Model year record

1993 Subaru Legacy recalls & problems

The 1993 Subaru Legacy has 1 safety recall and 77 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (17 complaints).

Recalls1safety recalls

Complaints77filed by owners

Crashes · fires9 · 1reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths6 · 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.

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

1993 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 Wagon

23mpg combined

City / highway	20 / 28 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/year to fuel

Legacy

23mpg combined

City / highway	20 / 28 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/year to fuel

Legacy Wagon

22mpg combined

City / highway	19 / 26 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

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

Legacy

22mpg combined

City / highway	19 / 26 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

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

Legacy Wagon AWD

21mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 24 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

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

Legacy Wagon AWD

21mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 24 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel

Legacy AWD

21mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 24 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

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

Legacy AWD

21mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 24 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel

Legacy AWD 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 Wagon AWD Turbo

18mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 21 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

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

Legacy AWD Turbo

18mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 21 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	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Engine and engine coolingEngine › Gasoline; Cooling system	17	0	0	0	—
Seat beltsFront › Anchorage; Front	13	0	1	0	—
Air bagsFrontal	10	8	0	6	—
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Clutch assembly	9	0	0	0	—
TiresTread/belt	9	0	0	0	—
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components	6	1	0	0	—
VisibilityDefroster/defogger/hvac system › Windshield › Electrical heating element; Defroster/defogger/hvac system	6	0	0	0	—
Electrical systemIgnition › Switch; Ignition › Module	5	0	0	0	—
Vehicle speed control	5	0	0	1	—
SteeringRack and pinion	2	0	0	0	—
StructureBody › Hood; Frame and members	2	0	0	0	—
Fuel system, gasolineCarburetor system; Storage › Tank assembly › Filler pipe and cap	2	0	0	0	—

