Model year record

1996 Subaru Legacy recalls & problems

The 1996 Subaru Legacy has 3 safety recalls and 123 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is air bags (25 complaints).

Recalls3safety recalls

Complaints123filed by owners

Crashes · fires26 · 4reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths17 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

SuspensionJun 25, 2001

Front › Springs › Coil springs

Recall 01V216000180,000 vehicles

Problem: 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.
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.
Fix: 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.

Air bagsDec 11, 1998

Air bags

Recall 98V31500095,673 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT CAN OCCUR AFTER UNDERCARRIAGE CONTACT OF THE TOW HOOKS WITH CURBS, DIPS, SPEEDBUMPS, POTHOLES, ETC.
Risk: UNEXPECTED AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT COULD RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE FRONT TOW HOOKS.

SuspensionMay 4, 1998

Front › Springs › Leaf spring assembly › Hanger,bracket

Recall 98V09100029,442 vehicles

Problem: 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.
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.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE IF NECESSARY THE FRONT SUSPENSION SUPPORT BRACKETS.

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

1996 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

25mpg combined

City / highway	21 / 30 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,700/year to fuel

Legacy

24mpg combined

City / highway	21 / 29 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,800/year to fuel

Legacy Wagon

24mpg combined

City / highway	21 / 29 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,800/year to fuel

Legacy AWD

22mpg combined

City / highway	19 / 26 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

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

Legacy AWD

22mpg combined

City / highway	19 / 26 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

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

Legacy Wagon AWD

22mpg combined

City / highway	19 / 26 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

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

Legacy Wagon AWD

22mpg combined

City / highway	19 / 26 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

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

Legacy AWD

20mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 24 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

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

Legacy Wagon AWD

20mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 24 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.5 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/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*
Air bagsFrontal; Side/window	25	18	0	9	—
Electrical systemAlternator/generator/regulator; Ignition	24	0	2	0	53,869 mi
Engine and engine coolingEngine › Gasoline; Engine	24	0	0	1	75,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components › Disc › Rotor	20	5	0	0	—
SuspensionFront › Springs › Coil springs; Front	10	0	0	0	—
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Column shift	8	0	2	0	102,500 mi
Vehicle speed controlCruise control	7	3	0	1	—
Unknown or other	7	0	0	0	—
SeatsFront assembly › Recliner; Front assembly › Head restraint	6	3	0	4	—
Fuel system, gasolineStorage › Tank assembly › Filler pipe and cap; Fuel injection system	6	0	0	0	98,000 mi
VisibilityWindshield wiper/washer; Defroster/defogger/hvac system › Windshield › Electrical heating element	4	0	0	0	—
SteeringGear box (other than rack and pinion); Steering wheel/handle bar	3	2	0	3	—

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

Recent owner complaints

Power train › Driveline › Differential unitFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT THEN NOTICED THAT THERE WAS SMOKE AND FLAMES COMING FROM THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED AND A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY INSPECTED AND ADVISED THAT THE DIFFERENTIAL FAILED DUE TO THE VEHICLE BECOMING OVERHEATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 255,000.
Mar 2, 2012 · 255,000 miles
Air bagsCrash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 5 MPH WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO HIS BUMPER AND THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THERE WERE NO PHYSICAL DAMAGES TO THE VEHICLE AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL AUTO MECHANIC TO HAVE THE AIR BAGS AND THE WINDSHIELD REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE INCIDENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000.
Oct 15, 2011 · 108,000 miles
Power train › DrivelineFire
MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING HER 96 SUBARU LEGACY THE OTHER DAY TO THE STORE WHEN SHE WAS ALERTED BY ANOTHER DRIVER THAT HER CAR WAS ON FIRE. LUCKILY THEY HAD A FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND WAS ABLE TO PUT IT OUT. BEECHMONT SUBARU SAID THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME THEY EVER SAW A REAR DIFFERENTIAL CATCH ON FIRE. I WANTED TO MAKE SUBARU AWARE AND MAYBE GET SOME HELP ON THIS REPAIR. MAKING SURE IT DONE CORRECTLY. IT WAS A VERY FRIGHTENING PHONE CALL FROM MY DAUGHTER. THIS WEB SITE WILL NOT ALLOW ME TO ENTER THE VIN. [XXX]. I WILL EDIT THE VIN TILL THE SITE ACCEPTS MY COMPLAINT. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Sep 16, 2010 · 130,000 miles
Electrical system
1996 SUBURU LEGACY SHUTS DOWN ALL ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. PURCHASED IN UTAH DROVE TO DENVER AREA. WENT TO DMV TO REGISTER THEN CAR QUIT. RESTS A WHILE THEN STARTS. *TR
Aug 5, 2010
Fuel system, other
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 SUBARU LEGACY. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER ATTRIBUTED THE CAUSE OF FAILURE TO THE WIRES INSIDE THE FUEL TANK BEING BURNT BECAUSE THE INTERNAL CONNECTOR HAD LOOSE TERMINALS. THE FUEL PUMP MODULE WAS REPLACED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 85,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,600.
Jun 24, 2007 · 84,600 miles
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly › Filler pipe and cap
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 SUBARU LEGACY. WHILE FILLING THE GAS TANK THE CONTACT NOTICED A PUDDLE OF GAS FORMING UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE FILLER PIPE RUSTED THROUGH AND CAUSED THIN HOLES. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 110,000.*AK
May 2, 2007 · 110,000 miles
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly › Filler pipe and cap
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED AN ODOR OF FUEL WAS DETECTED AND A PUDDLE BEGAN TO FORM ON THE GROUND WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE FUEL FILLER TUBE WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 9/5/2006 - *NM
Aug 9, 2006 · 98,000 miles
Air bags
MY 1996 SUBARU OUTBACK EXPERIENCED AN AIR BAG MALFUNCTION ON 6/14/2005. WHILE DRIVING DOWN OUR LOCAL HIGHWAY AT 55 MPH THE VEHICLE'S AIR BAG SUDDENLY DEPLOYED. THE SUDDEN DEPLOYMENT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT DUE TO THE MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE THEY REFUSED TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER ABOUT REPAIRS. THE INSURANCE INSPECTOR BELIEVES THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A MALFUNCTION IN THE SYSTEM BECAUSE THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE TO INDICATE A 55 MPH CRASH. *NM *NM
Jun 14, 2005 · 98,966 miles

