FaultScore report
Owners have filed 103 complaints about the 1990 Subaru Legacy with NHTSA between 1995 and 2004. The largest single group is the body & structure.
103
Complaints
4
Crashes reported
2
Fires reported
4
Injuries reported
Click any bar to open that year's report.
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
1 crashes, 0 fires
0 crashes, 1 fires
1 crashes, 0 fires
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
HOOD LATCH FAILURE
REVERSE DELAYED ENGAGEMENT
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
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.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
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.
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
THE DEFROSTER LEVER PIN OF THE DEFROSTER SHUTTER DOOR MAY BECOME DISLOCATED AND ALLOW THE SHUTTER TO CLOSE, PREVENTING DEFROSTER FROM FUNCTIONING.
Risk: NON-FUNCTIONING DEFROSTER WOULD ADVERSELY AFFECT DRIVERVISIBILITY.
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.
Powertrain
NOTE: VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ALL-WHEEL DRIVE MANUAL TRANSMISSION. UNDER COLD AND HUMID CONDITIONS, FROST MAY FORM AT THE TRANSMISSION OIL LEVEL GAUGE (DIPSTICK) WHERE THE BREATHING MECHANISM IS INCORPORATED. THIS COULD CAUSE PRESSURE TO BUILD INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION CASE WHICH IN TURN COULD PUSH OUT THE OIL SEAL. SUBSEQUENT OIL LEAKAGE COULD RESULT IN BURNING OF TRANSMISSION COMPONENTS AND POSSIBLE LOSS OF CONTROL DUE TO WHEEL LOCK-UP. CORRECTION: ON VEHICLES WITH AN ALL METAL TYPE DIPSTICK, THE OIL LEVEL GAUGE TUBE WILL BE MODIFIED AND THE DIPSTICK WILL HAVE A SPACER ADDED. VEHICLES WITH A PLASTIC DIPSTICK WILL HAVE A MODIFIED TYPE DIPSTICK INSTALLED.
Powertrain
ON ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, THE PARK GEAR DISENGAGEMENT MECHANISM, WHEN SUBJECT TO LOADS RESULTING FROM CERTAIN PARKING SITUATIONS, MAY NOT RELEASE IMMEDIATELY INTO REVERSE GEAR RESULTING IN DELAYED AND POSSIBLY ABRUPT VEHICLE MOVEMENT. THIS COULD RESULT IN POSSIBLE LOSS OF CONTROL AND THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH. CORRECTION: TRANSMISSION WILL BE REPAIRED WITH A MODIFIED PARKING PAWL.
Structure
NOTE: SEDANS AND STATION WAGONS THE FRONT DOOR LATCH SCREWS COULD LOOSEN OR FALL OUT RESULTING IN THE OCCUPANTS BEING UNABLE TO OPEN THE AFFECTED DOOR FROM THE INSIDE. CORRECTION: THE FRONT DOOR LATCH SCREWS WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW TYPE "LOCK-TIGHT" SCREW.
Heater And Defroster
NOTE: 4-DOOR SEDANS AND STATION WAGONS. THE DEFROSTER LEVER PIN OF THE DEFROSTER SHUTTER DOOR MAY BECOME DISLOCATED, ALLOWING THE SHUTTER DOOR TO CLOSE AND PREVENTING THE DEFROSTER FROM FUNCTIONING. CORRECTION: A POSITIONING STOPPER DEVICE WILL BE INSTALLED WHICH WILL PREVENT DISLOCATION OF THE DEFROSTER LEVER PIN AND ENSURE DEFROSTER OPERATION.
Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE DRIVER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM BACK OF VEHICLE. WHEN PULLING OVER THERE WAS A FIRE, WHICH LOOKED TO HAVE STARTED BETWEEN THE REAR WHEELS. THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT BY OWNER. NOT SURE WHAT CAUSED FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #818024 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE AT THE REAR AXLE, OVERHEAT FAILURE PART VISCOUS COUPLER IN THE TRANSMISSION.
