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 have had brand new cars and cars older than 20 years but never had to replace a transmission and to top it off under 37,000 miles. I was unemployed looking for jobs and this happened on the way to my brothers college graduation. I was pissed off, stressed and wanted to blow the car up. I had just had the car inspected the previous month and nothing at that time. Within 1 month of an car inspection this happened. I could not afford to buy another car so I had to borrow money that I did not have to pay back right away. My brother let me borrow the money and when I got a part time job and started to pay him back I just fell further behind on all my other bills. I had no other times to report except for this one!! Once again inspection 1 month later a transmission replacement. 1st time ever with a Honda and most likely the last.
Vehicle has been well maintained and has not been abused or driven "hard". Looking for suggestions as to how I can eliminate or minimize repair expenditures. Very disappointed that Honda has not had a recall on this problem which seems to be widespread.
This car was brand new and the first 30k miles were straight fwy miles. I never suspected it was going to be one more of Honda's sh*tty cars!! I always thought Honda's were top cars but now I can't even describe them, specially if they don't do anything about my problem'
- Ludmila A.,
Simi Valley, CA, US
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
Time to Man Up, Honda. You have been selling unworthy Hondas for years and years. You cannot expect buyers to foot the bill for your mistakes regarding the transmissions in these cars. Not owning up to your mistake will lead to the eventual collapse of your once proud company.
The "Check Engine" light illuminated, while the "D4" automatic transmission indicator on the dashboard flashed off and on at the same time. It slipped terribly from 1st to 2nd The reason for check engine light is the codes p0730(incorrect gear ratio), p0780(Shift Malfunction). The 1st thing the "professionals" at Honda dealership say is "needs a new transmission" and it would cost approximately $3,000 - $4000 to repair. It is not what I would afford to pay. My mechanic fixed the tranny for $650 by replacing the internal transmission filter which becomes clogged with gunk.
I love my car other than this issue. The more I research it the more I see basically I'm going to have to come out of pocket for a new transmission... which I don't have the money for. There seems to be no real resolution every mechanic has a different solution for this (solenoid, transmission fluid change, don't change the transmission fluid and wait til it falls out). Also the more I research I find this is happening in record amounts to people with the 2002 Accord I really would like to know why the recall wasn't offered to us? Well I guess this is just one more complaint on the pile for Honda, you almost had me as a life customer....
I HAVE BEEN A BIG FAN OF HONDA VEHICLES MOST OF MY LIFE. MY FAMILY MEMBERS OWN HONDAS. THIS IS MY FIRST HONDA AND MAY BE MY LAST. THE TRANSMISSION SHOULD NOT HAVE THIS KIND OF TROUBLE SO EARLY. UNDER A 100,000 MILES AND POSSIBLY FAILING. THEY SAID TO REPLACE LINEAR SOLENOID AND IF THAT DON'T WORK,REPLACE TRANSMISSION. REALLY????? REPLACE TRANSMISSION AT 99,685 MILES. CHRYSLER TRANSMISSIONS LAST LONGER THAN THAT!!!!!! I AM A SERVICE WRITER AT A LOCAL USED CAR DEALERSHIP AND HAVE NEVER HEARD OF HONDA CARS HAVING ISSUES LIKE THIS IN ANY OF THEIR VEHICLES. I SEE THAT THERE ARE RECALLS FOR THE 2003-2006 HONDA ACCORDS,PILOTS AND ODYSSEY'S,WHY DID HONDA SKIP THE 2002 ACCORDS?? REALLY WISH HONDA WOULD STEP UP AND TAKE CARE OF THEIR CUSTOMER'S OR YOU WILL LOSE THEM. I MAY BUY A TOYOTA OR CHEVY VEHICLE NEXT TIME,IF SOMETHING IS NOT DONE SOON. I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE 2002 ACCORD TRANSMISSION ISSUE!!! IT'S RECALL TIME HONDA,RECALL TIME......
I've got a transmission rebuild back in April, and it started to cause problems again, and its a pain in the ass when I start my car up in the morning, because my engine light comes on, and reads these THREE codes P0780 P1750 P1751. My mechanic read the code P1750 and P1751 and said that the OBD reader did not recognize the code for my car. I got the transmission rebuilt 3 times already, one back in October 2010, and then again in April 2012, and again this month (June 2012). When i start my car up in the morning and start driving it and do not warm it up a little bit, the car does not shift gears, and starts to rev the engine and making the car sound like its in neutral, and my D4 light starts flashing too. My car also starts jerking so much when ever i put it into reverse, and when ever I'm driving and my car gears down, and i start to accelerate again, the transmission seems to jerk into gear again. In my opinion i believe that the damage should be covered at Honda's expense since its a reoccurring situation
This problem is killing my car, and apparently may cost me over 2000 dollars. I can't believe that honda won't cover repairs for 2002 honda accords, while it had recalls from 2003 and up. I will never again buy a honda or accura vehicle again. And I will advise the same to everyone I meet.
Honda wanted to charge me $4,700 for a new transmission..not including labor and tax. The average cost online is $2,600. Am I paying for the fees from their lawsuit on the 2003?
I read all the reviews online about a 2002 Accord, I have to say my respect for Honda just went down the tubes. This is my 4th Honda and I will not be buying another one at all. Too bad they didn't just suck it up and recall this year as well.
I was advised to call Honda and ask if they could help with the transmission repair bill. I hope I can get some help with this. The car is not even 80,000 miles and the transmission is going..I think the right words are: Contamination of the linear solenoid and its associated passages inside the transmission. I noticed that drives fine in the morning and by 5:30pm with the heat and the stop and go traffic and interstate speeds it jerks often. Too bad I had the car for 9 years I drive fast 70-80 mph, but I don't think I could have done anything more if the problem is the design of the transmission.
The car is in pristine condition, always kept in a garage. Engine light came on, took to dealer and was advised to drive it until the transmission goes and put a new one in. Car only has 75,100 km and has been driven by a woman driver, VERY gently.
THE CAR HAS BEEN MAINTAINED BY HONDA DEALERS SINCE NEW. WITH ONLY 42,000, THERE SHOULD NOT BE A NEED FOR A NEW TRANSMISISON. MULTIPLE SERVICE MGRS HAVE TOLD ME THIS IS A "KNOWN PROBLEM" AND TO CONTACT HONDA DIRECTLY.
THE TRANSMISSION WAS SERVICED BY A HONDA DEALER AT 25K MILES AND THEY PUT A "SPECIAL ADDITIVE" IN THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. WONDER WHY?
THE CAR POPPED A CODE ON FEB 1, 2011. THE ONLY SOLUTION, PER THE DEALER, IS TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. THE DEALER RESET THE CODE AND THE CAR AND TRANNY APPEARS TO DRIVE FINE. SHOULD I WAIT FOR THE OTHER SHOE TO DROP?
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2002 Accord v6 transmissions suck. Should be recalled. Honda used to have a good reputation for reliability. In my opinion not anymore.
- Pete K., Duluth, MN, US