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:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
116,345 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.

1999 Honda Accord drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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1999 Honda Accord Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #38

Oct 152019

Accord

  • 214,251 miles

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

The contact owns a 1999 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle jerked and inadvertently decelerated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and diagnosed with transmission failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 214,251.

- Montgomery, AL, USA

problem #37

Oct 092020

Accord

  • 200,000 miles
The contact owns a 1999 Honda Accord. The contact stated while driving at 60 mph, the RPM revved up and jerked with the transmission warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact drove the vehicle to the residence. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic to be inspected. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be repaired or replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.

- Lanham, MD, USA

problem #36

Oct 102017

Accord

  • miles
At around 185000 miles now, this car which we bought a few years ago with maybe 50,000 to 60,000 less miles started shifting really hard between 1st gear and 2nd gear. Now it slams in gear. From all we've read it is a design flaw regarding the filter which collects tiny metal particulates preventing enough pressure for the transmission to properly and smoothly shift. Honda is well aware of this situation and will not offer to replace these transmissions. There are literally thousands of complaints I find when reading about this complaint online and everyone says the same thing. And there are so few left of these years that Honda ought to have no problem replacing or repairing these transmissions for those of us who are still driving these cars. I want them to repair or replace our transmission because of their design flaw, not our misuse. Please see this gets reviewed by a decision make, thank you so much.

- Vancouver, WA, USA

problem #35

Apr 032017

Accord

  • miles

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

The contact owns a 1999 Honda Accord. The contact stated that there was a random failure with the park interlock function and the vehicle stalled several times without warning. In addition, the vehicle failed to restart and shifted in and out of park several times. The vehicle was to be inspected and diagnosed by a dealer and independent mechanic. The manufacturer indicated that there was no recall to address the issue. The VIN and failure mileage were not available.

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #34

Dec 052016

Accord

  • 155,000 miles
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.

- Lakeland, TN, USA

problem #33

Dec 152015

Accord

  • 168,000 miles
The automatic transmission is slipping a problem with Honda, and the car was getting a state inspection and found out the sub frame was rusted on the passenger side. Will not pass a Pennsylvania state inspection this is a problem with 1999 to 2002 Accord call Honda they will not help ( 168000 miles on car ).

- Greensburg, PA, USA

problem #32

Apr 272016

Accord

  • 206,000 miles

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

My three small children and myself were traveling on the interstate in our home town right at city speed limit of 75mph when out of nowhere from the middle lane attempted to get in the right lane to to get off on my exit 4 miles ahead I slowly hit my brakes then the gas and my car would not move I was almost plowed into numerous times and almost caused a few collisions myself since I was not able to move at all L was so scared I was about to die with my kids I was frozen

- Theodore, AL, USA

problem #31

Mar 192016

Accord

  • 197,000 miles
On 03/19/20016 I was on my way to work and out of now where I stop at a red light and I tried to take off I had to hit the gas peddle before the car would move. I made it to work and I took into a mechanic that same night and he informed me that I may need a new transmission.

- San Bernardino, CA, USA

problem #30

Nov 012015

Accord

  • 40 miles
Noise in the right axle in the transmission

- Newark Nj, NJ, USA

problem #29

Sep 182015

Accord

  • 185,000 miles
The contact owns a 1999 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 70 mph, the rpms increased to 5,000 as the vehicle made a jerking motion and the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was restarted and the rpms returned to normal, however, the failure recurred. The failure recurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 185,000. The VIN was not available.

- Murfreesdoro, TN, USA

problem #28

Feb 162015

Accord

  • 123,209 miles

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

The transmission seems to be slipping while I am driving the car. Basically, at certain points (I think these are at gear shifts) the engine revs up and I get a big jerk in the car. This is very perceptible at the gear shift near a speed of 40-45 mph.

