2002 Honda Accord: jerking or lurching

Filed Jul 5, 2020 · Acceleration · 170,000 miles · WY

As the vehicle was slowing to a stop at a red light, the rpms suddenly rose to 5-7k ! The driver could not control or stop it from lurching forward into traffic, so she cut off the engine. Upon trying to restart, the engine would not start at normal RPM. A bystander came over and adjusted something in the engine and it worked again. This has happened 2 times since then. No one can figure out the problem, but after a web search, this is not rare for 2002 model. Unacceptable! This has also happened as it the car is put into park, and the rpms rise quickly to high levels. It stops when the car is off, obviously, and usually does not recur on the same day. It's been happening about 1 time per month since we bought it used for our teenager to use. I'm now afraid to let her drive it. Please investigate! This could have killed the driver, my daughter, as well as others in her path.

Filed Sep 24, 2019 · Engine, Steering · 116,000 miles · TN

For the steering, the power steering pump doesn't hold power steering fluid and when you go around a curve and there is a bump in the road, your steering wheel jerks the other way. It's way worse with no power steering but it is still there even if you have fluid. The transmission will jump in between first and second gear so roughly it feels like your transmission is going to fall out, sometimes you can't go because of it and it's almost caused some accidents. You can't get up to the speed you need to with it being so rough and jumpy. Then there is a ticking noise when I press on the gas peddle, from the timing belt and transistor. Some of these problems have been happening since I got the car, like the shifting and the steering. The ticking has been there but not as badly as it is now. I also know I'm not the only honda driver with these issues from this make and model and era for this car.

Filed Sep 4, 2018 · Transmission · 104,000 miles · GU

Transmission slippage and jerking when going into gear from a parked position as well as in motion. Several times my accord would stall because it would not go into gear. It was very embarrassing and dangerous when it happened because I delayed traffic during the rush hour and had my child on board.

Filed Oct 19, 2017 · Transmission · 170,000 miles · TN

Immediately after coming to a full stop behind a car at a stoplight, the 2002 accord lurched forward, nearly rear ending the car in front of me. After full stop was complete, there was approximately 1-2 second delay between pushing the gas pedal and when the car engages in gear again and lurches forward. All other gear changes function normally. Check engine light is illuminated, and diagnostics reveal a p0780 (shift malfunction) code. Lurching after stops and after acceleration continue at every stop now.

Filed Nov 14, 2016 · Transmission · 85,000 miles · ME

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 honda accord. While attempting to accelerate from a stop and while driving various speeds, the vehicle jerked and hesitated before moving forward. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 85,000.

Filed Sep 6, 2016 · Transmission · 90,000 miles · KY

The automatic transmission slips and jerks when shifting gears--it is worse when I stop, the engine idles, and then severely jerks when I accelerate, but the jerking motion also happens going up inclines. It is so bad, it has caused broken motor mounts. I have no doubt that the transmission is eventually going to fail, which could be hazardous while driving. Though I take good care of my car, I thought that maybe it was just older and the transmission was naturally failing, but doing some research, I found this to be a common problem with honda's transmissions in general, but particularly with the '02 accord. It has been happening since 2013, but I will put today's date as it still is happening. I feel like this issue is so prevalent among honda owners that honda really should do right by their customers and recall the transmission.

Filed Nov 25, 2015 · Transmission · 154,000 miles · AZ

I took my accord to tempe honda for a transmission service. Two days later, as I was driving on the highway, I noticed the check engine light on and the transmission was slipping and jerking as it shifted. The code came back as a torque converter control failure. I replaced the tcc solenoid pack and the linear solenoid pack. I was informed later by tempe honda that my transmission was failing and it needed to be replaced at my cost. I found out that honda has issues with this transmission through several model years and they have not recalled them. I cannot drive the car anymore. Honda wants $5000 to replace it.

Filed Jul 20, 2015 · Transmission · 101,000 miles · CA

Transmission starting slipping between gears and jerking under moderate acceleration.

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 26, 2014 · Transmission · 77,000 miles · CA

Transmission jerks violently coming to a stop causing the vehicle to brake improperly. From a dead stop to normal speed, vehicle transmission slips from 1st to 2nd gear causing vehicle to slow unexpectedly and cars behind to slam on their brakes. The federal safety agency needs to conduct an investigation and work with honda to issue a recall. This is a safety issue!

Filed Apr 22, 2014 · Body, Transmission · LA

I purchased this vehicle, a 2002 honda accord ex v-6, in 2008 with 45,000 miles. I began to notice hesitation when changing gears, and a hard jerk that would occur while first gear changes to second gear. I took it to the local honda dealership, and they could not find anything wrong with the vehicle. Six years later at 130,000 miles, my vehicle still does the same thing while driving. I have talked with other honda owners, same model, and they all have had the same problem. I don't understand why this issue has not been recognized yet. It is not only unsafe, but unfair to not provide owners with some type of resolution. Don't even get me started on the clearcoat that has also worn off.

Filed Nov 10, 2013 · Acceleration, Transmission · 86,000 miles · IL

I have a 2002 honda accord ex and the car jerks into gear, even going from 1st to 2nd gear. I am always worried taking off from a stop light because the car doesn't get into gear right away or take off smoothly.