RoadVitals

1990 Subaru Legacy

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
81
Latest Sep 1, 2004
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
4
Latest Mar 23, 1994
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
2
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
6
4 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 81 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1990 Subaru Legacy, most frequently naming the interior & seats, body & structure and seat belts categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 2 NHTSA investigations name it; and 14 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

4 campaigns cover this model year

View all 4

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
94V052000

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

Mar 23, 1994
31,295 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The 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.
The 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.
SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
91V082000

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

May 30, 1991
76,000 units potentially affected
The defect: UNDER CERTAIN LOAD CONDITIONS, THE PARK GEAR MAY NOT DISENGAGE IMMEDIATELY WHEN THE TRANSMISSION LEVER IS MOVED FROM PARK TO REVERSE.
The risk: DELAYED RELEASE OF TRANSMISSION FROM PARK CAUSES DELAYEDAND POSSIBLY ABRUPT VEHICLE MOVEMENT THAT COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLECONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.
The remedy: INSTALL A MODIFIED PARKING BRAKE PAWL TO PREVENT DELAYED RELEASE INTO REVERSE GEAR.
SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
90V184000

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

Oct 16, 1990
103,744 units potentially affected
The defect: 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 risk: THE AFFECTED DOOR MAY NOT BE OPENED FROM INSIDE,PREVENTING EXIT FROM THAT DOOR.
The remedy: REPLACE FRONT DOOR LATCH SCREWS WITH "LOCK-TIGHT" SCREWS.
SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

PE94051ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

HOOD LATCH FAILURE

Opened Jun 29, 1994
Closed Oct 31, 1994

There is no summary currently available

STRUCTURE
PE91039ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

REVERSE DELAYED ENGAGEMENT

Opened Jan 23, 1991
Closed May 30, 1991

There is no summary currently available

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONLed to recall 91V082000

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 81
Interior & seats
Filed Sep 1, 2004

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. *AK

NHTSA ID
10088936
Incident
Feb 1, 2003
Mileage
104,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jan 28, 2004

THE CV BOOTS ON THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE CONSTANTLY NEED REPLACING. *AK

NHTSA ID
10055056
Incident
Jun 12, 1992
Interior & seats
Filed Sep 17, 2003

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 ID
10040136
Mileage
40,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Aug 22, 2002

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. *JG

NHTSA ID
8017021
Incident
Aug 1, 2002
Body & structure
Filed Mar 26, 2002

CONSUMER STATES THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR WOULD LOCK ITSELF WHENEVER THE DOOR IS SHUT. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. NLM

NHTSA ID
8006452
Incident
Jul 1, 2000
Body & structure
Filed Feb 19, 2002

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 ID
758422
Incident
Jan 1, 1999
Interior & seats
Filed Feb 12, 2002

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 *YH

NHTSA ID
8003975
Incident
Jan 1, 2001
Fuel system
Filed Dec 20, 2001

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. *AK

NHTSA ID
755871
Incident
Aug 1, 2001

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

01-167-08R

EQUIPMENT

This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models.

15-302-22

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT

This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure.

15-192-22R

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic essential information during diagnosis and repair of the Infotainment concerns. (Applicable to all models with Harman or Denso CP1 Infotainment).

01-167-08R

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT

This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models

09-51-08R

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; EQUIPMENT

This bulletin is to advise of SOA’s revised catalytic converter recycling program shipping procedure.

14-22-16R

EQUIPMENT

To help reduce confusion and increase technician efficiency, Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) has developed the following cross reference list to help locate the appropriate Special Service Tool.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Subaru Legacy by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2025600—
2024160038.3
2023102059.3
2022322054.1
2021313048.6
20201216048.8
20191233049.3
20181163056.3
20171182155.3
20161463155.7
20151593157.0
20145310053.0
20136612051.4
20129016161.8
201116716051.4
201015018052.7
20096513051.4
2008659048.2
2007339053.5
2006877050.0
20051839259.4
20044911260.9
20036015255.3
2002545052.7
2001778055.1
2000944051.2
1999943054.8
19981145054.8
19971396159.3
19961234366.3
19951812362.9
1994600041.6
1993771044.8
1992552050.2
1991783152.3
1990Viewing814258.0
1989101—
1988101—
1987101—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.