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2002 Honda Accord Engine Problems

39 owner-reported engine complaints from NHTSA data

39
Complaints
1
Recalls
2
Crashes
2
Fires
Jan 2015Dec 2011
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Engine Recalls (1)

RECALLCampaign #02V226000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, SEDANS, COUPES, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH V6 ENGINES, A TIMING BELT TENSIONER PULLEY ON THE WATER PUMP IS MISALIGNED AND COULD CAUSE THE TIMING BELT TO CONTACT A BOLT ON THE CYLINDER HEAD. EVENTUALLY THE BELT COULD BE DAMAGED AND FAIL.

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WATER PUMP AND IF IT IS ONE OF THE DEFECTIVE PUMPS, THE WATER PUMP AND TIMING BELT WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 30, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.

Owner Complaints (39)

mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Oct 2025

The owner filed a complaint about the engine and engine cooling system but did not provide specific details in the available text. Without more information about what symptoms or problems are occurring, it's unclear what repairs might be needed.

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NHTSA #: 11696407
mediumENGINE
FireFiled: Sep 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH WHEN SUDDENLY THERE WAS A LOUD BANG NOISE THAT CAME FROM THE FRONT-END OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SMOKE FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE WATER HOSE HAD FRACTURED IN HALF AND ANTI-FREEZE HAD SPLATTERED EVERYWHERE. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND NO MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NEEDED. THE FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DEALER (NORM REEVES HONDA SUPERSTORE CERRITOS 18500 STUDEBAKER RD, CERRITOS, CA 90703; (562) 345-9100) INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE WATER HOSE AND THE WATER PUMP FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED BECAUSE IT DID NOT HAVE AN OFFICIAL DIAGNOSTIC TESTING PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE 304,000.

NHTSA #: 11355160
mediumENGINE
Filed: May 2018

THE HEADS ON THIS CAR HAVE TO REPLACED, WE PAID OVER $1,000 A FEW YEARS AGO TO REPLACE THE HEADS IN THE CAR. THIS PAST YEAR THE SAME THING HAPPENED AND IT WAS GOING TO COST OVER $1,000 AGAIN. BUT THIS TIME IT CAUSE THE ENGINE TO LOCK UP. THERE WAS A SMALL LEAK IN THE ENGINE CASING BECAUSE OF THE HEAD IN THE CAR.

NHTSA #: 11092254
mediumENGINE
Filed: Apr 2016

ALTHOUGH THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN PROPERLY MAINTAINED, THE ENGINE BLOCK IS VERY CRACKED, WHICH CAUSED THE RADIATOR TO GET OIL ALL IN IT. THE CAR IS NOT DRIVEABLE.

NHTSA #: 10860719
mediumENGINE
Filed: Mar 2016

THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS GIVEN ME A PROBLEM ABOUT 3 MONTHS AFTER I PURCHASED IT USED IN 2011. SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD THE MUFFLER FIXED TWICE JUST RECENTLY MARCH 22,2016 COST WAS $422 AND PRIOR IN 2014.. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT JUST KEEPS COMING ON ,AND THE VEHICLE INSPECTION IS FAILING BECAUSE OF EMISSIONS. I AM FEARFUL THAT ODORLESS GASSES ARE SEEPING INTO THE CAR WHICH IS A HAZARD TO MYSELF AND PASSANGERS

