1999 Subaru Outback Electrical Problems

Your speedometer stops working intermittently, especially during highway driving, so you can't see how fast you're going. Additionally, the door chime and seatbelt warning alarm aren't functioning. The issue may stem from a faulty instrument cluster or electrical connection. A mechanic will need to diagnose and repair the speedometer cluster and related electrical wiring.

Your speedometer frequently stops working and displays zero, then recovers on its own after 10 seconds to 15 minutes. A technician found the speedometer circuit board is delaminating (layers separating) due to a defective OEM sealant, which is a known issue on other Subaru and Honda vehicles. The speedometer is a critical safety component that tells you how fast you're driving. Fixing this will likely require replacing the instrument cluster or speedometer circuit board.

Your speedometer and odometer stop working intermittently due to a faulty electronic circuit board in the instrument cluster. The dealer replaced the entire speedometer unit for $315, but this is a known issue affecting 1999 Subarus and should not be considered normal wear. The fix involves replacing the instrument cluster circuit board or the entire speedometer assembly.

THERE WAS NOTHING ABNORMAL THAT PRECLUDED THE FAILURE. THE SPEEDOMETER COMPLETELY STOPPED WORKING WHILE DRIVING AND NOW ONLY INTERMITTENTLY WORKS. FORTUNATELY, THERE HAS BEEN NO INCIDENTS BECAUSE OF THIS FAILURE. HOWEVER, IT COULD LEAD TO EXCESSIVE SPEED WHICH MAY LEAD TO VEHICLE ACCIDENTS AND INJURIES. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THIS ISSUE. A CALL TO SUBARU OF AMERICA YIELDED NO INFORMATION. HOWEVER, ONLINE RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THAT THIS IS OCCURRING QUITE FREQUENTLY AMONG THIS MAKE AND MODEL YEAR. A NEW PART WILL LIKELY HAVE TO BE ORDERED.*JB

I HAVE A 1999 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHEN USING THE UNLOCK BUTTON ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR THE CAR STARTED WITHOUT A KEY IN THE IGNITION. I WAS ABLE TO REPEAT THIS OCCURENCE AT LEAST 5 TIMES.

I WAS BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT WHEN THE CAR JOLTED TO A STOP. THE MECHANIC SAID THE WIRES HOLDING POWER HARNESS IN PLACE HAD BROKEN AT AN EARLIER POINT IN TIME. THIS CAUSED THE POWER HARNESS TO SHIFT TO REST ON TOP OF THE SWAY BAR. THE CONSTANT RUBBING AGAINST THE SWAY BAR CAUSED 3 WIRES TO SHORT, BLOWING ALL FUSES AND THE COMPUTER MODULE. A SUBARU REP SAID THERE WAS ONE OTHER CASE LIKE THIS IN THE UP OF MICHIGAN. BUT HE BLAMED PACKED SNOW IN THE WHEEL WELLS. THIS DOES NOT MAKE SENSE IN NORTHERN ILLINOIS IN MAY. SUBARU ALSO CONFIRMED HAD I BEEN IN TRAFFIC I WOULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED. NO ONE HAS EXPLAINED WHY THE WIRE TIES BROKE CAUSING THE POWER HARNESS TO MOVE. AT 40000 IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, AND WE HAD TO PAY THE DEDUCTIBLE FOR THE EXTENDED WARRANTY, EVEN THOUGH PARTIES HAVE SAID IT IS POSSIBLE THE WIRE TIES BROKE WHILE THE CAR WAS IN WARRANTY. *TS *NLM **DIMSII IVIES ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12-12-02 CUT OVER TO ARTEMIS**762507