Model Year Problem Record

Subaru Outback 1999 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 1999 Subaru Outback: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

111Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints

1Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls

0Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations

24Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Power Train32

Engine28

Suspension13

Electrical System10

Vehicle Speed Control9

Brakes9

Air Bags7

Fuel and Propulsion System7

Unknown Or Other5

Latches, Locks and Linkages5

Driver Assistance and Stability Systems1

Did a Recall Cover It?

For each system: what owners reported, matched against the recalls on file for this model year. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Power Train32 complaints

32 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Engine28 complaints

28 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Suspension13 complaints

13 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 01V216000.

Electrical System10 complaints

10 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control9 complaints

9 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Brakes9 complaints

9 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Air Bags7 complaints

7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System7 complaints

7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Latches, Locks and Linkages5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Structure5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Tires3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Steering2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Equipment1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Wheels1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Driver Assistance and Stability Systems1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

01V216000Reported June 25, 2001 - 180,000 vehicles potentially affected

Suspension. Recall covering the suspension system, reported to NHTSA on June 25, 2001. The campaign covers an estimated 180,000 vehicles across all affected models.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

19981

199911

200011

20017

20022

200320

200418

200513

20067

20075

20081

20096

20103

20112

20131

20141

20162

How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of November 1, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.