Safety ratings
1991 Subaru Legacy 4-DR.
- Lane departure warningNo
- Forward collision warningNo
- Electronic stability controlNo
Crash test videos & photos
No public crash-test footage is available for this vehicle.
Recalls (3)
- POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONCampaign 91V082000 · 30/05/1991
UNDER CERTAIN LOAD CONDITIONS, THE PARK GEAR MAY NOT DISENGAGE IMMEDIATELY WHEN THE TRANSMISSION LEVER IS MOVED FROM PARK TO REVERSE.
Risk: DELAYED RELEASE OF TRANSMISSION FROM PARK CAUSES DELAYEDAND POSSIBLY ABRUPT VEHICLE MOVEMENT THAT COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLECONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.
Fix: INSTALL A MODIFIED PARKING BRAKE PAWL TO PREVENT DELAYED RELEASE INTO REVERSE GEAR.
- POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSIONCampaign 94V052000 · 23/03/1994
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.
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.
Fix: 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.
- LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCHCampaign 90V184000 · 16/10/1990
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.
Risk: THE AFFECTED DOOR MAY NOT BE OPENED FROM INSIDE,PREVENTING EXIT FROM THAT DOOR.
Fix: REPLACE FRONT DOOR LATCH SCREWS WITH "LOCK-TIGHT" SCREWS.
Owner complaints
Most-reported areas
- SEAT BELTS19
- POWER TRAIN13
- LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES13
- STRUCTURE12
- SERVICE BRAKES7
- HYDRAULIC7
- VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL4
- SUSPENSION4
Read individual complaints (50 most recent)
These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.
- 12/29/2000· STRUCTURE,EQUIPMENT
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
- 12/19/1995· STRUCTURE
PURCHASE USED THE REAR DOORS INSIDE PASSENGER AND DRIVER HANDLE WHEN TRYING TO OPEN THE DOOR LOCKS UP . TT
- 12/15/1997· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash
UPON PLACING THE VEHICLE FROM PARK TO DRIVE AND REVERSE BACK TO DRIVE WHEN COMING OUT A SMALL PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE WILL SURGE FORWARD, RESULTING IN THE CONSUMER HAVING AN ACCIDENT. CONSUMER ALSO STATES THE PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED ON TWO OCCASIONS. DEALER UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
- 12/13/1996· POWER TRAIN
RECALL RELATED , 94V052, TRANSMISSION FAILURE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STOP WITHOUT WARNING AND LOSS OF CONTROL, IMPACT 12:00, SPEED 60MPH. *AK
- 12/10/1997· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
SUDDEN ACCELERATION RESULTING IN A VEHICLE COLLISION.
- 12/09/1996· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
THE DOORS ON THE VEHICLE WILL NOT RELEASE, THEY WILL NOT UNLOCK AND CANNOT ENTER THE VEHICLE. *AK
- 12/07/2000· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
FRONT BRAKE PADS FAILED. NLM
- 12/07/1997· EQUIPMENT
AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR MALFUNCTIONED. *AK
- 12/04/2001· POWER TRAIN,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
LOCK ON VEHICLE DOESN'T WORK. CONSUMER STATED THAT WINDOW WILL BE LEFT DOWN IN ORDER TO GET INSIDE OF VEHICLE. ALSO, GEAR SHIFT GOES UP AND DOWN. *AK
- 11/28/1998· STRUCTURE
DRIVER'S SIDE SUNVISOR MALFUNCTIONED.
- 11/23/1998· SEAT BELTS
DRIVER'S SHOULDER BELT IS STUCK IN THE FORWARD POSITION. DEALER CONTACTED AND IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, BUT CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK
- 11/19/1996· SUSPENSION
WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THERE IS A NOISE, CONSUMER SAID IT FELT LIKE IT IS COMING FROM THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL, TOOK TO DEALER , CAN'T FIND PROBLEM . PLEASE DESCRIBE . *AK
- 11/17/1997· POWER TRAIN
TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS.
- 11/17/1995· SUSPENSION,SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE, EXCESSIVE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL, PARTIAL LOSS OF BRAKING. TT DEALER REPLACED HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT. SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, RIGHT AXLE SHAFT ASSEMBLY REPLACED. *SLC
- 11/08/1995· SUSPENSION
4 WHEEL DRIVE REAR SUSPENSION SWING ARMS ARE CUTTING IN HALF W/LOWER KNUCKLE BUSHING BOLT HEADS WEAR OFF. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT
- 11/03/1998· SEAT BELTS
FRONT SHOULDER PASSIVE RESTRAINT SEAT BELT WILL NOT AUTOMATICALLY COME BACK, IS INOPERABLE. DEALER CONTACTED, AND CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, CONSUMER'S COSTS TO REPAIR FRONT SHOULDER BELT WOULD BE $900. *AK
- 11/02/1998· SEAT BELTS
AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT FAILED.
