1999 Subaru Legacy Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1999 Subaru Legacy, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Engine1311.9%
- Transmission1311.9%
- Brakes1311.9%
- Driver assistance1211.0%
- Airbags1110.1%
- Suspension87.3%
- Fuel system76.4%
- Tires & wheels54.6%
- Powertrain (other)54.6%
- Other / unspecified43.7%
- Body & structure43.7%
- Seat belts43.7%
- Interior & seats32.8%
- Electrical21.8%
- Steering21.8%
- Visibility10.9%
- Heating & air conditioning10.9%
- Exterior lighting10.9%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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. *TR
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PROBLEM: HESITATES GOING INTO GEAR. GET STUCK IN NEUTRAL. SHIFT THROUGH THE GEARS TO SEE IF IT WILL GO INTO GEAR. THEN TRY REVVING ENGINE TO SLIP IT INTO GEAR. IT CAN SUDDENLY CATCH INTO GEAR AND THEN THE CAR SURGES FORWARD OR BACKWARDS, CAUSING A DANGEROUS SITUATION. ACCORDING TO COMPLAINT SITES ON THE INTERNET, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN 5 YEARS OF SUBARU VEHICLES. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. REPAIR SHOP SAID THE SEALS ARE "GOING" AND I WILL LIKELY NEED A NEW OR REBUILT TRANSMISSION. SUBARU SHOULD ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM AND OFFER A FREE FIX. THE CAR SLIPPED INTO GEAR IN A PARKING LOT THE OTHER DAY (FINALLY) AND MY CAR SURGED FORWARD, ALMOST HITTING ANOTHER CAR. I AM NO LONGER DRIVING THIS VEHICLE (TOO DANGEROUS). *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WILL SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL WITHOUT WARNING. THERE IS A 15-20 SECOND DELAY WHEN SHIFTING THE VEHICLE FROM PARK TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AS NEEDING A NEW TRANSMISSION. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 86,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000. THE CONSUMER STATED LOU THOMAS SUBURU INFORMED HIM THE TRANSMISSION COULD BE REPAIRED FOR $3400 CLOSE TO THE VALUE OF THE CAR, BUT THE CONSUMER NEVER HAD THE CAR FIXED AT THAT REPAIR SHOP. THE CONSUMER SHOPPED AT OTHER TRANSMISSION SHOPS ONE INFORMED COULD REBUILD THE TRANSMISSION BUT WOULD RESULTS MAY NOT BE GOOD. THE CONSUMER PURCHASED A TRANSMISSION FROM THE SALVAGE YARD HAD IT INSTALLED AND FOUND THAT IT WAS INFACT DEFECTIVE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN FIXED TO SATISFACTION AND BEEN PARKED EVER SINCE. UPDATED 07/06/07 *TR
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
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. *AK
