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.

7.6

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$2,180
Average Mileage:
104,100 miles
Total Complaints:
18 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. i'm told i need a new / rebuilt transmission (11 reports)
  2. not sure (6 reports)
  3. get honda transmission fluid (1 reports)
1999 Honda Accord transmission problems

transmission problem

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1999 Honda Accord Owner Comments

problem #18

May 272016

Accord LX 3.0L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 140,000 miles

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

Very disappointed of Honda quality on A/T transmissions, hard shifting, Honda must take responsibility and fix it to keep good reputation. So far they are losing their reputation!

- geneoregon45, Vancouver, WA, US

problem #17

Jun 012016

Accord EX 2.3L Vtec

  • Automatic transmission
  • 195,000 miles

At the time my Accord had about 195xxx miles on her. I bought it from my grandmother who bought it new back in 1999. I work in a mechanic shop, and a rebuilt transmission cost me, AT SHOP COST, $1900. This is just absolute f*cking ridiculous. Honda NEEDS to do a recall on the transmission for ALL 6th GENS!!! Not just the 2001 and 2002. What started to be a wheel bearing caught just as it was starting to go out, both C/V Axles (twice), hoping to fix what was going on. The vehicle had a shudder between 20mph to 40mph and up when it was in overdrive. Didn't matter if I had the A/C Compressor running or not. I did some looking on All Data, Identifix, and various online Honda forums. They all led to the auto trans. going out. Everyone was right. One of my other family members had an accord they bought new, awesome factory warranty, and honda still wouldn't pay for the transmission EVEN UNDER WARRANTY!!! WITH ONLY 15xxx MILES ON THE DAMN THING!! To everyone who reads this, I'd rather see you drive a f*cking Blazer with snapped ball joints and bad tie rod ends (inner and outer) with bald tires in the Midwest Winter trying to go up hill with 2wd and chains. Please, to save a chunk of money, ONLY get a Honda (a.k.a. P.O.S.) if it has a manual transmission. If it has an automatic, avoid it like the plague. Again, I was able to fix this piece of sh*t car, but not only did it cost me $1900 for a rebuilt (f*ck going with a used transmission in any vehicle), I decided to go with a manual transmission instead of another automatic.

- Josh L., Becker, MN, US

problem #16

Jan 012003

Accord DX 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles

Bought car second hand. Probably had problem since day one. Previous car was a Toyota with a flawless transmission. The transmission operated like new at 300,000 miles. I'm really disappointed on the quality of this cars transmission. For this reason I couldn't recommend a Honda over a Toyota.

- traugott, San Antonio, TX, US

problem #15

Apr 042014

Accord EX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 111,252 miles

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

I don't think I would ever buy a Honda again. I feel I didn't get what I paid for. I expected to get over 200,000 miles before the transmission went.

- debc147, Upper Darby, PA, US

problem #14

Aug 052013

Accord LX 3.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 154,000 miles

I have been using this car for the past 15 years. Even though maintained properly with regular service, the transmission problem came up suddenly. Now I have to pay too much money to repair where the KBB value of the car is less than the repair cost

- Hari G., Charlotte, NC, US

problem #13

Jul 062011

Accord EX V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 88,000 miles

I TOOK MY CAR TO KELLERS AUTOMOTIVE AND ALSO TO AAMCO TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM WITH MY CAR WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE, BOTH AT SLOWER AND HIGHER SPEEDS. . BOTH COMPANIES MENTIONED THAT THERE WAS A BIG PROBLEM THAT MOST LIKELY RELATED TO A PROBLEM THAT HONDA HAD WITH THE GLUE THAT HOLDS THE MATERIAL ONTO THE CLUTCH PLATE.. THIS PROBLEM WAS CAUSING THE FILTER TO STOP UP WHICH IN TURN AFFECTED THE SECOND GEAR PRESSURE SWITCH. EVIDENTLY THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS BUT SINCE THE PROBLEM USUALLY DOESN'T START APPEARING UNTIL THE CAR APPROACHED THE 85-90 THOUSAND MILEAGE POINT, ONLY THE PEOPLE WITH THE HIGHER MILEAGE ON THEIR ACCORDS WERE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE THE PROBLEM REPAIRED, WITHOUT COST, BY HONDA. WHEN MY CAR WAS TAKEN IN TO AAMCO, THE TRANSMISSION FLUID HAD A VARNISH COLOR WHICH IS CONSISTENT WITH THE MELTED GLUE FROM THE PAD ON THE CLUTCH PLATE. THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM WAS HIGHLY LIKELY DUE TO THE ABOVE STATED PROBLEMS AS ALL MAINTENANCE ON MY ACCORD HAS BEEN DONE ACCORDING TO HONDA'S REQUIREMENTS.

