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.

2002 Honda Accord electrical problems

electrical problem

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2002 Honda Accord Owner Comments (Page 1 of 3)

problem #44

Nov 182022

Accord

  • miles

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

Due to the main relay my 2002 Honda Accord SE shuts off I have replaced the box over and over still repeated the same thing I almost got hit because it shut off in traffic with my kids in the car it is a safety issue as I read on many blogs the same thing is happening to many other Honda Accord owners Honda needs to fix this problem.

- Merced, CA, USA

problem #43

Dec 052020

Accord

  • miles
After reading the description for 2002-06 Honda CR-V power window master switch (pwms) recall (NHTSA recall number 20V-768 issued on 12/10/2020), I realized that my 2002 Honda Accord pwms has similar symptom of warm feeling and stopped to roll down/up windows. Upon googling, there are numerous pwms replacement diy videos with similar failures on youtube. During those years of production, the pwms for CRV and Accord looks similar. Particularly, driver's side pwms on my 2002 Accord has the identical symptom as the 2002-06 CRV has, hereby, exposing to the same safety danger of fire risk. I am filing the complaint to request Honda to issue safety recall driver's side pwms on 2002 Accord.

- Cupertino, CA, USA

problem #42

Mar 242020

Accord 4-cyl

  • 195,000 miles
The radio caught on fire. The car radio the was the original factory installed radio when I purchased the vehicle from albany ga Honda. I did not make any changes or any upgrades to the radio. After I doused the radio with a soda, the speakers were emitting a radio static sound and I could hear the beeping sound of people unlocking their car doors with their devices. The vehicle was parked and the engine was off.

- Albamy, GA, USA

problem #41

May 082020

Accord 6-cyl

  • 153,000 miles

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

I was able to remove my keys from the vehicle while the vehicle was not in park. Other Honda Accord are of the same year have been recalled, except for mine. NHTSA campaign #05V025000 for the other Accord that have been recalled.

- San Fernando, CA, USA

problem #40

Sep 262019

Accord

  • 127,637 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Honda Accord. The contact stated that the check engine and SRS warning indicators illuminated. The contact called bronx Honda (located at 2541 E tremont ave, the bronx, NY 10461, (718) 892-3300) and informed them of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 127,637.

- Bronx, NY, USA

problem #39

Jan 012015

Accord

  • 92,000 miles
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.

- Riverside, CA, USA

problem #38

Jan 022018

Accord

  • 180,000 miles

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

When I utilize my mirror lights when I have the headlights on.. the head circuit will short out, and I will not be able to see how fast I am driving in the night which is a serious safety risk problem.

- Lancaster, CA, USA

problem #37

Jul 112016

Accord

  • 60,000 miles
Takata recall: This vehicle was bought in the usa and sent to greece for use there. We have been trying to correct the air bag issue for several years working with Honda America but there have been no results. The Honda dealership in greece is constantly lying about ordering the parts, no written documentation is ever given to state the parts are ordered, or not in, etc. We've had to get a rental this past summer because of the safety issue. Several letters have been sent to Honda America as well as phone calls and we are being ignored on all ends! what are our rights in this matter" how can we get them to respond and take some definitive action? can we sue" this car also has a recall on an ignition problem.

- Sacramento, CA, USA

problem #36

Dec 012016

Accord

  • 157,000 miles
Took my car to dealer to fix just the airbag issue but got my car back with broken starter relay even if I jump start my car it wont crank

- Fontana, CA, USA

problem #35

Oct 062016

Accord 4-cyl

  • miles
My requires the switch recall done dealer says its not covered by the VIN. I took it into the dealer as Honda recommend I marked the cover with clear tape.they claimed to look at it but didn't. they did get the description of the issue right on the job card. So I did the research I'm ase tech for 15yrs and found Honda document and performed inspection and found that recall should have been done on this car. I went to dealer and got the part listed in the document and compared it to the original and found them to be as described even the materials used on the construction were different and improved on the new parts. I think Honda is lying about how many of these switches are faulty.

- Mesa, AZ, USA

problem #34

Jun 062016

Accord

  • 5 miles

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

My vehicle is rolling over when the ignition is turned off (and key removed) and the transmission in neutral. Honda is not responding to this matter properly.

