1999 Subaru Legacy acceleration problems

Filed Dec 27, 2014 · Acceleration, Engine · 141,000 miles · OR

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.

Filed Jan 28, 2010 · Acceleration · 46,765 miles · IL

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.

Filed Oct 3, 2007 · Acceleration · 16,000 miles · PA · crash

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.

Filed May 4, 2004 · Acceleration · 91,000 miles · MA

The speedometer drops to zero intermittently. No known cause or pattern to problem. Authorized dealer could not replicate or remedy.

Filed Feb 4, 2004 · Acceleration · 97,200 miles · NY

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.

Filed Dec 6, 2002 · Acceleration · CO

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

Filed Jul 22, 2002 · Acceleration · CT

Service department unresponsive to my complaint. No safety defec tlisted.

Filed Jan 17, 2002 · Acceleration · MI

Car suddenly accelerated and would not stop upon applying the brakes.

Filed Jan 8, 2002 · Acceleration · WI

There is hesitation when accelerating - tsb#115398 - tsb#115899.

Filed Jan 2, 2002 · Acceleration, Airbags · WA · crash

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.