THE BIG PROBLEM IS THAT HONDA ACCORDS ARE ADVERTISED TO HAVE 200,000 MILE TRANSMISSIONS. HOWEVER, THE OWNERS THAT UNFORTUNATELY DIDN'T DRIVE THEIR CARS ENOUGH ARE THE ONES WHO HAVE TO, OR HAD TO, PAY TO HAVE THEIR CARS REPAIRED. ALTHOUGH THE MAJORITY OF THESE REPAIRS ARE THROUGH THE FAULT OF HONDA,. I REALLY ENJOY THIS CAR BUT MY NEXT CAR WHICH WILL BE SOON, IS GOING TO BE A TOYOTA OR HYUNDAI.

- Jenny V., Aurora, CO, US

problem #12

Sep 132007

Accord EX V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,500 miles

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

Disappointed to see the transmission of a Honda Accord fail like this. Honda covered 25% of the cost but I feel they should have covered more. Unlikely to purchase a Honda or Acura vehicle again.

- Piyush M., Sunnyvale, CA, US

problem #11

Nov 012012

Accord EX 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 130,000 miles

Well I was having issues with my 1999 Honda accord. Just like everyone on this board, the transmission problems. Its been running very rough after I drive more than 30-60 minutes. .....It will rev up high, then for a few days it would just slow drag instead of drive. I have a broken engine mount and cv joints are worn. But I've been told that has nothing to do with the transmission. After a few people "said" I probably need a new tranny....I took it to a Honda dealer. They simply said my transmission oil was dirty. They replaced the oil with ORIGINAL HONDA TRANSMISSION OIL. They replaced it and recommended that I replace it again in 1 month and then after that another 2 months so that the car can get used to having new fluid in it again. so far it is running great. But not sure about longer distances....but if anyone is having issues....I recommend just REPLACING the oil with Honda transmission FIRST. see how it runs.... DO NOT DO A FLUSH. I REPEAT NO FLUSH! JUST change out the oil. So far so good as of now at least.

- Ashley S., San Antonio, TX, US

problem #10

Jul 012011

Accord EX 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 102,000 miles

I, also was a believer in the myth of Honda "quality", but a company that is aware of a problem and refuses to do anything to " help " fix the problem really pisses me off !!!

I guess I felt compelled to write this complaint. Its' like voting. If you don't speak up, you're not going to get anything done to make things right. 99' Honda V6 automatic transmission problem with only 100,000 miles on it. 2nd gear problem, just like everyone else.

- Michael R., Liverpool, NY, US

problem #9

Jul 202010

Accord EX 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 74,000 miles

Transmission needs replacing. Should not have to do this

- harvell, Macon, GA, US

problem #8

Sep 172009

Accord EX 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75,000 miles

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

Got a new car (used car) 2 weeks ago, car test drove ok...looks beautiful only 75000 miles on it and the transmission already needs to be replaced...called Honda no help there will soon have no car and no way to get to work because trusted Honda's reputation of being reliable will never ever ever buy Honda again and will warn others about this too...

- Amy D., Poughkeepsie, NY, US

problem #7

Apr 232009

Accord LX 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 108,000 miles

3rd and last Honda I will purchase. I can't believe that this car has been serviced on regular basis and this crap is occurring; reverse just grinds when selected and the 1st to 2nd shift slips which are signs of problems to come, not to mention the ignition switch failure. To think that my opinion of Honda was great till now. I will no longer even think of purchasing a Honda, nor will I recommend Honda to anyone I know.

My thoughts of this car and the experience have been a total let down and I am very unhappy since I have found that Honda will not do anything about these problems besides charge me more money, oh but they will fix the stupid ignition switch problem the least expensive of the repairs (gee thanks Honda) "HONDA=JUNK"

- Jason B., Ashford, AL, US

problem #6

Jan 122009

Accord EX 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 124,000 miles

I bought this 1999 Honda Accord EX around 10/31/2008 from the Honda dealership in Longview. At the time, I questioned the salesman about the tick I heard when I cranked the car but he told me not to worry that the car had been checked out not a certified check he said but right under that. The car was very clean and drove very smoothly. My daughter owned one just like it but hers was a 1998 Honda Accord and I always loved her car. They got great gas mileage. I spoke with my husband on the phone and told him I had found my car. He said to see what they would do on the price and felt pretty confident that a Honda dealership would not have a piece of junk on their lot (at least this is what other dealers had told us when we purchased at least 2 other Hondas).

