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 purchased Honda cars for over 2 decades, but the problems with the transmission is giving me second thoughts of purchasing another Accord. Since there seems to be a rash of complaints about the transmissions, I feel Honda should partially compensate the cost of repair.
My 2002 Accord SE was purchased brand need on October 13, 2001 off the car lot and in October 2002 or 2003 transmission went out. I had Honda fix with re-manufactured transmission and now I took car to dealership due to "check engine" light came on 9/22/15. Went to dealership on 9/23/15 and am told that 3rd Gear Pressure Switch requires replacement, Torque Converter Failure and ATF is burnt. Cost to replace Transmission is $3,670.. My car has only 104,475 at dealership. I wonder if I should call American Honda after reading website. This is the 2nd transmission failure. I need help as to what I should do.
I took my car to the honda dealership to have this looked at and was told my transmission was fine and that I needed motor mounts - not an inexpensive solution to a non motor mount problem. Will not go to the dealership ever -
the check engine light comes on - this has actually been going on for YEARS - now the mileage is 227000 miles
I am tired of thinking about this and having no solution - what might I expect
the paint is peeling on this car for no reason - I park indoors - yikes where are the honda recalls?
As a result of check engine light coming on, took car into the dealership. They indicated "a A/T system malfunction. Suspect transmission may be in need of replacement soon. Trans fluid is very dark/dirty. Suspect lack of maint. Recommend flush however may be too late to save trans"
Every bit of service work has been done at the dealership. There were several trans flushes performed before this assesment. When the lack of naintenance comment was brought to the service reps attention, he checked the vehicle mainetence history and saw the previous flushes and conceded the comment was not warranted. All of the required service had been done on the vehicle.
Took the vehicle to a third party tranmission repair shop who confirmed the trouble and performed a flush.
Reconfirmed diagnosis at the dealership on June 30, 2011. Estimate for remaned transmission $3788.37 plus $775.04 for a torque converter.
This is the second torque converter to die in my 2002 Honda Accord. This will be my third transmission for my 2002 Honda Accord with only 146,000 miles. My motorcars representation worked with American Honda to replace my transmission at no cost to me. Their offer was to give me the rebuilt transmission for only $1,700 and pay $586 on the labor. My portion of the rebuilt trans would be at a cost of $2,134.34. It's only four years since they put in a brand new transmission. Which I had to fight for because it was out of the warranty period. American Honda does not have new transmission for the 1999 - 2002 Honda Accords. You have to get a rebuilt transmission for these years. I found a place that would rebuild my trans for $1,200 and asked American Honda to pay the $1,200 since they were will to paid the dealership a portion of the cost for repair. After three days of the dealer negotiation with American Honda. They said no! I believe that they are aware of the torque converter problem, but has choose not to do a recall to save dollars for the company.
- sfrose,
Cleveland, OH, US
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This was the first time my car torque converter failed. I had to speak to American Honda myself to have them to replace my transmission with a new one. I had to paid the $500.00 installment fee. I purchase my 2002 Honda Accord new in 10/31/2001. The car was less than five years old with 71,000 miles on it when the transmission died. I will add another log. It's 146,000 later and my torque converter has failed.
The torque converter is going bad and I want to know if this was a Honda recall for the 2002 transmission. I see in the report that I am not the only driver having problems.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
I have purchased Honda cars for over 2 decades, but the problems with the transmission is giving me second thoughts of purchasing another Accord. Since there seems to be a rash of complaints about the transmissions, I feel Honda should partially compensate the cost of repair.
- Michael M., Victoria, TX, US