1999 Honda Accord Problems

What owners report

Owners of this Accord model year most often describe the engine quitting without warning while driving, with many complaints tying it to the ignition switch, and a second large group describing automatic transmission slipping, hard shifting or refusing to engage gears. Electrical complaints generally appear at higher mileage, while transmission complaints arrive earlier in the car's life, and several complaints note corrosion at the front passenger-side subframe where the air conditioning drain runs.

1. 1
   Electrical system

   Engine stalls while driving (ignition switch)

   • 319 complaints (28%)
   • median 128,855 mi at 11.0 yrs old (238 state mileage)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $700 (median of 18 quotes)
   • filed 1999–2023

   Complaints describe the engine shutting off without warning at highway or city speeds, sometimes with the dash lights going dark, and the car either restarting immediately or needing several attempts after a wait. Some owners say a dealer replaced the ignition switch or identified it as the cause, while others report the vehicle had already had ignition switch recall work done and the stalling returned later. Several complaints ask whether the vehicle is covered by the ignition switch campaigns. Reported across a wide mileage range, from roughly 28,000 to over 220,000 miles, with many appearing above 100,000 miles.

   Recall 02V120000Recall 03V423000Recall 05V0250003 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the ignition switch recall work was done and when, and whether stalling has occurred since. Test drive at highway speed and note any hesitation, gauge drop-outs or difficulty restarting.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Car intermittently stalls. It happened when I was driving on a highway and almost got hit by the incoming traffic. We took it to the Honda dealer and diagnosed it was the electrical portion of the ignition switch. I remembered they have a recall to replace the switch. It probably got replaced but needs to be replaced again. Is it time for another recall? Honda did not solved the problem.”

   NHTSA complaint #11343727, filed 2020-08, 175,000 miles

   “My 1999 Honda will randomly just quit running. The engine dies and the door locks unlock. It will start right away. From what I've been reading, there was a recall for this exact situation. Do you know how I can contact the company to final a complaint?”

   NHTSA complaint #10552789, filed 2013-11, 89,000 miles
2. 2
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Automatic transmission slipping and hard shifting

   • 195 complaints (17%)
   • median 80,500 mi at 5.9 yrs old (142 state mileage)
   • 6 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $3,003 (median of 34 quotes)
   • filed 1999–2021

   Owners describe the automatic transmission revving without engaging, jerking or slamming into gear, slipping between gears, and in some cases losing forward gears entirely. Complaints frequently mention a dealer or independent shop recommending transmission replacement, and several note that similar earlier-model Accords received extended warranty coverage while their car did not. Transmission fluid leaks are also mentioned alongside the shifting problems. Frequently reported between about 50,000 and 110,000 miles, with some cases at higher mileage.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check transmission fluid level and condition, and ask whether the transmission or torque converter has been replaced or serviced. During the test drive, listen for clunks and watch for delayed or harsh upshifts.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My transmission failed because I was told the torque converter should have been replaced by the manufacturer Honda immediately after Honda realized the 199 Honda Accord torque converters were faulty. I purchased my car new and was not told about the situation until the transmission failed due to the faulty torque converter. Honda did not set up a recall or notify 199 Honda Accord owners. They paid for the repairs when the transmissions failed for a few years. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10663945, filed 2014-12, 62,451 miles

   “I have a 1999 Honda Accord lx 4 door sedan with 71,000 miles on it. The check engine light came on, and the dealer says the p0740 code is torque converter clutch assembly failure is a $2900 replace the transmission job. A transmission shop told me the same thing. A transmission with 71,000 miles, even 7 years old, should not go out!!!! There was a Honda transmission class action suit covering only 2000-2003 trannys, my model year is excluded but same problem exists !!!!!”

   NHTSA complaint #10221379, filed 2008-03, 71,257 miles
3. 3
   Body and structure

   Front subframe corrosion near A/C drain

   • 67 complaints (6%)
   • median 154,500 mi at 16.2 yrs old (54 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,900 (median of 10 quotes)
   • filed 1999–2024

   Complaints describe heavy corrosion of the passenger-side front subframe, in several cases rusted through, with owners and mechanics linking it to the air conditioning condensation drain discharging directly onto that area. Some report the vehicle failing inspection or being judged not roadworthy, and others mention handling symptoms such as vibration or misalignment traced to the subframe. Typically reported on older, higher-mileage cars, generally above 77,000 miles and often past 150,000.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Have the front subframe inspected from underneath on the passenger side, especially around the A/C drain path, and ask for any rust treatment history. Look for flaking metal, holes or heavy scale.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My wife had purchased this car new in the 1999 model year and I realize Honda is probably expecting these cars to be past their useful life. Unfortunately unaware consumers and young adults will buy these expecting to pile miles on these which Honda is known for. The problem is with the subframe on the passenger side which supports the engine and suspension components. I personally watched this particular part of the car rapidly rust and deteriorate even after coating it with some rust inhibitors. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11383396, filed 2020-12, 171,800 miles

   “The contact owns a 1999 Honda Accord. The contact stated while driving at approximately 40 MPH, the steering wheel was vibrating abnormally. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had the alignment checked by an independent mechanic who determined that the passenger’s side subframe was extremely rusted, causing the vehicle to be out of alignment. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11537276, filed 2023-08, 80,000 miles
4. 4
   Air bags

   Air bag warning light and non-deployment

   • 69 complaints (6%)
   • median 109,000 mi at 10.9 yrs old (27 state mileage)
   • 33 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1999–2022

   Some owners report the air bag warning light staying on, with diagnosis pointing to the driver's side air bag or its connector, and others describe air bags not deploying as expected in a collision. Complaints reference the Takata inflator recall, and at least one notes a dealer diagnosing high resistance in the driver's air bag circuit. Reported from about 28,000 miles upward, with most appearing well past 100,000 miles.

   Recall 20V0260001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether the Takata air bag inflator recall was completed for this vehicle, and check that the air bag warning light goes out after the bulb check on startup.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My vehicle was in the left turn lane waiting for the light to turn green. I went and didnt realize the far right lane was for parking only on a 1 way street left headed east it was a 1 way with 2 lanes moving forward a 1 lane next to the curb where vehicles park in front of there residents. I slammed into the back of the parked white chevy truck. My vehicle came to a sudden stop forcing my body forward towards the windshield. My seatbelt only restrained my body so far so I used my foot to apply the brake. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11385152, filed 2020-12, 298,000 miles

   “After falling asleep at the wheel 70 MPH, the consumer hit a road sign and the front air bags did not deploy. The consumer suffered minor injuries. The dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. The cause was not determined. Please provide more information.”

   NHTSA complaint #10079271, filed 2004-06, 28,000 miles

Buying note. These cars are old enough that condition matters more than reputation, so have the front subframe inspected for corrosion and check the ignition switch recall and air bag recall status by VIN before buying. A test drive that includes highway speed and several gearshifts will show whether stalling or transmission symptoms are present.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.