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.

9.3

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
$2,340
Average Mileage:
119,700 miles
Total Complaints:
36 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. transmission replaced or rebuilt (27 reports)
  2. not sure (9 reports)
1999 Honda Accord transmission problems

transmission problem

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1999 Honda Accord Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #36

Jan 012015

Accord EX 3.0L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 124,274 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My 1999 Accord Ex 3.0 L V6 transmission was acting up around 198,000 km, I changed the fluid three times to ensure a thorough flush and it continued getting worse until the transmission had to be replaced. Two separate highly reputable transmission shops said they have replaced hundreds of these transmissions over time for years 98 to about 2006 Accords with the bulk being the V6's; they collectively indicated they break down between 100,000 about 200,000 km and indicated these transmissions are defective and should have been recalled by HONDA. I have contacted Honda Canada but expect them to do nothing which will result in me NEVER buying another Honda.

- Joel T., Mississauga, Ontario, canada

problem #35

Jun 112014

Accord LX V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 145,000 miles

Transmission started shifting very roughly. Kept it going, with periodic whiplash, for about 6 months, but finally it failed completely

- Tom D., Beaverton, OR, US

problem #34

Jan 102013

Accord EX 2.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 185,000 miles

These transmission go out too quick, need them to recall them.

- Derrick J., Tuscaloosa, AL, US

problem #33

Jun 022013

Accord Leather 3.0 V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 234,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have a 95 accord that is so beat up but runs like a champ. My daughter bought the 99 accord, got it on the rd n the same day left us stranded. Luckly i had towing bar n 94 chevy truck to tow it. Upon research we found transmission was toast. Come to find out the shifting solenoids go bad from having the wrong transmission fluid. Its now sept 2nd n im get'n ready to find out if the used transmission is good. The car had 234k miles but very clean. When i finaly got transmission the shifting solenoid was broken off which is ok cuzz it needed a new one anyway. We'll see! I shall post another report soon.

- honzrule, Windsor, PA, US

problem #32

Jan 162013

Accord EX 2.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 204,000 miles

Started whining loud in reverse then reverse quit working but whining sound got louder even does the sound a lot of times in park when starting til you knock into drive to sit still in a parking lot running motor you gotta shove in drive for a sec then put in neutral then pull the parking brake or you can't stand the sound. Now not only do I not have reverse but drive gears are now shifting hard and its slipping bad.

- Jonathan W., Elkhorn City, KY, US

problem #31

Feb 142012

Accord LX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 83,000 miles

Got a new 99 Honda drove fine first couple of days. As I press on the gas the car begins to shift very hard. Owned a 96 before and had no problems at all. Upset to find out that what I thought was a good quality car is really not.....at least this years model.

Honda should come on this website and see these reviews and do something about this problem.

- Honda G., Norfolk, VA, US

problem #30

Jul 112012

Accord EX 3.0L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I would say it's been at least 25k miles from when the transmission exhibited problems till when the car became undrivable.

At first, downshifting would result with a kick into gear sometimes screeching the front wheels.

Eventually, upshifting became slow and inconsistent. It would hold 1st gear longer. Gears would feel like it's slipping and hesitant to go into the next. When it does go into gear, it does it with a violent punch.

I was not aware there was a recall on this issue until it's too late. I held off repair until it became necessary trying to defer that cost. I was foolishly under the impression and assumed that Honda can't be this bad. My family and I have been Honda loyal since the 80s. This has changed all that. Seriously considering Kia. If it's going to have similar long term costs, why pay extra for a Honda?

- R. M., Glendale, CA, US

problem #29

Feb 192012

Accord LX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 112,000 miles

I bought a Honda Accord 1999 on craigslist from a private party. I car had 111.7k miles on it. I test drove it on the freeway. I also took it to a mechanic and got it inspected. The report was perfect. I bought the car.

Less than 3 weeks later, the car just suddenly stopped yesterday, and the engine oil light came on. It just wouldnt reverse. The drive just about worked, so I got someone to help push the car to reverse it. The drive also wouldn't work well. The transmission suddenly seems to be stuck in only one gear...the RPMs hit 3000 but the car was still only at 25mph. And to make things worse, it stopped pulling right in the middle of the road! I had to switch it on, put my parking lights, and turn it on again.....Luckily, I was at the traffic light, and the cars weren't in speed behind me.

Somehow I took it to a mechanic and left it there. It was a nightmare. The estimate for the repairs underway is 2k from a local mechanic.

I am really disappointed with all the hype around Honda. And its disgusting to think people on Craigslist can stink when it comes to selling their cheap cars by hook or by crook.

