2002 Honda Accord: harsh or hard shifting

Filed Oct 15, 2025 · Body, Steering · OH

-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 front end and it dropped down.

Filed Sep 8, 2016 · Suspension, Transmission · 130,000 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 honda accord. While driving various speeds, a clunking sound emitted from the front passenger side of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the technician stated that the drain for the air conditioner leaked onto the subframe and caused it to become rusted and fractured. The technician also stated that the vehicle was unsafe to drive and the part was unable to be replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated to respond between second and third gears without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the transmission slipped; however, a repair was not provided. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000.

Filed Nov 5, 2015 · Body · 115,000 miles · MI

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.

Filed Mar 15, 2015 · Body, Steering · 199,000 miles · MI

The rear beam of the front sub frame has completely rusted through on the passenger side of the car. This location directly affects the sway bar bushing mount as well as a body attachment to the sub frame. The car was exhibiting a squeaking/clunking noise during turns and has increased in frequency in a short matter of time. The rest of the front sub frame shows no signs of rust or damage while the passenger side is completely destroyed. It appears that the cause may be linked to the location of the AC drain hose directly above this location.

Filed Oct 25, 2014 · Transmission · 140,000 miles · IL

This vehicle, like many other hondas of this era, has the 1-2 gear shifting issue. It shifts very hard from first to second and even downshifting seems to be getting harder. The issue has been going on for a very long time, and at 200,000 miles, the car is to the point that I try to drive it only in second until the lower two gears are no longer needed. We've already replaced a mainshaft ($380), which could be related to the incident (slamming into gear over and over again). There is a 3-4 second lag changing directly into second gear. There is also a lag during normal operation. It's almost as if there's a gap in between 1 and 2 where the car almost appears to be in neutral for a moment of time. If triggered just right, applying extra throttle after the transmission has already started trying to shift (which isn't noticeable as the process initiates), the engine speed will rise as if in neutral and then will slam into gear. I actually had wheel spin at one point. This erratic behavior could cause an accident, as the vehicle will take off on me. If accelerating and the car is in 2nd, the car will not have much power, so then I will gradually give it more gas, only to have it downshift and then take off (wheels chirp and everything). If I let go of the gas it will slam into second and lurch a second time, which when braking is very annoying and severely affects the braking distance. I actually almost hit somebody this past week because of a very similar incident. This incident could cause an accident by losing control of the vehicle, especially in an environment with low traction (I live in chicago, we only have a few months of optimal driving conditions). Besides that fact, honda knows about the issue, and should have recalled this transmission years ago. Hondas used to be great, but this is really hurting their reputation with us.

Filed Sep 11, 2013 · Body, Steering · 100,000 miles · WI

A loud, clunking sound began when I would go over uneven road or bumps in the road. This was followed by that loud, clunking noise appearing when I would turn the vehicle to the left and when I would go over bumps. Finally, the loud, clunking noise was heard at all times driving, only coming from the passenger side. When my mechanic, who specializes in foreign cars, inspected my car he said the rear subframe on the passenger side was rusted almost completely through and was knocking on the rest of the frame/beam on that side. He indicated that the air conditioning drain tube is directly above this spot. When I asked how the subframe looked on the driver side, my mechanic replied that it looked good as new. I conclude that normal wear and tear and weather elements could not be solely responsible for such rusting on one side of the vehicle - that rust damage would be on both sides. I believe that the location of the A/C drain tube is majorly responsible for this damage and should be paid for by honda ($1500-$2000 estimate). I am extremely concerned about the my safety while in my vehicle now and need to repair this soon as I am afraid it will completely fall apart soon and very likely cause a crash. I do not see any recalls of the 2002 honda accord, but many complaints for the very same problem - which was fixed on later model accords.

Filed Mar 24, 2013 · Body, Suspension · 91,081 miles · NY

Investigating some strange issues, pulling and clunks at speed and bumps, tranny issues and nose from the front of my car I decided to do an inspection. I took the passenger front wheel off and discovered rust holes right threw the rear beam of the front sub frame! Is completely rusted out, this car is a safety hazard. It will not pass inspection in my state and my family and I are terrified to drive it. This honda has been in my family since new. And has been dealer maintained for all the major service over the past 11 years and this was never seen? Its not like it just happened today in march of 2013! I looked around under the car and under the hood, I see the drain tube for the AC drips right on the spot the frame is rusted threw! Then I took the drivers side wheel off and there is no rust at all! This is a tragic defect. What if the passenger side frame is to snap when I'm driving it? This is unbelievable that car in other wise pristine condition with only less than 91,000 would have this kind of rust and would have to suffer such a hideous flaw like this. I cant afford to fix this now. Its going to be well over $1500 and not only that my life and my family's life is priceless. Again the rear beam of the front sub frame is rusted threw due to the fact the AC drain tube drips directly on this spot. No other rust on the rest of the sub frame. Potential death trap.

Filed Dec 18, 2012 · Transmission · 92,000 miles · IL

My 2002 honda accord se with 2.4 l 4 cyl has 95,000 miles. The transmission will sometimes slam into gear when going from park to drive and slips when the car goes from 1st gear to 2nd gear. When you roll into a stop and press the accelerator to go again the vehicle will slam into gear. When I do come too a complete stop, the transmission seems like it still wants to go and then hesitates and the slams into 1st gear again. Other friends of mine with 2000-2001 accords with 80,000 to 100,000 miles are experiencing the same issue.

Filed Dec 9, 2011 · Transmission · 94,600 miles · NC

Has been making a hard shift since about 65000 miles, really noticeable yesterday at 94600 miles. Sometimes lose acceleration when driving.

Filed Aug 28, 2011 · Transmission · 158,000 miles · CA

At close to 160k miles, experienced harsh shifting between gears. Check engine light indicated an issue with the transmission. Only option is to replace with new transmission.

Filed Apr 6, 2011 · Transmission · 85,000 miles · CA

My car did not show any warning signs of failure until I was driving on the highway then the transmission started slamming into gear as I accelerated causing lurching. I had to send my honda accord 2002 to the repair shop for a new transmission at only 85000 miles. All the transmission dealers I communicated with stated that they have never heard of a transmission breaking at such low mileage.

Filed Feb 11, 2011 · Transmission · 80,000 miles · AR

Transmission slippage when accelarting; jerky transmission; hard shifting; check engine light and d-4 lights illuminating.