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:
7 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
6 / 0
Average Mileage:
100,299 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.
Investigating some strange issues, pulling and clunks at speed and bumps, tranny issues and nose from the front of my car I decided to do an inspection. I took the passenger front wheel off and discovered rust holes right threw the rear beam of the front sub frame! is completely rusted out, this car is a safety hazard. It will not pass inspection in my state and my family and I are terrified to drive it. This Honda has been in my family since new. And has been dealer maintained for all the major service over the past 11 years and this was never seen" its not like it just happened today in March of 2013! I looked around under the car and under the hood, I see the drain tube for the ac drips right on the spot the frame is rusted threw! then I took the drivers side wheel off and there is no rust at all! this is a tragic defect. What if the passenger side frame is to snap when I'm driving it" this is unbelievable that car in other wise pristine condition with only less than 91,000 would have this kind of rust and would have to suffer such a hideous flaw like this. I cant afford to fix this now. Its going to be well over $1500 and not only that my life and my family's life is priceless. Again the rear beam of the front sub frame is rusted threw due to the fact the ac drain tube drips directly on this spot. No other rust on the rest of the sub frame. Potential death trap.
The contact owns a 2002 Honda Accord. The contact stated that he noticed extensive rust on the sub frame below the air conditioning unit. The dealer was notified and advised that there was nothing that they could do to repair the failure. The contact wrote a letter to the manufacturer and was contact by them, stating that they could provide no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 89,660.
The clear coat and paint is almost completely dissolved on the roof, trunk and hood of my nighthawk-colored Honda. This started less than 3 years from the purchase of this car!! I was not aware of all of the other complaints at that time. I have always taken extremely good care of my car, inside and out. It currently only has approximately 45,000 miles on it, and the paint looks absolutely horrid. This is not normal oxidation, it's clearly a defect in the paint, just like all of the other complaints/pictures online of other Honda with the same defective paint issue. Help!
The contact owns a 2002 Honda Accord. The contact was driving 20 mph when she applied the brakes in order to enter a residential neighborhood. She then crashed into another vehicle and the air bags deployed. The air bag crushed and fractured the contact's arm. In addition, the engine was pushed into the vehicle, causing the contact to sustain fractured feet and ankles. The vehicle was towed from the scene. A police report was not available. The vehicle was not inspected. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure and current mileages were170,000.
TL- the contact owns a 2002 Honda Accord. The contact stated that the paint on the hood, roof and trunk of her vehicle turned a different color. The dealer was contacted, but did not repair the failure. The manufacturer was contacted. The failure mileage was unavailable and the current mileage was 18,000.
- Goshen, NY, USA
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There was a rattling sound near the rear door and passenger seat, however the dealer could not duplicate the problem, also the vehicle stalled on numerous occasions.
The glove box does not close properly. Occasionally, the driver seat belt will not retract. Dealer found that the belt was curled/twisted. States driver's seat is loose and sometimes upon acceleration and braking, there is movement in the seat. Dealer found track was faulty, but problem still exists. The airbag indicator light came on. Dealer advised that the required part to rectify the problem would be ordered however no one has contacted consumer regarding this matter.
Driver side seat shakes/moves when accelerating or appling brakes, the dealer replaced the track but the problem still exist, the windshield wipers are sluggish and the left wiper was very noisy and left streak on the windshield, the glove box door would not close properly, the drivers seat belt would not retract intermittently due to the belt being twisted/curled, the left rear door would not close properly, fog lights were out of Focus, the air bag light illuminated.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Lake Grove, NY, USA