NHTSA Complaint #10131802 — 2002 HONDA ACCORD

ON APRIL 6 AND JULY 1 OF THIS YEAR I WAS TRAVELING AT 70 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN A LOUD EXPLOSION OCCURRED. THE FIRST TIME I THOUGHT I MUST HAVE HIT SOMETHING OR BEEN NEAR A GUNSHOT. WHEN THE SAME THING HAPPENED MONTHS LATER THE NOISE SOUNDED AS THOUGH IT WAS IN THE CABIN WITH ME. NO WARNING LIGHTS, DIFFICULTY IN HANDLING, OR VISIBLE DAMAGE HAS APPEARED. THE NOISE IS SUDDEN, WITHOUT WARNING, AND IMMENSE--RINGING IN EARS AN HOUR LATER--NOT TO MENTION FRIGHTENING. WE REPLACED TIRES IN JUNE, AND ALL REGULAR MAINTENANCE HAS BEEN DONE ON SCHEDULE. THERE WAS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM WHEN THE CAR WAS BRAND NEW-A CLUNKING NOISE-WHICH WAS DIFFICULT TO DIAGNOSE, AND REQUIRED EXTENDED DAYS IN THE SHOP (NEARLY FOUR OF THE FIRST SIX WEEKS OWNED). IT WAS FINALLY ELIMINATED WHEN THE SHOP "DISMANTLED" THE CAR, DRAINED TRANSMISSION FLUID (TWICE) AND DID ASSORTED OTHER "FIXES". I HAVE CONTACTED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT CONCERNING THE EXPLOSIONS, BUT THEY HAVE NO SUGGESTIONS. IN ABOUT 3 WEEKS THE ODOMETER WILL BE AT THE SAME MILEAGE AS BETWEEN THE PREVIOUS TWO BOOMS, WOULD REALLY LIKE SOMEONE ELSE TO BE WITH ME IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN. *JB