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

ELECTRICAL SYSTEMClosedLed to recall 00I002000
ODI HAS RECEIVED 5,820 COMPLAINTS CONCERNING A VARIETY OF ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURES THAT RESULT IN THE VEHICLE STALLING.OUR COMPLAINT ANALYSIS INDICATES THAT THE MAJORITY OF THESE COMPAINTS ARE CAUSED BY ALTERNATOR FAILURE.IN SOME INSTANCES, THE VEHICLE IS COMPLETELY DEAD AND WILL NOT RESTART.BASED ON OUR INVESTIGATION AND THE MANUFACTURER'S RESPOMSE, ODI IS CLOSING THIS INVESTIGATION BECAUSE THE MANUFACTURER HAS AGREED TO PERFORM THE OWNER NORTIFICATION PROGRAM CITED ABOVE, INCLUDING QUARTERLY NOTIFICATIONS TO ODI.THIS PROGRAM ALLOWS OWNERS TO GET THEIR ALTERNATOR REPLACED FOR FREE.FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THIS MATTER CLOSELY, AND THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION ON THESE MODELS IF…
PE99067 · opened Nov 1, 1999 · closed May 31, 2000
OVERSENSITIVE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTClosedLed to recall 98V315000
IN ITS LETTER DATED DECEMBER 21, 1998, SUBARU STATED THAT THE VEHICLES IDENTIFIED ABOVE WILL BE RECALLED.SUBARU DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE FRONT TOWING/TIE-DOWN HOOKS.REFER TO NHTSA RECALL NO. 98V-315 FOR DETAILS.
EA97010 · opened Apr 30, 1997 · closed Dec 23, 1998
OVERSENSITIVE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTClosed
ODI HAS REVIEWED 33 COMPLAINTS OF OVERSENSITIVE' AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT (I.E., ANY NON-CRASH DEPLOYMENT) RECEIVED BY ODI AND SUBARU INVOLVING MODEL YEAR 1995 SUBARU IMPREZA & LEGACY VEHICLES AND ALL OTHER IMPREZA & LEGACY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIR BAG SYSTEMS IDENTICAL OR SIMILAR TO THOSE IN THE 1995 IMPREZA & LEGACY; THEY ARE LATE 1994-1996 IMPREZA AND ALL1995 & 1996 LEGACY (33 COMPLAINTS OUT OF 165,385 VEHICLES).ODI'S ANALYSIS INDICATES THAT CERTAIN IMPREZA & LEGACY VEHICLES - - LATE 1994 & EARLY 1995 IMPREZA AND ALL 1995 & EARLY 1996 LEGACY (29 COMPLAINTS OUT OF 95,678 VEHICLES) -- HAVE MUCH HIGHER COMPLAINT RATE THAN THE REMAINING VEHICLES WHICH ARE DIFFERENT IN VEHICLE STRUCTURE OR EQUIPPED WITH DIFFERENT AIR BAG SENSING SYSTEM.MOST OF THE COMPLAINTS (26 OF THE 29) INDICATE THAT THE VEHICLE'S DUAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED FROM AN UNDERCARRIAGE IMPACT WITH A CURB, BUMP, DIP, POTHOLE, ETC.IN…
PE96075 · opened Dec 18, 1996 · closed Apr 30, 1997