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.
6.3
fairly significant
Typical Repair Cost:
$740
Average Mileage:
92,700 miles
Total Complaints:
59 complaints
Most Common Solutions:
not sure (41 reports)
honda should recall and replace unit (6 reports)
call NHTSA/small claims court (5 reports)
dealer replaced driver side seat buckle (3 reports)
call honda customer service first, then dealer (2 reports)
honda has issued a repair bulletin to all dealers on the srs (2 reports)
Honda Expands Air-Bag Recall To 833,000 Additional Vehicles - For the 4th time since 2008, Honda is issuing a recall to deal with a problem where air bags deploy so forcefully it could kill or injure the driver; the last thing you'd expect from a "safety device".
I am responding to my own comment (Robert Vincent). Within two months the SRS light reappeared. The dealer said we would have to bring it back in for more tests. Chances are that it would require a complete installation of the main computer chip that controls the system. I do not understand that, but I do understand that we may have an inoperative airbag system. They did install the side airbag control chip but the fix did not last very long. They did not offer any other alternative. I am finished with it!
In reference to a recent SRS light on my 2001 Honda Accord. When we leaned against the passenger side, it would appear. Later it stayed on. This lasted for one week before we began our quest. If one can get through the typical PR sidestepping, the problem can be resolved. Do not allow the shop managers to feed you a bunch of crap. When asked, “What do statistics say about the history of the SRS light?” The management said, “I only know what comes in my shop.” One would perceive that this individual does not keep up with the stats that deal with their product, or it is easier to just admit ignorance to continue to hold the product in high esteem. I much rather be a pain in the butt and mail them a copy of the present stats on the product and why the engineers feel it is occurring. My problem was resolved due to an extended warranty, which we had to seek out. It was covered by the Honda. NEVER QUIT!!!
This seems to be a common problem at this point tin the car's life. The car is kept in a garage most of the time and the SRS and "Side Airbag" lights come on like it's Christmas. Our first Accord a 1998 was a gem and the reason we bought this problem.
MY SRS light turned on my car recently @ 75K, and it may cost me anywhere 700 - 1,000 to fix. My husband's light also turned on his Honda, and luckily the car was still under warranty and no $ came out of our pockets. They told my husband at the time that the cell phones/laptops may have caused the light to turn on, and I think that is just ridiculous. We bought both cars trusting in the name/reputation of HONDA!!! Also not to mention I'm on my third transmission. I'm just so frustrated and Honda should really make a recall on the SRS issue, because it affects the life of someone if they get into a accident and bags never deploy!!!
The SRS light came on at 135000 miles... I was told by other accord owners that it could cost quite some money to get it fixed. I also just learned that the airbag might not deploy, so I really would like to get this fixed. Was there something worked out by Honda on this issue yet?? I don't want to spend any money, if possible, to get this fixed!!
- kev510,
Londonderry, NH, US
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Took to dealership. Dealership says SRS light is on because of problem in drivers seatbelt but is not covered by my warranty or extended $846.00 warranty. Honda's warranty is supposed to cover life of seatbelt usage. Dealership says it is not seatbelt problem but a component problem. Electrical and component problems are supposed to be covered by extended warranty but they say no on this also. No one wants to cover this obvious problem which manual says can cause serious injury or death. Seatbelt may or may not work properly and airbag may or may not deploy.
Good gracious I'm scared to drive my car with only 59,000 miles that is in excellent condition otherwise. My SRS light has been on for months now. If I have an accident or I am seriously injured
I will sue for everything. I am considering having seatbelt replaced and then continue efforts for reimbursement.
The SRS light was staying on so took it to the dealer and paid 144.00 to have the SRS light go off (for awhile) and consequently have the TCS light come on as well as the side airbag light come on periodically. Now, as of recently, the SRS light is constantly on and the TCS light and side airbag light come on and go off as they please. It is quite a light show on the dashboard at night.
So the SRS Light came on. Called a dealership in Virginia (Tyson's Corner), and was told that the ONLY passenger side detection system is covered under warranty (up to 150K miles) and rest of the parts are not. Go Figure!
Diagnostic will cost a $100 that will go towards my repair cost or be covered by warranty. They can only work on it during weekdays the Warranty Service Department at American Honda in CA is only open on Mon-Thurs. This means I'll have to take time off work!
I will try and reset it at AutoZone for free and hope that it does not come on. I have a bad feeling I will be shelling out a good chunk of change on this.
Initially my transmission leaked and brought it in. Entire tranny replaced, therafter SRS light comes on around time of recall notice on SRS. Laptops and cell phones may affect SRS system recall indicated. Dealership says no problem however the SRS control module is defective and not covered under warranty. Notified that airbags will not deploy upon impact. Was informed that warranty was expired to cover unit, and and estimate around $700 was needed to replace unit.
I reasoned that if Honda issued a recall on laptops and cell phones interferring with SRS, why would they not take care of the system if it didn't deploy at all?
