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.
10.0
really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
75,829 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
Transmission went bad at 96,000 miles. Honda is fully aware of a defective torque-converter which ruins the unit. Went to the torrington, ct dealership today, spent $116 to be told what I already knew-transmission needs replacement. Was quoted $4,050. To repair it. Honda offered $1,000 toward the repair which I declined. This is a huge safety issue, not to mention wrong since I can no longer use the car. How does Honda get away with this? they issued a directive tsb but not a recall despite scores of Honda owners experiencing transmission failures in various driving scenarios. Someone will get hurt or die due to Honda's negligence.
I own a 2001 Honda Accord which has been experiencing problems at 70,000 miles with the transmission slipping and not shifting smoothly. My research has indicated that this is a common problem but Honda has only recalled 2003-2004 Accord even though they have the same transmission. I am very dissatisfied with this reliability issue considering I bought the Accord for its reliability.
After have the recall done on this car 5 years ago. My transmission is having all the issues known by everyone. Engine light is one service computer states transmission shifting problem. Aamco has told me that its a known issues with this model car to have transmission issue before the recall and way after and yet Honda is silent! I am sorry but this is just not right!
A failed transmission on a used 2001 Honda Accord. This transmission failed not long after the extended warranty period. It took a little longer to break. Honda refuses to help getting it fixed even though they are aware of their sub-standard product.
- Nashville, TN, USA
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The contact owns a 2001 Honda Accord. The contact was driving up an incline approximately 20 mph when the transmission began to hesitate excessively during acceleration with a loud unusual noise. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer who stated the transmission would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000. Updated 10/27/11 updated 11/07/11
Transmission failure with low mileage needs recall major problem with alot of people who cant afford the repair costs. The Honda company is not helpful, with wanting to fix 2001 models, I think its rediculous, if the car is under 100K mi. They should fix it for free its there responsibility as a company to do so.
Transmission failure to shift into 2nd gear some times. Car taken to dealer on extended warranty and refused maintenance due to age of car.. many Honda's having this problem and need a recall to resolve this issue as it shouldn't happen. Second problem is driver seat belt. Air bags replaced on recall and shortly after the SRS light came on. Dealer says problem not in air bags but driver seat belt module in seat buckle. Seat belt warranty for life of vehicle but Honda says the buckle where switch is not covered. You can not replace switch but must buy the complete seat belt strap and buckle. To me the seat belt buckle-strap is part of the seat belt. Honda warranty says a seat belt that fails to function properly is covered for the useful life of the vehicle. This is a safety problem as with this failure Honda manual says air bags will not fire when SRS light on.
On January 21, 2010 I bought a 2001 Honda Accord ex from a private party. I have owned Honda vehicles all my life; the dependability is a major reason why. After owning the vehicle for almost 1 year, the transmission started giving me problems. The transmission would slip out of gear and not engage. It would eventually not work all together. I took the vehicle into my local automobile shop and to my surprise they told me I needed a new transmission. The cost was nearly $2100 just to get a rebuilt one. A new one from the dealership would cost me anywhere from $3000-$4000. I called my local Honda dealership and spoke with a service representative who told me since I purchased it through a private party I would need to call Honda. He also told me that there were some issues in the past with Accord transmissions. On the same day, I called Honda and spoke with a representative that worked in the recall department. He told me that Honda did indeed have transmission failure issues with the Honda Accord of that year; but that my Honda would not be covered because it had 130,000 miles vs. The warranty coverage of 109,000 miles. Unsatisfied with the results, I spoke with a supervisor and she informed me that she looked into alternatives as far as paying for the expenses; and she was unable to find a solution. To my disappointment; I was unable to receive assistance to pay for this large bill that was due to a defective transmission manufacturer's by Honda. As a long term consumer of Honda; words cannot explain my melancholy. Since I was given no assistance, and my Honda is my only means of transportation to work, I was left with no other option than to incur a financial hardship by covering the expenses myself. Total cost = $2083.
