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1996 Subaru Legacy

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1996 Subaru Legacy do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 77.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 23 of 123 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Air Bags. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

26 crash reports4 fire reports14 injury reports

Air Bags complaints

22 reports
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108,000 miles · Oct 20, 2011
Air BagsCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 5 MPH WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO HIS BUMPER AND THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THERE WERE NO PHYSICAL DAMAGES TO THE VEHICLE AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL AUTO MECHANIC TO HAVE THE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 5 MPH WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO HIS BUMPER AND THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THERE WERE NO PHYSICAL DAMAGES TO THE VEHICLE AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL AUTO MECHANIC TO HAVE THE AIR BAGS AND THE WINDSHIELD REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE INCIDENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000.

NHTSA ODI #10430912

98,966 miles · Oct 26, 2005
Air Bags

MY 1996 SUBARU OUTBACK EXPERIENCED AN AIR BAG MALFUNCTION ON 6/14/2005. WHILE DRIVING DOWN OUR LOCAL HIGHWAY AT 55 MPH THE VEHICLE'S AIR BAG SUDDENLY DEPLOYED. THE SUDDEN DEPLOYMENT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT DUE TO THE MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE THEY REFUSED TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER A…

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MY 1996 SUBARU OUTBACK EXPERIENCED AN AIR BAG MALFUNCTION ON 6/14/2005. WHILE DRIVING DOWN OUR LOCAL HIGHWAY AT 55 MPH THE VEHICLE'S AIR BAG SUDDENLY DEPLOYED. THE SUDDEN DEPLOYMENT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT DUE TO THE MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE THEY REFUSED TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER ABOUT REPAIRS. THE INSURANCE INSPECTOR BELIEVES THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A MALFUNCTION IN THE SYSTEM BECAUSE THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE TO INDICATE A 55 MPH CRASH. *NM *NM

NHTSA ODI #10128579

Mileage unknown · Jun 2, 2002
Air Bags

VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED AND FORCE INTO THE BACK OF A PICK UP AND NEITHER BAG BAGS DEPLOYED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA ODI #8010897

Mileage unknown · Aug 3, 2001
Air BagsCrashInjury

VEHICLE WAS AT A STAND STILL WHEN IT WAS HIT HEAD ON. FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UNTIL PASSENGER WENT THROUGH WINDSHIELD, AND DRIVER HIT STEERING WHEEL. CONSUMER HAS NOT YET MADE ANY CONTACT WITH MANUFACTURER OR DEALER.*AK

NHTSA ODI #893395

Mileage unknown · Feb 20, 2001
Air BagsCrashInjury

CONSUMER WAS FORCED OFF OF ROAD WHERE SHE IMPACTED A TREE. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DURING THIS EVENT. *AK

NHTSA ODI #880887

Mileage unknown · Jan 3, 2001
Air BagsSeatsCrashInjury

VEHICLE HIT DEER, MINIMUM DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. BUT, BOTH AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. PASSENGER'S AIR BAG BROKE, PASSENGER INJURED FACE. PASSENGER HAD SEATBACK ALL THE WAY, AND WAS LEANING BACK AT TIME OF DEPLOYMENT. *AK

NHTSA ODI #877309

Mileage unknown · Dec 22, 2000
Air BagsCrashInjury

AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY ON 35MPH FRONT-END IMPACT WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. CAR SUSTAINED $7000 DAMAGES, FRONT-END IS CRUSHED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #738162

Mileage unknown · Feb 17, 2000
Air BagsService Brakes, HydraulicCrash

WHILE APPLYING BRAKES TO STOP ABOUT 5 MPH, CONSUMER BUMPED INTO VEHICLE IN FRONT, AND BOTH AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT A PRIOR WARNING. *AK

NHTSA ODI #857143

Mileage unknown · Jun 7, 1999
Air BagsCrashInjury

VEHICLE HIT A POLE HEAD-ON AT 30 TO 35MPH AND NEITHER DRIVER'S SIDE NOR PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. ALSO, SEAT BELT DID NOT HOLD. DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES. *AK

NHTSA ODI #837319

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 1999
Air BagsCrash

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND ANOTHER CAR HIT HIM, AND DRIVER'S AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. *AK

NHTSA ODI #834336

Official recalls

3

01V216000 · Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs

Jun 25, 2001

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FRONT COIL SPRINGS ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW YORK, NEW JERSEY, NEW HAMPSHIRE, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA, AND WISCONSIN, AND IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS WERE PRODUCED WITH POOR PAINT QUALITY WHICH, AFTER CONTINUED EXPOSURE TO CORROSIVE SALT, CAN RESULT IN BREAKAGE OF THE SPRING.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: DEPENDING ON THE LOCATION OF THE FRACTURE, A BROKEN SPRING COULD MOVE PAST THE SPRING SEAT AND CONTACT A FRONT TIRE. SOME TIRES HAVE DEFLATED DUE TO CONTACT WITH A BROKEN SPRING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL NOTIFIY CUSTOMERS TO BRING THEIR VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE A SPRING GUARD INSTALLED ON BOTH FRONT STRUTS TO PREVENT TIRE PUNCTURE AND REPLACE ANY BROKEN SPRINGS FREE OF CHARGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 18, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783.

