CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2001 Honda Accord suffers from widespread transmission failure, subframe rust, & problems with the airbag system (SRS). We recommend avoiding this model year like the plague.
The transmission begins slipping & eventually has to be replaced, typically soon after 100,000 miles & with a repair cost of over $2,000. Transmission failure problems have been a huge problem for Honda Accords & other models all through the early 2000s model years. Honda eventually extended the transmission warranty to 93 months/109k miles for the 2000-2001 Accords as settlement for a class action lawsuit, but that period is over & owners of Accords with transmission problems are out of luck.
Subframe rust near the front passenger side wheel has become a problem recently, due to the poorly positioned A/C drain hose directly above that area. Repair cost to the subframe is over $2,000.
The SRS warning light likes to come on due to a defective seat belt sensor -- typically the driver's side. This sensor is covered under Honda's lifetime seat belt warranty, but some dealers charge a $100+ "diagnostic fee" or tell customers the entire SRS unit ($800) is bad. Also make sure your 2001 Accord has been checked for the airbag recall: excessive pressure may cause metal fragments during airbag deployment.
Instrument panel lights completely out. Very obviously the same issue referenced in NHTSA recall #04V256000 for the LX version of the accord. Before I knew of the recall, I paid hundreds of dollars (maybe thousands?) to fix it at a Honda dealership, only to find that new bulbs and instrument panel didn’t work. Reading over the NHTSA is like deja vu, this is exactly the problem I’m facing but for some reason the EX version of the Honda Accord is not included in the recall. I'm going to ask the dealer if I can pay to have the same work as the LX recall, it should be covered. I'm curious how these recall deals are formed, there's a story somewhere about why the EX was excluded although its the same problem.
Dash lights started to go off whenever the car went over a bump. We could bang on the dash and they would come back on. Dealer told us they could replace the lamps. That wasn't the problem. It is a short in the line. We were able to fix it temporarily by unplugging the unit and adding shims to the power lines.
Problem began with odometer numbers scrambling. Then at night lights on dash no longer work and gauges can't been read. Backlight on clock went out and now even cruise control has stopped. Service Dept. at dealer who sold me the car said it is the "scatter" (the motherboard). It would cost $1500 to fix and they recommended I wait until it goes out completely!i
- sharona,
Westlake, LA, US
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Instrument panel lights completely out. Very obviously the same issue referenced in NHTSA recall #04V256000 for the LX version of the accord. Before I knew of the recall, I paid hundreds of dollars (maybe thousands?) to fix it at a Honda dealership, only to find that new bulbs and instrument panel didn’t work. Reading over the NHTSA is like deja vu, this is exactly the problem I’m facing but for some reason the EX version of the Honda Accord is not included in the recall. I'm going to ask the dealer if I can pay to have the same work as the LX recall, it should be covered. I'm curious how these recall deals are formed, there's a story somewhere about why the EX was excluded although its the same problem.
- Chuck P., Alameda, CA, US