1994 SUBARU LEGACY

0 recalls — 67 complaints

No recalls found for this vehicle.

Complaint Statistics

67 total complaints 7 crashes 5 fires 6 injuries 1 deaths

Top Reported Components

ComponentComplaints
SEAT BELTS17
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR3
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION3
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL3
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL2
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY2
AIR BAGS2
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE2
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP2
SERVICE BRAKES Mar 14, 2021
Incident date: Sep 4, 2020
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... Read more
SEAT BELTS Apr 1, 2016
Incident date: Aug 22, 2013
THE RETRACTABLE MECHANIZED SHOULDER HARNESS DOES NOT WORK.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE Apr 11, 2010
Incident date: Jun 19, 2009
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 ... Read more
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION Nov 16, 2008
Incident date: Sep 1, 2008
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 DEFICIE... Read more
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE Aug 21, 2008
Incident date: Aug 18, 2008
FUEL PUMP WIRING SHORTED OUT IN THE GAS TANK. *TR
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL Jan 17, 2008
Incident date: May 23, 2006
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 ... Read more
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE Jan 17, 2008
Incident date: May 23, 2006
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 ... Read more
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM Jan 17, 2008
Incident date: May 23, 2006
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 ... Read more
SEAT BELTS:FRONT Sep 14, 2005
Incident date: Jul 17, 2005
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 TO... Read more
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY Apr 6, 2005
Incident date: Dec 10, 2004
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 N... Read more
Fire
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY Apr 6, 2005
Incident date: Dec 10, 2004
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 N... Read more
Fire
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR Jun 11, 2004
Incident date: Feb 11, 1999
WE HAVE A 1994 SUBARU LEGACY. WHEN THE CAR WAS OUT OR WARRANTY, THE DRIVER SIDE RETRACTABLE SHOULDER HARNESS BROKE. WE COMPLAINED TO SUBARU AND THEY FIXED IT AT NO COST TO US IN 1999. IT WASN'T WORKING AGIAN AND WE PAID TO HAVE IT FIXED IN 2000.ABOUT ONE YEAR AGO IT BROKE AGAIN. THE SHOULDER HAR... Read more
SEAT BELTS Feb 14, 2004
Incident date: Jun 1, 2001
MOTORIZED SEATBELT IS STUCK IN ONE POSITION. MOTOR STILL RUNS UPON OPENING/CLOSING OF CAR DOOR, BUT BELT DOES NOT MOVE IN TRACK. TWO FEET OF TRACK CABLE HAS FALLEN OUT OF ITS HOUSING.*AK
SEAT BELTS:FRONT Jul 28, 2003
Incident date: Mar 2, 2002
FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT SLIDING RETRACTOR WILL NOT MOVE, MAKING USE OF THIS SEAT BELT INOPERABLE,
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS Feb 22, 2003
Incident date: Jan 22, 2003
VEHICLE CONSUMED BY FIRE. FIRE INSPECTOR'S REPORT ATTRIBUTES CAUSE TO POWER STEERING HOSE SEPARATION AT PUMP.
Fire
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS Jan 25, 2003
Incident date: Jan 22, 2003
SPONTANEOUS EXPLOSION AND FIRE DESTROYING 1994 SUBARU AND DAMAGING ANOTHER CAR AND ADJACENT HOME. FIRE INSPECTOR ASSESSED CAUSE AS RUPTURED POWER STEERING HOSE.
Fire
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL Jul 17, 2002
Incident date: Apr 15, 2002
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 SHOU... Read more
AIR BAGS Jun 6, 2002
Incident date: May 1, 2002
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL:MECHANICAL May 14, 2002
Incident date: Oct 10, 2001
CONSUMER STATED THE PARKING BRAKE RELASE BUTTON BROKE, DUE TO BEING MADE OF PLASTIC. *YD
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS Feb 4, 2002
Incident date: Jan 8, 2002
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
PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL:MECHANICAL Jan 17, 2002
Incident date: Oct 10, 2001
CONSUMER STATED THE PARKING BRAKE RELASE BUTTON BROKE, DUE TO BEING MADE OF PLASTIC. *YD