98V315000 · Air Bags

Dec 11, 1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT CAN OCCUR AFTER UNDERCARRIAGE CONTACT OF THE TOW HOOKS WITH CURBS, DIPS, SPEEDBUMPS, POTHOLES, ETC.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: UNEXPECTED AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT COULD RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE FRONT TOW HOOKS.

98V091000 · Suspension:front:springs:leaf Spring Assembly:hanger,bracket

May 4, 1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER STATION WAGON, SEDAN AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. DUE TO IMPROPER WELDING, FRACTURES CAN OCCUR ON THE SUPPORT BRACKET OF THE FRONT TRANSVERSE LINK.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: SUCH FRACTURES CAN RESULT IN PARTIAL OR COMPLETE SEPARATION OF THE BRACKET CAUSING A FAILURE OF THE LOWER SUSPENSION MOUNTING, LEADING TO A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE IF NECESSARY THE FRONT SUSPENSION SUPPORT BRACKETS.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

3

PE99067 · Electrical System

Opened Nov 1, 1999 · Closed May 31, 2000

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System

ODI HAS RECEIVED 5,820 COMPLAINTS CONCERNING A VARIETY OF ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURES THAT RESULT IN THE VEHICLE STALLING.OUR COMPLAINT ANALYSIS INDICATES THAT THE MAJORITY OF THESE COMPAINTS ARE CAUSED BY ALTERNATOR FAILURE.IN SOME INSTANCES, THE VEHICLE IS COMPLETELY DEAD AND WILL NOT RESTART.BASED ON OUR INVESTIGATION AND THE MANUFACTURER'S RESPOMSE, ODI IS CLOSING THIS INVESTIGATION BECAUSE THE MANUFACTURER HAS AGREED TO PERFORM THE OWNER NORTIFICATION PROGRAM CITED ABOVE, INCLUDING QUARTERLY NOTIFICATIONS TO ODI.THIS PROGRAM ALLOWS OWNERS TO GET THEIR ALTERNATOR REPLACED FOR FREE.FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THIS MATTER CLOSELY, AND THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION ON THESE MODELS IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

EA97010 · Oversensitive Air Bag Deployment

Opened Apr 30, 1997 · Closed Dec 23, 1998

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags

IN ITS LETTER DATED DECEMBER 21, 1998, SUBARU STATED THAT THE VEHICLES IDENTIFIED ABOVE WILL BE RECALLED.SUBARU DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE FRONT TOWING/TIE-DOWN HOOKS.REFER TO NHTSA RECALL NO. 98V-315 FOR DETAILS.

PE96075 · Oversensitive Air Bag Deployment

Opened Dec 18, 1996 · Closed Apr 30, 1997

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags

ODI HAS REVIEWED 33 COMPLAINTS OF OVERSENSITIVE' AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT (I.E., ANY NON-CRASH DEPLOYMENT) RECEIVED BY ODI AND SUBARU INVOLVING MODEL YEAR 1995 SUBARU IMPREZA & LEGACY VEHICLES AND ALL OTHER IMPREZA & LEGACY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIR BAG SYSTEMS IDENTICAL OR SIMILAR TO THOSE IN THE 1995 IMPREZA & LEGACY; THEY ARE LATE 1994-1996 IMPREZA AND ALL1995 & 1996 LEGACY (33 COMPLAINTS OUT OF 165,385 VEHICLES).ODI'S ANALYSIS INDICATES THAT CERTAIN IMPREZA & LEGACY VEHICLES - - LATE 1994 & EARLY 1995 IMPREZA AND ALL 1995 & EARLY 1996 LEGACY (29 COMPLAINTS OUT OF 95,678 VEHICLES) -- HAVE MUCH HIGHER COMPLAINT RATE THAN THE REMAINING VEHICLES WHICH ARE DIFFERENT IN VEHICLE STRUCTURE OR EQUIPPED WITH DIFFERENT AIR BAG SENSING SYSTEM.MOST OF THE COMPLAINTS (26 OF THE 29) INDICATE THAT THE VEHICLE'S DUAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED FROM AN UNDERCARRIAGE IMPACT WITH A CURB, BUMP, DIP, POTHOLE, ETC.IN THE REMAINING 3 COMPLAINTS, THE DRIVER ALLEGED THAT THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY OR WITHOUT ANY IMPACT.IN 13 OF THE 29 CASES, ONLY THE VEHICLE'S FRONT TOW HOOKS REPORTEDLY WERE FOUND DAMAGED OR SHOWED EVIDENCE OF IMPACT, AND IN 6 OTHER CASES BOTH TOW HOOKS AND OTHER UNDERCARRIAGE COMPONENTS WERE REPORTEDLY DAMAGED OR IMPACTED; NO DETAILS WERE GIVEN IN THE 10 REMAINING CASES.THIS PE HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO EA97-010