SUBARU OUTBACK · model year

1999 SUBARU OUTBACK

150 NHTSA complaints, 22 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1999SUBARUOUTBACK carries 150 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 22 crashes, 2 fires, 31 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1999 OUTBACK is power train:automatic transmission with 14 filings, followed by engine and engine cooling:engine (11) and power train (7). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 14 investigation files overlapping the 1999 OUTBACK. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page, a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

150
Complaints
22
Crashes
2
Fires
31
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

150 filings

Crashes Reported

22 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION14
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE11
POWER TRAIN7
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL6
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING6
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP5
UNKNOWN OR OTHER5
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION5
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM5
SUSPENSION4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE4
AIR BAGS4
TIRES3
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL3
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY3

Recent Complaints

20160715ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

THE VEHICLE IS USING ITS POWER TO MAKE THE CAR THINK IT IS IN NEUTRAL AND DOES NOT START PROPERLY. IT WILL START IF YOU PULL THE FUSE OUT AND THEN PUT IT BACK IN TO PUT IT IN DRIVE. ALSO, LENDING WAY TO PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION SYSTEM. EFFECTING MILEAGE ON THE COUNTER. CAR WAS STATIONERY UPON OCCURRENCE. THE CAR ITSELF IS GOOD IT RUNS PRETTY WELL YET, TO PUT IT IN DRIVE IT BURNS TRANSMISSION FLUID BECAUSE IT IS ALWAYS TELLING THE CAR IT IS IN NEUTRAL.

Mileage: 180,000

20160609SUSPENSION

FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE IN HALF WHILE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY - ALMOST PUNCTURING TIRE, AND RENDERING VEHICLE IMMOBILE - THE BROKEN END OF THE COIL WAS WEDGED INTO THE TIRE SIDEWALL. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED WHILE VEHICLE WAS MOVING, IT WOULD HAVE CAUSED A BLOWOUT AND POSSIBLE ACCIDENT. SUBARU HAS A RECALL FOR COIL SPRINGS, BUT SAID THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED BECAUSE IT WAS OUTSIDE THE VIN RANGE - BUT WAS CLEARLY STILL AFFECTED BY THE PROBLEM.

Mileage: 109,000

20140219CrashPOWER TRAIN

1999 SUBARU LEGACY OUTBACK. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE BEGAN TO ROLL BACKWARD WHILE TRYING TO REMOVE KEYS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED SHE PARKED THE VEHICLE, PLACED IT IN PARK, AND LEFT THE KEYS IN THE IGNITION, SO SHE COULD CHECK OUT THE NEW HALOGEN BULBS THAT HAD BEEN INSTALLED. WHEN SHE RETURNED TO REMOVE THE KEY, WITH THE DOOR BEING OPEN, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ROLL BACKWARDS, AND THE OPENED DOOR PUSHED HER TO THE GROUND. THE CONSUMER STATED SHE CAREFULLY CHECKED AND MADE SURE, THE VEHICLE WAS SECURELY IN PARK, BEFORE SHE EXITED TO CHECK THE LIGHTS, AND DID NOT TOUCH ANYTHING WHEN SHE RETURNED. SHE WAS SUBSEQUENTLY, TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE SUFFERING FROM SEVERE HEAD, BACK AND NECK INJURIES AND SPENT 2 DAYS IN THE HOSPITAL. THE VEHICLE ROLLED INTO TWO OTHER PARKED CARS AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO BOTH. UPDATED 05/20/14 UPDATED 06/19/14

