway speed due to defective casing seal gasket. Manufacturer process gasket seal was not made properly to specification or possibility quality control inspection bypass the defect.there is a possibility during assembly process by mating the transmission seal joint cause to damage or misalignment the portion of the gasket seal
Automatic transmission fluid leaking on highway speed due to defective casing seal gasket. Manufacturer process gasket seal was not made properly to specification or possibility quality control inspection bypass the defect.there is a possibility during assembly process by mating the transmission seal joint cause to damage or misalignment the portion of the gasket seal
Defective transmission casing seal leaking due to manufacturer process.one area portion was leaking area deteriorate by not having contact two flat surface.I went to a Honda dealership after 4 unsuccessful repair trip and charging me for unnecessary repair until the technician found out it was leaking from the casing seal. I'am just a unsatisfied customer for not getting the job right after 4 failure attempt. I'am not really not sure if the technician did the job right or not? but one thing for sure that I'am not coming back to that same place for future repair!
Defective transmission casing seal leaking due to manufacturer process.one area portion was leaking area deteriorate by not having contact two flat surface.I went to a Honda dealership after 4 unsuccessful repair trip and charging me for unnecessary repair until the technician found out it was leaking from the casing seal. I'am just a unsatisfied customer for not getting the job right after 4 failure attempt. I'am not really not sure if the technician did the job right or not? but one thing for sure that I'am not coming back to that same place for future repair!
Defective transmission casing seal leaking due to manufacturer process.one area portion was leaking area deteriorate by not having contact two flat surface.I went to a Honda dealership after 4 unsuccessful repair trip and charging me for unnecessary repair until the technician found out it was leaking from the casing seal. I'am just a unsatisfied customer for not getting the job right after 4 failure attempt. I'am not really not sure if the technician did the job right or not? but one thing for sure that I'am not coming back to that same place for future repair!
I went to Honda of santa monica 3 times within several days or almost two weeks to fix a transmission coolant line.after 3 attempt replacing washer, gasket. The coolant line is still leaking but not as bad as before.they really tried hard with every effort to stop the trans leak.is it possible the coolant line surface is uneven" the coolant line could be defective due to manufacture process causing to leak from the source? I would like to have NHTSA to investigate the coolant line leakage from the factory where they are manufacture.did quality control bypass the process inspection" there probably thousand of cars out there having the same problem out there and consumer are unaware of it.
The contact owns a 2002 Honda Accord. While driving, the vehicle failed to accelerate and the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 106,284.
The contact owns a 2002 Honda Accord. The contact stated that the vehicle rolled without warning while the gear was in park. The contact called paul moak Honda at 601-352-2700 (located at 802 harding St, jackson, ms 39202) and was informed that there was no recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
The contact owns a 2002 Honda Accord. When the contact started the vehicle and attempted to drive, the gear shifter would not move. The contact stated that the vehicle exhibited the same symptoms as listed in NHTSA campaign number: 05V025000 (electrical system). The vehicle was not taken to a dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 92,000.
Electrical issues with lights, transmission has various issues after I've spent over $2,000 trying to get it fixed. The sensors go out or start acting up a short time after I've replaced them. The car will shut off and leave you to get hit because it takes seconds to minutes to get started again. Lights go on and off on their own.
The contact owns a 2002 Honda Accord. While driving approximately 55 mph, the third clutch of the transmission failed and the vehicle failed to accelerate. After surging back and forth, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was coasted to the right side of the road and towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the third gear of the transmission was faulty. The transmission was rebuilt. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 119,000.
Transmission slippage and jerking when going into gear from a parked position as well as in motion. Several times my Accord would stall because it would not go into gear. It was very embarrassing and dangerous when it happened because I delayed traffic during the rush hour and had my child on board.
When I purchased my 2002 ex Honda Accord in 2015; I thought I was getting a reliable dependable car. Honda is know for its reliability but little did I know that the whole sub-frame (front & back was fully rusted). My SRS warning light comes on quite often. The A/C drain I strongly believe was installed improperly which causes the sub-frame to rust and crack. I bought the car with only 82,358 miles and purchased a extended warranty through Honda dealership which my powertrain only covered up to 90,000 miles. I had taken the car for its first oil change which was at 91,000 miles and all of a sudden I started to have powertrain problems. Even though on my bill of sale it stated as is Honda dealership knew that a customers such as myself would look under the body of the car. I went online and have read numerous complaints about the same problem I was having with this model & year. Also their extended warranty problem was an issue. Why is the federal government & states allowing Honda to sell a car with improperly installed A/C drain, sub-frame rotting & crack issues, transmission failure, defective seat belt sensor. I pray that no one dies from this vehicle. 1999-2002 models. I'm a mother of four with a non-curable disease and I just want my car to be fully repaired at the expense of Honda. Driving on the highway and turning is dangerous for me to be operating but this is my only means of transportation. My mechanic has to me I shouldn't have purchase this vehicle but I didn't realize that Honda would do there customers wrong like this just for a profit!!!!
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Medford, MA, USA