Problems · by component

2002 Honda Accord electrical system problems

70 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2002 Honda Accord cite electrical system, 7% of all 1,062 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 1 recall on this component.

Complaints
70
7% of all complaints
Crashes
10
Reported by owners
Fires
2
Reported by owners
Injuries
2
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the electrical system

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“Car exploded spontaneously. Fire department thinks it started in the steering wheel/ignition area. Vehicle is still parked on the street and is available for inspection. No one was in or around the vehicle, but it seems if someone had been in the car they would certainly have been incinerated. Anyone in the street would have been struck by shrapnel. Only the fire department has seen the vehicle so far, to put the fire out. This happened last night (1/31/24) about 8:30 pm central time. This happened with no warning, car was parked and turned off - had just been driven 2 hours prior.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 1, 2024Electrical systemFire reportedODI 11569213
“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
“The ignition system of the vehicle is faulty. The engine keeps stalling intermittently and the vehicle shuts down. The issue has been observed at both low and high speeds. The issue occurs on average once in two weeks. This issue has put our family's safety in jeopardy. We filed a complaint with Honda but they are not willing to help with addressing this issue. This issue has been a problem for several years with no restitution from Honda. We need to be compensated USD 2.5million for the stress and aggravation this issue has caused us and for putting our family's safety in jeopardy. Please help us by arranging for mediation services with Honda Motor Company of America. Thank you.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 24, 2023Power train, Electrical system, EngineODI 11528676
“This morning, my neighbor came over to see if I heard my car alarm go off. I saw that part of the driver side where the door buttons are located were some what damaged. They must have been trying to open other doors, trunk or something else. I'm not sure how they were able to open the driver side door, maybe a crow bar what whatever else they use. I did not hear my car alarm go off. I checked my car for anything stolen, but didn't seem to find any thing missing. Will check it again. On another note, there was a night about a month ago where my neighbor heard gun shots outside my back door under the plum tree. Same side of location where my car is parked. Perhaps its the same people. This neighborhood is becoming dangerous. Thank YOU! [XXX]”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 7, 2023Power train, Electrical systemODI 11520834
“Due to the main relay my 2002 Honda Accord SE shuts off I have replaced the box over and over still repeated the same thing I almost got hit because it shut off in traffic with my kids in the car it is a safety issue as I read on many blogs the same thing is happening to many other Honda Accord owners Honda needs to fix this problem.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 12, 2022Electrical systemODI 11496992
“The contact owns a 2002 Honda Accord. The contact stated the key was able to be removed from the ignition while the vehicle was in gear. The contact stated that while the key was in his possession, the vehicle unintendedly reversed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 19, 2022Electrical systemODI 11480204

Showing 6 of 70 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

1 recall on this component

Electrical system: switch

Free remedy

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE INTERLOCK OPERATION OF THE IGNITION SWITCH MAY NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY, MAKING IT POSSIBLE TO TURN THE IGNITION KEY TO THE "OFF" POSITION AND REMOVE THE KEY WITHOUT SHIFTING THE TRANSMISSION TO PARK.

Electrical systemReported Jan 28, 2005NHTSA 05V025000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026

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