1999 Subaru Legacy Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 2about this part
- Share
- 2%of 94 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 158,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the engine of the 1999 Subaru Legacy, 2% of the 94 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 158,000 miles.
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.
“Started noticing a problem when coming down a long, steep hill with extensive shuddering when braking. When I got into town, there was a even more shuddering when coming to a stop at a red light. I had to pull on the parking brake to stop the car. When we started up again, it pulled very hard so we pulled over and when I put the car into neutral, the engine raced up above 4,000 RPM. I shut the engine off, but when it was started again, it raced again. I eased it safely home a short distance away with the uncontrolled acceleration problem continuing.”
NHTSA complaint #10668510, filed 2014-12, 141,000 miles“Leaking coolant and replaced radiator, thermostat and still leaking and started to overhead. Found out it was head baskets and did research on recalls for this year make and model. Found out on forums that there were multiple problems with both types of engines that year the single and dual overhead cam engines and all around the same mileage, but only the single overhead cam engine had the recall. I feel there should be a recall on the dual overhead cam engine as well.”
NHTSA complaint #11054207, filed 2017-12, 175,000 milesEngine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3 | 50% |
| 2024 | 1 | 6% |
| 2022 | 1 | 3% |
| 2021 | 2 | 6% |
| 2020 | 4 | 3% |
| 2019 | 6 | 5% |
| 2018 | 10 | 9% |
| 2017 | 5 | 4% |
| 2016 | 7 | 5% |
| 2015 | 23 | 14% |
| 2014 | 5 | 9% |
| 2013 | 18 | 27% |
| 2012 | 23 | 26% |
| 2011 | 22 | 13% |
| 2010 | 31 | 21% |
| 2009 | 7 | 11% |
| 2008 | 4 | 6% |
| 2007 | 7 | 21% |
| 2006 | 16 | 18% |
| 2005 | 4 | 2% |
| 2004 | 5 | 10% |
| 2003 | 4 | 7% |
| 2002 | 4 | 7% |
| 2001 | 3 | 4% |
| 2000 | 1 | 1% |
| 1999 | 2 | 2% |
| 1997 | 1 | 1% |
Other parts of the 1999 Subaru Legacy
18 complaintsBrakes
12 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 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1999 Subaru Legacy
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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