1999 SUBARU LEGACY Recalls, Complaints & Safety

FRONT RIGHT COIL SPRING BROKE AT BASE OF STRUT.

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.

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

1 injured

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

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

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

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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.

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

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

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE WARNING PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE GAS CAP CAUSED THE LIGHT TO APPEAR ON THE DASHBOARD. THE CONTACT THEN EXAMINED THE VEHICLE WHILE IT WAS TURNED ON AND NOTICED THAT GASOLINE WAS LEAKING UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 169,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 172,000.

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

FUEL FILLER PIPE LEAKS GAS WHEN FILLING. *TR

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 RECENTLY BOUGHT A USED 1999 SUBARU LEGACY WAGON. THE PREVIOUS OWNER TOLD ME THERE WAS AN OIL LEAK THAT RESULTED FROM THE OIL FILTER FRACTURING. THIS CAUSED SMOKE TO COME FROM OIL BURNING ON THE HOT EXHAUST MANIFOLD. AFTER OWNING THE CAR FOR A FEW DAYS, I HAD THE OIL CHANGED AND NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE STILL SMOKES AROUND THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD AFTER DRIVING IT. I CAN ALSO HEAR OIL DRIPPING FROM THE FILTER ONTO THE MANIFOLD. WHILE ONLINE REVIEWING MY CAR INSURANCE, I NOTICED THAT THIS VERY PROBLEM IS A RECALL DEFECT. I FOLLOWED INSTRUCTIONS AND CALLED SUBARU ABOUT THIS. THE REPRESENTATIVE NAMED PATRICIA SAID THAT THERE WAS NO RECALLS FOR THIS VEHICLE AND QUICKLY ENDED THE CONVERSATION. I KNOW THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE AND NEED THIS ADDRESSED. MY WIFE AND BABY RIDE IN THIS CAR. THE RECALL # IS -98V127000. THANK YOU. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A CLUNKING AND RUBBING NOISE. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRING FAILED AND PUNCTURED THE TIRE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 160,000. UPDATED 06/09/08 *BF THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD HIS VEHICLE IDENTIFACTION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL # 01V216000. UPDATED

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT HIS VEHICLE MAY EXPERIENCE THE FAILURE MENTIONED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 01V216000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS). THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 138,000.

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

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 SUBARU LEGACY. WHILE DRIVING 2 MPH, THE CONTACT RELEASED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. BEFORE THE BRAKE COULD BE APPLIED, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD AND CRASHED INTO A BUILDING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE INSURANCE COMPANY. BOTH THE VEHICLE AND BUILDING WERE DAMAGED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE HAD NOT BEEN DETERMINED. THE MILEAGE WAS LOW ON THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE ODOMETER WAS REPLACED AT 50,000 MILES. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 16,000.

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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

CAR OVERHEATED RANDOMLY. HAVE REPLACED RADIATOR, WATER PUMP, 3 THERMOSTATS, HEAD GASKETS, AND HAD HEADS MACHINED AT SHOP. STILL OVERHEATED AND DIED FREQUENTLY. HAD IT TO MECHANIC MULTIPLE TIMES. EACH TIME THEY SAY IT WAS FIXED. BEING TOWED BACK TO REPAIR SHOP TODAY BECAUSE IT WON'T EVEN START NOW. *AK

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TEST; THE CODE WAS P133 FLOW AIR METER. THERE IS NHTSA TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN # WWG90, REGARDING THE FUEL SYSTEM AIR FLOW METER SENSOR. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEM AS INDICATED IN THE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.

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. *JB

DT: CONSUMER HAS A 1999 SUBARU LEGACY AND COMPLAINED ABOUT A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. WHEN THE CONSUMER STARTED THE VEHICLE AND PUT INTO DRIVE IT IDLED AND THEN WENT INTO DRIVE. WHEN COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP, THE VEHICLE WENT INTO A MODE. THE CONSUMER HAD TO REV THE ENGINE AND IT WOULD KICK IN. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE SEAL AND THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED. CONSUMER FELT IT WAS TOO SOON TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AT 61,000. THE CONSUMER NOTICED THE PROBLEM APPROXIMATELY THREE MONTHS AGO. *AK

ENGINE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. DEALER DID ANALYSIS AND STATES THAT FUEL FILLER 'PIPE' IS CORRODED AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. COSTLY. FUEL SYSTEM SHOULD NOT CORRODE. FIRE HAZARD??????? CAR IS 6 YRS OLD AND 67,000 CAREFUL MILES.*AK

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

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CAR HESITATES TO ACCELERATE UNTIL 2500 RPM, THEN JUMPS.

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

DOWNSHIFTING ON INCLINES: PURCHASED A 1999 SUBARU OUTBACK LEGACY WAGON NEW ON NOV. 11/11/98, AT FUCILLO IMPORTS, WATERTOWN, NY. THE DOWNSHIFTING PROBLEMS OCCUR WHEN GOING DOWN LARGE HILLS AROUND 60 MPH, GENTLY APPLYING THE BRAKES TO SLOW THE VEHICLE, LETTING OFF THE BRAKES, AND THE DOWNSHIFT JERKS YOU FORWARD. WHEN THE AUTOMOBILE WAS BRAND NEW, THE ABRUPT JERK WOULD PUT MY HEAD INTO THE WINDSHIELD. THE SALESPERSON TOLD ME THAT IT WAS THE WAY I DROVE THE CAR. ODOMETER FAILURE DURING AUGUST, 2002, THE VEHICLE STARTED INTERMITTENT ODOMETER FAILURES. THE ODOMETER WOULD DROP FROM ?? TO 0 FOR A FEW SECONDS, AND THEN GRADUALLY RESUME. AFTER 6 MO. THE DEALERSHIP DID REPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND I HAD TO HAVE THE ODOMETER REPLACED FOR APPROXIMATELY $200. TRANSMISSION HESITATION AND ABRUPT ENGAGEMENT IN AUGUST 2002 (ABOUT THE SAME TIME AS THE INTERMITTENT ODOMETER FAILURE, AND THE CRANK SEAL LEAK / REPLACEMENT) THE CAR DEVELOPED PROBLEMS WITH A HESITATION WHEN PUTTING THE CAR INTO DRIVE. ON A COLD INCLINE START, THE VEHICLE WILL ROLL BACKWARDS SEVERAL FEET BEFORE ENGAGING IN DRIVE. AFTER REVERSING, THE HESITATION WILL LEAVE ME WITHOUT ANY DRIVE POWER, BEFORE JERKING INTO GEAR. THE DEALERSHIP SAW THE CAR IN DECEMBER 2002 (AT 65,179 MILES) AND DOCUMENTED (BUT NOT DUPLICATED) THE PROBLEM. TRANSMISSION CONDITIONER TREATMENTS HAVED EASED THE JERKING. NOW, 2 YEARS LATER, A SERVICE MANAGER FINALLY DUPLICATED THE HESITATION AND ROLL BACK. AND SUGGESTED TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT FOR $2,500. TODAY, THE CAR IS OVER THE 60,000 MILE WARRANTY AT 93,418 MILES. I CAN'T HELP BUT FEEL THAT THESE PROBLEMS ARE RELATED, AND ARE DEFINITELY A SAFETY CONCERN. *AK

PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE'S CLUTCH.*MR CLUTCH WAS REPLACED ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASSIONS DUE TO FAULTY VEHICLE. *CB

THE SPEEDOMETER DROPS TO ZERO INTERMITTENTLY. NO KNOWN CAUSE OR PATTERN TO PROBLEM. AUTHORIZED DEALER COULD NOT REPLICATE OR REMEDY. *AK

