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1999 Subaru Legacy

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1999 Subaru Legacy do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 77.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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
162,000 miles · Sep 24, 2019
Suspension

FRONT RIGHT COIL SPRING BROKE AT BASE OF STRUT.

NHTSA ODI #11257865

175,000 miles · Dec 12, 2017
Engine

LEAKING COOLANT AND REPLACED RADIATOR, THERMOSTAT AND STILL LEAKING AND STARTED TO OVERHEAD. FOUND OUT IT WAS HEAD BASKETS AND DID RESEARCH ON RECALLS FOR THIS YEAR MAKE AND MODEL. FOUND OUT ON FORUMS THAT THERE WERE MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH BOTH TYPES OF ENGINES THAT YEAR THE SINGLE AND DUAL OVERHEAD CAM ENGINES AND ALL AROUND …

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LEAKING COOLANT AND REPLACED RADIATOR, THERMOSTAT AND STILL LEAKING AND STARTED TO OVERHEAD. FOUND OUT IT WAS HEAD BASKETS AND DID RESEARCH ON RECALLS FOR THIS YEAR MAKE AND MODEL. FOUND OUT ON FORUMS THAT THERE WERE MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH BOTH TYPES OF ENGINES THAT YEAR THE SINGLE AND DUAL OVERHEAD CAM ENGINES AND ALL AROUND THE SAME MILEAGE, BUT ONLY THE SINGLE OVERHEAD CAM ENGINE HAD THE RECALL. I FEEL THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THE DUAL OVERHEAD CAM ENGINE AS WELL.

NHTSA ODI #11054207

140,000 miles · May 5, 2015
SuspensionInjury

WIFE COMING HOME FROM WORK SPRING BLEW AND WENT THROUGH TIRE CAME TO A SUDDEN STOP HAD IT FIXED WHEN BEING FIXED REPAIR SHOP SAID OTHER SIDE WAS BROKE TO SO HAD BOTH REPAIRED LATER FOUND SUBARU HAD A RECALL ON THIS SO CALLED THEM ON THE 1800 NUMBER THEY SAID IT WAS VIN SPEC AND OURS WASN'T ON THERE I WISH IT MET THAT OUR CAR…

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WIFE COMING HOME FROM WORK SPRING BLEW AND WENT THROUGH TIRE CAME TO A SUDDEN STOP HAD IT FIXED WHEN BEING FIXED REPAIR SHOP SAID OTHER SIDE WAS BROKE TO SO HAD BOTH REPAIRED LATER FOUND SUBARU HAD A RECALL ON THIS SO CALLED THEM ON THE 1800 NUMBER THEY SAID IT WAS VIN SPEC AND OURS WASN'T ON THERE I WISH IT MET THAT OUR CAR WOULDN'T HAVE DONE THE SAME THING. THEY REFUSED TO GIVE ANY ON THE REPAIR COST, SO THEY ADVERTISE THE CAR IS A SAFE CAR YOU HAND DOWN TO YOUR CHILDREN BUT ACCORDING TO THE MANAGER I SPOKE WITH A 1999 AND 140 THOUSAND MILES THE CAR WAS BEYOND THEIR WORRIES. THE CAR IS IN OTHERWISE GOOD SHAPE. I GUESS FROM WHERE THEY STAND IF THEY MAKE IT A FEW YRS ON A BAD DESIGN NOONE GETS HURT THEY ARE OFF THE HOOK . I JUST THINK THIS IS UNSAFE AND IT SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE NO MATTER WHAT ... *TR

NHTSA ODI #10714646

141,000 miles · Dec 27, 2014
EngineVehicle Speed Control

STARTED NOTICING A PROBLEM WHEN COMING DOWN A LONG, STEEP HILL WITH EXTENSIVE SHUDDERING WHEN BRAKING. WHEN I GOT INTO TOWN, THERE WAS A EVEN MORE SHUDDERING WHEN COMING TO A STOP AT A RED LIGHT. I HAD TO PULL ON THE PARKING BRAKE TO STOP THE CAR. WHEN WE STARTED UP AGAIN, IT PULLED VERY HARD SO WE PULLED OVER AND WHEN I PUT T…