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. THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY AT THIS TIME EITHER, AND I FELT IT WAS BECAUSE I WAS GOING SLOW, AND THE IMPACT WASN'T ENOUGH TO MAKE THEM COME OUT. UPON HAVING MY BRAKES CHECKED THIS PAST SUMMER THE MECHANIC NOTICED THE ACTUAL PADS ON THE BRAKES WERE SMALLER THAN THE PADS THAT CAME UP WHEN LOOKED UP IN THE PARTS BOOK. THE PADS ON MY CAR WERE FOR A 13 INCH TIRE AND MY CAR HAS 15 INCH TIRES. HE ALSO STATED THAT THE BRAKES DIDN'T STOP MY CAR VERY ACCURATELY. UPON LEARNING THIS I CHECKED FOR A RECALL AND FOUND OUT THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER ON MY CAR WAS INVOLVED IN A RECALL. AT THIS TIME I WENT TO THE DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR. THEY LOOKED THE RECALL UP AND GAVE ME A PRINT OUT THAT STATED THE RECALL WAS INDEED COMPLETED. THE PROBLEM IS THE CAR DOESN'T STOP PROPERLY IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS. I AM A SINGLE MOTHER WITH TWO CHILDREN, AND I "TAXI" THEM TO NUMEROUS ACTIVITIES. MY CONCERN IS THE SAFETY OF THIS CAR. THE BRAKES DON'T RESPOND PROPERLY AND THE AIR BAGS DON'T DEPLOY. THE INSURANCE ADJUSTOR TOLD ME THAT ABS BRAKES ARE MADE TO KEEP FROM GOING OUT OF CONTROL, NOT STOPPING THE CAR. IF THIS IS INDEED THE CASE I WILL NEVER BE SAFE IN THIS PARTICULAR CAR.*AK
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
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. *TR
I HAVE A 1999 SUBARU LEGACY. ON 2 SEPARATE OCCASIONS I EXPERIENCE SUDDEN ACCELERATION. ONCE DRIVING ON EXPRESSWAY. LASTED A FEW SECONDS. 2ND INSTANCE STOPPED AT STOP SIGN, FOOT ON BRAKE, CAR ACCELERATED. FOOT WAS ON BRAKE & THEN PUT GEAR IN NEUTRAL. I CALLED DEALERSHIP & WAS TOLD THAT THIS HAPPENED BECAUSE HEATER/AC WAS ON DUAL M (FEET & CHEST) & THIS WAS NORMAL. I HAVE HAD CAR CHECKED & THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. SO THEY SAY. BASED ON SERVICE MGRS RESPONSE, OTHERS HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE ACCELERATION. GIVEN THE EVENTS WITH TOYOTA --THERE SHOULD BE FURTHER INVESTIGATION.*CW
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
I WAS STOPPED AT THE INTERSECTION OF 23RD AND UNION IN SEATTLE ON MY WAY TO WORK. I WAS GOING NORTH. IT WAS ABOUT 7:40 A.M. ON TUESDAY, 5/20/2014. I LOOKED IN MY REARVIEW MIRROR AND SAW A CAR COMING UP BEHIND ME AND IT LOOKED LIKE IT WAS GOING TO FAST TO STOP. THE DRIVER DIDN'T EVEN SEEM TO SLOW DOWN. MY CAR WAS HIT PRETTY HARD. MY AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. AS FAR AS I CAN RECALL MY HEAD OR FACE DID NOT HIT THE STEERING WHEEL. WE GOT OUT OF OUR CARS. I DID NOT SEE A LICENSE PLATE ON HIS CAR EITHER ON THE FRONT OR BACK OF HIS CAR. I THINK THAT HE SAID THAT HE DID NOT HAVE HIS DRIVER LICENSE...I'M NOT QUITE SURE NOW. HIS CAR WAS A ORANGE REDDISH MERCEDES, IT LOOKED LIKE AN SUV. IT HAD TAN INTERIOR. WE MOVED OUR CARS TO THE GAS STATION PARKING LOT TO TALK ABOUT THE ACCIDENT. MY NECK FELT SORE AND PAINFUL. I DECIDED TO GO TO WORK AS I DROVE MY SIDE BEGAN TO HURT A LOT, SO I WENT TO THE DOCTOR. THERE ARE NEW SCRATCHES ON MY BUMPER AND OTHER THAN THAT I CAN'T TELL IF THERE IS ANY OTHER DAMAGE TO THE CAR. *TR
WHILE DRIVING 40-45 MPH AN ACCIDENT OCCURRED. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
FRONT RIGHT COIL SPRING BROKE AT BASE OF STRUT.