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

Recent owner complaints

Tires › Tread/belt
TWO YEAR OLD TIRES (ALL 4, PURCHASED AT SAME TIME) HAVE CIRCUMFERENTIAL CRACKS IN TREAD GROOVES - TIRE SELLER SAYS THESE ARE VERY ABNORMAL AND IS REPLACING ALL OF THEM. HAVE ONLY 20,000 MILES OF WEAR ON TIRES RATED FOR 80,000. NO CATASTROPHIC FAILURES. TIRES A GOODRICH TRACTION T/A 195/60R15 88H. DOT CODE ON ALL 4 TIRES: ANRBMC112705. *TR
Oct 9, 2007 · 114,385 miles
Power train › Manual transmission
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE, NHTSA #94V052000 CONCERNING THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION. THE RECALL WORK WAS PERFORMED PRIOR TO PURCHASE. THE TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, BUT HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED.
Feb 22, 2006 · 167,000 miles
Seat belts › Front
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE SHOULDER HARNESS ON BOTH FRONT SEAT BELTS DID NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE RESTRAINT WHEN IN USE. THE STRAPS GAVE WAY WHEN PROPERLY BUCKLED. THE SEAT BELTS WERE NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. HE PURCHASED REPLACEMENT STRAPS AND PLANNED TO REPLACE THE STRAPS HIMSELF. *AK
Jan 1, 2005 · 98,000 miles
Tires
THE CONSUMER PURCHASED FOUR NEW FIRESTONE TIRES. THE RIGHT REAR TIRE WENT FLAT. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. THE CORD THAT MEETS THE RIM OF THE WHEEL SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE. CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER WAS TOLD SHE COULD PURCHASE ANOTHER TIRE FOR HALF PRICE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *JB
Oct 7, 2004
Engine and engine cooling
DEAR SIR/MADAM: THANKS FOR HELP. IT IS THREATEN TO THOUSANDS SUBARU CAR DRIVERS, LIKE FIRESTONE TIRES THREATEN TO THOUSANDS CAR DRIVERS USING FIRESTONE TIRES. I HAVE A 93 4D LEGACY SEDAN, IT HAVE A PROBLEM SINCE 1994 AND BECOME VERY BAD SINCE 7/2000, SOME TIME CAR UNCONTROLLABLE TO SLOWDOWN TO 10 TO 20 MPH AND SOME TIME ENGINE STOPPED, PUT ME IN VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION: MY CAR UNCONTROLLABLE STOPPED WHEN OTHER CARS DRIVE 65+ MILES ON FREE WAY OR 45+ MILS ON LOCAL ROAD. I THINK THIS A CONTROLLER DESIGN PROBLEM, IT SHOULD NOT SLOW DOWN AND STOP ENGINE WITHOUT WARNING LIGHT FIRST AND SHOULD NEVER STOP ENGINE. IF YOU SEARCH INTERNET WITH KEY WORD "+SUBARU +LEGACY +HESITATION" YOU CAN SEE MANY…
Feb 13, 2001
Engine and engine cooling
DEAR SIR/MADAM: THANKS FOR HELP. IT IS THREATEN TO THOUSANDS SUBARU CAR DRIVERS, LIKE FIRESTONE TIRES THREATEN TO THOUSANDS CAR DRIVERS USING FIRESTONE TIRES. I HAVE A 93 4D LEGACY SEDAN, IT HAVE A PROBLEM SINCE 1994 AND BECOME VERY BAD SINCE 7/2000, SOME TIME CAR UNCONTROLLABLE TO SLOWDOWN TO 10 TO 20 MPH AND SOME TIME ENGINE STOPPED, PUT ME IN VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION: MY CAR UNCONTROLLABLE STOPPED WHEN OTHER CARS DRIVE 65+ MILES ON FREE WAY OR 45+ MILS ON LOCAL ROAD. I THINK THIS A CONTROLLER DESIGN PROBLEM, IT SHOULD NOT SLOW DOWN AND STOP ENGINE WITHOUT WARNING LIGHT FIRST AND SHOULD NEVER STOP ENGINE. IF YOU SEARCH INTERNET WITH KEY WORD "+SUBARU +LEGACY +HESITATION" YOU CAN SEE MANY…
Sep 30, 2001
Engine and engine cooling
DEAR SIR/MADAM: THANKS FOR HELP. IT IS THREATEN TO THOUSANDS SUBARU CAR DRIVERS, LIKE FIRESTONE TIRES THREATEN TO THOUSANDS CAR DRIVERS USING FIRESTONE TIRES. I HAVE A 93 4D LEGACY SEDAN, IT HAVE A PROBLEM SINCE 1994 AND BECOME VERY BAD SINCE 7/2000, SOME TIME CAR UNCONTROLLABLE TO SLOWDOWN TO 10 TO 20 MPH AND SOME TIME ENGINE STOPPED, PUT ME IN VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION: MY CAR UNCONTROLLABLE STOPPED WHEN OTHER CARS DRIVE 65+ MILES ON FREE WAY OR 45+ MILES ON LOCAL ROAD. I THINK THIS A CONTROLLER DESIGN PROBLEM, IT SHOULD NOT SLOW DOWN AND STOP ENGINE WITHOUT WARNING LIGHT FIRST AND SHOULD NEVER STOP ENGINE. IF YOU SEARCH INTERNET WITH KEY WORD "+SUBARU +LEGACY +HESITATION" YOU CAN SEE MANY…
Oct 13, 2001
Engine and engine cooling
DEAR SIR/MADAM: THANKS FOR HELP. IT IS THREATEN TO THOUSANDS SUBARU CAR DRIVERS, LIKE FIRESTONE TIRES THREATEN TO THOUSANDS CAR DRIVERS USING FIRESTONE TIRES. I HAVE A 93 4D LEGACY SEDAN, IT HAVE A PROBLEM SINCE 1994 AND BECOME VERY BAD SINCE 7/2000, SOME TIME CAR UNCONTROLLABLE TO SLOWDOWN TO 10 TO 20 MPH AND SOME TIME ENGINE STOPPED, PUT ME IN VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION: MY CAR UNCONTROLLABLE STOPPED WHEN OTHER CARS DRIVE 65+ MILES ON FREE WAY OR 45+ MILES ON LOCAL ROAD. I THINK THIS A CONTROLLER DESIGN PROBLEM, IT SHOULD NOT SLOW DOWN AND STOP ENGINE WITHOUT WARNING LIGHT FIRST AND SHOULD NEVER STOP ENGINE. IF YOU SEARCH INTERNET WITH KEY WORD "+SUBARU +LEGACY +HESITATION" YOU CAN SEE MANY…
Oct 27, 2001

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