RoadVitals

1993 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.
77
Latest Oct 15, 2007
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.
1
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.
0
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.
10
6 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 77 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1993 Subaru Legacy, most frequently naming the engine, seat belts and airbags categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 15 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

1 campaign cover this model year

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

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 77
Tires & wheels
Filed Oct 15, 2007

TWO YEAR OLD TIRES (ALL 4, PURCHASED AT SAME TIME) HAVE CIRCUMFERENTIAL CRACKS IN TREAD GROOVES - TIRE SELLER SAYS THESE ARE VERY ABNORMAL AND IS REPLACING ALL OF THEM. HAVE ONLY 20,000 MILES OF WEAR ON TIRES RATED FOR 80,000. NO CATASTROPHIC FAILURES. TIRES A GOODRICH TRACTION T/A 195/60R15 88H. DOT CODE ON ALL 4 TIRES: ANRBMC112705. *TR

NHTSA ID
10205715
Incident
Oct 9, 2007
Mileage
114,385 mi
Transmission
Filed Feb 22, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE, NHTSA #94V052000 CONCERNING THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION. THE RECALL WORK WAS PERFORMED PRIOR TO PURCHASE. THE TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, BUT HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED.

NHTSA ID
10150921
Incident
Feb 22, 2006
Mileage
167,000 mi
Seat belts
Filed Nov 29, 2005

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE SHOULDER HARNESS ON BOTH FRONT SEAT BELTS DID NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE RESTRAINT WHEN IN USE. THE STRAPS GAVE WAY WHEN PROPERLY BUCKLED. THE SEAT BELTS WERE NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. HE PURCHASED REPLACEMENT STRAPS AND PLANNED TO REPLACE THE STRAPS HIMSELF. *AK

NHTSA ID
10143940
Incident
Jan 1, 2005
Mileage
98,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Jan 5, 2005

THE CONSUMER PURCHASED FOUR NEW FIRESTONE TIRES. THE RIGHT REAR TIRE WENT FLAT. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. THE CORD THAT MEETS THE RIM OF THE WHEEL SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE. CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER WAS TOLD SHE COULD PURCHASE ANOTHER TIRE FOR HALF PRICE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *JB

NHTSA ID
10096555
Incident
Oct 7, 2004
Engine
Filed Nov 24, 2004

DEAR SIR/MADAM: THANKS FOR HELP. IT IS THREATEN TO THOUSANDS SUBARU CAR DRIVERS, LIKE FIRESTONE TIRES THREATEN TO THOUSANDS CAR DRIVERS USING FIRESTONE TIRES. I HAVE A 93 4D LEGACY SEDAN, IT HAVE A PROBLEM SINCE 1994 AND BECOME VERY BAD SINCE 7/2000, SOME TIME CAR UNCONTROLLABLE TO SLOWDOWN TO 10 TO 20 MPH AND SOME TIME ENGINE STOPPED, PUT ME IN VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION: MY CAR UNCONTROLLABLE STOPPED WHEN OTHER CARS DRIVE 65+ MILES ON FREE WAY OR 45+ MILS ON LOCAL ROAD. I THINK THIS A CONTROLLER DESIGN PROBLEM, IT SHOULD NOT SLOW DOWN AND STOP ENGINE WITHOUT WARNING LIGHT FIRST AND SHOULD NEVER STOP ENGINE. IF YOU SEARCH INTERNET WITH KEY WORD "+SUBARU +LEGACY +HESITATION" YOU CAN SEE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE MALFUNCTIONED CONTROLLER. I STILL THINK SUBARU HAVE FOLLOWING OBLIGATIONS: 1. AFTER SO MANY COMPLAINTS FROM SUBARU CAR OWNERS ABOUT THE MALFUNCTIONED CONTROLLER, SUBARU SHOULD REPLACE MALFUNCTIONED CONTROLLER BEFORE THE DANGEROUS UNCONTROLLABLE SITUATION HAPPEN. 2. SUBARU SHOULD REPLACE MALFUNCTIONED CONTROLLER FREE WHEN A CUSTOMER COMPLAIN THE PROBLEM. NOW SOME DEALERS JUST DENY THE PROBLEM IF THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, BUT FOR SOME CAR THE PROBLEM ONLY HAPPEN ON CERTAIN ROAD AND CERTAIN SPEED AND DIFFICULT TO DUPLICATE. SOME DEALER ALSO LIKE TO CHARGE HOURS TO CHECK THE PROBLEM AND FIX THE PROBLEM. ZHONGMIN SUN 18666 REDMOND WAY, RR2141 REDMOND, WA 98052 TEL:4258369419 EMAIL: [email protected]

