1999 Subaru Legacy: hesitation when accelerating

7 of the 94 complaints about the 1999 Subaru Legacy describe hesitation when accelerating.

owner complaints: 7
of this car's complaints: 7%
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 8 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Hesitation when accelerating by model year

2019
1
2018
1
2015
3
2014
3
2012
2
2011
1
2010
6
2006
3
2005
3
2003
4
2002
3
2001
7
2000
3
1999
7
1998
5
1997
3
1996
3
1993
9

What owners say

Filed May 20, 2012 · Fuel system, Transmission · 101,000 miles · WA

Hesitation, surging, and bucking at mid-range engine rpms. This has been a recurrent problem despite replacement of the throttle position sensor x3.

Filed Mar 19, 2011 · Transmission · 141,225 miles · CA

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).

Filed Mar 27, 2005 · Engine · 40,000 miles · MI

Car hesitates to accelerate until 2500 RPM, then jumps.

Filed Sep 20, 2004 · Transmission · NY

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.

Filed Sep 24, 2003 · Body, Engine · 66,000 miles · TN

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.

Filed Jan 8, 2002 · Acceleration · WI

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

Filed Aug 28, 1999 · Engine · IL

Repeated cold engine hesitation; hazardous when turning onto busy street.