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:
24 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
14 / 0
Average Mileage:
38,513 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.

2001 Honda Accord engine problems

engine problem

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2001 Honda Accord Owner Comments (Page 1 of 3)

problem #44

Jul 012017

Accord

  • 190,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Vehicles brakes malfunctioned while driving, causing accident where injuries took place. Driver applied brake but pedal went all the way to the floor with no stop. Instead of stopping the vehicle accelerated from 20mph to 65mph on its own and there was no way of stopping it. Emergency break was then tried, when this did not work, car was put in neutral in hopes that this will slow down cars unwarranted acceleration. It was when vehicle hit a pole causing tire to mangle which caused vehicle to stop, had it not been for this collision with the pole the car would not have stopped even with all the other attempts. All star Honda 414-269-1399 in milwaukee, wi was called to inquire about what might cause break malfunction and acceleration, mechanic by the name of belal indicated that there have been a lot of problems with the break lines of this particular year, make and model. He mentioned that if break line has pressure in it it might cause the line to burst therefore causing the breaks not to work. He could not give an explanation for the acceleration, although other mechanics have told me it can be a number of factors from the throttle position sensor to something electrical or mass air flow sensor etc. Police accident report J9L0xblhkf

- Milwaukee, WI, USA

problem #43

Jul 072016

Accord

  • 75,000 miles
While parking vehicle rapidly accelerated jumping two curbs, damaging three other vehicles, a small pickup truck, and a chain link fence.

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #42

Nov 122015

Accord

  • 192,000 miles
The contact owns a 2001 Honda Accord. While driving approximately 40 mph, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to respond. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 192,000.

- Humble, TX, USA

problem #41

Jun 052014

Accord 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 170,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2001 Honda Accord. While driving at an unknown speed, all of the indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. Also, the vehicle would decelerate independently. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer and was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 170,000. Updated 08/11/14 the consumer stated the alternator, spark plugs, rotor cap starter and battery were replaced. Even though, the there was a recall on the air bag, the light continued to illuminate. Updated 08/14/14

- Addis, LA, USA

problem #40

Apr 262014

Accord

  • 47,459 miles
While pulling into a parking space the car suddenly accelerated and continued to accelerate.. this resulted in my car hitting a concrete pole and another parked vehicle. The vehicle wouldn't stop accelerating until the key was turned off.

- Shelby Township , MI, USA

problem #39

Mar 282014

Accord 4-cyl

  • 144,000 miles
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

problem #38

Aug 012012

Accord 4-cyl

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- San Juan, PR, USA

problem #37

Oct 072013

Accord 6-cyl

  • 114,215 miles
Was pulling into a parking space, went to put on the brakes to stop, car rapidly accelerated and went up/over curb into bushes despite attempts at braking. Damage to car included scraping of underside of bumper, and car required realignment. Took to dealership for inspection, no cause for rapid acceleration was determined; was instructed to monitor RPM's for possible repeat occurrence of rapid acceleration and return to dealership if any problems should arise. Contacted american Honda motor co. Of incident and was instructed the same.

- Alpharetta, GA, USA

problem #36

Jun 222010

Accord

  • 40,000 miles
The contact owns a 2001 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while attempting to decelerate with the brakes depressed, the vehicle suddenly accelerated causing her to crash into a fire hydrant. The vehicle was destroyed and the contact sustained injuries to the stomach and knee as well as a concussion and severe bruising. A police report was filed. The contact notified the dealer of the failure but they informed her that there was no issues with the vehicle. The contact did not inform the manufacturer of the failure. The failure mileage was 40,000.

- Tallahassee, FL, USA

problem #35

Sep 122010

Accord

  • miles
Owner reported that while driving on the highway, the accelerator pedal got stuck. Examination revealed that small barrel on end of cruise control cable dislodged from slot in the plastic cruise control cable pulley mounted on throttle shaft. The plastic pulley broke and allowed the cruise control cable end to wedge between the pulley and the throttle stop bracket, jamming the throttle plate approximately 20-30% open. Exact cause of failure mechanism not known at this time.

- Seekonk, MA, USA

problem #34

Sep 262010

Accord

  • 159,931 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2001 Honda Accord. While driving approximately 25 mph in rainy weather and trying to turn, the vehicle suddenly lost control and began to slide. To counteract the sliding, the contact turned the steering wheel but the vehicle surged forward. The contact applied pressure to the brake pedal but the vehicle did not stop until it crashed into a tree. The air bags did not deploy. The driver and passenger were injured and a police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The vehicle had not been inspected for the cause of failure. The current and failure mileages were 159,931.

- Hephzibah, GA, USA

problem #33

Oct 012001

Accord 6-cyl

  • miles
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.