In recent months the transmission in my 2001 Honda Accord has been slipping. Diagnostic at Honda dealers shows the transmission needs replacement. They are asking for $3,350 to replace the transmission even though they are well aware that this year's model has a defective transmission. The bay area manager was consulted and he refuses to replace the transmission or even offer the repair at a reduced rate, he simply refuses to accept any responsibility for the failure of their product. When I called Honda of America/headquarters, they basically told me that whatever the manager decided is what they back up. I feel strongly that despite mileage or number of years, should a transmission fail in these vehicles, Honda should at the least offer a repair at a reduced rate. Perhaps only charge for parts and not labor but they should be trying to make good with their customers. This is one of three Honda in the family and I mentioned this in discussions but they obviously have no loyalty to their customers.
My car suddenly started to stop shifting into gear. Driving, it would slip out of gear and I would have to shift it into another gear to get it to move. This would fail and I would shift it into another gear. Starting from red light--10 to 15 seconds with no response from car--very dangerous situation to be in. Took to Honda dealer--needed a new transmission--cost $3,400. Ridiculous. Car has only 58,000 miles on it.
2001 Honda Accord. Transmission problem might lead to loss in gears during high speed; especially when driving on the highway the consumer was informed his vehicle was not included in the warranty extension for the transmission.
The contact owns a 2001 Honda Accord. When the vehicle is parked, it is extremely difficult to shift into another gear. The contact took the vehicle to a local mechanic and he located NHTSA campaign id number 05V025000 (electrical system:ignition:switch). The dealer stated that the VIN was not included in the recall and all the repairs would be made at the contact's expense. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure and current mileages were 68,000.
While accelerating from a stop the accelerator pedal became stuck intermittently. The consumer was able to decelerate the vehicle. Dealership repaired the iac valve. Both rear seat belt became stuck. The transmission was very noisy. Both front wheel bearing were replaced because they were making noise.
December 7, 2002-took car to Honda cars of hickory. Problem: Sudden downshifting/replaced with remanufactured transmission(was told could not have new one) December 26, 2002-took car back for same problem: Replaced transmission again January 4, 2003-transmission fluid leaking-tried to sealoff leak February 27, 2003-transmission still leaking March 6,2003-same problem-told me idler pulley was problem, not transmission another visit(not sure of date)transmission replaced due to fluid leak. Currently having more problems with transmission coming out of gear and with traction control system (according to owners' manual-diagnostic problem) service manager, kevin stein, not returning phone calls!
At 65 to 70 miles an hour on straight interstate car began to steer irradically to right. No response to wheel correction, fish tailing, struck one side concrete wall and crossed road to left guard rail. Brakes tried at least twice without response and correction of wheel after first hit did not correct direction. Airbags deployed front and right side after first hit and perhaps only on second. No significant injuries. Total front damage. Serpentine belt seen hanging upon removal of car. Tie rods and cv joint boots intact, but transmission just replaced under warrantee and cv joints on order for wear perhaps related to transmission being "very sloppy" creating front end vibration in floor at 50 miles an hour to 60 relieved by putting gear into neutral. Feel steering failure perhaps related to serpentine belt failure.
Vehicle was leaking transmission fluid. Dealer attempted to repair twice. The problem reoccurred and dealership replaced transmission. I expect more reliability out of an $18,000 dollar purchase. Both the dealership and manufacturer refused an extended warranty on the transmission. One year later I received extended warranty information for transmission on all 2001 Honda Accord. It turns out we were not the only ones who purchased a lemon. There are other complaints of this same sort on the NHTSA site.
My 2001 Honda Accord is completely out of service. Due to the transmission failure. I have made complaints to the dealership where I purchase and service my vehicle. I am out of a car, and no transportation, because the dealer refuse to repair the problem on my (2) year old vehicle. I am a customer and feel very much vaildated by this action. I was told by the service manager that my warranty had expired, I am aware of the secret warranty that same dealerships have to cover this matter.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Albuquerque, NM, USA