1999 Subaru Legacy Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 12about this part
- Share
- 13%of 94 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 12 complaints about the brakes of the 1999 Subaru Legacy, 13% of the 94 complaints for this model year. 4 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I have a 1999 Subaru Legacy wagon with 4 wheel disc brakes and 15 inch wheels. Every time the front disk pads are replaced, the mechanic gets the pads for 15 inch wheels the are installed and the car will not stop. What we have discovered is that the front take the disk pads for 14 inch wheels and the rear take the disk pads for 15 inch wheels.”
NHTSA complaint #10026024, filed 2003-07“We have had the car inspected and tested twice. Subaru says they find no defect with the brakes. We have contacted Subaru customer support. They promised that our area's technical representative would contact us, but has not done so. We are afraid to drive the vehicle. The problem is intermittent and occurs without warning. Two other people have experienced the brake failures with us. They are willing to report the experience.”
NHTSA complaint #706713, filed 1999-05“While traveling down interstate 5, the traffic slowed due to an accident on the opposite side of the fwy., upon noticing the traffic slowing I released my foot from the accelerator the traffic came to a complete stop, I stepped on the brakes applying them all the way. I had plenty of time to stop the car in order to avoid an accident. Unfortunately the cars brakes didn't stop the car, and the car stopped when I hit the car in front of me. The air bags didn't deploy either. I had the same type of accident in march of 2000. I just felt maybe it was my fault and didn't think about it much. …”
NHTSA complaint #756313, filed 2002-01“While son was driving traveling at approximately 35 MPH, consumer went to apply brakes so as to negotiate a 90 degree turn, and brake pedal went to the floor, and failed to engage brake system. Vehicle went straight into a concrete wall . Driver and a passenger were injured. Please provide any additional information/attachments. *state farm insurance was investigating this case.”
NHTSA complaint #887737, filed 2001-05“While driving in snowy and cold conditions braking system malfunctioned at low speed, causing brake pedal to go to the floor and had no braking ability. This resulted in a crash. There is recall #99v040000, dealing with the braking system, but this vehicle was not included due to VIN. Recall 99v040, brake master cylinder. Please provide further information”
NHTSA complaint #841330, filed 1999-06Related recalls
- 99V040000Mar 3, 1999Vehicle description: passenger and sport utility vehicles equipped with anti-lock braking system (abs). (the 1999 2.2 liter legacy vehicles are excluded). In…Covers: Subaru Legacy 1998–1999, Forester 1998–1999
Related service bulletins
- 10163525Jul 11, 2019This Service Information bulletin announces instruction for application of additional lubrication between the brake caliper support and pad clips. This will prevent the pad from…
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 17% |
| 2024 | 1 | 6% |
| 2022 | 1 | 3% |
| 2021 | 2 | 6% |
| 2020 | 2 | 2% |
| 2019 | 2 | 2% |
| 2018 | 6 | 5% |
| 2017 | 5 | 4% |
| 2016 | 8 | 5% |
| 2015 | 13 | 8% |
| 2014 | 2 | 4% |
| 2013 | 4 | 6% |
| 2012 | 7 | 8% |
| 2011 | 18 | 11% |
| 2010 | 13 | 9% |
| 2009 | 9 | 14% |
| 2008 | 13 | 20% |
| 2007 | 3 | 9% |
| 2006 | 10 | 11% |
| 2005 | 31 | 17% |
| 2004 | 3 | 6% |
| 2003 | 4 | 7% |
| 2002 | 7 | 13% |
| 2001 | 7 | 9% |
| 2000 | 7 | 7% |
| 1999 | 12 | 13% |
| 1998 | 14 | 12% |
| 1997 | 27 | 19% |
| 1996 | 18 | 15% |
| 1995 | 29 | 16% |
| 1994 | 6 | 10% |
| 1993 | 7 | 9% |
| 1992 | 1 | 2% |
| 1991 | 10 | 13% |
| 1990 | 4 | 5% |
Other parts of the 1999 Subaru Legacy
18 complaintsVehicle speed control
12 complaintsAir bags
11 complaintsEngine cooling
11 complaintsSuspension
8 complaintsFuel system
7 complaintsOther or unknown
7 complaintsTires
5 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsEquipment
3 complaintsElectrical system
2 complaintsEngine
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1999 Subaru Legacy
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology