Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1999 Subaru Outback owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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. …
Head gasket failed on 1999 Subaru at 38,000. Car was maintained religiously. Subaru recall was never sent to me. I was told my car was the 'wrong phase engine' to be covered under warranty. Car had overheated 3 months earlier. Subaru flushed the system and added 'special coolant lubricant'. This was worthless. I was told it would cost $2000+, even though my family has purchased 4 Subaru's from the same dealer. After a lot of screaming and yelling, they replaced both gaskets, radiator, thermostat and water pump. I ended up paying $250. Dealer, (wakefield surbaru, wakefield ma.) helped convinced Subaru corporate to foot most of the expense. Later when Subaru oil filters failed (leaks) and after more screaming and yelling with this dealer ship, (after they said I was making up the leak problem) I've changed dealerships who has a more professional service center.
Head gasket failed on my 1999 Subaru legacy Outback. The material on the gasket is completely gone in a few areas, causing leakage into the engine and subsequent engine failure. Subaru specialist that fixed it said he had repaired 10 Subaru head gaskets in just the past 2 weeks alone. Another friend has a 1999 Subaru forester that had its head gasket fail within 3 weeks of mine. According to the Subaru repair specialist, Subaru does not admit the head gasket is defective. 2 days after getting the head gasket fixed, the alternator failed and the car shut down while driving 65 MPH on a highway. Barely had enough momentum to ease the car off the road out of traffic. Oh, one more thing. The check engine light comes on and the repair facilities can't seem to find anything wrong but the emissions inspection repeatedly fails due to the light being on.
The 1999 Subaru Outback is equipped with a dual overhead cam engine. The timing belt pulley for the cams are made of plastic. My wife and 2 year old daughter had just exited interstate 20 near atlanta when the engine "sounded like an explosion" according to my wife. The engine immediately lost all power and seized, and she had difficulty steering and stopping the car without power steering and brakes. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer and it was discovered that the right cam pulley (plastic) had shattered causing the engine to seize. Had this happened on the interstate at speed, there could have been a very serious accident and injuries. The car had been maintained, including replacement of timing belt at recommended interval. The engine is ruined and requires replacement or rebuilding. Car has been sitting in my garage since.
Random overheating in my 1999 Subaru legacy Outback wagon, 85000 , lead to being stranded on a rural road. After replacing thermostat, problem was not fixed. Eventually, my mechanic said it was due to a failed head gasket. At 85000, this problem should not occur. Subaru has issued a recall on phase ii, 2.5l engine head gaskets because of failure, however have chosen to ignore the owners of the phase I engines. I found a web-site forum with many other victums of subarus neglect, many of whom were also stranded on the roadside because of this defect in cars with 50-100K mileage. Clearly the head-gaskets on these engines are defective and this is serious defect that Subaru should acknowlege and fix.
I own a 1999 Subaru Outback. Car light came on at about 85000. Dealer unable to determine problem & light turned off. Light back on shortly after - had 90000 mile maintainence completed - dealer still unsure of problem. Shortly after this, when accelarating to highway speed, clear power loss noted - engine running rough. Took vehicle into dealership - reported that valve broken - head required replacing. Dealer/ mechanic stated that they had never seen this problem before. Total cost of dealer bills - over 3500. Subaru refused to reimburse for problem - blamed on mileage. I've had well-maintained vehicles with over 150000 miles and never have encountered this problems before.
While driving the vehicle's engine stalled. The engine stalled due to head gasket failure. In reviewing the manufacturer's website the consumer saw a recall related to head gasket failure. The consumer request reimbursement for the cost of the repairs.
My 1999 Subaru Outback overheated and problem attributed to cracked head gasket. Dealer states that 99-01 are covered as warranty despite mileage if has a phase 2 engine. Mine is phase 1. Trying to determine amount of similar problems.
At around 74,000 miles the cam shaft began to fracture, causing the engine to seize. The engine had to be replaced with a remanufactured engine. Subaru refused to provide any compensation because it was outside the warranty period.
Engine complaints in other Outback years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 1999 Subaru Outback?
NHTSA has 23 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 1999 Subaru Outback, 21% of the model year's 111 complaints. The component named most often is engine (11 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Subaru Outback engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 1999 Subaru Outback, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1999 Subaru Outback engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 99,000 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.