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.
7.9
pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$2,500
Average Mileage:
94,950 miles
Total Complaints:
354 complaints
Most Common Solutions:
recall should be issued, replaced @ Honda's expense (188 reports)
replace transmission (53 reports)
not sure (45 reports)
replaced transmission (32 reports)
replaced transmission, split cost with Honda (14 reports)
Honda refused to repair under warranty, had to pay (9 reports)
Bought the car certified used with 19500 miles or so. Worked great. At about 40000 miles the auto would run fine on the highway and city streets if it was cold outside. The summer came and whenever I got off the interstate and hit a red light it would try to move forwards but I had the brakes depressed. Then it would feel like it went into neutral and when I hit the gas it take a split second then engage really hard (jerking sensation) and continue on fine. Took it to honda, said the fluid was burnt and couldn't make the tranny act up. They just changed the filter and fluid. Worked ok until the next summer came and it started to act up again. This is at about 63000 miles. Took it in, called right back and said I need a new tranny put in. With my 100000 mile warranty on engine and powertrain they replaced it for free but took them almost a week to do it. Of course they wouldn't tell what was wrong 'we don't crack them open' he said. I think it was the torque convertor clutch engaging and then letting go but with no check engine lights or anything I guess hondas the only ones who know. It drives fine now with 73000 miles on it and hope thats the end of that.
I think that Honda should be paying for these transmission problems. It appears to be the same issues they had with the 2001 models. They have extended the warrenty why not on this model?
I bought this car to last several years without any problems and until now I didn't have any. The car is 4 years old and needs and new transmission. I have complained to Honda but they won't cover it entirely. I always bragged about how great Honda is and won't buy anything else but my next car won't be a Honda!
Got car back (see prior entry)- took one day, car runs fine. No shifting problem. They found that the engine mounts needed replacing when they swapped out the trans, and they did that for free as well, as another "goodwill" warranty item, even though they weren't under warranty. This was Pasadena Honda in Southern California. They were great. Recommend those who are being told to pay for this repair to mention that some are getting "goodwill" replacement of the transmission-- maybe try other dealers.
2002 Accord EX V6, 69,600 miles. Started having the abrupt shifting problem about 6 months ago, got worse with time. Check engine light, and the green light in the transmission console came on briefly. Researched the web, found that some were getting partial warranty replacement, a few getting full warranty replacement, and many getting no help from Honda at all. Took to dealer today, service writer checked codes in 2 minutes, and said I needed new tranny (not even a test drive). I told him I'd read online that Honda was replacing '02 tranny's as an extended warranty. He checked the vin on his computer, and said he'd replace the tranny with a Honda rebuilt trans, no cost to me for parts or labor. 3 year 36K warranty on new tranny.
So I said OK before he changed his mind. I bought the car elsewhere, one year used, not from this dealer, although I'd been in to this dealer for minor service a couple times previously.
I'd suggest those with this problem go back to dealer and mention you'd read that they can offer a good-will warranty replacement. I'm not sure whether this applies to all '02's, or just certain ones.
- S T.,
La Canada, CA, US
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I bought my car w/ 2 miles and it is on its 3rd transmission. My first remanufactured transmission was done in 04 after 70,000k miles-- I am now replacing my transmission again at 109,000k miles. The first transmission Honda and I split the costs. Two years later I am having to replace it again. According to my mechanic Honda gave me a transmission w/ no dial pins. Therefore my transmission was defected from the start. Honda is refusing to pay for their mistake. Here is my comment: I agree not all cars are created equally but 3 transmission (total) in 5 years, is this the kind of product Honda stand behind?
