Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 Honda Accord owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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 [phone] 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. …
Customer lost control of vehicle, resulting in a crash while attempting to disengage cruise control with foot brake w on wet surface. Rear tires completely locked when customer tapped the foot brake to disengage speed control,causing vehicle to skid. Customer attempted to "stomp-and-steer" vehicle, (as is implied with ABS), brakes became unresponsive and pedal travelled to the floor. Customer then applied full throttle to try to pull the vehicle out of the skid, which was unsuccessful due to the traction control overpowering customer's attempt to steer and accelerate out of the skid (the TCS automatically applies front brakes to limit wheel spin at speeds below 20 MPH. Even though vehicle was travelling at 70, computer must have registered under 20 at that point). Vehicle violently spinned out of control off the highway down a 40 foot embankment.
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.
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.
Tl 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
Tl 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.
Tl* 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.
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.
While driving towards a parking space at 5 MPH vehicle suddenly accelerated. Consumer immediately depressed the brake pedal, but the vehicle didn't slow down. Vehicle stopped when it crashed into a parked vehicle and pushed the vehicle forward approximately 1 1/2 feet. Engine was still revving after the vehicle stopped while being in park with the parking brakes engaged, and consumer's foot on the brake pedal. Vehicle was towed to the dealership, but the cause of sudden acceleration was not found. Driver sustained minor injuries.
When the brakes were applied the vehicle accelerated without warning. The vehicle suddenly accelerated from 0 k.m. To 80 k.m. Within 15 feet and became stuck between two houses. The left tire blewout and the air bags deployed and cracked the windshield. The vehicle sustained damage. . Engine reved high when taking foot off gas pedal. The dealer adjusted the base idle because it was too high.
Acceleration complaints in other Accord years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2001 Honda Accord?
NHTSA has 57 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2001 Honda Accord, 6% of the model year's 922 complaints. The component named most often is accelerator pedal (12 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Honda Accord acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for the 2001 Honda Accord, though it has 7 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2001 Honda Accord acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 44,000 miles, and 27% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 30 crashes, 0 fires and 17 injuries to speed control & acceleration problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.