1999 Subaru Outback Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 6%of 111 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 111,621miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the air bags of the 1999 Subaru Outback, 6% of the 111 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 111,621 miles. 7 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
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.
“The contact owns a 1999 Subaru Outback. While driving 40 MPH, the contact crashed into the guardrail. The air bags failed to deploy and he went through the windshield. The insurance company stated that the vehicle was destroyed. The current and failure mileages were 39,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10202056, filed 2007-09, 39,000 miles“While driving on rainy road at approximately 25 MPH vehicle hydroplaned and picked up speed to 35 MPH, and hit telephone pole head-on. But, dual airbags did not deploy, causing head and jaw injuries. Seatbelts were not worn at the time.”
NHTSA complaint #867273, filed 2000-08Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 5 | 6% |
| 2024 | 6 | 6% |
| 2023 | 2 | 2% |
| 2022 | 6 | 1% |
| 2021 | 16 | 5% |
| 2020 | 18 | 2% |
| 2019 | 13 | 1% |
| 2018 | 8 | 1% |
| 2017 | 16 | 2% |
| 2016 | 10 | 2% |
| 2015 | 14 | 3% |
| 2014 | 38 | 18% |
| 2013 | 42 | 14% |
| 2012 | 39 | 13% |
| 2011 | 73 | 11% |
| 2010 | 44 | 12% |
| 2009 | 30 | 28% |
| 2008 | 104 | 46% |
| 2007 | 47 | 36% |
| 2006 | 40 | 14% |
| 2005 | 38 | 14% |
| 2004 | 25 | 28% |
| 2003 | 19 | 20% |
| 2002 | 5 | 4% |
| 2001 | 3 | 2% |
| 2000 | 5 | 2% |
| 1999 | 7 | 6% |
| 1998 | 11 | 9% |
| 1997 | 2 | 3% |
| 1996 | 8 | 17% |
Other parts of the 1999 Subaru Outback
29 complaintsEngine cooling
23 complaintsSuspension
13 complaintsBrakes
9 complaintsVehicle speed control
9 complaintsElectrical system
8 complaintsOther or unknown
6 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
5 complaintsFuel system
4 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
4 complaintsSeat belts
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1999 Subaru Outback
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