- Frisco, TX, USA

problem #33

Jun 222016

Accord 4-cyl

  • 251,575 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Honda Accord. The contact stated that the key could be moved from the ignition while in gear and the vehicle can roll away. The manufacturer was notified. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 251,575. Updated 08/17/16 the consumer stated the vehicle rolled away on several occasions and on one of those occasions, the vehicle was damaged. The consumer also stated there was a recall on the SRS. Updated 11/03/16.

- Mesa, AZ, USA

problem #32

May 132016

Accord

  • 39,500 miles
It has been brought to my attention that Honda had a recall in March 2005 on the 2002 Honda Accord for ignition park interlock. I checked the car by leaving it in drive, turned off engine and removed key - car then began to roll backwards. This is what the recall was for. Since the VIN numbers didn't match what Honda determined to be faulty, they now say that it isn't their responsibility. I am confused how this is a safety issue for some cars but not ours. Because it wasn't listed within the range of VIN numbers according to Honda? seems like it should have been.

- Mokena, IL, USA

problem #31

Dec 282015

Accord

  • 125,000 miles
My car is completely unsafe to drive. It stalls while driving. It has stopped on highways, busy intersections, daytime-nightime. Honda dealership as well as other repair shops have told me that nothing shows up on their electrical tests. They test drive and it doesn't happen. The car will go 2 -3 between occurences, but it happens. The ignition switch has been replaced. Presently, the car is a death trap at 125,000 mileage. I have read that this happens to other Honda. If this is true, this warrants a recall. The hood on my Accord does not close. There has been a problem with this for several months.

- Milwaukee, WI, USA

problem #30

Nov 132015

Accord

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Honda Accord. While driving 30 mph, the gauge and RPM unit on the instrument panel became inoperable without warning. The contact stated that the vehicle began to accelerate while attempting to come to a complete stop. The contact also stated that it was extremely hard to slow the vehicle down. The failure occured once. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

- Madison, AL, USA

problem #29

May 012015

Accord

  • 80,000 miles
The SRS dash light came on last month and will not go out.

- Wheatridge, CO, USA

problem #28

Feb 012007

Accord

  • miles
The contact owns a 2002 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while in park, the vehicle would start intermittently. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The technician stated that the immobilizer needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred on numerous occasions. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Paramount, CA, USA

problem #27

Nov 012005

Accord 6-cyl

  • 20,000 miles
I am on my second Honda - the first one was a 1987 Honda Accord that I had for 15 years. I loved that car and had no issues at all with its performance. The car listed with this complaint I bought new in 2002 and still have it today. I am not sure of the dates but within three to four years of having this Honda, the dash board lights stopped working and the driver side airbag returned an error light. I faithfully service this vehicle ( kirkwood auto center wilmington de) and when they investigated the issue, I was told that each of the repairs was not covered by warranty and would be several hundred dollars to repair. I was a single parent at the time and learned to live with no dashboard lighting at night and had the air bags disabled. I have also taken the car to a certified Honda dealer (union park Honda wilmington de) and they also confirmed that neither of those repairs was covered or the product of a recall. I always thought I would buy Honda forever but I am quite disappointed in the performance of this 2002 Accord and how it failed so soon after I purchased it with no recourse but to pay a huge amount of money to fix the issues. Equally upsetting is all of the issues with airbags that are being replaced yet my car, with the failed airbag, would have to be paid by me to be functional. What can Honda do for me to keep me in your Honda family?

- Hockessin, DE, USA

problem #26

Oct 302014

Accord 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 160,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the key became dislodged from the ignition switch and the engine stalled. The vehicle rolled away and crashed into a parked vehicle. A police report was filed and no injuries were reported. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was made aware of recall NHTSA campaign number: 05V025000 (electrical system). However, the VIN was not included. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000. Updated 01/07/14

- Kernersville, NC, USA

problem #25

Sep 292014

Accord

  • miles
The contact owns a 2002 Honda Accord. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the power lock activator malfunctioned. The doors lock and unlock continuously. The failure recurred multiple times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been notified of the issue. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

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