NHTSA #: 10852429
mediumENGINE
Filed: Feb 2015

MY HONDA WAS IDLING AS I WAS CLEARING THE SNOW OFF OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN I GOT INTO MY CAR, I COULD SMELL EXHAUST FUMES, I ASSUMED IT WAS BECAUSE IT WAS IDLING. AS I DROVE HOME, THE SMELL FADED, SO I DID NOT PAY MUCH ATTENTION TO IT. ON 1/31/15 I HAD MY CAR INSPECTED & THE OIL CHANGED. ASIDE FROM HAVING THE BRAKES & ROTORS REPLACED, ALL WAS WELL & THE CAR PASSED INSPECTION. ON 2/8/15 I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM THE GROCERY STORE. SUDDENLY MY OIL LIGHT STARTS TO BLINK & THE SMELL OF EXHAUST FUMES BECOMES OVER WHELMING. I OPENED MY WINDOWS & CONTINUED HOME. I PULLED THE CAR INTO THE GARAGE & NOTICED A TRAIL OF OIL. I BACKED THE CAR OUT OF THE GARAGE & THERE WAS A POOL OF OIL ON THE GARAGE FLOOR. MY HUSBAND & I CHECKED TO BE SURE THE DRAIN PLUG & FILTER WERE INTACT, THEN WE CHECKED THE OIL LEVEL AND IT WAS EMPTY! WE WERE LUCKY THE ENGINE DID NOT SEIZE UP! WE TOOK THE CAR TO OUR NON-HONDA MECHANIC WHO INFORMED US THAT THE BALANCE SEAL HAD BLOWN OUT. AS A RESULT OIL SPRAYED ALL OVER THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ENGINE.THIS IS WHAT WAS CAUSING THE EXHAUST FUME SMELL PERMEATING THE CABIN. HE TOLD ME THAT HE CAN REPLACE THE SEAL, BUT THAT HE WOULD ALSO HAVE TO REPLACE THE TIMING BELT, WATER PUMP, PULLEYS, TENSIONER, CAM & CRANK. HE ALSO TOLD ME THAT HONDA IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM & THAT THE BALANCE SEALS NOW COME WITH A BRACKET TO HOLD THEM IN PLACE. I ASKED HIM IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE BALANCE SEALS & HE TOLD ME NO, MOST LIKELY DUE TO THE COST OF THE REPAIR. I HAD TO PAY $848 TO REPAIR MY CAR DUE TO A BLOWN SEAL THAT HONDA IS AWARE OF. HONDA SHOULD MOST DEFINITELY RECALL THIS MODEL OF ACCORDS & FIX THE BALANCE SEAL ISSUE; FOR NO OTHER REASON OTHER THAN THE DANGEROUS FUMES THAT FILLED THE INTERIOR OF MY CAR. I'D LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE COST OF THIS REPAIR. IF YOU SUDDENLY SMELL EXHAUST FUMES, GET THE BALANCE SEAL CHECKED IMMEDIATELY AS IT IS A WARNING! *TR

NHTSA #: 10682782
mediumENGINE
Filed: Jan 2015

THE SEAL ON THE BALANCE SHAFT CAME OUT, DRAINING ALL THE ENGINE OIL OUT OF THE CAR. POSSIBLY CAUSING ENGINE DAMAGE. THE CAR HAD IT'S TIMING BELT CHANGED, NOW IT HAS TO BE DONE AGAIN. COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ENGINE FIRE. HONDA DOES NOT HAVE A RECALL BUT SHOULD. DORMAN MADE A PART TO LOCK THE SEAL IN TO PREVENT IT FROM HAPPENING. HONDA SHOULD HAVE TO REIMBURSE FOR THE EXPENSE. *TR

NHTSA #: 10669762
mediumENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Dec 2013

AUGUST 2013 - JUST STOPPED WHILE DRIVING; PLACED IN PARK AND STARTED OK; DECEMBER 2013 - STOPPED ON HIGHWAY WHILE DRIVING - 60 MPH IN CENTER LANE - DANGEROUS - PLACED IN PARK AND STARTED AGAIN. TOOK TO MECHANIC WHO REPLACED IGNITION SWITCH AS OLD HONDAS HAVE BEEN HAVING THIS PROBLEM TWO DAYS LATER, JUST STOPPED WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. PLACED IN PARK AND TRIED TO START; TURNED OVER, BUT DIDN'T START - WAITED 1/2 HOUR - STARTED AGAIN. DROVE ABOUT 10 MILES, THEN STOPPED AGAIN. CALLED TOW TRUCK. NOW IT STARTS, BUT I'M AFRAID TO GO ANYWHERE NOTE: FEELS LIKE I RAN OUT OF GAS WHEN IT STOPS. *TR

