Known Recalls

Model year record

1993 Subaru Legacy

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 90 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.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Air bags: frontal9—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline8—
Engine and engine cooling7—
Seat belts7—
Tires: tread/belt7114,385 mi
Seat belts: front: anchorage5—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip5—
Vehicle speed control5—
Power train: automatic transmission4—
Electrical system: ignition: switch2—
Power train: clutch assembly2—
Tires2—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: windshield: electrical heating element2—
Air bags1—
Electrical system1—
Electrical system: ignition: module1—
Electrical system: wiring1—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system1—
Engine and engine cooling: engine1—
Exterior lighting: headlights1—
Exterior lighting: turn signal1—
Fuel system, gasoline: carburetor system1—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap1—
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch1—
Parking brake: conventional1—
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift1—
Power train: driveline: constant velocity joint1—
Power train: manual transmission1167,000 mi
Seat belts: front198,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components1—
Steering1—
Steering: rack and pinion1—
Structure: body: hood1—
Structure: frame and members1—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system1—
Visibility: glass, side/rear1—
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior1—
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly1—

The 1992 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. The 1994 model has about 1.5 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.