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:
3 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
84,983 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.
Automatic transmission differential and carrier bearings are damaged - car has been meticulously cared for by the dealer but transmission has to be replaced.
2002 Honda Accord V6 with 52,114 miles went out now I have to replace transmission Honda dealer said it failed. Now it cost me $3068 dollars. I cant believe with low of mileage there has to be a defect please advice. Thank you.
Noticed fluid on driveway. Brought car to mechanic, where we were told the transmission needed to be replaced. We had bought the car new in 2001 and it had only 78,000 miles on it. It ended up costing us close to $1,900 to fix.
Torque converter failure, transmission would not up shift at times or severe jumping when it would shift; also it would down shift at normal driving speed causing a sudden slowing of the car.
The contact owns a 2002 Honda Accord. While driving, the transmission would slip gears. This condition causes the vehicle to lurch forward without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealership for inspection. The technician stated that the transmission needed to be replaced. The transmission was replaced twice prior to the recent failure. The current and failure mileages were 140000.
- Newark, DE, USA
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The contact owns a 2002 Honda Accord. When he applied pressure on the accelerator pedal the vehicle would hesitate and then lurch forward. The vehicle was taken to a transmission specialist for inspection. He was advised that the automatic transmission needed to be replaced. He planned to take the vehicle to the dealership for confirmation. He had not spoken with the manufacturer to-date. The current mileage was 144,054. The failure mileage was approximately 144,000.
I own a 2002 Honda Accord ex V6 and as of 2009 I am at approximately 60K. Now the transmission needs to be replaced. This is a known manufacturer defect, and Honda settled a lawsuit for only the 1998-2001 models, extending the warranty. Hundreds of 2002 Accord owners are experiencing the same issues as the 98-01 owners. Honda corporate refuses to cover replacing the defective transmission. While driving the vehicle my transmission slipped in first gear and I almost caused a pile up on the freeway. This vehicle is a safety hazard and has an obvious defect. Honda must take responsibility for this problem before someone gets killed in an automobile accident. My grandparents drive this vehicle and give rides for my younger cousins. If they get in an accident from this transmission failure and get injured or killed Honda will be solely responsible. I previously alerted Honda over 1 year ago about this defect, but they only recommended a transmission flush and sent me along disregarding my complaints. Honda must recall all 2002 models or extend the power train warranty for these vehicles like they have for 1998-2001 models. The redesigned 2002 transmission is failing left and right like the previous models and it is an obviously danger. Considering that 600,000 Honda Accord of the same year are on the road we are looking at a major catastrophe. Thank you, james H. kwon
I bought my 2002 Honda Accord because I have heard so many compliments regarding Honda. I am so disappointed. I bought my automatic Honda new and soon noticed a jerking when moving from one gear to the next, however when I made the 2 1/2 hour drive to the santa rosa, ca dealership where I had bought the car they said that my transmission was fine that in this model it just isn't as smooth as some. The issue kept becoming more obvious and when I brought it in for the 40,000 tune-up I went ahead and paid to have the transmission serviced even though it is not normally scheduled until a later tune-up. Still the jerking and hesitation moving between gears and the staff insisting they saw no problem, but everyone else who rides in my car notices it. I have had some dangerous calls in heavy traffic and now I don't even try to make lane changes unless I allow for the hesitation and lunging as I cannot just zip into traffic safely as others can. Even when its not dangerous, it is plain annoying to have bought a new car and with all the jerking it feels like it going to break down like a old jalopy. I really am frustrated both with the car and the fact that nothing was done when it was under warranty, now that it is out of warranty they do notice a problem but it would be very expensive to fix. By the way this dealership has award-winning service signs on their wall!
I own a 2002 Honda Accord, which has 90K miles on it currently. Over the past year car hesitates and shifts hard. There have been numerous times when turning in front of oncoming traffic when this hesitation would almost cause an accident. Having a car that hesitates when it shifts is very dangerous because other drivers are not aware of this and expect your car to accelerate normally. There are other times when approaching a stop light/sign when the car would downshift hard causing a quick deceleration and the cars behind me would nearly rearend me. This typically occurs about once a week and has been going on for almost a year. I am a college student who cant afford the repairs of an accident or a faulty transmission. This problem is a definitely a safety problem and people need to open their eyes and take action.