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STARTED NOTICING A PROBLEM WHEN COMING DOWN A LONG, STEEP HILL WITH EXTENSIVE SHUDDERING WHEN BRAKING. WHEN I GOT INTO TOWN, THERE WAS A EVEN MORE SHUDDERING WHEN COMING TO A STOP AT A RED LIGHT. I HAD TO PULL ON THE PARKING BRAKE TO STOP THE CAR. WHEN WE STARTED UP AGAIN, IT PULLED VERY HARD SO WE PULLED OVER AND WHEN I PUT THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL, THE ENGINE RACED UP ABOVE 4,000 RPM. I SHUT THE ENGINE OFF, BUT WHEN IT WAS STARTED AGAIN, IT RACED AGAIN. I EASED IT SAFELY HOME A SHORT DISTANCE AWAY WITH THE UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION PROBLEM CONTINUING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10668510

134,700 miles · Jul 25, 2014
Power Train

DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC IN THE LEFT LANE OF I-78, THE SHIFTER POPPED OUT OF 5TH GEAR BY ITSELF (THAT IS, WITHOUT ANY HUMAN INTERVENTION). THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY LOST POWER IMMEDIATELY, AS IT WAS NOW IN NEUTRAL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10616335

155,134 miles · May 20, 2014
Air BagsCrashInjury

I WAS STOPPED AT THE INTERSECTION OF 23RD AND UNION IN SEATTLE ON MY WAY TO WORK. I WAS GOING NORTH. IT WAS ABOUT 7:40 A.M. ON TUESDAY, 5/20/2014. I LOOKED IN MY REARVIEW MIRROR AND SAW A CAR COMING UP BEHIND ME AND IT LOOKED LIKE IT WAS GOING TO FAST TO STOP. THE DRIVER DIDN'T EVEN SEEM TO SLOW DOWN. MY CAR WAS HIT PRETTY …

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I WAS STOPPED AT THE INTERSECTION OF 23RD AND UNION IN SEATTLE ON MY WAY TO WORK. I WAS GOING NORTH. IT WAS ABOUT 7:40 A.M. ON TUESDAY, 5/20/2014. I LOOKED IN MY REARVIEW MIRROR AND SAW A CAR COMING UP BEHIND ME AND IT LOOKED LIKE IT WAS GOING TO FAST TO STOP. THE DRIVER DIDN'T EVEN SEEM TO SLOW DOWN. MY CAR WAS HIT PRETTY HARD. MY AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. AS FAR AS I CAN RECALL MY HEAD OR FACE DID NOT HIT THE STEERING WHEEL. WE GOT OUT OF OUR CARS. I DID NOT SEE A LICENSE PLATE ON HIS CAR EITHER ON THE FRONT OR BACK OF HIS CAR. I THINK THAT HE SAID THAT HE DID NOT HAVE HIS DRIVER LICENSE...I'M NOT QUITE SURE NOW. HIS CAR WAS A ORANGE REDDISH MERCEDES, IT LOOKED LIKE AN SUV. IT HAD TAN INTERIOR. WE MOVED OUR CARS TO THE GAS STATION PARKING LOT TO TALK ABOUT THE ACCIDENT. MY NECK FELT SORE AND PAINFUL. I DECIDED TO GO TO WORK AS I DROVE MY SIDE BEGAN TO HURT A LOT, SO I WENT TO THE DOCTOR. THERE ARE NEW SCRATCHES ON MY BUMPER AND OTHER THAN THAT I CAN'T TELL IF THERE IS ANY OTHER DAMAGE TO THE CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10592787

101,000 miles · May 20, 2012
Fuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