- 10/31/2000· EQUIPMENT
AIR CONDITIONER FAN WAS DRIED AND CRACKED. *SLC
- 10/30/1999· SEAT BELTS
AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT HAS FAILED - COST TO REPAIR: $500-700, I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS HAPPENING IN MOST SUBARUS. IS THERE SOMETHING BEING DONE? I AM AFRAID THAT I WILL BE SERIOUSLY INJURED IF I WERE TO GET INTO AN ACCIDENT. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF THERE IS ANYTHING YOU ARE DOING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. THANKS.
- 10/30/1997· POWER TRAIN
REAR DIFFERENTIAL FAILED.
- 10/29/1996· VISIBILITY
DASHBOARD REFLECTS INTO WINDSHIELD, CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY.
- 10/28/2010· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN DRIVING 50 MPH AND FASTER, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD BRIEFLY ILLUMINATE AFTER THE VEHICLE HAD STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC THAT THE FAILURE COULD POTENTIALLY BE CAUSED BY A DEFECTIVE THROTTLE SENSOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 193,100 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 193,250.
- 10/21/1999· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
LOCKSMITH SAYS HE REPLACES AT LEAST 10 OF THESE LOCKS PER YEAR IN OUR SMALL TOWN.
- 10/16/2003· EXTERIOR LIGHTINGCrash
THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH THAT CONTROLS HEADLIGHTS AND TURN SIGNAL MALFUNCTIONED. DRIVER TRIED TO USE THE TURN SIGNAL AND HEADLIGHTS TURNED OFF WITHOUT ANY WARNING. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION DUE TO ANOTHER VEHICLE NOT SEEING THE HEADLIGHTS. DRIVER SUSTAINED CHEST AND STERNUM INJURIES. *AK
- 10/15/1997· VISIBILITY
DRIVER AND PASSANGER SIDE VISORS OBSTRUCTED DOOR CLOSING. YH
- 10/15/1997· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
DOOR HANDLE LOCK FAILED.
- 10/11/2017· STRUCTURE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 SUBARU LEGACY. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT'S ELBOW WAS CUT SEVERAL TIMES ON THE DOOR JAM WHILE ATTEMPTING TO EXIT. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000.
- 10/10/2000· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
CONSUMER DETECTED THAT EXHAUST FUMES WERE SEEPING INTO THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER FELT IT'WAS A DESIGN FLAW.*AK
- 10/09/1997· STRUCTURE
WHEN CLOSING THE DRIVER'S SIDE OR PASSENGER'S SIDE DOOR THE POWER LOCKS WILL LOCK ALL DOORS WITHOUT ENGAGING THE LOCK SWITCH. THIS PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. *AK
- 10/03/1995· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
BRAKE PADS GLAZED, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES. *DSH
- 10/01/2001· POWER TRAIN
VEHICLE WOULD ONLY MOVE FOR SHORT DISTANCES, THEN WILL STOP. CONSUMER FEELS THERE'S A PROBLEM WITH TRANSMISION. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
- 09/25/2002· SEAT BELTS
WITHIN ONE WEEK BOTH SEAT BELTS CAME APART. DEALER SAID IT WOULD COST $975.00 TO REPLACE THEM. DO I HAVE ANY OTHER RECOURSE? THANK YOU.
- 09/23/1997· STRUCTURE
OWNER STATES DOOR HANDLES ON VEHICLE MALFUNCTIONED, AND THAT REAR HANDLE ALSO FAILED. DEALER REPLACED ELECTRONIC LOCK LEVER SEVERAL TIMES BUT PROBLEM REMAINS.OWNER VERY CONCERNED FOR SAFETY. *AK
- 09/17/1997· STRUCTURE
THE PASSENGER SIDE DOORS ARE DESIGNED TO LOCK SPONTANEOUSLY MAKING IT DIFFICLUT TO EXIT AND SOMETIMES ENTER THE CAR.
- 09/10/1997· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
THE OWNER STATES THAT ONCE LOCKING THE DOORS IN THE VEHICLE CANNOT GET OUT UNLESS USES BOTH HANDS. THE DOOR LOCK STICKS AND WILL NOT UNLOCK FROM THE INSIDE. *AK
- 09/04/2002· AIR BAGSCrash
WHILE DRIVING AT 35MPH AND WITH NO WARNING CONSUMER WAS HIT IN FRONT CENTER OF VEHICLE, AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK
- 09/04/1996· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
REAR DOORS CAN NOT BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE.
