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:
8 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
8 / 0
Average Mileage:
64,797 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 steering problems

steering problem

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2001 Honda Accord Owner Comments

problem #17

Feb 112013

Accord

  • 100,000 miles

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

Takara recall. It was in motion down campwisdom rd in dallas tx 75249 heading towards cedar ridge rd. Last part I remember is stop sign by the nature school. I had just left my parents. Put my seat belt on at the stop sign I had forgot remembering at stop sign. Made a right turn on camp wisdom and just before passing power plant is last I remember. I looked down at the speedometer which read 35 mphtill it was like 3 hours later and everything just faded in and was in a car with my dad in passenger seat. When I became aware the next day I tried to remember what happened and I had out of body experience saw myself walking down the road just above it and what we depict as jesus pointing at me walking then I came to in car with my dad.went back to look at vehicle it hit a tree in front and the side. It was missing a tire from driver side rear. Air bags didn't deploy at all as should have. It was in the middle of a curve from what I can tell and tire popped off the rim. This was in 2013. No one was with me but one person witnessed it and during my unaware period let me use their phone to call my dad. They worked as receptionist at wycliffe linguistics center. I might be wrong on date but year is correct I can find out what day and month for sure later on because I had work done on it at motion auto my dad paid for it was a door windshield had to bend frame back as best as could I also sold this car later that year which I believe he junked it.

- Dallas, TX, USA

problem #16

Mar 192014

Accord

  • 183,000 miles
The contact owns a 2001 Honda Accord. While driving at a low speed, the steering column seized and the vehicle crashed into a ditch. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and did not assist. The contact suffered moderate pain, which did not require medical attention. The failure mileage was approximately 183,000.

- Church Point, LA, USA

problem #15

Jul 212016

Accord

  • 136,000 miles
The contact owns a 2001 Honda Accord. While driving 45 mph, the vehicle lost power steering ability. The dealer diagnosed that the power steering pressure hose needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 136,000.

- Tampa, FL, USA

problem #14

Jun 182016

Accord

  • 318,000 miles

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

The contact owned a 2001 Honda Accord. While driving approximately 40 mph and veering right, the vehicle fishtailed, the steering wheel locked, and the vehicle crashed into a tree. The air bags deployed. A police report was filed. There were two injuries, but medical attention was not required. The vehicle was destroyed and towed. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was approximately 318,000.

- Valsta, GA, USA

problem #13

Dec 222014

Accord

  • miles
The contact owned a 2001 Honda Accord. While driving at 40 mph making a right turn, the contact believed the tie rod fractured and was unable to control the steering. The contact crashed the vehicle into a tree. The driver side air bag deployed. There were metal pieces that came out of the air bag. The contact sustained injuries to the forehead, lower back, and right shoulder. The contact received medical attention one week later. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed and the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact received a notice for NHTSA campaign number: 15V320000 (air bags) and believed the failure was related to the recall. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Springfield , OR, USA

problem #12

Jul 012015

Accord

  • 64,588 miles
I was driving in my neighborhood making a left turn from aspen hill road onto norbeck road in Maryland when my steering suddenly failed. I had to use all of my strength to keep the car from crashing. Upon stopping and inspecting the power steering fluid, it was empty. I tried adding fluid and it just leaked out onto the ground from the steering rack. I called a Honda dealer and was told that the steering rack failed and that it will cost over $2000 to repair it.

- Silver Spring, MD, USA

problem #11

Mar 312014

Accord

  • 101,000 miles

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

I was T-boned on the drivers side. The airbag deployed and metal lacerated my eyelid causing a cataract and permanent pupil damage.

- Oklahoma City, OK, USA

problem #10

Dec 212008

Accord 4-cyl

  • miles
The contact owned a 2001 Honda Accord. While driving during inclement weather, the driver crashed into a snow bank and veered to the left. As a result, the contact's vehicle crashed into the front of another vehicle. The air bags deployed. The driver sustained fatal fractures to the fifth and sixth vertebrae that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 11V260000 (air bags). The vehicle was destroyed. The failure mileage was unknown... updated 02/19/15 updated 02/20/15. Updated 03/31/15 updated 04/02/15

- Braintree, MA, USA

problem #9

Jul 072014

Accord 4-cyl

  • 0 miles
2001 Honda Accord LX sub frame on the passenger side is rusted through. All the other parts of the sub frame appear to be is solid condition. Ac drainage pipe location above the spot appears to be the reason for the problem. Vehicle was purchased in Michigan and brought to finland when we moved there.

- Brighton, MI, USA

problem #8

Dec 292011

Accord 4-cyl

  • miles
I had my 01 Honda Accord ex recently inspected by an independent mechanic and they found a rusty hole (size of a quarter) on the topside of the subframe on the passenger side. They stated, that other than this small rusted area, the rest of the subframe and car body was in excellent condition and completely free of rust. Mechanic stated, air conditioning unit is draining on this area of the subframe and this could be under recall. They said this was very dangerous and serious safety issue, the subframe should be replaced asap, and recommended I take it to a Honda dealership for recall issues. Took it to mike pruitt Honda akron, oh for inspection (for this issue), they put it on a lift and from underneath said they couldn't find a hole in the subframe. I told them, the rust hole is only visible on the topside of the passengerside subframe. They found a small hole (where I mentioned), said it wasn't a safety issue, and there weren't any recalls for this issue. They denied it was caused by the air conditioning leaking on that part of the subframe, yet couldn't give me an alternate reason.they were evasive and dishonest and told them I'm going to another dealer. I brought it to park Honda for their inspection, they found the rust hole, and recommended the entire subframe be replaced at the cost of $2250. They evaded answering what caused this issue (air-conditioning leaking on subframe). I had them do this work and in the meantime, I will consult a lawyer.

- Akron, OH, USA

problem #7

Apr 282005

Accord 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 34,770 miles

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

On 4 seperate occasions, I have been driving the car under 35 mph, when the instruments on the dashboard lit up and the car lost all power including the power steering. Today I was almost rear ended when it happened. All the events have been within the last year. I have also noticed that the radio has been skipping stations the last several days. The instrument panel that controls the clock does not work at longer. The most concerning issue is losing power as I'm driving, wondering if the person behind me is going to stop after applying the brakes and putting on my emergency signals. I am not the first person that have had this problem with the 2001 model. Someone needs to look into the situation to determine what is causing the problem and issue a notice before someone dies when the car loses power.

- Santa Ana, CA, USA

problem #6

Jan 152005

Accord 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 43,634 miles
Owner was driving at approximately 25 mph and the entire dash illuminated and the vehicle lost power. After a 15 minute wait, the owner started the vehicle and drove to the dealer. The vehicle was unable to duplicate itself and the dealer did not find what may have caused the problem. Provide further details. Ignition switch was replaced. Recall campaign; NHTSA campaign id number : 05V025000. The consumer stated that the steering was affected.

- Mill Valley, CA, USA

problem #5

Apr 172004

Accord 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 59,564 miles
2001 Honda Accord, steering wheel lost out of control, brakes did not function properly. There was no control with the steering wheel and the brakes did not respond. The failure of these two main components caused a serious collision on the freeway. Possible suspension system failure.

- Sacramento, CA, USA

problem #4

Mar 152003

Accord

  • Automatic transmission
  • 0 miles
Excessive vibration from steering wheel at stops, ,,brought this to the Honda dealer @ 1700 E sahara ave, las vegas nv.. on March 25...April 9th/03 dealership replaced engine rear mount 16029 C- check for idle vibration C-idle adjustment bulletin 03-016 & rear engine mount malfuinction R-bulletin perform idle speed adjustment prodecure replacement rear engine mount..was not pleased...complained to Corp...on May 22 met with regional manager, service manager and took the car for a ride...the regional manager assured me thats the way Honda's ride and all is normal...I had asked why was the service done re: Bullentins...his comment was...they were wrong....I now find out thru your site that it may be suspension/steering...they sent me on my way, saying I was nuts

- Las Vegas, AL, USA

problem #3

May 152003

Accord

  • Automatic transmission
  • 36,000 miles
At 65 to 70 miles an hour on straight interstate car began to steer irradically to right. No response to wheel correction, fish tailing, struck one side concrete wall and crossed road to left guard rail. Brakes tried at least twice without response and correction of wheel after first hit did not correct direction. Airbags deployed front and right side after first hit and perhaps only on second. No significant injuries. Total front damage. Serpentine belt seen hanging upon removal of car. Tie rods and cv joint boots intact, but transmission just replaced under warrantee and cv joints on order for wear perhaps related to transmission being "very sloppy" creating front end vibration in floor at 50 miles an hour to 60 relieved by putting gear into neutral. Feel steering failure perhaps related to serpentine belt failure.

- Ocala, Florida, AL, USA

problem #2

Dec 152002

Accord

  • Automatic transmission
  • 0 miles
My 2001 Honda Accord is completely out of service. Due to the transmission failure. I have made complaints to the dealership where I purchase and service my vehicle. I am out of a car, and no transportation, because the dealer refuse to repair the problem on my (2) year old vehicle. I am a customer and feel very much vaildated by this action. I was told by the service manager that my warranty had expired, I am aware of the secret warranty that same dealerships have to cover this matter.

- Suitland, MD, USA

problem #1

Apr 162003

Accord

  • Automatic transmission
  • 25,000 miles
Outside temperature about 48 degrees. My wife drove about a mile from the train station parked the car to pick our child from the day care. The ignition would not turn and the steering wheel would not turn even though she tried with all her strength. She requested another parent (male) to help. He turned the steering wheel with force and the ignition turned. He said he was surprised because her wheels were not turned. He said this normally happens if the wheels are in the turned position when parking, but they were not. Good thing the temperature was not 40 below zero as they can be here. Is this a known problem " is there a fix "

- Arlington Heights, IL, USA

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