20140219CrashELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1999 SUBARU LEGACY OUTBACK. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE BEGAN TO ROLL BACKWARD WHILE TRYING TO REMOVE KEYS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED SHE PARKED THE VEHICLE, PLACED IT IN PARK, AND LEFT THE KEYS IN THE IGNITION, SO SHE COULD CHECK OUT THE NEW HALOGEN BULBS THAT HAD BEEN INSTALLED. WHEN SHE RETURNED TO REMOVE THE KEY, WITH THE DOOR BEING OPEN, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ROLL BACKWARDS, AND THE OPENED DOOR PUSHED HER TO THE GROUND. THE CONSUMER STATED SHE CAREFULLY CHECKED AND MADE SURE, THE VEHICLE WAS SECURELY IN PARK, BEFORE SHE EXITED TO CHECK THE LIGHTS, AND DID NOT TOUCH ANYTHING WHEN SHE RETURNED. SHE WAS SUBSEQUENTLY, TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE SUFFERING FROM SEVERE HEAD, BACK AND NECK INJURIES AND SPENT 2 DAYS IN THE HOSPITAL. THE VEHICLE ROLLED INTO TWO OTHER PARKED CARS AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO BOTH. UPDATED 05/20/14 UPDATED 06/19/14

20130207POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND TO ACCELERATION ATTEMPTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HAD TO CONSTANTLY CHANGE THE GEAR FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE IN ORDER FOR IT TO WORK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION BUT THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000.

Mileage: 42,000

20110711STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:POWER STEERING FLUID

1999 SUBARU OUTBACK LTD POWER STEERING RACK LEAK AND CAM SEAL LEAK WHICH RUINED TIMING BELT. THIS CAR IS A PIECE OF JUNK! *TT

Mileage: 107,000

20110526POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

99 SUBARU LEGACY OUTBACK /W AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DOS NOT ENGAGE WHEN PLACED FROM P TO D, OR DISENGAGE FROM GEAR WHEN VEHICLE STOP. I WAS ON A SLIGHT HILL STOPPED. CAR DISENGAGED FROM GEAR AND I COULD NOT MOVE. IN D - WHEN I RELEASED BRAKE THE CAR ROLLED BACKWARDS CAUSING CONTACT WITH THE CAR BEHIND ME. *TR

Mileage: 100,000

20101201STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD

MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY ABOUT 65 MPH, THE HOOD FLEW OPEN SMASHED THE WINDSHIELD, SHE CROSSED A LANE OF TRAFFIC WENT INTO THE DITCH, HIT HER HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND RECEIVED A MILD CONCUSSION. *TR

Mileage: 155,500

20101201LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY ABOUT 65 MPH, THE HOOD FLEW OPEN SMASHED THE WINDSHIELD, SHE CROSSED A LANE OF TRAFFIC WENT INTO THE DITCH, HIT HER HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND RECEIVED A MILD CONCUSSION. *TR

Mileage: 155,500

20100521SUSPENSION:FRONT

WE EXPERIENCED AN INCIDENT IN WHICH A FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRING FAILED. PARKING OUR 1999 SUBARU LEGACY OUTBACK, THE VEHICLE WAS PERFECTLY FINE. IN THE MORNING THE VEHICLE HAD A FLAT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE. JACKING THE CAR, IT WAS DIFFICULT TO REMOVE THE FLAT TIRE AND WHEEL. THE REASON IT WAS HARD TO REMOVE WAS THAT A SHARP LONG PIECE OF THE FRONT COIL SPRING HAS BROKEN AWAY, AND PUNCTURED THE SIDEWALL OF THE TIRE. WHEN THE TIRE AND WHEEL WERE FINALLY REMOVED, THE BROKEN COIL SPRING COULD BE SEEN SITTING ATOP THE FRONT STRUT. THE REMAINDER OF THE COIL SPRING HAD A LONG SHARP POINT THAT HAD SHOT DOWN OVER THE SPRING SEAT ON THE STRUT AND WAS PROTRUDING INTO THE WHEEL WELL AREA WHERE IT HAD DAMAGED THE TIRE. ALSO, MANY PIECES OF BLACK PAINT WHICH HAD BEEN COATING THE COIL SPRING COULD BE SEEN NOW LYING ON THE GROUND. THE COIL SPRING ITSELF WAS RUSTED OVER THE ENTIRE SPRING SURFACE OF THE SPRING. THE BROKEN PIECE OF THE COIL SPRING WHICH WAS SEPARATED FROM THE REST OF THE SPRING W

Mileage: 115,250

20100506CrashSUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING

99 SUBARU OUTBACK HIT IN REAR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY MINOR NECK AND LOWER BACK BRUISES. ALSO, ANOTHER FRONT WHEEL BEARING FAILURE AFTER 50,000 MILES. *TR

20100506CrashAIR BAGS

99 SUBARU OUTBACK HIT IN REAR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY MINOR NECK AND LOWER BACK BRUISES. ALSO, ANOTHER FRONT WHEEL BEARING FAILURE AFTER 50,000 MILES. *TR

20090908FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

FUEL FILLER TUBE CORROSION CAUSES LEAK OF FUEL AND FUEL VAPOR. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATES CODE P0440 (EVAP EMISSIONS MALFUNCTION). FUEL FILLER TUBE AND VALVE ASSEMBLY PARTS COST IS $200. LABOR $275. COMMON PROBLEM ON SUBARUS THAT SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED AND RECALLED DUE TO FUEL VAPOR LEAKAGE POSES AN ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY HAZARD. *TR

Mileage: 150,000

20090808ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

HEAD GASKET FAILED ON 1999 SUBARU AT 38,000. CAR WAS MAINTAINED RELIGIOUSLY. SUBARU RECALL WAS NEVER SENT TO ME. I WAS TOLD MY CAR WAS THE 'WRONG PHASE ENGINE' TO BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. CAR HAD OVERHEATED 3 MONTHS EARLIER. SUBARU FLUSHED THE SYSTEM AND ADDED 'SPECIAL COOLANT LUBRICANT'. THIS WAS WORTHLESS. I WAS TOLD IT WOULD COST $2000+, EVEN THOUGH MY FAMILY HAS PURCHASED 4 SUBARU'S FROM THE SAME DEALER. AFTER A LOT OF SCREAMING AND YELLING, THEY REPLACED BOTH GASKETS, RADIATOR, THERMOSTAT AND WATER PUMP. I ENDED UP PAYING $250. DEALER, (WAKEFIELD SURBARU, WAKEFIELD MA.) HELPED CONVINCED SUBARU CORPORATE TO FOOT MOST OF THE EXPENSE. LATER WHEN SUBARU OIL FILTERS FAILED (LEAKS) AND AFTER MORE SCREAMING AND YELLING WITH THIS DEALER SHIP, (AFTER THEY SAID I WAS MAKING UP THE LEAK PROBLEM) I'VE CHANGED DEALERSHIPS WHO HAS A MORE PROFESSIONAL SERVICE CENTER. *TR

Mileage: 38,000

20090808ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

HEAD GASKET FAILED ON 1999 SUBARU AT 38,000. CAR WAS MAINTAINED RELIGIOUSLY. SUBARU RECALL WAS NEVER SENT TO ME. I WAS TOLD MY CAR WAS THE 'WRONG PHASE ENGINE' TO BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. CAR HAD OVERHEATED 3 MONTHS EARLIER. SUBARU FLUSHED THE SYSTEM AND ADDED 'SPECIAL COOLANT LUBRICANT'. THIS WAS WORTHLESS. I WAS TOLD IT WOULD COST $2000+, EVEN THOUGH MY FAMILY HAS PURCHASED 4 SUBARU'S FROM THE SAME DEALER. AFTER A LOT OF SCREAMING AND YELLING, THEY REPLACED BOTH GASKETS, RADIATOR, THERMOSTAT AND WATER PUMP. I ENDED UP PAYING $250. DEALER, (WAKEFIELD SURBARU, WAKEFIELD MA.) HELPED CONVINCED SUBARU CORPORATE TO FOOT MOST OF THE EXPENSE. LATER WHEN SUBARU OIL FILTERS FAILED (LEAKS) AND AFTER MORE SCREAMING AND YELLING WITH THIS DEALER SHIP, (AFTER THEY SAID I WAS MAKING UP THE LEAK PROBLEM) I'VE CHANGED DEALERSHIPS WHO HAS A MORE PROFESSIONAL SERVICE CENTER. *TR

