1992 Subaru Legacy Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1992 Subaru Legacy, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Seat belts2234.9%
- Body & structure711.1%
- Tires & wheels57.9%
- Visibility57.9%
- Transmission46.3%
- Electrical46.3%
- Engine46.3%
- Airbags23.2%
- Driver assistance23.2%
- Fuel system23.2%
- Powertrain (other)11.6%
- Steering11.6%
- Suspension11.6%
- Exterior lighting11.6%
- Interior & seats11.6%
- Brakes11.6%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
1) TRAVELING ON I-10 WEST APPROACHING WILCOX, AZ. PASSED UP DIESEL, DIESEL CROSSED INTO LANE (POSSIBLY DUE TO HEAVY CROSSWINDS PROMINENT IN AREA), LOST CONTROL OF CAR AND ROLLED TWICE OFF THE HIGHWAY. 2) ROOF CAVED IN ON DRIVERS SIDE, CAUSING A COMPRESSING FRACTURE TO DRIVERS NECK. DRIVER NOW PARALYZED FROM NECK DOWN. DRIVER IS APPROXIMATELY 5'0 TALL SO AMOUNT OF DAMAGE DONE IS UNACCEPTABLE. CAR WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 45 MPH WHEN CAR ROLLED OVER (SPEED LOST WHILE TRYING TO GAIN CONTROL OF VEHICLE) 3) VEHICLE TOTALLED
INTERMITTENTLY DRIVER AND PASSENGER RESTRAINTS BECOME INOPERABLE.*AK
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
1) TRAVELING ON I-10 WEST APPROACHING WILCOX, AZ. PASSED UP DIESEL, DIESEL CROSSED INTO LANE (POSSIBLY DUE TO HEAVY CROSSWINDS PROMINENT IN AREA), LOST CONTROL OF CAR AND ROLLED TWICE OFF THE HIGHWAY. 2) ROOF CAVED IN ON DRIVERS SIDE, CAUSING A COMPRESSING FRACTURE TO DRIVERS NECK. DRIVER NOW PARALYZED FROM NECK DOWN. DRIVER IS APPROXIMATELY 5'0 TALL SO AMOUNT OF DAMAGE DONE IS UNACCEPTABLE. CAR WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 45 MPH WHEN CAR ROLLED OVER (SPEED LOST WHILE TRYING TO GAIN CONTROL OF VEHICLE) 3) VEHICLE TOTALLED
THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN ACCIDENT, CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO BE REPAIRED. DEALERSHIP PRESENTED VEHICLE REPAIRS AS COMPLETE, CONSUMER DISAGREED.*MR REAR GATE RELOCATED. SWITCH CONTROLLING CARGO LAMP AND STATUS PANEL DID NOT FUNCTION. FRONT BUMPER WAS GROSSLY MISALIGNED. FRONT BUMPER TO RIGHT FRONT FENDER MISMATCHED. REAR WIPER PIVOT COVER WAS MISSING. EXHAUST TIPS ROTATED. BUMPER REINFORCEMENT BRACKETS WERE MISSING. REAR TAIL LAMP SETTING OUT FROM BODY. GATE HINGE BOLT FELL OUT. INNER SKIRT WAS BOWED IN. GAP IN RIGHT REAR DOOR. VAPOR CANISTER IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS LEFT LOOSE. DRAIN HOSE NOT CONNECTED. TIRE UNDER-INFLATED. FLOOR DATUM POINTS LEFT UNDONE. REAR HATCH OPENING WEATHERSTRIP WAS IMPROPERLY SEALED. *TT *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
CRACKS APPEAR IN CIRCUMFERENTIAL SIPES AFTER 9,000 MILES / 1 YR 10 MO. THIS OCCURRED IN ALL 4 TIRES. SNOWY NORTHEAST CLIMATE, PROPERLY INFLATED TO 29-30 PSI. SIMILAR CRACKING OCCURRED ON IDENTICAL TIRE MODEL ALMOST 2 YRS AGO (DOT # ANRBMC112705), ALSO IN ALL 4 TIRES AFTER 10,000 MILES / 2 YEARS. PREVIOUS TIRES, AND THESE TIRES, WERE DIFFERENT LOTS. BF GOODRICH TRACTION T/A. NO CATASTROPHIC FAILURE EITHER TIME - FOUND ON STATE INSPECTION. *TR
