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:
5 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
89,997 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 when the car was not in park, the key could be removed from the ignition erroeneously. In addition, the vehicle would roll backward. The failure was recurring. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the key should not be taking out of the ignition without being in parked. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 108,000.
SRS warning light came on while parked. Took vehicle to dealership, where diagnostic service showed the driver's side seat belt detection mechanism was failing to function properly. This safety system is connected to the airbags, but is not covered under warranty (per american Honda and local dealer). This malfunction is a known problem, but Honda will not repair/replace without charging customer, thereby putting lives and safety at risk in the name of profit.
The contact owns a 2002 Accord Honda. The contact stated that the key would not fit securely in the ignition. The key would become loose and dislodge from the ignition sporadically while driving at various speeds. The manufacturer was contacted and advised that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign id number: 10V364000 (electrical system: Ignition). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 94,000 and the current mileage was 142,000.
The contact owns a 2002 Honda Accord. The contact stated that she was able to remove the key out of the ignition while the vehicle was still in drive. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who stated that due to the mileage on the vehicle, it surpassed the statue of limitation and was no longer eligible for repairs under recall NHTSA campaign id number: 05V025000 (electrical system:ignition:switch). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 100,000.
The contact owns a 2002 Honda Accord. The contact stated that the air bag warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact also mentioned that whenever the air conditioner was turn on the vehicle would shake violently. The vehicle was taken the dealer who was unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 135,000.
- Flushing, NY, USA
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The contact owns a 2002 Honda Accord. The contact exited the vehicle after removing the key from the ignition and the vehicle began to roll away. The contact was able to enter the vehicle, apply the parking brake and stop the vehicle from rolling away. The contact noticed she had removed the key while the vehicle was still in drive and not in park. The contact applied the parking brake. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign id number: 05V025000 (electrical system:ignition:switch) but was advised by the manufacturer that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.
SRS light stays on. Seat belts were replaced and warning light reset, but came on after a couple of miles. Now there is a recall on the air bag inflators, but the seat belt control module, which activates the inflators is defective, and not covered under any update or recall program. I understand that the air bags will not deploy in a crash if the SRS light is on. This is a fairly common problem and in my opinion should be covered under a federally mandated safety recall with no charge to the consumer.
The contact owns a 2002 Honda Accord. While driving approximately 15 mph, the engine stalled with the illumination of all the warning indicators on the instrument panel. The failure occurred three times when driving at a low speed. There was a recall under NHTSA campaign id number 05V025000 (electrical system: Ignition: Switch); however the VIN was not included. The contact planned to take the vehicle to the dealer for diagnosis. In addition, the transmission would slip in a jerking motion whenever the vehicle was in operation. The manufacturer was notified of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 87,000.
My transmission does not engage in drive when in the cold weather. After the car and restarting it starts working but check engine light was on. I took the car to the Honda dealer and they called Honda service dept. Supposedly, my ECU is faulty and needs replacement. But my transmission could also need replacement after fixing my ECU. Now I am afraid driving my car thinking what if transmission fails while I am on the highway. My transmission has already failed once at around 40,000 miles in 2005. I thought it was a one-time thing and got the repair done at that time. Unfortunately, my model Accord V6 2002 was never the part of Honda transmission recalls despite having exactly same problem. Also, I do not trust Honda check engine light codes. For years my SRS light for passenger seat belt was always on. Everytime dealer told me that I ECU has failed. After driving my car for 5 years with unsafe conditions, Honda finally had a recall of SRS module and now it the light is gone. With the same ECU.
The contact owns a 2002 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact was able to remove the key from the ignition without shifting the transmission into park. The vehicle then rolled away and crashed into another vehicle. There were no major damages. The vehicle was then taken to an authorized dealer where they advised the contact that the interlock malfunctioned and needed to be replaced. The dealer also stated that the VIN was not included in the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number: 05V025000 (electrical system:ignition:switch). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 70,000 and the current mileage was 161,000.
When we purchased this 2002 Honda Accord ex in March of 2010 the clock backlight did not work. About 2 months ago the gear shift console backlight went out. The only way we know at night what gear we are in is to view it on the dash. Now the backlighting for the climate controls has gone out. We understand that this has been a problem for many years now and there has been very little positive help from Honda. To get this fixed I understand that the whole radio must be replaced because of the interlocking electrical systems at a cost somewhere around $1000.
While driving the vehicle, the engine just quits. There is no stuttering, stalling, or engine misfires, it quietly just quits. The radio, ac/heater fan, brake lights still work but not the signal lights, windows, instrument panel. After researching the internet on this issue, faulty ignition switch keeps coming up.
Ignition key can be removed from the ignition when gear shift is not in the "parked" position. Therefore, vehicle is able to roll when driver exits vehicle, resulting in damage and/or injury.
The contact owns a 2002 Honda Accord. The contact stated that the vehicle was included in the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 10V041000 (air bags). The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where they refused to perform the repairs because the odometer was not reading the mileage. The manufacturer was not notified of the situation. The failure and current mileages were 113,000.
The contact owns a 2002 Honda Accord. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked when it began to roll backwards down a hill. The contact was able to enter the vehicle, apply the brakes and shift it into park. The keys were removed from the ignition prior to the failure, so the contact believed that the vehicle must have also been shifted into park before it began to roll backwards. The vehicle was inspected by an independent mechanic, who stated that the ignition switch needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 05V025000 (electrical system:ignition:switch). The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 132,000.
The contact owns a 2002 Honda Accord. The contact stated that he was able to remove the key from the ignition while the vehicle was still in drive. The vehicle would not restart until it was shifted from drive into park. The vehicle was not taken to have the failure diagnosed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was advised that the vehicle was not included in the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number: 05V025000 (electrical system:ignition:switch). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 108,600.
The contact owns a 2002 Honda Accord. The contact stated that the key could be removed from the ignition without the vehicle being engaged in park. The contact called the manufacturer who stated that there were no related recalls and she would be responsible for repair costs. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.
2002 Honda Accord, 4 cyl, coupe, SE: Flashing D4 light, and check engine light come on. Car feels as it is "slipping" into and out of gears, when taking off aggressively accelerating, and stopping.
I have a 2002 Honda Accord and have experience that my vehicle has been shutting off while driving and/or coming to a complete stop. I have check the recalls regarding the problem with Honda corporation and notice that the problem also exist in the Honda civic, involving the ignition switch. I have contacted Honda and was told that the Accord doesn't fall into the recall, because it is a Accord and not a civic. I had to replace the ignition switch to solve the problem that Honda would not cover.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Billerica, MA, USA