Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
Vehicle 2001 honda accord lx . Approx. 152000 miles transmission shifting down to first when let off of accell Pedal. Causing the vehicle to skid and veer right then left on freeway at 65mph to about 24mph . No crash. But nearly. Luckily light traffic. Check engine light . Blinking D4. And TCS light came on all at once. Passenger was in panic while this occurred. No police report or accident . A P0730( Incorrect gear ratio)code and P1751(2-3 shift malfunction )code. Is present. Turned key off when it was safe ,D4 and TCS cleared ,when key turned back on. Need to see if this is common problem and if it is , it needs to be addressed . Also has a problem with the fuel pump delivery of fuel via relay . May shut off while in motion and cause car to stop running. Changed relay and no other problems with relay. Approx. 130000 miles.
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.
Car shifts really hard and rough out of first gear. Ive driven many many accords from working at auctions, Ive owned two in my entire life and they ALL have shift problems. I can't believe this isn't a campaign already????!!!!! These trannys are NOTORIOUS for going out. Please if there's some sort of bulletin or something i missed let me know lol! (Wishful thinking)
The automatic transmission is failing. Yes it is available for inspection upon request. It is slipping and sometimes will accelerate extremely slow. Will also jolt forward aggressively at times. Making it dangerous and a safety issue. The transmission can go out soon and make the car stop moving. Putting me and everyone else at risk being stuck on the road.
From a position of park in a parking garage to the position of drive the car immediately began accelerating uncontrollably. The gas pedal seemed stuck and slight pressure on it to get it unstuck made the car go faster so I placed both feet on the brake pedal with full downward force but the car kept accelerating. I finally had to crash into another vehicle to prevent my car from hitting people walking in the parking garage.
On several occasions prior to August, 2010, I have parked the vehicle, exited the vehicle, locked the doors and returned from my errand, only to find that the vehicle had been left in gear. Nothing happened on the first several occasions but then in 2010, there was a recall on certain hondas for the same problem I had experienced. The keys are not supposed to come out of the vehicle if it is left in gear. At the point of that recall, I contacted Honda (2010) but they told me my vehicle was not included in the recall, and if there ever was a recall on that issue, I would be notified. Fast forward to Thursday, December 6, when there was another occurrence, this time much more serious. I was in a parking lot, got out of my car, locked the car and started walking away. I then noticed the vehicle rolling forward towards the car in front of me. …
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.
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.
Hard shifting from 1st to 2nd gear. After doing research on the 2001 Honda Accord transmissions. I'm not the only one that has this problem. There are so many people that believe how great Honda vehicles are and it seems that Honda doesn't want to do anything about it. My sister inlaw was looking at a new 2016 Honda. I showed her all the problems that Honda had and she decided to buy something else. Shame on Honda for not taking care of there customers. You need to recall this transmission and do the right thing. We call this ( standing behind our products and customers ). Hope you do the right thing...
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Honda Accord. When the contact's wife parked the vehicle in the driveway and removed the key from the ignition, the vehicle rolled backwards and almost ran over the contact's spouse. There were no warning indicators illuminated. Arrow head Honda (8380 w bell rd, peoria, az 85382, [phone]) stated that they would not service the vehicle because it was out of warranty. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and did not assist. The failure mileage was 79,632.
Transmission complaints in other Accord years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2001 Honda Accord?
NHTSA has 209 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2001 Honda Accord, 23% of the model year's 922 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (125 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Honda Accord transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 85,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 6 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.