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Research · Midsize Cars

2001 Honda AccordRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 19 safety recalls and 932 owner complaints for the 2001 Honda Accord. Most complaints involve air bags (411) and power train (212). The EPA rates it 21–25 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
21–25mpg
EPA · 5 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
19campaigns
Latest Jun 2019
Owner complaints
932
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$2,550est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

19 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2003-2006 MDX, 2001-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot and 2006 Ridgeline vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with driver frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Air bagsReported Jun 27, 2019NHTSA 19V499000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling specific 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2013-2016 ILX, 2013-2014 ILX Hybrid, 2003-2006 MDX, 2007-2016 RDX, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 TL, 2010-2013 ZDX and 2001-2007 and 2009 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2007 and 2010-2011 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. The affected vehicles received a replacement driver air bag inflator as part of a previous Takata inflator recall remedy or a replacement driver air bag module containing the same inflator type as a service part. Due to a manufacturing error, in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver frontal air bag, these inflators may explode.

Air bagsReported Mar 6, 2019NHTSA 19V182000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2001-2007 Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2001-2004 Honda Civic GX, 2003-2005 Honda Civic Hybrid, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2006 Ridgeline, 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2003-2006 Acura MDX, and 2002-2003 Acura 3.2TL vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion and other factors, including manufacturing variability that, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.

Air bagsReported May 28, 2015NHTSA 15V320000
See all 19 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

932 complaints filed with NHTSA · Dec 2000 – Aug 2026
  1. Air bags411
  2. Power train212
  3. Electrical system79
  4. Vehicle speed control57
  5. Structure47
  6. Service brakes, hydraulic43
  7. Seat belts36
  8. Suspension33
  9. Engine and engine cooling31

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Accord model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996478
1997467
19981,215
19991,144
20001,193
2001932
20021,062
20032,013
20041,018
2005686
2006433
2007524
20081,521
2009727
2010581
2011296
2012381
20131,438
2014984
2015602
2016613
2017540
20181,897
2019698
2020368
2021246
2022262
202388
2024153
202599
202614
Crashes reported
145
Fires reported
3
Injuries reported
119
Deaths reported
2
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

411 reports98 crashes1 fire
“The contact owns a 2001 Honda Accord. The contact purchased the vehicle and was provided a copy of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V182000 (AIR BAGS) by the original owner of the vehicle. The local dealer was contacted; however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer refused to release the vehicle because of a "Do not Drive" warning on the vehicle. The contact had to sign a release form to retrieve the vehicle. The contact stated that the dealer deactivated the front driver’s side air bag. The contact stated that the air bag warning light illuminated and remained illuminated. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 2, 2025Air bagsODI 11670848

Power train

212 reports6 crashes
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 16, 2024Power trainODI 11594635

Electrical system

79 reports4 crashes2 fires
“I am able to turn the ignition to the off position and remove the key without putting the vehicle in park. While this has not resulted in an accident YET, the car did roll down my driveway once. Someone could die as a result of this problem. I believe the issue is with the ignition interlock. Both the dealer and an independent mechanic told me it was an expensive repair and “not worth doing on this car”. The thing is, there is a recall for this very issue on other 1999-2002 Honda Accord sedans, but the recall does not include my car’s VIN. This is a public safety threat that make me afraid to sell or donate my car. The problem has been ongoing for about 3 years. There are no warning lights associated with the problem, but a number of other electrical issues have been developing.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 13, 2021Electrical systemODI 11432819
All 2001 Accord problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

5 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Engines
2.3L 4-cyl · 3.0L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 5-spd · Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Accord
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L, VTEC · Front-Wheel Drive
222925$2,550355
Accord
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L · Front-Wheel Drive
222924$2,700370
Accord
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L, VTEC · Front-Wheel Drive
202723$2,800386
Accord
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L · Front-Wheel Drive
202823$2,800386
Accord
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, VTEC · Front-Wheel Drive
182621$3,050423
  • Accord
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L, VTEC
    22 city · 29 hwy · $2,550/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
  • Accord
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L
    22 city · 29 hwy · $2,700/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • Accord
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L, VTEC
    20 city · 27 hwy · $2,800/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • Accord
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L
    20 city · 28 hwy · $2,800/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • Accord
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, VTEC
    18 city · 26 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

4 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2001 Honda Accord as of Nov 3, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 3, 2026Vehicle 4281Vehicle 4271Vehicle 4216
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2001 Accord questions

How many recalls does the 2001 Honda Accord have?

19 safety recalls as of Nov 3, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2001 Honda Accord problems?

Owners filed 932 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (411), power train (212), electrical system (79). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2001 Honda Accord get?

The EPA rates the 2001 Honda Accord at 21–25 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (5 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 3, 2026