- Tampa, FL, USA

problem #27

Dec 072014

Accord

  • 62,451 miles
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. I have only 62,45A miles on my car and now have a $3007 bill to replace my transmission. This would not have occurred if I was told to replace the torque converter by Honda as soon as they were aware of the problem. I should be reimbursed by Honda. They refuse to do so.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #26

Apr 302014

Accord

  • miles
Leaking transmission fluid, transmission slips and won't really engage at times. When I stop my car my it starts stutters and then it jerks while accelerating. My transmission pops in and out of gear. Check engine light is on. When I turn the corner my car basically stops. I have 2 codes on my vehicle P0740 the torque converter clutch solenoid valve is activated, with the gear in D4, by the transmission control module (tcm) in response to signals sent from the vehicle speed and the engine control module (ECM). Lock-up piston operation will then be controlled. When the torque converter clutch solenoid valve is activated, the torque converter lockup clutch will engage creating a 1 to 1 RPM ratio between the transmission input shaft and the rotational speed of the torque converter. Lock-up operation, however, is prohibited when A/T fluid temperature is too low. When the accelerator pedal is depressed (less than 2/8) in lock-up condition, the engine speed should not change abruptly. If there is a big jump in engine speed, there is no lock-up. Then the other is P0700 the transmission control module (tcm) monitors the malfunction of sensors and actuators relating to transmission control. When the tcm detects a malfunction with the control, a signal is send to the engine control module (ECM) to trigger the engine light or service engine soon light. The ECM stores the P0700 code and it means the tcm detected a malfunction with the transmission controls.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

problem #25

Jul 042014

Accord 6-cyl

  • 219,000 miles
Drove car 70mph. The gear down shifted to 55. Can't get past 55.

- San Francisco , CA, USA

problem #24

Jun 072014

Accord 6-cyl

  • 190,000 miles
Driving at 65 mph, sudden downshift, causing speed to go from 65 to much much less.

- Katy, TX, USA

problem #23

Jun 022003

Accord 4-cyl

  • 98,000 miles
Cars just shuts off while driving losing all power. Was a recall on the ignition switch but it was replaced.

- Islip Terrace, NY, USA

problem #22

Feb 112005

Accord

  • miles
The contact owns a 1999 Honda Accord. The contact stated that the transmission recurringly failed. Initially, the torque converter solenoid circuit failed and the transmission was replaced. The contact was driving 30 mph when the vehicle lost acceleration power and the transmission failed again. The transmission was replaced a second time at 46,000 miles but the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired for the most recent failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown and the current mileage was 151,029.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #21

Nov 182013

Accord

  • 168,134 miles
The vehicle is unsafe to drive as the sub frame is rusted due to the air conditioner drain. Engine runs great but the design is flawed.

- Canton, OH, USA

problem #20

Nov 122013

Accord 4-cyl

  • 310,000 miles
Upon inspection, the right rear portion of the front sub frame is rusted and disintegrated to a point where the car is not considered safe to operate. The frame section has lost so much material that it flexes when downward pressure is applied to the hub assembly. The left side of the front frame is intact and fully functional showing no similar signs of rust.

- Davis Junction, IL, USA

problem #19

Feb 162011

Accord 4-cyl

  • 80,000 miles
The ignition key can be removed while the car is in drive. This has always been the case when the engine is turned off since I purchase the car 2 1/2 years ago. Several times I or another family member have returned to the car to find it in drive, but on level ground, so it did not roll more than a few inches at most. However, the potential to roll further and cause a crash is definitely there if one fails to use the parking brake. Honda (national level) claims this recalled issue was repaired 10 years ago and will not do a diagnostic without guarantee of payment by me. Their defense is that it could be some other problem and they are no longer responsible for the safety issue once a repair has been made. I am alerting you to this potential "other problem" as a safety concern. Either the parts used to replace the recalled parts are also defective and could potentially cause a crash, or a different problem is causing the same safety issue that has the potential of causing a crash.

- Austin, TX, USA

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