There are 46 owner-reported body & structure complaints for the 2002 Honda Accordin NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
I am writing to express my concern regarding a significant safety issue with my 2002 Honda Accord's subframe. The subframe is rusting severely in the area where the air conditioning drain line drips directly onto it. This design flaw has caused concentrated corrosion over time, significantly weakening the subframe and making the vehicle unsafe to drive. As the subframe supports essential components such as the engine, transmission, and suspension, its deterioration poses a serious risk of structural failure. This could lead to loss of control while driving, endangering both the driver and others on the road. Considering the critical nature of this defect, I urge Honda to take responsibility for addressing this issue and provide a resolution to ensure the safety and reliability of affected vehicles.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE FRONT SUBFRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JIM WHITE HONDA (1505 S. REYNOLDS RD, MAUMEE, OH 43537, (419) 893-5581) TO BE INSPECTED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT DUE TO THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE SALVAGED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE IMPROPER PLACEMENT OF THE DRAIN TUBE CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED NOR SENT TO BE SALVAGED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATELY FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 172,000. *BF *AS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A CRACK APPEARED IN THE SUBFRAME ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE DUE TO RUST. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HONDA SUPERSTORE OF LISLE (4475 LINCOLN AVE, LISLE, IL 60532, 630-852-7200) FOR A BRAKE INSPECTION AND A QUOTE FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE SUBFRAME. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT A HOSE DRAINED ONTO THE SUBFRAME TO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 09919793. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 157,610.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HONDA ACCORD. DURING A ROUTINE TIRE ROTATION, THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED THAT THE SUBFRAME OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 195,000.
HONDA ACCORD 2002, FAILED INSPECTION, FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SUB FRAME COMPLETELY ROTTED OUT. CONTACTED DEALER, QUOTED ME OVER $3000 FOR REPAIR. NO RECALL AS OF YET, SPEAKING WITH HEAD TECH AT HONDA STATES THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. CAR IS NOT DRIVABLE, MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN.
RIGHT SIDE SUBFRAME BY REAR CONNECTING POINT ROTTED THROUGH WITH HOLES UNDER WHERE RIGHT LOWER CONTROL ARM CONNECTS TO SUBFRAME. MOST LIKELY CAUSED FROM A/C DRAIN DRIPPING DIRECTLY ON SUBFRAME. VEHICLE WILL NOT PASS STATE SAFETY INSPECTION. CONTACTED LOCAL HONDA DEALERSHIP AND THEY STATED THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HONDA ACCORD. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE EMITTED AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS SEVERELY CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO CALL A DEALER. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000.
THE SUBFRAME HAS RUSTED DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW BY HONDA ... THE AC DRAINS ON IT. THIS CREATES A SAFETY ISSUE AND THE POTENTIAL FOR A FATAL CRASH TO OCCUR.
AC FLUID DRIP SYSTEM ON THE SUBFRAME PASSENGER SIDE AND RUST IT UNTIL IT BREAKS IT'S A HUGE SAFETY HAZARD FOR MANY PEOPLE KIDS INCLUDED IT'S HOW HONDA MADE THE CAR SO THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THE CAR WITH THE MISTAKES THEY'VE MADE MAKING THE CAR AND PLACING THE PARTS IN THOSE SPOTS FOR THAT TO HAPPEN SOMEONE COULD CRASH AND DIE BECAUSE OF THAT THERE ARE TONS OF ARTICALES AND COMPLAINT AND 1.5MILLION + HONDA ACCORDS FROM 99-02 ARE LIKE THIS IT WASN'T CHANGED UNTIL 03 HONDA CAN'T DENY THE MISTAKE THEY'VE MADE BY PUT PARTS IN THE SPOTS FOR THAT TO HAPPEN PEOPLE'S LIVES ARE AT RISK AND THEY DESERVE RECALLS
WHILE INSPECTING MY 2002 HONDA ACCORD I NOTICED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SUB-FRAME IS ROTTING OUT AND APPEARS TO BE CLOSE TO BREAKING APART. THIS LOOKS TO BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.
I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 2002 HONDA ACCORD. THE PASSENGER SIDE SUBFRAME IS BADLY CORRODED, DUE TO THE A/C DRAIN HOSE DRIPPING ONTO THE SUBFRAME. THE DRIVER'S SIDE LOOKS FINE THOUGH. I NOTICED THE ISSUE, AFTER READING ABOUT COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER OWNERS AND CHECKED OUT OF CURIOSITY. I HAVE BEEN QUOTED $2000-$2500 TO REPLACE THE SUBFRAME (ABOUT A $1,000 FOR THE SUBFRAME AND ANOTHER $1,000-$1,500 FOR LABOR) AND WAS TOLD THIS IS A SAFEY ISSUE. IF THE SUBFRAME WERE TO FRACTURE, THE HANDLING OF THE VEHICLE COULD BE COMPROMISED AND STEERING WILL CEASE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING THE VEHICLE INSPECTED, HE WAS INFORMED BY THE INSPECTOR THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE SUB-FRAME WAS RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTIFY A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 137,000.
NOVEMBER 2016. NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A CREEKING SOUND COMING FROM PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR WHEN DRIVING IT. MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT SUB FRAME HOLDING THE ENGINE HAS RUSTED OUT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND THAT THE CAR IS NOT ROAD WORTHY. HIS EXACT WORDS WERE "THE ENGINE COULD POP OUT AT ANY TIME" AND THAT "HE WOULD NOT DRIVE IT".
HIT A POTHOLE, AND HEARD LOUD CRACK. BODY SHOP FOUND LARGE CRACK IN SUBFRAME AND DEEMED UNREPAIRABLE. FOUND LARGE RUSTED AREA ON SUBFRAME, WHICH WAS DEEMED A "HONDA DEFECT" AND STATE FARM REFUSED TO COVER THE CLAIM. HONDA REPORTS THERE WAS NO RECALL.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 HONDA ACCORD. WHILE AT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR REPAIRS, THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL WAS CORRODED AND THE FRONT SUBFRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 121,000.
THE SUB FRAME IS RUSTED AWAY ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. I NOTICED IT WHILE I WAS DRIVING. IF I WOULD'VE KEPT DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND THE RUSTED FRAME GAVE WAY, ME AND MY KIDS OR OTHER PASSENGERS IN VEHICLES ON THE ROAD COULD HAVE BEEN INJURED OR EVEN KILLED
2002 HONDA ACCORD WITH 115,000 MILES MAKING CLUNKING NOISES WHEN DRIVEN, MADE WORSE WITH TURNS. TOOK TO A MASTER MECHANIC 2 DAYS AGO WHO INITIALLY SAID THAT THE SWAY BAR WAS LOOSE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. HE CALLED ME THE NEXT DAY AND SAID THAT IT'S A LOT WORSE THAN JUST THE SWAY BAR, THAT THE SUB FRAME IS RUSTED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND THERE'S A HOLE. IF THE SUB FRAME BREAKS WHILE DRIVING, IT COULD BE A VERY BAD SITUATION CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVABLE UNTIL REPAIRED AND THE COST COULD EXCEED THE VALUE OF THE CAR IF A NEW SUB FRAME IS USED. IN THE PAST 4 YEARS I HAVE PURCHASED 3 HONDA VEHICLES, THIS ACCORD, A 2010 CIVIC, AND A 2010 CRV, BUT IF HONDA DOESN'T TAKE OWNERSHIP OF THIS DESIGN FLAW (WHERE THE AC DRAIN IS CONSTANTLY DRIPPING ON THE SUB FRAME CAUSING IT TO RUST) AND DO THE RIGHT THING, I WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER HONDA IN MY LIFE. I BOUGHT THIS CAR 2 YEARS AGO FROM A LOCAL DEALERSHIP WHO I NO LONGER TRUST AND WILL NEVER DEAL WITH AGAIN. YOU CAN'T TELL ME THAT THEY DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT THE RUST WHEN THEY SOLD ME THIS VEHICLE FOR MY THEN 16-YEAR OLD DAUGHTER. I'M DISGUSTED WITH THE DEALERSHIP AS WELL AS HONDA. I AM ALSO VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH THE CLEAR COAT PEELING OFF THE BODY OF THE CAR. IT LOOKS AWFUL.
EVERY TIME I DROVE THE CAR THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WAS MAKING NOISES AT THE WHEEL. I HAD MY MECHANIC TAKE THE WHEEL OFF TO CHECK IT. HE NOTICED THAT THE SUBFRAME IS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH. I TRIED TO PURCHASE THE PART FROM HONDA ESTORE AND THEY DON'T SELL A SUBFAME SO I CALLED OVER 25 USED PARTS STORES AND ALL 25 OR SO PLACES TOLD ME THE SAME THING "ON EVERY 1999-2002 HONDA THAT WE'VE SEEN THAT PART IS RUSTED AWAY". I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY THIS PART HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED SINCE IT IS SUCH A LARGE PROBLEM WITH EVERYONE THAT I'VE SPOKE TO.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HONDA ACCORD. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE MADE A CLICKING NOISE WHEN MAKING A TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SOFT FRAME WAS ROTTED OUT. THE MECHANIC EXPLAINED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE AIR CONDITION HOSE WHICH DRAINED WATER ON THE FRAME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT REFUSED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY, EXPLAINING THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OLD AND WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.
PAINT FAILURE. PAINT IS PEELING AND FADING. HONDA SHOULD STAND BEHIND THIS PRODUCT.
Showing 1–20 of 46 complaints
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 25, 2026