Model year record

1999 Subaru Outback recalls & problems

The 1999 Subaru Outback has 1 safety recall and 111 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is power train (32 complaints).

Recalls1safety recalls

Complaints111filed by owners

Crashes · fires13 · 1reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths18 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

SuspensionJun 25, 2001

Front › Springs › Coil springs

Recall 01V216000180,000 vehicles

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FRONT COIL SPRINGS ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW YORK, NEW JERSEY, NEW HAMPSHIRE, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA, AND WISCONSIN, AND IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS WERE PRODUCED WITH POOR PAINT QUALITY WHICH, AFTER CONTINUED EXPOSURE TO CORROSIVE SALT, CAN RESULT IN BREAKAGE OF THE SPRING.
Risk: DEPENDING ON THE LOCATION OF THE FRACTURE, A BROKEN SPRING COULD MOVE PAST THE SPRING SEAT AND CONTACT A FRONT TIRE. SOME TIRES HAVE DEFLATED DUE TO CONTACT WITH A BROKEN SPRING.
Fix: DEALERS WILL NOTIFIY CUSTOMERS TO BRING THEIR VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE A SPRING GUARD INSTALLED ON BOTH FRONT STRUTS TO PREVENT TIRE PUNCTURE AND REPLACE ANY BROKEN SPRINGS FREE OF CHARGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 18, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Manual transmission	32	2	1	2	65,000 mi
Engine and engine coolingEngine; Engine › Gasoline	28	0	0	0	99,200 mi
SuspensionFront › Springs › Coil springs; Multiple axle	13	2	0	4	109,000 mi
Electrical systemInstrument cluster/panel; Wiring	10	1	0	1	91,350 mi
Vehicle speed controlAccelerator pedal; Linkages	9	0	0	0	—
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Pedals and linkages	9	1	1	0	30,000 mi
Air bagsFrontal	7	7	0	11	111,621 mi
StructureBody › Door › Hinge and attachments; Body › Tailgate	6	2	0	5	—
Unknown or other	5	1	0	1	—
Latches/locks/linkagesHood › Latch; Trunk lid › Lock	5	0	0	1	117,890 mi
VisibilityWindshield wiper/washer; Rearview mirrors/devices	4	1	0	1	—
Fuel system, gasolineStorage; Fuel injection system	4	0	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Electronic 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.
Apr 14, 2014 · 180,000 miles
Suspension
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.
Jun 3, 2016 · 109,000 miles
Power trainCrash1 injury
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,…
Jul 13, 2013
Power 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.
Mar 7, 2012 · 42,000 miles
Steering › 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
May 1, 2011 · 107,000 miles
Power 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
May 10, 2008 · 100,000 miles
Structure › Body › Hood1 injury
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
Nov 25, 2010 · 155,500 miles
Suspension › 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…
May 20, 2010 · 115,250 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.