NHTSA complaint #984472 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
CONSUMER INVOLVED IN A REAR-END COLLISION AND THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT RECLINED TO THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #984002 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION FAILED TO GO INTO REVERSE FROM PARK, CAUSING ACCIDENT. *DSH
NHTSA complaint #503234 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
ACCELERATOR STUCK, CAUSING ACCIDENT/INJURY.
NHTSA complaint #500033 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
SUNVISOR CONTINUOUSLY SLIPS DOWN WITHOUT ASSISTANCE, CAUSING DRIVER TO HIT VISOR WHEN GETTING IN VEHICLE/INJURY. (OTHER VEHICLE ON 479694) *SKD
NHTSA complaint #486858 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
THE LOCK/LATCH ON MY CAR'S PASSENGER DOOR IS DEFECTIVE AND THE RECALL 90V18400 DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THE DOOR IS DIFFICULT TO OPEN AND COULD EASIY FAIL ANY DAY AND TRAP MY PASSENGER IN THE CAR. THE SAME THING IS HAPPENING TO THE FRONT DRIVERS DOOR. THE MANUFACTUER WILL NOT FIX THE PROBLEM AT NO CHARGE.
NHTSA complaint #10088936 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:CONSTANT VELOCITY JOINT
THE CV BOOTS ON THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE CONSTANTLY NEED REPLACING.
NHTSA complaint #10055056 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
THE VEHICLE'S DOOR LOCKS EXPERIENCED THE DEFECT STATED IN RECALL 90 V 184 000 BUT IT'S VIN WAS OUTSIDE OF THE REMEDY SCOPE. THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO REPAIR THE DOOR. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10040136 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
HEADLIGHT DEVICE IS PLASTIC, MAKING IT HARD TO SEE WHEN TURNING HEADLIGHTS ON. DEALERSHIP IS NOT AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK THE PLASTIC LENS MATERIAL BECOMES SIGNIFICANTLY LESS TRANSPARENT WITH TIME, DIMINISHING VISABILITY AT NIGHT. THE ADJACENT TURN SIGNAL LENS HAS NOT AGED. THIS INDICATES TO CONSUMER THAT THE HEADLIGHT LENS IS NOT MADE FROM THE SAME MATERIAL AS THE TURN SIGNAL LENS.
NHTSA complaint #8017021 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
CONSUMER STATES THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR WOULD LOCK ITSELF WHENEVER THE DOOR IS SHUT. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. NLM
NHTSA complaint #8006452 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
I HAVE A 1990 SUBARU LEGACY. EACH TIME I TRY TO EXIT THE CAR THE DOORS LOCK AUTOMATICALLY. IT HAS AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS THAT ARE ACCUATED BY PUSHING THE DRIVERS DOOR LOCK. I HAVE HAD THE LOCK APART AND THE PROBLEM WITH ALL 4 OF MY DOOR IS THAT A SINGLE SPRING IN THE LOCK MECHANISM IS RESPONSIBLE FOR HAVING THE INSIDE DOOR HANDLE RETURN TO THE CLOSED POSITION AND TO HAVE THE LOCK BUYYON STAY OPEN. THE HANDLE IS ATTACHED TO THE BOTTOM HALF OF THE SPRING AND THAT PART OF THE SPING KEEPS THE DOOR LOCK OPEN. WELL, THE DOOR LOCK PORTION OF THE SPRING IS WORN OUT AND EVERY TIME YOU USE THE DOOR HANDLE FROM THE INSIDE, THE WEAK HALF OF THE LOCK SPRING CLOSES THE LOCK. I AM A BATTALION CHIEF FOR A LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT AND I CAN ONLY IMAGINE WHAT KIND OF A PROBLEM ONE MIGHT HAVE TRYING TO GET OUT OF THIS CAR IN A HURRY. I HAVE CONTACTED SUBARU WITH NO RELIEF. THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP SAYS IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN THE 1990 - 1994 MODELS. OUR LOCAL PARTS HOUSES HAVE ALSO SAID THAT IT IS A PROBLEM. I HAVE OTHER OWNERS THAT SAY THE SAME. IT IS $200.00 A DOOR TO REPAIR. PLEASE CONTACT ME ON THIS. THANKS [XXX][XXX]OR[XXX]. *AK PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #758422 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
LOCKS ON DOOR WILL LOCK EVEN WHEN UNLOCKING DOORS. LOCKS WILL AUTOMATICALLY LOCK BACK UP. CONSUMER HAS TO HOLD LOCK U, AND THEN PUSH THE DOOR OPEN TO GET OUT OF VEHICLE. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK
NHTSA complaint #8003975 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
I NOTICED ANOTHER INCIDENT ON THE DATABASE REPORTING THIS SAME FAILURE. THE PLASTIC SHIELD TRAPS DEBRIS AGAINST THE FILLER PIPE CAUSING THE PIPE TO RUST THROUGH. I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY '90 SUBARU LEGACYS ARE STILL ON THE ROAD, BUT I SUSPECT (GIVEN THE SEVERITY OF THE RUST), THAT ALMOST ALL OF THEM HAVE THIS SAME CONDITION. EVEN IF THEY HAVEN'T RUSTED THROUGH TO THE POINT OF LEAKING, THEY MAY EASILY RUPTURE UPON IMPACT.