Mileage: 38,000

20090612TIRES

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE VEHICLE HAS GOODYEAR REGATTA 2 TIRES, SIZE 205/70/15. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN VIBRATING. THE VIBRATIONS WORSENED AS THE SPEED INCREASED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION AND HE STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER TIRES EXHIBITED EXCESSIVE ROAD FORCE VARIATIONS. A ROAD FORCE BALANCING MEASUREMENT WAS PERFORMED ON THE DEFECTIVE TIRES; HOWEVER, THE FOUR TIRES MOUNTED ON THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED UNIFORM WEAR AND TREAD LIFE. THE TIRES WERE TEMPORARILY ROTATED TO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE TECHNICIAN RECOMMENDED REPLACING THE DEFECTIVE TIRES. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF REPLACING ALL FOUR TIRES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,355 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 127,305. UPDATED 8/10/09 *CN UPDATED 08/13/09.*JB

Mileage: 127,305

20090518SUSPENSION:FRONT

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRING FAILED AND PUNCTURED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. THE CONTACT DID NOT REALIZE THE FAILURE UNTIL THE TIRE WAS CHANGED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER (01V216000). THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 171,798.

Mileage: 171,798

20090508ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING: BLOWN HEAD GASKETS 1999 SUBARU LEGACY OUTBACK DOHC. *TR

Mileage: 100,000

20090224ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1999 SUBARU LEGACY OUTBACK SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER FAILURE. INTERMITTANT PROBLEM. INFORMED BY DEALER THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH 1999 SUBARU'S. DEALER INFORMS CUSTOMER THAT PROBLEM IS ELECTRONIC CIRCUIT BOARD ISSUE. SPEEDOMETER REPLACED BY DEALER AT COST OF $315. SUBARU PART NUMBER 85020AC330. CONSUMER HAS OLD, FAILED UNIT. THIS IS NOT AND SHOULD NOT BE A "WEAR" TYPE ITEM. THIS TYPE OF FAILURE IS SUBARU MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. *TR

Mileage: 160,000

20081004ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

SPEEDOMETER PERIODICALLY DOES NOT WORK. I HAVE FOUND THIS IS COMMON PROBLEM IN THESE MODELS AND IT IS NOT EASY TO GET IT REPLACED. KNOWING THE SPEED WHEN DRIVING IS VERY IMPORTANT. I AM PETRIFIED MOST OF THE TIME THAT CHP IS GOING TO PULL ME OVER ON HIGHWAY. IT TYPICALLY GOES OUT IN HIGHWAY DRIVING. I JUST BOUGHT THIS, BUT IT IS OBVIOUS PRIOR OWNER HAD ISSUES WITH IT AS MANY OTHER PEOPLE ONLINE WITH SAME YEAR MODEL. IT SHOULD BE RECALLED. ALSO, NONE OF THE BELLS, BUZZERS, ALARM GIZMOS ASSOCIATED WITH OPENING THE DOOR AND PUTTING ON SEATBELTS IS WORKING. I THINK THIS IS ALL RELATED. *TR

Mileage: 65,000

Compare 1999SUBARUOUTBACK to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1999 SUBARU OUTBACK have?
The 1999 SUBARU OUTBACK has 150 NHTSA complaints, 22 crashes, 2 fires, 31 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1999 SUBARU OUTBACK?
The most-complained component for the 1999 SUBARU OUTBACK is POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION with 14 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE and POWER TRAIN.
Is the 1999 SUBARU OUTBACK safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.