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.
I purchased my 2002 Honda in August of 05 from my sister. It had 32, 000 miles then, it now has 46,000. I started to notice a grinding sensation about a week ago, since we have had a lot of snow and ice, I thought it might be some of the road materials used to treat ice. I took it and had the undercarriage washed. The problem was not resolved. I started to pay close attention to the noise and where it was coming from. At first, I thought from the front, and I wondered how my rotors were bad without having the initial squeaking noise of bad brakes, I then remembered, I had the car inspected on August 06, it passed, only mention was the need for new tires before winter. Brakes/Rotors checked out fine. So then I really started to listen, turned off the radio, etc while driving, well, it is coming from the back of the car, and happens while driving. I am furious, we are in the process of closing on a house we purchased, and I do not have the money for this. My opinion is, this was an issue that came out of nowhere and is obviously a defect. If a problem existed with my brakes, I would have known before now, with some signs of squeaking. After reading the story about the Honda at 45,000 miles, it sounded identical to my problem. Is it something to do with that mileage? Any suggestions? Thanks
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
I purchased my 2002 Honda in August of 05 from my sister. It had 32, 000 miles then, it now has 46,000. I started to notice a grinding sensation about a week ago, since we have had a lot of snow and ice, I thought it might be some of the road materials used to treat ice. I took it and had the undercarriage washed. The problem was not resolved. I started to pay close attention to the noise and where it was coming from. At first, I thought from the front, and I wondered how my rotors were bad without having the initial squeaking noise of bad brakes, I then remembered, I had the car inspected on August 06, it passed, only mention was the need for new tires before winter. Brakes/Rotors checked out fine. So then I really started to listen, turned off the radio, etc while driving, well, it is coming from the back of the car, and happens while driving. I am furious, we are in the process of closing on a house we purchased, and I do not have the money for this. My opinion is, this was an issue that came out of nowhere and is obviously a defect. If a problem existed with my brakes, I would have known before now, with some signs of squeaking. After reading the story about the Honda at 45,000 miles, it sounded identical to my problem. Is it something to do with that mileage? Any suggestions? Thanks
- Chrissy H., Jefferson City, MO, US