I was a very happy Honda owner until my transmission went at 72,000 miles. I purchased a Honda because I believed that a Honda was a vehicle that would have a long life. I could have spent a lot less on a vehicle and gotten more life from a transmission than this. I expected a level of quality from HONDA that clearly was not delivered with this transmission. Why do people buy a HONDA? It used to be that there was a certain amount of quality you could expect from HONDA. HONDA should see to it that their customers get at least 100,000 miles out of any vehicle that they put out on the market to keep their reputation. It puts HONDA in a different category as an automaker, to distribute vehicles with less quality than that. very, very, very disappointed that HONDA is not providing a fix for this problematic transmission system.
I have a 2002, 4 cyl. auto. Accord SE with transmission shifting and jerking problems. Problem started around 55,000 miles. Problem is when coming to a complete stop at an intersection transmission will shift into 1st and jerk like someone bumped you in the rear end. Sometimes when accelerating out of 1st going to 2nd the transmission will slip then jerk hard going into 2nd. Took to a local Honda Dealer, was told I needed a transmission flush. I agreed and left with the same problem. I just took it back to the dealer today (12/21/06) (75,000 miles) and was told what I needed to buy for Christmas, a new transmission. The vehicle never showed any service codes. I haven't got any estimates for repairs at this time. I'm not very happy with Honda, I have multiple honda products.
This is my second honda accord that I buy brand new and I've hand transmission problems with both. Both have been maintanence correctly. Both have had slipping problems. Never again will I buy a honda. They say Honda's are the best. I'll make sure that rumor gets interrupted.
2002 Honda Accord LX with 4 cylinders and 4 speed automatic, which had been maintained by Honda upto the breaking point, experienced transmission failure. The initial noise was consistent with a wheel bearing failing, but was not. Transmission fluid began to leak from one of the output shafts and gradually got worse. Cold shifting gradually became worse as time passed to the point of neck snapping. And even after I paid to have them maintain it for the first 60,000 miles, Honda wants $5000 for a new transmission. Instead, I have elected to pay $2000 to a trusted transmission man who has dealt with this problem in the past several times with my model car. But, until I can afford that, it is parked.
This car only has highway miles, tranny started slipping and jerking at 71,000. Took it into honda dealership and told me hey I have to pay 2500 for a rebuilt tranny. These are supposed to be the best cars on the road? Granted it's leased and we're screwed royally, but technically it's honda's car. I heard there was a 2nd recall that quit at 70,000? I can't believe they won't work with us over a matter of 5,000 miles. Plain and simple Honda's SUCK!!!!
Honda has had a problem with their auto transmissions dating back to at least '89. I want to know why they haven't fixed this problem! I paid $23,000 for this car! Everyone said "Honda's are great cars, you'll never have a problem with it!". Yeah, right! This car only has 45k miles on it. I've read other forums with up to 2800 people with the same problem.
Ok, so Honda ended up paying for the transmission, I might add it is REBUILT not brand new. Said it's a factory defect, then why did I have to pay a dime to fix it? I paid the labor and I'm still mad about it. They told me this is the best they can do. Take it or leave it. What choice did I have?!
I personally will keep this car for another year and then it's gone. I will never own another one and I will let everyone I know who is even remotely interested in buying a Honda about the problem I and others had.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Bought the car certified used with 19500 miles or so. Worked great. At about 40000 miles the auto would run fine on the highway and city streets if it was cold outside. The summer came and whenever I got off the interstate and hit a red light it would try to move forwards but I had the brakes depressed. Then it would feel like it went into neutral and when I hit the gas it take a split second then engage really hard (jerking sensation) and continue on fine. Took it to honda, said the fluid was burnt and couldn't make the tranny act up. They just changed the filter and fluid. Worked ok until the next summer came and it started to act up again. This is at about 63000 miles. Took it in, called right back and said I need a new tranny put in. With my 100000 mile warranty on engine and powertrain they replaced it for free but took them almost a week to do it. Of course they wouldn't tell what was wrong 'we don't crack them open' he said. I think it was the torque convertor clutch engaging and then letting go but with no check engine lights or anything I guess hondas the only ones who know. It drives fine now with 73000 miles on it and hope thats the end of that.
- Tim M., Columbus, GA, US