1999 Subaru Outback problems
The 1999 Subaru Outback has 150 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (16%) concerns engine. Next are transmission (13%) and drivetrain & axles (9%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 150 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Engine 16% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 22 and 2
- Injuries and deaths
- 31 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 87,000 miles 71 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 8 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 5 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 6 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 14 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 11 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 12 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 9 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 3 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 2 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 1 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Of the 71 complaints that include odometer readings, half describe a problem before roughly 87,000 miles. For engine specifically, the median reported mileage is about 91,000 miles (15 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 22 complaints mention a crash; 2 complaints mention a fire; 31 injuries reported. Its complaints are more severe on average than those of 91% of model years in our database.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 1999 ranks 22nd most-complained-about out of 31 model years of the Subaru Outback with enough data (90 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 1 safety recall campaign.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
99 subaru outback hit in rear bags did not deploy minor neck and lower back bruises. Also, another front wheel bearing failure after 50,000 miles.
While driving on rainy road at approximately 25 MPH vehicle hydroplaned and picked up speed to 35 MPH, and hit telephone pole head-on. But, dual airbags did not deploy, causing head and jaw injuries. Seatbelts were not worn at the time.
Head gasket failed at 125k miles. I spent $1725 getting the head gasket & cylinder bolts replaced. The head gasket is now failing again 9 mos & 12k miles later. I have always meticulously maintained this car.
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.