Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (seat frames, recliners, heated seats and seat tracks).
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).
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
The consumer pulled the seat back forward to place items in the back seat of the vehicle. When the seat back was pushed back to the original position, the back would not stay in the upright position. The consumer attempted to drive the vehicle with the seat back not in the upright position and was involved in a collision with another vehicle. The consumer was cited by the police and suffered minor injuries to the arms, legs and hand.
(1) driver's power seat was moved to its most extreme rearward position while cleaning under the seat. Backrest was not moved or unlatched from it's normal upright position. Seat was then repositioned to its normal driving location. (2) upon sitting in the seat and leaning back against the backrest, it gave way and driver fell backwards. Holding onto the steering wheel prevented driver from falling into a nearly horizontal position. Upon releasing pressure against the backrest, it sprang back to its normal upright position. Seat would not lock into the upright position. If the latch had failed while driving the driver would have been thrown backwards and could have resulted in loss of control of vehicle with a possibility of a crash. (3) driver attempted to operate the power seat's various controls controls to re-engage latching mechanism without success. …
Driver's seat of my '99 Honda Accord has become loose, rocks and pulls away from steering wheel upon acceleration, causing lack of control since momentum pulls driver away from wheel. When seat is not occupied, this is evident by pushing on headrest, causing seat to 'rock' backwards approx 6". Mechanic said that a piece of steel on the bracket under the seat is broken (& seat bracket is the same for all 1998-2002 models). Dealer said this isn't a recall or anything so repairs would be at my expense. Car cannot pass state inspection until this is fixed, so looks like I now have no choice but to try & locate a replacement bracket at a junkyard & pay someone to install, costing me at least $300 (with no guarantee that the replacement bracket will not have the same problem). …
Tl* - the contact owns a 1999 Honda Accord ex. The contact stated that the SRS air bag light flashed on/off, and it was related to a problem on the driver's seat. The contact stated the problem with the light was an every day occurrence. The contact stated that the lights turning on/off normally happened upon the acceleration and deceleration of the vehicle. The contact could be driving at 5 MPH or more when this occurred. The contact was told that he needed a new driver's seat because of the wiring. The contact stated that he took the vehicle to the dealership to find out if there was a warranty or recall and was told that there was not. The contact stated that the 2004 and 2005 model vehicles already have the safety recall, but it was not on this 1999 vehicle. The current and failure mileage were both 109,000.
Weld broke on my driver's seat 1999, Honda ,Accord with only 38,000 miles on it. Took car to dealer, and they said the entire linkage was needed, and would cost $800.00 for the part. Now a year later, I get a letter from Honda for a seat product recall, and a bracket is to solve this problem. For one year I have been driving a car that throws me forward and back.this is a safety issue, and a car that was only 2 years old should not have this problem.please thank the ten people that came forward because now Honda might correct it's mistake and my car will get fixed. Sincerely ,[redacted]
Tl contact owns a 1999 Honda Accord. While entering the vehicle, the driver's side power assisted seat tilted backwards. The contact called the dealer and manufacturer in reference to action number pe02072. A representative stated that they would reserve their right to provide a free remedy until after the vehicle was inspected by a technician. The contact is in the process of having the vehicle repaired. The failure and current mileages were 130,000. Updated 06/25/08 the dealer stated the slider assembly needed to be repalced as the broken bracket was integral with it and could not be repaired. The consumer stated when he stepped on the accelerator, the seat lurched backwards. Updated 06/25/08
Service bulletin #' 030013 & 03034 seats:front assembly:power adjust recall replaced bracket for looseness in seat-back & cushion - did not resolve problem - returned to dealership & was advised seat track - needed replacement - ($758.53 track - labor $218.38) the seat started shifting when vehicle was approx 2.5 years old - contacted Honda direct [phone] case#n012003-08-220-1363) was advised they would pay 50% of seat track. The dealership and Honda direct have been courteous & kind. I do not feel under normal usage that the seat track should fail. I believe that the recall should have been for the track not the bracket.
I was in an accident. I was sitting in stopped traffic when an SUV rear ended me going about 40 to 45 MPH . It then sent me into a truck that was stopped in front of me. My seat the drivers side colapsed and I ended up laying flat in the back seat. After talking to the body shop I found out all the gears in the power seat were stripped causing back injury. It is my understanding that this should have never colasped. I have contacted the Honda dealer along with Honda consumer relation and the safety council and received no satisfaction they all just passed the buck back to one another it was a vicious circle.
Tl contact owns a 1999 Honda Accord. The contact stated that the driver seat in his vehicle became separated from the frame. The failure occurred while the contact was driving approximately 20 MPH. He took the vehicle to the dealer and they stated that the seat detached from the bracket. He was informed that his VIN was not included in a similar product update. The current and failure mileages were 112,472. Updated 10/07/08. The transmission wasn't shifting properly. Updated 10/08/08.
NHTSA investigations
Seat frame bracket failure
This pe was opened based on 10 consumer complaints in the odi database alleging that the power assisted seats were failing in certain 1998-2002 Honda accord vehicles.failures are concentrated in the 1998-99 model year vehicles.the bracket that attaches the seat bottom to the seat base is fracturing due to: 1-the weld condition of bracket, 2-the drivers weight, and 3-the impact on the seat when the driver enters the…
Seat complaints in other Accord years
Frequently asked questions
How common are seat problems on the 1999 Honda Accord?
NHTSA has 42 complaints about the seats of the 1999 Honda Accord, 4% of the model year's 1,135 complaints. The component named most often is front assembly › recliner (11 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Honda Accord seat problems?
No. NHTSA lists no seats recall for the 1999 Honda Accord, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1999 Honda Accord seat problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 118,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 0 fires and 3 injuries to seats 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.