NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
94 reports97,200 miles · Feb 4, 2004
Vehicle Speed Control
97000 MILES - AUTOMATIC W CRUISE - VEHICLE JUST STARTED EXPERIENCING INTERMITTENT HIGH IDLE CONDITIONS. THE FIRST CONDITION HAS PERSISTED FOR SEVERAL DAYS. VEHICLE (EVEN WHEN WARM) IDLES AT ~1.5K RPM IN PARK. WHEN COASTING IN DRIVE, VEHICLE DOES NOT SLOW DOWN AS IT NORMALLY SHOULD. IT IS ALMOST AS IF VEHICLE IS DRIVING ITSELF.…
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97000 MILES - AUTOMATIC W CRUISE - VEHICLE JUST STARTED EXPERIENCING INTERMITTENT HIGH IDLE CONDITIONS. THE FIRST CONDITION HAS PERSISTED FOR SEVERAL DAYS. VEHICLE (EVEN WHEN WARM) IDLES AT ~1.5K RPM IN PARK. WHEN COASTING IN DRIVE, VEHICLE DOES NOT SLOW DOWN AS IT NORMALLY SHOULD. IT IS ALMOST AS IF VEHICLE IS DRIVING ITSELF. WHEN STOPPING ABRUPTLY,THE ABS DID NOT SEEM TO ENGAGE AND THE CAR WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO STOP (I PAST THE TOLL BOOTH GUY BY A FOOT). FUEL ECONOMY HAS BEEN REDUCED. THE SECOND CONDITION IS MORE INTERMITTENT AND COULD BE VERY SERIOUS. AFTER STARTING MY CAR AND LETTING IT WARM FOR 2 MINUTES, I PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THEN SHIFTED FROM PARK TO DRIVE. THE RPMS SURGED TO OVER 2.5K AND STAYED THERE. LUCKILY, I WAS FIRMLY PRESSING THE BRAKE. I PLACED THE CAR IN PARK AND RELEASED THE BRAKE, THE RPMS DECREASED TO 750. I WAS ABLE TO REPLICATE THIS SEVERAL TIMES IN BOTH REVERSE AND DRIVE AND COULD FIND NOTHING TO SUGGEST I WAS THE CAUSE (I.E PRESSING BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR AT THE SAME TIME). THE BRAKE WAS FIRMLY DEPRESSED AND I DID NOT MOVE. AFTER 2 MINUTES OF THIS, THE CONDITION STOPPED AND THE RPMS NO LONGER SURGED WHEN PLACED IN GEAR. I DROVE TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT ABLE TO REPLICATE IT. ON MY NEXT DRIVE (1 HOUR LATER) THE CAR IDLED AND RAN FINE FOR THE COURSE OF MY 10 MINUTE DRIVE. ON RETURNING HOME (1 HOUR AFTER THAT), THE CAR RAN FINE UNTIL I STOPPED IN THE DRIVEWAY SHIFTED FROM DRIVE TO PARK. THE ENGINE SURGED TO OVER 2K RPM, BUT IDLED NORMALLY. I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE DEALER TO INVESTIGATE IN A FEW DAYS. I AM VERY CONCERNED FOR MY SAFETY AND OF OTHERS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10056555
75,000 miles · Nov 14, 2003
Tires
WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT, CAUSING TREAD SEPARATION. CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER TO CHANGE TIRE. SIZE 19060R15, 1999. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10047981
75,000 miles · Nov 14, 2003
Tires
WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH LEFT PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT, CAUSING TREAD SEPARATION. THE CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER TO CHANGE TIRE. SIZE#19060R15 YEAR 1999 PLEASE PROVIDE THE DOT NUMBER. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT WAS UNABLE RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10047979
66,000 miles · Sep 24, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingStructure
COMPLAINED SEVERAL TIMES TO DEALER THAT CAR HAD NO POWER, POOR GAS MILEAGE, HESITATION UPON STARTING OUT, MOTOR FELL APART AT 66,000 MILES ON INTERSTATE. CAR, ALTHOUGH A NEW MOTOR, CONTINUES TO HAVE NO POWER, POOR GAS MILEAGE, HESITATION UPON STARTING OUT. WHAT'S GOING TO KEEP THE MOTOR FROM BLOWING UP AGAIN, AND MAYBE WE BE K…
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COMPLAINED SEVERAL TIMES TO DEALER THAT CAR HAD NO POWER, POOR GAS MILEAGE, HESITATION UPON STARTING OUT, MOTOR FELL APART AT 66,000 MILES ON INTERSTATE. CAR, ALTHOUGH A NEW MOTOR, CONTINUES TO HAVE NO POWER, POOR GAS MILEAGE, HESITATION UPON STARTING OUT. WHAT'S GOING TO KEEP THE MOTOR FROM BLOWING UP AGAIN, AND MAYBE WE BE KILLED. O2 AND PT SENSORS CONTINUES TO BLOW. SUNROOF WILL NOT OPEN;ADVISED A NEW ONE WOULD BE $975. SUNROOF COMPLAINT AT 13,680 MILES.