NHTSA complaint #755871 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
BOTH FRONTAL PASSIVE RESTRAINT BELTS FAIL TO OPERATE, WILL NOT GO AROUND THE TRACKS, LEAVING DRIVER AND PASSENGER WITHOUT ANY RESTRAINT IF VEHICLE GETS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. MANUFACTURER CONTACTED, AND WILLING TO GO HALF IN REPAIRS. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8000909 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
VEHICLE HAS A MASTER DOOR LOCK BUTTON ON DRIVER'S SIDE. 2 REAR DOORS LOCK WHEN DOOR IS CLOSED. PASSENGER'S DOOR SHOULD NOT LOCK ONCE IT'S CLOSED. LOCK KNOB HAS TO BE HELD UP TO OPEN ANB CLOSE THE DOOR. CONSUMER HAS GOTTEN LOCKED OUT A FEW TIMES BECAUSE OF THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #899713 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
PASSENGER FRONT DOOR-LOCK FAILED INITIALLY REQUIRING PASSENGER TO MANUALLY PUSH LATCH AND PULL DOOR LEVER SIMUTANEOUSLY IN ORDER TO OPEN DOOR. REAR DOOR-LOCKS DO NOT WORK NOW AND REQUIRE SAME EFFORT. ALL DOORS WILL LOCK ON THEIR OWN WHILE GETTING IN AND OUT. IN CASE OF ACCIDENT OR FIRE, THE OCCUPANTS MAY NOT BE ABLE TO EXIT VEHICLE IN A TIMELY MANNER. ALSO, DRIVER-SIDE VISOR FALLS DOWN WHILE DRIVING WHICH HAS PROVEN TO BE VERY DISTRACTING AND DANGEROUS. CONTACTED SUBARU DEALERSHIP FOR BOTH PROBLEMS. DEALERSHIP UNWILLING TO FIX WITHOUT CHARGING ME FOR REPLACEMENT AND LABOR OF ALL PARTS. DOOR LOCKS PRICED AT $130 EACH AND VISOR WAS AROUND $80 NOT INCLUDING LABOR. DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THESE ARE COMMON PROBLEMS CORRECTED IN THE MID-90'S ON LEGACY MODELS.
NHTSA complaint #752400 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
FUEL FILLER PIPE LEAKING - FUEL PIPE RUSTED CAUSING FUEL TO DRIP FROM FILLER PIPE NEAR PASSENGER REAR TIRE. RUST CAUSED BY MUD/DIRT AND MOISTURE GETTING STUCK BETWEEN PLASTIC PIPE SHIELD AND FUEL PIPE.
NHTSA complaint #748459 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
MFG REFUSED TO FIX REAR DOOR LATCHES UNDER NHTSA RECALL 90V18400. THE PROBLEM IS THE SAME AS WITH THE FRONT DOORS. FAILURE OF THE LATCHES WOULD NOT PERMIT EXIT FROM CAR IN A WRECK AND WHO IS LIKELY TO RIDE IN THE REAR..CHILDREN WHO WOULD PANIC. I WAS CHARGED $140 TO CORRECT THESE MANUFACTURE DEFECTS THAT HAD BEEN PART OF, IN MY OPINION, A SAFETY RECALL AS NOTED. WAS IT YOUR INTENT FROM A SAFETY STANDPOINT THAT ALL LATCHES WERE TO BE REPAIRED ON THESE CARS OR JUST THE FRONT LATECHES??
