Complaints
150
Crashes
22
Fires
2
Injuries
31
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 1999 Subaru Outback Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#114 complaints
Automatic Transmission
Avg mileage:77,000 mi
Fires:1
#211 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
Avg mileage:96,339 mi
#37 complaints
Transmission / Drivetrain
Avg mileage:41,750 mi
Crash-related:2
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1999 Subaru Outback.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Automatic Transmission | 14 | — | 1 | 77,000 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 11 | — | — | 96,339 mi | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 7 | 2 | — | 41,750 mi | |
| Engine & Cooling | 6 | — | — | 76,670 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 6 | — | — | 73,300 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 5 | 1 | — | 105,450 mi | |
| Manual Transmission | 5 | — | — | 55,235 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 5 | 1 | 1 | 30,000 mi | |
| Airbags | 4 | 4 | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 3 | 3 | — | — | |
| Instrument Cluster | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Clutch Assembly | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil Springs | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Defects | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Axle Assembly:Axle Shaft:Seal | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Structure:Body:Door:Hinge And Attachments | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Front | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Multiple Axle | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Child Seat:Tether: Strap/Webbing | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly | 1 | — | — | — |
Automatic Transmission
14
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
77,000
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
11
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
96,339
Transmission / Drivetrain
7
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
41,750
Engine & Cooling
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
76,670
Unintended Acceleration
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
73,300
Electrical Faults
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
105,450
Manual Transmission
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
55,235
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
30,000
Airbags
4
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension Failures
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Air Bags:Frontal
3
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Instrument Cluster
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Clutch Assembly
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil Springs
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tire Defects
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Axle Assembly:Axle Shaft:Seal
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belt Issues
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Body:Door:Hinge And Attachments
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Front
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Multiple Axle
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Child Seat:Tether: Strap/Webbing
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electronic Stability Control
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1999 Subaru Outback. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Subaru Outback Years
1999 Subaru Outback — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1999 Subaru Outback reliable?
Verdict: Below Average Complaints. The 1999 Subaru Outback has 150 NHTSA complaints, 22 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Automatic Transmission with 14 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1999 Subaru Outback?
Top reported problems: Automatic Transmission (14 complaints, avg 77,000 mi); Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine (11 complaints, avg 96,339 mi); Transmission / Drivetrain (7 complaints, avg 41,750 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 1999 Subaru Outback?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 72,597 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 1999 Subaru Outback?
NHTSA complaints for the 1999 Subaru Outback include 22 crash-related reports, 2 fire reports, 31 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 1999 Subaru Outback have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1999 Subaru Outback as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 1999 Subaru Outback?
Fewer complaints than typical for this model. That's a good sign, but every individual car is different — the VIN still tells you what happened to this specific one.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Subaru Outback reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1999 Subaru Outback
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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