NHTSA #: 10556097
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Filed: Apr 2012

2002 HONDA ACCORD EX V6. THE TRANSMISSION WAS DETERMINED BY HOLLER HONDA TO BE TERMINAL, MEANING NO GOOD NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. THE DANGER OCCURS WHEN YOU HAVE TO ACCELERATE WITH THE NORMAL TRAFFIC FLOW AND ARE UNABLE TO BECAUSE OF SLIPPING AND IMPROPER SHIFTING. A ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. I'M SURE THERE HAVE ALREADY BEEN ACCIDENTS DUE TO THIS BY PEOPLE WHO UNAWARE OF THE SEVERITY OF THE PROBLEM. FROM WHAT I'VE READ THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM, HONDA HAS AGREED TO SPLIT THE COST OF THE REPAIR OF $4,600, WITH MY MOM HAVING ALZHEIMER'S AND ME NO JOB THAT FIGURE MIGHT AS WELL BE 4 MILLION DOLLARS. PLEASE SOMEBODY HELP US WITH THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA #: 10456010
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN
Filed: Dec 2011

TRANSMISSION SKIPS BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND AND NEEDS REPLACED. ONLY 112,000 MILES AND I HAVE DONE EVERY SERVICE RECOMMENDED - ALL BUT ONE WERE DONE BY THE DEALERSHIP! THERE HAS ALWAYS BEEN A LITTLE JERK THERE WHEN ACCELERATING BUT WAS TOLD IT WAS FINE. *TR

NHTSA #: 10441100
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN
Filed: Dec 2011

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION JERKS WHEN ACCELERATING PAST 20MPH OR WHEN PUTTING IT IN REVERSE. AFTER SOME RESEARCH, I FOUND OUT THAT THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH 2002 HONDA ACCORDS YET IT HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE SINCE A LOT OF DRIVERS APPEAR TO BE HAVING THE SAME TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA #: 10439158
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN
Filed: Nov 2011

TURNING A CORNER OF A BUSY INTERSECTION THE CAR MADE A LOAD WUMP THUNK SOUND AND STOPPED WITH THE ENGINE STILL RUNNING. LUCKILY, NO ONE REAR-ENDED ME OR KNOCKED ME INTO THE POLICEMAN IN THE ROAD CONDUCTING A LICENSE CHECK. *KB

NHTSA #: 10437450
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN
Filed: Sep 2011

CAR DELAYS SHIFTING INTO SECOND GEAR THEN SHIFTS HARD CAUSING ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON AND THE GEAR INDICATOR TO FLASH RESULTING IN LOSS OF MOVEMENT. I HAVE TO SHUT THE CAR OFF THEN RE START TO KEEP MOVING. *KB

NHTSA #: 10425681
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Filed: Sep 2011

PURCHASED THE 2002 HONDA ACCORD SE COUPE IN MARCH 2008 WITH 64K MILES. AFTER A FEW MONTHS OF DRIVING I BEGAN TO FEEL A SLIGHT JERK WHEN I PLACED MY FEET ON THE ACCELERATOR. TOOK MY CAR TO A LOCAL HONDA DEALERSHIP ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT I NEEDED A TRANSMISSION FLUSH. AFTER DRIVING CAR I BEGAN TO FEEL THE SLIGHT JERK AND OVER A YEAR I RECIEVED 2 TRANSMISSION FLUSHES. JERKING HAS GOTTEN SO BAD THAT I AM NOT ABLE TO TRADE BECAUSE IT IS BASICALLY A LEMON. HONDA DEALERSHIP HAS TOLD ME NOW THAT I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. OVER 3K TO REPLACE AND AFTER CALLING AMERICAN HONDA THEY REFUSED TO HELP WITH THE COST. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE 2002 ACCORDS BUT YET THEY WONT OWN UP TO IT. I WILL NEVER PURCHASE A HONDA EVER AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA #: 10424175
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN,AIR BAGS
Filed: Jul 2011