97000 MILES - AUTOMATIC W CRUISE - VEHICLE JUST STARTED EXPERIENCING INTERMITTENT HIGH IDLE CONDITIONS. THE FIRST CONDITION HAS PERSISTED FOR SEVERAL DAYS. VEHICLE (EVEN WHEN WARM) IDLES AT ~1.5K RPM IN PARK. WHEN COASTING IN DRIVE, VEHICLE DOES NOT SLOW DOWN AS IT NORMALLY SHOULD. IT IS ALMOST AS IF VEHICLE IS DRIVING ITSELF. WHEN STOPPING ABRUPTLY,THE ABS DID NOT SEEM TO ENGAGE AND THE CAR WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO STOP (I PAST THE TOLL BOOTH GUY BY A FOOT). FUEL ECONOMY HAS BEEN REDUCED. THE SECOND CONDITION IS MORE INTERMITTENT AND COULD BE VERY SERIOUS. AFTER STARTING MY CAR AND LETTING IT WARM FOR 2 MINUTES, I PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THEN SHIFTED FROM PARK TO DRIVE. THE RPMS SURGED TO OVER 2.5K AND STAYED THERE. LUCKILY, I WAS FIRMLY PRESSING THE BRAKE. I PLACED THE CAR IN PARK AND RELEASED THE BRAKE, THE RPMS DECREASED TO 750. I WAS ABLE TO REPLICATE THIS SEVERAL TIMES IN BOTH REVERSE AND DRIVE AND COULD FIND NOTHING TO SUGGEST I WAS THE CAUSE (I.E PRESSING BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR AT THE SAME TIME). THE BRAKE WAS FIRMLY DEPRESSED AND I DID NOT MOVE. AFTER 2 MINUTES OF THIS, THE CONDITION STOPPED AND THE RPMS NO LONGER SURGED WHEN PLACED IN GEAR. I DROVE TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT ABLE TO REPLICATE IT. ON MY NEXT DRIVE (1 HOUR LATER) THE CAR IDLED AND RAN FINE FOR THE COURSE OF MY 10 MINUTE DRIVE. ON RETURNING HOME (1 HOUR AFTER THAT), THE CAR RAN FINE UNTIL I STOPPED IN THE DRIVEWAY SHIFTED FROM DRIVE TO PARK. THE ENGINE SURGED TO OVER 2K RPM, BUT IDLED NORMALLY. I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE DEALER TO INVESTIGATE IN A FEW DAYS. I AM VERY CONCERNED FOR MY SAFETY AND OF OTHERS.*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

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

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.

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

VEHICLE HAS A MANUAL TRANSMISSION. WHEN DRIVING IN 5TH GEAR, TRANSMISSION WILL "DROP" OUT OF GEAR WITHOUT WARNING. *AK THE 5TH GEAR WAS REPAIRED ON THE AND THERE WAS A PACKING NUT THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE PEENED ON THE GEAR SHAFT TO KEEP IT FROM BACKING OFF. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT PROPERLY PEEN THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW 5TH SLIDER NUT, RETIGHTENED, AND PEENED CORRECTLY. ALSO IN CRUISE CONTROL WHEN THE VEHICLE DROPPED OUT OF THE 5TH GEAR, IT CAUSED THE ENGINE TO RACE. (OUTBACK) *SCC *JB

