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:
77,749 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.
The contact owns a 2001 Honda Accord. The contact stated there was a loud noise upon shifting gears. The service engine sensor and the gear sensor illuminated intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer, who diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The contact was not included in NHTSA campaign id number: 11V395000 (power train). The vehicle was to be inspected and repaired by an authorized dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 78,000.
Nothing has happened. Yet. Around 5/22 my check engine light went on. On 5/29 I had my mechanic scan the computer. What came up is transmission issues. He told me that most likely it will need to be rebuilt or replaced. So far there are no behavioral symptoms, only the warning light and the computer reading. I will have to take the car in for an extended test before knowing the full extent of the damage. Meanwhile, I am driving a vehicle that could kill me or others at any time if the transmission seizes up in an inopportune setting and time.
Our 2001 Honda Accord experienced a failed transmission at 180,000 miles. The car started shifting rough at 70,000 miles, and we reported the issue to the Honda dealer. They inspected and said that it was normal. We contacted Honda of America (1-800-999-1009) and they would not help us at all. With a bit of research we found out that according to a lot of reports on the internet have been aware of this issue, and have helped some owners pay for the costs of replacing or repairing the transmission. However, there is a liability and responsibility issue here and we, as well as every Honda owner should have been made aware that there vehicles may have transmission defects which could lead to technical and safety problems. Honda should have sent notices to Honda owners alerting them to take their vehicles to nearby dealerships to have them inspected. It is apparent that Honda was and is aware of this issue and by not issuing a recall or an alert, then they are avoiding liability and responsibility to correct their deficiency and are handling these issues on a cases by case basis, hoping that they can steer clear of a national recall. This problem is a clear result of Honda's negligence and attempts to conceal a matter for which they have knowledge of and for which that have already admitted to by assisting customers on a cases by case basis.
While driving, the D4 indicator from the transmission is illuminated. Extremely slow or delayed gear engagement, upshifts or downshifts. Loud noise from the transmission this posed a danger while driving. Honda dealership told me there was no warranty extension. But upon calling Honda they told me there was an extension of warranty.
- Reading, PA, USA
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2001 Honda Accord. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle transmission failure. The consumer learned after the transmission failed, and had it fixed, a class-action suit had been filed against Honda. Prior to the replacement of the transmission, the consumer noticed the transmission was hesitating on upon shifting. The vehicle was taken to a repair shop, and upon disassembly, it was noted that the third gear clutch pack was worn. Also, the steering rack was leaking.
I bought the car to a person who said the car started the transmission problem years ago. The transmission slips when accelerating and decelerating and responds late from fist to second shift. I made a research and many people have this problem and I found on web this car had a bulletin but only till 100 miles and 7 years, which is not the clients fault and is unfair they gave limits to this type of problem. This is a safety problem and the fix should not be limited to a warranty.
As I pushed down on gas the car hesitated to go and my check engine light pops on. I took my car to advanced auto parts to check it and it read transmission torque converter.
I own a 2001 Accord V6 with a little over 136,000 miles. Check engine light came on after car had been hesitating and slipping when changing gears. Also was pulling when going around corners (almost felt like braking automatically). Took the car in, and initially there was a code for iacv (idle air control valve). Auto shop flushed the system, reset check engine light. The next day, check engine light came on again. Brought it in after a couple of weeks and it's a code P0740 for tcc (torque converter clutch) solenoid valve circuit malfunction. Was told it's the transmission, which appears to be happening quite frequently - and conveniently after the 100,000 warranty extension was granted. Feels unsafe driving the car, not knowing if/when the transmission is going to fail, so now I'm forced to spend $2000 getting the transmission rebuilt.
My transmission started showing signs of slippage that caused the transmission light to blink and check engine light to go on after heading down a side street leaving my office for the day. The next morning I drove to service center and they said transmission had failed. This is in alignment with all the complaints (and apparent law suit from 2006) involving 2001 Accord. Honda will not honor participating in the cost to fix the transmission due to constraints of lawsuit even though there is precedent of goodwill repair gestures that have extended beyond the suit (to which I did not opt in to participate). I have not opted to repair the car as of yet due to the cost.
The transmission in my Honda Accord 2001 has been faulty for at least 2 years now. There was a recall on the transmission but the recall expired according to Honda. There is no option but to fix the transmission if it blows and that's basically what I'm waiting for. Honda has not guaranteed that if the transmission is fixed, it will not happen again. I took my car into a Honda dealership twice for airbag recalls and my airbag light is still lit on my dashboard. Overall, I feel as if these issues are safety hazards and I feel stuck in a horrible situation with no help from the manufacture.
The contact owns a 2001 Honda Accord. The contact stated that the engine warning lamp illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the torque converter clutch solenoid malfunctioned prematurely and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 100,000 and the current mileage was 101,000.
My check engine light came on, and I was informed that I needed a new transmission. I was told this may be covered under an extended warranty that Honda issued due to this very common transmission problem. Honda informed me that this warranty is expired, and offered me a used transmission with 64,000 miles on it, and a 12,000 mile or 1 year warranty which ever comes first for $3,250. Honda needs to issue a recall for this faulty transmission because their warranty extension has left people like me with a vehicle that is a safety hazard and a minimum $3,250 repair.the offer for this used transmission is a joke because it's the same transmission that I currently have, so what happens if it to fails not even a year and a half from the date I purchased it. Transmissions that have been taken very well care of (this car was previously owned by a mechanic) do not fail just before they reach 75,000 miles. Honda needs to accept responsibility, and issue a recall for this transmission.
