The 2001 Integra is Honda's legendary B18 platform at its peak, but age and enthusiast abuse mean you're often buying someone's project or a high-mileage daily with deferred maintenance. Mechanically solid when stock and maintained, catastrophically expensive when modded or neglected.
Transmission Oil Cooler Line Failure
Common · high severityTypical onset: 120,000-180,000 mi
Symptoms: ATX fluid leaking near radiator area, pink puddles under car, Transmission overheating, slipping, or erratic shifting, Coolant contamination with ATX fluid (milky appearance in reservoir)
Fix: Replace both metal hardlines and rubber sections from transmission to radiator-mounted cooler. Often requires radiator removal for access. 3-4 hours labor if just lines, 5-6 hours if radiator needs replacement due to cross-contamination. Flush entire cooling and transmission systems.
Estimated cost: $400-900
B18 Engine Internal Failure from Deferred Maintenance or Abuse
Occasional · high severityTypical onset: 150,000+ mi or any mileage if modified
Symptoms: Severe rod knock or bottom-end rattling, especially when cold, Metal shavings in oil, sudden oil pressure drop, Blown head gasket with overheating and coolant loss, Loss of compression, white or blue smoke
Fix: These engines run forever with 3,000-mi oil changes but die quickly with 10,000-mi intervals or aftermarket turbo abuse. Typical rebuild: machine block, new pistons/rings, bearings, head gasket, timing belt kit, seals. 18-24 hours labor for full rebuild. Many owners opt for low-mileage JDM B18C swap instead at similar cost.
Estimated cost: $2,500-4,500
Driver-Side Engine Mount Collapse
Common · medium severityTypical onset: 80,000-140,000 mi
Symptoms: Excessive engine movement visible during acceleration or deceleration, Clunking when shifting from reverse to drive, Vibration through shifter and steering wheel at idle, Engine sits visibly lower on driver side
Fix: Hydraulic mount fails internally, allowing engine to torque excessively. Replace driver-side mount (upper), often transmission mount simultaneously as it wears from compensating. 1.5-2 hours labor per mount. Aftermarket polyurethane mounts popular with enthusiasts but increase NVH.
Estimated cost: $250-450
Ignition Switch Failure
Occasional · high severitySymptoms: Intermittent no-start, no crank, all dash lights dead, Key turns but nothing happens, or accessories work but starter won't engage, Dash lights flicker or go out while driving, Must jiggle key in specific position to start
Fix: Electrical contacts inside ignition cylinder wear out. Honda revised this part multiple times. Requires steering column disassembly, new ignition lock cylinder assembly, and key reprogramming. 2-3 hours labor. This is a known Honda issue across multiple platforms from this era.
Estimated cost: $350-600
Valve Cover Gasket and Spark Plug Tube Seal Leaks
Common · low severityTypical onset: 90,000-150,000 mi
Symptoms: Oil pooling in spark plug wells causing misfires, Oil seeping down back of engine onto exhaust manifold, burning smell, Visible oil weeping around valve cover perimeter, P0300-series misfire codes, especially when wet
Fix: Replace valve cover gasket and four spark plug tube seals as a set. Simple job on B-series: 1.5 hours labor. Use genuine Honda gaskets only; aftermarket versions leak within months. Good opportunity to inspect timing belt and replace if due.
Estimated cost: $180-320
Front Lower Control Arm Bushing Deterioration
Common · medium severityTypical onset: 100,000-160,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking over bumps from front suspension, Wandering or imprecise steering feel, Uneven tire wear on inside edges, Visible rubber cracking or separation on bushings
Fix: Both front lower control arms, bushings deteriorate from age and road salt. Most shops replace entire control arm assembly rather than press bushings. Requires alignment afterward. 2-3 hours labor for both sides plus alignment.
Estimated cost: $400-700
Fuel Filter Clogging and Pump Wear
Occasional · medium severityTypical onset: 140,000+ mi
Symptoms: Hesitation or stumbling under acceleration, Hard starting when engine is hot, Fuel pump whining audible from rear seat area, Loss of power at highway speeds under load
Fix: In-tank fuel filter screen clogs, or pump motor wears out. Filter is not serviceable separately on this model; requires pump assembly replacement. Drop fuel tank, replace pump/filter assembly. 2.5-3 hours labor. Many 20+ year old Integras still on original pump.
Estimated cost: $450-750
Buy one that's bone-stock with service records and a timing belt receipt; avoid anything with mods, rust, or sketchy ownership history — there are cleaner examples out there.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.