Im looking at getting a 99-00 Accord Lx. I am worried about the trannys, is this a problem in the 4-cylinder models too? and how many miles is safe on the tranny before you know you wont have the problem?
I noticed that Honda put ABS on certain LX models, is there any pattern to which models got ABS and which ones dident?

Thanks

 

No automatic transmission is bullet proof. In every generation car ever made (Nissan, Toyota, Honda, GM), you'll hear about horror stories about the automatic trans.

The widely known issue resides with the V6 models.

I've seen transmissions fail @ 12K, I've seen them hold on till 200K. It's all how you drive and maintain the car. Only use Honda brand automatic transmission fluid, keep the accellerations easy, and you'll be fine.

 

LX was optional ABS during the 98-00 model year run, not sure if that changed with the 01-02 model year (mid cycle update) 6th gens.

If you really want, or know you will need, ABS look to the 98-02 4cyl EX models as they all had ABS standard. In addition, I can't imagine a used non-leather EX would cost that much more then a used LX with ABS. The sunroof, better seats, alloy wheels, and other bells and whistles are well worth every penny IMO.

The 4-cylinder Auto is as bullet proof as any other honda automatic. If you really want an auto v6 look to the '02 year cars as even the v6 were corrected by then. I would be most leary of the '99-early '01 v6 automatics, and only if the car was under 80mi with the OE tranny. If the tranny lasted to 100k mi odds are the part known to fail isn't an issue on that exact car.

 

Yeah I dunno why anyone buying used wouldn't get an EX or EX-L...the price difference isn't much if anything at all if you know how to negotiate and they have much more features.

 

Bullsh!t. The 6th gen automatic transmissions had a documented defect, and Honda issued an extended free-replacement warranty/recall for ALL 00-01 models, since these model years had the most reported failures. The problem was faulty carrier bearings in the transmission, and affected both V6 and I4 models. Since 98-99 models had the same transmission, Honda issued goodwill replacements for many owners of these model years. The problem was said to be corrected for the 02 model year, but 02s have experienced many failures as have the replacement units. This isn't to say that EVERY 6th gen will experience transmission failure, but the problem was very wide spread, enough to the point that Honda had to issue the extended warranty/recall. There is no mileage point in particular, but a-lot tend to start having problems around the 60-70k mark. I would not let this keep me from buying a 6th gen auto.
#1 the Transmission doesn't just quit all of a sudden. It starts slipping.
#2 If it's an 00-01 model, it's under warranty until 100,000 miles or 7 years.

 

There are aweful lot of Auto Accords on the road for this to be a rampant problem. You only hear complaint in here, no ever goes wow my auto tranny is great after 100k miles....I love my tranny.....

My sister's '02 V6 beat on daily if I might add, has almost 150k mi on the OE tranny I just drove it a few weeks back when I visited her, that car still drives like a dream.

I personally don't think all failed trannies are the carrier bearing issue. The fact is no dealership tears them down to figure this out. They just chuck trannies for new rebuilt ones 8/10 times.

The fact is automatics will at some point wear out.....at least 00-01 have a 100mi warranty, as well as Cert. Pre-owned Hondas-Acuras.

I doubt you would ever find a honda dealer that reported tranny failed 6th gens at the top of the repair list......

 

My sister is a service manager at a Honda dealership in New Orleans (or was, I should say, before the hurricane) and she reports that quite a few 6th gens are still coming in for tranny replacements... and will continue to as the cars age. On the other hand, I know of several people also who have well over 100k miles on their 6th gens, and no tranny problems. The bottom line is, It was a documented problem and Honda issued the warranty/recall. The premature failure rate was higher than normal, otherwise it would'nt have become an issue. Also, while the dealerships don't tear into trannies, Honda does. When a certain number of complaints/repairs are made for the same problem, Honda of America investigates. Weak carrier bearings are what they found to be the cause, and thus issued the extra coverage. This isn't to say that all 6th gen ATs will fail. It IS indicating that the probability of a failure is higher, and there have been an unusualy high amount of failures reported for that year/model.

 

And while automatic transmission will likely not last as long as the engine or the rest of the car, if an unusual amount of a certain model/year are coming in for transmission replacements with under 100,000 miles, IMO, there is indeed a problem beyond just wear and tear.

The only time I've known a transmission to fail under 100,000 miles as a result of just wear and tear, is if the fluid was never changed, it was abused (racing, etc.) or was used in heavy duty conditions (towing, heat, etc.)

Otherwise, there was usually a manufacturer defect. Wether or not the manufacturer (not naming any names, Ford) decides to do anything about it, is a different story.

 

I'm not in saying there wasn't an issue, but if you only looked at this forum you would assume they are all flawed. I think the issue may be a bit paranoid in the enthusiast community...that's all I'm saying I know plenty of folks with AT 6th gens and to be honest the only person I know with a warranty claim is me for my manual transmission when still under warranty........

 

Yeah NHTSA did an investigation and 3.6% of Honda/Acura 4 and 5 speed autos were deemed "lemons" from the factory. That wasn't nearly enough to prompt a recall or a continued investigation. The case is now closed and for good reason.