Known Recalls

Model year record

1998 Subaru Legacy

4 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 155 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 99V040000

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder

Component
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder
Manufacturer
SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected
221,987
Reported to NHTSA
1999-03-03
Owners notified
1999-06-07

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS). (THE 1999 2.2 LITER LEGACY VEHICLES ARE EXCLUDED). IN EXTREMELY COLD WEATHER, THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR AND THE VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE IS INCREASED.

Safety risk

THIS CONDITION CAUSES THE VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE TO BE INCREASED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER.

Recall campaignNHTSA 98V127000

Engine and engine cooling: engine

Component
Engine and engine cooling: engine
Manufacturer
SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected
20,306
Reported to NHTSA
1998-06-08
Owners notified
1998-09-15

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES, ALSO SERVICE PARTS SUPPLIED TO SUBARU DEALERS ARE INVOLVED (LOT NUMBERS F01 J21D2, F01 J30D2, F02 J09D1, F02 J09D2, AND F02 J20D1). THE PUROLATOR OIL FILTER CANS USED ON THESE VEHICLES CAN FRACTURE CAUSING A VAPORIZED OIL SPRAY AND SUBSEQUENT OIL LEAK.

Safety risk

THIS VAPORIZED OIL SPRAY CAN RESULT IN OIL VAPOR IGNITION BY THE HOT EXHAUST SYSTEM RESULTING IN A POSSIBLE UNDERHOOD FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THESE ENGINE OIL FILTERS.

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).

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Engine and engine cooling: engine1578,000 mi
Air bags: frontal8123,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline8—
Vehicle speed control7—
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator678,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip5—
Engine and engine cooling4105,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline489,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission489,000 mi
Power train: manual transmission425,000 mi
Suspension4130,000 mi
Unknown or other4—
Service brakes3120,000 mi
Steering337,546 mi
Structure: frame and members3254,000 mi
Suspension: front3—
Tires3—
Air bags239,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery2—
Electrical system: ignition237,546 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system2150,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner2—
Equipment: other: labels2—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap2126,494 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch2—
Seats: front assembly: head restraint2—
Service brakes, hydraulic2307,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components2—
Structure: body2—
Structure: body: door2—
Tires: sidewall2—
Vehicle speed control: linkages2—
Air bags: on-off switch assembly1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system1—
Equipment1—
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.1—
Equipment: mechanical: carrier/rack1—
Exterior lighting: turn signal1—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings180,580 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: auxillary tank: selector devices1—
Latches/locks/linkages189,000 mi
Power train1155,025 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch1—
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft: seal1110,500 mi
Power train: clutch assembly125,000 mi
Power train: driveline: constant velocity joint1—
Power train: driveline: differential unit1—
Power train: driveline: driveshaft1—
Power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive)1—
Seat belts1—
Seat belts: rear/other1—
Seats1—
Seats: front assembly: recliner1—
Seats: front assembly: seat heater/cooler1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder1—
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)1—
Steering: hydraulic power assist: power steering fluid1—
Steering: linkages1—
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly1—
Steering: rack and pinion1—
Tires: tread/belt1—
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal1—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system1—
Visibility: glass, side/rear1—
Visibility: power window devices and controls1—
Visibility: windshield1—
Wheels1150,000 mi
Wheels: rim1—

The 1997 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 1999 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

202520242023202220212020201920182017201620152014201320122011201020092008200720062005200420032002200120001999199819971996199519941993199219911990198919881987

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.