Model year record

1991 Subaru Legacy recalls & problems

The 1991 Subaru Legacy has 3 safety recalls and 78 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is seat belts (19 complaints).

Recalls3safety recalls

Complaints78filed by owners

Crashes · fires3 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths3 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Power trainMar 23, 1994

Manual transmission

Recall 94V05200031,295 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Power trainMay 30, 1991

Automatic transmission

Recall 91V08200076,000 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: 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.

Latches/locks/linkagesOct 16, 1990

Doors › Latch

Recall 90V184000103,744 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

1991 Subaru Legacy 4-DR.

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Legacy

22mpg combined

City / highway	19 / 27 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,050/year to fuel

Legacy Wagon

22mpg combined

City / highway	19 / 27 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,050/year to fuel

Legacy

21mpg combined

City / highway	19 / 26 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel

Legacy Wagon

21mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 25 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel

Legacy 4WD

20mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 24 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel

Legacy 4WD

20mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 24 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel

Legacy Wagon 4WD

20mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 24 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel

Legacy Wagon 4WD

20mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 24 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel

Legacy Turbo

19mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 23 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

2.2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $4,350/year to fuel

Legacy 4WD Turbo

19mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 23 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

2.2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,350/year to fuel

Legacy 4WD Turbo

18mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 22 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

2.2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,550/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Seat beltsFront › Webbing; Front › Anchorage	19	0	0	—
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Driveline › Constant velocity joint	18	1	2	—
Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components › Disc › Rotor; Foundation components › Disc › Pads	15	0	0	—
StructureBody › Door; Body	15	0	0	—
Latches/locks/linkagesDoors › Latch	14	0	0	—
SuspensionFront › Control arm; Multiple axle	6	0	0	—
Engine and engine coolingEngine › Gasoline; Exhaust system	6	0	0	—
VisibilityWindshield; Rearview mirrors/devices	6	0	0	—
Vehicle speed control	5	1	0	—
Electrical systemIgnition › Module; Alternator/generator/regulator	4	0	0	—
EquipmentAppliance › Air conditioner; Electrical	4	0	0	—
Exterior lightingHeadlights; Headlights › Switch	4	3	3	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Structure › Body
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.
Jul 1, 2017 · 56,000 miles
Seat belts
DRIVERS SIDE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT DRIVE CABLE SLIPS OUT OF TRACK MAKING SEAT BELT USELESS AND DANGEROUS.
Oct 1, 2015
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.
Jul 30, 2012 · 123,259 miles
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.
Oct 1, 2010 · 193,100 miles
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
May 26, 2007 · 176,000 miles
Seat belts › Front › Webbing
CONSUMER NOTICED THAT DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT WEBBING WAS SEPARATING. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, AND DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY, AND THAT CONSUMER HAD TO PAY FOR REPAIRS. *AK
Mar 18, 2004
Exterior lightingCrash1 injury
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
Oct 9, 2003
Power train › Automatic transmissionCrash
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
Aug 19, 2003

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

HOOD LATCH FAILUREClosed
There is no summary currently available
PE94051 · opened Jun 29, 1994 · closed Oct 31, 1994