CarComplaints.com Notes: The 1999 Honda Accord suffers from widespread transmission failure, subframe rust, engine shuts off while driving, & peeling paint. We recommend avoiding this model year like the plague.
The transmission begins slipping & eventually has to be replaced, typically soon after 100,000 miles & with a repair cost of over $2,000.
Subframe rust near the front passenger side wheel has become a problem recently, due to the poorly positioned A/C drain hose directly above that area. Repair cost to the subframe is over $2,000.
Engine stalling while driving in the 1999 Accord is typically caused by a defective ignition switch -- inexpensive to repair (under $200) but dangerous.
Peeling paint has also been an issue for these Accords. Most of the complaints are with darker paint colors -- especially green & blue.
10.0
really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
108,503 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
My vehicle turned off while I was driving. I was driving about 15 -20 mph on a main St. Light lit up on the dash, then all dash lights went out, the power steering stopped working and the brakes stopped as well. I had to slam my foot on the brakes to keep from hitting a vehicle at a light.
Began hearing unusual noise from right front tire area when turning. Upon investigating, discovered that the right front tire was worn excessively and that the right front sub-frame is rotted out. No other part of the frame is rotted only the right front. Apparent cause is a design flaw where the A/C drain tube is located directly over this sub-frame and causes it to prematurely rust and rot out. I cannot get an alignment because the sub-frame is too weak. I cannot drive the car because the sub-frame will likely fail causing loss of control of the vehicle.
RUST CORROSION BAD SERIOULY DUE TO AC UNIT AND YRS OF DRIVING CALL[XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Travelling on interstate when when front-end of vehicle began to vibrate. Moments after the vibration, the car veered hard right on its own. Unable to regain control of vehicle, as steering wheel seemed as it was "locked" in a hard-right enabling position. This malfunction caused the driver to hit a retaining wall at approx 55mph, causing bodily injury. Inspection revealed a faulty/failed steering knuckle, which had completely failed/snapped. Car considered a total, after incident.
On March 3, 2015 my wife's 1999 Accord would not start. We had the starter replaced for about $550 but the car was still near impossible to start and the engine can cut out at any time once you do have it started. The auto repairman told us the keys made poor contact inside the ignition switch and that was why it was still so hard to start. He taught us a tedious process to start the car but since then when we drive it the engine can suddenly stop running and stopp, also disabling the power steering. The car is no longer safe to drive. It stopped running 4 times on a 10 mile trip today.
- Reynoldsburg, OH, USA
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My 1999 Honda Accord had a strange passenger-side body sound while driving at low speed. I went to the local mechanic who said the passenger side sub-frame was thoroughly rusted. I spent $3300 total to replace the sub-frame with a new one from a Honda dealer for $982.18 and two days of labor for $1100. The mechanic and I both reviewed the internet for Honda Accord recalls on this sub-frame for the 1999-2002 model years. I was surprised there has not been a recall as I was lucky to notice this before it became a serious safety hazard. As the mechanic replaced this labor-intensive sub-frame, the rack and pinion assembly also was totally rusted and need replacement - the assembly costing $417.49. Also a major leak occurred in the power steering pressure hose that had to be replaced with the part costing $148.89.
On May 26th, 2014 I had my 1999 Honda Accord LX sedan in for an oil change. The technician noticed that the front subframe, passenger side has rusted to the point that the subframe will need replaced. The subframe is free of any significant rust otherwise. I was told and have read that this issue has been caused by an improperly placed ac drain hose. The car's undercarriage is virtually rust free as well, and is frequently washed during winter months.
While turning into a driveway, vehicle made loud banging sound as it went over a minor elevation when entering the driveway from the street. The vehicle makes popping and bumping noises while turning. After inspecting the vehicle, it was discovered that the passenger side subframe was severely rusted. The rust has eaten through the frame that supports the vehicles suspension and steering. There was little to no rust on the driver side subframe. I was informed the rust may due to a defect in the drip line from the air conditioner depositing directly over the subframe. I was informed the vehicle is unsafe to drive and should be repaired immediately.
1999 Honda Accord sub-frame crack from air conditioning drain. Part number 50200-S84-A00 front (rear beam) of the sub-frame has rusted and cracked. The crack is located on the right side of the car directly below where the air conditioning drain tube drips onto the sub frame. All other areas of sub-frame and undercarriage of the car are in great condition. This rusted area is obviously the result of a design flaw with the air conditioning drain constantly wetting the sub-frame. Rusted sub-frame found at 210,000 miles but damage obviously occurred much earlier. Need Honda to recall and replace sub-frame.
When traveling at any speed, but primarily above 50mph the car stalls. I will pull the car off the roadway, wait 30 seconds and attempt to restart. At times it will take up to a couple of minutes for the car to eventually start. Around the same time as the onset of this problem the car makes a grinding sound when you turn the key to start it. The same sound you would her if you were to try and turn the key to the start position after it is already started. The amount of pressure you put on turning the key does not seem to make a difference. The stalling problem has me the most concerned for myself and others.
These are 2 complaints, first one is the power steering leak on my 1999 Accord, after hearing about possible fire from fluid leak on newer models I was concerned that this could be an issue with older models also. The second is not a safety issue but a quality issue inregards to the clear coat coming off the car. It would be nice if Honda would step up and address these concerns from loyal Honda owners.
I was alerted to a potential problem with the subframe of my vehicle that has caused me to park it. The problem is that the rear subframe has rusted to the point that it is broken in three places. The rear subframe is located in the rear part of the engine compartment and supports the engine and front suspension. I was driving this car for an unknown length of time in this condition. I was informed that this is a safety concern and that the car should not be driven. The portion of the subframe that attaches to the sway bar is completely broken loose from the frame. The location of the rust is under the outlet of the air conditioning condensate drain. This is the only location where the sub frame is rusted. The distilled water coming out of the air conditioner is corrosive to metals. In my opinion this is a design defect that could have been repaired using a very modest cost hose, fitting and perhaps a clamp to re-route the condensate drain away from the structural members of the car. Repair of this problem has been quoted at $1600. The car is unsafe to drive. The center for auto safety has requested a recall of these vehicles. Many of these cars are still on the road and tend to be driven up to 200,000 miles. This flaw is not readily detectable and is definitely a safety concern. At a minimum owners should be made aware of the potential problem.
NHTSA case # [xxx] my power steering return line in my 1999 Honda Accord equipped with a 3 liter V6 engine failed and started leaking very badly. The power steering line connects with the power steering hoses. My mechanic told me that this problem occurs quite frequently on Accord with V6 engines. The reason I'm contacting you is the current recall of defective power steering lines and hoses on 2003-2007 Honda Accord equipped with 6 cylinder engines. Although my vehicle is not included in the recall, Honda may not be aware of the problem occurring on 6-cylinder Accord in years other than 2003-2007. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
The contact owns a 1999 Honda Accord. The contact stated that there were issues with the ignition switch and the vehicle continued to stall. The power steering also failed whenever the vehicle would stall. The rpms and all the instrument panel gauges would become inoperable until the vehicle would gain power on its own. The manufacturer stated that the vehicle was repaired by the previous owner; therefore, they could not assist. The failure and current mileages were less than 130,000.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Baltimore, MD, USA