WIFE COMING HOME FROM WORK SPRING BLEW AND WENT THROUGH TIRE CAME TO A SUDDEN STOP HAD IT FIXED WHEN BEING FIXED REPAIR SHOP SAID OTHER SIDE WAS BROKE TO SO HAD BOTH REPAIRED LATER FOUND SUBARU HAD A RECALL ON THIS SO CALLED THEM ON THE 1800 NUMBER THEY SAID IT WAS VIN SPEC AND OURS WASN'T ON THERE I WISH IT MET THAT OUR CAR WOULDN'T HAVE DONE THE SAME THING. THEY REFUSED TO GIVE ANY ON THE REPAIR COST, SO THEY ADVERTISE THE CAR IS A SAFE CAR YOU HAND DOWN TO YOUR CHILDREN BUT ACCORDING TO THE MANAGER I SPOKE WITH A 1999 AND 140 THOUSAND MILES THE CAR WAS BEYOND THEIR WORRIES. THE CAR IS IN OTHERWISE GOOD SHAPE. I GUESS FROM WHERE THEY STAND IF THEY MAKE IT A FEW YRS ON A BAD DESIGN NOONE GETS HURT THEY ARE OFF THE HOOK . I JUST THINK THIS IS UNSAFE AND IT SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE NO MATTER WHAT ... *TR
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
HESITATION, SURGING, AND BUCKING AT MID-RANGE ENGINE RPMS. THIS HAS BEEN A RECURRENT PROBLEM DESPITE REPLACEMENT OF THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR X3. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 SUBARU LEGACY OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REFUELING, THE FILLER NECK CORRODED AND FUEL EMITTED FROM THE TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE FILLER NECK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 128,782.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT, CAUSING TREAD SEPARATION. CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER TO CHANGE TIRE. SIZE 19060R15, 1999. *AK
WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH LEFT PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT, CAUSING TREAD SEPARATION. THE CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER TO CHANGE TIRE. SIZE#19060R15 YEAR 1999 PLEASE PROVIDE THE DOT NUMBER. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT WAS UNABLE RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC IN THE LEFT LANE OF I-78, THE SHIFTER POPPED OUT OF 5TH GEAR BY ITSELF (THAT IS, WITHOUT ANY HUMAN INTERVENTION). THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY LOST POWER IMMEDIATELY, AS IT WAS NOW IN NEUTRAL. *TR
HESITATION, SURGING, AND BUCKING AT MID-RANGE ENGINE RPMS. THIS HAS BEEN A RECURRENT PROBLEM DESPITE REPLACEMENT OF THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR X3. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
PURCHASED A PRE-OWNED 1999 SUBARU LEGACY IN 2008 AS A GIFT FOR MY 18YR DAUGHTER. WITHIN MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP DRIVER SIDE SHOULDER BELT RIPPED! I CONTACTED LOCAL SUBARU DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD IT WOULD COST $300 TO ORDER A NEW SHOULDER BELT AND AN ADDITIONAL $300 TO INSTALL IT! REGULAR MECHANIC WON'T INSTALL ANYTHING BUT A GENUINE SUBARU BELT DUE TO LIABILITY HOWEVER I AM A WIDOW AND CANNOT AFFORD $300 FOR A PART THAT HAS ALWAYS LASTED THE LIFETIME OF ANY VEHICLE THAT I HAVE EVER OWNED. GIVEN THE MANDATORY NATURE OF THIS PART IS THERE ANYTHING THAT CAN BE DONE TO HELP ME? I AM LESS THAN IMPRESSED BY SUBARU'S RESPONSE AND OBVIOUS COMFORT WITH TAKING SUCH A HUGE PROFIT FOR A PART THAT PROVIDES BASIC SAFETY AND MUST BE WARN BY LAW! *TR
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. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
