RoadVitals

2002 Honda Accord Electrical Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Electrical reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
70
Latest Feb 1, 2024
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
7%
of 1,050 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
13
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
4

What this page shows

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2002 Honda Accord submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 70 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming electrical

The 25 most recent of 70, in the owner's own words

Electrical
Filed Feb 1, 2024
Fire reported

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.

NHTSA ID
11569213
Incident
Jan 31, 2024
ElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Jul 7, 2023
1 injury reported

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.

NHTSA ID
11530813
Incident
Jun 28, 2023
Mileage
180,000 mi
ElectricalEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jun 24, 2023

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.

NHTSA ID
11528676
Incident
Jun 16, 2023
ElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed May 7, 2023

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] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ID
11520834
Incident
May 6, 2023
Electrical
Filed Dec 12, 2022

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.

NHTSA ID
11496992
Incident
Nov 18, 2022
Electrical
Filed Aug 19, 2022

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.

NHTSA ID
11480204
Incident
Aug 15, 2022
Mileage
170,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Dec 17, 2020

AFTER READING THE DESCRIPTION FOR 2002-06 HONDA CR-V POWER WINDOW MASTER SWITCH (PWMS) RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 20V-768 ISSUED ON 12/10/2020), I REALIZED THAT MY 2002 HONDA ACCORD PWMS HAS SIMILAR SYMPTOM OF WARM FEELING AND STOPPED TO ROLL DOWN/UP WINDOWS. UPON GOOGLING, THERE ARE NUMEROUS PWMS REPLACEMENT DIY VIDEOS WITH SIMILAR FAILURES ON YOUTUBE. DURING THOSE YEARS OF PRODUCTION, THE PWMS FOR CRV AND ACCORD LOOKS SIMILAR. PARTICULARLY, DRIVER'S SIDE PWMS ON MY 2002 ACCORD HAS THE IDENTICAL SYMPTOM AS THE 2002-06 CRV HAS, HEREBY, EXPOSING TO THE SAME SAFETY DANGER OF FIRE RISK. I AM FILING THE COMPLAINT TO REQUEST HONDA TO ISSUE SAFETY RECALL DRIVER'S SIDE PWMS ON 2002 ACCORD.

NHTSA ID
11383992
Incident
Dec 5, 2020
ElectricalOther / unspecified
Filed May 21, 2020
Fire reported

THE RADIO CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CAR RADIO THE WAS THE ORIGINAL FACTORY INSTALLED RADIO WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM ALBANY GA HONDA. I DID NOT MAKE ANY CHANGES OR ANY UPGRADES TO THE RADIO. AFTER I DOUSED THE RADIO WITH A SODA, THE SPEAKERS WERE EMITTING A RADIO STATIC SOUND AND I COULD HEAR THE BEEPING SOUND OF PEOPLE UNLOCKING THEIR CAR DOORS WITH THEIR DEVICES. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND THE ENGINE WAS OFF. *TR

NHTSA ID
11325431
Incident
Mar 24, 2020
Mileage
195,000 mi
BrakesElectrical
Filed May 10, 2020

I WAS ABLE TO REMOVE MY KEYS FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IN PARK. OTHER HONDA ACCORDS ARE OF THE SAME YEAR HAVE BEEN RECALLED, EXCEPT FOR MINE. NHTSA CAMPAIGN #05V025000 FOR THE OTHER ACCORDS THAT HAVE BEEN RECALLED. *TR

NHTSA ID
11324005
Incident
May 8, 2020
Mileage
153,000 mi
AirbagsElectrical
Filed Sep 30, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE AND SRS WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED BRONX HONDA (LOCATED AT 2541 E TREMONT AVE, THE BRONX, NY 10461, (718) 892-3300) AND INFORMED THEM OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,637.

NHTSA ID
11265224
Incident
Sep 26, 2019
Mileage
127,637 mi
ElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Jan 15, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HONDA ACCORD. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE AND ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE, THE GEAR SHIFTER WOULD NOT MOVE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS LISTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V025000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 92,000.

