1999 Subaru Legacy

94 federal complaints (119 component records) · 3 recall campaigns on file · 39 service bulletins · 3 Canadian recalls
See all 39 model years of the Subaru Legacy →
Engine
2.2L 4-cyl
Fuel
Regular
Drive
4WD/AWD
EPA economy
20 city / 26 hwy
Federal complaints
94
Recall campaigns
3
Specifications show one example EPA configuration for this model year; other engines, drivetrains, and trims exist and the records below cover all of them.

Fault profile

Complaint-component records on this vehicle, grouped by family. A complaint naming two systems counts once in each.

Power train
18
Brakes
15
Engine & cooling
14
Speed control
12
Air bags
11
Suspension
8
Other
7
Fuel system
7
Complaints are owner-reported and not verified by the agency.

Known issues

The component families with the most complaint records against this vehicle. Counts, crash and fire figures belong to the whole family, not to any single named issue. Parts listed are related system parts, not a diagnosis.

Power train

18 complaint records
"TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTS AND VEHICLE ON SNOW PACKED HIGHWAYS CAUSING VEHICLE TO JERK AND SWERVE RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL. YH..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse power train parts in the directory →

Brakes

15 complaint records5 crash reports
"THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON INDICATING THERE IS A PROBLEM. THERE IS A NOISE AND EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE WHICH MAY RESULT IN A CRASH. DEALER REPLACED THE ABS SYSTEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse brakes parts in the directory →

Engine & cooling

14 complaint records1 crash report
"DT: THE CONTACT STATES THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID #98V127000 CONCERNING THE ENGINE. THIS CONSUMER EXPERIENCED THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL, BUT HIS VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THERE HAVE BEEN NO REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE...."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse engine & cooling parts in the directory →

Recall campaigns

Safety-recall remedies are normally provided at no charge. Under US federal law the mandatory free remedy applies when the vehicle was no more than 15 years old at the time the defect was determined; manufacturers often cover older vehicles voluntarily. Canadian rules differ. Confirm eligibility with the manufacturer using the VIN. Each campaign number links to the federal record.

CampaignComponentSummaryRemedy
01V216000SuspensionVEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FRONT COIL SPRINGS ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND,...Normally free
99V040000Service Brakes, HydraulicVEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS). (THE 1999 2.2 LITER LEGACY VEHICLES ARE EXCLUDED).Normally free
98V127000Engine And Engine CoolingVEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES, ALSO SERVICE PARTS SUPPLIED TO SUBARU DEALERS ARE INVOLVED (LOT NUMBERS F01 J21D2, F01 J30D2, F02 J09D1, F02 J09D2, AND F02 J20D1).Normally free

Transport Canada recalls

Recalls issued under Canadian law for this model year, from Transport Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database. Matched by model name, so a Canadian-market variant may appear here that was sold under another name in the US. Units are Canadian vehicles affected.

RecallSystemUnits (CA)Summary
2001183
2001-07-03
Other12,569Certain passenger vehicles equipped with front coil springs.The front coil springs were produced with poor paint quality which, after continued exposure to corrosive salt, can result in breakage of the spring.
2000069
2000-03-17
Other46,003Certain vehicle do not comply with Regulation 6 - Statement of Compliance. Compliance label was not expressed in both official languages in regard to vehicle classification.
1999043
1999-03-17
Brakes16,710On certain vehicles equipped with anti-lock brakes (ABS), the brake master cylinder secondary circuit may not function in extremely cold weather due to brake fluid bypassing the fluid supply valve, which remains open.

Service bulletins and warranty extensions

Manufacturer communications to dealers on file with the federal agency: repair instructions, service campaigns, and warranty extensions. A warranty extension means the manufacturer may pay for a repair the recall table does not cover.

