1990 Subaru Legacy

Complaint history

When NHTSA received these reports. Changes in reporting alone do not establish a change in failure rates.

Problems owners report

Listed groups have at least 3 complaints. The page includes the 20 largest groups plus any additional flagged groups; some complaints are not assigned to a group.

AI groups complaints by meaning; the groups are approximate. Share ratio compares the problem’s share of this vehicle’s complaints with its share on other vehicles over the last 24 months (shown from 3 recent complaints). A 2× ratio means twice the complaint share, not twice the failure risk. Flags mark unusual shares or recent surges after an AI review of the complaint content. “First signal” does not mean the pattern has persisted continuously.How recall estimates are calculated.

Recalls

• NHTSA recall #94V052000March 23, 199431,295 vehicles affected

  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.

  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.

  Remedy

  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.

• NHTSA recall #91V082000May 30, 199176,000 vehicles affected

  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.

  Delayed release of transmission from park causes delayedand possibly abrupt vehicle movement that could result in loss of vehiclecontrol and an accident.

  Remedy

  Install a modified parking brake pawl to prevent delayed release into reverse gear.

• NHTSA recall #90V184000October 16, 1990103,744 vehicles affected

  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.

  The affected door may not be opened from inside,preventing exit from that door.

  Remedy

  Replace front door latch screws with "lock-tight" screws.

• NHTSA recall #90V110000June 4, 199081,000 vehicles affected

  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.

  Non-functioning defroster would adversely affect drivervisibility.

  Remedy

  Install a positioning stopper device to prevent dislocation of defroster lever pin to assure defroster operation.

Other model years

• 1990
• 1991 78
• 1992 55
• 1993 77
• 1994 60
• 1995 182
• 1996 123
• 1997 139
• 1998 114
• 1999 94
• 2000 94
• 2001 77
• 2002 54
• 2003 60
• 2004 49
• 2005 184
• 2006 87
• 2007 33
• 2008 65
• 2009 65
• 2010 150
• 2011 167
• 2012 90
• 2013 66
• 2014 53
• 2015 160
• 2016 147
• 2017 119
• 2018 117
• 2019 123
• 2020 121
• 2021 31
• 2022 34