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1997 Subaru Legacy

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1997 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 139 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.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 31 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

18 crash reports2 fire reports7 injury reports

What owners actually said

139 reports
Mileage unknown · Dec 14, 2001
Latches/locks/linkages

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE HOOD UNLATCHED AND BLEWOUT, OPEN BREAKING MY WINDSHEILD AND DENTING MY HOOD AT THE SAME TIME. I WAS UNABLE TO SEE THROUGH MY WINDSHEILD, BUT WAS STILL ABLE TO SAFELY BRING MY VEHICLE TO A STOP ON THE SHOULDER. I DO NOT KNOW WHY THE HOOD LATCH FAILED OR EVEN WAS OPEN AS I HAD…

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I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE HOOD UNLATCHED AND BLEWOUT, OPEN BREAKING MY WINDSHEILD AND DENTING MY HOOD AT THE SAME TIME. I WAS UNABLE TO SEE THROUGH MY WINDSHEILD, BUT WAS STILL ABLE TO SAFELY BRING MY VEHICLE TO A STOP ON THE SHOULDER. I DO NOT KNOW WHY THE HOOD LATCH FAILED OR EVEN WAS OPEN AS I HAD NOT DONE ANYTHING UNDER THE HOOD IN A LONG TIME. *AK

NHTSA ODI #755645

Mileage unknown · Dec 10, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling

INTERMITTENT SEVERE HESITATION - HAS BECOME SAFETY ISSUE WHEN SUDDEN POWER LOSS OCCURS IN TRAFFIC UNDER ACCELERATION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #755481

Mileage unknown · Dec 4, 2001
Vehicle Speed Control

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT-HAND TURN, I PUSHED THE GAS PEDAL TO THE FLOOR, AND THE CAR STARTED MOVING IN FRONT OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC BEFORE COMPLETELY LOSING POWER. I PUSHED THE ACCELERATOR TO THE FLOOR AGAIN, AND GOT THE SAME RESULT, ALMOST CAUSING A CRASH. I HAVE SINCE BEEN ABLE TO RECREATE THE PROBLEM BY PUSHING THE ACCE…

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WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT-HAND TURN, I PUSHED THE GAS PEDAL TO THE FLOOR, AND THE CAR STARTED MOVING IN FRONT OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC BEFORE COMPLETELY LOSING POWER. I PUSHED THE ACCELERATOR TO THE FLOOR AGAIN, AND GOT THE SAME RESULT, ALMOST CAUSING A CRASH. I HAVE SINCE BEEN ABLE TO RECREATE THE PROBLEM BY PUSHING THE ACCELERATOR TO THE FLOOR FROM A STOP.*AK

NHTSA ODI #755261

Mileage unknown · Nov 14, 2001
Service Brakes, HydraulicStructure

1) ALL 4 RIMS HAVE A TENDENCY TO COLLECT ROAD SILT AND WATER INSIDE. THIS IMBALANCES THE CAR AND MAY EXPLAIN SOME OF THE BRAKE PROBLEMS. PERHAPS AIRFLOW UNDER THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE STUDIED. 2) PADS AND SPRINGS LOCATED ON FRAME WHERE THE REAR GATE CLOSES AGAINST THE BODY ARE RUSTED TIGHT. 3) DASH LIGHTS FOR HVAC HAVE FAILED AT AB…

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1) ALL 4 RIMS HAVE A TENDENCY TO COLLECT ROAD SILT AND WATER INSIDE. THIS IMBALANCES THE CAR AND MAY EXPLAIN SOME OF THE BRAKE PROBLEMS. PERHAPS AIRFLOW UNDER THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE STUDIED. 2) PADS AND SPRINGS LOCATED ON FRAME WHERE THE REAR GATE CLOSES AGAINST THE BODY ARE RUSTED TIGHT. 3) DASH LIGHTS FOR HVAC HAVE FAILED AT ABOUT 30,000 MILES. 4) GAS GAUGE DOES NOT DESCEND ACCURATLY.