To make a long story short I purchased the vehicle and when my husband came home and hurt the tick when the car was running in park but stopped making this tick when the car was taking out of park and put in another gear he said there's something wrong with that transmission. I drove it approximately 2 1/2 months before the maintenance required light came on and I thought maybe it was time to be service but the next day another light came on which I found out from a friend who checked it out and he said the code was for either a torque clutch or something was wrong with the transmission. This was what I had been fearful of ever since my husband first saw the car. Have not taken it to a transmission specialist yet. But plan to tomorrow. I called the Honda place in Longview and talked to mgr of used car department who transferred me to The general mgr when they found out I wanted them to do something about it and started to tell them even though I had bought the car as is there is a law regarding unfair deceptive acts and practices law for people who buy a used car as is no warranty when the salesman made deceptive claims in order to sell the vehicle. The general manager got very nasty when I told him I was going to consult my attorney. I was so upset by the way he spoke to me that I just told him that everyone I spoke with would know that I had bought a "lemon from his dealership and hung up. I am very upset over this because I always thought Honda's were good cars and would last at least 200,000 miles. We have bought 2 previously and currently have the 2008 Honda Ridgeline. Evidently I should have done more research on this model of Accord as there seems to be a problem with the transmissions. Never again will I buy a honda.

- Debbie S., Kilgore, TX, US

problem #5

Mar 262008

Accord EX 3.0L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 82,000 miles

click to see larger images

shifts roughly (automatic trans)

purchased a 99 accord coupe in November 2006 believing like many others that it was a good car since it is a Honda and i liked the look. i noticed strange shifting since the beginning, but didn't think anything of it, believing it was just the car and that a v6 coupe shifted a little more playfully than a v4 sedan. (something i read somewhere). in march 2008, i had it. no check engine light or anything came on or anything, but that was enough. it was shifting so badly, it was like a boom, shaking the dash as it engaged from 1st to 2nd gear. i couldn't drive like that anymore. i paid $1065 (tax included and 1 free transmission change) for the transmission overhaul and torque converter with a one year warranty. estimate was $900. the mechanic showed me the clutches and they were stripped around the center areas. i rented a car for 4 days @ $221 from enterprise. i haven't had any hard shifting ever since. also as a result of the harsh shifting had to change motor mounts where the rubber had ripped on the mounts. i heard that gmc helped with the making of this car. other years have oil kits of some sort, but still the transmission issue seems to continue with current models. i had a 1990 Honda civic with no problems and over 235,000 miles on it. what the hell did Honda do that they can't fix? but i have also read of Toyota (current models) where the transmissions went out. also some Nissan like the 03 350z. don't pay Honda all that money, just go to a trustworthy transmission mechanic who'll offer you hopefully a couple years warranty. can anybody tell me about a car that has not given them any motor or transmission problems? is it a luck basis? i wanted an Infiniti g35 coupe but i heard that they have to change brakes every year at $1000.

- Linda M., Los Angeles, CA, US

problem #4

Dec 292007

Accord LX 3.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,000 miles

I'll make this short, because it is the same as many others.

My automatic transmission is a nightmare... I've taken EXCELLENT care of the car - - I've NEVER missed any maintenance, and I've been rewarded with a solid engine that can't turn the wheels due to a horrible transmission issue.

I was told it couldn't be fixed, that it had to be replaced. The other-worldly part comes in when the service-guy in Honda looked at me with a sincere, business-as-usual expression and told me this wasn't a typical problem with Honda's in the late 90's - early-mid 2000's.

Pathetic. I was treated like an absolute Unbelievable. $2,500 - $3,000 estimate.

Honda has a problem here, and is not stepping up to the plate. I won't buy another Honda... They have not impressed me, have not acted in a responsible manner. They've lost a loyal customer that has bought 3 cars from them, and WOULD have bought at least a few more.

- Paul C., Fairfield, CT, US

problem #3

Mar 072007

Accord EX 3.0L V-Tec V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 155,320 miles

this is really some sad sh*t that all these people are complaining and there is nothing honda is doing

my transmission seems to have a hard time from 1st to 2nd gear its almost like it doesnt want to shift

Not to mention that when i slow down and speed back up it jerks back into whatever gear it was in with a loud noise

It also seems to not wanna go from 2nd back to 1st without jerking when i come to a stop

F*CK U HONDA, DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS MESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

- Vince I., Knoxville, TN, US

problem #2

Mar 202006

(reported on)

Accord LE

  • 75,000 miles

Slips in first to second gear. The manufacturer is making their auto trans with no adjustments. Which means you can't tighten any bands to prevent slipage.

- John L., Verona, NJ, US

problem #1

Jun 292003

(reported on)

Accord EX V6

  • 9,600 miles

EGR was replaced 3 times...tranny still jerky when starting off and when shifting gears. Also have prob. with car rolling backward on a hill when in drive.

- Shae J., San Antonio, TX, US

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