Severe Issues

2002 HONDA ACCORD Problems

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2002 Honda Accord. This model year has 1,066 NHTSA complaints β€” top issue: Transmission / Drivetrain.

1,066
Complaints
133
Crashes
10
Fires
104
Injuries
3
Deaths
16
Recalls

Before you buy β€” check the actual VIN

This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about the specific car β€” accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks, and open recalls.

Worst 2002 Honda Accord Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#1
483
complaints

Transmission / Drivetrain

Crash-related:6
Fires:3
Injuries:6
#2
275
complaints

Airbag Malfunctions

Crash-related:87
Fires:1
Injuries:80
#3
77
complaints

Structural Problems

Crash-related:7
Fires:1
Injuries:11

Considering a 2002 Honda Accord?

This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car β€” accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).

All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2002 Honda Accord. A single complaint may appear in multiple categories.

ComponentComplaintsCrashesFiresAvg MileageVolume
Transmission / Drivetrain48363β€”
Airbag Malfunctions275871β€”
Structural Problems7771β€”
Electrical Faults70102β€”
Engine Problems5332β€”
Unintended Acceleration47181β€”
Seat Belt Issues398β€”β€”
Brake System3591β€”
Suspension Failures321β€”β€”
Uncategorized Issues2911β€”
Hydraulic269β€”β€”
Steering Defects2441β€”
Seat-Related Issues2071β€”
Tire Issues201β€”β€”
Headlight/Taillight Failures17β€”β€”β€”
Equipment1411β€”
Fuel/Propulsion System6β€”β€”β€”
Visibility61β€”β€”
Wheel Issues52β€”β€”
Fuel System5β€”β€”β€”
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)4β€”β€”β€”
Gasoline4β€”β€”β€”
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility2β€”β€”β€”
Door Lock Issues2β€”β€”β€”
Interior Lighting2β€”β€”β€”
Visibility/Wiper1β€”β€”β€”
Traction Control System1β€”β€”β€”
Electronic Stability Control11β€”β€”
Air1β€”β€”β€”
Other1β€”β€”β€”

Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2002 Honda Accord. Type a keyword (e.g. β€œtransmission”, β€œstalling”, β€œbrakes”) to filter.

πŸ”

Showing 400 most recent complaints of 1,066 total. View all on NHTSA β†—

Airbag MalfunctionsπŸ’₯ CrashNov 8, 2025

Air Bags never deployed in an accident. Honda shows recall work was done prior to collision. Front end collision

Engine ProblemsOct 29, 2025

See attached document for complaint.

Steering DefectsOct 15, 2025

-The front subframe on the passenger side completely rusted through and broke. The driver side is perfectly fine and still has factory paint on it, but the passenger side is completely rusted out. Yes the vehicle and issue are available for inspection. -The front subframe is the…

Structural ProblemsNov 19, 2024

I am writing to express my concern regarding a significant safety issue with my 2002 Honda Accord's subframe. The subframe is rusting severely in the area where the air conditioning drain line drips directly onto it. This design flaw has caused concentrated corrosion over time, s…

Steering DefectsOct 7, 2024

SRS bag light has been on for unknown reason(s). Steering is not good and it got checked they said they fixed issue on it but it does not feel fixed

Airbag MalfunctionsAug 29, 2024

The contact owns a 2002 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the driver's side air bag warning light remained illuminated. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assista…

Steering DefectsAug 7, 2024

The right side of the main front subframe of the car broke. The subframe on the right side was completely rusted out and corroded away. However, the left side of the subframe was perfectly intact with no damage and only minor surface rust. The car has only 50,000 miles on it. W…

Seat-Related IssuesMay 26, 2024

I complained to Joe Morgan Honda that my driver's seat broke from the frame causing it to be a rocking chair and Joe Morgan Honda confirmed that the car needs an entirely new seat because the frame had snapped. Joe Morgan Honda said they don't make the seat anymore and it was imp…

Electrical FaultsπŸ”₯ FireFeb 1, 2024

Car exploded spontaneously. Fire department thinks it started in the steering wheel/ignition area. Vehicle is still parked on the street and is available for inspection. No one was in or around the vehicle, but it seems if someone had been in the car they would certainly have be…

Airbag MalfunctionsπŸ’₯ CrashNov 30, 2023

On Sept. 28, 2023 I was driving this car and it was on a very rough highway and it went into a skid and flipped over and was totaled. It was towed to Willow Creek, CA for one week. I was badly injured and had no way to get to Willow Creek, CA so I had to pay $500 for it to be s…

Transmission / DrivetrainJul 7, 2023

The contact owns a 2002 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while parking the vehicle, the vehicle independently accelerated without warning. The contact stated that the vehicle went over a concrete island with the engine revving and the vehicle accelerating. The contact turned…

