1999 Subaru Outback Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 9about this part
- Share
- 8%of 111 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 30,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the brakes of the 1999 Subaru Outback, 8% of the 111 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 30,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, 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.
“I bought a 1999 Subaru Outback 30th anniversary limited edition in june of 1999. Within six months, the car began to exhibit clutch and transmission problems. I brought this to the immediate attention of the Subaru dealer. For three years they denied that there was anything wrong with the vehicle, always saying they were unable to duplicate the problems. Finally in june of 2002, I was able to get a regional service supervisor to admit that the car definitely had problems. His first solution was to suggest that I trade the car in on a new one. …”
NHTSA complaint #10070684, filed 2004-01, 3,000 miles“Break failure - 1999 Subaru Outback. When the breaks are applied the pedal goes to the floor. Owner replaced pads - rotors, etc to improve the problem. The repair did not improve the problem so the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealership. The dealership indicated that the protective boots around the caliper pistons were completely deterioated and that the calpers needed to be completely replaced. This appears to be a manufacturing defect and I suggested that this could be wide spread, and a safety hazard. …”
NHTSA complaint #10039570, filed 2003-09, 60,000 miles“In the morning, when I back up the car from my driveway, go forward and then apply the brakes, there is a loud, mechanical banging sound (like metal hitting on metal) coming from each of the 4 wheels - either the pads hitting the rotor or the piston hitting the pads which in turn hit the rotor. This also occurs when the car has not been used for 2-3 hours and the car is put into reverse, then forward, then the brakes are applied. Recently the banging sound is becoming louder - so much so that it attracts pedestrians' attention. The dealer said he could not find a problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #735555, filed 2000-11“While applying the brakes pedal went to the floor. Consumer was able to maintain control of the vehicle, and drove it to the dealer. Mechanic determined that the master cylinder needed to be replaced.”
NHTSA complaint #10105361, filed 2004-12“While driving down road applied brakes and transmission jumped hard into a lower gear and then brakes would grab. Driving on highway, travelling 35mph with snow on the road and coming off a ramp, tapped the brakes, and all wheels locked up, and vehicle went out of control, hitting a pole. Contacted dealer. Dealer informed consumer that the transmission was causing the problem. Also, this was the second time vehicle went out of control. Was also told that transmission was being redesigned.”
NHTSA complaint #856653, filed 2000-02Related 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 5% |
| 2025 | 7 | 8% |
| 2024 | 4 | 4% |
| 2023 | 7 | 8% |
| 2022 | 11 | 2% |
| 2021 | 8 | 3% |
| 2020 | 15 | 2% |
| 2019 | 22 | 2% |
| 2018 | 18 | 2% |
| 2017 | 25 | 3% |
| 2016 | 19 | 3% |
| 2015 | 28 | 5% |
| 2014 | 22 | 11% |
| 2013 | 31 | 10% |
| 2012 | 40 | 14% |
| 2011 | 78 | 12% |
| 2010 | 40 | 11% |
| 2009 | 8 | 8% |
| 2008 | 31 | 14% |
| 2007 | 8 | 6% |
| 2006 | 19 | 7% |
| 2005 | 31 | 11% |
| 2004 | 3 | 3% |
| 2003 | 7 | 8% |
| 2002 | 31 | 22% |
| 2001 | 30 | 18% |
| 2000 | 12 | 6% |
| 1999 | 9 | 8% |
| 1998 | 15 | 12% |
| 1997 | 9 | 11% |
| 1996 | 7 | 15% |
Other parts of the 1999 Subaru Outback
29 complaintsEngine cooling
23 complaintsSuspension
13 complaintsVehicle speed control
9 complaintsElectrical system
8 complaintsAir bags
7 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 30, 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