WITH NO PRIOR WARNING, AT APPROX 90KM/H OR 55 MPH SOUTH BOUND ON HWY-11 NEAR ORILLIA, ON, CANADA. THE HOOD LATCH FAILED, CAUSING THE HOOD TO COME BACK AND SHATTER THE WINDSHIELD. THERE WERE NO INJURIES, AND MY WIFE MAINTAINED SAFE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE ONTO THE PAVED SHOULDER. I FOUND OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THIS ISSUE ON LINE BUT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP DISAVOWS ANY KNOWLEDGE OF THIS ISSUE. WE CALLED OUR INSURANCE COMPANY AND DISCOVERED THEY HAD REDUCED OUR COVERAGE ON THE VEHICLE TO LIABILITY ONLY WITH OUT CONSULTING US. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
COMPLAINED SEVERAL TIMES TO DEALER THAT CAR HAD NO POWER, POOR GAS MILEAGE, HESITATION UPON STARTING OUT, MOTOR FELL APART AT 66,000 MILES ON INTERSTATE. CAR, ALTHOUGH A NEW MOTOR, CONTINUES TO HAVE NO POWER, POOR GAS MILEAGE, HESITATION UPON STARTING OUT. WHAT'S GOING TO KEEP THE MOTOR FROM BLOWING UP AGAIN, AND MAYBE WE BE KILLED. O2 AND PT SENSORS CONTINUES TO BLOW. SUNROOF WILL NOT OPEN;ADVISED A NEW ONE WOULD BE $975. SUNROOF COMPLAINT AT 13,680 MILES.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
PURCHASED A PRE-OWNED 1999 SUBARU LEGACY IN 2008 AS A GIFT FOR MY 18YR DAUGHTER. WITHIN MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP DRIVER SIDE SHOULDER BELT RIPPED! I CONTACTED LOCAL SUBARU DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD IT WOULD COST $300 TO ORDER A NEW SHOULDER BELT AND AN ADDITIONAL $300 TO INSTALL IT! REGULAR MECHANIC WON'T INSTALL ANYTHING BUT A GENUINE SUBARU BELT DUE TO LIABILITY HOWEVER I AM A WIDOW AND CANNOT AFFORD $300 FOR A PART THAT HAS ALWAYS LASTED THE LIFETIME OF ANY VEHICLE THAT I HAVE EVER OWNED. GIVEN THE MANDATORY NATURE OF THIS PART IS THERE ANYTHING THAT CAN BE DONE TO HELP ME? I AM LESS THAN IMPRESSED BY SUBARU'S RESPONSE AND OBVIOUS COMFORT WITH TAKING SUCH A HUGE PROFIT FOR A PART THAT PROVIDES BASIC SAFETY AND MUST BE WARN BY LAW! *TR
RECENTLY ACQUIRED A 1999 SUBURU LEGACY BRIGHTON IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. WAS INFORMED BY SELLER THAT THE OWNER'S MANUAL WAS NEVER PROVIDED BY THE DEALERSHIP. I NEED TO KNOW THE PROPER METHOD FOR SECURING MY CHILD SAFETY SEAT IN THIS CAR. IN ORDER TO DOWNLOAD THE PDF FILE (JUST THE PART ABOUT THE CHILD SAFETY SEAT INSTRUCTIONS - NOT THE WHOLE MANUAL) FROM THE SUBARU WEBSITE, I AM REQUIRED TO BUY A "SUBSCRIPTION" TO THEIR WEBSITE. WHILE IT IS FAIR FOR MANUFACTURERS TO RECOUP THE COST OF ARCHIVING AND KEEPING AVAILABLE OWNERS MANUALS FOR OLDER CARS, INFORMATION SUCH AS PROPER SECURING OF CHILD SEATS IS INFORMATION THAT SHOULD BE MADE AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE. GREED HAS TO BE CHECKED SOMEWHERE. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
WITH NO PRIOR WARNING, AT APPROX 90KM/H OR 55 MPH SOUTH BOUND ON HWY-11 NEAR ORILLIA, ON, CANADA. THE HOOD LATCH FAILED, CAUSING THE HOOD TO COME BACK AND SHATTER THE WINDSHIELD. THERE WERE NO INJURIES, AND MY WIFE MAINTAINED SAFE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE ONTO THE PAVED SHOULDER. I FOUND OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THIS ISSUE ON LINE BUT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP DISAVOWS ANY KNOWLEDGE OF THIS ISSUE. WE CALLED OUR INSURANCE COMPANY AND DISCOVERED THEY HAD REDUCED OUR COVERAGE ON THE VEHICLE TO LIABILITY ONLY WITH OUT CONSULTING US. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
HOOD STRIKER CAME LOOSE FROM HOOD. HOOD CAME OPEN WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY. CRASHING INTO WINDSHIELD AND CAUSING AN AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT. FORTUNATLY NO ONE WAS INJURED IN ACCIDENT AND CAR IS BEING REPAIRED
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE SPEEDOMETER AND ODOMETER STARTED WORKING INTERMITTENTLY ABOUT FOUR MONTH AGO. THE DEALER SAYS THE SPEEDOMETER WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF APPROXIMATELY $430+ (PARTS AND LABOR). THE VEHICLE IS ONLY 8YEARS OLD WITH LESS THAN 110,000 MILES. SEVERAL OTHER CONSUMERS SUBMITTED IDENTICAL COMPLAINTS. *TR
WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE THEN THE VEHICLE STALLED OUT ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED, IT WAS LATER FOUND THAT THIS PROBLEM WAS A RESULT OF A DEFECTIVE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. MR *YH
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
I WAS ON AN ENTRY RAMP TO INTERSTATE 95 AND FOUND MYSELF A BIT OUT OF LINE IN THE ROAD AFTER I HAD TURNED TO CHECK ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I TRIED TO CORRECT, AND LOST STEERING CONTROL. CAR WENT INTO FISHTAIL FROM WHICH I WAS UNABLE TO RECOVER, AND EVENTUALLY SPUN OUT INTO ONCOMING INTERSTATE TRAFFIC, WHERE I WAS HIT BY A TRACTOR-TRAILER. ROADWAY WAS DAMP, WEATHER MISTY, TEMP MID-FORTIES, AND I BELIEVE THERE WAS SAND ON RAMP LEFT OVER FROM PREVIOUS SNOW/ICE TREATMENT. I MUST SAY OCCUPANT PROTECTION WORKED WELL. I HAVE CRACKED STERNUM (PROBABLY FROM AIRBAG; I AM A VERY SHORT DRIVER AND SIT WAY FORWARD) AND A KNOT ON MY FOREHEAD, 2 BLAKC EYES AND LOTS OF BRUISES, BUT WAS IN GOOD ENOUGH SHAPE TO BE TREATED AND RELEASED FROM ER. I DON'T KNOW IF STEERING OR SUSPENSION FAILURE OCCURRED, BUT WANTED YOU TO HAVE THE DATA POINT IN CASE YOU CAN DISCOVER A PATTERN.
VEHICLE HAS HAD CONTINUED STEERING AND ALIGNMENT PROBLEMS CAUSING DIFFICULTY HANDLING. MJS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
WINDSHIELD EXPERIENCES A PROBLEM WITH A UNKNOWN COASTING, CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY WHEN DEFOGGER ISUSED, ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT. DEALER NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. ASKING NHTSA TO LOOK INTO THIS MATTER OR PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
CAR HAS PULLED TO THE RIGHT SINCE PURCHASE. PURCHASED VEHICLE LATE SEPT., 1998. AC DID NOT WORK VERY WELL, BUT WEATHER WAS COOL AND IT WAS NOT A PRESSING ISSUE. THE FOLLOWING SPRING/SUMMER, TOOK IN FOR REPAIRS TO DEALER IN EVANSVILLE. AC STILL WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. ACCIDENT 5/19/99 WHERE I REAR-ENDED A VAN AT APPROX. 20 MPH., AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. AC STILL ONLY WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. ON 9/17/99, AFTER DRIVING THE CAR APPROXIMATELY 25 MILES AT 65 MPH, I NOTICED THE TEMP GAUGE WAS ABOVE THE "H" AND PULLED OVER. THE CAR DIED AND NEVER RESTARTED. OVERHEATED TO THE EXTENT THAT AFTER ENGINE DIED, SMOKE BILLOWED OUT THE EXHAUST/TAIL PIPE AND OVER 3 HOURS AFTER THE CAR WAS SHUT OFF, RADIATOR FLUID STILL BOILED OVER WHEN ADDED. DEALER UNABLE TO PROVIDE EXPLANATION FOR OVERHEATING OR AC PROBLEMS. SUBARU REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE HAS REFUSED TO RETURN MY CALLS FOR QUESTIONS ABOUT THE REPAIRS.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
PARK LIGHTS STAY ILLUMINATED WHEN VEHICLE IS SHUTS OFF. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .