NHTSA Complaint #10543194 — 2002 HONDA ACCORD

A LOUD, CLUNKING SOUND BEGAN WHEN I WOULD GO OVER UNEVEN ROAD OR BUMPS IN THE ROAD. THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY THAT LOUD, CLUNKING NOISE APPEARING WHEN I WOULD TURN THE VEHICLE TO THE LEFT AND WHEN I WOULD GO OVER BUMPS. FINALLY, THE LOUD, CLUNKING NOISE WAS HEARD AT ALL TIMES DRIVING, ONLY COMING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE. WHEN MY MECHANIC, WHO SPECIALIZES IN FOREIGN CARS, INSPECTED MY CAR HE SAID THE REAR SUBFRAME ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS RUSTED ALMOST COMPLETELY THROUGH AND WAS KNOCKING ON THE REST OF THE FRAME/BEAM ON THAT SIDE. HE INDICATED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONING DRAIN TUBE IS DIRECTLY ABOVE THIS SPOT. WHEN I ASKED HOW THE SUBFRAME LOOKED ON THE DRIVER SIDE, MY MECHANIC REPLIED THAT IT LOOKED GOOD AS NEW. I CONCLUDE THAT NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR AND WEATHER ELEMENTS COULD NOT BE SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR SUCH RUSTING ON ONE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE - THAT RUST DAMAGE WOULD BE ON BOTH SIDES. I BELIEVE THAT THE LOCATION OF THE A/C DRAIN TUBE IS MAJORLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS DAMAGE AND SHOULD BE PAID FOR BY HONDA ($1500-$2000 ESTIMATE). I AM EXTREMELY CONCERNED ABOUT THE MY SAFETY WHILE IN MY VEHICLE NOW AND NEED TO REPAIR THIS SOON AS I AM AFRAID IT WILL COMPLETELY FALL APART SOON AND VERY LIKELY CAUSE A CRASH. I DO NOT SEE ANY RECALLS OF THE 2002 HONDA ACCORD, BUT MANY COMPLAINTS FOR THE VERY SAME PROBLEM - WHICH WAS FIXED ON LATER MODEL ACCORDS. *TR