10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
63,270 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1999 Subaru Outback electrical problems

electrical problem

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1999 Subaru Outback Owner Comments

problem #5

Jul 132013

Outback

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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

- Briarcliff Manor, NY, USA

problem #4

Dec 012008

Outback

  • 160,000 miles
1999 Subaru legacy Outback speedometer/odometer failure. Intermittant problem. Informed by dealer that this is a common problem with 1999 Subaru's. dealer informs customer that problem is electronic circuit board issue. Speedometer replaced by dealer at cost of $315. Subaru part number 85020ac330. Consumer has old, failed unit. This is not and should not be a "wear" type item. This type of failure is Subaru manufacturer's defect.

- Saline, MI, USA

problem #3

Feb 142008

Outback

  • 65,000 miles
Speedometer periodically does not work. I have found this is common problem in these models and it is not easy to get it replaced. Knowing the speed when driving is very important. I am petrified most of the time that chp is going to pull me over on highway. It typically goes out in highway driving. I just bought this, but it is obvious prior owner had issues with it as many other people online with same year model. It should be recalled. Also, none of the bells, buzzers, alarm gizmos associated with opening the door and putting on seatbelts is working. I think this is all related.

- Cambria, CA, USA

problem #2

Nov 262006

Outback 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 91,350 miles
There was nothing abnormal that precluded the failure. The speedometer completely stopped working while driving and now only intermittently works. Fortunately, there has been no incidents because of this failure. However, it could lead to excessive speed which may lead to vehicle accidents and injuries. Nothing has been done to correct this issue. A call to Subaru of America yielded no information. However, online research has shown that this is occurring quite frequently among this make and model year. A new part will likely have to be ordered.

- Fieldbrook, CA, USA

problem #1

Feb 082003

Outback 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
There are several issues going on with my 1999 Subaru legacy Outback vehicle: 1) the check engine light goes on when the fuel gauge drops down to empty although the gas tank was just filled with gas. 2) the fuel gauge does not read correct. After the gas tank is full, the gauge fluctuates back and forth (sometimes the gauge reads near empty, sometimes the gauge reads 3/4 of the tank full) when operating the vehicle. 3) the car did not pass the California smog test. 4) the RPM gauge does not stay constant while driving at an even speed. Once the gauge hits between two to three thousand RPM, the gauge drops back to between one and two thousand RPM on and of when driving. 5) the gas tank does not maintain pressure even though the lid was screwed on tight. The lid was replaced with a new one but this problem still occurs. All these issues occur with the check engine light on. The dealer does not want to look at these issues without having me pay them to look at my car. These issues my car has been experiencing have been on and off since 2001 to present. The problems seem to get worse.

- Moreno Valley, CA, USA

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