HondaAccord2002Overview/honda/accord/2002/base/

2002 Honda Accord

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2002 Accord.

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 2002 Honda Accord is a passenger car engineered with an engine requiring 4.5 quarts of 5W-20 API oil, a lubrication requirement that contrasts sharply with the powertrain issues driving its 1,066 total owner complaints and 16 recalls. Situated within the model's 1990-2022 complaint history, this year falls just beneath the 2003 peak of 2,013 complaints and towers over the 2022 low of 213, anchoring a concentrated era of trouble for the nameplate. For researchers, this positions the 2002 model as a definitive benchmark of the Accord's historical reliability lows, indicating a period where the vehicle's typical engineering resilience significantly faltered.

Model year202420232022202120202019201820172002

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.5 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque80 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 35 · 450 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 35 · 450 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP195-70SR14OEM · verified
Wheel / rim5.5-JJ inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length187.8 in
Overall width70.5 in
Overall height55.1 in
Wheelbase105.1 in
Curb weight3014 lb
Track (front / rear)61.4 / 60.6 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)61/39

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Accord of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

8.3 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.30 sec — 2002 LX V-6 Sedan
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2002LX V-6 Sedan 3.0L V68.30 sec16.60 sec200 hpFWD
2001EX V-6 Sedan 3.0L V67.60 sec15.90 sec200 hpFWD
2000EX V-6 Sedan 3.0L V68.10 sec16.20 sec200 hpFWD
1999LX V-6 Coupe 3.0L V67.40 sec15.80 sec200 hpFWD
1998LX V-6 Sedan 3.0L V67.70 sec16.00 sec200 hpFWD
1998LX V-6 Sedan 3.0L V67.80 sec16.10 sec200 hpFWD
1998LX V-6 Sedan 3.0L V67.80 sec16.10 sec200 hpFWD
1998EX Coupe 2.3L I-48.20 sec16.50 sec150 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.5 qt of 5W-20 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 80 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-4-2-5-3-6. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine Oil5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.5 qt
Engine Oil5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.6 qt

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs6MM
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs17 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts181 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel BoltsAT: 54 ft-lbs, MT: 76 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts76 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts16 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts23 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts16 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts80 ft-lbs
Automatic Transmission Drain Plug36.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub181 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub134 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-4-2-5-3-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)680 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance.45-.55 VTEC ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance16,800-25,200 ohms

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.31-1.44 lbs
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity5.33-6.00 oz
Oil GroupPAG
Standard BCI Group Number35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance450 cca
Standard BCI Group Number24

Service checks

Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)41.0-48.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)32.0-40.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)47.0-54.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)38.0-46.0 psi
Engine Compression135 minimum PSI. 28 maximum variation PSI.
Engine Compression135 minimum PSI. 28 maximum variation PSI.
Engine Oil Pressure10 psi @ idle, 50 psi @ 3000 rpm psi
Engine Oil Pressure10 psi @ idle, 71 psi @ 3000 rpm psi

Brakes

Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC
Torque Caliper to Bracket17 ft-lbs / 36 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle28 ft-lbs / 80 ft-lbs
Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC
Torque Caliper to Bracket18 ft-lbs / 80 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle28 ft-lbs / 80 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle80 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.063; Rear: 0.063 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
114 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9014 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
114 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9014 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
129 ft. lbs.29 ft. lbs
251 ft. lbs.51 ft. lbs
372.3
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep If using old bolts:

122 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
2180 degrees; If using new bolts:180 degrees
122 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
2270

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs at 105,000 mi; coolant at 120,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 120,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace)
At 105,000 miBalance Shaft Drive Belt (replace) · Engine Valves (inspect valve lash) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Timing Belt (replace) · Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect idle speed) · Water Pump (inspect)
At 120,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
At 180,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2002 Honda Accord sits near the end of the sixth generation (1998–2002), a period marked by a sharp rise in federal complaints. Complaints jumped from 484 in 1997 to 1,239 in 1998, then remained elevated through 2000 (1,215) before dipping slightly to 941 in 2001 and 1,066 in 2002. This is followed by a massive spike to 2,013 complaints in 2003, the start of the seventh generation. Recalls follow a similar arc: 19 in 2001, 16 in 2002, then 24 in 2003. The 2002 model thus falls in a relative lull between the initial sixth-generation surge and the seventh-generation peak, but its complaint count is still high—over double the 1997 level. The top complaint areas for 2002 are powertrain (424) and air bags (221), with 133 crash-related complaints and 10 fire complaints. Given this pattern, the 2002 Accord is a middling-to-risky buy: it avoids the worst of the 2003 spike but still carries elevated powertrain and airbag issues compared to earlier, lower-complaint years like 1997.

16
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
199
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
7
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
1,066
Owner complaints
133 involved a crash · 10 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 1,066 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train424
Air Bags221
Structure46
Electrical System38
Vehicle Speed Control32
Engine & Engine Cooling19
Unknown Or Other19
Tires18

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 16 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

19V182000Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator ModuleReported 06/03/2019

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… Remedy: 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…

19V499000Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator ModuleReported 27/06/2019

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… Remedy: 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 199 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
A20-0092020-03-10Air BagsService Bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating…
A18-0772018-10-26Air BagsService bulletin - This bulletin has been cancelled because the collection is now…
A18-0462018-05-24Air BagsService bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating…
TAKATA_EMAIL TEM2016-12-14Air BagsEMAIL TEMPLATE TO REMIND OWNERS OF THE TAKATA RECALL AND TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT AT…
TAKATA_HAWAII PO2016-09-07Air BagsPOSTERS SENT TO HAWAIIAN INDEPENDENT REPAIR FACILITIES, AUTOMOTIVE PART STORES, CAR…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Accord. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2002 Accord take?

4.5 qt of 5W-20 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2002 Accord have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 16 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.