Known Recalls

Model year record

1990 Subaru Legacy

4 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 103 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 94V052000

Power train: manual transmission

Component
Power train: manual transmission
Manufacturer
SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected
31,295
Reported to NHTSA
1994-03-23
Owners notified
1994-06-24

Defect description

WHEN THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN CONTINUOUSLY UNDER EXTREMELY COLD TEMPERATURES (-22 DEGREES F.) AND HIGH HUMIDITY WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE TRANSMISSION BREATHING (AIR) VENT CAN BE BLOCKED DUE TO MOISTURE FREEZING AT THE OIL LEVEL GAUGE. IF THIS OCCURS, PRESSURE INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION CASE WILL INCREASE AND PUSH OUT THE REAR OIL SEAL, CAUSING TRANSMISSION OIL LEAKAGE. THE LACK OF LUBRICATION CAN BURN THE INTERNAL COMPONENTS OF THE TRANSMISSION, CAUSE THE TRANSMISSION TO SEIZE AND THE VEHICLE TO COME TO A SUDDEN STOP.

Safety risk

SUDDEN STOPS WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING CAN CAUSE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS TO BE THROWN AROUND THE VEHICLE AND CAUSE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL WHICH CAN RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE OIL GAUGE PIPE AND MODIFY THE OIL LEVEL GAUGE (DIPSTICK) OR REPLACE IT, DEPENDING ON THE TYPE OF DIPSTICK IN THE VEHICLE.

Recall campaignNHTSA 91V082000

Power train: automatic transmission

Component
Power train: automatic transmission
Manufacturer
SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected
76,000
Reported to NHTSA
1991-05-30
Owners notified
1991-07-05

Defect description

UNDER CERTAIN LOAD CONDITIONS, THE PARK GEAR MAY NOT DISENGAGE IMMEDIATELY WHEN THE TRANSMISSION LEVER IS MOVED FROM PARK TO REVERSE.

Safety risk

DELAYED RELEASE OF TRANSMISSION FROM PARK CAUSES DELAYEDAND POSSIBLY ABRUPT VEHICLE MOVEMENT THAT COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLECONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.

Manufacturer remedy

INSTALL A MODIFIED PARKING BRAKE PAWL TO PREVENT DELAYED RELEASE INTO REVERSE GEAR.

Recall campaignNHTSA 90V184000

Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch

Component
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch
Manufacturer
SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected
103,744
Reported to NHTSA
1990-10-16
Owners notified
1990-12-05

Defect description

TORQUE OF LATCH SCREWS ON FRONT DOORS MAY LOOSEN OVER TIME DUE TO A GAP BETWEEN THE LATCH BASE PLATE AND INNER DOOR PANEL UNDER THE SCREW HEAD.

Safety risk

THE AFFECTED DOOR MAY NOT BE OPENED FROM INSIDE,PREVENTING EXIT FROM THAT DOOR.

Manufacturer remedy

REPLACE FRONT DOOR LATCH SCREWS WITH "LOCK-TIGHT" SCREWS.

Recall campaignNHTSA 90V110000

Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system

Component
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system
Manufacturer
SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected
81,000
Reported to NHTSA
1990-06-04
Owners notified
1990-12-05

Defect description

THE DEFROSTER LEVER PIN OF THE DEFROSTER SHUTTER DOOR MAY BECOME DISLOCATED AND ALLOW THE SHUTTER TO CLOSE, PREVENTING DEFROSTER FROM FUNCTIONING.

Safety risk

NON-FUNCTIONING DEFROSTER WOULD ADVERSELY AFFECT DRIVERVISIBILITY.

Manufacturer remedy

INSTALL A POSITIONING STOPPER DEVICE TO PREVENT DISLOCATION OF DEFROSTER LEVER PIN TO ASSURE DEFROSTER OPERATION.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch1840,000 mi
Structure: body: door17—
Power train: automatic transmission6—
Seat belts5—
Structure: body5—
Vehicle speed control4—
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner3—
Power train: axle assembly3—
Seat belts: front: anchorage3—
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly3—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap2—
Power train: driveline: constant velocity joint2—
Seat belts: front: retractor2—
Suspension: front: macpherson strut2—
Suspension: rear: shock absorber2—
Tires2—
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal2—
Electrical system: ignition1—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline1—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys1—
Exterior lighting: brake lights1—
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch1—
Exterior lighting: headlights1—
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: injectors1—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly1—
Latches/locks/linkages: trunk lid: lock1—
Parking brake: conventional1—
Power train1—
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft1—
Power train: manual transmission1—
Seat belts: rear/other1—
Seats: front assembly: recliner1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder1—
Steering: hydraulic power assist system1—
Tires: tread/belt1—
Vehicle speed control: cables1—

The 1989 model has 103 times as many complaints as this one. The 1991 model has roughly the same number of 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.