1999 Subaru Outback Latches, locks and linkages Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 5%of 111 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 117,890miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the latches, locks and linkages of the 1999 Subaru Outback, 5% of the 111 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 117,890 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.
“At 1 p.m. On 23 apr '06, my husband was driving our 1999 Subaru legacy Outback at about 50 MPH. We had just entered a curve when the car's hood latch failed and allowed the hood to fly up and slam into the windshield and roof. That completely blocked our forward view and we entered the oncoming lane. Fortunately, no one was coming in the opposite direction. We were able to slow down and make our way on to the shoulder. We were covered with glass particles but thank god neither one of us was injured. I am now very nervous when I drive the car. …”
NHTSA complaint #10160782, filed 2006-06, 130,000 miles“The hood latch of my 1999 Outback is faulty. Took it back 2 x to be repaired. They looked at my like I was crazy. They cleaned the latch on 1/6/04, then the problem happened 1 week later while I was on the highway. I called the service dept. And insisted on a replacement hood latch. Took it to the dealership on 1/21, the tightened the cable , less than 24 hrs. Later the hood latch opened again. When the service manager was called, he told my husband well, we didn't charge her anything! . Today, 1/23 the hood opened again. …”
NHTSA complaint #10054761, filed 2004-01, 68,900 miles“My daughter was driving on the highway about 65 MPH, the hood flew open smashed the windshield, she crossed a lane of traffic went into the ditch, hit her head on the steering wheel and received a mild concussion.”
NHTSA complaint #10368602, filed 2010-12, 155,500 miles“The hood flew open while I was driving 65 MPH. This car had not recently had its oil changed or its hood opened. The hood needs to be replaced, as well as the rear view mirror.”
NHTSA complaint #10176240, filed 2006-12, 105,780 miles“The trunk door on my Subaru legacy Outback station wagon will not open. Once you lock it, you can not open it again unless you jiggle the lock over and over with the key. This is a very frustrating failure because when you have a station wagon, a working trunk door is vital. I was told by a Subaru dealer that it would cost about $300 to $400 to fix so I have delayed fixing it because I can sometimes work on it and get it to open. When I brought the car to a local mechanic, he told me he had 3 to 4 other Subaru owners come in with the same problem which he is not capable of fixing. …”
NHTSA complaint #10138373, filed 2005-10Latches, locks and linkages: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 1% |
| 2024 | 3 | 3% |
| 2023 | 3 | 3% |
| 2022 | 1 | 0% |
| 2020 | 2 | 0% |
| 2019 | 4 | 0% |
| 2018 | 1 | 0% |
| 2017 | 1 | 0% |
| 2016 | 1 | 0% |
| 2013 | 2 | 1% |
| 2009 | 1 | 1% |
| 2008 | 1 | 0% |
| 2007 | 1 | 1% |
| 2004 | 1 | 1% |
| 2002 | 1 | 1% |
| 2000 | 2 | 1% |
| 1999 | 5 | 5% |
| 1998 | 3 | 2% |
| 1997 | 5 | 6% |
Other parts of the 1999 Subaru Outback
29 complaintsEngine cooling
23 complaintsSuspension
13 complaintsBrakes
9 complaintsVehicle speed control
9 complaintsElectrical system
8 complaintsAir bags
7 complaintsOther or unknown
6 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 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