Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
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).
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. When the subframe broke my friends [redacted]aunt [redacted] old) was driving and the right side of the car dropped down and the steering was compromised. The broken subframe resulted in a loss of control of the car but an accident was avoided thankfully due to her only driving at low speeds. They took the car to an independent mechanic, who welded some support brackets to the subframe to get the car to move. After doing some research, I found multiple forums, websites, videos, and repair TSBs about this issue. …
-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 frame component that holds and supports your front suspension, steering, engine and transmission. With the failure of the subframe the front passenger side of the car dropped down and the steering and suspension were compromised. Very unsafe for the driver and passengers to lose control of the vehicle. Loss of control is also very dangerous for others on the road. -The problem is very prominent for this year and model of car. It is an engineering flaw from the factory for years 1998-2002. The air conditioning evaporator drain hose is routed right onto the passenger side sub frame. …
For the steering, the power steering pump doesn't hold power steering fluid and when you go around a curve and there is a bump in the road, your steering wheel jerks the other way. It's way worse with no power steering but it is still there even if you have fluid. The transmission will jump in between first and second gear so roughly it feels like your transmission is going to fall out, sometimes you can't go because of it and it's almost caused some accidents. You can't get up to the speed you need to with it being so rough and jumpy. Then there is a ticking noise when I press on the gas peddle, from the timing belt and transistor. Some of these problems have been happening since I got the car, like the shifting and the steering. The ticking has been there but not as badly as it is now. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while driving, the steering wheel was very difficult to steer in either direction. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the power steering fluid was leaking unto the catalytic converters. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the power steering hose and pump were defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Additionally, while driving a grinding noise was heard coming from the transmission and the transmission started to slip with the check engine warning light illuminated. The mechanic indicated that the transmission torque converter was defective and the transmission need to be rebuilt or replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The local dealer was not notified. The failure mileage was 80,000.
Driving around 60 m/p/h on 08/12/15 , a bang came from the right passenger side of the car. When I got home I inspected the problem. The engine sub-frame had rotten and fell apart, I was very lucky I did'nt have a bad accident. I went online and found out that Honda had it ac drainpipe directs water, which is right onto the sub-frame in this section, which cause it to rust out faster than the rest of the frame. I will be getting it repaired, because my granddaugther need this car to get work & college. Honda motor should repay me. I understand that Honda know about this problem some years ago. (1999 - 2002 problem).
I was making a right turn to merge into the middle lane on a highway service road where every car was waiting for the green light. I turned very slowly at low speed after stopping at the stop sign, and all of a sudden the steering wheel started to turn by itself, then my car turned 180 degrees, while the accelerator speeded up at a rapid pace, seeming to be stuck. My car jumped the curb, hit a sign, and finally stopped. The bumper cover came down, and I can see the bumper was damaged (pushed back in the middle about 2 inches), but both of my 2002 Honda Accord's air bags did not deploy at all.
The rear beam of the front sub frame has completely rusted through on the passenger side of the car. This location directly affects the sway bar bushing mount as well as a body attachment to the sub frame. The car was exhibiting a squeaking/clunking noise during turns and has increased in frequency in a short matter of time. The rest of the front sub frame shows no signs of rust or damage while the passenger side is completely destroyed. It appears that the cause May be linked to the location of the ac drain hose directly above this location.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Honda Accord. While driving various speeds, the steering wheel made an abnormal rattling sound while driving over a bump and the horn sounded. In order to disengage the horn, the contact would have to knock the middle of the steering wheel several times. The vehicle was taken to planet Honda (2285 route 22 west, union, nj 07083, [phone]), but the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 220,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Honda Accord. The contact stated that the vehicle shook and made an abnormal noise. The SRS and maintenance lights illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V320000 (air bags) and stated that the part needed for the repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 219,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
Power steering fluid leaking from pressure line hose. Steering control seems strange and burning oil smell coming from engine. Honda has recall for same item on 2003-2007 models. If same problem for same part is evident on 2002 model is this vehicle at risk for losing steering control and possible fire hazard? If so, why wouldn't the recall extend to 2002 models and should Honda fix for free? If not, are you saying there is no safety problem to be concerned with?
Steering complaints in other Accord years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2002 Honda Accord?
NHTSA has 24 complaints about the steering of the 2002 Honda Accord, 2% of the model year's 1,050 complaints. The component named most often is hydraulic power assist system (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Honda Accord steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering 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 steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 130,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to steering 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.