2002 HONDA ACCORD. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO AIRBAG AND SAFETY CAMPAIGN *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER CLEARED THE CODE, BUT THE NEXT DAY, THE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE TRANSMISSION WAS LEAKING AND ONE OF THE DRIVE BELTS WERE NOT PERFORMING CORRECTLY. *JB

NHTSA #: 10415944
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jun 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD VIBRATE VIOLENTLY WHEN STOPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE MOTOR MOUNTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, BUT THE VEHICLE COULD POSSIBLY CONTINUE TO VIBRATE WHEN STOPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000.

NHTSA #: 10406130
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Feb 2011

AT FIRST INSTANCE, THE CAR BEGAN TO SHOW SLUGGISH CONDITIONS WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. AS TIME WENT ON, THE 'SLIPS' BEGAN TO GROW MORE AND MORE DANGEROUS TO THE POINT THAT THE CAR COULD BARELY SHIFT BETWEEN GEARS AT ALL AND WAS A SAFETY HAZARD FOR BOTH DRIVER AND TO ANYONE AROUND ME AS I WAS VULNERABLE TO BE REAR-ENDED BY ANYONE TOO CLOSE BEHIND (BECAUSE THE CAR COULD NOT ACCELERATE) AND TO THOSE AHEAD OF ME AS THE CAR TENDED TO JERK FORWARD. AFTER A REPAIR TO THE SOLENOID ONCE BEFORE, THE CAR'S PERFORMANCE IMPROVED, HOWEVER SOME SLUGGISH CONDITIONS REMAIN AND THE CONDITIONS ONLY WORSEN AS TIME GOES ON. AT 102,000 MILES, THE CAR'S 2ND' TRANSMISSION APPEARS TO NEED TO BE REPLACED TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE FOR HONDA ACCORDS AS REPORTED ON SEVERAL WEBSITES AND KNOWN AND ACKNOWLEDGED BY INDEPENDENT MECHANICS ACROSS THE COUNTRY. IT IS IRRESPONSIBLE AND REPREHENSIBLE FOR HONDA TO NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS AND BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE. AT THIS CURRENT TIME HONDA REFUSES TO TAKE SUCH ACTION AND WILL ONLY OFFER MINOR REDUCTION IN REPAIR COSTS THAT HARDLY SEEMS FAIR TO THE THOUSAND'S OF OWNERS AFFECTED BY THIS. PLEASE KEEP RECORD OF THIS AND OFFER WHATEVER ASSISTANCE YOU CAN PROVIDE. SOURCE: HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/HONDA/ACCORD/2002/TRANSMISSION/HESITATES_AND_SHIFTS_VERY_HARD.SHTML OTHERS MAYBE PROVIDED UPON REQUEST.

NHTSA #: 10385629
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
FireFiled: Apr 2010

VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING ON ROADWAY. *TR

NHTSA #: 10326476
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jan 2010

MY 2002 HONDA ACCORD LX-V6 HAS DEVELOPED PREMATURE FAILURE OF BOTH THE FRONT AND SIDE MOTOR MOUNTS. THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT OF HONDA V6 VEHICLES, FOR WHICH HONDA HAS ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB). MOTOR MOUNTS ARE NOT A NORMAL MAINTENANCE ITEM; THEY ARE NOT LISTED IN THE HONDA RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE FOR HONDA ACCORDS UP TO 120,000 MILES AS AN ITEM THAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED OR INSPECTED. MANY EXPERTS SUGGEST THAT MOTOR MOUNTS SHOULD OUTLAST THE LIFE OF THE CAR; HENCE THIS CLEARLY REPRESENTS A PREMATURE FAILURE OF A CRITICAL ENGINE SAFETY COMPONENT. THE BROKEN MOTOR MOUNTS REPRESENT A 'SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT' AS DESCRIBED IN THE U.S. CODE FOR MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY (TITLE 49, CHAPTER 301). A SAFETY DEFECT IS DEFINED AS A PROBLEM THAT EXISTS IN A MOTOR VEHICLE OR ITEM OF MOTOR VEHICLE EQUIPMENT THAT POSES AN RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY, AND MAY EXIST IN A GROUP OF VEHICLES OF THE SAME DESIGN OR MANUFACTURE, OR ITEMS OF EQUIPMENT OF THE SAME TYPE AND MANUFACTURE. BROKEN MOTOR MOUNTS (ENGINE MOUNTS) ARE DANGEROUS AND COULD LEAD TO CATASTROPHIC FAILURE AT HIGH SPEED DUE TO WEDGED LINKAGES CAUSING UNINTENDED ACCELERATION AND LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. DRIVING WITH DAMAGED ENGINE MOUNTS CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS. THE ENGINE CAN ALSO SPIN FRONT WARD AND DAMAGE THE RADIATOR WITH THE FAN BLADES. THE NHTSA HAS PREVIOUSLY RECOGNIZING BROKEN ENGINE MOUNTS AS A 'SAFETY-RELATED' DEFECT. ON OCTOBER 15, 1971, NHTSA ISSUED A CONSUMER PROTECTION BULLETIN ADVISING MOTORISTS OF THE "POTENTIAL RISKS" OF BROKEN GM ENGINE MOUNTS. *TR UPDATED 03/01/10 UPDATED 03/08/10 UPDATED 03/12/10

NHTSA #: 10300073
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jun 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HONDA ACCORD. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 02V226000. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT TAKE ANY LIABILITY FOR THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 60,000.

NHTSA #: 10272569
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Feb 2009

MY CASE IS VERY SIMILAR TO ODI ID NUMBER: 10251868. I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. THE ENGINE OVERHEATED AND IT WAS FOUND THAT THE UPPER RADIATOR HOSE BURST. ENGINE OIL LEAKED INTO THE COOLING SYSTEM ALSO. THE HONDA DEALER TORN DOWN THE ENGINE, AND DID A SERIES OF INSPECTIONS, LEAK DOWN TEST, AND PRESSURE TEST. NO VISIBLE SIGN OF A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. NO SIGNS OF WARPING AND/OR CRACKS ON THE CYLINDER HEAD. THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID IT IS PROBABLY DUE TO A VERY POROUS CYLINDER HEAD. THE MOST LIKELY CAUSE FOR THE ENGINE OVERHEATING IS AS FOLLOWS: THE POROUS CYLINDER HEAD ALLOWED ENGINE OIL TO LEAK INTO THE COOLING SYSTEM. THE OIL DETERIORATED THE RUBBER GASKET ON THE THERMOSTAT. (THIS WAS INDICATED BY FRESH ENGINE OIL RESIDUE FOUND ON THE DAMAGED RUBBER GASKET OF THE ORIGINAL THERMOSTAT.) THE DETERIORATED RUBBER GASKET BLOCKED THE FLOW OF THE COOLANT. WITHOUT ENOUGH FLOW RATE TO COOL DOWN THE SYSTEM, THE COOLANT BOILED INSIDE THE HOSES. PRESSURE BUILT UP, AND THE UPPER RADIATOR HOSE BURST. COOLANT LEAKED OUT FROM THE DAMAGED HOSE, AND THE ENGINE OVERHEATED. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THE CAR HAS THIS PROBLEM. IT HAS NO MAJOR PROBLEMS BEFORE. I COMPLETED ALL NECESSARY MAINTENANCE ON TIME ACCORDING TO THE OWNER'S MANUAL. ALL MAJOR MAINTENANCE SERVICES WERE PERFORMED BY THE DEALER. TO CORRECT THE FAILURE, THE DEALER RECOMMENDED REPLACING THE WHOLE CYLINDER HEAD, BUT THE TOTAL REPAIR COST FOR IT, INCLUDING CHANGING THE OIL-CONTAMINATED HOSES AND OTHERS, COST MORE THAN $4200. IT'S JUST TOO EXPENSIVE. ALL THE OLD PARTS (DAMAGED HOSES, THERMOSTAT, ETC) ARE AVAILABLE. FYI, IF IT HELPS ANY INVESTIGATIONS, THIS CAR IS STILL TORN APART AT THE DEALER AS OF TODAY. *TR