VIBRATION, FROM INITIAL ACCELERATION TO HIGH SPEED DRIVING. *JB

MY HUSBAND AND I JUST RETURNED FROM A CHILD SAFETY SEAT INSPECTION. WE HAVE A 1999 SUBARU LEGACY. WE HAD MANY PROBLEMS TRYING TO FIT OUR CENTURY 1000 STE CONVERTIBLE CAR SEAT INTO THE BACK SEAT, AND DECIDED TO TRY THE "PROFESSIONALS." THE ONLY WAY OUR CERTIFIED CAR SEAT INSPECTORS COULD ENSURE A TIGHT FITTING POSITION FOR THE CAR SEAT WAS ON THE SIDE (NOT CENTER, AS RECOMMENDED) AND WITH THE SEAT BELT TWISTED 6 (YES, I SAID 6) TIMES! OF COURSE, THE OWNER'S MANUAL OF THE CAR SAYS DO NOT TWIST THE SEAT BELT. THE INSTRUCTION MANUAL ON HAND FOR THE INSPECTORS SAID THAT BY TWISTING THE SEAT BELT 6 TIMES, WE LOWERED THE IMPACT RESISTANCE 30%. THIS IS THE ONLY WAY OUR INSPECTORS COULD GET THE SEAT IN, THOUGH. WE CONTACTED SUBARU AND THEY KINDLY SENT US A LIST OF "RECOMMENDED" CAR SEATS FOR THE 1999 SUBARU LEGACY. THEY WERE ALL BOOSTER SHIELD SEATS, WHICH ARE NOT RECOMMENDED FOR USE WITH A CHILD MY DAUGHTER'S SIZE. WHAT ARE WE SUPPOSED TO DO? BUY A NEW CAR? LET OUR DAUGHTER TRAVEL IN LESS THAN OPTIMAL SAFETY RESTRAINTS? SUBARU PRIDES ITSELF ( AND SELLS ITSELF) AS BEING A SAFE CAR. WHAT GOOD DOES ALL WHEEL DRIVE DO ME IF MY LITTLE GIRL IS SERIOUSLY HARMED OR KILLED DUE TO INEFFECTIVE, POORLY PLANNED SEAT RESTRAINTS DESIGNED BY THEIR ENGINEERS? *NLM

THE SPEEDOMETER AND ODOMETER STARTED WORKING INTERMITTENTLY ABOUT ONE MONTH AGO. THE DEALER SAYS THE SPEEDOMETER WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF APPROXIMATELY $330+ (PARTS AND LABOR). THE VEHICLE IS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD WITH LESS THAN 60,000 MILES. SEVERAL OTHER CONSUMERS SUBMITTED IDENTICAL COMPLAINTS. *NLM

CONSUMER STATES THAT HIS WIFE'S SPEEDOMETER STOPS WORKING INTERMITTENLY. IT STARTS AND STOPS AT WILL. THEN JUST ABOUT A WEEK PRIOR TO TAKING THE AUTO TO BE REPAIRED THE SPEEDOMETER STOPPED FOR GOOD. HE STATES THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THEY DO NOT KNOW HOW FAST OR SLOW THEY ARE TRAVELING. TS

THE SPEEDOMETER ON MY VEHICLE BECAME INCONSISTENT. SOMETIMES IT WOULDN'T WORK AS SOON AS I STARTED THE CAR, OTHER TIMES IT WOULD STOP WORKING AT ANY RANDOM TIME WHILE DRIVING ANYWHERE. EVENTUALLY, WHEN IT STOPPED WORKING, THE ODOMETERS WOULD STOP AS WELL. WHEN I WENT TO MY SUBARU DEALER TO REPLACE THE COMPONENT. THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS A NATIONAL BACK ORDER AND I WOULD HAVE TO WAIT INDEFINITELY FOR THE PART TO COME IN. THEY ALSO TOLD ME THAT THEY HAD BEEN REPLACING A LOT OF SPEEDOMETER HEADS ON MY MAKE AND YEAR OF CAR. I THINK IT IS UNUSUAL FOR A SPEEDOMETER TO BREAK DOWN AFTER LESS THAN THREE YEARS AND UNDER 65,000 MILES OF INITIAL SERVICE. I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THAT HAPPENING ON SUCH A YOUNG CAR, AND IF IT IS HAPPENING ON MANY CARS OF THE SAME MAKE AND YEAR, I THINK THAT AN ORIGINAL PART MUST HAVE BEEN DEFECTIVE FOR THIS CAR. I THINK THAT A BROKEN SPEEDOMETER IS HAZARDOUS TO DRIVING ON THE ROAD AND THEREFORE THIS SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED. I REALLY DON'T WANT TO WORRY ABOUT HAVING TO REPLACE MY SPEEDOMETER EVERY THREE YEARS OF MY CAR'S LIFE. DT