NHTSA complaint #744906 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I ALSO PURCHASED AN 1992 SUBARU SVX THAT HAS A FAILED TRANSNISSION (SAME STYLE TRANNY) THIS CAR HAS 146000 MILES ON IT, II'VE DONE SOME RESEARCH ON THIS AND IT APPEARS THESE TRANSMISSIONS ARE PRONE TO FAILURE, OUR LEGACY'S WENT OUT ON THE INTERSTATE, AND COULD EASILY HAVE BEEN FATAL
NHTSA complaint #731623 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
LEFT FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOOR LOCKS ENGAGE AFTER UNLOCKING MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO ENTER OR EXIT VEHICLE. YH
NHTSA complaint #782037 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
THE LAP BELTS IN THIS VEHICLE HAVE COME APART AT THE "FLAP" WHERE THE BELTS SNAP INTO THE RECEPTACLE. WE HAVE HAD THE CAR IN SEVERAL SHOPS, AND NONE CAN GET REPLACEMENT BELTS. THE LATEST ATTEMPT WAS WITH THE SUBARU DEALER IN NEW ORLEANS, AND THEY HAVE "ORDERED THEM FROM JAPAN". SO FAR, NO BELTS. JUNK YARDS SOMETIMES HAVE THE BELTS, FOR $100, AND THEY ARE FAULTY TOO. WE WERE ADVISED BY THE SUBARU DEALER NOT TO DRIVE THE CAR UNTIL THE BELTS ARE REPLACED, YET WHAT CAN WE DO WHEN NONE ARE AVAILABLE. THERE MUST BE MANY MORE 1990 SUBARU OWNERS WITH THIS SAME DILEMMA. IT IS A DEFINITE SAFETY ISSUE, AND WOULD BEAR INVESTIGATING. ANY HELP YOU CAN GIVE WILL BE APPRECIATED.
NHTSA complaint #722509 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
POWER DOOR LOCKS LOCK BY THEMSELVES.
NHTSA complaint #858494 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
THE DOOR HANDLE WHEN OPENED CAUSES THE DOOR TO AUTOMATICALLY LOCK WHEN OPENED FROM THE INSIDE. THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT BROKE IN 1993. THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR DOOR BROKE IN 1998. THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT DOOR BROKE IN 1999 WHICH IS THE MOST ANNOYING AS IT LOCKS ALL THE DOOR EVERY TIME THE HANDLE IS USED TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE. IT COSTS $80 TO REPLACE THE PART.
NHTSA complaint #718675 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
DESIGN FLAW OF RIGHT FRONT AXLE CAME OFF THE WHEEL, CAUSING VEHICLE TO DEPEND ON REAR WHEEL DRIVE ONLY AND ALLOWED THE FRONT RIGHT DRIVE LINE SPIN AIMLESSLY, RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO COMPONENTS IN TRANSFER CASE.
NHTSA complaint #852372 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHEN DRIVER TOOK OFF FROM A STOP WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKES, VEHICLE TOOK OFF. SHIFTING THE VEHICLE TO NEUTRAL AND HEAVY BRAKE APPLICATION STOPPED THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE HAD BEEN DRIVEN FOR ABOUT 15 MINTUES BEFORE THIS HAPPENED.
NHTSA complaint #851164 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
SUDDEN ACCELERATION CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO RUN 90 MPH. YH
NHTSA complaint #549361 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
SUDDEN ACCELERATION CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO RUN 90 MPH. YH
NHTSA complaint #549361 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES
TIRES WORN OUT PREMATURELY. (YAMAHA) YH
NHTSA complaint #549361 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES
TIRES WORN OUT PREMATURELY. (YAMAHA) YH
NHTSA complaint #549361 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
TIRES WORN OUT PREMATURELY. (YAMAHA) YH
NHTSA complaint #549361 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.