Known Recalls

Model year record

1999 Subaru Outback

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 150 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 01V216000

Suspension: front: springs: coil springs

Component
Suspension: front: springs: coil springs
Manufacturer
SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected
180,000
Reported to NHTSA
2001-06-25
Owners notified
2001-09-18

Defect description

VEHICLE 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, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW YORK, NEW JERSEY, NEW HAMPSHIRE, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA, AND WISCONSIN, AND IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS WERE PRODUCED WITH POOR PAINT QUALITY WHICH, AFTER CONTINUED EXPOSURE TO CORROSIVE SALT, CAN RESULT IN BREAKAGE OF THE SPRING.

Safety risk

DEPENDING ON THE LOCATION OF THE FRACTURE, A BROKEN SPRING COULD MOVE PAST THE SPRING SEAT AND CONTACT A FRONT TIRE. SOME TIRES HAVE DEFLATED DUE TO CONTACT WITH A BROKEN SPRING.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL NOTIFIY CUSTOMERS TO BRING THEIR VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE A SPRING GUARD INSTALLED ON BOTH FRONT STRUTS TO PREVENT TIRE PUNCTURE AND REPLACE ANY BROKEN SPRINGS FREE OF CHARGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 18, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Power train: automatic transmission1470,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine1191,000 mi
Power train742,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling683,200 mi
Vehicle speed control639,000 mi
Electrical system591,350 mi
Power train: manual transmission565,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip530,000 mi
Unknown or other5—
Air bags439,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline4—
Suspension43,000 mi
Air bags: frontal3120,000 mi
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel391,350 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system3125,654 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch3105,780 mi
Power train: clutch assembly370 mi
Suspension: front: springs: coil springs375,000 mi
Tires33,000 mi
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft: seal287,000 mi
Seat belts23,000 mi
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments2—
Suspension: front2115,250 mi
Suspension: multiple axle2—
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal2—
Child seat: tether: strap/webbing1—
Electrical system: ignition1—
Electrical system: wiring140,493 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)1180,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly199,200 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys1110,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)1—
Equipment1—
Fuel system, gasoline1150,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1122,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system1—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage1—
Fuel system, other: storage1—
Fuel system, other: storage: fuel gauge system1—
Fuel system, other: storage: tank assembly: pressure relief devices1—
Latches/locks/linkages1155,500 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: trunk lid: lock1—
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines1—
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly191,995 mi
Seats1—
Seats: front assembly: head restraint1—
Seats: front assembly: power adjust1—
Service brakes, hydraulic13,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper160,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages1—
Steering171,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist: power steering fluid1107,000 mi
Structure: body1—
Structure: body: bumpers1—
Structure: body: hood1155,500 mi
Structure: body: tailgate1—
Suspension: front: wheel bearing1—
Suspension: rear: shock absorber1—
Vehicle speed control: linkages1—
Visibility: rear window wiper/washer1—
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices1—
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly1—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer1—
Wheels13,000 mi

The 1998 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 2000 model has about half as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.