Most common 1999 Subaru Outback problems
Share of the 111 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Subaru Outback complaints by model year
Best Outback years: 1996, 2004, 2003. Years to avoid: 2019, 2020, 2017, 2018, 2022. Compare all years →
1999 Subaru Outback recalls (1)
Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil springs
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,…
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.
What 1999 Subaru Outback owners say
Transmission & drivetrain all 29 →
I bought a 1999 Subaru Outback 30th anniversary limited edition in May of 1999. Within six months, the car began to exhibit clutch and transmission problems. I brought this to the immediate attention of the Subaru dealer. For three years they denied that there was anything wrong with the vehicle, always saying they were unable to duplicate the problems. Finally in June of 2002, I was able to get a regional service supervisor to admit that the car definitely had problems. His first solution was to suggest that I trade the car in on a new one. When I declined, he offered to have the car properly repaired, as it should have been three years prior. After four trips to two different Subaru dealers and after supposedly having the entire clutch assembly replaced three times, the car is in worse shape than it ever has been. …
We have an auto repair garage, and we have seen a recurring problem on 1999 Subaru legacy Outback cars with manual transmissions. These cars develop a "tweety" clutch release bearing. When we go in to replace the bearing, we have found that one of the two clips for the bearing is always missing. This is what causes the bearing to go bad prematurely. Each time we find the same thing. One of the clips on the clutch release bearing had broken, causing the bearing to sit crooked. This then allowed the clutch release bearing to wear a groove on the snout that the bearing rides on. The bearing was then getting caught in the groove, preventing it from releasing fully. We then not only have to replace the bearing and the clips but also the entire transmission housing because the snout is cast into the housing. This is a very expensive repair for such an inexpensive clip. …
Engine & cooling all 23 →
I had just paid approx. $450 for the major 90,000 mile dealer service and they told me my vehicle is in great shape. I've maintained it religiously. I had an extended warranty of 6 years/100,000 miles that just ended sep. '04. I just drove it up to the mountains and 90 miles from my destination, with the car driving perfectly, I noticed the temp. Gauge was spiked. Ultimately it turned out that the head gasket went. I have 91,000 miles on my Subaru. I spoke to numerous garages in mammoth lakes and they see this problem on a daily basis. Doing research on the internet, you will find thousands and thousands of people with the same issue. I was told by one of the mechanics that all of the double overhead cam 4 cylinder Subaru engines blow head gaskets at some point after approx. 80,000 miles and that this engine has since been discontinued. …
In October 2003, the engine of my 1999 Subaru Outback with 80,000 miles overheated, seized and required replacement. I was on the highway at the time and realized the car was losing power and the thermostat gauge was above "h". I contacted Subaru prior to the repair and was told that the problem was likely due to improper maintenance and besides, my vehicle was out of warranty. This was Subaru's response even though I regularly maintain my car. I did get the engine replaced at significant out-of-pocket expense. Last week, while traveling along the interstate, my temperature gauge again was on "h" and I quickly pulled off the road. The "check engine" light was on and I immediately shut off the engine. The car was towed to a Subaru mechanic and I was told that the head gasket had failed and needed replacement. …
Suspension
Front coil spring broke in half while vehicle was stationary - almost puncturing tire, and rendering vehicle immobile - the broken end of the coil was wedged into the tire sidewall. If this had happened while vehicle was moving, it would have caused a blowout and possible accident. Subaru has a recall for coil springs, but said the vehicle was not covered because it was outside the VIN range - but was clearly still affected by the problem.
I was quite hurt (to the degree of having to go on ssd) in a rear end collision in a 1998 Subaru legacy wagon. In trying to recover the original head rest of this car I learned it is no longer available and can only be replaced with a much safer model. In doing a recent crash analysis with this new head rest I realized the significant differences and how much safer the new head rest is. I learned on your car safety web site of the national caution on the whole seat of this model seats and head rest. I have had numerous orthopedic (left arm, all/whole back, right leg, both knees, posture) and brain injury problems from my car accident. I recently learned (3/06), that Subaru started unofficially replacing the seat and head rest of this model legacy 1998 thru 1999 whenever possible. …
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1999 Subaru Outback a good car?
Based on 111 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1999 Outback rates better than average: 40% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Outback at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1999 Subaru Outback?
The transmission & drivetrain — 29 complaints, 26% of all complaints for this model year, most often about automatic transmission. Next are the engine & cooling (23) and suspension (13).
How many recalls does the 1999 Subaru Outback have?
There is 1 recall for the 1999 Subaru Outback, the most recent from June 25, 2001 (coil springs). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Subaru Outback?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 1996, 2004 and 2003. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2019, 2020, 2017, 2018 and 2022. See the full Subaru Outback years comparison.
At what mileage do 1999 Subaru Outback problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 91,000 miles; 21% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.