VehicleVerdict

1999 Subaru Outback transmission problems

The 1999 Subaru Outback has 32 transmission complaints filed with NHTSA — 21% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

32

Transmission complaints

21%

Share of year

2

Crash-involved

0

Related recalls

Transmission complaints by year

Outback transmission complaints by model year216 complaints1996: 5 complaints1997: 8 complaints1998: 21 complaints1999: 32 complaints2000: 44 complaints2001: 23 complaints2002: 20 complaints2003: 13 complaints2004: 10 complaints2005: 17 complaints2006: 18 complaints2007: 9 complaints2008: 12 complaints2009: 8 complaints2010: 94 complaints2011: 216 complaints2012: 107 complaints2013: 58 complaints2014: 25 complaints2015: 37 complaints2016: 45 complaints2017: 46 complaints2018: 14 complaints2019: 15 complaints2020: 46 complaints2021: 11 complaints2022: 16 complaints2023: 4 complaints2024: 6 complaints2025: 2 complaints
Outback transmission complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

What owners report

“HEATED MIRRORS, HEATED SEATS, AND SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER ALL QUIT WORKING AND ALTHOUGH SERVICE TECHNICIANS TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG ORIGINALLY, THEY DID FINALLY ADMIT TO A SHORT WITHIN EACH UNIT. THERE MUST BE SOMETHING ELECTRIAL SHORTING OUT TO CAUSE ALL THE MISC. THINGS TO GO OUT. THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · August 22, 2000 · crash

Common questions

How many transmission complaints does the 1999 Subaru Outback have?

NHTSA has 32 complaints about the 1999 Subaru Outback transmission — 21% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.