Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
10–25K
325–50K
450–75K
675–100K
9100–150K
6150K+
29 reports with mileage · 65 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Power Train. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
18 crash reports1 fire reports11 injury reports
What owners actually said
94 reports
169,000 miles · Mar 18, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE WARNING PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE GAS CAP CAUSED THE LIGHT TO APPEAR ON THE DASHBOARD. THE CONTACT THEN EXAMINED THE VEHICLE WHILE IT WAS TURNED ON AND NOTICED THAT …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE WARNING PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE GAS CAP CAUSED THE LIGHT TO APPEAR ON THE DASHBOARD. THE CONTACT THEN EXAMINED THE VEHICLE WHILE IT WAS TURNED ON AND NOTICED THAT GASOLINE WAS LEAKING UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 169,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 172,000.
NHTSA ODI #10320728
46,765 miles · Jan 28, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control
I HAVE A 1999 SUBARU LEGACY. ON 2 SEPARATE OCCASIONS I EXPERIENCE SUDDEN ACCELERATION. ONCE DRIVING ON EXPRESSWAY. LASTED A FEW SECONDS. 2ND INSTANCE STOPPED AT STOP SIGN, FOOT ON BRAKE, CAR ACCELERATED. FOOT WAS ON BRAKE & THEN PUT GEAR IN NEUTRAL. I CALLED DEALERSHIP & WAS TOLD THAT THIS HAPPENED BECAUSE HEATER/AC WAS ON…
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I HAVE A 1999 SUBARU LEGACY. ON 2 SEPARATE OCCASIONS I EXPERIENCE SUDDEN ACCELERATION. ONCE DRIVING ON EXPRESSWAY. LASTED A FEW SECONDS. 2ND INSTANCE STOPPED AT STOP SIGN, FOOT ON BRAKE, CAR ACCELERATED. FOOT WAS ON BRAKE & THEN PUT GEAR IN NEUTRAL. I CALLED DEALERSHIP & WAS TOLD THAT THIS HAPPENED BECAUSE HEATER/AC WAS ON DUAL M (FEET & CHEST) & THIS WAS NORMAL. I HAVE HAD CAR CHECKED & THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. SO THEY SAY. BASED ON SERVICE MGRS RESPONSE, OTHERS HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE ACCELERATION. GIVEN THE EVENTS WITH TOYOTA --THERE SHOULD BE FURTHER INVESTIGATION.*CW
NHTSA ODI #10303002
170,000 miles · Jul 6, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline
FUEL FILLER PIPE LEAKS GAS WHEN FILLING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10275914
Mileage unknown · May 9, 2009
EquipmentSeat Belts
PURCHASED A PRE-OWNED 1999 SUBARU LEGACY IN 2008 AS A GIFT FOR MY 18YR DAUGHTER. WITHIN MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP DRIVER SIDE SHOULDER BELT RIPPED! I CONTACTED LOCAL SUBARU DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD IT WOULD COST $300 TO ORDER A NEW SHOULDER BELT AND AN ADDITIONAL $300 TO INSTALL IT! REGULAR MECHANIC WON'T INSTALL ANYTHING BUT A GEN…
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PURCHASED A PRE-OWNED 1999 SUBARU LEGACY IN 2008 AS A GIFT FOR MY 18YR DAUGHTER. WITHIN MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP DRIVER SIDE SHOULDER BELT RIPPED! I CONTACTED LOCAL SUBARU DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD IT WOULD COST $300 TO ORDER A NEW SHOULDER BELT AND AN ADDITIONAL $300 TO INSTALL IT! REGULAR MECHANIC WON'T INSTALL ANYTHING BUT A GENUINE SUBARU BELT DUE TO LIABILITY HOWEVER I AM A WIDOW AND CANNOT AFFORD $300 FOR A PART THAT HAS ALWAYS LASTED THE LIFETIME OF ANY VEHICLE THAT I HAVE EVER OWNED. GIVEN THE MANDATORY NATURE OF THIS PART IS THERE ANYTHING THAT CAN BE DONE TO HELP ME? I AM LESS THAN IMPRESSED BY SUBARU'S RESPONSE AND OBVIOUS COMFORT WITH TAKING SUCH A HUGE PROFIT FOR A PART THAT PROVIDES BASIC SAFETY AND MUST BE WARN BY LAW! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10268294
Mileage unknown · Dec 30, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
I RECENTLY BOUGHT A USED 1999 SUBARU LEGACY WAGON. THE PREVIOUS OWNER TOLD ME THERE WAS AN OIL LEAK THAT RESULTED FROM THE OIL FILTER FRACTURING. THIS CAUSED SMOKE TO COME FROM OIL BURNING ON THE HOT EXHAUST MANIFOLD. AFTER OWNING THE CAR FOR A FEW DAYS, I HAD THE OIL CHANGED AND NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE STILL SMOKES AROUND THE …
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I RECENTLY BOUGHT A USED 1999 SUBARU LEGACY WAGON. THE PREVIOUS OWNER TOLD ME THERE WAS AN OIL LEAK THAT RESULTED FROM THE OIL FILTER FRACTURING. THIS CAUSED SMOKE TO COME FROM OIL BURNING ON THE HOT EXHAUST MANIFOLD. AFTER OWNING THE CAR FOR A FEW DAYS, I HAD THE OIL CHANGED AND NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE STILL SMOKES AROUND THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD AFTER DRIVING IT. I CAN ALSO HEAR OIL DRIPPING FROM THE FILTER ONTO THE MANIFOLD. WHILE ONLINE REVIEWING MY CAR INSURANCE, I NOTICED THAT THIS VERY PROBLEM IS A RECALL DEFECT. I FOLLOWED INSTRUCTIONS AND CALLED SUBARU ABOUT THIS. THE REPRESENTATIVE NAMED PATRICIA SAID THAT THERE WAS NO RECALLS FOR THIS VEHICLE AND QUICKLY ENDED THE CONVERSATION. I KNOW THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE AND NEED THIS ADDRESSED. MY WIFE AND BABY RIDE IN THIS CAR. THE RECALL # IS -98V127000. THANK YOU. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10253222
160,000 miles · May 22, 2008
Suspension
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A CLUNKING AND RUBBING NOISE. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRING FAILED AND PUNCTURED THE TIRE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 160,000. UPDATED 0…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A CLUNKING AND RUBBING NOISE. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRING FAILED AND PUNCTURED THE TIRE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 160,000. UPDATED 06/09/08 *BF THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD HIS VEHICLE IDENTIFACTION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL # 01V216000. UPDATED
NHTSA ODI #10228668
Mileage unknown · May 6, 2008
Suspension
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT HIS VEHICLE MAY EXPERIENCE THE FAILURE MENTIONED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 01V216000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS). THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 138,000.