NHTSA #: 10257200
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Dec 2008

I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE THE END OF MAR 2008 WITH 83000 MILES ON IT. APPROX 30 DAYS AFTER PURCHASE I TOOK IT IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE, RADIATOR FLUSH AND TUNE UP. A WEEK LATER MY CAR OVERHEATED, THE UPPER RADIATOR HOSE HAD BLOWN. A NEW MECHANIC LOOKED AT IT AND SAW EVIDENCE OF STOP LEAK AND SAID IT DID NOT LOOK LIKE IT HAD BEEN FLUSHED-HE TOOK CARE OF IT PROPERLY. THEN, APPROX 30 DAYS LATER I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR IT'S SCHEDULED OIL CHANGE AND HE SAID THERE WAS OIL LEAKING INTO THE RADIATOR FLUIDS-RIGHT NOW IT IS A ONE WAY LEAK, THE ANTIFREEZE IS NOT LEAKING INTO THE OIL. HE RECOMMENDED A HEAD GASKET JOB. DURING THE REPAIR IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THIS VEHICLE HAD A RECENT HEAD JOB DONE AND HE PUT OUT A QUERY ONLINE. THE INFORMATION THAT CAME BACK WAS THAT THIS WAS A PROBLEM THAT HONDA WAS AWARE OF, BUT SEEMED TO BE KEEPING QUIET ABOUT-THEY HAD NOT ISSUED ANY SERVICE WARNINGS, SUGGESTIONS, OR RECALLS-THEY WERE DEALING WITH IT ON A CASE-BY-CASE BASIS...MECHANICS HAVE DETERMINED BY TRYING TO FIX THE PROBLEM (HEAD JOBS, REPLACING RADIATORS, ETC) AND IT NOT BEING SOLVED THAT IT IS A CRACKED ENGINE BLOCK. MY MECHANIC AND I AGREED TO WATCH IT CLOSELY AND BE VERY DILIGENT WITH OIL CHANGES. WITH EACH OIL CHANGE HE ALSO INCLUDES A RADIATOR FLUSH AS THERE IS ALWAYS OIL IN THE RADIATOR OVERFLOW TANK AS WELL AS THE OIL LEVELS ARE NEAR EMPTY. LAST NIGHT ON THE WAY HOME IT OVERHEATED AGAIN AND WHEN WE LOOKED IN THE RADIATOR IT WAS FULL OF SLUDGE. MY "RELIABLE" USED CAR PURCHASE LESS THAN NINE MONTHS AGO HAS BECOME A GREATER EXPENSE TO ME THAN IF I HAD PURCHASED A BRAND NEW CAR. THE ONLY REASON I PURCHASED THIS CAR WAS BECAUSE OF ITS RELIABLE REPUTATION AND THE MOST AFFORDABLE OF A USED CARS. I SIMPLY CANNOT AFFORD THIS CAR, OR TO GET RID OF IT AND GET A NEW ONE. ANY HELP WOULD BE GREATLY WELCOMED! *TR

NHTSA #: 10251868
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Nov 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTICE ANY FAILURES WITH THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A NISSAN DEALER FOR A ROUTINE TUNE-UP AND WAS INFORMED THAT OIL WAS LEAKING IN THE COOLING SYSTEM. THE MECHANIC FLUSHED THE COOLING SYSTEM AND THE CONTACT DROVE TO HER RESIDENCE. A FEW DAYS LATER, SHE WANTED A SECOND OPINION AND DROVE TO A HONDA DEALER. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE HEAD GASKET. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAS SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS TO CONFIRM THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

NHTSA #: 10249522
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jun 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HONDA ACCORD. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE LOSES POWER AND STALLS. ALL OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS ILLUMINATE WHEN THIS OCCURS. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ON MAY 31, 2008 AND THEY KEPT THE VEHICLE UNTIL JUNE 4, 2008. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT TO RETRIEVE THE VEHICLE ON JUNE 5, 2008, BUT SHE ENDED UP RETURNING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR THE SAME FAILURE. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE BECAUSE THE DEALER COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE CODE RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,860 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74,000.

