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.
My Honda Accord started acting up in March. As I attempted to drive home from work one day, I felt the car jerk when I pressed on the gas pedal. Then the TCS, Engine, and Driving light turned on. I got scared and I immediately drove it to the mechanic shop. At that point my car had about 93,000 miles. I've always been good at maintaining it, so I couldn't understand what was going on. The mechanic I took the car to couldn't find the problem, so as the problem worsened, I decided to take it to a Honda dealership. There they told me that my transmission was busted. They said it would cost me $4,000. I was so upset!!! I called the Honda customer service department and explained the problem. They said they might be able to help me, and instructed me to submit proof that I had maintained my car all these years. After digging through my records, I found evidence that I had given my car the transmission service. Despite all this, the company is only willing to pay 10% of the cost of the repair. The manager of customer service, Maribel, told me that since my vehicle was not serviced at a Honda dealership, there is no certainty that my car was properly maintained. I pointed out that I had done research online and that many customers were experiencing similar problems. Of course, she claimed that she had never heard of such complaints.
I am so upset! I feel so robbed. I have taken good care of this vehicle, I only drive it to work and back everyday. I swear I will never buy another Honda! I've decided that the car is not worth repairing, so I'm just going to be taking public transportation from now on.
Well, My wife noticed this noise when first she put it on Gear, this noise is like a slam you don't really want to hear. Then things got worse: When about to stop, exactly when tires aren't moving you hear the exact same noise as you are trying to drive off again! So I took it the first time to the car dealer, 1st question: Is it under warranty, no I said. so they drove it, they said it's perfect and can't see where the problem is!!! So i got in the car with the genius, all of a sudden he noticed the noise, duh. So now he is telling me is downshifting/upshifting what a new thing he is telling me about!!!
Today I took the car back, to the same dealer, same routine, the guy said it's ok , it's normal, and then told me about the issues for the 01 and not the 02 accord... Well in this case my care is making an exception! The transmission is bad and about to go worse.
This is what I asked them: The car is paid off, Will they take it from me to buy a new one? their faces went Yellow! Coughs , Emmms and so on. They told me you have to ask the other department.
* When it is the case of no warranty, is there any damage for the dealer mechanic to recognize the issue?
* Did any one complain to the Headquaters for a lack of concern of the dealer's damage estimation?
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A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
My Honda Accord started acting up in March. As I attempted to drive home from work one day, I felt the car jerk when I pressed on the gas pedal. Then the TCS, Engine, and Driving light turned on. I got scared and I immediately drove it to the mechanic shop. At that point my car had about 93,000 miles. I've always been good at maintaining it, so I couldn't understand what was going on. The mechanic I took the car to couldn't find the problem, so as the problem worsened, I decided to take it to a Honda dealership. There they told me that my transmission was busted. They said it would cost me $4,000. I was so upset!!! I called the Honda customer service department and explained the problem. They said they might be able to help me, and instructed me to submit proof that I had maintained my car all these years. After digging through my records, I found evidence that I had given my car the transmission service. Despite all this, the company is only willing to pay 10% of the cost of the repair. The manager of customer service, Maribel, told me that since my vehicle was not serviced at a Honda dealership, there is no certainty that my car was properly maintained. I pointed out that I had done research online and that many customers were experiencing similar problems. Of course, she claimed that she had never heard of such complaints.
I am so upset! I feel so robbed. I have taken good care of this vehicle, I only drive it to work and back everyday. I swear I will never buy another Honda! I've decided that the car is not worth repairing, so I'm just going to be taking public transportation from now on.
- Maria H., Los Angeles, CA, US