1994 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 1994 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 belts2640.6%
- Brakes69.4%
- Airbags57.8%
- Transmission46.3%
- Engine46.3%
- Fuel system46.3%
- Steering46.3%
- Body & structure23.1%
- Driver assistance23.1%
- Suspension23.1%
- Tires & wheels23.1%
- Powertrain (other)11.6%
- Electrical11.6%
- Interior & seats11.6%
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
THE RETRACTABLE MECHANIZED SHOULDER HARNESS DOES NOT WORK.
DT: 1994 SUBARU LEGACY L ALL WHEEL DRIVE, THE MOTORIZED SEAT BELT BROKE. THE SEAT BELT IS CONNECTED TO THE DOOR, AND WHEN CLOSING THE DOOR THE MOTORIZED SEAT BELT WILL NOT RUN THE TRACK TO BE IN THE PROPER POSITION FOR SAFETY. THIS IS ON THE SHOULDER PORTION OF THE SEAT BELT. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE LAP BELT ALONE IS NOT SAFE USE. HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER, AND THEY TOLD THE CONSUMER THERE IS NO RECALL ON THE SEAT BELT, AND THE MOTORIZED SEAT BELT WAS ONLY UNDER WARRANTY FOR 3 YEARS. THE COST TO REPLACE THE MOTOR OF THE SEAT BELT IS AT LEAST $400. THERE HAVE BEEN OTHERS WITH THIS SEAT BELT MOTOR PROBLEM. BASED ON WHAT THE MANUFACTURER TOLD THE CONSUMER THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING TO THE MOTOR GOING OUT, NO NOISES, AND NO INDICATOR LIGHTS, IT JUST STOPPED WORKING. *AK
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
A FEW MONTHS AGO, MY SON WAS DRIVING MY OLDER SUBARU AND SAID THE BRAKES WENT DOWN TO THE FLOOR WHEN HE APPLIED THEM NOT FAR FROM HOME. HE PUMPED THEM AND SLOW CREPT HOME WITH THE CAR. I FOUND A RUSTED OUT LEAK AT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE CONNECTION LOCATION NEAR THE FRAME ON THE SIDE OF THE GAS TANK. I JUST SAW THERE WERE A NUMBER OF RECALLS FOR THIS EXACT SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE NEVER RECEIVED OR SAW ONE BEFORE. ARE THEY STILL VALATE? WHOM DO I CONTACT FOR SERVICE IF SO? MY SON WAS JUST LUCKY HE WASN'T ON A HIGHWAY!
CONSUMER STATED THE PARKING BRAKE RELASE BUTTON BROKE, DUE TO BEING MADE OF PLASTIC. *YD
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
I WAS STOPPED AT A LIGHT IT FELT LIKE MY CAR WAS ROLLING BACK, SO I APPLIED MY BRAKE AND THE AIR BAG WENT OFF. THE CAR HAS BEEN TESTED THREE TIMES AT THE REQUEST OF SABARU CORP. TO SEE WHAT WENT WRONG, THEY CAN NOT FIND THE REASON, THERE WAS NO COLLISION, THE CAR STARTS AND RUNS, I WAS TOLD IT SHOULD NOT DO THIS. THEY WANT ME TO PAY $500.00 OF THE $1000 TO REPAIR IT AND I DON'T FEEL THAT I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR SOMETHING THAT WAS NOT MY FAULT.