The contact owns a 2002 Honda Accord. While driving the vehicle at various speeds, she noticed that the transmission was slipping between gears. The dealer stated that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was also making a noise when the transmission shifted from park to reverse. The current and failure mileages were 72000.
2002 Honda Accord 4 cyl ex transmission failure at 34,000 miles, see alot of problems on line about this problem. Car transmission is slipping and will not move when you step on the gas pedal.could be a very potential hazard when starting out in traffic.
The contact owns a 2002 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while he was driving at various speeds his transmission shifted into neutral. The vehicle failed to shift into the correct gear after the failure occurred. The dealer advised the contact that they were aware of the transmission problem and he would be responsible for paying to have the vehicle repaired. The failure mileage was 60,000.
The contact owns a 2002 Honda Accord. Her engine warning light was illuminated on the instrument control. Also when driving, the transmission would intermittently slip gears. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and a technician stated that the transmission needed to be replaced at an expense of $3500. The manufacturer was notified, but no assistance was provided. No repairs were made. The failure and current mileages were 111,000.
The contact owns a 2002 Honda Accord. The contact stated that her transmission failed. The dealer advised her that she needed to replace the transmission. The dealer also stated that she would be responsible for paying the repair cost. There were no related recalls or warranties. The failure mileage was 80,000. Updated 12/01/09 updated 12/03/09
My transmission in my 2002 Honda Accord V6 stays in first gear for some time before violently kicking into second. My problem is that I live on busy streets and when I pull out onto one of these streets, I am unable to accelerate at the rate of speed the oncoming traffic is going. Thus, cars are slamming on breaks to avoid slamming into the back of me. Several close calls. No action taken yet since I heard Honda does nothing for you and I am unable to afford the costly repair.
The contact owns a 2002 Honda Accord. She applied pressure on the accelerator pedal at approximately 45 mph, but the vehicle would not accelerate. The driver pulled over to the side of the road with caution. The roadside assistance was called to the scene. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for inspection. The failure was contributed to the transmission which required replacement. The vehicle has not been repaired for the malfunction at this time. The failure and current mileages were 94,000.
The contact owns a 2002 Honda Accord. While driving the check engine warning light illuminated on the instrument control panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealership, and a technician concluded that the transmission needed to be replaced. The current and failure mileages were 81000. Updated 11/12/09 updated 11/16/09
2002 Honda Accord ex transmission failure torque converter failure, transmission would not up shift at times or severe jumping when it would shift; also it would down shift at normal driving speed causing a sudden slowing of the car. I was pulling out onto the highway when it slipped and could only see a truck barreling towards me. Luckily, there was no one in the left lane and they switched before I could get my car off the road. This is a serious safety issue where the lives of those riding in a Honda 2002 are at risk.
Transmission slipping - occurs all the time; therefore making the RPM's race, reducing fuel mileage and eventually complete failure. Vehicle was initially evaluated by auto alternative, nicholasville, ky not knowing there was a major problem. They flushed the transmission, scoped it and then said the transmission was going bad and would need to be replaced. Then took it to powers transmission and they verified the same information. Then took it to don jacobs Oldsmobile Honda and they verified the same information. Then begin to look on-line to warranty/defect issues with 2002 Honda Accord and found hundreds of issues w/lots being transmission problems and many complaints being filed through this website. This indicates to me that Honda has known of transmission defects but didn't seem to recall or extend warranty on this year like they did on the 1999 - 2001. This has become a major problem for me since it is going to cost over $2,000 to replace this transmission. I can't afford to buy another car and would get no decent value on a trade-in. I feel that american Honda corporation should be willing to help me with the cost of repair. This is the 2nd Honda Accord I have owned and how quick of a response I get from Honda will determine if I ever purchase another car from Honda. Honda's should last as long as Toyota's and I feel this car should last at least 150,000 miles. That is what I get on my Toyota's. please help!
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Bellevue, WA, USA