Known Recalls

Model year record

1997 Subaru Legacy

5 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 179 owner complaints on file.

Subaru Legacy, 1995–1999 generation
Pictured: the 1995–1999 generation. IFCAR, Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

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 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 98V035000

Vehicle speed control

Component
Vehicle speed control
Manufacturer
SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected
61,115
Reported to NHTSA
1998-02-20
Owners notified
1998-04-27

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE THROTTLE SHAFT BALL BEARING ON THE SENSOR SIDE OF THE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY WAS NOT INSTALLED IN CERTAIN THROTTLE BODIES.

Safety risk

OPERATION OF A VEHICLE WITH A MISSING THROTTLE SHAFT BEARING CAN EVENTUALLLY LEAD TO AN INCOMPLETE RETURN OF THE THROTTLE VALVE RESULTING IN A HIGH IDLING CONDITION.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE THROTTLE BODY AND REPLACE THE THROTTLE ASSEMBLY IF THE BEARING IS MISSING.

Recall campaignNHTSA 98V042000

Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)

Component
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)
Manufacturer
SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected
19,386
Reported to NHTSA
1998-02-20
Owners notified
1998-06-15

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. DUE TO POOR WELDS, IGNITION KEYS CAN STICK, SHIFT LEVERS/LINKAGES CAN BREAK AND SHIFT LEVERS CAN MOVE.

Safety risk

THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE UNEXPECTED MOVEMENT OF THE VEHICLE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH OR PROPERTY DAMAGE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER ASSEMBLIES (EXCEPT THE HANDLE GRIP).

Recall campaignNHTSA 97V210000

Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights: switch

Component
Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights: switch
Manufacturer
SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected
19,730
Reported to NHTSA
1997-11-13
Owners notified
1998-01-05

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. INSUFFICIENT CLEARANCE WITHIN THE HAZARD WARNING LIGHT SWITCH HOUSING CAN CAUSE A BINDING BETWEEN THE ACTUATING BUTTON AND THE HOUSING.

Safety risk

THE SWITCH COULD STICK IN AN INTERMEDIATE POSITION WHEN DEACTIVATING, RESULTING IN THE TURN SIGNALS BECOMING INOPERABLE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A MODIFIED HAZARD WARNING SWITCH.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip14—
Engine and engine cooling: engine1070,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline10—
Vehicle speed control8—
Suspension7225,812 mi
Engine and engine cooling6116,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission6113,000 mi
Air bags549,882 mi
Air bags: frontal5—
Fuel system, gasoline5136,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch5105,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc5—
Unknown or other5—
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator4—
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly4—
Steering4225,812 mi
Electrical system375,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery375,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition3—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system3195,748 mi
Power train375,000 mi
Power train: manual transmission3—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor344,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: module2—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys2—
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner2—
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.2—
Fuel/propulsion system292,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic270,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads244,000 mi
Steering: linkages: arm: idler and attachment2—
Structure: body: tailgate: hinge and attachments2—
Electrical system: wiring1—
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood1—
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash1—
Engine192,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe163,000 mi
Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights: switch1—
Exterior lighting: headlights1—
Exterior lighting: headlights: concealment devices1—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly1—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap1—
Interior lighting1—
Latches/locks/linkages: tailgate: latch1—
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)1—
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift1—
Power train: automatic transmission: torque converter1—
Power train: axle assembly1—
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft1—
Seat belts: rear/other1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: brake fluid low warning: lamp1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder1—
Steering: rack and pinion1—
Structure1—
Structure: body1—
Suspension: front: control arm1—
Suspension: front: springs: coil springs1—
Tires: tread/belt1—
Vehicle speed control: linkages1—
Visibility: glass, side/rear1—
Visibility: power window devices and controls1—
Visibility: windshield1—
Wheels1225,812 mi
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs1—
Wheels: rim1—

The 1996 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 1998 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.

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.