NHTSA ID
10100456
Incident
Feb 13, 2001
Engine
Filed Nov 24, 2004

DEAR SIR/MADAM: THANKS FOR HELP. IT IS THREATEN TO THOUSANDS SUBARU CAR DRIVERS, LIKE FIRESTONE TIRES THREATEN TO THOUSANDS CAR DRIVERS USING FIRESTONE TIRES. I HAVE A 93 4D LEGACY SEDAN, IT HAVE A PROBLEM SINCE 1994 AND BECOME VERY BAD SINCE 7/2000, SOME TIME CAR UNCONTROLLABLE TO SLOWDOWN TO 10 TO 20 MPH AND SOME TIME ENGINE STOPPED, PUT ME IN VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION: MY CAR UNCONTROLLABLE STOPPED WHEN OTHER CARS DRIVE 65+ MILES ON FREE WAY OR 45+ MILS ON LOCAL ROAD. I THINK THIS A CONTROLLER DESIGN PROBLEM, IT SHOULD NOT SLOW DOWN AND STOP ENGINE WITHOUT WARNING LIGHT FIRST AND SHOULD NEVER STOP ENGINE. IF YOU SEARCH INTERNET WITH KEY WORD "+SUBARU +LEGACY +HESITATION" YOU CAN SEE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE MALFUNCTIONED CONTROLLER. I STILL THINK SUBARU HAVE FOLLOWING OBLIGATIONS: 1. AFTER SO MANY COMPLAINTS FROM SUBARU CAR OWNERS ABOUT THE MALFUNCTIONED CONTROLLER, SUBARU SHOULD REPLACE MALFUNCTIONED CONTROLLER BEFORE THE DANGEROUS UNCONTROLLABLE SITUATION HAPPEN. 2. SUBARU SHOULD REPLACE MALFUNCTIONED CONTROLLER FREE WHEN A CUSTOMER COMPLAIN THE PROBLEM. NOW SOME DEALERS JUST DENY THE PROBLEM IF THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, BUT FOR SOME CAR THE PROBLEM ONLY HAPPEN ON CERTAIN ROAD AND CERTAIN SPEED AND DIFFICULT TO DUPLICATE. SOME DEALER ALSO LIKE TO CHARGE HOURS TO CHECK THE PROBLEM AND FIX THE PROBLEM. ZHONGMIN SUN 18666 REDMOND WAY, RR2141 REDMOND, WA 98052 TEL:4258369419 EMAIL: [email protected]

