NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
22 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Jun 25, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingUnknown Or Other
WHILE DRIVING ENGINE LIGHT BECOMES ILLUMINATED, THEN CUTS OFF. ENGINE WILL TURN OVER WHEN RESTARTED. DEALER WAS CONTACTED, BUT WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE PROBLEM. *AK CONSUMER STATES THE VEHICLE WILL FAIL AT THE SAME PLACE DAILY, WAS TOLD BY A SUBARU ENGINEER THAT THE VEHICLE HAD LIFTERS INSTALLED WHICH WERE TOO SMALL AND SUGGESTED T…
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WHILE DRIVING ENGINE LIGHT BECOMES ILLUMINATED, THEN CUTS OFF. ENGINE WILL TURN OVER WHEN RESTARTED. DEALER WAS CONTACTED, BUT WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE PROBLEM. *AK CONSUMER STATES THE VEHICLE WILL FAIL AT THE SAME PLACE DAILY, WAS TOLD BY A SUBARU ENGINEER THAT THE VEHICLE HAD LIFTERS INSTALLED WHICH WERE TOO SMALL AND SUGGESTED THAT ONLY VERY THIN SYNTHETIC OIL BE USED, CONSUMER TRIED THIS AND VEHICLE OPERATES NORMALLY FOR ABOUT 1200 MILES, DEALER HAS REPLACED THE FOLLOWING TO TRY AND CORRECT PROBLEML MAF SENSOR, CRANK AND CAM SENSORS, PLUGS AND WIRES, COIL, COMPUTER, STARTER, ALTNERNATOR, IGNITION SWITCH, AND TIMING BELT. *SLC
NHTSA ODI #891167
Mileage unknown · Sep 26, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingUnknown Or Other
SUBARU LEGACY HAS HAD A WIDELY REPORTED HISTORY OF A HESITATION OR HIGHSPEED MISS. IN THE CASE OF THIS VEHICLE, IT WAS RETURNED FOR SERVICE FIVE TIMES WITH THE #1 VALVE GUIDE REPLACED TWICE. IN 2000, SUBARU DEALERSHIP IN CATONSVILLE MD. IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM FROM COMPRESSION TEST AS A "MISCAST CYLINDER HEAD" AND REPLACED ON W…
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SUBARU LEGACY HAS HAD A WIDELY REPORTED HISTORY OF A HESITATION OR HIGHSPEED MISS. IN THE CASE OF THIS VEHICLE, IT WAS RETURNED FOR SERVICE FIVE TIMES WITH THE #1 VALVE GUIDE REPLACED TWICE. IN 2000, SUBARU DEALERSHIP IN CATONSVILLE MD. IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM FROM COMPRESSION TEST AS A "MISCAST CYLINDER HEAD" AND REPLACED ON WARRANTY. HOWEVER, THIS PROBLEM WAS NOT ADDRESSED FOR FOUR YEARS, AND WE WONDER IF SUBARU KNOWS OF THIS PROBLEM IN CASTING CYLINDER HEADS AND HAS NOT CONDUCTED A VOLUNTARY RECALL. THE CARGUYS ON PBS HAVE HAD FOUR SIMILAR COMPLAINTS OVER THE LAST YEAR REGARDING SUBARU LEGACY AND OUTBACK VEHICLES WHICH SOUND SIMILAR IN COMPLAINT TO THIS VEHICLE. THE SYMPTOMS ARE A HIGH SPEED MISFIRE ON A CYLINDER (60 MPH) AND SUBSEQUENT SETTING OF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. ANOTHER SERVICE DEALER INFORMED US THAT SUBARUS ARE KNOWN FOR "BAD VALVES". IF THERE IS A KNOWN CASTING PROBLEM IN THE CYLINDER HEADS, THESE VEHICLES SHOULD BE RECALLED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #732588
Mileage unknown · Apr 12, 2000
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingVisibility
A FUSE HAD BLOWN OUT FIVE TIMES, CAUSING ENGINE TO STALL . ALSO, AFFECTING WINDOWS AND FAN. *AK
NHTSA ODI #860188
Mileage unknown · Jan 21, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
SMELLING OIL FOR ABOUT TWO MONTHS. FINALLY TOOK VEHICLE IN 6 WEEKS AGO FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE & DISCOVERED OIL LEAKS. WAS TOLD BY THE MECHANIC LEAKS CAMEFROM CRANKSHAFT OR CAMSHAFT GASKET AND CYLINDERS. CONTACTED DEALER REPLACED CRANKSHAFT GASKETS/WATER PUMP. ANOTHER LEAK IN THE BACK OF ENGINE CAUSED BY SEPARATOR COVER GASKE…
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SMELLING OIL FOR ABOUT TWO MONTHS. FINALLY TOOK VEHICLE IN 6 WEEKS AGO FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE & DISCOVERED OIL LEAKS. WAS TOLD BY THE MECHANIC LEAKS CAMEFROM CRANKSHAFT OR CAMSHAFT GASKET AND CYLINDERS. CONTACTED DEALER REPLACED CRANKSHAFT GASKETS/WATER PUMP. ANOTHER LEAK IN THE BACK OF ENGINE CAUSED BY SEPARATOR COVER GASKET. *AK