- Galena Park , TX, USA

problem #32

Jun 222010

Accord 4-cyl

  • 40,000 miles
The contact owns a 2001 Honda Accord. Immediately after the vehicle was started, it suddenly accelerated. The vehicle failed to stop when the brakes were applied which caused it to crash into a fire hydrant. The air bag failed to deploy when the crash occurred. The contact sustained bruises to her ribs, back, and face. The vehicle was towed to the body shop. The leon county police department report number is 10-19139. The insurance company confirmed that the vehicle was destroyed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on April 20, 2010 for recall 10V041000, air bag. The failure and current mileages were 40,000. Updated 09/24/10. Updated 09/24/10

- Tallahassee , FL, USA

problem #31

Dec 232001

Accord

  • miles
The contact owned a 2001 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while driving at speeds of 25 mph, the vehicle abnormally accelerated without driver intent. The brakes were applied but would not engaged. The vehicle proceeded to crash into another vehicle. The driver sustained unknown injuries. The police arrived on the scene and a police report was filed accordingly. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where he advised that there were no failures found within the vehicle. The manufacturer was contacted but would not provide any assistance. One year later, while at a stop sign, the vehicle accelerated again, without warrant. The contact no longer owns the vehicle. The failure and current miles were unknown.

- Euclid, OH, USA

problem #30

Feb 272010

Accord 4-cyl

  • 83,402 miles
The transmission failure of Honda Accord LX 4-cylinder fwd - occurred. The D4 indicator started blinking. I am unable to drive beyond 10 miles or go to 2nd or more gears. Automatic transmission fluid (atf) leaks occurred. An abnormal loud noise from the transmission. The vehicle has 83,000 miles on it. Single owner and all service maintenance completed at the Honda dealer. I contacted Honda dealer, they said, need to change shift solenoid B or linear shift solenoid set. If that don't fix the problem, need to change the entire transmission.

- Wesley Chapel, FL, USA

problem #29

Mar 062001

Accord

  • 115,000 miles
Accelerator sticking down when driving; especially when I first drive it anytime of the day. Have to push down a couple times to get it to release.

- Oceanside, CA, USA

problem #28

Dec 042008

Accord

  • 44,000 miles
While making a 3-point turn to back out of a tight parking space (front end to curb) the car suddenly accelerated (I put it into reverse (in the third part of this turn)when this happened) and hit the parked car behind me with sufficient force to push that car into the one next to it. There would have been no reason for me to hit the brakes (and mistakenly hit the accelerator, as one would think might have happened) as I was only going a few miles an hour when this sudden huge acceleration occurred. There was quite a lot of damage both to my car and the two parked cars. The cars are currently being repaired but I am someone hesitant to drive mine again. Please advise.

- Silver Spring, MD, USA

problem #27

Apr 142008

Accord 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 52,268 miles
Sudden acceleration: While backing up in an enclosed parking garage, I started the car, put my foot on the brake and placed the gear in reverse. I began applying pressure to the gas pedal, and the car began moving back slowly. All of a sudden the car took off like a shot. I hit the brake, but nothing happened. Fortunately, I was able to guide the car into a column in the garage rather than other cars or a person. I have driven the car for 7 years, so I certainly know where the break and the accelerator are. My car is a V6 with cruise control and remote start. There was no obstruction to either pedal in the interior of the car. $4,000 damages to fender, bumper, rear light, and trunk. If anyone had been behind my car, they would have been seriously injured or killed.

- Fairfax, VA, USA

problem #26

Mar 072007

Accord 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 67,000 miles
I started my vehicle and put it in reverse. The pedal resisted and would not depress. I tapped it lightly and without warning the vehicle shot backwards at high speed, accelerating uncontrollably. As it accelerated backwards, I side swiped the neighbor's vehicle. The vehicle proceeded backwards striking the front of another neighbors condo. After striking the condo, the engine continued to race at high rpms and continued to try and surge backwards. Smoke began to come from the front of vehicle, apparently from tires that were still rotating. Without warning, the vehicle accelerated forward at high speed. The vehicle hit and jumped over a curbed island in the lot. The vehicle stopped its sudden acceleration and came to a stop across the parking lot. The police arrived at the scene and took a report and pictures. Officer comstock conducted a query on "uncontrolled acceleration" and found numerous reports of vehicles accelerating uncontrollably. He found several references to it possibly being tied to the "cruise control". he advised me to have the vehicle towed to a Honda dealership for inspection. He advised not to operate the vehicle for safety reasons. The vehicle was inspected by Honda reps. I expressed concern that the vehicle was not safe to drive as evident by the police report, pictures and property damage. They were not concerned and stated there was no safety issue. I am shocked that they did not take the police report and pictures seriously enough to take this vehicle off the road. I would like to state that the day before the accident, I was teaching at the middle school. If this happened the day before, I most likely would have mowed down and possibly killed middle school children. The issue is not whether Honda found proof of the malfunction but the malfunction did occur. Morally and ethically, I can not drive this vehicle and put other drivers including myself at risk. This is a serious and potentially deadly matter and Honda clearly is not concerned.

- Groton City, CT, USA

problem #25

Feb 242005

Accord 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 21,000 miles
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.

- Dagsboro, DE, USA

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