I have an '02 Accord EXL I4 Auto with 78K miles.
Like many others, I have just started experiencing symptoms of the classic tranny problem.
The car is noticeably slipping (slightly, but noticeable) between 1st & 2nd, and drops in gear hard when accellerating from a rolling stop.

Do you think I am headed for eventual failure? Is it inevitable?
What would be the best care forward? Just frequent fluid changes?

I was hoping to pass the car off to my daughter (new driver), but I have concerns now.

Thanks for reading. I welcome your advice

 

I suggest you head off to the nearby dealership and see if you qualify for extended warranty.
The Dealer can run a VIN search.
If so you could get a new transmission with full warranty.
I'm fairly sure you'd qualify.

 

Thanks for the tip. I'll give it a try.
I wasn't sure the 2002 warranty was extended, but it's worth a shot.
I'll let you know how it goes.

 

Mine rev's to about 3K RPM's before it shifts into second, but only when it's cold. Other than that it's perfect. Are you sure it's slipping?

 

That's how it started. It would rev up from 3k - 4k while shifting into second when cold, but now it is starting to do it in warmer conditions.

 

Mine has been doing that since I bought it ( used ) and it's been 30K miles. I've changed the fluid a few times and have only seen dust like shavings on the plug. When my wifes 2002 Odyssey tranny went there were much bigger shavings. The Odysseys had the same problem and warranty as the Accord in similar years.

I have driven some newer Accords and they all seem to shift that way, when it goes you will know it. It won't hurt to have it looked at though

 

Thanks. I was wondering if these are are characteristic of the tranny.
Other symptoms I have:
In stop-n-go traffic, if the car is rolling, when I accelerate it sometimes engages with a heavy clunk. Like it it is caught between gears.

Also, when warm the shift from 1st to 2nd at normal speeds, if it doesn't rev, there is lull between shifts. It feels something like a manual shift. Sort of naturally makes me back off the pedal a little.

Have it scheduled for a look next week.

I appreciate your responses.