- smita, Sunnyvale, CA, US

problem #28

Jan 192012

Accord

  • Automatic transmission
  • 140,000 miles

first i'll start off by saying this is not my vehicle. it belongs to a friend of mine who bought it used 2 years ago. he was having a problem with momentary lack of pressure starting in gears during acceleration. we pulled the transmission to find the fluid was burnt, a few clutches were burnt (input and second clutch friction discs), and friction material from the burnt clutches everywhere. he never checked his fluid levels until the problem occurred and it was well past too late. i understand that not everyone has the funds to keep up with all general the upkeep that a vehicle needs (ie. how many people know its recommended to has your shocks and struts replaced every 50 - 75k miles?) and some people just dont know how to check things themselves. i have personally owned numerous hondas and i would never complain as much as ive seen on here. yeah if youre buying a used vehicle you run the risk of fixing someone elses problems but did you check the right things or ask the right questions when you purchased it? chances are, no. and as far as complaining about putting 134,000 miles on a car and complaining about the torque converter needing replaced? get a grip. you think a grocery store will take back sour milk if you bought it new and brought it back 2 months later with half of it drank? seriously? you put wear on parts theyre going to need replaced. if you dont maintain the vehicle like it says in your manual, parts will need replaced a lot sooner. i stand behind honda vehicles. for instance, the 87 crx si i just sold has just over 105k miles on it. i kept up with the maintenance, i raced the car around everywhere, i even towed 2 vehicles with that tiny thing, and i guarantee itll pull away from a stop light just as hard as it did brand new. to sum this up, my complaint is the complaints of others trying to blame people for their own mistakes. if you dont know what to look for when buying a used vehicle, take it to a known trustworthy mechanic and get their opinion PRIOR to buying the vehicle.

- adam1317, Johnstown, PA, US

problem #27

Apr 252011

Accord LX 2.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 170,000 miles

click to see larger images

transmission failure transmission failure

Well now the car that I love so much is completely out of comission because now it wont go in reverse, over drive, 3rd, 2nd, or 1st so needlessto say I have to either buy a new transmission for anywhere from $1,300 to $1,500 or have one rebuilt for around $1,000 and there is no guarantee that 40,000 miles down the road I wont have the exact same problem and be out another couple grand.

I dont know about every body else but my husband and I have 3 wonderful kids and its not cheap taking care of them thats one of the main reasons we always bought hondas because they get good gas mileage and usually go for ever with very little problems my very first honda I ever bought was a 92 accord when I was in high school ans it had 320,000 miles on it when it finally gave up but this sh*t is outrageous I might have to find a new fav car :(

- sarahcarter, Bluff City, TN, US

problem #26

May 292011

Accord EX 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 235,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Purchased 99 Honda accord v6 in 2007. One owner car. Im second owner. All maintenance done on schedule. On 5/29/11 transmission failed. I called Honda they said "We know about the situation and we're investigating the issue. We're not going to do anything about your transmission."

I have taken good care of my Accord V6. The transmission should not have failed. I was stranded on the interstate with my four small children. Then had to pay $350 for the tow home. I am a loyal Honda owner. This is my fourth Honda. I have never had major mechanical issues with any of my Hondas. Honda admitted there is a known problem AND there's a class action lawsuit.

FIX MY FREAKING CAR HONDA!!!

- Diane B., Columbus, OH, US

problem #25

Sep 052010

Accord V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 119,000 miles

1999 honda accord transmission, v6 auto, why is it that honda is not correcting this problem My granddaughter was left sitting on the side of the road at 11 p.m. alone with a deposit for the company she works for. You know that it just stop working. I have noticed since i started researching this car, That honda has had problems with this transmission in every year model so its not just the car, It is the transmission itself. So what are the consumers supposed to do, There is no one making honda step up and fix this problem, We have already replaced one transmission in this model and now here is the second one gone out, what is going on with this transmission? Now she is without a car, which mean she may lose her job, because of no transportation. We purchased the honda because of their history as being dependable, and low maintenance, No problems,

Will that has turn out to be a lie, We have had more problems with this model, than any other car we have owned.

- Elizabeth A., Fort Lawn, SC, US

problem #24

Aug 042010

Accord EX 4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 140,000 miles

MY HUSBAND AND I WAS OUT OF TOWN ON VACATION WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY STALLL WE WERE ON A VERY BUSY ROAD MAY I ADD PRIOR TO THIS MY CAR WAS IN TIP TOP CONDITION NOT PROBLEMS WHAT SO EVER. TOOK THE CAR TO AND AUTO SHOP TO GET TO CAR CHECKED OUT THE AUTO GUY CAME BACK TO US ABOUT AND 1HR LATER SHAKING HIS HEAD AND SAY THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS GONE I DID NOT HAVE SIGNS AT ALL THE AUTO GUY DID ADD THAT 1998-2003 HAVE THE WORST PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION IS. I AM MAD AS HELL THE ONLY CAR THAT I HAVE HAVE PUT ME DOWN NOT TO MENTION THE VACATION WAS RUINED AS WELL

- bravec77, Charleston, SC, US

problem #23

Aug 052009

Accord DX 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,000 miles

These hondas are all junk, they always break, why do people like them so much? I had transmission failure. there not made like they used to be

- aristamaster, Sd, CA, US

problem #22

May 132006

Accord EX V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 55,000 miles

Engine check light came on at 55,000 miles. New transmission was put in it at dealer in May 2003. Now, another 55,000 miles later, that transmission is failing. Test drove with Dealer tech and he said "tranny (transmission) was bad and had numerous symptoms. When replaced, he expects that a new replacement should last a long time. When getting on the highway on ramp, as it accelerates, instead of up shifting, it down shifts and nose dives." Contacted Honda Customer service and they said it's way out of warranty. I'm so pissed that a bad transmission was put in after the first transmission failed! Now, I'm stuck with a worthless pile of metal.

- hkatasura, Sunnyvale, CA, US

problem #21

Jan 212009

Accord LX 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 163,000 miles

FRIEND HAD SAME CAR HE WENT THROUGH 2 TRANSMISSIONS, I BOUGHT MINE KNOWING ABOUT THE PROBLEM CAUSE HIS AND EVERY TECHNICIAN TOLD US SO... BUT ITS NICE AFTER ITS FIXED... ESPECIALLY MINE. IT LOOKS CLEAN. SO ANY WAYS, IF YOU WANT A 1999 HONDA ACCORD YOU BETTER HAVE SOME CHIPS STACKED UP IN YOUR ACCOUNT OR AT HOME. YOU'RE GONNA REPLACE THE TRANNY WITHIN NO TIME

- dogg, Tuc Town, AZ, US

problem #20

Jun 102009

Accord LX 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,000 miles

I bought this car used from a little old lady from Pasadena. The car appeared in great shape--69,000 miles, no body rust--and all the maintenance records were in order. I got it home, got it registered, and on comes the check engine light. I brought it to the local mechanic, who put the computer on it, and the code PO740 was what he found. Before I even brought the car to the transmission shop, I had a chance to start my research, only to find out this was not going to be good. With this car, the transmission was not locking up in overdrive. After paying my $2500 bill for a car I haven't even owned a week, I find out this is a hugely recurring problem with the '99 Accords, and Honda isn't standing behind the problem until the 2000 line. IT'S THE SAME TRANSMISSION!

The main reason for buying this car was because of Honda's legendary reliability. I'm really starting to doubt that now...but I WILL pursue this with Honda of America.

- mud, Milton, VT, US

problem #19

Nov 212008

Accord EX V4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 225,000 miles

So I bought Honda Accord 99 5 days ago from a random person I found craigslist.

I took my friend mechanic and he checked the basic stuff and bought it for $2300. Even though it has a lot of mileage and it was in the deal that I had to do oil and tire change, I agreed with it because of the price.

After that, I had a small trouble with the key so that I took the car to the Honda dealer. I also had them check the car then. They told me all the small problems with the car, including the slight transmission slip. I was worried that I had to change the transmission and asked the mechanic. He said he could take a car around and see if its a serious problem or not, then he said it was all good, I didn't have to change transmission for at least a year.

So I was pleased then I took the car back, and today, 3 days later I took it to Honda, the car broke down while driving and I had to stop and take it to the repair shop. The transmission was dead and now I have to replace it for $1600. I dont know what to do. I honestly have no money and my parents are so mad at me for not being careful about buying a car.

- Suzuko K., Burbank, CA, US

problem #18

Oct 202008

Accord EX 3.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,000 miles

i bought this 1999 Honda accord new on may 17, 1999. this will be the fourth transmission in the car since i've owned it. the first one was replaced at around 50000. miles, Honda dealer would not warranty it. the second was replaced around 75000 miles after complaining to Honda for about 2 weeks. now, that transmission is bad, torque converter whine, not going into gear, and it lasted about 65000. apparently Honda transmissions are a required maintenance item. i am a certified ase technician with about 15 yrs experience, and this just amazes me. this is clearly a design flaw that Honda doesn't want to admit. i contacted Honda and they told me the warranty on a replaced transmission is 3 yrs or 36000 miles. i guess that is about the expected life of a Honda transmission. this is the second Honda i've owned, and the last one i will purchase.

- wwhitt, Canton, OH, US

problem #17

Feb 002007

Accord LX 3.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75,000 miles

The transmission in this car was replaced in Feb 2007, again around July 2007, then I gave the car to my son and replaced the transmission for him in 2008. Also, the check engine light came on all the time. There was a recall on an ignition switch in 2001?. I replaced this switch 3 times because mine didn't go out until 2007 and 2008 and Honda said "tough".

- Kathleen R., Conroe, TX, US

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