The contact owns a 2001 Honda Accord. The contact stated that the key was able to be removed without the gear shifter being in park. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician stated a lever located in the transmission would have to be replaced in order to prevent the failure from recurring. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
Transmission slips and clunks when shifting from first to second gear. SRS light illuminated on dash. Side airbag light illuminates intermittently. The consumer stated the traction control light came on the dash, stating it had turned off. The consumer stated he didn't think much of it at first, but then he noticed when the brake pedal was pressed hard to the floor a even relatively low speeds, the brakes didn't respond as they hosuld.; basically the brakes were not effecgtive when having to stop suddenly. The consumer was informed the brake lights were staying on all the time, as he was driving, but would go out, when the brake pedal was pressed. Also, when the traction control light illuminated on the dash and the cruise control would not engage. The repair shop found a caode of C0277 brake pedal position sensor defective. They replaced the brake pedal sensor. Within a couple of days, after the repair, the problem occurred again, which then resulted in an accident. The consumer stated he was driving at a low speed, and the person in front of him stopped suddenly and he stated he should have been able to stop, but the brakes malfunctioned and he rear ended another vehicle. The consumer returned to the repair shop, to see why the brake lights were staying on. The repiar shop found a bad brake light switch. They replaced the switch and recalibrated the brake pedal position sensor. They also found an internal fault within the control module and replaced it. After he left the repair shop, about a mile down the road, the problem happened again. The repair shop found a a bad connection from the ebcm to the brake light switch.
On several occasions prior to August, 2010, I have parked the vehicle, exited the vehicle, locked the doors and returned from my errand, only to find that the vehicle had been left in gear. Nothing happened on the first several occasions but then in 2010, there was a recall on certain Honda for the same problem I had experienced. The keys are not supposed to come out of the vehicle if it is left in gear. At the point of that recall, I contacted Honda (2010) but they told me my vehicle was not included in the recall, and if there ever was a recall on that issue, I would be notified. Fast forward to Thursday, December 6, when there was another occurrence, this time much more serious. I was in a parking lot, got out of my car, locked the car and started walking away. I then noticed the vehicle rolling forward towards the car in front of me. I got between my vehicle and the other vehicle and tried to stop it and was injured in the process (only bruises, though). The car hit the car in front of me. Now I see that there is a recall on some other Honda for the same issue, but mine is still not included. This is a continuing problem and should be recognized by Honda, especially since it's obvious it's occurred in many other Honda. I don't understand why they won't do anything about my vehicle and it is likely another incident will occur and one day, it may hit a child in a parking lot!
There have been several recalls for different Honda vehicles with this problem: The mechanism that locks the key in the ignition while the vehicles are in gear can wear out. When that happens, drivers are able to remove keys without shifting into park. I can take the key out without the car being in park. There have been no injuries to date. I have been trying to make sure that I put the emergency brake on everytime I park my car. This has been happening with my car for several years, but it has never been included in a recall. I am not sure when it started or what the mileage of the car was when it started. I called Honda today when I saw the latest recall to see if they would fix my car or if I have to wait until someone gets hurt or dies and they say to contact you because they could not just include my car in the recall.
While driving on the highway the transmission slipped out of gear & would not engage right away causing a very dangerous situation. The person driving behind me almost hit me from behind & became very angry because I couldn't change lanes quick enough to get out of the way due to heavy traffic. Now the transmission slips when it tries to shift between gears at lower speeds (it is an automatic) or makes a hard clunk when putting into drive.
Bought the car new in 2001 from john Eagle Honda clear lake. The first transmission gave out at 37400 miles due to a defective transmission. Car transmission suddenly started making noise and slipping between gears. Honda placed vehicle on their computer and received an error message. We were told a new transmission was only solution. The same error message came up on the "new" transmission. We were told to try Honda customer service for assistance, which told us the solution, was totally up to the dealership. We waited for over two weeks for [xxx]to call; I had to call him again today to get his reply. The clear lake Honda dealership that we have been going to since 1997 says their "hands are tied". [xxx] the service manager states he talked to vernon sage, district manager, and states they have no transmissions to correct another defected transmission but they can sell me a new one??!! this is an issue of safety not just cost and it is absolutely unacceptable that Honda cannot honor their mistake. If this transmission would go out while on a highway there could be a real tragedy. They knowingly replaced transmissions with the same defect. This car is driven 90 percent on the highway and wells maintained w/the same Honda dealer. There is no reason that this car should need two transmissions within only 112000 miles. The dealer passes the problem to Honda customer service, which in turn hands the problem back over to the dealer. It should be a crime to know of a failure that could cause a major tragedy and not honor or accept your mistake and make it right. This is an issue caused 100% by a known defective transmission that Honda and the dealership are completely aware of. There are entirely too many other Honda owners with the exact same problem with the second transmission. There is not any "goodwill" from Honda by putting in the same defect. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Hi purchased a used Honda Accord on Saturday everything ran fine for about 30 min the. When I got off the freeway I noticed to trans was starting to slip got home and looked under the car and there was trans fluid everywhere on the ground car had lost a good amount of atf. Just spent 4000 on a used car went to the dealer told me the trans was serviced there at 114,000 miles for a trans service 16,000 miles later in going in on a massive leak. Reading about this trans has me worried as I got a car with decent miles thought I'd get a lot more then 40 miles out of it it's at the dealership now awaiting diagnosis if they say its my trans I'm going after someone.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Chantilly, VA, USA