NHTSA #: 10231143
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Nov 2005

I TRIED CONTACTING HONDA TO SEE WHETHER IT IS NORMAL TO GET ELECTRIC SHOCKS FROM THE CAR. EVERY TIME I CLOSE MY DOOR TO MY CAR I GET SHOCK. I EVEN SEEN ELECTRIC WAVE. HOWEVER, HONDA INDICATED THAT IT MUST BE THE WAY I AM WALKING, BUT EVERYONE WHO COMES IN AND OUT OF MY CAR GETS SHOCK AND ITS ONLY HAPPENS IN THE DRY WINTER TIME. WHEN I STEP ON MY PEDAL THE CAR STALLS WHICH CAUSES ME TO STEP ON THE PEDAL HARDER. MY ENGINE JUST TURNS OFF WHILE I STEP ON THE BRAKES. I HAVE SPOKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO INDICATES THAT IS NORMAL FOR HONDA ACCORD 2002. I CONTACTED SERVICE, BUT THEY INDICATED THAT IT IS MY RESPONSIBILITY AND IT IS NOT THE MANUFACTURES PROBLEM. I JUST WANTED TO REPORT THIS INFORMATION. *JB

NHTSA #: 10143716
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Feb 2005

WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. DRIVER WAS NOT ABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE, AND HAD IT TOWED TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

NHTSA #: 10111665
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Sep 2004

RECALL 02V226000 CONCERNING TIMING BELT/WATER PUMP. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER TO SEE IF THIS VEHICLE WOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK

NHTSA #: 10094096
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN
Filed: Aug 2004

HONDA REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE FOR A 2002 HONDA ACCORD. THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AGAIN. THEY WILL NOT FIX IT. I FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM, BUT HONDA WOULD FIX IT IF QUESTIONED THE COST. THEY PUT IN THE SAME TRANSMISSION THAT WAS BAD IN THE FIRST PLACE. I HAD TO BUY A NEW CAR. A FRIEND OF MINE HAS THE SAME PROBLEM AND THEY ARE REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION. WHY IS THERE NO RECALL FOR THIS? *AK

NHTSA #: 10088857
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: May 2004

PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE ENGINE STALLING REPEATEDLY. *MR *NM

NHTSA #: 10073626
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Mar 2004

CONSUMER WILL PROVIDE INFORMATION ON THE COVER MOTOR MOUNT PROBLEM. *JB

NHTSA #: 10064815
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,EQUIPMENT
CrashFiled: Jan 2004

SUDDEN ACCELERATION, ACCELERATOR STICKING

NHTSA #: 10069372
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Aug 2003

THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE DEALER HAD INSPECTED THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES HOWEVER THE PROBLEM STILL CONTINUED. *AK *JB *NLM

NHTSA #: 10029446
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Aug 2003

IN JULY OF 2002, I PURCHASED A 2002 HONDA 919. IMMEDIATELY, I NOTICED THAT MY JACKET SMELLED OF EXHAUST FUMES. NOT THE SULFUR - ROTTEN EGG SMELL, BUT EXHAUST FUMES. ONE FRIDAY AFTERNOON IN AUGUST 2002, I TOOK MY WIFE FOR A RIDE - SHE WAS THE PASSENGER. AFTER ABOUT A 45-MINUTE RIDE, SHE COMPLAINED OF A HEADACHE AND WAS GENERALLY JUST FEELING CRAPPY. SO MUCH FOR OUR ROMANTIC AFTERNOON. TO TOP IT ALL OFF, I TOOK MY 6 YEAR OLD SON FOR A RIDE, AND IN TRAFFIC, HE FELL ASLEEP AND ABOUT FELL OFF THE BIKE. HE COULD HAVE DIED, WE WERE IN TRAFFIC. I WAS ABLE TO GRAB HIM WITH ONE HAND AND PULL OVER. I CONTACTED MY DEALER, ROB EIDMANN OF ST. JOE HONDA (816-671-0671) ON MANY OCCASSIONS, AND HE COULD DO NOTHING. I WAS IN LONG BEACH AT THE INTERNATIONAL MOTORCYCLE AND MENTIONED IT TO A HONDA REPRESENTATIVE, WHO PASSED ME ALONG TO "THE NATIONAL SERVICE MANAGER", TO WHOM I ALSO TOLD MY STORY TOO. THEY WERE IN DENIAL, SAID THEY HAD NO OTHER COMPLAINTS, AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. TO REMEDY THE SITUATION ON MY OWN, I PAID FOR AND INSTALLED AN EXHAUST FROM ANOTHER HONDA MODEL THAT EXITS THE BIKE LOWER. HAVE NOT HAD THE PROBLEM SINCE, BUT AM NOT REAL HAPPY ABOUT THIS WHOLE ORDEAL. I HAVE LEARNED THAT MANY OTHER OWNERS ALSO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. WHAT CAN WE DO?*AK

NHTSA #: 10032994
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,STRUCTURE
Filed: Jan 2003

THERE WAS A RATTLING SOUND NEAR THE REAR DOOR AND PASSENGER SEAT, HOWEVER THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, ALSO THE VEHICLE STALLED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS.*JB

NHTSA #: 10004229
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jan 2003

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY SHE HEARD A LOUD BANGING NOISE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN AND WILL NOT RESTART DEALER IS AWARE OF PROBLEM PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS

NHTSA #: 10004171
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
CrashFiled: Dec 2002

VEHICLE WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING STALL WHEN THE ENGINE SUDDENLY SURGED. WITNESSES HEARD THE ENGINE SURGE, DRIVER WAS NOT ABLE TO STOP GOING UP OVER A LANDSCAPE TIMBER AND STRUCK A CONCRETE BLOCK WALL. UNKNOWN REASON FOR THE ENGINE TO SURGE. DRIVER REPORTED THE BRAKES WOULD NOT HOLD THE VEHICLE FROM FORWARD PROGRESS. DT

NHTSA #: 770294
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Oct 2002

CONSUMER HAS PROBLEMS WITH HER ENGINE. DEALER WAS CONTACTED. MR

NHTSA #: 8021484
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Oct 2002

WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING THE MOTOR WAS ABOUT TO FAIL. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THIS PROBLEM WAS DUE TO MANUFACTURER DEFECT AND THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE. *YH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD COME ON, RAN ROUGH, AND WAS SLUGGLISH. *SCC

NHTSA #: 567943
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EQUIPMENT
Filed: Dec 2001

CONSUMER WAS GOING APPROXIMATELY 60MPH WHEN BATTERY LIGHT FLASHED ON AND OFF. CONSUMER WAS ON A 3-LANE INTERSTATE IN MIDDLE LANE WHEN VHEICLE STALLED. CONSUMER MANAGED TO COAST TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. CONSUMER GOT HELP TO CHARGE BATTERY, BUT SPARKS STARTED COMING FROM BATTERY AND WAS TOLD NOT TO DRIVE IT. HONDA DEALER NEVER HEARD OF PROBLEM, AND WILL BE LOOKING AT VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS ABOUT 7 WEEEKS OLD NEW THEN, ALSO NOTE CD THAT WAS PLAYING WAS BURNING HOT WHEN IT WAS TAKEN OUT.*AK DEALER REPLACED ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY. DEALER ALSO ADJUSTED BELT. *SLC

NHTSA #: 6900687

Other 2002 Honda Accord Issues