NHTSA ID
11170245
Incident
Jan 1, 2015
Mileage
92,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Nov 12, 2018

WHEN I UTILIZE MY MIRROR LIGHTS WHEN I HAVE THE HEADLIGHTS ON.. THE HEAD CIRCUIT WILL SHORT OUT , AND I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SEE HOW FAST I AM DRIVING IN THE NIGHT WHICH IS A SERIOUS SAFETY RISK PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID
11150898
Incident
Jan 2, 2018
Mileage
180,000 mi
AirbagsElectrical
Filed Jan 8, 2017

TAKATA RECALL: THIS VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT IN THE USA AND SENT TO GREECE FOR USE THERE. WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO CORRECT THE AIR BAG ISSUE FOR SEVERAL YEARS WORKING WITH HONDA AMERICA BUT THERE HAVE BEEN NO RESULTS. THE HONDA DEALERSHIP IN GREECE IS CONSTANTLY LYING ABOUT ORDERING THE PARTS, NO WRITTEN DOCUMENTATION IS EVER GIVEN TO STATE THE PARTS ARE ORDERED, OR NOT IN, ETC. WE'VE HAD TO GET A RENTAL THIS PAST SUMMER BECAUSE OF THE SAFETY ISSUE. SEVERAL LETTERS HAVE BEEN SENT TO HONDA AMERICA AS WELL AS PHONE CALLS AND WE ARE BEING IGNORED ON ALL ENDS! WHAT ARE OUR RIGHTS IN THIS MATTER? HOW CAN WE GET THEM TO RESPOND AND TAKE SOME DEFINITIVE ACTION? CAN WE SUE? THIS CAR ALSO HAS A RECALL ON AN IGNITION PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID
10940443
Incident
Jul 11, 2016
Mileage
60,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalSteering
Filed Dec 1, 2016

TOOK MY CAR TO DEALER TO FIX JUST THE AIRBAG ISSUE BUT GOT MY CAR BACK WITH BROKEN STARTER RELAY EVEN IF I JUMP START MY CAR IT WONT CRANK

NHTSA ID
10929497
Incident
Dec 1, 2016
Mileage
157,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Oct 17, 2016

MY REQUIRES THE SWITCH RECALL DONE DEALER SAYS ITS NOT COVERED BY THE VIN. I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALER AS HONDA RECOMMEND I MARKED THE COVER WITH CLEAR TAPE .THEY CLAIMED TO LOOK AT IT BUT DIDN'T. THEY DID GET THE DESCRIPTION OF THE ISSUE RIGHT ON THE JOB CARD. SO I DID THE RESEARCH I'M ASE TECH FOR 15YRS AND FOUND HONDA DOCUMENT AND PERFORMED INSPECTION AND FOUND THAT RECALL SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE ON THIS CAR. I WENT TO DEALER AND GOT THE PART LISTED IN THE DOCUMENT AND COMPARED IT TO THE ORIGINAL AND FOUND THEM TO BE AS DESCRIBED EVEN THE MATERIALS USED ON THE CONSTRUCTION WERE DIFFERENT AND IMPROVED ON THE NEW PARTS. I THINK HONDA IS LYING ABOUT HOW MANY OF THESE SWITCHES ARE FAULTY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10916407
Incident
Oct 6, 2016
Electrical
Filed Jun 30, 2016
Crash reported

MY VEHICLE IS ROLLING OVER WHEN THE IGNITION IS TURNED OFF (AND KEY REMOVED) AND THE TRANSMISSION IN NEUTRAL. HONDA IS NOT RESPONDING TO THIS MATTER PROPERLY.

NHTSA ID
10881805
Incident
Jun 6, 2016
Mileage
5 mi
AirbagsElectrical
Filed Jun 22, 2016
Crash reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY COULD BE MOVED FROM THE IGNITION WHILE IN GEAR AND THE VEHICLE CAN ROLL AWAY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 251,575. UPDATED 08/17/16*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE ROLLED AWAY ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND ON ONE OF THOSE OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE SRS. UPDATED 11/03/16.*JB

NHTSA ID
10876007
Incident
Jun 22, 2016
Mileage
251,575 mi
Electrical
Filed May 16, 2016

IT HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION THAT HONDA HAD A RECALL IN MARCH 2005 ON THE 2002 HONDA ACCORD FOR IGNITION PARK INTERLOCK. I CHECKED THE CAR BY LEAVING IT IN DRIVE, TURNED OFF ENGINE AND REMOVED KEY - CAR THEN BEGAN TO ROLL BACKWARDS. THIS IS WHAT THE RECALL WAS FOR. SINCE THE VIN NUMBERS DIDN'T MATCH WHAT HONDA DETERMINED TO BE FAULTY, THEY NOW SAY THAT IT ISN'T THEIR RESPONSIBILITY. I AM CONFUSED HOW THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE FOR SOME CARS BUT NOT OURS. BECAUSE IT WASN'T LISTED WITHIN THE RANGE OF VIN NUMBERS ACCORDING TO HONDA? SEEMS LIKE IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN.

NHTSA ID
10865242
Incident
May 13, 2016
Mileage
39,500 mi
Body & structureElectrical
Filed Jan 21, 2016

MY CAR IS COMPLETELY UNSAFE TO DRIVE. IT STALLS WHILE DRIVING. IT HAS STOPPED ON HIGHWAYS, BUSY INTERSECTIONS, DAYTIME-NIGHTIME. HONDA DEALERSHIP AS WELL AS OTHER REPAIR SHOPS HAVE TOLD ME THAT NOTHING SHOWS UP ON THEIR ELECTRICAL TESTS. THEY TEST DRIVE AND IT DOESN'T HAPPEN. THE CAR WILL GO 2 -3 BETWEEN OCCURENCES, BUT IT HAPPENS. THE IGNITION SWITCH HAS BEEN REPLACED. PRESENTLY, THE CAR IS A DEATH TRAP AT 125,000 MILEAGE. I HAVE READ THAT THIS HAPPENS TO OTHER HONDAS. IF THIS IS TRUE, THIS WARRANTS A RECALL. THE HOOD ON MY ACCORD DOES NOT CLOSE. THERE HAS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH THIS FOR SEVERAL MONTHS.

NHTSA ID
10821523
Incident
Dec 28, 2015
Mileage
125,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Nov 18, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HONDA ACCORD. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE GAUGE AND RPM UNIT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BECAME INOPERABLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE WHILE ATTEMPTING TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT IT WAS EXTREMELY HARD TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN. THE FAILURE OCCURED ONCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.

NHTSA ID
10794598
Incident
Nov 13, 2015
Mileage
100,000 mi
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Nov 3, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HONDA ACCORD. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND THE ENGINE STALLED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STARTER NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PRESSURE WAS DOWN AND THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID
10787969
Incident
Jul 1, 2015
Electrical
Filed Jun 2, 2015

THE SRS DASH LIGHT CAME ON LAST MONTH AND WILL NOT GO OUT.

NHTSA ID
10723081
Incident
May 1, 2015
Mileage
80,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Mar 3, 2015

I WAS IN THE PROCESS OF PURCHASING A 2002 HONDA ACCORD WHICH HAD 137,00 MILES . WHEN I GOT THE CARFAX IT HAD 222,00 MILES. THE ODOMETER READING HAD BEE CHANGED. THE NAME OF THE COMPANY IS EXPRESS MOTORS CO. ADDRESS 10326 ANTOINE DR HOUSTON TX 77086. TEL 281 260 0999. WEB [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
10691738
Incident
Mar 2, 2015
Mileage
137,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Feb 11, 2015

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IN PARK, THE VEHICLE WOULD START INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE IMMOBILIZER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID
10682741
Incident
Feb 1, 2007
AirbagsElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Nov 29, 2014

I AM ON MY SECOND HONDA - THE FIRST ONE WAS A 1987 HONDA ACCORD THAT I HAD FOR 15 YEARS. I LOVED THAT CAR AND HAD NO ISSUES AT ALL WITH ITS PERFORMANCE. THE CAR LISTED WITH THIS COMPLAINT I BOUGHT NEW IN 2002 AND STILL HAVE IT TODAY. I AM NOT SURE OF THE DATES BUT WITHIN THREE TO FOUR YEARS OF HAVING THIS HONDA, THE DASH BOARD LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING AND THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG RETURNED AN ERROR LIGHT. I FAITHFULLY SERVICE THIS VEHICLE ( KIRKWOOD AUTO CENTER WILMINGTON DE) AND WHEN THEY INVESTIGATED THE ISSUE, I WAS TOLD THAT EACH OF THE REPAIRS WAS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY AND WOULD BE SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS TO REPAIR. I WAS A SINGLE PARENT AT THE TIME AND LEARNED TO LIVE WITH NO DASHBOARD LIGHTING AT NIGHT AND HAD THE AIR BAGS DISABLED. I HAVE ALSO TAKEN THE CAR TO A CERTIFIED HONDA DEALER (UNION PARK HONDA WILMINGTON DE) AND THEY ALSO CONFIRMED THAT NEITHER OF THOSE REPAIRS WAS COVERED OR THE PRODUCT OF A RECALL. I ALWAYS THOUGHT I WOULD BUY HONDAS FOREVER BUT I AM QUITE DISAPPOINTED IN THE PERFORMANCE OF THIS 2002 ACCORD AND HOW IT FAILED SO SOON AFTER I PURCHASED IT WITH NO RECOURSE BUT TO PAY A HUGE AMOUNT OF MONEY TO FIX THE ISSUES. EQUALLY UPSETTING IS ALL OF THE ISSUES WITH AIRBAGS THAT ARE BEING REPLACED YET MY CAR, WITH THE FAILED AIRBAG, WOULD HAVE TO BE PAID BY ME TO BE FUNCTIONAL. WHAT CAN HONDA DO FOR ME TO KEEP ME IN YOUR HONDA FAMILY? *TR

NHTSA ID
10661246
Incident
Nov 1, 2005
Mileage
20,000 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .