MYRModel Year Report

1999 Subaru Outback

▲ Better than typical
1999 Subaru Outback
RENDERED 2026-08-02T11:18:23.970Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than 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 Outback Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1999 highlighted. 1995: 2 complaints 1995 1996: 46 complaints 1997: 79 complaints 1998: 127 complaints 1999: 111 complaints 1999 2000: 207 complaints 2001: 171 complaints 2002: 143 complaints 2003: 93 complaints 2003 2004: 90 complaints 2005: 273 complaints 2006: 276 complaints 2007: 129 complaints 2007 2008: 226 complaints 2009: 105 complaints 2010: 359 complaints 2011: 649 complaints 2011 2012: 290 complaints 2013: 295 complaints 2014: 208 complaints 2015: 505 complaints 2015 2016: 639 complaints 2017: 917 complaints 2018: 803 complaints 2019: 1029 complaints 2019 2020: 890 complaints 2021: 291 complaints 2022: 453 complaints 2023: 85 complaints 2023 2024: 89 complaints 2025: 65 complaints 2026: 8 complaints 2026
1999: 111 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19952
199646
199779
1998127
1999111
2000207
2001171
2002143
200393
200490
2005273
2006276
2007129
2008226
2009105
2010359
2011649
2012290
2013295
2014208
2015505
2016639
2017917
2018803
20191029
2020890
2021291
2022453
202385
202489
202565
20268

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

POWER TRAIN 13%

13% of complaints: power train — 14 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

WHILE DRIVING DOWN ROAD APPLIED BRAKES AND TRANSMISSION JUMPED HARD INTO A LOWER GEAR AND THEN BRAKES WOULD GRAB.

NHTSA ODI report, 20000209

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 10%

10% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 11 distinct reports on file.

POWER TRAIN 6%

6% of complaints: power train — 7 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

1999 SUBARU LEGACY OUTBACK. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE BEGAN TO ROLL BACKWARD WHILE TRYING TO REMOVE KEYS.

NHTSA ODI report, 20140219

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20130207

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 5%

5% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 6 distinct reports on file.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 5%

5% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 6 distinct reports on file.

SAFETY TIMELINE

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 Outback — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for power train issues (14 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (11 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (7 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 01V216000 (suspension) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1996 ▲ 2025 ▲ 1997

WORST YEARS

■ 2019 ■ 2017 ■ 2020

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1999 Subaru Outback reliable?

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

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

The most-reported component is power train:automatic transmission, accounting for 13% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1999 Subaru Outback have?

1 recall on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.