NHTSA ODI #855347
Mileage unknown · Nov 3, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
4 INCIDENTS ENGINE FAILURE. FIRST TIME I PUSHED ACCELATOR AND THERE WAS NO POWER. CONTINUED TO APPLY GAS PEDAL AND NO POWER, IT WAS AS IF I WAS NOT APPLYING THE GAS AT ALL. CHECH ENGINE LIGHT BEGAN TO FLASH, CAR BEGAN TO SHAKE, AND AS SOON AS CHECK ENGINE STOPPED BLINKING AND LIGHT REMAINED ON, THE CAR RAN SMOOTHLY. THE SECO…
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4 INCIDENTS ENGINE FAILURE. FIRST TIME I PUSHED ACCELATOR AND THERE WAS NO POWER. CONTINUED TO APPLY GAS PEDAL AND NO POWER, IT WAS AS IF I WAS NOT APPLYING THE GAS AT ALL. CHECH ENGINE LIGHT BEGAN TO FLASH, CAR BEGAN TO SHAKE, AND AS SOON AS CHECK ENGINE STOPPED BLINKING AND LIGHT REMAINED ON, THE CAR RAN SMOOTHLY. THE SECOND INCIDENT WAS EXACTLY THE SAME AS THE FIRST. THE THIRD INCIDENT THE CAR DID THE SAME EXACT THING BUT THIS TIME IT STALLED OUT AS WELL. 4TH TIME WAS VERY MUCH LIKE THE FIRST TWO. HAVE BEEN TO THE DEALER 3 TIMES AND THEY HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA WHAT THE PROBLEM IS.
NHTSA ODI #714283
Mileage unknown · Nov 1, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingInjury
REPEATED EPISODES W/OUT RESOLUTION. CAR WILL STALL AT ANY GIVEN TIME WITH NO WARNING. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BLINKS AND CAR WILL LOOSE POWER OR COMPLETELY STALL. NO WARNING, NO BRAKES, NO REASON AFTER REPEATED VISITS TO DEALER. MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN, CAR SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN .
NHTSA ODI #714192
Mileage unknown · Oct 6, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
CONSUMER NOTICED RUST ON THE ENGINE. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED ANDTOLD CONSUMER TO LOOK OVER THE RUST. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
NHTSA ODI #850102
Mileage unknown · Feb 7, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
NO SUMMARY
NHTSA ODI #703016
Mileage unknown · Jan 25, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
ENGINE FAILED , LOUD KNOCKING AT ENGINE STARTUP. SUBARU REPLACED ENTIRE ENGINE SHORT-BLOCK AT 18K MILES. REPLACEMENT ENGINE FAILED AT 19K MILES OPERATION WITH SAME PROBLEM (OR 37K MILES ON CAR). SUBARU CLAIMS IT IS A PISTON RELATED PROBLEM. AFTER MANY COMPLAINTS TO SUBARU, THEY HAVE AGREED TO REPAIR IT. CURRENTLY AT THE DEA…
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ENGINE FAILED , LOUD KNOCKING AT ENGINE STARTUP. SUBARU REPLACED ENTIRE ENGINE SHORT-BLOCK AT 18K MILES. REPLACEMENT ENGINE FAILED AT 19K MILES OPERATION WITH SAME PROBLEM (OR 37K MILES ON CAR). SUBARU CLAIMS IT IS A PISTON RELATED PROBLEM. AFTER MANY COMPLAINTS TO SUBARU, THEY HAVE AGREED TO REPAIR IT. CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER GETTING NEW: PISTONS, PINS, RODS AND BEARINGS AS NEEDED. THIS IS A WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM THAT SUBARU IS NOW TELLING DEALERS AND OWNERS "IT IS A NORMAL OPERATING NOISE IF THE NOISE GOES AWAY AFTER 5 MINUTES OF OPERATION". IT IS NOT NORMAL ! AND IN MY OPINION WILL ONLY GET WORSE IF NOT REPAIRED. I PLAN TO SELL MY CAR AFTER REPAIRED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #702579
Mileage unknown · Jan 27, 1998
Engine And Engine Cooling
COMPUTER SENSOR CONTROL UNIT FAILED.
NHTSA ODI #529070
Official recalls
3Jun 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.
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.
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
3PE99067 · 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
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