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:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
50,000 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.
The trunk lid is not stable when lifted up and will fall down easily. For many times, when we are loading stuff into the trunk, the trunk lid will fall down unexpected. The action of puting a luggage or grocery bag into the trunk will shake the car a little bit, which is normal for most cars, but the unusual thing for this Honda Accord is that the trunk lid will fall down by this shaking. I was hit by the trunk lid several times and I would expect some serious injury could happen to someone. Another complaint about the trunk lid is the sealing. I live in southen California so rain is rare. But a heavy rain caused the trunk became a pool and the trunk mat is fully soaked. Although at that time, the car was still under the Honda certified warranty, Honda told me the trunk sealing is not covered. What even angered me about Honda's service is they put an unmatched spare tire into my trunk. I found that out after having this car for more than 2 years and had a flat tire.
- Goleta, CA, USA
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Goleta, CA, USA