- 08/26/1998· WHEELS
WHEEL ATTACHMENT BROKE, LOSS CONTROL, AND HIT A CURB.
- 08/25/1997· VISIBILITY
SUNVISOR BROKE OFF WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, FAULTY SUNVISOR COULD CONTRIBUTE TO VEHICLE CRASH, CAUSING INJURY OR DEATH. *AK
- 08/23/2001· SEAT BELTS
FABRIC JOINT ON LAP BELT WAS PRINTED WITH A WARNING THAT THE BELT MUST BE REPLACED IF THE FABRIC IS BROKEN, PRESUMABLY IN A COLLISION. IT HAS WORN OUT THROUGH ABRASION FROM NORMAL USE, NO COLLISION IS INVOLVED. HOWEVER, IT NEEDS TO BE FIXED OTHERWISE A BASIC SAFETY COMPONENT REQUIRED BY LAW IS SIMPLY NOT THERE. WE FEEL STRONGLY THAT SUCH A PART SHOULD NOT BE DESIGNED TO FAIL. HOWEVER, WE HAVE BEEN TOLD BY ONE LOCAL DEALER THAT EVEN IF WE WANTED TO PAY TO HAVE IT FIXED, THAT THE PART FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE. THIS DOES NOT SEEM TO BE A REASONABLE SITUATION.*AK
- 08/19/2003· POWER TRAIN,AIR BAGSCrash
AFTER STARTING VEHICLE DRIVER PUT SHIFTER IN DRIVE AND VEHICLE TOOK OFF, DRIVER HAD NO CONTROL. AS A RESULT, VEHICLE HIT A BRICK WALL BEFORE COMING TO A STOP. UPON IMPACT, NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. *AK
- 08/12/1999· STRUCTURE,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
DRIVER'S AND PASSENGERS' REAR DOOR HANDLES MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING DOORS TO LOCK WHEN THEY SHOULD NOT LOCK. AS A RESULT, A CHILD COULD BE TRAPPED IN THE VEHICLE. ALSO, PASSENGER'S DOOR IS VERY DIFFCULT TO OPEN FROM THE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
- 08/01/2012· POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT WAS SITTING AT A TRAFFIC STOP WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT INTO DRIVE AND THE GEAR SHIFTER DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 123,259.
- 07/07/1999· STRUCTURE
PASSENGER DOOR SWUNG LOOSE AND OPENED WHILE TRAVELING AT 60MPH. FORTUNATELY THERE WERE NO PASSENGER IN THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF THIS INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE AS SINCE BEEN UNDRIVABLE DUE TO REASONS THAT PASSENGER OR OTHER DRIVER SAFETY ISSUES, WHICH LEAVES ME WITHOUT A CAR FOR COMMUTING TO SCHOOL EVERYDAY.
- 06/30/1997· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
INTERIOR CAR LOCKS FRONT PASSENGER AND BACK DRIVER'S SIDE DOESN'T UNLOCK PROPERLY. *AK
- 06/28/1995· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
THE BRAKE NEEDS A CONTROL VALVE, ITS LEAKING .
- 05/31/2007· SEAT BELTS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRIC SEAT BELT JAMS IN THE MIDDLE AND RENDERS THE SEAT BELT INOPERABLE. THE DEALER WILL NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE FREE OF CHARGE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 176,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE SEAT BELT WAS REPLACED AND ON AUGUST 10, 2007 IT FAILED AGAIN. THE SEAT BELT WAS REPLACED AGAIN ON SEPTEMBER 9, 2007. UPDATED 09/27/07. *JB
- 05/21/1999· POWER TRAIN
ENGINE IS TOO HEAVY FOR THE TRANSMISSION, RESULTING IN TRANSMISSION FAILURE. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS. DEALER REPLACED TRANSMISSION. MANUFACTURER AWARE OF PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
- 05/20/1997· SEAT BELTS
UNABLE TO HOOK THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT WITHOUT THE USE OF A SEATBELT EXTENDER.
- 05/17/1999· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
RECALL 90V184000. DOOR CLOSES/ LOCKS AUTOMATICALLY. INSIDE REQUIRES TWO HANDS, PUSHING AND PULLING LOCK UP AT SAME TIME. DOOR SHUT, AND OUTSIDE REQUIRES KEY TO UNLOCK FROM FRONT DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S DOORS. REAR DOORS REQUIRE OPENING FRONT DOOR ACCESS TO GET TO REAR. DEALER CONTACTED, AND CANNOT REMEDY PROBLEM. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK