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.
Check engine light came on. I took it to my mechanic said the code came up to replace thermostat, which was weird to him cause they never see that code. He pulled up more info on it which stated about replacing thermostat or the engine control module need to be replaced (computer).The stat works fine. He cleared the code but it returned about 2 weeks later. After this and going through two transmissions in a car with only 106k on it. I will NEVER PURCHASE ANYTHING HONDA AGAIN!!!
At 148,312 miles my check engine light came on, took it to the Honda dealer to get fixed, they told me it would cost $3,500 to repair. The guy who checked in my car offered to buy my car for $3,000 cause he said that would be around the Blue Book value, what a joke and so as my Honda! I'm taking it to a local mechanic for $1,400 and never buying a Honda again. I'm sticking with TOYOTA from now on!
I am currently fighting with Honda to fix my trasmission that went out under 60,000 miles. I am too tired to go into it all now but my story basically sounds like all the rest. What I am looking for is some information on my legal rights. Any lawyers familiar with Honda transmission suits and willing to hear me, please contact me. Any pissed off Honda customers who feel they have been shafted by Honda and who know where to start a class action or who have already started one, please contact me... I will definitely join or help to start it up. We all need to stand up to the injustice and it has to start somewhere. Let's get the ball rolling. Thanks for your time.
Check engine light came on. went to dealer, found black trans fluid, said need new trans. quote of $3500 with discount for remanufactured trans 3y/36k. local shop quotes $2300 for rebuilding trans. not sure what to do here. american honda not willing to help since i'm out of warranty. i had trans flush done a few months back from non dealer, not sure if that caused this at all.
- Mohammed N.,
Hanover Park, IL, US
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I was not aware of other people having this problem with the 2001 Honda Accord until I read your web site. Driving down the highway and the check engine light came on and the gear indicator starts flashing and the car just started sputtering along. I was so afraid to drive to a auto shop so I had it towed all the way to Abilene. I was told two days later the transmission would have to be replaced- total cost $3,017.00. Ouch that hurt, but if this is a defect I think Honda should help pay for the cost of the transmission replacement. My understanding is this sounds like a defect and should have been recalled by Honda. I love the Honda brand of cars, but might be forced to look elsewhere when thinking about trading in my vehicle. Three thousand and seventeen dollars poorer in Hamlin, Tx. Help
My 2001 Accord has 34K miles and problems keep coming. Can anyone tell me what is wrong when the engine light flashes on and off for a second, and disappears for a few days and then reappears. While it is doing that, the car chokes and is unable to accelerate. That happens in a split second and the problems will sometimes go away for a few days and reappear. I first thought it was the transmission because this model has that issue. It felt like the transmission was causing the problem because it slipped and re-engaged.
I took it to the dealer for a diagnostic test. They came back saying that it's the computer controlling unit that got messed up. They reset the codes and the problem went away for a week. It happened again after a few days of driving. I took it back to the dealer and they said it seems like the computer had no problem and probably fixed by itself and it doesn't seem like the transmission it causing the problem either.
The problem keeps appearing and the dealer has no solutions.
Does anyone have the same problem? Is it the computer unit or the transmission that is causing the engine light to flash and slip? I tried a number of times to shift to N and D3 and they black out or both gears are led for a split second.
Much appreciated if you can help with the problem.
I have a 2001 Accord EX V6, with 52K miles on it. Last week I was driving and all of a sudden the shift gears on my dashboard begin flashing, along with the check engine light. I could not put the car in drive and it just sputtered until I turned it off and back on -- luckily I was in a residential area and not on the freeway. I took the car to a Honda dealership and just paid $100 to be told that I need a new transmission. At 52,000 miles! I have kept good service on the car, drive it on weekends and for errands only, and cannot believe that I need a new transmission. Apparently the problem is on record and there was an extended warranty issued, which was due to last for 7 years and 9 months -- just happens that I am 2 months past that warranty period. So I have to pay $3,200 to have a new transmission, plus the $100 for having it checked. I am in the process of contacting Honda to see if anything can be done as this problem is obviously not a wear and tear issue. The car is way too "new" to need a whole new transmission. I am still paying the car as I bought it a few years ago -- it's unfathomable to think that I will be adding close to $3,500 (with rentals during the repair) to my debt for something that is clearly a manufacturer issue. I bought a Honda because of its reputation, but perhaps we should make sure this TRUE reputation is made known so other people can avoid wasting their money.
So....my story sounds like all of the others regarding Transmission going out at low mileage (54000, car was only 3 years old) and then going out a second time. Honda replaced the transmission at no cost...fast forward 5 years (exactly) and check engine light came on after getting timing belt and associated parts replaced at 152000 miles (yes I know...late). Code refers to transmission clutch failure...though I have not noticed any slippage or problems.
I guess I was able to get more mileage out of my car then most here, but I'm irritated at the potential cost to rebuild ($1600) or replace ($?) the transmission when my car is 8 years old this month and worth only $3275 according to Kelley Blue Book. I really did not want a new car due to new car payments....but what is going to go next on this thing?! I just wasted $500 with the timing belt!
my neighbor who's a Honda certified mechanic warned me that I would be having problems several months ago w/my tranny when he serviced it. He mentioned that he sees a lot of 98-2001 Hondas that have tranny problems which require the tranny be replaced. He suggested I trade it in for a newer one. Well when I told him to look at it today, he said " I told u so!" Since it's past the 100K extended warranty period its doubtful that the manufacturer will cover the cost. This is my 3rd Honda and very disappointed that there hasn't been a recall on such a common problem that they obviously are well aware of!
I have had this 2001 Accord for not even one year and already I've spent quite significant amount of money on its repairs. I bought a used one last year with 67,000 miles and already had a Power steering problem which cost me 1300 $ to get it fixed.
Day before the check engine light came on and When checked with Autozone they say that code signals to Auto transmission system failure. I wonder why I was experiencing problems of engine reeving high and feeling with car having absolutely no power and pickup.
I don't have the recall letter and not sure what my fate is going to be. I checked my VIN online and it said I qualify for extended warranty. Still l am worried about the money it is going to cost me. I am not sure which dealer the car was bought from. Hopefully I get it fixed for free and don't face any other problems with it
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Check engine light came on. I took it to my mechanic said the code came up to replace thermostat, which was weird to him cause they never see that code. He pulled up more info on it which stated about replacing thermostat or the engine control module need to be replaced (computer).The stat works fine. He cleared the code but it returned about 2 weeks later. After this and going through two transmissions in a car with only 106k on it. I will NEVER PURCHASE ANYTHING HONDA AGAIN!!!
- mickeyr, Commerce City, CO, US