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.
The brakes on this car will not stop pulsating!!!!!
I have replaced the rotors and pads 4 times and I have only owned the car for 3.5 years! Every time I replace the brakes they are smooth for maybe 2 months and then YIPPIE! my brakes are so bad that the steering wheel is shaking wildly every time I hit the brakes. Of course, at higher speeds, like on the highway, you have to hold on tight so that the steering wheel doesn't take off on you while you slow down.
Do I need to put high performance, slotted brake rotors on this stupid car to manage the heat?
I met a brake problem similar to Toyota accelerator pedal problem on 11/17/2009. The car could not be stopped although I applied the brake sharply at about 20-30mph. Then my accord hit the front car in the street. It looks like the accelerator is on and the speed keep going until it hit another car.
i ask the honda dealer i had a trip from Ensenada B.C. to Mazatlan is a 2 day trip and when i arrive to mazatlan it had almost time for the apointment at the dealership in mazatlan 2nd one for almost 10 000 km i told them the brake pedal started vibrating also the steering wheel and told me it was due to alot of highway driving and one of the front disk brakes "crystallized". they did not do anything when i went back they started to annoy me so went to the dealership in Tijuana 100km away in the border whit san diego CA and did nothing just sprayed the disk with something it was still on warranty... almost new. just bought it an October the 30th earlier. one year later my son got really angry that his aunts same car a year older did not had a problem cause honda MExico Optima dealership told they it was normal. so we went to the dealer and they only like scraped the disk both frontal but that takes like a couple of years of life they did not replace them. i was really angry. honda should do something about it.... it stopped for a while and now 6 year later is happening again. the steering wheel stating to vibrate allso the brake pedal and it is scary for me the driver and son... they should recall
Bought the car certified used in may 05, 16,000 miles. march 06 had to have the front pads and rotors replaced, brakes were pulsating and making a lot of noise, mileage 30000 miles. at that point i thought it was ok. i do a lot of 'city' driving. now after reading all these postings i think there is a problem. now august of 07. the rear pads are down to 2mm and i am getting the pulsation from the brake pedal. took it in for an oil change they check the car was able to replicate the pulsing. the dealer adjusted the pads and sanded the rotors. told me to get the pads done asap for $287 or the rotors would need to be done also. today is tuesday, this happened last thursday. i am not driving the car, driving my girlfriends car. just does not seem worth $287 for a set of brake pads. trying to find aftermarket pads that would stop better and costs less. stopped at autozone, pads cost about $55. worst part is we have had a ton of rain in chicago and we all know how the oem michelins suck once they get past 35k miles. needles to say i will get new pads and tires, as i have wanted this car for a while. it runs great. just THE BRAKES AND TIRES SUCK.
After doing a 96,000 km Type 4 service on my Accord the brakes felt different. On my first highway trip the brakes shuddered badly while going down a long hill and applying the brakes.
I went back to the dealership and the service person assured me that it was nothing they did because they did not remove any of the brake components. I checked with a Honda dealer in a nearby town and they informed me that during a Type 4 service the brake components are removed from the car, cleaned, lubed and adjusted.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
The brakes on this car will not stop pulsating!!!!!
I have replaced the rotors and pads 4 times and I have only owned the car for 3.5 years! Every time I replace the brakes they are smooth for maybe 2 months and then YIPPIE! my brakes are so bad that the steering wheel is shaking wildly every time I hit the brakes. Of course, at higher speeds, like on the highway, you have to hold on tight so that the steering wheel doesn't take off on you while you slow down.
Do I need to put high performance, slotted brake rotors on this stupid car to manage the heat?
- Jason D., Grandville, MI, US