NHTSA ODI #10226779
109,000 miles · Apr 1, 2008
Electrical System
THE SPEEDOMETER AND ODOMETER STARTED WORKING INTERMITTENTLY ABOUT FOUR MONTH AGO. THE DEALER SAYS THE SPEEDOMETER WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF APPROXIMATELY $430+ (PARTS AND LABOR). THE VEHICLE IS ONLY 8YEARS OLD WITH LESS THAN 110,000 MILES. SEVERAL OTHER CONSUMERS SUBMITTED IDENTICAL COMPLAINTS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10223077
16,000 miles · Oct 3, 2007
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 SUBARU LEGACY. WHILE DRIVING 2 MPH, THE CONTACT RELEASED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. BEFORE THE BRAKE COULD BE APPLIED, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD AND CRASHED INTO A BUILDING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE INSURANCE COMPANY. BOTH THE VEHICLE AND BUILDING WERE DAMAGED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CAU…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 SUBARU LEGACY. WHILE DRIVING 2 MPH, THE CONTACT RELEASED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. BEFORE THE BRAKE COULD BE APPLIED, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD AND CRASHED INTO A BUILDING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE INSURANCE COMPANY. BOTH THE VEHICLE AND BUILDING WERE DAMAGED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE HAD NOT BEEN DETERMINED. THE MILEAGE WAS LOW ON THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE ODOMETER WAS REPLACED AT 50,000 MILES. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 16,000.
NHTSA ODI #10204796
83,000 miles · Jun 4, 2007
Power Train
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WILL SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL WITHOUT WARNING. THERE IS A 15-20 SECOND DELAY WHEN SHIFTING THE VEHICLE FROM PARK TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AS NEEDING A NEW TRANSMISSION. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 86,000 AND FAI…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WILL SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL WITHOUT WARNING. THERE IS A 15-20 SECOND DELAY WHEN SHIFTING THE VEHICLE FROM PARK TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AS NEEDING A NEW TRANSMISSION. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 86,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000. THE CONSUMER STATED LOU THOMAS SUBURU INFORMED HIM THE TRANSMISSION COULD BE REPAIRED FOR $3400 CLOSE TO THE VALUE OF THE CAR, BUT THE CONSUMER NEVER HAD THE CAR FIXED AT THAT REPAIR SHOP. THE CONSUMER SHOPPED AT OTHER TRANSMISSION SHOPS ONE INFORMED COULD REBUILD THE TRANSMISSION BUT WOULD RESULTS MAY NOT BE GOOD. THE CONSUMER PURCHASED A TRANSMISSION FROM THE SALVAGE YARD HAD IT INSTALLED AND FOUND THAT IT WAS INFACT DEFECTIVE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN FIXED TO SATISFACTION AND BEEN PARKED EVER SINCE. UPDATED 07/06/07 *TR
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS). (THE 1999 2.2 LITER LEGACY VEHICLES ARE EXCLUDED). IN EXTREMELY COLD WEATHER, THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR AND THE VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE IS INCREASED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAUSES THE VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE TO BE INCREASED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES, ALSO SERVICE PARTS SUPPLIED TO SUBARU DEALERS ARE INVOLVED (LOT NUMBERS F01 J21D2, F01 J30D2, F02 J09D1, F02 J09D2, AND F02 J20D1). THE PUROLATOR OIL FILTER CANS USED ON THESE VEHICLES CAN FRACTURE CAUSING A VAPORIZED OIL SPRAY AND SUBSEQUENT OIL LEAK.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS VAPORIZED OIL SPRAY CAN RESULT IN OIL VAPOR IGNITION BY THE HOT EXHAUST SYSTEM RESULTING IN A POSSIBLE UNDERHOOD FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THESE ENGINE OIL FILTERS.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
1999 Subaru Legacy Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year