MYRModel Year Report

1999 Subaru Legacy

● Typical for this model
1999 Subaru Legacy
RENDERED 2026-09-17T04:30:59.712Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Subaru Legacy Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1999 highlighted. 1987: 1 complaints 1987 1988: 1 complaints 1989: 1 complaints 1990: 81 complaints 1991: 78 complaints 1992: 57 complaints 1992 1993: 78 complaints 1994: 61 complaints 1995: 182 complaints 1996: 123 complaints 1997: 139 complaints 1997 1998: 114 complaints 1999: 94 complaints 1999 2000: 94 complaints 2001: 77 complaints 2002: 54 complaints 2002 2003: 60 complaints 2004: 49 complaints 2005: 184 complaints 2006: 87 complaints 2007: 33 complaints 2007 2008: 65 complaints 2009: 65 complaints 2010: 150 complaints 2011: 167 complaints 2012: 90 complaints 2012 2013: 66 complaints 2014: 53 complaints 2015: 159 complaints 2016: 147 complaints 2017: 119 complaints 2017 2018: 117 complaints 2019: 123 complaints 2020: 121 complaints 2021: 31 complaints 2022: 32 complaints 2022 2023: 10 complaints 2024: 17 complaints 2025: 6 complaints 2025
1999: 94 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19871
19881
19891
199081
199178
199257
199378
199461
1995182
1996123
1997139
1998114
199994
200094
200177
200254
200360
200449
2005184
200687
200733
200865
200965
2010150
2011167
201290
201366
201453
2015159
2016147
2017119
2018117
2019123
2020121
202131
202232
202310
202417
20256

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

POWER TRAIN 19%

19% of complaints: power train — 18 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

Show complaint excerpts

HESITATION, SURGING, AND BUCKING AT MID-RANGE ENGINE RPMS. THIS HAS BEEN A RECURRENT PROBLEM DESPITE REPLACEMENT OF THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR X3. *TR

NHTSA ODI report, 20120520

SERVICE BRAKES 16%

16% of complaints: service brakes — 15 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASH INJURY
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 13%

13% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 12 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 SUBARU LEGACY. WHILE DRIVING 2 MPH, THE CONTACT RELEASED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. BEFORE THE BRAKE COULD BE APPLIED, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD AND CRASHED INTO A BUILDING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE INSURANCE COMPANY.

NHTSA ODI report, 20071003

I WAS ALMOST AT A DEAD STOP WHEN THE CAR JUST SURGED FOWARD ONCE AND BEFORE I COULD PUT THE BRAKE ON, IT SURGED FOWARD AGAIN AND SENT ME THROUGH A PLATE GLASS WINDOW AT DUNCUN DONUTS WE HIT A POLE BETWEEN THE TWO WINDOWS VERY HARD AND THE AIR BAGS...

NHTSA ODI report, 19990512

Also filed under AIR BAGS

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 13%

13% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 12 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing gasoline and engine.

CRASH
AIR BAGS 12%

12% of complaints: air bags — 11 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

I WAS STOPPED AT THE INTERSECTION OF 23RD AND UNION IN SEATTLE ON MY WAY TO WORK. I WAS GOING NORTH. IT WAS ABOUT 7:40 A.M. ON TUESDAY, 5/20/2014.

NHTSA ODI report, 20140520

ON 3/12/99 @ 0330 SAID VEHICLE WAS EASTBOUND ON I-70 AND 3RD IN TOPEKA, KANSAS. THE VEHICLE HIT A PATCH OF BLACK ICE AND SWERVED OUT OF CONTROL IMPACTING THE K-RAIL DIVIDER WALL ON THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT @ 55 MPH.

NHTSA ODI report, 19990318

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19980915 — engine and engine cooling

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

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THESE ENGINE OIL FILTERS.

Campaign 98V127000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19990607 — service brakes, hydraulic

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 PED

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER.

Campaign 99V040000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20010918 — suspension

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, M

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 C

Campaign 01V216000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1999 Subaru Legacy — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for power train issues (18 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for service brakes issues (15 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (12 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 98V127000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 99V040000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 01V216000 (suspension) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2021 ▲ 2022 ▲ 2007

WORST YEARS

■ 1995 ■ 2005 ■ 2011

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1999 Subaru Legacy reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1999 Subaru Legacy is rated "typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1999 Subaru Legacy?

The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 19% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1999 Subaru Legacy have?

3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.