I called American Honda because the dealership would not effect repairs without payment. Called them, left a message and got a call one week thereafter, even thought the operator said within 48 hours. Got a call from a regional rep, Mike Fenner, and FYI they read off of scripts to deal with you--His tone and articulation was too perfect. He offered a 'good faith' payment of 50%. I said that would not be satifactory since I reasoned that Honda issued a recall on a minute issue with cell phones, that why wouldn't they be concerned about a SRS that wouldn't work at all? His response was that is was a 'Supplementary' Restraining System, not the primary, that seatbelts was the more important system. He tried de-emphasizing the importance of airbags!! I retorted if that was the case then why would DOT (Dept of Transporation) make it a requirement on all cars if it wasn't that important? And if Honda's beancounters (actuaries who balance the cost of repairs vs. consumer ligation) weren't concerned, why the recall on cell phones interference? I had a system that would not deploy; that I had a liabliity of injury and death because of this. I also said that Honda had a good name for quality cars and how could they just not take care of this?
Too make a long story short. I threw a lot at him with reasonable answers and logic. He didn't know how to react because he had no script on which to draw on for the corporate answer and the conversation turned sour.
His tone changed and the great polished answers were no longer there. His offer was just to say you can refuse or accept our 'good faith' offer. My retort was so it's all or none? He again said you can accept or refuse.
I asked if there I could defer to such as an manager, and the answer was no. I could only go to the Better Business Bureau, and that was it. I'm pretty outraged.
I am looking it small claims to address this issue since in California, anything under $5000 is allowed in that venue.
My last Honda Accord (1994) was still driving strong with no major issues at 235,000 miles. My 2001 Accord seems to be plagued with issues. I have had problems with the TCS and Check Engine indicators coming on. My local dealership was able to reset these without any serious charge. I had to have my transmission replaced covered under the extended warranty and recently my SRS indicator has come on. I see this is a common issue with these cars as have been my other complaints. I understand the importance of an effective airbag and want it to deploy upon impact. The expense to repair this symptom is extreme considering the damage is not from my own wear and tear of the car, as I have never seen the airbags in this car!!!
my daughter got into a serious front end collision, luckily she was only bruised. it happened 4k miles after a major service @ PENSKE HONDA IN ONTARIO, CA which cost $1500. the car has always been serviced there. the srs light has come on over and over again since original purchase, and we kept bringing it up to the dealer. in the collision, the pass airbag deployed but not the driver's, even though both airbags are supposed to be controlled by one sensor, and the contact was straight across the front end, pushed the radiator back in to the middle of the engine. honda of america claims no responsibility, even though no one has seen the car. every time i call they are rude and refuse to have a supervisor call me. i didn't want to press legal isues on the first call, but with each call i am getting more fed up with the horrible customer service. if anyone can assist with the technical or legal part of this situation, please contact foxyfishforever@aol.com and put 60/57 in the subject line. otherwise the email will be deleted.
I understand that my airbags won't deploy if the SRS light is on. Since the main reason I bought this car was for the front and side airbags, I am quite annoyed that the dealer told me it may cost $1300 to repair this problem! Airbags should have a lifetime warranty.
It seems to me that if Honda has a lifetime warranty on seat belts, the y should also include the air bags. They are a safety feature as important as seat belts. I cannot afford to repair mine at this time.
Was involved in a pretty bad accident back in 2001 that caused the vehicle's frame to bend. The air bags never deployed. Had the car repaired. I didn't think too much about the air bags not deploying until the "SRS" indicator light started to come on around 08/2005. I started to do some research and realized that 2001 Honda Accords have a problem with the airbag system and that I am not alone with this problem. If you have the same problem, please forward your concern/problem to ----( www.nhtsa. dot. gov)-----regarding the issue. If there are enough complaints regarding the same issue, the government agency will do a recall forcing Honda to do the repairs for free.
SRS light keeps coming on. I wouldn't make a big deal out of it but it means that the airbags are not working. I bought this car because of its safety features and quality. The dealership wants an arm and a leg to fix the problem. In my opinion safety equipment should be covered no mater what the mileage on the car is.
SRS light keeps coming on. I was told by my Honda dealership that the SRS problem is common in this make and model. They told me any cell phone used while in the passenger or rear seat will set the SRS light on. While using my cell phone in the drivers seat it immediately set it off. I've given up on having it reset again.
I bought my car in August of 2001 and since then we have had my car in the shop 6 times. Every time they tell me that they just had to reset the computer, well the last time they actually changed the switch and it stayed off for about 5 weeks and well it came on again. We are looking at the Colorado Lemon Law now so we shall see.....
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
I am responding to my own comment (Robert Vincent). Within two months the SRS light reappeared. The dealer said we would have to bring it back in for more tests. Chances are that it would require a complete installation of the main computer chip that controls the system. I do not understand that, but I do understand that we may have an inoperative airbag system. They did install the side airbag control chip but the fix did not last very long. They did not offer any other alternative. I am finished with it!
- Robert V., Shawnee, OK, US