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.
What I thought was a reliable vehicle has now started putting me in danger when making a left-hand turn with oncoming traffic when the gears won't engage.
In 2007 my 2001 Honda Accord EX started slipping in low gears. I took it to the dealership where I had all my service done and they said they couldn't recreate the problem. The car at the time was still under the extended transmission warranty. During my periodic checkups I would mention the same thing and the response was the same. This past year I started leaking transmission fluid. I had no confidence in the dealership so I took it to an reputable, independent Honda mechanic and he replaced a "banjo" bolt (spelling?) and put new fluid in. They told me to keep any eye on it because of the transmission problems with the Accords. I took it back to the dealership in June and told them of the transmission fluid and the slipping, again they said they couldn't recreate the problem. I then took it back to the independent Honda mechanic and he said there was another leak but to get to it they would have to remove the transmission and since I was having problems with the transmission they suggested I go to another dealership to see what they said because of the possible "good faith" repair from Honda. The new dealership immediately called me after the road test and said I needed a new transmission which would cost me 4300.00 bucks! I called Honda of America and they assigned me a case worker who was NOT sympathetic at all! I am the original owner besides being a loyal customer, currently own 3 Hondas, I took the car in for every suggested servicing plus had the oil changed every 2-3,000 miles. I have every record of all service plus the records that indicate I was bringing it in for transmission concerns. The company knew there was a problem because of the extended warranty and did nothing about it and my car has been garaged since I've owned it and it only has 56,000 miles and they're just offering me 1,400 to help with the 4300.00 cost. I can't believe this. Their argument is it's way past the extended warranty, - yeah after your stupid dealership kept telling me there was nothing wrong.
It use to be 3500.00 to replace the transmission but since everyone who owns a Honda these days needs transmission work, they up the price and give you less money towards it. No car should need a transmission with only 56,000 miles and I don't care if the warranty expired, I took care of this car and the dealership just poo-pooed me off like I was crazy everytime I went in!
Update from Dec 15, 2010: After my online venting and perseverence, I continued dealing with Honda of America to see if I could get any assistance with my car. They finally offered 1800.00 towards the repair of my car. Honestly, I think they should have paid half of the 4300.00 if not more but it's better than nothing. I continue to pursue through the Better Business Bureau and possibly the Attorney General's Office the 2600.00 I had to pay out. I believe the dealership I bought the car from and continued to have all my service with should foot some of that since they never ran diagnostics or further investigated by problem when I kept telling them about it while it was under the CLASS ACTION EXTENDED WARRANTY. It states right on my service records, "customer is experiencing jerking motion with transmission in low gears"...they're response on the service record "could not duplicate problem". If they had looked into the problem more thoroughly - knowing Honda extended the transmission warranty - I probably wouldn't have had to put out any money because the transmission would have been covered under the warranty. I checked the mileage written on the work orders when it was dropped off and when it was picked up and there wasn't even a mile difference so how much "duplicating problem" with actual driving did they do? I'm not sure if I can mention the dealership so no one else runs into any problems with them but it's Honda AutoPark of Cary, NC. I highly recommend anyone in the area to go to Crown Honda in Durham. It may be a little further but well worth it!!!
It's been 2 years since the last transmission replacement and now we're experiencing the same slipping with the transmission we did 2 years ago. I can't believe we're going to need to replace this thing again. --js
- Juan S.,
San Diego, CA, US
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just paid off care 7 months ago had drive train replaced and transmission flushed seemed to help for about a week then problem returned and transmission slips everyday. yesterday rpms up to 4 but only moveing at 20 mph. then jerked into gear.
I bought my 2001 honda accord new within the first year they had to replace the transmission and now at 155000 miles it needs to be replaced again it still runs but when it get warm it will not shift that's about 3miles. Honda knows that there's a problem and should have stood behind their cars. Still Have The Piece of Junk. Now I'm Driving A Toyota Camary hoping for better luck at least 300000 miles Everyone I know that drives a toyota has great things to say.
This is the second transmission in this Honda, the first one failed at 19,000! Under waranty then... now at less 140,000 new one needed. Honda had an issue with that year and waranted for another 7 years... but now it is too late help... I spoke with a supervisor at Honda America and she was not a kind person ... So beware if your tranny has failed once it will fail again... and Honda will rip you off to fix it.
Asking Honda to provide "goodwill repair". We'll see what happens. This transmission was replaced due to a recall less than 2 yrs after I purchased the car.
Transmission slips when shifting from the first gear to the second. Car revs loudly with not much acceleration. Some problem with the torque converter too. Three codes on the transmission.
I constantly have to pay attention to the shifting so i can let up on the gas when it shifts or it will rev up and sort of slip or shift hard.I can control the shifting by letting up off the gas but its a pain in the ass.Any body out there have the answer and how much am i going to be out.
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What I thought was a reliable vehicle has now started putting me in danger when making a left-hand turn with oncoming traffic when the gears won't engage.
- woodbeck, Waterford, MI, US