NHTSA ID
10100455
Incident
Sep 30, 2001
Engine
Filed Nov 24, 2004

DEAR SIR/MADAM: THANKS FOR HELP. IT IS THREATEN TO THOUSANDS SUBARU CAR DRIVERS, LIKE FIRESTONE TIRES THREATEN TO THOUSANDS CAR DRIVERS USING FIRESTONE TIRES. I HAVE A 93 4D LEGACY SEDAN, IT HAVE A PROBLEM SINCE 1994 AND BECOME VERY BAD SINCE 7/2000, SOME TIME CAR UNCONTROLLABLE TO SLOWDOWN TO 10 TO 20 MPH AND SOME TIME ENGINE STOPPED, PUT ME IN VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION: MY CAR UNCONTROLLABLE STOPPED WHEN OTHER CARS DRIVE 65+ MILES ON FREE WAY OR 45+ MILES ON LOCAL ROAD. I THINK THIS A CONTROLLER DESIGN PROBLEM, IT SHOULD NOT SLOW DOWN AND STOP ENGINE WITHOUT WARNING LIGHT FIRST AND SHOULD NEVER STOP ENGINE. IF YOU SEARCH INTERNET WITH KEY WORD "+SUBARU +LEGACY +HESITATION" YOU CAN SEE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE MALFUNCTIONED CONTROLLER. I STILL THINK SUBARU HAVE FOLLOWING OBLIGATIONS: 1. AFTER SO MANY COMPLAINTS FROM SUBARU CAR OWNERS ABOUT THE MALFUNCTIONED CONTROLLER, SUBARU SHOULD REPLACE MALFUNCTIONED CONTROLLER BEFORE THE DANGEROUS UNCONTROLLABLE SITUATION HAPPEN. 2. SUBARU SHOULD REPLACE MALFUNCTIONED CONTROLLER FREE WHEN A CUSTOMER COMPLAIN THE PROBLEM. NOW SOME DEALERS JUST DENY THE PROBLEM IF THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, BUT FOR SOME CAR THE PROBLEM ONLY HAPPEN ON CERTAIN ROAD AND CERTAIN SPEED AND DIFFICULT TO DUPLICATE. SOME DEALER ALSO LIKE TO CHARGE HOURS TO CHECK THE PROBLEM AND FIX THE PROBLEM. ZHONGMIN SUN 18666 REDMOND WAY, RR2141 REDMOND, WA 98052 TEL:4258369419 EMAIL: [email protected]

NHTSA ID
10100454
Incident
Oct 13, 2001
Engine
Filed Nov 24, 2004

DEAR SIR/MADAM: THANKS FOR HELP. IT IS THREATEN TO THOUSANDS SUBARU CAR DRIVERS, LIKE FIRESTONE TIRES THREATEN TO THOUSANDS CAR DRIVERS USING FIRESTONE TIRES. I HAVE A 93 4D LEGACY SEDAN, IT HAVE A PROBLEM SINCE 1994 AND BECOME VERY BAD SINCE 7/2000, SOME TIME CAR UNCONTROLLABLE TO SLOWDOWN TO 10 TO 20 MPH AND SOME TIME ENGINE STOPPED, PUT ME IN VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION: MY CAR UNCONTROLLABLE STOPPED WHEN OTHER CARS DRIVE 65+ MILES ON FREE WAY OR 45+ MILES ON LOCAL ROAD. I THINK THIS A CONTROLLER DESIGN PROBLEM, IT SHOULD NOT SLOW DOWN AND STOP ENGINE WITHOUT WARNING LIGHT FIRST AND SHOULD NEVER STOP ENGINE. IF YOU SEARCH INTERNET WITH KEY WORD "+SUBARU +LEGACY +HESITATION" YOU CAN SEE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE MALFUNCTIONED CONTROLLER. I STILL THINK SUBARU HAVE FOLLOWING OBLIGATIONS: 1. AFTER SO MANY COMPLAINTS FROM SUBARU CAR OWNERS ABOUT THE MALFUNCTIONED CONTROLLER, SUBARU SHOULD REPLACE MALFUNCTIONED CONTROLLER BEFORE THE DANGEROUS UNCONTROLLABLE SITUATION HAPPEN. 2. SUBARU SHOULD REPLACE MALFUNCTIONED CONTROLLER FREE WHEN A CUSTOMER COMPLAIN THE PROBLEM. NOW SOME DEALERS JUST DENY THE PROBLEM IF THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, BUT FOR SOME CAR THE PROBLEM ONLY HAPPEN ON CERTAIN ROAD AND CERTAIN SPEED AND DIFFICULT TO DUPLICATE. SOME DEALER ALSO LIKE TO CHARGE HOURS TO CHECK THE PROBLEM AND FIX THE PROBLEM. ZHONGMIN SUN 18666 REDMOND WAY, RR2141 REDMOND, WA 98052 TEL:4258369419 EMAIL: [email protected]

NHTSA ID
10100453
Incident
Oct 27, 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
1993Viewing771044.8
1992552050.2
1991783152.3
1990814258.0
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.