Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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 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 the vehicle to the right and grazed a pole which stopped the vehicle. The contact sustained a knot under her right clavicle but did not seek medical attention. A Police report was filed. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.
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 open the driver side door, maybe a crow bar what whatever else they use. I did not hear my car alarm go off. I checked my car for anything stolen, but didn't seem to find any thing missing. Will check it again. On another note, there was a night about a month ago where my neighbor heard gun shots outside my back door under the plum tree. Same side of location where my car is parked. Perhaps its the same people. This neighborhood is becoming dangerous. Thank YOU! [redacted]
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 filed a complaint with Honda but they are not willing to help with addressing this issue. This issue has been a problem for several years with no restitution from Honda. We need to be compensated USD 2.5million for the stress and aggravation this issue has caused us and for putting our family's safety in jeopardy. Please help us by arranging for mediation services with Honda Motor Company of America. Thank you.
Transmission slipping gears. "D4" 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.
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
My 2002 Honda Accord lx is at 110K miles. I am having transmission problems. It is an automatic transmission. It never happened before nor did it have a minor problem leading to it. It just all of a sudden this year, 2009, started to jerk between stop and goes, slips out of gear and decelerates, it drops gears when slowing to a stop. I am afraid to pull out of traffic when I know I have enough time and space to pull out due to my car jerking. And also afraid of stopping at red lights and stop signs knowing that my car will jerk, slip, and go then decelerate. I have replaced my timing belt, fan belt, water pump, transmission fluid flushed and refilled, engine oil, oil pan and gasket, spark plugs. I have done all the necessary replacements for my car at 100K mile mark. And I was told if you keep the maintenance my car will always run like new. …
Normal driving of the car has lead to a transmission failure that is known by widely by other victims of the problem. 2002 Honda Accord ex, transmission is know to fail due to 2nd gear slipping, and other gears 'jerking' around. This occurs every time the vehicle is started. When car goes into second gear it lunges forward or feels like someone hit you from the rear. Also jerk violently when put into reverse. When transmission is on it's last breath , it does not go into gear, meaning if your trying to get on the main road from a side street, you might be hit on the side if your lean your car out to go when transmission does not go into gear, leaving you vulnerable on the road. A transmission rebuild due to clutch packet, a transmission swap, or transmission replacement are the only choices a victim has. …
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.
I have a 2002 Accord with the 3.0 v6. I was the second owner. When the car had about 72,000 miles on it, the transmission started slipping. It began slipping before the car went into 1st gear, then going into 2nd gear. It is dangerous when starting from a stop light in a busy intersection. I brought it to the local dealership and they estimated it to cost around $5,000. I didn't have that amount of money, nor did I trust the local Honda dealership. So, I brought to a transmission shop, and ended up spending $3,016 to fix it. Why can't Honda put a recall of these transmissions? I have gone many websites including edmunds.com, to find, this is a huge problem for thousands of Honda customers. I drove only Honda;s for many years. This will probable be the last one. Ps, also my black paint is pealing off, and it is very embarrassing driving this car.
Transmission complaints in other Accord years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2002 Honda Accord?
NHTSA has 478 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2002 Honda Accord, 46% of the model year's 1,050 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (336 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Honda Accord transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 88,000 miles, and 2% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 6 crashes, 3 fires and 6 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.