Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1999 Honda Accord owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Why you are driving the RPMs drop down to zero and the car just shuts off and you could be sitting at a light it does the same thing our traffic it is just shut off I Googled about the car and it said it was the ignition switch and then when I Googled that it said it was a recall on my car I'm just trying to see what's going on
Car was in motion driving 70 MPH and engine cut out, maintenance required light flashed, power steering locked, car jolted. It did this twice within a matter of seconds and restarted both times. I just purchased the car for my 17 year old and it happened two days after we bought it. I tried to replicate it but could not. I ran the VIN looking for recalls before purchase but found none for my vehicle. After this happened I saw all of the complaints regarding ignition switch problems. I took the car back to the used car dealer who has a mechanic onsite and I showed him the complaints I had found that were similar to what happened. I had him remove and inspect the ignition switch. He did find upon observation that it looked like there had been some electrical sparks and I believe he said some corrosion too, and that it was defective. …
My 1999 Honda Accord ex rolled backwards after I left it parked on a level surface. I was able to remove the keys from the ignition and lock the car even though the car was left in neutral. The car rolled back 15-20 feet and was stopped by some large bushes and small trees. I presented the vehicle to my Honda dealer to inspect the car after the NHTSA recall was announced. The dealer declined to inspect the ignition interlock because Honda would not authorize an inspection since car was not included in recall. I have spent roughly $100 to fix the punctured tail light cover (because trunk would flood when it rained). There was damage to the trunk, rear bumper, and side panels around the trunk. I would estimate the body damage repair costs between $1-2K. The ignition interlock has not been modified since the rollback incident. …
My car has been randomly shutting off while driving for several months. No one could tell me exactly what was causing it. This problem has occurred numerous times including on the interstate. There is no warning other than lights flashing on the dash and then cuts off. I lose my power steering and can barely get it to the side of the road to restart it. Nine times out of ten it will restart on the first try but sometimes I have to work with it to get it to start again. I noticed that there are many Honda accords that have this problem and there was actually a recall on 97-2000 Honda accords. I called Honda and they told me my specific VIN number is not covered under the recall. Ive noticed that there are several people who aren't covered under the recall with 99 Honda accords whose VIN number begins in 1hgcg just as mine does and are having the same problem. …
My car began quitting while driving May 2009, however, it would immediately start again. 06/2009-7/2009 when trying to turn the ignition, the dashboard would flicker. After a few tries, the car would start but then quit. On 8/4/2009, while driving the car quit again but then smoke came from behind the steering wheel ( steering column area). Simultaneously, the car quit. The car would not start at all by turning the ignition forward. However when turning it backwards it would try to crank. The car was towed to and now currently sits at bluegrass Honda in paducah, ky. According to Honda, it is the ignition switch, which I found was under recall but the dealership claims that the ignition was replaced in 2002. I don't believe this is true because here I have the very problem that the recall acknowledged. …
I was driving on the freeway going at highway speeds when all of a sudden, my engine stalls. I immediately put on my hazard lights and was almost hit by a car behind me as my car was coasting. Luckily, I was able to steer my car off to the shoulder as was able to start my car again. In doing some investigating online, it appears the main issue is with the ignition switch. There were a few recalls on the ignition switch which I had gone to the dealer to take care of (year 2002 and 2005). It appears the ignition switch that has been replaced is still faulty. I have around 143K miles on my car when the last incident occurred. I had this occurrence happen a few other times within the past few months, but at slower speeds. I want to report this because I believe this recall replacement part didn't fix the problem and can still endanger the lives of other drivers of this type of vehicle.
Same issue as everyone else with a 1999 Honda Accord VIN # starting with 1hgcg, was told by Honda my vehicle did not fall under the recall. My car will turn off while driving down the road, I've had it happen at 70 MPH and I have had it happen at 15 MPH. Normally will turn off and restart itself (while driving) and the key signal will flash. The past two times my car has completely turned off on the interstate and I had to fight to get over before getting killed. As well as, my car has turned off while in drive as I was slowing down to park and the key could be removed from the ignition. If these were the recalls and I have a 1999 Honda I do not understand why my car is not included. I promise I will call everyone I have to, to make this right. I have a child and I can not be stalling while driving down the interstate.
