Power Train. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 12 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 reports1 fire reports11 injury reports

Child Seat complaints

3 reports

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Mileage unknown · Dec 19, 2004

Child Seat

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RECENTLY ACQUIRED A 1999 SUBURU LEGACY BRIGHTON IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. WAS INFORMED BY SELLER THAT THE OWNER'S MANUAL WAS NEVER PROVIDED BY THE DEALERSHIP. I NEED TO KNOW THE PROPER METHOD FOR SECURING MY CHILD SAFETY SEAT IN THIS CAR. IN ORDER TO DOWNLOAD THE PDF FILE (JUST THE PART ABOUT THE CHILD SAFETY SEAT INSTRUCTIONS - NOT THE WHOLE MANUAL) FROM THE SUBARU WEBSITE, I AM REQUIRED TO BUY A "SUBSCRIPTION" TO THEIR WEBSITE. WHILE IT IS FAIR FOR MANUFACTURERS TO RECOUP THE COST OF ARCHIVING AND KEEPING AVAILABLE OWNERS MANUALS FOR OLDER CARS, INFORMATION SUCH AS PROPER SECURING OF CHILD SEATS IS INFORMATION THAT SHOULD BE MADE AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE. GREED HAS TO BE CHECKED SOMEWHERE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10104071

Mileage unknown · Apr 12, 2003

Child SeatSeat Belts

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MY HUSBAND AND I JUST RETURNED FROM A CHILD SAFETY SEAT INSPECTION. WE HAVE A 1999 SUBARU LEGACY. WE HAD MANY PROBLEMS TRYING TO FIT OUR CENTURY 1000 STE CONVERTIBLE CAR SEAT INTO THE BACK SEAT, AND DECIDED TO TRY THE "PROFESSIONALS." THE ONLY WAY OUR CERTIFIED CAR SEAT INSPECTORS COULD ENSURE A TIGHT FITTING POSITION FOR THE CAR SEAT WAS ON THE SIDE (NOT CENTER, AS RECOMMENDED) AND WITH THE SEAT BELT TWISTED 6 (YES, I SAID 6) TIMES! OF COURSE, THE OWNER'S MANUAL OF THE CAR SAYS DO NOT TWIST THE SEAT BELT. THE INSTRUCTION MANUAL ON HAND FOR THE INSPECTORS SAID THAT BY TWISTING THE SEAT BELT 6 TIMES, WE LOWERED THE IMPACT RESISTANCE 30%. THIS IS THE ONLY WAY OUR INSPECTORS COULD GET THE SEAT IN, THOUGH. WE CONTACTED SUBARU AND THEY KINDLY SENT US A LIST OF "RECOMMENDED" CAR SEATS FOR THE 1999 SUBARU LEGACY. THEY WERE ALL BOOSTER SHIELD SEATS, WHICH ARE NOT RECOMMENDED FOR USE WITH A CHILD MY DAUGHTER'S SIZE. WHAT ARE WE SUPPOSED TO DO? BUY A NEW CAR? LET OUR DAUGHTER TRAVEL IN LESS THAN OPTIMAL SAFETY RESTRAINTS? SUBARU PRIDES ITSELF ( AND SELLS ITSELF) AS BEING A SAFE CAR. WHAT GOOD DOES ALL WHEEL DRIVE DO ME IF MY LITTLE GIRL IS SERIOUSLY HARMED OR KILLED DUE TO INEFFECTIVE, POORLY PLANNED SEAT RESTRAINTS DESIGNED BY THEIR ENGINEERS? *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10014306

Mileage unknown · Mar 5, 1999

Child Seat

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THE DESIGN OF THE REAR, CENTER SEATBELT CONFLICTS WITH THE PROPER INSTALLATION OF MANY CARSEAT DESIGNS. TO DATE, WE HAVE TRIED CENTURY ENCORE, CENTURY HORIZON, CENTURY SMARTMOVE, EVENFLO ON MY WAY (WITHOUT BASE). WITH ALL OF THESE CARSEATS, IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE TO SECURE THE CARSEAT TIGHT ENOUGH TO PREVENT MOVEMENT. THE USE OF A LOCKING CLIP DID NOT HELP. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BOTH BEEN CONTACTED. PER THE DEALER, THE SUGGESTION WAS TO READ THE OWNER'S MANUAL. WHEN INFORMED THAT HAS BEEN DONE, THE DEALER RESPONDED THAT THE CAR SEAT SHOULD NOT BE PLACED IN THE CENTER. WHEN I THEN READ TO THE DEALER FROM THE OWNER'S MANUAL THE PROPER INSTALLATION IN THE CENTER SEAT, DEALER RESPONDED WITH 'IT'S NEW TO ME.' THE MANUFACTURER TOOK VAGUE INFORMATION REGARDING THE COMPLAINT. I HAD TO VOLUNTEER MORE COMPLETE INFORMATION SUCH AS THE VIN. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM TO THE MANUFACTURER. QUESTION, HOW CAN THE MANUFACTURER OF A STATION WAGON WHICH TOUTS SAFETY, DESIGN A BELT WHICH IS NOT SAFE?

NHTSA ODI #704061

Official recalls

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.

99V040000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder

Mar 3, 1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS). (THE 1999 2.2 LITER LEGACY VEHICLES ARE EXCLUDED). IN EXTREMELY COLD WEATHER, THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR AND THE VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE IS INCREASED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAUSES THE VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE TO BE INCREASED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER.

98V127000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine

Jun 8, 1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES, ALSO SERVICE PARTS SUPPLIED TO SUBARU DEALERS ARE INVOLVED (LOT NUMBERS F01 J21D2, F01 J30D2, F02 J09D1, F02 J09D2, AND F02 J20D1). THE PUROLATOR OIL FILTER CANS USED ON THESE VEHICLES CAN FRACTURE CAUSING A VAPORIZED OIL SPRAY AND SUBSEQUENT OIL LEAK.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS VAPORIZED OIL SPRAY CAN RESULT IN OIL VAPOR IGNITION BY THE HOT EXHAUST SYSTEM RESULTING IN A POSSIBLE UNDERHOOD FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THESE ENGINE OIL FILTERS.

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

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.