Two problems related to engine cooling system have been reported for the 2002 Honda Accord. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2002 Honda Accord based on all problems reported for the 2002 Accord.
My case is very similar to odi id number: 10251868. I was driving on the freeway. The engine overheated and it was found that the upper radiator hose burst. Engine oil leaked into the cooling system also. The Honda dealer torn down the engine, and did a series of inspections, leak down test, and pressure test. No visible sign of a blown head gasket. No signs of warping and/or cracks on the cylinder head. The service manager said it is probably due to a very porous cylinder head. The most likely cause for the engine overheating is as follows: the porous cylinder head allowed engine oil to leak into the cooling system. The oil deteriorated the rubber gasket on the thermostat. (this was indicated by fresh engine oil residue found on the damaged rubber gasket of the original thermostat. ) the deteriorated rubber gasket blocked the flow of the coolant. Without enough flow rate to cool down the system, the coolant boiled inside the hoses. Pressure built up, and the upper radiator hose burst. Coolant leaked out from the damaged hose, and the engine overheated. This is the first time the car has this problem. It has no major problems before. I completed all necessary maintenance on time According to the owner's manual. All major maintenance services were performed by the dealer. To correct the failure, the dealer recommended replacing the whole cylinder head, but the total repair cost for it, including changing the oil-contaminated hoses and others, cost more than $4200. It's just too expensive. All the old parts (damaged hoses, thermostat, etc) are available. Fyi, if it helps any investigations, this car is still torn apart at the dealer as of today.
The contact owns a 2002 Honda Accord. The contact did not notice any failures with the vehicle prior to the failure. She took the vehicle to a Nissan dealer for a routine tune-up and was informed that oil was leaking in the cooling system. The mechanic flushed the cooling system and the contact drove to her residence. A few days later, she wanted a second opinion and drove to a Honda dealer. The mechanic stated that there was a crack in the head gasket. The vehicle has not been repaired and the manufacturer has not been notified. The contact has supporting documents to confirm the failure. The current mileage was 90,000 and failure mileage was 85,000.