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.
The dealer replaced the power steering rack at 27,000 miles and now, at 81,000, it tell me it needs to replaced AGAIN. First time the cost was $1000 and now it will be $1900! The first time was bad enough with not even 30,000 miles on the car. This is still a low mileage car at only 81000. 2001 model, I understand it's now an old car, but it wasn't then and is still a gently driven car.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
The dealer replaced the power steering rack at 27,000 miles and now, at 81,000, it tell me it needs to replaced AGAIN. First time the cost was $1000 and now it will be $1900! The first time was bad enough with not even 30,000 miles on the car. This is still a low mileage car at only 81000. 2001 model, I understand it's now an old car, but it wasn't then and is still a gently driven car.
- Its I., Albuquerque, US