2002 Honda Accord: common problems and reliability

The 2002 Honda Accord has 1066 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 16 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are power train and air bags. Owners most often flag 1.5l turbocharged engine reliability — reports of blown head gaskets and fuel injector failures, described as a "staggering" number of issues, making ownership a "hit or miss." frequency: recurrent.

Safety record for the 2002 model year

1,066
Owner complaints
16
Recalls
133
Crash reports
10
Fire reports

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2002 Honda Accord vehicles (US, public record).

Where owners report problems

power train
483
air bags
275
structure
77
electrical system
70
vehicle speed control
47

Recalls affecting the 2002 Accord

air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

Campaign 19V182000

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling specific 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2013-2016 ILX, 2013-2014 ILX Hybrid, 2003-2006 MDX, 2007-2016 RDX, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 TL, 2010-2013 ZDX and 2001-2007 and 20…

air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

Campaign 19V499000

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2003-2006 MDX, 2001-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 E…

air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

Campaign 15V320000

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2001-2007 Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2001-2004 Honda Civic GX, 2003-2005 Honda Civic Hybrid, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 …

exterior lighting:headlights

Campaign 08E050000

K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF F…

What owners say across generations

The sentiment is overwhelmingly positive, with the Accord consistently praised as a benchmark for reliability, practicality, and long-term value. Owners across multiple generations express deep satisfaction, describing their vehicles as "bulletproof," "reliabl

  • 1.5L Turbocharged Engine Reliability — Reports of blown head gaskets and fuel injector failures, described as a "staggering" number of issues, making ownership a "hit or miss." Frequency: recurrent.
  • CVT Transmission Performance — Noted as "sluggish," with a detached feeling and a "weird" sound under hard acceleration, though acknowledged to work well enough for average daily driving. Some owners express long-term reliability concerns. Frequency: recurrent.
  • Infotainment System Lag — Slow response times, slow menu navigation, and delays in connecting to phones. Frequency: recurrent.
  • Interior Build Quality/Rattles — Reports of the car not feeling as "solid" as expected, with door closure sounds and a light trunk lid cited as examples. Rattles on bumpy roads are mentioned from new. Frequency: isolated.
  • Paint Quality — Black paint in particular is noted for being prone to swirl marks. Frequency: isolated.

Owner insights cover all generations of the Accord.

Typical used price

Used Accord listings typically run $14,767–$27,819 across 2007 to 2026 model years.

Other Accord model years

2022 Accord2020 Accord2018 Accord2017 Accord2016 Accord2015 Accord2013 Accord2012 Accord2011 Accord2008 Accord2007 Accord2005 Accord2004 Accord2003 Accord2001 Accord1999 Accord1998 Accord1996 Accord
Full Honda Accord owner reportCompare against another car