Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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).
the engibe over heats above 230 the car has for the 4th time broke down on major highway endangering the kids and in insecure area of the road where you can get murdered the dealer says this is normal defect of the coolant system i don't think buying a 2024 with known defects normal the dealer says there are so many thermostats on order across the US that it will take 1 to 4 months to get the part then here is the best comment it will happen again so this is normal condition of a $70000 car what do you think please advise and by the way they told me to fix the problem i should trade in my car i don't have a lot of money and struggling to buy food fir my kids HELP
The contact owns a 2001 Honda Accord. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, there was a delay while shifting gears. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the failure was due to the transmission. The contact was informed that the check engine light would remain illuminated until the repair was completed. The manufacturer was contacted but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was unknown.
Takata recall - on jan 10th 2017 my son was in a car accident with his 2001 Honda Accord and the airbag deployed and stuff hit him in the face he was bleeding all over his face. The car was totaled and its now sitting in a junkyard here where we live I have pictures of the car. My son was rushed to the emergency room in reno, nv. He is OK now and he a lot of cuts, bruises and had whiplash. This car was not safe for a teen to be driving for his first car! The car lost control on the highway and bounced several times off the guard rails at 65 MPH.
I am writing to you in regards to a safety concern with my 2001 Honda Accord. The engine subframe of my 2001 Honda Accord lx has 1/4 engine connections rotted through. This is located on the front passenger side near the strut assembly, beneath the air conditioner drain, as noted by others on posting on the internet. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the subframe was rusted. The vehicle is in excellent condition otherwise, especially with very low miles (156,000) there is very little rust on the vehicle considering it's age. My mechanic says it is unsafe to drive. He writes: 'during degreasing (and repair of radiator) found engine sub-frame rusting out and coming apart. Advised client the vehicle is a safety risk to drive in this condition'. It appears to be the result of a design flaw relating to the location of the air conditioner drain. …
My mother had picked up my niece from her school and was waiting for my nephew and his friend to get out of high school. When ready to go, the car was difficult to start. Took about 10 min to get the car to start. After the car started, went into reverse and backed out of the parking space. Put the car in drive and it "chugged" a couple of times. Then the car accelerated unexpectedly. She was unable to slow the car down by applying the brakes. The car traveled 460 feet accelerating the whole time.the approximate speed of the car was between 60-80 MPH. At the end of the parking lot, she turned left and the car hit a curb launching them into a pole that holds up the chain link fencing around the school. They went thru the fencing and into the block wall behind it coming to rest there. All 4 occupants were seen by a doctor and released that day. My mother has numerous cuts and bruises. …
Upon a standard oil change at 160,000 miles, I was informed that the front sub frame had rusted through on the passenger and driver side. I was told to talk to a body shop immediately because the car wasn't "road safe". Looked into this a bit and found that this is a common problem with accords from this time period due to the placement of the air conditioning drainpipe (which empties right onto the subframe) . The car for the most part is reliable, minus the transmission that failed at 130,000 miles. But a frame shouldn't be "rusted through" after 15 years! Sounds unsafe, considering the amount of these cars that are still on the road. Called Honda today and was informed the repair would cost over $1200 with no goodwill on their end. Figured this was the best alternative to the situation.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Honda Accord. While driving various speeds and driving over bumps in the road, the contact heard an abnormal rattling noise. Additionally, the passenger side undercarriage was rusted and the service/maintenance warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the engine cradle needed to be repaired and the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 133,875.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Honda Accord. The contact stated that the engine frame was corroded. While driving, a noise emitted from under the hood. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic whom performed and inspection that located a defective air conditioning tube that caused fluid to leak onto the engine frame. The engine frame was severely corroded. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
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.
Hello the vehicle stops and stalls while driving and there is a strong possibility of crashing this vehicle if this is not resolved. This has occurred twice and it's very scary while driving. I saw a similar recall for 2010 hondas that have the same issue. Please help!
Engine complaints in other Accord years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2001 Honda Accord?
NHTSA has 43 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2001 Honda Accord, 5% of the model year's 922 complaints. The component named most often is engine (11 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Honda Accord engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling 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 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 92,000 miles, and 23% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 0 fires and 8 injuries to engine & cooling 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.