SEVERAL TULSA DEALERS UNABLE/UNWILLING TO REPAIR SMALL NAIL PUNCTURE OF FT70C TIRE. STATE "THIS TIRE NOT MADE TO BE REPAIRED-SELF SEALING" CONTINUAL LOSS OF AIR NECESSITATES CONSTANT REFILLING. PREVIOUS TIRE REPAIRED BY CERTIFIED TIRE SERVICE FACILITY SHOWED SIDEWALL SEPARATION USING ACCEPTABLE REPAIR EQUIPMENT. TIRE MAKE HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED. NOW MANUFACTURED UNDER DIFFERENT MODEL DESIGNATION. *NLM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE SPENT $60 EACH TIME TO REPLACE SUN VISORS THAT APPEAR TO BE MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. PLEASE IMPROVE THE SUN VISORS THIS IS A SAFEY ISSUE AND COULD LEAD INJURIES. *AK
THE AUOTMATIC SEAT BELT WAS REPLACED LAST APRIL 1999 AND FAILED AGAIN. WE ALSO REPLACED THE PASSENGER SIDE SEATBELT 11/1999. WE WOULD LIKE ASSISTANCE FROM THE MANUFACTURER WITH THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT AS IT WAS PROVIDE THROUGH A MANUFACTURER. DEALER AGREEMENT WITH EACH PARTY PAYING $250 TO REPLACE IT THE 1ST TIME. THERE HAS ONLY BEEN 7,800 MILES SINCE THE LAST BELT WAS REPAIRED. ALSO WE KEEP HAVING TO REPLACE THE SUNVISOR WHICH OF COURSE FAILED WHEN YOU NEED THEM THE MOST. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE. WE HAVE REPLACED 6 OF THEM. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH TRANSMISSION FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT VEHICLE LOST POWER, FORCING DRIVER TO VEER OFF THE ROAD. DEALER STATED THAT TRANSMISSION BREATHING VENTS WERE BLOCKED DUE TO FLUID FREEZING. A RECALL 94V052000 WAS ISSUED,HOWEVER THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. *AK
VIN # JF2 BJ65C3 NH903488. NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
IN THE CAR'S MANUAL AND, FROM WHAT I'VE HEARD FROM TALKING WITH FRIENDS, THERE IS A FUSE UNDER THE HOOD OF THE CAR THAT ALLOWS YOU TO SWITCH FROM 4WD/AWD TO FWD FOR TOWING ETC. MY CAR LACKS THIS FUSE/HOLDER AND IF IT WERE TO EVER BE TOWED THE TRANSMISSION COULD BE DAMAGED. I HAD A FRIEND LOOK UP MY VIN TO BE SURE IT IS APPLICABLE FOR MY VEHICLE AND IT IS.*AK
WHILE STOPPING AT A TRAFFIC SIGNAL ALL OF ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS STOPPED, AND VEHICLE STOPPED OPERATING. A BLACK FUSE CABLE IN FUSE BOX, FUSE LINK: 82301GA060 BURNED UP, AND BURNED A MARK ON COVER OF FUSE BOX. *AK *SLC
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
ENGINE QUITS ON HILLS WHEN SHIFTING INTO A HIGHER GEAR AT ABOUT 35 MPH. ENGINE ALSO QUITS AT ABOUT 40 MPH, AGAIN WHEN RPM ABOUT 3000 ON A COLD ENGINE.*AK
WHEN ACCELERATING OR BACKING UP I NOTICED THE CAR WAS SLUGGISH. WHEN THE HOOD WAS POPPED, THE PART HOLDING THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY IN PLACE HAD ALMOST FALLEN OFF. IT TOOK QUIT A WHILE TO OBTAIN THE PART NEEDED. THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE PART IMFORMED ME THAT THIS WAS A PROBLEM FOR THE 92 MODEL AS WELL AS EITHER THE 91 OR 93 MODEL. MY MECHANIC BUILT A BRACE TO KEEP THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY FROM FALLING OFF. THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMED NO RESPONSIBILITY AND I WAS TOLD THE PART HAD NOT BEEN RECALLED. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A REAREND COLLISION WHICH RESULTED IN VEHICLE SLAMMING INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE, CAUSING DIRECT FRONTAL DAMAGE, AND THERE WAS NO DEPLOYMENT OF DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG, CAUSE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED.*AK *JB
