2002 Honda Accord Suspension Problems

UPON INSPECTION OF THIS VEHICLE, PART OF THE FRONT SUBFRAME HAD RUSTED THROUGH, FROM THE AIR CONDITIONER CONDENSER HOSE EMPTYING ON TOP OF IT. ATTACHED PHOTOS SHOW THE EXTENT OF VISIBLE DAMAGE; OTHER DAMAGE WITHIN THIS STRUCTURE IS NOT VISIBLE TO THE EYE. HONDA REFERS TO THIS PART AS THE "REAR BEAM," PART NUMBER 50200-S87-A00. THE STEERING RACK AND FRONT SUSPENSION COMPONENTS ATTACH TO THIS PART, ALONG WITH THE REAR ENGINE MOUNT, AND CAN CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND SERIOUS PERSONAL INJURY. THIS IS A VERY COMMON AND VERY DANGEROUS FLAW IN THIS GENERATION OF ACCORD.

WHILE COMPLETING A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE IN A 2002 HONDA ACCORD COUPE EX, NOTICED THE SUB FRAME PASSENGER SIDE COMPLETELY RUSTED IN HALF (APPROXIMATELY 4-5 INCH SECTION). RUST CAUSED BY AC CONDENSATION FROM DRAIN LOCATED DIRECTLY ABOVE SUB FRAME. REMAINING FRAME IN EXCELLENT CONDITION.

WHEN I PURCHASED MY 2002 EX HONDA ACCORD IN 2015; I THOUGHT I WAS GETTING A RELIABLE DEPENDABLE CAR. HONDA IS KNOW FOR ITS RELIABILITY BUT LITTLE DID I KNOW THAT THE WHOLE SUB-FRAME (FRONT & BACK WAS FULLY RUSTED). MY SRS WARNING LIGHT COMES ON QUITE OFTEN. THE A/C DRAIN I STRONGLY BELIEVE WAS INSTALLED IMPROPERLY WHICH CAUSES THE SUB-FRAME TO RUST AND CRACK. I BOUGHT THE CAR WITH ONLY 82,358 MILES AND PURCHASED A EXTENDED WARRANTY THROUGH HONDA DEALERSHIP WHICH MY POWERTRAIN ONLY COVERED UP TO 90,000 MILES. I HAD TAKEN THE CAR FOR ITS FIRST OIL CHANGE WHICH WAS AT 91,000 MILES AND ALL OF A SUDDEN I STARTED TO HAVE POWERTRAIN PROBLEMS. EVEN THOUGH ON MY BILL OF SALE IT STATED AS IS HONDA DEALERSHIP KNEW THAT A CUSTOMERS SUCH AS MYSELF WOULD LOOK UNDER THE BODY OF THE CAR. I WENT ONLINE AND HAVE READ NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM I WAS HAVING WITH THIS MODEL & YEAR. ALSO THEIR EXTENDED WARRANTY PROBLEM WAS AN ISSUE. WHY IS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT & STATES ALLOWING HONDA TO SELL A CAR WITH IMPROPERLY INSTALLED A/C DRAIN,SUB-FRAME ROTTING & CRACK ISSUES, TRANSMISSION FAILURE, DEFECTIVE SEAT BELT SENSOR. I PRAY THAT NO ONE DIES FROM THIS VEHICLE. 1999-2002 MODELS. I'M A MOTHER OF FOUR WITH A NON-CURABLE DISEASE AND I JUST WANT MY CAR TO BE FULLY REPAIRED AT THE EXPENSE OF HONDA. DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND TURNING IS DANGEROUS FOR ME TO BE OPERATING BUT THIS IS MY ONLY MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION. MY MECHANIC HAS TO ME I SHOULDN'T HAVE PURCHASE THIS VEHICLE BUT I DIDN'T REALIZE THAT HONDA WOULD DO THERE CUSTOMERS WRONG LIKE THIS JUST FOR A PROFIT!!!!

WHILE BRAKE WORK WAS BEING DONE ON THE 2002 HONDA ACCORD EX, THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE SUB-FRAME WAS BADLY WORN AND IN DANGER OF COLLAPSE. THE CAR CANNOT BE MOVED SAFELY.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HONDA ACCORD. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE VEERED IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AXLE, TIE ROD, AND BEARINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. AN UNKNOWN DEALER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNKNOWN.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HONDA ACCORD. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, A CLUNKING SOUND EMITTED FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE DRAIN FOR THE AIR CONDITIONER LEAKED ONTO THE SUBFRAME AND CAUSED IT TO BECOME RUSTED AND FRACTURED. THE TECHNICIAN ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND THE PART WAS UNABLE TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO RESPOND BETWEEN SECOND AND THIRD GEARS WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED; HOWEVER, A REPAIR WAS NOT PROVIDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

THE REAR FRONT SUB-FRAME OR CROSS MEMBER OF MY VEHICLE HAS RUSTED OUT ON THE PASSENGERS SIDE DUE TO THE A/C DRIPPING ON THAT CERTAIN PART OF THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVERS SIDE IS ALMOST IN PERFECT CONDITION. THIS IS HAPPENING TO ALL THE MODELS 98-02. IF SOMETHING ISN'T DONE THERE WILL BE AN ACCIDENT. THE REPAIRS ARE VERY EXPENSIVE AND IT'S ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO FIND A USED PART BECAUSE THIS HAPPENS TO ALL THE VEHICLES. IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT HONDA KNOWS ABOUT IT BUT ONLY ADDRESS WHEN ASKED, THEY HAVE NOT INFORMED THE PUBLIC OF THIS POTENTIAL HAZARD. IT IS AN ENGINEERING FLAW OF HONDA'S THAT IS GOING TO GET SOMEONE HURT. TOYOTA DID THE RIGHT THING WITH THEIR TRUCKS WHEN THE FRAMES WERE SPLITTING IN HALF, HONDA SHOULD AS WELL. 2002 HONDA ACCORD EX COUPE. *TR

I DROPPED MY CAR OFF AT THE MECHANIC'S TO HAVE MY UPPER BALL JOINTS REPLACED. BOB CALLED ME WITH AN ESTIMATE AND I GAVE HIM THE GO AHEAD TO COMPLETE THE REPAIR. SADLY, HE CALLED ME BACK 2 HOURS LATER TO TELL ME THAT THERE WAS NO SENSE IN SPENDING THE MONEY ON THE REPAIR BECAUSE THE SUBFRAME ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT AND THAT THE CAR WOULD SOON FALL APART. HE SAID THAT HE HAD NEVER SEEN DAMAGE LIKE THAT BEFORE, THAT IT WAS ODD FOR A CAR OF THAT AGE, AND THAT THE REST OF THE CAR WAS IN GOOD CONDITION. HE ADVISED ME TO CONTACT HONDA TO SEE IF ANY RECALLS HAD BEEN ISSUED. I SEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND NO RECALLS (AS YOU KNOW) BUT FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS FROM OTHERS DOCUMENTING THE SAME ISSUES. *TR

THE SUB-FRAME IS RUSTED/ROTTED THROUGH ON THE PASSENGER-SIDE FRONT ADJACENT TO OIL DRAIN PLUG. I WENT TO A MECHANIC FOR A POWER STEERING SYSTEM INSPECTION AND THEY POINTED OUT THE EXTENT OF RUST DAMAGE AND TOLD ME THE CAR WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I LOOKED INTO THE PREVALENCE OF THIS ISSUE AND FOUND THIS IS A COMMON DEFECT AFFECTING ONLY THE SUB-FRAME AT THE PASSENGER-SIDE FRONT. *TR

SUB FRAME IS ROTTED THROUGH ON PASSENGER SIDE FRONT ADJACENT TO WHERE THE OIL DRAIN PLUG IS LOCATED. I'VE BEEN TAKING MY CAR TO THE LOCAL HONDA OF MENTOR DEALERSHIP FOR OIL CHANGES FOR YEARS. NO MENTION OF THIS PROBLEM WHEN THEY HAVE COMPLETED THEIR SAFETY CHECKS. MOST RECENT OIL CHANGE WAS IN THE LAST 30 DAYS. THE SUB FRAME IS NOT RUSTING AT ALL ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. *TR

DURING A PROFESSIONAL SAFETY INSPECTION, THE CERTIFIED MECHANIC SPOTTED ROTTED/RUSTED SUSPENSION CROSS K-FRAME "REAR BEAM" (PART #: 50200-S84-A00) ON THE PASSENGER/RIGHT SIDE. IMMEDIATE REPLACEMENT IS RECOMMENDED. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT SUCH REPLACEMENT SHOULD NOT BEEN DONE TYPICALLY IF NO ACCIDENT INVOLVED. ESP., SINCE SEVERE CORROSION HAPPENED ONLY ON THE PASSENGER/RIGHT SIDE, IT MIGHT BE RELATED TO THE DESIGN OF THE DRAINAGE OF THE A/C RIGHT ABOVE THE RUSTED PART. *TR

WHILE TAKING OFF MY TIRES TO INSPECT THE TIERODS AND BRAKES I NOTICED A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF RUST ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT END VEHICLE SUBFRAME DIRECTLY BELOW THE AIR CONDITIONER DRAIN LINE. IT IS RUSTED THROUGH CURRENTLY ONLY ON THE TOP SIDE BUT IT IS A MATTER OF TIME UNTIL THIS PROGRESSES TO THE UNDERSIDE AS WELL. THIS LEAVES ONLY THE LOWER PORTION TO HOLD THE SUSPENSION AND ENGINE IN PLACE. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND MANY OTHERS HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM SEEMING CAUSED BY THE DRAIN LINE BEING POSITIONED DIRECTLY ABOVE THIS PIECE OF THE SUBFRAME. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE A YEAR AGO FROM A LOCAL HONDA DEALERSHIP THAT IN HIND SIGHT DEFINITELY SEEMED LIKE THEY WERE TRYING TO GET RID OF A LEMON. THERE WERE A NUMBER OF OTHER ISSUES WITH THE CAR (ELECTRICAL, ETC) AND NOW I FIND THIS. THIS CAR WAS SERVICED AT THIS DEALERSHIP ITS ENTIRE LIFE (SINCE NEW) AND THE DEALERSHIP ABSOLUTELY SHOULD HAVE NOTICED THIS SUBFRAME ROTTING AS THEY PERFORMED ROUTINE OIL CHANGES, TIRE CHANGES, TIRE ROTATIONS, ETC. I BELIEVE THAT HONDA SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS SINCE 1) THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED AND MAINTAINED AT THE HONDA DEALERSHIP AND 2) IT SEEMS TO BE A SIGNIFICANT DESIGN FLAW TO HAVE THE DRAIN IMMEDIATELY ABOVE THIS AREA...THE DRIVERS SIDE DOES NOT SHOW ANY RUST AT ALL AND APPEARS STRUCTURALLY SOUND. *TR

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN THE CAR BEGAN TO SHAKE IN THE FRONT. UPON INSPECTION AT A LOCAL FIRESTONE AUTOCARE CENTER, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE SUB FRAME WAS ROTTED AWAY AND READY TO COLLAPASE. I WAS TOLD AT THE HONDA DEALER IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO FOR ME. THIS CAR IS IN VERY GOOD CONDITION YET THE FRAME IS ROTTED THROUGH . IM TOLD ITS DUE TO HONDAS DESIGN AND THAT THE A/C DRAIN HOSE IS LIKELY THE CULPRIT. DONT THEY HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO THE CONSUMERS WHO TRUST THEM AND BUY THEIR PRODUCT TO INFORM THEM OF SOMETHING SO DANGEROUS

I JUS GOT INTO THE VEHICLE IN A PARKING LOT ALONG HUGH HOWELL RD REVERSE FROM OUT OF MY PARKING SPACE AS SOON AS I PUT THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE I HEARD A LOUD REVVED COMING FROM THE ENGINE THE CAR THEN SPED OFF I TRIED TO STOPPED IT BUT THEY BRAKES WOULD NOT STOP IT. ABOUT 30-40FT IT CRASHES INTO A GUARD RAIL. BOTH AIRBAG DEPLOY. DAMAGE FRONT BUMPER,FRONT PASSENGER DOOR AND LEFT FRONT AXLE. *TR

INVESTIGATING SOME STRANGE ISSUES, PULLING AND CLUNKS AT SPEED AND BUMPS, TRANNY ISSUES AND NOSE FROM THE FRONT OF MY CAR I DECIDED TO DO AN INSPECTION. I TOOK THE PASSENGER FRONT WHEEL OFF AND DISCOVERED RUST HOLES RIGHT THREW THE REAR BEAM OF THE FRONT SUB FRAME! IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT, THIS CAR IS A SAFETY HAZARD. IT WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION IN MY STATE AND MY FAMILY AND I ARE TERRIFIED TO DRIVE IT. THIS HONDA HAS BEEN IN MY FAMILY SINCE NEW. AND HAS BEEN DEALER MAINTAINED FOR ALL THE MAJOR SERVICE OVER THE PAST 11 YEARS AND THIS WAS NEVER SEEN? ITS NOT LIKE IT JUST HAPPENED TODAY IN MARCH OF 2013! I LOOKED AROUND UNDER THE CAR AND UNDER THE HOOD, I SEE THE DRAIN TUBE FOR THE AC DRIPS RIGHT ON THE SPOT THE FRAME IS RUSTED THREW! THEN I TOOK THE DRIVERS SIDE WHEEL OFF AND THERE IS NO RUST AT ALL! THIS IS A TRAGIC DEFECT. WHAT IF THE PASSENGER SIDE FRAME IS TO SNAP WHEN I'M DRIVING IT? THIS IS UNBELIEVABLE THAT CAR IN OTHER WISE PRISTINE CONDITION WITH ONLY LESS THAN 91,000 WOULD HAVE THIS KIND OF RUST AND WOULD HAVE TO SUFFER SUCH A HIDEOUS FLAW LIKE THIS. I CANT AFFORD TO FIX THIS NOW. ITS GOING TO BE WELL OVER $1500 AND NOT ONLY THAT MY LIFE AND MY FAMILY'S LIFE IS PRICELESS. AGAIN THE REAR BEAM OF THE FRONT SUB FRAME IS RUSTED THREW DUE TO THE FACT THE AC DRAIN TUBE DRIPS DIRECTLY ON THIS SPOT. NO OTHER RUST ON THE REST OF THE SUB FRAME. POTENTIAL DEATH TRAP. *TR

1.REQUEST FOR AN IMMEDIATELY RECALL FOR HONDA ACCORD LX 2002 MODELS AS HAVING DANGEROUS TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, WIDESPREAD TRANSMISSION FAILURE, SUBFRAME RUST, & PROBLEMS WITH THE AIRBAG SYSTEM (SRS ), AND OVERALL THE CAR'S SAFETY OR QUALITY NUMEROUS CONCERNS. ORDERLY PROBLEMS OCCURRED AS IT BULLETED DOWN: ?GOT IT WITH SLIPPING AND JERKING GEAR. WITHIN TWO DAYS RETURNED, BUT I WAS ADVISED THAT THERE ARE NO URGENT PROBLEMS AND THAT ONLY MY IMAGINATION. ?KEY TIME FROM TIME DO NOT STARTS OR HARD TO REMOVE. ?PROBLEM WITH A BACK WINDOW TO CLOSE WHEN OPENED IT. THE DEALER CLOSED IT AND RECOMMENDED NOT TO OPEN IT ANYMORE. ?WHEEL BEARINGS GOING OUT AND CAR DRAGS THAT CAUSE TO REPLACE A FEW TIMES TIRES AND THE BRAKES PADS. PREMATURE TIRE WEAR. ?BALL JOINT IT WAS THOUGHT IN THE BEGINNING, BUT THEN A TRANSMISSION OR BOTH. AS OF PER CARSCOMPLAINT.COM JANUARY/2013 REPORT IT TALKS ABOUT SUBFRAME RUST NEAR THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL. ?CHANGE SENSORS BUT STILL ?CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINS? ? IT SHOWS P1166 AND P1167 AN AIR /FUEL RATIO SENSOR ? ARE GENERALLY WIDE BAND O2 SENSOR THAT COULD BE ANYTHING. SMELLS. ?IT COULD BE THIS PROBLEM WITH SENSOR & CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AS ACCORDING TO THE JAPANESE AUTOMAKER ?HONDA SAID THE SENSOR WIRE COULD BREAK AND CAUSE THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT TO BE ILLUMINATED AND PREVENT THE SENSOR FROM WORKING PROPERLY. WHEN THE SENSOR FAILS, THE AIR BAG SYSTEM AUTOMATICALLY MOVES TO FULL INFLATION PRESSURE, WHICH COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY FOR SMALLER DRIVERS IN A FRONTAL CRASH?. ?FINALLY TRANSMISSION GONE AND MY CAR NOW TAKING A LONG REST IN SOMEONE'S PARKING LOT. I BELIEVE IT IS ALSO A GEAR BREAKAGE! MY CORE SURVIVAL EXISTENCE IS IN A GREAT DANGER DUE TO IT, I HAVE ENCOUNTER NUMEROUS DAMAGES/INJURIES. *TR

ON AUGUST 3, NOTICE A LOUD CRACKING SOUND IN RIGHT FRONT OF CAR. TOOK CAR TO HONDA DEALER AUG. 9. WAS CONTACTED BY SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE, STATED FRONT CROSS BEAM WAS CRACKED NEARLY INTO TWO PIECES AND THAT DUE TO THE SERIOUS DANGEROUS CONDITION OF THE CAR IT CAN NOT BE DRIVEN. I WAS ASKED TO COME AND OBSERVE THE CONDITION. UPON ARRIVING I ASKED HOW THIS COULD OCCUR, CAR IS GARAGED, EXCELLENT CONDITION, WELL MAINTAINED. I WAS INFORMED THEY HAVE SEEN THIS CONDITION BEFORE AND THAT THE AIR CONDITIONING DRAINS ONTO THIS BEAM MAKING IT WET ALL THE TIME. THEY BELIEVE THIS HELPED THE BEAM RUST, IN ONE AREA ONLY, UNTIL EVENTUALLY NEARLY BREAKING INTO 2 PIECES. I ASKED IF HONDA ACKNOWLEDGED THIS DEFECT I WAS TOLD THEY KNOW THE DRAIN DRIPS ON THE BEAM AND THAT THEY HAVE SEEN THIS BEFORE BUT THERE WAS NO RECALL?? I CALLED HONDA USA FOR ASSISTANCE ON THIS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SAFETY CONDITION, I WAS INSTRUCTED THAT BECAUSE OF THE CARS AGE THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST. I WAS ONLY ASKING FOR HONDA TO SUPPLY THE PART, I WAS WILLING TO PAY THE LABOR COSTS. IF THIS FRONT CROSS BEAM WOULD HAVE BROKEN COMPLETELY THROUGH WHILE DRIVING IT CERTAINLY WOULD HAVE CAUSED A TRAFFIC CRASH RESULTING IN INJURY OR WORSE. I LEARNED THAT HONDA RECOGNIZED THE SAFETY PROBLEM AND CHANGED THE AC DRAIN LOCATION IN NEWER MODELS YEARS 2004 OR 2005 SO THAT IT NO LONGER DRAINS ONTO THE BEAM. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONDITION THAT CERTAINLY HAS HAD TO RESULT IN TRAFFIC CRASHES, HOPEFULLY NO INJURIES HAVE OCCURRED. *TR

THREE 4 WHEEL ALIGNMENT DONE AND VEHICLE STILL NOT SAFE TO DRIVE ON HIGHWAY. *BF THE CONSUMER WAS FINALLY TOLD THE CAMBER COULD NOT BE ADJUSTED. *JB

LOUD NOISES COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WHILE TRAVELING OVER 30 MPH. TOOK VEHICLE TO HONDA DEALERSHIP - FOUND OUT THAT THE REAR BEARING(S) WENT BAD - ESTIMATED COST TO REPAIR OVER $600. DEALER WAS VERY HELPFUL - THEY CONTACTED HONDA AND HONDA WILLING TO PERFORM A GOODWLL REPAIR. MY COST WAS $100.54. IT'S A HONDA ACCORD - 4 CYC - EX MODEL (2002), PURCHASED ON 12/27/01. AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT, IT HAD 43000 MILES.*AK

THREE OF THE WHEEL BEARINGS WERE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY IN THE FIRST 36,000 MILES ON THE CAR. THERE ARE NOW 58,000 ON THE CAR, AND ANOTHER BEARING IS GOING BAD. I AM NOT SURE AT THIS TIME WHICH BEARING IT IS.*AK

WHILE APPLYING BRAKES A CLICKING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE REAR. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR ANALYSIS, AND MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE STRUTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO WORN OUT PARTS.*AK

VEHICLE PULLS RIGHT ONTO ANOTHER LANE WHEN BREAKING TO SLOW DOWN TO A STOP AT ANY SPEED ON ANY SURFACE EVEN AFTER TWO ALIGNMENTS WERE PERFORMED. ADVISED BY JAMES R MARSH (SERVICE ADVISOR), DON F. DECKER (SERVICE MANAGER), AND JEFF MAY (DISTRICT MANAGER) THAT THE PULLING IS NORMAL EVEN AFTER TEST DROVE OTHER VEHICLES WITH THE EXACT MODEL WHICH DID NOT SHOWED THIS PROBLEM.*AK