Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2002 Honda Accord owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
While driving on freeway vehicle accelerated, continue to gain speed. Had to brake real hard, vehicle cont. To accelerate. Exiting freeway at high speed, blow a stop sign could not stop. Continue hard braking caused brakes to catch fire. Finally able to bring vehicle to a complete stop. Unknown what caused veh. To accelerate
I recently had new tires put on my Honda Accord, along with a lower control arm replacement and caliper/rotor repair/replace. Upon picking up my car the technician asked me to come out to the garage - my car was on a lift - he showed me something alarming....the sub frame is rusting out - toward the passenger side of the car. There is about a 2" x 3.5" hole in the frame. When I got home I googled this issue and found quite a few comments/complaints on various boards about the same issue on similar year vehicles. Most of the comments also said the complainant found out that in the model years 1998-2002 the design allows the ac condenser outlet drip water on the sub frame at this exact point. This sounds like something Honda needs to ante up to repair. I had planned to keep my Honda until at least 200,000 or more miles, now not so sure that is a wise idea.
I was able to remove my keys from the vehicle while the vehicle was not in park. Other Honda accords are of the same year have been recalled, except for mine. NHTSA campaign #05V025000 for the other accords that have been recalled.
The first incident happened as I was proceeding through a yied sign, the vehicle which preceeded me had come to a complete stop. When I applied my brakes, the car did not stop. The brake pedal was all the way to the floor. The only thing stopping the car was the impact with the other vehicle. Because everything happen so fast, I assumed that I did not react quickly enough. On 1/24/03 was the second time this happened, there were two passengers in the car with me who witness the brake incident again. This time as I tried to vere to the right to avoid an accident, the steering column was locked and I was unable to steer the car. Again the only thing that stopped the car was the impact. In both situations I was not traveling at a high rate of speed and there was ample time for the car to stop had the brakes worked. …
Dt: while driving, the vehicle ran great until 57000 miles, when the ABS system failed. When driving 55 MPH, came to a railroad crossing and applied when the brakes failed. Brakes pressure was felt but brakes did not grab and extended stopping distance was needed, and driver to engage the emergency brake in order to stop the vehicle. This occured on dry pavement on flat surface. Brakes were applied under normal braking conditions. The ABS system is 4 wheel antilcock. There was no warning prior to failure. No problems with brakes before. When brakes were applied, the brake pedal did not feel any different than normal. Has had an estimate from a dealership, dealership reports that entire system must be replaced and all lines flushed at a cost of 2,300. Vehicle is regularly serviced with records available.
My wife and I each separately encountered issues with steering and brakes possibly not working as intended. First occurred in October I believe, only couple months into the lease. I was almost run off on a highway, as I swerved to get out of the way..I lost control and spun out(did 360) and hit the right shoulder barrier. I didn't think anything of it at the time. Chalked it up to bad luck. Then May of this year, my wife on highway, braked hard to avoid hitting traffic in front of her that had braked hard as well. Lost control of steering and again, did 360 spin and crashed into center divider. Now I'm a little leery, 2 incidents in less than 9 month span. Both times it seems that we should've not lost control.
Tl*- the contact stated that while driving the 2002 Honda Accord at 30 MPH and slowing down to 20 MPH to make a right turn the steering wheel locked. The contact tried to step on the brakes, but the pedal would not move, the vehicle lost power. The dashboard warning lights turned on. The contact turned the key to the off position then restated the vehicle, but the vehicle drove like it had not failed. The vehicle was taken to the dealership, but the problem could not be duplicated. The enging shut down while driving. Updated 03/15/07.
I pushed on the brake and the car would not stop. I was only going probably 5-10 miles per hour as I was approaching a stop sign. After pushing on the brake several times, the car slowed. As I recall, this happened once before over a year ago. I thought I might have been wearing too big of shoes and not hit the brake properly. It just happened again today. Luckily, traffic was slow as I was unable to stop at the stop sign.
Consumer states his brakes did not work, he stated that when you hit the brakes you lose control of the auto. He hit his brakes, lost control and hit a concrete retaining wall. He also states that he was going all over the road, just by hitting his brakes. No other auto was involved. Nlm consumer incurred bruises and passenger fractured knee cap, dealer notified.
While driving 65 MPH driver applied the brakes and brake pedal went to the floor. This caused another vehicle to merge into consumer's vehicle lane, resulting in a frontal collision. Upon impact, both frontal airbags did not deploy. Driver sustained head injuries, and was transported by ambulance to the hospital. Vehicle was totaled.
Brake complaints in other Accord years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2002 Honda Accord?
NHTSA has 34 complaints about the brakes of the 2002 Honda Accord, 3% of the model year's 1,050 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (10 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Honda Accord brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2002 Honda Accord, though it has 5 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2002 Honda Accord brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 59,000 miles, and 22% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 8 crashes, 1 fire and 7 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.