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.
My mechanic said this car was unsafe to be on the road due to the subframe under passenger wheel well being rusted out. The drivers side does not have this issue. He believes it is a result of the condensation from the air conditioning hose dripping on that part of the frame. This design flaw will result in many crashes and fatalities. Honda needs to make this right and fix the problem. We were going to give this vehicle to our son as his first car. Honda would have put my son at severe risk had we let him drive this car. No recall has been issued for this and these vehicles should not be on the road in this condition.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
My mechanic said this car was unsafe to be on the road due to the subframe under passenger wheel well being rusted out. The drivers side does not have this issue. He believes it is a result of the condensation from the air conditioning hose dripping on that part of the frame. This design flaw will result in many crashes and fatalities. Honda needs to make this right and fix the problem. We were going to give this vehicle to our son as his first car. Honda would have put my son at severe risk had we let him drive this car. No recall has been issued for this and these vehicles should not be on the road in this condition.
- Nicole A., Indianapolis, US