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *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
1994 SUBARU LEGACY TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SHIFT OUT OF 1ST GEAR. AFTER CAR WARMS UP, WITHIN A SHORT DISTANCE THE TRANSMISSION FAILS ALTOGETHER AND THE CAR WILL NOT MOVE. AFTER A COOLING OFF PERIOD, THE CAR WILL PROCEED FOR A SHORT DURATION. THIS IS APPARENTLY A COMMON ISSUE DUE TO DESIGN DEFICIENCIES CAUSING AN OVER HEATING AND COMPONENT FAILURE. IT IS NOT CORRECTED YET. *TR
TRANSMISSION IS GOING OUT, AND THE VEHICLE IS STALLING AND THERE IS A LOSS OF POWER. *AK
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
I WILL BE ACCELERATING AT ANY MPH AND THE CAR WILL SUDDENLY TURN ITSELF OFF. THE BATTERY IS STILL POWERING THE CAR (RADIO PLAYING, LIGHTS ON), BUT THE ENGINE WILL BE COMPLETELY STOPPED. STEERING AND BRAKES WILL BOTH LOCK AND REQUIRE MUSCLING IN ORDER TO GET TO THE ROADSIDE AND STOP THE CAR. THIS HAS OCCURRED 4 TIMES SINCE THE DATE GIVEN (6/09). THE FIRST TIME WAS ON THE INTERSTATE AND WAS A VERY CLOSE CALL. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ODOMETER STOPPED WORKING FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO LEAKING EXHAUST FUMES, WHICH CAUSED HER TO HAVE HEADACHES. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH IN DRY WEATHER, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER WITHOUT CRASHING. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 142,000. UPDATED 02-14-08. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED HAVE SINCE SOLD THE VEHICLE TO D AUTO 214-629-0941 BUT WISHES TO PURSUE HEALTH DAMAGE IN RESPIRATORY AND MENTAL ANGUISH. UPDATED 02/14/08 *TR
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
FUEL PUMP WIRING SHORTED OUT IN THE GAS TANK. *TR
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY, DRIVER OBSERVED SMOKE COMING FROM REAR OF VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER EXITED SAFELY, AND OBSERVED FLAMES COMING FROM THE AREA UNDER THE REAR OF THE CAR (STATION WAGON BODY, AWD MODEL) ABOVE THE DIFFERENTIAL AND NEAR THE GAS TANK. RESPONDERS QUENCHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS EXAMINED AND FOUND THAT THE WIRING FOR THE FUEL PUMP HAD THE INSULATION MELTED OFF, THE FUEL PUMP GASKET WAS COMPRIMISED, AND THERE WAS EVIDENCE OF FLAMES HAVING BEEN IN THE AREA. FURTHER INVESTIGATION FOUND THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN SHORT DISTANCES, THE DIFFERENTIAL BECAME "RED HOT". THE AXLE WAS REPLACED, AND THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN APPROXIMATELY 30 MILES ON BOTH INTERSTATES AND SECONDARY ROADS, AFTER WHICH THE DIFFERETIAL WAS SEEN SMOKING FROM THE HEAT THAT HAD BUILT UP. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE AXLE A SECOND TIME, WITH THE SAME OVERHEATING OBSERVED. IT IS THE MECHANICS' OPINION THAT THE INITIAL FIRE WAS CAUSED BY THE OVERHEATING DIFFERETIAL. FURTHER, HIS RESEARCH INDICATES THAT THE OVERHEATING IS CAUSED BY A FAULTY CLUTCH PACK AND SELENOID IN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.
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
VEHICLE CONSUMED BY FIRE. FIRE INSPECTOR'S REPORT ATTRIBUTES CAUSE TO POWER STEERING HOSE SEPARATION AT PUMP.
SPONTANEOUS EXPLOSION AND FIRE DESTROYING 1994 SUBARU AND DAMAGING ANOTHER CAR AND ADJACENT HOME. FIRE INSPECTOR ASSESSED CAUSE AS RUPTURED POWER STEERING HOSE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE SUN VISOR SHAFT BROKE OFF CAUSING THE SUN VISOR TO FAIL. YH
HYDRAULIC SHOCKS MAKE HATCHBACK DIFFICULT TO CLOSE, RESULTING IN INJURY. *DH
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
VEHICLE PARKED, PUT VEHICLE IN DRIVE POSITION, WENT OPEN THROTTLE, IMPACT 12:00 POSITION SPEED UNKNOWN, DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY
WHILE DRIVING, SUDDENLY THROTTLE STUCK TO FLOOR WIDE OPEN, CAUSING VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE OUT OF CONTROL. TT
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
WHILE DRIVING HEARD A BANG THAT CAME FROM THE LEFT FRONT TIRE. THEN, COULD HEAR A CLOCKING NOISE. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, WHERE THEY FOUND OUT THAT COIL SPRING WAS BROKEN JUST LIKE MENTIONED IN RECALL 01 V 216 000. *AK
WHILE DRIVING UNDER WINTER WEATHER CONDITIONS VEHICLE WAS MAKING NOISES AND HANDLING IMPROPERLY. DEALERSHIP EXAMINED VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT FRONT COIL SPRINGS WERE BROKEN. *AK CONSUMER FEELS THAT DUE TO IMPROPER SPRINGS THE FOLLOWING ALSO HAD TO BE REPLACED, SHOCKS, SHAFTS, STABILIZING LINKS, AND BEARINGS. *SLC
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
MY FIANCEE WAS KILLED WHEN HIS CAR WAS INVOLVED IN A ROLL OVER ACCIDENT DUE TO TREAD SEPARATION ON A FIRESTONE TIRE. *AK (TIRESIZE: P185/70R14)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P185/70R14 )
1ST TIME WAS TRAVELING 70MPH & HEARD A THUMPING SOUND. DASHBOARD STARTED TO SHAKE. LOST CONTROL & STARTED GOING BACK AND FORTH. WENT LEFT INTO A BARRIER. AFTER VEHICLE STOPPED, CHECKED TIRES AND NOTICED RIGHT REAR TIRE WAS SHREDDED. 2ND TIME WAS THE SAME TYPE OF PROBLEM; THUMPING/ DASHBOARD SHAKING/ LOSS OF CONTROL, AND FELT LIKE A FLAT. STOPPED/CHECKED AND NOTICED TREAD WAS PARTIALLY OFF LEFT FRONT TIRE. FIRESTONE, FR440, P185/70414 WITH 60,000 MILES ON RIGHT REAR TIRE, AND 65,000 MILES ON THE LEFT FRONT.*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 DOWN THE FREEWAY, DRIVER OBSERVED SMOKE COMING FROM REAR OF VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER EXITED SAFELY, AND OBSERVED FLAMES COMING FROM THE AREA UNDER THE REAR OF THE CAR (STATION WAGON BODY, AWD MODEL) ABOVE THE DIFFERENTIAL AND NEAR THE GAS TANK. RESPONDERS QUENCHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS EXAMINED AND FOUND THAT THE WIRING FOR THE FUEL PUMP HAD THE INSULATION MELTED OFF, THE FUEL PUMP GASKET WAS COMPRIMISED, AND THERE WAS EVIDENCE OF FLAMES HAVING BEEN IN THE AREA. FURTHER INVESTIGATION FOUND THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN SHORT DISTANCES, THE DIFFERENTIAL BECAME "RED HOT". THE AXLE WAS REPLACED, AND THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN APPROXIMATELY 30 MILES ON BOTH INTERSTATES AND SECONDARY ROADS, AFTER WHICH THE DIFFERETIAL WAS SEEN SMOKING FROM THE HEAT THAT HAD BUILT UP. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE AXLE A SECOND TIME, WITH THE SAME OVERHEATING OBSERVED. IT IS THE MECHANICS' OPINION THAT THE INITIAL FIRE WAS CAUSED BY THE OVERHEATING DIFFERETIAL. FURTHER, HIS RESEARCH INDICATES THAT THE OVERHEATING IS CAUSED BY A FAULTY CLUTCH PACK AND SELENOID IN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.
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
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ODOMETER STOPPED WORKING FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO LEAKING EXHAUST FUMES, WHICH CAUSED HER TO HAVE HEADACHES. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH IN DRY WEATHER, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER WITHOUT CRASHING. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 142,000. UPDATED 02-14-08. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED HAVE SINCE SOLD THE VEHICLE TO D AUTO 214-629-0941 BUT WISHES TO PURSUE HEALTH DAMAGE IN RESPIRATORY AND MENTAL ANGUISH. UPDATED 02/14/08 *TR
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
THE TAILATE LATCH HANDLE HAS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT...IT SOMETIMES WILL NOT OPEN, WHEN IT DOES YOU NEED A TOOL TO RELATCH IT DOWN OR ELSE THE DOOR WILL FLY OPEN *AK
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 .