Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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 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. …
Approximately 6 months ago automatic transmission started having trouble shifting from reverse to drive. Car would hesitate and finally lurch forward. Took it to the dealer and was at first told they couldn't find anything, then was told I needed a new $3400 transmission. I was told to baby the car for as long as I could. 4 months later car became stuck in reverse and would not shift to drive. Took it to another service center (not the dealer) that specializes in Subaru's and was told this was a common Subaru problem with automatic transmissions. I was also told that I could have gotten at least 15 - 20,000 more miles out of the transmission is the transmission filter had ever been replaced and the fluid flushed. (up until this time I had always had the car serviced under warranty at the dealer). I am being told now that I will have to get a new transmission. …
1999 Subaru legacy Outback. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle began to roll backward while trying to remove keys. The consumer stated she parked the vehicle, placed it in park, and left the keys in the ignition, so she could check out the new halogen bulbs that had been installed. When she returned to remove the key, with the door being open, the vehicle began to roll backwards, and the opened door pushed her to the ground. The consumer stated she carefully checked and made sure, the vehicle was securely in park, before she exited to check the lights, and did not touch anything when she returned. She was subsequently, taken to the hospital by ambulance suffering from severe head, back and neck injuries and spent 2 days in the hospital. The vehicle rolled into two other parked cars and caused damage to both. Updated 05/20/14 updated 06/19/14
Jan 6, 2003 (your web site won't let me select the current year, so I selected 2002, the last available date that can be selected, below) I own a 1999 Subaru Outback. It currently has approximately 43,000 miles on it. The clutch mechanism has failed twice, once at 18,651 and once at 42,500. Both times the throw-out bearing failed. I've owned 8 cars and driven them in 10 states and three provinces. I've driven in the desert, the mountains and by the ocean with most of these cars. In all cases, I've never had to replace a clutch below 75,000 miles! I've driven standard/stick my whole life and have never, ever seen clutch failure like this Subaru. I don't ride the clutch, I engage and disengage it properly, etc. And yet the throw-out bearing keeps failing prematurely.
Only three months after my purchase the car developed a noise. I took it to my mechanic who recommended replacing the clutch release bearing. I was shocked that this piece had gone bad so early, and I couldn''t understand why. I authorized the repairs, and as they began working on it they discovered why it had gone bad prematurely. 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. I not only have to replace the bearing and the clips but also the entire transmission housing because the snout is cast into the housing
Clutch chirps like a bird when out, is silent when fully depressed. Diagnosis: bad throw out bearing. This is the third clutch in this car for this same problem. The first at approximately 18,000 miles; the second at approximately 43,000, and now again just 1500 miles later! Clutch actually disengaged permanently on the shop floor while the dealer was examining the car -- he was poking around the bearing and it "fell out" of alignment, completely preventing the clutch from working. This could've happened to me on the road, while driving.
While driving down road applied brakes and transmission jumped hard into a lower gear and then brakes would grab. Driving on highway, travelling 35mph with snow on the road and coming off a ramp, tapped the brakes, and all wheels locked up, and vehicle went out of control, hitting a pole. Contacted dealer. Dealer informed consumer that the transmission was causing the problem. Also, this was the second time vehicle went out of control. Was also told that transmission was being redesigned.
99 Outback - tranny wont engage when shifting into drive from park, nuetral, or reverse. Rev the motor and then c-lunk into drive after long delay. Got worse over time. Subaru and other service shops say it's common on 99's, probably the main pump seals, and the tranny has to come out to fix or replace. I changed the fluid twice in a week to "flush" it - much better now, almost "OK" (compared to $2500 fix) but still not "normal".
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to respond to acceleration attempts. The contact stated that she had to constantly change the gear from reverse to drive in order for it to work. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection but they could not determine the cause of failure. The manufacturer was notified but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 42,000.
Transmission complaints in other Outback years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 1999 Subaru Outback?
NHTSA has 29 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 1999 Subaru Outback, 26% of the model year's 111 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (14 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Subaru Outback transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 65,000 miles, and 13% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 1 fire and 2 injuries to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.