Known Recalls

Model year record

1996 Subaru Legacy

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 161 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 01V216000

Suspension: front: springs: coil springs

Component
Suspension: front: springs: coil springs
Manufacturer
SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected
180,000
Reported to NHTSA
2001-06-25
Owners notified
2001-09-18

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FRONT COIL SPRINGS ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW YORK, NEW JERSEY, NEW HAMPSHIRE, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA, AND WISCONSIN, AND IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS WERE PRODUCED WITH POOR PAINT QUALITY WHICH, AFTER CONTINUED EXPOSURE TO CORROSIVE SALT, CAN RESULT IN BREAKAGE OF THE SPRING.

Safety risk

DEPENDING ON THE LOCATION OF THE FRACTURE, A BROKEN SPRING COULD MOVE PAST THE SPRING SEAT AND CONTACT A FRONT TIRE. SOME TIRES HAVE DEFLATED DUE TO CONTACT WITH A BROKEN SPRING.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL NOTIFIY CUSTOMERS TO BRING THEIR VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE A SPRING GUARD INSTALLED ON BOTH FRONT STRUTS TO PREVENT TIRE PUNCTURE AND REPLACE ANY BROKEN SPRINGS FREE OF CHARGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 18, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783.

Recall campaignNHTSA 98V315000

Air bags

Component
Air bags
Manufacturer
SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected
95,673
Reported to NHTSA
1998-12-11
Owners notified
1999-06-01

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT CAN OCCUR AFTER UNDERCARRIAGE CONTACT OF THE TOW HOOKS WITH CURBS, DIPS, SPEEDBUMPS, POTHOLES, ETC.

Safety risk

UNEXPECTED AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT COULD RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE FRONT TOW HOOKS.

Recall campaignNHTSA 98V091000

Suspension: front: springs: leaf spring assembly: hanger,bracket

Component
Suspension: front: springs: leaf spring assembly: hanger,bracket
Manufacturer
SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected
29,442
Reported to NHTSA
1998-05-04
Owners notified
1998-06-29

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER STATION WAGON, SEDAN AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. DUE TO IMPROPER WELDING, FRACTURES CAN OCCUR ON THE SUPPORT BRACKET OF THE FRONT TRANSVERSE LINK.

Safety risk

SUCH FRACTURES CAN RESULT IN PARTIAL OR COMPLETE SEPARATION OF THE BRACKET CAUSING A FAILURE OF THE LOWER SUSPENSION MOUNTING, LEADING TO A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE IF NECESSARY THE FRONT SUSPENSION SUPPORT BRACKETS.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Air bags: frontal20—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip14—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline1153,869 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator753,869 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine783 mi
Unknown or other7—
Vehicle speed control675,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition5—
Suspension: front: springs: coil springs5144,000 mi
Air bags498,966 mi
Electrical system475,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery453,869 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap498,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner3—
Seats3—
Suspension3—
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers2—
Engine and engine cooling275,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system2—
Exterior lighting: headlights2—
Fuel system, other284,600 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch270,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission244,000 mi
Seats: front assembly: recliner260,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor2—
Tires2—
Air bags: side/window1—
Electrical system: wiring1—
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: crankcase (PCV)175,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1144,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system175,000 mi
Fuel system, other: storage: fuel gauge system179,000 mi
Interior lighting1—
Parking brake1158,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift1—
Power train: axle assembly1—
Power train: driveline1130,000 mi
Power train: driveline: differential unit1255,000 mi
Power train: manual transmission1—
Power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive)175,000 mi
Seat belts: front: anchorage1—
Seats: front assembly: head restraint1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: brake fluid low warning: lamp1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder185,123 mi
Steering1—
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar1—
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)1—
Structure: body: door1—
Suspension: front1—
Suspension: rear1—
Tires: tread/belt1—
Vehicle speed control: cruise control1—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: windshield: electrical heating element1—
Visibility: glass, side/rear1—
Visibility: power window devices and controls1—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer1—

The 1995 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 1997 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.