Known Recalls

Model year record

1991 Subaru Legacy

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 121 owner complaints on file.

Subaru Legacy, 1990–1994 generation
Pictured: the 1990–1994 generation. IFCAR, Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

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.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch14—
Seat belts12176,000 mi
Structure: body: door10—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline5—
Power train: automatic transmission5—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads5—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor5—
Vehicle speed control5193,100 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner3—
Seat belts: front: anchorage3—
Seat belts: front: webbing3—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components3—
Structure: body356,000 mi
Air bags2—
Power train: driveline: constant velocity joint2—
Power train: manual transmission2—
Suspension: front: control arm2—
Visibility: windshield2—
Electrical system1—
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery1—
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator1—
Electrical system: ignition: module1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system1—
Equipment: electrical1—
Exterior lighting1—
Exterior lighting: headlights1—
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch1—
Exterior lighting: turn signal: switch1—
Fuel system, gasoline: carburetor system1—
Power train1123,259 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines1—
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch1—
Power train: automatic transmission: torque converter1—
Power train: axle assembly1—
Power train: axle assembly: banjo housing1—
Power train: driveline1—
Power train: driveline: differential unit1—
Power train: driveline: universal joint1—
Seat belts: front: retractor1—
Service brakes, hydraulic1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: hydraulic: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1—
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments1—
Structure: body: trunk lid1—
Suspension1—
Suspension: front1—
Suspension: multiple axle1—
Suspension: rear1—
Tires: tread/belt1—
Visibility1—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: windshield: electrical heating element1—
Visibility: power window devices and controls1—
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices1—
Wheels1—

The 1990 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 1992 model has 2 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Other Subaru Legacy model years

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All Subaru Legacy recalls by year

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.