I have a 1999 Honda Accord ex four cylinder stick shift sedan. Three or four times a year, ever since I got the car the engine has suddenly stopped for no apparent reason while driving. It usually happens when I push the clutch pedal in, as when down-shifting for a turn. I took it back to the dealer, but they could not fix it, and told me they had no idea what was causing it. My regular mechanic was also unable to diagnose the cause when I asked him to, a year or so after I got the car. The car continues to malfunction in this way, and I am simply alert to it. It always starts right back up when I either pop the clutch or use the starter. Judging from the recall information on this website, the cause is a defective ignition switch, but I never received a recall notice.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Honda Accord. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled while driving 55 MPH in increment weather. The contact lost power steering and the vehicle crashed into a pole. There were no injuries. A police report was filed. Prior to the failure, the dealer replaced the ignition switch under the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 02V120000 (electrical system:ignition:switch). The dealer stated that the failure was due to the ignition defect addressed in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired a second time. The failure mileage was 153,000 and the current mileage was 157,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Honda Accord. While driving approximately 75 MPH, the vehicle stopped abruptly without warning. The contact turned on the hazard lights and blinkers, restarted the vehicle, and called for emergency road service. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence where an independent mechanic checked the vehicle, but was unable to duplicate the failure. The failure recurred three months later on the highway. The contact called a local dealer who wanted the vehicle brought in for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 144,000.
Related recalls
Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
On certain passenger vehicles, the interlock operation of the ignition switch May not function properly, making it possible to turn the ignition key to the "off" position and remove the key without shifting the transmission to park.
Remedy: Dealers will perform an inspection procedure that confirms interlock function. Vehicles will be updated with a redesigned interlock lever free of charge. The recall began on March 7, 2005.
Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
On certain passenger vehicles and Mini vans, the ignition switch May wear excessively and prevent proper interlock operation, making it possible to turn the ignition key to the "off" position and remove the key without shifting the transmission to "park."
Remedy: Dealers will perform an inspection procedure that determines the amount of cylinder body wear. If significant wear is indicated, the dealer will replace the cylinder body, collar, and latch plate.
Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
On certain sedans, coupes, hatchbacks, and sport utility vehicles, electrical contacts in the ignition switch can degrade due to the high electrical current passing through the switch when the vehicle is started.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the ignition switch. Owner notification began June 14, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a…
NHTSA investigations
Ignition-park interlock
The above failure report counts are for model year (my) 1999 - 2001 Honda accord models that were not within the scope of a related Honda recall action (NHTSA 03V423); these vehicles were investigated by odi under defect petition (dp) 04-006.complaint information for other models and model years was not obtained by odi.the noted population indicates the number of vehicles (including the my 2002 accord plus the…
Ignition-park interlock
Six of the odi complaints are duplicative of Honda complaints, as well as four of the crashes.the one injury occurred when a rollaway vehicle struck the exiting operator who had inadvertently parked the vehicle in an unsecured state (not in park, brake not engaged).Honda identified the warranty claims from complaint descriptions that contended the interlock system failed to operate properly.Honda presented the…
Ignition-park interlock
The office of defects investigation (odi) produced an information request (ir) letter dated October 14, 2004 which defined the subject vehicles as model year 1999 - 2001 Honda accord vehicles which were not within the scope of prior recall action (03V423) Honda conducted to resolve an interlock defect.Honda submitted responses on November 29 and December 21, 2004.the failure reports noted above have been determined…
Electrical complaints in other Accord years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 1999 Honda Accord?
NHTSA has 388 complaints about the electrical system of the 1999 Honda Accord, 34% of the model year's 1,135 complaints. The component named most often is ignition › switch (172 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Honda Accord electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 05V-025 (switch, Jan 28, 2005); NHTSA recall 03V-423 (switch, Oct 27, 2003); NHTSA recall 02V-120 (switch, May 16, 2002). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1999 Honda Accord electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 130,000 miles, and 2% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 8 crashes, 3 fires and 0 injuries to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.