NHTSA ODI #10039507
37,000 miles · Aug 13, 2003
Power Train
PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE'S CLUTCH.*MR CLUTCH WAS REPLACED ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASSIONS DUE TO FAULTY VEHICLE. *CB
NHTSA ODI #10033921
Mileage unknown · Jul 14, 2003
EquipmentService Brakes, Hydraulic
I HAVE A 1999 SUBARU LEGACY WAGON WITH 4 WHEEL DISC BRAKES AND 15 INCH WHEELS. EVERY TIME THE FRONT DISK PADS ARE REPLACED, THE MECHANIC GETS THE PADS FOR 15 INCH WHEELS THE ARE INSTALLED AND THE CAR WILL NOT STOP. WHAT WE HAVE DISCOVERED IS THAT THE FRONT TAKE THE DISK PADS FOR 14 INCH WHEELS AND THE REAR TAKE THE DISK PADS F…
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I HAVE A 1999 SUBARU LEGACY WAGON WITH 4 WHEEL DISC BRAKES AND 15 INCH WHEELS. EVERY TIME THE FRONT DISK PADS ARE REPLACED, THE MECHANIC GETS THE PADS FOR 15 INCH WHEELS THE ARE INSTALLED AND THE CAR WILL NOT STOP. WHAT WE HAVE DISCOVERED IS THAT THE FRONT TAKE THE DISK PADS FOR 14 INCH WHEELS AND THE REAR TAKE THE DISK PADS FOR 15 INCH WHEELS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10026024
77,000 miles · Jul 11, 2003
Power Train
VEHICLE HAS A MANUAL TRANSMISSION. WHEN DRIVING IN 5TH GEAR, TRANSMISSION WILL "DROP" OUT OF GEAR WITHOUT WARNING. *AK THE 5TH GEAR WAS REPAIRED ON THE AND THERE WAS A PACKING NUT THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE PEENED ON THE GEAR SHAFT TO KEEP IT FROM BACKING OFF. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT PROPERLY PEEN THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHI…
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VEHICLE HAS A MANUAL TRANSMISSION. WHEN DRIVING IN 5TH GEAR, TRANSMISSION WILL "DROP" OUT OF GEAR WITHOUT WARNING. *AK THE 5TH GEAR WAS REPAIRED ON THE AND THERE WAS A PACKING NUT THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE PEENED ON THE GEAR SHAFT TO KEEP IT FROM BACKING OFF. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT PROPERLY PEEN THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW 5TH SLIDER NUT, RETIGHTENED, AND PEENED CORRECTLY. ALSO IN CRUISE CONTROL WHEN THE VEHICLE DROPPED OUT OF THE 5TH GEAR, IT CAUSED THE ENGINE TO RACE. (OUTBACK) *SCC *JB
NHTSA ODI #10024108
Mileage unknown · Jun 12, 2003
Suspension
VIBRATION, FROM INITIAL ACCELERATION TO HIGH SPEED DRIVING. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10022985
Mileage unknown · Apr 12, 2003
Child SeatSeat Belts
MY HUSBAND AND I JUST RETURNED FROM A CHILD SAFETY SEAT INSPECTION. WE HAVE A 1999 SUBARU LEGACY. WE HAD MANY PROBLEMS TRYING TO FIT OUR CENTURY 1000 STE CONVERTIBLE CAR SEAT INTO THE BACK SEAT, AND DECIDED TO TRY THE "PROFESSIONALS." THE ONLY WAY OUR CERTIFIED CAR SEAT INSPECTORS COULD ENSURE A TIGHT FITTING POSITION FOR THE…
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MY HUSBAND AND I JUST RETURNED FROM A CHILD SAFETY SEAT INSPECTION. WE HAVE A 1999 SUBARU LEGACY. WE HAD MANY PROBLEMS TRYING TO FIT OUR CENTURY 1000 STE CONVERTIBLE CAR SEAT INTO THE BACK SEAT, AND DECIDED TO TRY THE "PROFESSIONALS." THE ONLY WAY OUR CERTIFIED CAR SEAT INSPECTORS COULD ENSURE A TIGHT FITTING POSITION FOR THE CAR SEAT WAS ON THE SIDE (NOT CENTER, AS RECOMMENDED) AND WITH THE SEAT BELT TWISTED 6 (YES, I SAID 6) TIMES! OF COURSE, THE OWNER'S MANUAL OF THE CAR SAYS DO NOT TWIST THE SEAT BELT. THE INSTRUCTION MANUAL ON HAND FOR THE INSPECTORS SAID THAT BY TWISTING THE SEAT BELT 6 TIMES, WE LOWERED THE IMPACT RESISTANCE 30%. THIS IS THE ONLY WAY OUR INSPECTORS COULD GET THE SEAT IN, THOUGH. WE CONTACTED SUBARU AND THEY KINDLY SENT US A LIST OF "RECOMMENDED" CAR SEATS FOR THE 1999 SUBARU LEGACY. THEY WERE ALL BOOSTER SHIELD SEATS, WHICH ARE NOT RECOMMENDED FOR USE WITH A CHILD MY DAUGHTER'S SIZE. WHAT ARE WE SUPPOSED TO DO? BUY A NEW CAR? LET OUR DAUGHTER TRAVEL IN LESS THAN OPTIMAL SAFETY RESTRAINTS? SUBARU PRIDES ITSELF ( AND SELLS ITSELF) AS BEING A SAFE CAR. WHAT GOOD DOES ALL WHEEL DRIVE DO ME IF MY LITTLE GIRL IS SERIOUSLY HARMED OR KILLED DUE TO INEFFECTIVE, POORLY PLANNED SEAT RESTRAINTS DESIGNED BY THEIR ENGINEERS? *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10014306
58,500 miles · Apr 8, 2003
Unknown Or Other
THE SPEEDOMETER AND ODOMETER STARTED WORKING INTERMITTENTLY ABOUT ONE MONTH AGO. THE DEALER SAYS THE SPEEDOMETER WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF APPROXIMATELY $330+ (PARTS AND LABOR). THE VEHICLE IS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD WITH LESS THAN 60,000 MILES. SEVERAL OTHER CONSUMERS SUBMITTED IDENTICAL COMPLAINTS. *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10014132
Official recalls
3Jun 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.
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.
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 ↗
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