Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2002 Honda Odyssey owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I've noticed that while driving the vehicle maintains speed/accelerate (without gas pedal pressed, and with cruise control off). I have to constantly fight the vehicle's constant acceleration with brakes. While idling, it keeps going to high RPM and then reduce and then high RPM.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Honda Odyssey. While shifting into drive, the vehicle independently accelerated. The contact crashed the vehicle into multiple objects before coming to a stop. The contact stated that the engine revved even while the vehicle was stopped. A police report was filed and no injuries were sustained. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the insurance company deemed the vehicle totaled. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 146,000.
Tl contact owns a 2002 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that while driving in reverse the vehicle suddenly accelerated out of the driveway across a two lane road, over a curb and into a neighbors yard where it crashed into a tree. There were no injuries. The police were not notified. The contact was able to continue driving the vehicle and it functioned normally. A month later she was driving into a parking space with a sidewalk in front of it when the vehicle accelerated again without driver intent. When the vehicle accelerated onto an elevated sidewalk, the vehicle stopped accelerating. No injuries were reported and there was no police involvement. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that they test drove the vehicle and there was nothing wrong with it. …
Mary (my wife) was parallel parking our 2002 Honda Odyssey ex-l in downtown appleton, wi. She had pulled next to the car in front of the space she was going to use. She shifted the car in to reverse and began to turn her head to check benind her when the vehicle suddenly accelerated in reverse at very high speed, jumped the curb and crashed into a building. Fortunately nobody was on the sidewalk but the building and vehicle sustained substantial damage. She is certain she did not depress the accelerator and that the vehicle did this "on it's own". The vehicle is currently at gustman Honda where it is being inspected. Preliminary reports from the dealership indicate that they cannot find any computer or mechanical defects that would have caused this unintended acceleration. …
Tl contact owns a 2002 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that after pulling into her driveway, the vehicle suddenly accelerated after the brakes were applied and crashed into the garage. The driver sustained injuries to the foot and later went to the hospital. The vehicle had not been inspected by a dealer nor had it been repaired. The manufacturer was also contacted and they informed him that they will have an investigator come out to look at it. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle independently accelerated . The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the throttle body needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000. The VIN was not available. Updated 04/06/16
While parking, the vehicle experienced sudden acceleration that resulted into the consumers vehicle rear ending another vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. The vehicle sustained a cracked radiator and damage to the left bumper, left fender, lights, hood and air conditioner.
I was entering an interstate on a crowded day with construction cones on the side of the road. I had to accelerate quickly to get into a lane, and hit the gas pedal. I let up on the pedal once I was on the highway, but the pedal was stuck. I tried to pull it up, but it would not move. I could not get over, as the shoulder was blocked, so looked for an exit. I tried to shift into neutral, but it did not slow the car when I did. The only success I had at all in slowing the car (I was going 70mph when it stuck) was in holding the brakes, which I did. I finally saw an exit where I could get off, and I did, holding the brakes as hard as I could while throwing the car into park and killing the engine. It was only by turning the car off that I was able to stop it. When we started the van later, there was a horrible smell (probably the brakes), but the pedal came unstuck. …
On 9/10/14 I started noticing transmission slipping/down-shifting at 40mph/2K RPM many times during a less than an hour drive. RPM would suddenly jump to 4K, and then comes back while the car suddenly jerks/slows as if it's put on engine brake. Vehicle is 2002 Odyssey and has 69K miles. Took the car to Honda dealer where the car has been serviced for years and they were able to reproduce the issue, and I was told it requires a new transmission which would cost $3700 for a reman transmission with 3-y/36 kmil warranty. Talked Honda America and tried to "seek goodwill assistance for transmission" per some recommendations. They took my info, and details, and eventually told me they reviewed their parameters, and decided this is not a case they are willing to assist. Checked my maintenance record and was able to find a recall repair performed many years ago. …
My vehicle began to rev like it was in neutral when I was driving at low speed or when I proceeded from a stopped position. I took my vehicle to south shore Honda. On sat 5/26/07 was told that it was the EGR valve and that it was still covered under a special warranty. I was told that I had other issues. 1. Front engine mount $362.75, 2.side engine mount $219.65 3. Dealer recommended fuel injector and valve cleaning 193.90 total $843.26 with tax. Three days later same problem with the engine rev like it was in neutral. Took vehicle back to Honda on 6/2/07. This time I was told that it was the transmission and that it would cost $4900.00 to fix. Vehicle has 42,839 miles. Spoke to service manager about all the events and said he would call Honda hq and get back to me. I will give an update as soon as I hear from the service manger.
Acceleration complaints in other Odyssey years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2002 Honda Odyssey?
NHTSA has 33 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2002 Honda Odyssey, 3% of the model year's 960 complaints. The component named most often is accelerator pedal (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Honda Odyssey acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for the 2002 Honda Odyssey, though it has 10 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 Odyssey acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 70,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to speed control & acceleration 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.