BulletinTypeComponentSummary
12-249-23R
Jul 2023
EquipmentThis bulletin announces the recommended cleaning procedures to followed when encountering vehicles with long time exposure to pollen on painted surfaces on vehicles imported from Japan. This bulletin does not apply to SIA built vehicles.
15-302-22
Aug 2022
EquipmentThis bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure.
01-167-08R
Aug 2022
EquipmentThis bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models.
15-192-22R
Mar 2022
Electrical SystemThis bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic essential information during diagnosis and repair of the Infotainment concerns. (Applicable to all models with Harman or Denso CP1 Infotainment).
01-167-08R
Jun 2021
EquipmentThis bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models
09-51-08R
Jun 2021
Engine And Engine CoolingThis bulletin is to advise of SOA’s revised catalytic converter recycling program shipping procedure.
14-22-16R
Feb 2021
EquipmentTo help reduce confusion and increase technician efficiency, Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) has developed the following cross reference list to help locate the appropriate Special Service Tool.
14-22-16R
Aug 2020
EquipmentSpecial Service Tools Cross Reference List.
01-181-20
Apr 2020
EquipmentAll Models (Vehicle Cleaning- COVID-19Best Practices)
06-68-19R
Jul 2019
Service BrakesThis Service Information bulletin announces instruction for application of additional lubrication between the brake caliper support and pad clips.
Subaru Tech Tips
May 2019
EquipmentSubaru Service and Technical Support Line Newletter.
14-22-16R
May 2019
EquipmentTo help reduce confusion and increase technician efficiency, Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) has developed the following cross reference list to help locate the appropriate Special Service Tool.
037012
Dec 2012
Electrical SystemRepair Procedure for High-Pitched Sound from Extension Housing Area Using Latest Generation Production Parts
SB-05-50-10R
Feb 2011
TiresSUBARU: THERE IS A STEERING WHEEL VIBRATION AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS DUE TO AN IMPORPER WHEEL BALANCE. *RM
07
Jul 2007
Exterior LightingHEADLIGHT BULB SOCKET REPAIRS. *KB
02
Feb 2006
Engine And Engine CoolingRUBBING MARK ON TIMING BELT. SUBARU. *TT
170601
Apr 2005
Seat BeltsINFORMATION REGARDING SEAT BELT LATCH SLIDES TO THE LOWER SEAT BELT ANCHOR. *YH UPDATED *EH
063103
Dec 2004
Service BrakesREPLACEMENT OF THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU) FOR ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) REPAIR. *TT UPDATE. *TT
035203
May 2003
Power TrainCLUTCH PEDAL STICKING. *TT
127803
Mar 2003
EquipmentFLOOR MAT HOOK REPAIR. *TT
166602
Mar 2003
Power TrainTRANSMISSION CONTROL UNIT (TCU) CODE 45 AND ALL-WHEEL DRIVE HARSH ENGAGEMENT. *TT
035002
Dec 2002
SuspensionNEW PROCEDURE FOR REPLACING REAR WHEEL BEARINGS. *TT
WWG90
May 2002
Fuel SystemSUBJECT REGARDING AIR FLOW METER SENSOR. *JG
116702
Feb 2002
Fuel SystemSUBJECT REGADING AIR FLOW METER SENSING UNIT AVAILABILITY. *TT
010102
Jan 2002
SuspensionINFORMATION REGARDING FRONT SPRING GUARD BULLETIN UPDATE. *YD
17
Jan 2002
Power TrainSUBJECT REGARDING POPPING OUT OF FIFTH GEAR CONDITION. *JG
040901
Aug 2001
SteeringSUBJECT ON REGARDING STEERING KNOCKING/RATTLE NOISE WHEN TURNING. *ET
116000
Apr 2000
Unknown Or OtherSOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT INDICATOR ILLIMINATED AND CODE P0705 STORED IN THE EMISSION CONTROL UNIT (ECU). *TT
166599R
Mar 2000
Power TrainCUSTOMER COMPLAINT THAT THE A/T TEMPERATURE LIGHT FLASHING AND CODE 38 FOUND IN THE TCM. *TT
115900
Feb 2000
Fuel SystemSUBJECT REGARDING AIR INTAKE CHAMBER BOX BREAKAGE. *TT

Showing 30 of 39 distinct bulletins on file for this vehicle.

Before you buy this vehicle

A test-drive checklist generated from this vehicle's own complaint and recall record.

  1. Drive it from a dead stop, twice, on a hill if you can.Shudder, hesitation, or a lurch under light throttle is how this vehicle's largest complaint cluster shows itself. Then ask for the transmission service history in writing; repeat repairs are a pattern, not a fluke.
  2. Brake hard once from speed on an empty road.A pull to one side, a pulsing pedal, a pedal that sinks at a stop, or an ABS light that stays lit are the brake complaints on this vehicle presenting themselves.
  3. Cold-start it yourself and listen for the first thirty seconds.Knocking, ticking that fades as it warms, or blue or white smoke on startup are the sounds of this vehicle's engine cluster. Check the oil level and the coolant color, and ask whether the engine or its head gaskets have ever been out.
  4. Run the VIN against open recalls before you negotiate.This vehicle has 3 recall campaigns on file. An open recall needs VIN-specific confirmation. Many are quick, no-charge fixes and worth negotiating over; an unresolved do-not-drive advisory, or a remedy the manufacturer has not yet made available, should stop the purchase until it is resolved.
  5. Ask for the service history in writing, then read it against this page.The complaint families above are where owners of this vehicle report trouble. Repairs in exactly those systems are evidence the car had the problem; no such repairs could mean it never developed it, or that it was never fixed. The test-drive items above are how you tell those apart.

Parts search directory

The generic parts list for this vehicle has its own page: a search launcher for every system, filtered by fuel type and era but not by engine, trim, or brake type. It is not a diagnosis and not a fitment guarantee.

Open the parts directory for this Subaru Legacy →