5 recalls and 1,050 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2002 Honda Accord.
5
recalls
1,050
owner complaints
129
complaints mentioning a crash
10
mentioning a fire
Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.
2002 Honda Accord recalls
Air bags: frontal, driver side, inflator module
NHTSA campaign 19V499000 · reported June 27, 2019 · Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) · 3,947 vehicles potentially affected
The problem
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.
The risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are Q5A and Y58.
Air bags: frontal, driver side, inflator module
NHTSA campaign 19V182000 · reported March 6, 2019 · Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) · 1,101,534 vehicles potentially affected
The problem
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.
The risk
An explosion of an inflator within the driver frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver, front seat passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began April 10, 2019. Honda owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is O41. Acura owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's number for this recall is U40.
Air bags: frontal, driver side, inflator module
NHTSA campaign 15V320000 · reported May 28, 2015 · Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) · 6,281,043 vehicles potentially affected
The problem
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.
The risk
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Owners may contact Acura customer service at 1-800-382-2238, select option 4. Note: Vehicles that have had their driver frontal air bag replaced previously as part of a recall remedy prior to September 12, 2014 need to have their air bag replaced under this recall as well. Vehicles that, on or after September 12, 2014, received a remedy for a prior driver frontal air bag inflator recall already received an inflator of a different design, and therefore are not included in this recall and do not require additional servicing. Note: This recall fully supersedes recalls 08V-593, 09V-259, 10V-041, 11V-260, 14V-351 and 15V-153. Honda's numbers for this recall are JQ9, JR0, JR1, JR2, JR3, JR4, JR5, JR6, JR7, and JR8.
Electrical system: ignition, switch
NHTSA campaign 05V025000 · reported January 28, 2005 · HONDA (AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.) · 486,659 vehicles potentially affected
The problem
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.
The risk
If the driver does not shift to park before removing the key and fails to engage the parking brake, the vehicle could roll and a crash could occur.
The fix
Dealers will perform an inspection procedure that confirms interlock function. Vehicles will be updated with a redesigned interlock lever free of charge. The recall began on march 7, 2005. Owners may contact honda at 1-800-999-1009 or acura at 1-800-382-2238.
Engine and engine cooling: engine
NHTSA campaign 02V226000 · reported August 28, 2002 · AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO. · 17,551 vehicles potentially affected
The problem
On certain minivans, sedans, coupes, and sport utility vehicles equipped with v6 engines, a timing belt tensioner pulley on the water pump is misaligned and could cause the timing belt to contact a bolt on the cylinder head. Eventually the belt could be damaged and fail.
The risk
If the timing belt breaks, the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix
Dealers will inspect the water pump and if it is one of the defective pumps, the water pump and timing belt will be replaced. Owner notification began august 30, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact honda at 1-800-999-1009 or acura at 1-800-382-2238.
Most reported problems
Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.
Power train478
Air bags273
Structure75
Electrical system69
Vehicle speed control46
Seat belts39
Engine and engine cooling33
Suspension32
Unknown or other29
Service brakes, hydraulic25
What owners report
Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.
Nov 8, 2025 · Air bags · crash reported
Air Bags never deployed in an accident. Honda shows recall work was done prior to collision. Front end collision
Oct 29, 2025 · Engine and engine cooling
See attached document for complaint.
Oct 15, 2025 · Steering
-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…
Nov 19, 2024 · Structure
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…
Oct 7, 2024 · Air bags
SRS bag light has been on for unknown reason(s). Steering is not good and it got checked they said they fixed issue on it but it does not feel fixed
Yes. NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2002 Honda Accord, the most recent reported on June 27, 2019 (Air bags: frontal, driver side, inflator module). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Honda Accord?
Owners have filed 1,050 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is power train (478 complaints), followed by air bags (273).
How many 2002 Honda Accord complaints mention a crash or fire?
129 of 1,050 complaints report a crash and 10 a fire; 102 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received November 8, 2025.