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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
Mileage unknown · Jan 17, 2002
Vehicle Speed Control

CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND WOULD NOT STOP UPON APPLYING THE BRAKES.

NHTSA ODI #9004999

Mileage unknown · Jan 8, 2002
Vehicle Speed Control

THERE IS HESITATION WHEN ACCELERATING - TSB#115398 - TSB#115899. *AK

NHTSA ODI #756558

Mileage unknown · Jan 2, 2002
Air BagsService Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed ControlCrash

WHILE TRAVELING DOWN INTERSTATE 5, THE TRAFFIC SLOWED DUE TO AN ACCIDENT ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE FWY., UPON NOTICING THE TRAFFIC SLOWING I RELEASED MY FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR THE TRAFFIC CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP, I STEPPED ON THE BRAKES APPLYING THEM ALL THE WAY. I HAD PLENTY OF TIME TO STOP THE CAR IN ORDER TO AVOID AN A…

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WHILE TRAVELING DOWN INTERSTATE 5, THE TRAFFIC SLOWED DUE TO AN ACCIDENT ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE FWY., UPON NOTICING THE TRAFFIC SLOWING I RELEASED MY FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR THE TRAFFIC CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP, I STEPPED ON THE BRAKES APPLYING THEM ALL THE WAY. I HAD PLENTY OF TIME TO STOP THE CAR IN ORDER TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. UNFORTUNATELY THE CARS BRAKES DIDN'T STOP THE CAR, AND THE CAR STOPPED WHEN I HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY EITHER. I HAD THE SAME TYPE OF ACCIDENT IN MARCH OF 2000. I JUST FELT MAYBE IT WAS MY FAULT AND DIDN'T THINK ABOUT IT MUCH. THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY AT THIS TIME EITHER, AND I FELT IT WAS BECAUSE I WAS GOING SLOW, AND THE IMPACT WASN'T ENOUGH TO MAKE THEM COME OUT. UPON HAVING MY BRAKES CHECKED THIS PAST SUMMER THE MECHANIC NOTICED THE ACTUAL PADS ON THE BRAKES WERE SMALLER THAN THE PADS THAT CAME UP WHEN LOOKED UP IN THE PARTS BOOK. THE PADS ON MY CAR WERE FOR A 13 INCH TIRE AND MY CAR HAS 15 INCH TIRES. HE ALSO STATED THAT THE BRAKES DIDN'T STOP MY CAR VERY ACCURATELY. UPON LEARNING THIS I CHECKED FOR A RECALL AND FOUND OUT THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER ON MY CAR WAS INVOLVED IN A RECALL. AT THIS TIME I WENT TO THE DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR. THEY LOOKED THE RECALL UP AND GAVE ME A PRINT OUT THAT STATED THE RECALL WAS INDEED COMPLETED. THE PROBLEM IS THE CAR DOESN'T STOP PROPERLY IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS. I AM A SINGLE MOTHER WITH TWO CHILDREN, AND I "TAXI" THEM TO NUMEROUS ACTIVITIES. MY CONCERN IS THE SAFETY OF THIS CAR. THE BRAKES DON'T RESPOND PROPERLY AND THE AIR BAGS DON'T DEPLOY. THE INSURANCE ADJUSTOR TOLD ME THAT ABS BRAKES ARE MADE TO KEEP FROM GOING OUT OF CONTROL, NOT STOPPING THE CAR. IF THIS IS INDEED THE CASE I WILL NEVER BE SAFE IN THIS PARTICULAR CAR.*AK

NHTSA ODI #756313

Mileage unknown · Sep 7, 2001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WHILE DRIVING 55 TO 60 MPH ON A WARM DRY DAY CONSUMER TRIED TO STOP VEHICLE AND BRAKES FAILED COMPLETELY. ALSO, BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR, VEHICLE NOT STOPPING. CONSUMER HAD NO WARNING. CONTACTED DEALER, AND HAD VEHICLE TOWED INTO DEALERSHIP. DEALER REPLACED BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER.*AK

NHTSA ODI #896018

Mileage unknown · Aug 13, 2001
Exterior Lighting

PARK LIGHTS STAY ILLUMINATED WHEN VEHICLE IS SHUTS OFF. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #894118

Mileage unknown · Jul 9, 2001
SeatsService Brakes, Hydraulic

WHEN DRIVING PRESSED ON BRAKES AND VERY ABRUPTLY ENGINE DOWNSHIFTED. ALSO, WHEN STOPPING ABRUPTLY CONSUMER LURCHED FORWARD IN SEAT. CONTACT DEALER DEALER STATED IT WAS COMMON IN 1999 VEHICLE. PLEASE ADD VIN. *AK

NHTSA ODI #892211

Mileage unknown · Jun 18, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling

VEHICLE LEAKS OIL, AND THE OIL FLAWS ALL OVER ENGINE. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #890603

Mileage unknown · May 8, 2001
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrashInjury

WHILE SON WAS DRIVING TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, CONSUMER WENT TO APPLY BRAKES SO AS TO NEGOTIATE A 90 DEGREE TURN, AND BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, AND FAILED TO ENGAGE BRAKE SYSTEM. VEHICLE WENT STRAIGHT INTO A CONCRETE WALL . DRIVER AND A PASSENGER WERE INJURED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTAC…

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WHILE SON WAS DRIVING TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, CONSUMER WENT TO APPLY BRAKES SO AS TO NEGOTIATE A 90 DEGREE TURN, AND BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, AND FAILED TO ENGAGE BRAKE SYSTEM. VEHICLE WENT STRAIGHT INTO A CONCRETE WALL . DRIVER AND A PASSENGER WERE INJURED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS. *STATE FARM INSURANCE WAS INVESTIGATING THIS CASE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #887737

Mileage unknown · Jan 20, 2001
Tires

CAR IS ONE YEAR OLD, 22,000 MILES AND THE SECOND FRONT BRIDGESTONE TIRE FAILED. ONE HAD A LARGE SIDE BUBBLE, ONE BLEW OUT AT 65 MPH.*AK (DOT NUMBER: OBT 2 PFB TIRESIZE: P205/55P16)

NHTSA ODI #739671

Mileage unknown · Jan 17, 2001
SteeringCrashInjury

I WAS ON AN ENTRY RAMP TO INTERSTATE 95 AND FOUND MYSELF A BIT OUT OF LINE IN THE ROAD AFTER I HAD TURNED TO CHECK ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I TRIED TO CORRECT, AND LOST STEERING CONTROL. CAR WENT INTO FISHTAIL FROM WHICH I WAS UNABLE TO RECOVER, AND EVENTUALLY SPUN OUT INTO ONCOMING INTERSTATE TRAFFIC, WHERE I WAS HIT BY A TRACTOR-TR…

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I WAS ON AN ENTRY RAMP TO INTERSTATE 95 AND FOUND MYSELF A BIT OUT OF LINE IN THE ROAD AFTER I HAD TURNED TO CHECK ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I TRIED TO CORRECT, AND LOST STEERING CONTROL. CAR WENT INTO FISHTAIL FROM WHICH I WAS UNABLE TO RECOVER, AND EVENTUALLY SPUN OUT INTO ONCOMING INTERSTATE TRAFFIC, WHERE I WAS HIT BY A TRACTOR-TRAILER. ROADWAY WAS DAMP, WEATHER MISTY, TEMP MID-FORTIES, AND I BELIEVE THERE WAS SAND ON RAMP LEFT OVER FROM PREVIOUS SNOW/ICE TREATMENT. I MUST SAY OCCUPANT PROTECTION WORKED WELL. I HAVE CRACKED STERNUM (PROBABLY FROM AIRBAG; I AM A VERY SHORT DRIVER AND SIT WAY FORWARD) AND A KNOT ON MY FOREHEAD, 2 BLAKC EYES AND LOTS OF BRUISES, BUT WAS IN GOOD ENOUGH SHAPE TO BE TREATED AND RELEASED FROM ER. I DON'T KNOW IF STEERING OR SUSPENSION FAILURE OCCURRED, BUT WANTED YOU TO HAVE THE DATA POINT IN CASE YOU CAN DISCOVER A PATTERN.

NHTSA ODI #739529

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.