MYRModel Year Report

1999 Subaru Legacy

● Typical for this model
1999 Subaru Legacy
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:40:56.649Z

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
94
Recalls
3

Campaigns on file for 1999

Investigations
0

None on file

Top problem
Power train

19% of complaints

Complaints per year

1987: 1 complaint 1987 1988: 1 complaint 1989: 1 complaint 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 1998: 114 complaints 1999: 94 complaints 1999 94 2000: 94 complaints 2001: 77 complaints 2002: 54 complaints 2003: 60 complaints 2004: 49 complaints 2005: 184 complaints 2006: 87 complaints 2007: 33 complaints 2007 2008: 65 complaints 2009: 65 complaints 2010: 151 complaints 2011: 167 complaints 2012: 90 complaints 2012 2013: 66 complaints 2014: 53 complaints 2015: 160 complaints 2016: 147 complaints 2017: 119 complaints 2017 2018: 117 complaints 2019: 123 complaints 2020: 121 complaints 2021: 31 complaints 2022: 34 complaints 2022 2023: 10 complaints 2024: 17 complaints 2025: 6 complaints
1987: 1 complaint 1987 1988: 1 complaint 1989: 1 complaint 1990: 81 complaints 1990 1991: 78 complaints 1992: 57 complaints 1993: 78 complaints 1993 1994: 61 complaints 1995: 182 complaints 1996: 123 complaints 1996 1997: 139 complaints 1998: 114 complaints 1999: 94 complaints 1999 94 2000: 94 complaints 2001: 77 complaints 2002: 54 complaints 2002 2003: 60 complaints 2004: 49 complaints 2005: 184 complaints 2005 2006: 87 complaints 2007: 33 complaints 2008: 65 complaints 2008 2009: 65 complaints 2010: 151 complaints 2011: 167 complaints 2011 2012: 90 complaints 2013: 66 complaints 2014: 53 complaints 2014 2015: 160 complaints 2016: 147 complaints 2017: 119 complaints 2017 2018: 117 complaints 2019: 123 complaints 2020: 121 complaints 2020 2021: 31 complaints 2022: 34 complaints 2023: 10 complaints 2023 2024: 17 complaints 2025: 6 complaints
1987: 1 complaint 1987 1988: 1 complaint 1989: 1 complaint 1989 1990: 81 complaints 1991: 78 complaints 1991 1992: 57 complaints 1993: 78 complaints 1993 1994: 61 complaints 1995: 182 complaints 1995 1996: 123 complaints 1997: 139 complaints 1997 1998: 114 complaints 1999: 94 complaints 1999 94 2000: 94 complaints 2001: 77 complaints 2001 2002: 54 complaints 2003: 60 complaints 2003 2004: 49 complaints 2005: 184 complaints 2005 2006: 87 complaints 2007: 33 complaints 2007 2008: 65 complaints 2009: 65 complaints 2009 2010: 151 complaints 2011: 167 complaints 2011 2012: 90 complaints 2013: 66 complaints 2013 2014: 53 complaints 2015: 160 complaints 2015 2016: 147 complaints 2017: 119 complaints 2017 2018: 117 complaints 2019: 123 complaints 2019 2020: 121 complaints 2021: 31 complaints 2021 2022: 34 complaints 2023: 10 complaints 2023 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
2010151
2011167
201290
201366
201453
2015160
2016147
2017119
2018117
2019123
2020121
202131
202234
202310
202417
20256

Known problem areas

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

Power train

19% · 18 reports

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-05-20

Service brakes

16% · 15 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASHINJURY

Vehicle speed control

13% · 12 reports
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, 2007-10-03

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, 1999-05-12

Also filed under Air bags

Engine and engine cooling

13% · 12 reports

Most commonly citing gasoline and engine.

CRASH

Air bags

12% · 11 reports

Most commonly citing frontal.

CRASHINJURY
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, 2014-05-20

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, 1999-03-18

Safety timeline

3 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    1998-09-15Engine and engine cooling98V127000 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…

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace these engine oil filters.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    1999-06-07Service brakes, hydraulic99V040000 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…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the brake master cylinder.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2001-09-18Suspension01V216000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1999 Subaru Legacy — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Power train: 18 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 15 reports on file for this year.
  • Vehicle speed control: 12 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 98V127000 · Engine and engine cooling
  • Recall 99V040000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 01V216000 · Suspension
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

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 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.