TO AVOIDING IMPACT DRIVER RAN OFF THE ROAD HITTING A TELEPHONE POLE, AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY, PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC AND UPON PUTTING FOOT ON THE CLUTCH AND THE BRAKES VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD. IT FELT LIKE THE VEHICLE WAS TRYING TO PUSH SOMETHING VERY HEAVY OUT OF THE WAY. *AK
WHEN YOU STOP THE AUTO WILL SHOOT FORWARD-THE RPM'S WILL SUDDENLY ACCELERATE AND THE AUTO TAKES OFF. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
I BOUGHT MY YOUNGEST SON A 1992 SUBARU LEGACY STATION WAGON. I WENT TO FILL THE GAS TANK AND WHEN I GOT HOME YOU COULD SMELL GAS FUMES VERY STRONGLY AND LATER WE COULD SEE WHERE IT HAD LEAKED ONTO THE GROUND. I ASKED MY OLDEST SON ABOUT IT SINCE HE IS A CERTIFIED MECHANIC AND HE WAS TELLING ME ABOUT A RECALL ON THAT YEAR BECAUSE OF HOW THE COMPANY PUT IN THE BACK SEAT. I CONTACTED MY LOCAL SUBARU DEALER (KELLY CADILLAC) AND THEY SAID IT WAS NOT THAT YEAR OR VIN NUMBER AND THAT THEY COULD NOT HELP ME. THEY ACTED LIKE IF IT WAS NOT A NEW VEHICLE THEN IT DID NOT MATTER. THIS IS MY SON'S ONLY WAY TO COLLEGE EVERY DAY BUT IT WORRIES ME WHETHER THIS CAR IS SAFE OR NOT. *TR
FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY FILLER, NOT MADE FROM STAINLESS STEEL, HAS ROTTED OUT, CAUSING FUEL TO LEAK .PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING, EXPERIENCED TIRE BLOW OUT, REPLACED TIRE WITH TEMPORARY (T-TIRE), DROVE APPROX. 20 MILES TO NEAREST GARAGE AT 45MPH, AS DIRECT RESULT FROM USING T-TIRE, NOTICED RUBBER BURNING SMELL, REAR DIFFERENTIAL SEVERLY OVERHEATED, CAUSING DAMAGE TO REAR AXEL. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
1) TRAVELING ON I-10 WEST APPROACHING WILCOX, AZ. PASSED UP DIESEL, DIESEL CROSSED INTO LANE (POSSIBLY DUE TO HEAVY CROSSWINDS PROMINENT IN AREA), LOST CONTROL OF CAR AND ROLLED TWICE OFF THE HIGHWAY. 2) ROOF CAVED IN ON DRIVERS SIDE, CAUSING A COMPRESSING FRACTURE TO DRIVERS NECK. DRIVER NOW PARALYZED FROM NECK DOWN. DRIVER IS APPROXIMATELY 5'0 TALL SO AMOUNT OF DAMAGE DONE IS UNACCEPTABLE. CAR WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 45 MPH WHEN CAR ROLLED OVER (SPEED LOST WHILE TRYING TO GAIN CONTROL OF VEHICLE) 3) VEHICLE TOTALLED
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN DRIVING THERE WAS A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. ALSO, THE VEHICLE WILL FREEZE UP ON THE ROAD, AND WHEN IN THIRD/FOURTH AND FIFTH GEAR CAN HEAR THE KNOCKING NOISE. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
REAR LIGHT LENSES CRACKED. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
REAR HATCH RUSTED, PREFVENTING IT FROM BEING RECLOSED ONCE OPENED. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
BRAKE FAILURE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .