1999 Honda Accord structure problems

“The contact owns a 1999 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front of the vehicle made an abnormal sound. The contact's father inspected the vehicle and discovered that the sub-frame was severely corroded. Upon investigation, the contact related the failure to an A/C condensation leak onto the sub-frame, causing the sub-frame to corrode. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 188,000.”

“The contact owns a 1999 Honda Accord. The contact stated while driving at approximately 40 MPH, the steering wheel was vibrating abnormally. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had the alignment checked by an independent mechanic who determined that the passenger’s side subframe was extremely rusted, causing the vehicle to be out of alignment. The mechanic also advised the contact that the A/C drain tube had drained over the subframe on the passenger side and might have been a contributing factor to the extreme rusting of the subframe. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.”

“MY WIFE HAD PURCHASED THIS CAR NEW IN THE 1999 MODEL YEAR AND I REALIZE HONDA IS PROBABLY EXPECTING THESE CARS TO BE PAST THEIR USEFUL LIFE. UNFORTUNATELY UNAWARE CONSUMERS AND YOUNG ADULTS WILL BUY THESE EXPECTING TO PILE MILES ON THESE WHICH HONDA IS KNOWN FOR. THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE SUBFRAME ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WHICH SUPPORTS THE ENGINE AND SUSPENSION COMPONENTS. I PERSONALLY WATCHED THIS PARTICULAR PART OF THE CAR RAPIDLY RUST AND DETERIORATE EVEN AFTER COATING IT WITH SOME RUST INHIBITORS. THE PROBLEM AS I UNDERSTAND IT IS THE AIR CONDITIONING WAS DRIPPING CONDENSATION ON THE FRAME CAUSING THE STRUCTURE TO ROT. I REALIZED IT WAS ALMOST ROTTED THROUGH WHEN I WAS PUTTING ON A NEW PASSENGER SIDE TIRE ON, SO NOT WANTING TO PUT MONEY IN THAT KIND OF REPAIR, I GUESS MY CAR IS DONE. MY POINT IS BUYER BE WARE, HONDA HAD TO KNOW AND I STILL SEE THESE 1999 TO 2002 MODELS RUNNING AROUND.”

“I AM THE OWNER OF A 1999 HONDA ACCORD LX. I RECENTLY BROUGHT MY VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC FOR MY ANNUAL INSPECTION. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE FRONT SUBFRAME OF THE VEHICLE IS RUSTED THROUGH ON THE PASSENGER-SIDE, RENDERING THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THIS APPEARS TO BE AN ISSUE WITH THE POSITION OF THE AIR CONDITIONING DRAINAGE HOSE, WHICH DRAINS DIRECTLY ONTO THE SUBFRAME ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. FURTHER, THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE AMONGST 1998-2002 HONDA ACCORD VEHICLES. THIS ISSUE, WHICH RESULTS FROM A DESIGN FLAW, POSES A SERIOUS THREAT TO THE SAFETY OF ANY OCCUPANTS OF HONDA ACCORDS FROM THESE YEARS.”

“FRAME HAS RUSTED DUE TO AC DRAIN HOLE FROM THE EVAPORATOR. DUE TO WATER DRIPPING ON THE FRAME, FRAME HAS A BREAK CAUSING IT TO HIT THE BODY EVERYTIME YOU HIT A BUMP AND THE SWAY BAR IS CONNECTED TO THE PART OF THE FRAME THAT HAS BROKE.”

“1999 HONDA ACCORD LX SUB-FRAME ON THE PASSENGER SIDE IS BEING RUSTED OUT, BETWEEN THE ANTI-SWAY BAR MOUNT AND THE LOWER CONTROL ARM TO SUB-FRAME BUSHING. IN CONTRAST, THE SAME AREA ON THE DRIVER SIDE IS IN GREAT SHAPE. THE DIFFERENCE IS THAT THE AC CONDENSATION DRAIN LINE DIRECTS WATER TO THIS SUB-FRAME SECTION ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. IT IS MAINLY A DESIGN FLAW THAT ONLY SHOWS UP OVER TIME. MECHANICS DEEM IT UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND COULD CAUSE A FATAL CRASH WHEN RUSTED OUT. HOWEVER, THE REPLACEMENT OF THE SUB-FRAME COULD COST UP TO SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS. HONDA SHOULD DO A RECALL TO HAVE IT REPLACED.”