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:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
61,095 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.
Premature torque converter failure...it fell apart and tore up the transmission. It's a safety issue because that happening on a ca freeway can be potentially deadly. It's a known defect in the cars. My daughter was on the freeway when it started to slip and bang, fortunately the were able to get off the freeway before it got worse.
The transmission to my 2001 Honda Accord started to kick back everytime it shifted until it got to the point where the transmission completely failed on me and I had to pay 2700 dollars for a new transmission...this was a big safety issue for me and the car was not as dependable as they said it was.
The contact owns a 2001 Honda Accord. The transmission was making noise and leaking oil. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and after it was inspected she was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted and informed her to take the vehicle to the dealer and they would repair it and assume 70% of the repair cost and she would only have to pay 30% the vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 50,000.
I'm the original owner. The automatic transmission at 95,000 miles began making a whining noise when going up grade. It is now at 99,000 miles and the noise is heard at all speeds. The local Honda dealership has inspected the car and said the transmission needs to be replaced as it may fail at any time. I immediately contacted american Honda customer service and they said the Accord is no longer covered by the extended warranty so they will not cover any portion of the replacement. I strongly believe the transmission was build with defective materials or workmanship at time of manufacturing. I did not have the transmission replaced because I have no confidence in a rebuilt transmission. I will most likely salvage the car.
I was traveling when the check engine light came on, and 3 hours from home my car made an awful racket and sounded as if I was dragging a body under my car while expelling the most putrid smell I have ever encountered. This break down, on October 22, 2010, left me stranded all weekend, as most body shops do not do repairs on Friday evening, Saturday, or Sunday. I also had to miss class and work the following Monday because of lack of transportation. After much poking and prodding to my poor little Honda, the mechanics determined by torque clutch converter had failed, leaving terrible damage to my gears and other parts of my transmission. Diagnosis: New torque clutch converter, and because of that, a newly rebuilt transmission had to follow. Now, keep in mind that I said I had to miss work and class. This means I am a poor college student, in which case a $2050 auto repair bill is a death sentence and a collection notice all neatly wrapped as a package deal. Let me ask you this, at this point in time, if your transmission needed repair and replacing, are you in a stable financial condition at which point you could shell out over two grand for your auto repair bill? if you can, congratulations, and feel free to donate to my charity at any time, if not... welcome to the club. Honda has admitted that the torque clutch converters in my Honda and those similar to mine are defective but no recall is necessary because there is no direct safely hazard. With that said, if Honda knows they built my car with a defective piece of machinery, I would like them to pay for my new piece of machinery with no question, debate, sarcasm, excuse, anger, or any other type of negative reaction possible.
- Russellville, AR, USA
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The contact owns a 2001 Honda Accord. While driving 45 mph, the vehicle shifted from one gear to another suddenly at a quick rate. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the transmission was flushed. The failure continued and the contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The manufacturer had not been notified. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 74,000.
I bought a 2001 Honda Accord 5 months ago with 78,000 miles. It now has 83,000 miles on it..check engine light came on and it says torque converter solenoid switch. Honda is saying they don't honor up to 100,000 miles. They're saying its only 36,000 miles.
My transmission on my 2001 Honda Accord ex (4 cylinder ) failed in June 2008 and I had it rebuilt and now once again the transmission has failed and it is a safety issue due to it strained my family and I on the highway twice...and it burns the transmission fluid and could a fire due to the burning..
I have a 2001 Honda Accord ex (4 cylinder) and my transmission failed on it in June 2008 and I had it rebuilt which cost me over $1600 not including the towing bill..and now once again my 2001 Honda Accord transmission has failed again and need to have the transmission replaced again.
2001 Honda Accord V6, it jerks when shifting from park to drive. When the vehicle is park the engine accelerates on its own without having to press on the gas. When driving the vehicle it jerks making it unsafe to drive. Also when trying to make a stop at a stop light or stop sign.
Transmission slips and won't easily shift into 2nd gear. This causes my car to stop accelerating and I'm afraid I will be rear-ended. Am bringing to Honda for repair, but want "goodwill repair" as this is the 3rd transmission for this vehicle. (2001 Honda Accord). There was a recall shortly after I purchased vehicle and the original transmission was replaced.