HESITATION, SURGING, AND BUCKING AT MID-RANGE ENGINE RPMS. THIS HAS BEEN A RECURRENT PROBLEM DESPITE REPLACEMENT OF THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR X3. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10459031

128,782 miles · Feb 16, 2012
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 SUBARU LEGACY OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REFUELING, THE FILLER NECK CORRODED AND FUEL EMITTED FROM THE TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE FILLER NECK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAIL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 SUBARU LEGACY OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REFUELING, THE FILLER NECK CORRODED AND FUEL EMITTED FROM THE TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE FILLER NECK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 128,782.

NHTSA ODI #10448198

141,225 miles · Mar 19, 2011
Power Train

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PROBLEM: HESITATES GOING INTO GEAR. GET STUCK IN NEUTRAL. SHIFT THROUGH THE GEARS TO SEE IF IT WILL GO INTO GEAR. THEN TRY REVVING ENGINE TO SLIP IT INTO GEAR. IT CAN SUDDENLY CATCH INTO GEAR AND THEN THE CAR SURGES FORWARD OR BACKWARDS, CAUSING A DANGEROUS SITUATION. ACCORDING TO COMPLAINT SITES ON THE I…

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AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PROBLEM: HESITATES GOING INTO GEAR. GET STUCK IN NEUTRAL. SHIFT THROUGH THE GEARS TO SEE IF IT WILL GO INTO GEAR. THEN TRY REVVING ENGINE TO SLIP IT INTO GEAR. IT CAN SUDDENLY CATCH INTO GEAR AND THEN THE CAR SURGES FORWARD OR BACKWARDS, CAUSING A DANGEROUS SITUATION. ACCORDING TO COMPLAINT SITES ON THE INTERNET, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN 5 YEARS OF SUBARU VEHICLES. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. REPAIR SHOP SAID THE SEALS ARE "GOING" AND I WILL LIKELY NEED A NEW OR REBUILT TRANSMISSION. SUBARU SHOULD ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM AND OFFER A FREE FIX. THE CAR SLIPPED INTO GEAR IN A PARKING LOT THE OTHER DAY (FINALLY) AND MY CAR SURGED FORWARD, ALMOST HITTING ANOTHER CAR. I AM NO LONGER DRIVING THIS VEHICLE (TOO DANGEROUS). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10392215

107,385 miles · Jan 31, 2011
Latches/locks/linkagesStructure

WITH NO PRIOR WARNING, AT APPROX 90KM/H OR 55 MPH SOUTH BOUND ON HWY-11 NEAR ORILLIA, ON, CANADA. THE HOOD LATCH FAILED, CAUSING THE HOOD TO COME BACK AND SHATTER THE WINDSHIELD. THERE WERE NO INJURIES, AND MY WIFE MAINTAINED SAFE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE ONTO THE PAVED SHOULDER. I FOUND OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THIS ISSUE ON LINE BUT …

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WITH NO PRIOR WARNING, AT APPROX 90KM/H OR 55 MPH SOUTH BOUND ON HWY-11 NEAR ORILLIA, ON, CANADA. THE HOOD LATCH FAILED, CAUSING THE HOOD TO COME BACK AND SHATTER THE WINDSHIELD. THERE WERE NO INJURIES, AND MY WIFE MAINTAINED SAFE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE ONTO THE PAVED SHOULDER. I FOUND OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THIS ISSUE ON LINE BUT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP DISAVOWS ANY KNOWLEDGE OF THIS ISSUE. WE CALLED OUR INSURANCE COMPANY AND DISCOVERED THEY HAD REDUCED OUR COVERAGE ON THE VEHICLE TO LIABILITY ONLY WITH OUT CONSULTING US. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10379707

Official recalls

3

01V216000 · Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs

Jun 25, 2001

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.

99V040000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder

Mar 3, 1999

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.

98V127000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine

Jun 8, 1998

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.