NHTSA ODI #754517

Mileage unknown · Nov 14, 2001
Service Brakes, HydraulicStructureVisibility

7) ALL 4 RIMS HAVE A TENDENCY TO COLLECT ROAD SILT AND WATER INSIDE. THIS IMBALANCES THE CAR AND MAY EXPLAIN SOME OF THE BRAKE PROBLEMS. PERHAPS AIRFLOW UNDER THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE STUDIED. 8) LEFT REAR PASSENGER WINDOW DOES NOT GO UP ALL THE WAY ANY LONGER. 84,000 MILES. 9) PADS AND SPRINGS LOCATED ON FRAME WHERE THE REAR GATE …

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7) ALL 4 RIMS HAVE A TENDENCY TO COLLECT ROAD SILT AND WATER INSIDE. THIS IMBALANCES THE CAR AND MAY EXPLAIN SOME OF THE BRAKE PROBLEMS. PERHAPS AIRFLOW UNDER THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE STUDIED. 8) LEFT REAR PASSENGER WINDOW DOES NOT GO UP ALL THE WAY ANY LONGER. 84,000 MILES. 9) PADS AND SPRINGS LOCATED ON FRAME WHERE THE REAR GATE CLOSES AGAINST THE BODY ARE RUSTED TIGHT. 10) DASH LIGHTS FOR HVAC HAVE FAILED AT ABOUT 30,000 MILES. 11) GAS GAUGE DOES NOT DESCEND ACCURATLY.

NHTSA ODI #754516

Mileage unknown · Nov 13, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, HydraulicSuspension

ENGINE WAS KNOCKING AND MAKING A TICKING NOISE, BRAKES WERE MAKING A SQUEAK/ LOUD NOISE, DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT AND STEERING WHEEL WOBBLES, ALSO RIM WAS REPLACED DUE TO IT BEING BENT. *YD

NHTSA ODI #899069

Mileage unknown · Nov 6, 2001
Suspension

RECALL 01V216000, CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL LETTER IN SEPTEMBER, HAS BEEN TOLD BY SUBARU THERE WERE NO PARTS AVAILABLE FOR REPAIRS. *AK *YH

NHTSA ODI #898808

Mileage unknown · Nov 6, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling

FRONT CRANK SEAL IS LEAKING OIL ONTO EXHAUST SYSTEM. *AK CONSUMER STATES THE FORNT CRACK SEAL WHERE THE OIL PUMP MEETS THE ENGINE BLOCK FAILS AT REGULAR INTERVALS, WHEN THIS SEAL LEAKS OIL DRIPS ONTO THE EXHAUST AND SMOKES.*SLC

NHTSA ODI #898798

Mileage unknown · Nov 5, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

CRANK SEAL LEAK IS A FIRE RISK. OIL DRIPS ALONG OIL PAN AND ONTO Y SECTION OF EXHAUST WHERE IT BURNS. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH SUBARUS WITH 50K MILES. ALTHOUGH TORQUE CONVERTER BIND IS NOT DIRECTLY A SAFETY ISSUE, IT IS TOO COMMON AMONG SUBARUS WITH > 50K MILES.

NHTSA ODI #754109

Mileage unknown · Aug 17, 2001
Electrical System

CONSUMER TRIED TO START VEHICLE, AND IT WOULD NOT START. VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER. DEALER FOUND A PINCHED WIRE IN WIRING HARNESS. WIRE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $ 2200.00 . CONSUMER FELT SUBARU WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIRS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #894633

Official recalls

5

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.

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.

98V035000 · Vehicle Speed Control

Feb 20, 1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE THROTTLE SHAFT BALL BEARING ON THE SENSOR SIDE OF THE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY WAS NOT INSTALLED IN CERTAIN THROTTLE BODIES.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: OPERATION OF A VEHICLE WITH A MISSING THROTTLE SHAFT BEARING CAN EVENTUALLLY LEAD TO AN INCOMPLETE RETURN OF THE THROTTLE VALVE RESULTING IN A HIGH IDLING CONDITION.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE THROTTLE BODY AND REPLACE THE THROTTLE ASSEMBLY IF THE BEARING IS MISSING.

98V042000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl)

Feb 20, 1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. DUE TO POOR WELDS, IGNITION KEYS CAN STICK, SHIFT LEVERS/LINKAGES CAN BREAK AND SHIFT LEVERS CAN MOVE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE UNEXPECTED MOVEMENT OF THE VEHICLE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH OR PROPERTY DAMAGE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER ASSEMBLIES (EXCEPT THE HANDLE GRIP).

97V210000 · Exterior Lighting:hazard Flashing Warning Lights:switch

Nov 13, 1997

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. INSUFFICIENT CLEARANCE WITHIN THE HAZARD WARNING LIGHT SWITCH HOUSING CAN CAUSE A BINDING BETWEEN THE ACTUATING BUTTON AND THE HOUSING.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE SWITCH COULD STICK IN AN INTERMEDIATE POSITION WHEN DEACTIVATING, RESULTING IN THE TURN SIGNALS BECOMING INOPERABLE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A MODIFIED HAZARD WARNING SWITCH.

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

1

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.