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Research · Midsize Cars

2002 Honda AccordRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 16 safety recalls and 1,062 owner complaints for the 2002 Honda Accord. Most complaints involve power train (483) and air bags (274). The EPA rates it 21–25 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
21–25mpg
EPA · 5 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
16campaigns
Latest Jun 2019
Owner complaints
1,062
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$2,550est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

16 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

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 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot and 2006 Ridgeline vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with driver frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Air bagsReported Jun 27, 2019NHTSA 19V499000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

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 2009 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2007 and 2010-2011 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. The affected vehicles received a replacement driver air bag inflator as part of a previous Takata inflator recall remedy or a replacement driver air bag module containing the same inflator type as a service part. Due to a manufacturing error, in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver frontal air bag, these inflators may explode.

Air bagsReported Mar 6, 2019NHTSA 19V182000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

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 Pilot, 2006 Ridgeline, 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2003-2006 Acura MDX, and 2002-2003 Acura 3.2TL vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion and other factors, including manufacturing variability that, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.

Air bagsReported May 28, 2015NHTSA 15V320000
See all 16 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

1,062 complaints filed with NHTSA · Oct 2001 – Nov 2025
  1. Power train483
  2. Air bags274
  3. Structure75
  4. Electrical system70
  5. Vehicle speed control47
  6. Seat belts38
  7. Engine and engine cooling34
  8. Suspension32
  9. Service brakes, hydraulic26

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Accord model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996478
1997467
19981,215
19991,144
20001,193
2001932
20021,062
20032,013
20041,018
2005686
2006433
2007524
20081,521
2009727
2010581
2011296
2012381
20131,438
2014984
2015602
2016613
2017540
20181,897
2019698
2020368
2021246
2022262
202388
2024153
202599
202614
Crashes reported
133
Fires reported
10
Injuries reported
104
Deaths reported
3
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Power train

483 reports6 crashes3 fires
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 7, 2023Power train, Electrical systemODI 11530813

Air bags

274 reports87 crashes1 fire
“The contact owns a 2002 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the driver's side air bag warning light remained illuminated. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 354,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 29, 2024Air bagsODI 11611624

Structure

75 reports7 crashes1 fire
“-The front subframe on the passenger side completely rusted through and broke. The driver side is perfectly fine and still has factory paint on it, but the passenger side is completely rusted out. Yes the vehicle and issue are available for inspection. -The front subframe is the frame component that holds and supports your front suspension, steering, engine and transmission. With the failure of the subframe the front passenger side of the car dropped down and the steering and suspension were compromised. Very unsafe for the driver and passengers to lose control of the vehicle. Loss of control is also very dangerous for others on the road. -The problem is very prominent for this year and model of car. It is an engineering flaw from the factory for years 1998-2002. The air conditioning evaporator drain hose is routed right onto the passenger side sub frame. The moisture from the drain is what accelerates the rust. The car only has 55,000 miles on it and it has failed this soon. -The car has been inspected by a shop previously and the shop welded a new support piece to “patch” the frame to make back home. -There were no symptoms, there was just a loud clunk on the…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 15, 2025Steering, Suspension, StructureODI 11693726
All 2002 Accord problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

5 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Engines
2.3L 4-cyl · 3.0L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 5-spd · Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Accord
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L, SOHC-VTEC · Front-Wheel Drive
222925$2,550355
Accord
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L, SOHC · Front-Wheel Drive
222924$2,700370
Accord
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L, SOHC · Front-Wheel Drive
202823$2,800386
Accord
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L, SOHC-VTEC · Front-Wheel Drive
202823$2,800386
Accord
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, SOHC-VTEC · Front-Wheel Drive
182621$3,050423
  • Accord
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L, SOHC-VTEC
    22 city · 29 hwy · $2,550/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
  • Accord
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L, SOHC
    22 city · 29 hwy · $2,700/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • Accord
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L, SOHC
    20 city · 28 hwy · $2,800/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • Accord
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L, SOHC-VTEC
    20 city · 28 hwy · $2,800/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • Accord
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, SOHC-VTEC
    18 city · 26 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

4 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2002 Honda Accord as of Nov 3, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 3, 2026Vehicle 4623Vehicle 4622Vehicle 4621
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2002 Accord questions

How many recalls does the 2002 Honda Accord have?

16 safety recalls as of Nov 3, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2002 Honda Accord problems?

Owners filed 1,062 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (483), air bags (274), structure (75). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2002 Honda Accord get?

The EPA rates the 2002 Honda Accord at 21–25 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (5 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 3, 2026