Transmission / DrivetrainJun 24, 2023

The ignition system of the vehicle is faulty. The engine keeps stalling intermittently and the vehicle shuts down. The issue has been observed at both low and high speeds. The issue occurs on average once in two weeks. This issue has put our family's safety in jeopardy. We file…

Transmission / DrivetrainMay 7, 2023

This morning, my neighbor came over to see if I heard my car alarm go off. I saw that part of the driver side where the door buttons are located were some what damaged. They must have been trying to open other doors, trunk or something else. I'm not sure how they were able to …

Electrical FaultsDec 12, 2022

Due to the main relay my 2002 Honda Accord SE shuts off I have replaced the box over and over still repeated the same thing I almost got hit because it shut off in traffic with my kids in the car it is a safety issue as I read on many blogs the same thing is happening to many oth…

Electrical FaultsAug 19, 2022

The contact owns a 2002 Honda Accord. The contact stated the key was able to be removed from the ignition while the vehicle was in gear. The contact stated that while the key was in his possession, the vehicle unintendedly reversed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The …

Airbag MalfunctionsπŸ’₯ CrashJun 2, 2022

recalled COMPANY HONDA reason I follow them too much time recalled my car over 10 year from 2007 to now , But It did not work , It is not fix include my car was destroy more , they destroy horn my car more , include cheatting and charged my money Recalled INSURANCE department OF…

Transmission / DrivetrainFeb 19, 2022

Transmission slipping gears. β€œD4” blinking on dash. Progressive issue that began irregularly and within a week or two made the vehicle unsafe to drive. This seems to be a known widespread issue for vehicle’s year and model with no recalls.

Airbag MalfunctionsπŸ’₯ CrashFeb 11, 2022

I was in a car accident I was driving and my airbag was defected

Airbag MalfunctionsπŸ’₯ CrashJan 25, 2022

The contact owns a 2002 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while driving at 70 MPH, the contact crashed into a guard rail, and then the median's metal barrier. None of the air bags deployed upon impact. The contact sustained a bulging disc in her neck, and her husband, who was…

Uncategorized IssuesJul 10, 2021

The back door handles has malfunction. They or unable to open from inside or out. This causes a health hazard to the passengers in the backseat if there was an emergency to get out the back doors because of an accident.

Page 1 of 20

Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2002 Honda Accord.

Recalls for 2002 Honda Accord

16 campaigns

NHTSA recall campaigns for the 2002 Honda Accord. Recalls are free to fix at any authorized dealer. Run a VIN check below to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.

19V182000Jun 3, 2019
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

19V499000Invalid Date
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

15V320000Invalid Date
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

08E050000Nov 8, 2008
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

06E060000Invalid Date
EXTERIOR LIGHTING

06E038000Aug 5, 2006
EXTERIOR LIGHTING

09E012000Jul 4, 2009
EXTERIOR LIGHTING

06E023000Invalid Date
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

09E025000Nov 5, 2009
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

06E064000Invalid Date
EXTERIOR LIGHTING

06E026000Invalid Date
EXTERIOR LIGHTING

06E025000Invalid Date
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

06E032000Invalid Date
EXTERIOR LIGHTING

05V025000Invalid Date
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

06E044000Invalid Date
EXTERIOR LIGHTING

02V226000Invalid Date
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

2002 Honda Accord β€” FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2002 Honda Accord reliable?β–Ύ

Severe Issues. The 2002 Honda Accord has 1,066 NHTSA owner complaints, 133 crash-related, and 16 recall campaigns. The most reported issue is Transmission / Drivetrain (483 complaints). Source: NHTSA via VinSpector AI.

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Honda Accord?β–Ύ

#1: Transmission / Drivetrain (483 complaints). #2: Airbag Malfunctions (275 complaints). #3: Structural Problems (77 complaints)

At what mileage do problems start on the 2002 Honda Accord?β–Ύ

Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.

How safe is the 2002 Honda Accord?β–Ύ

The 2002 Honda Accord has 133 crash-related complaints and 10 fire reports out of 1,066 total NHTSA complaints. 104 injuries were reported. For NCAP lab crash test star ratings, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Does the 2002 Honda Accord have any recalls?β–Ύ

Yes β€” 16 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2002 Honda Accord. The largest issue: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.

Should I buy a 2002 Honda Accord?β–Ύ

The 2002 Honda Accord has severe issues β€” review the top problems before buying. Pay particular attention to Transmission / Drivetrain issues. Always run a VIN check on the specific car you're considering to check for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.

Wider context: See the full Honda Accord reliability report with year-by-year comparison.

Check Your Specific 2002 Honda Accord

Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car β€” accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99.