I'm having transmission problem with my 2001 Honda Accord LX. The transmission does not shift smoothly after starting the car when the engine is cold. The car has 91K miles on it. I had exactly the same problem before around 2004. At the car was under warranty. Honda replaced the transmission. Honda also extended the warranty on the transmission to 7 yrs due to known defect this model and due to complains from many consumers. Upon searching the internet, it is clear that this problem is widespread with 2001 Accord and Honda refuses to recall or pay for the cost of replacement.
3 codes set on transmission. Transmission slips when shifting from first to second gear. Car revs loudly but does not accelerate much. Torque converter has some problem too.
My 2001 Honda Accord ex 4cyl (199K miles) began driving very badly - suddenly decelerating while driving (at any speed). The Honda dealer diagnosed that the transmission needed replacing at a cost of $3500.
The contact owns a 2001 Honda Accord. The contact stated that the automatic transmission would not shift into first gear (usually the first two miles of the day) and after driving a few miles, the failure began to correct itself. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The contact called the manufacturer who stated that they could not assist with repair cost since the warranty was no longer valid. The vehicle was not repaired. The current mileage was 49,934. The failure mileage was 49,239.
My 2001 Honda 6-cyl ex experiences transmission slipping between first and second gears, especially when driving approximately between 25-35 mph. Symptom is most frequent during a deceleration between second and first gears. Symptom first started at 80K miles and has gradually worsened (car now has ~120K miles). I was doing all regular Honda major services at Honda dealer, and they did not even find problem and engine safety measures. Honda mentioned that if go with all recommended services my engine life and faty will be increased. I spend lot of money on recommended regular services from Honda. Reported this to dealer and Honda national office; they did "replicate" the symptom. Honda?S response: Due to the frequent nature of this problem Honda offered a transmission warranty to 100K miles. I was not informed by Honda of this warranty extension until I asked to check again 120 miles service. Honda said your only option is to buy a new Honda or a new transmission. I always thought if I give servicing at dealer they will check engine and defects properly but seems like there is no guarantee in that.
The contact owns a 2001 Honda Accord. While the contact was driving approximately between 20-35 mph, the transmission exhibited hesitation in a jerking motion. The failures occurred intermittent and progressed to a permanent condition. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the technician informed the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired at the time of the complaint. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
My 2001 Honda 4-cyl ex repeatedly experiences transmission slipping between first and second gears, especially when decelerating and re-accelerating (e.g., in stop and go traffic or when descending on a parking garage ramp and then reaccelerating once on the parking level). Symptoms can include a neutral idle followed by sudden lurch, to no traction and a racing of the motor while the vehicle "hunts" for transmission engagement somewhere between first and second gear before engaging. Symptom is most frequent during a deceleration between second and first gears. Symptom first started at ~100K miles and has gradually worsened (car now has ~118K miles). I reported this to dealer and Honda national office; they did "replicate" the symptom. It is my understanding that this transmission problem occurs with this transmission over time when the internal (non-serviceable) transmission filter starts to clog and starves 2nd gear of fluid due to rescued flow can not sufficiently lubricate 2nd gear because it is located higher up in the transmission casing compared to the other gears. Honda?S response: Due to the frequent nature of this problem Honda offered a transmission warranty to 100K miles. I was not informed by Honda of this warranty extension until my car reached 118K miles. Honda said your only option is to buy a new Honda or a new transmission. I should note that the new transmission that would be placed in the car by the dealer is the same faulty design with the same filter clogging 2nd gear fluid starving issues. Honda or a new transmission.
One year ago I purchased a 2001 Honda Accord at the time it had 106,000 miles on it. I hadn't had the car a week when I noticed the transmission was slipping. The problem has continually gotten worse. I checked online to see if they had any recalls etc. On this model and sure enough Honda said they would replace the transmissions up to 100,000 miles - so here I am a year later looking at $2,000 for a new transmission. In addition my passenger side air bag light continually comes on for now apparent reason, even if there is no one sitting in the seat. I also have problems with the window on the passenger side; the "part" that holds the window up somehow broke and to replace it costs over $200. And finally (well I hope) my brakes seem to have a mind of their own, at times they make funny noises, sometimes they feel like they aren't going to work. If seems as if its not one thing its another. Very frustrated. And now another recall.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Lomita, CA, USA