SEAT BELTS Dec 18, 2001
BECAUSE THE SEAT BELT DOES NOT RETRACT AUTOMATICALLY I HAVE TO CLIMB UNDER THE SHOLDER BELT WHEN GETING IN AND OUT OF THE VEHICLE I WOULD HAVE THOUGHT THET THE SAFE OPERATION OF A MAJOR ITEM REQUIRED BY LAW WOULD HAVE TO BE SERVICEABLE FOR THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE NOT AS IN THIS CASE THE HALF LIFE. *... Read more
SEAT BELTS Nov 1, 2001
Incident date: Oct 11, 2000
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 35MPH ON A TWO LANE HIGHWAY AND THERE WAS CONSTRUCTION ON THE ROAD. THERE WAS A SUDDEN STOP IN FRONT OF THE LANE. CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS THIRD IN A THREE CAR ACCIDENT. SHE WENT TO APPLY BRAKES, AND AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT DIDN'T HOLD . SHE HIT STEERING WHEEL. DEALE... Read more
Crash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL Nov 1, 2001
Incident date: Oct 11, 2000
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 35MPH ON A TWO LANE HIGHWAY AND THERE WAS CONSTRUCTION ON THE ROAD. THERE WAS A SUDDEN STOP IN FRONT OF THE LANE. CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS THIRD IN A THREE CAR ACCIDENT. SHE WENT TO APPLY BRAKES, AND AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT DIDN'T HOLD . SHE HIT STEERING WHEEL. DEALE... Read more
Crash
SEAT BELTS Aug 6, 2001
Incident date: Dec 10, 1999
SHOULDER BELT FOR THE DRIVER'S RESTRAINT BELT SYSTEM IS STUCK IN AN UNUSABLE POSITION AND WILL NOT MOVE ALONG THE TRACK. DEALERSHIP INFORMED CONSUMER HOW MUCH REPAIRS WOULD RUN, AND THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED.*AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THE WIRE WHICH PULLS THE MOVABLE PART IS OFF THE TRA... Read more
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS Aug 6, 2001
Incident date: Mar 3, 2001
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 LI... Read more
TIRES:TREAD/BELT Jan 18, 2001
Incident date: Sep 4, 1998
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 )
Crash 1 injured 1 deaths
SEAT BELTS Jan 18, 2001
Incident date: Mar 17, 2000
DRIVER SIDE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT FAILED IN TRACK WILL NOT MOVE IN EITHER DIRECTION, TRACK CABLE PROTRUDES FROM TRACK. *AK
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP Dec 28, 2000
Incident date: Dec 19, 2000
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED FLAME SHOOTING OUT OF FILLER NECK UPON TAKEN OFF GAS CAP. MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER TO TAKE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL DEALER. DEALER CLAIMED THAT NOTHING COULD BE FOUND, AND DEALER'S TECHNICIAN INFORMED CONSUMER THAT STATIC FROM CONSUMER'S HAND MAY HAVE TRIGGERED... Read more
Fire
TIRES:TREAD/BELT Nov 6, 2000
Incident date: Sep 4, 2000
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... Read more
SEAT BELTS Oct 3, 2000
MOTORIZED SEAT BELTS ON DRIVER'S SIDE FAILED TO WORK. REMAINED IN THE SAME POSITION AT TOP OF DOOR TRACK. HAVE TO UNCLIP SHOULDER BELT TO GET IN OR OUT OF VEHICLE. LAP BELT SEPARATED. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER & MECHANIC REFUSED TO REPAIR SEAT BELT DUE TO BEING OVER 100,000 MILES. *AK
UNKNOWN OR OTHER Sep 27, 2000
Incident date: May 1, 2000
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK
SEAT BELTS Aug 22, 2000
Incident date: Jul 1, 2000
PASSENGER'S SIDE RESTRAINT ON GUIDERAIL WAS NOT RETRACTING. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK
STRUCTURE:BODY Jul 6, 2000
Incident date: Nov 1, 1995
THE SUN VISOR SHAFT BROKE OFF CAUSING THE SUN VISOR TO FAIL. YH
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TAILGATE:LATCH Jun 23, 2000
Incident date: May 16, 2000
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
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE Jun 5, 2000
Incident date: Jun 3, 2000
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT ANY MPH VEHICLE WOULD STALL WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, AND THERE WAS A LOSS OF STEERING. THIS WOULD HAPPEN MORE OFTEN IN COLD WHEATHER.*AK
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM Jun 5, 2000
Incident date: Jun 3, 2000
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT ANY MPH VEHICLE WOULD STALL WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, AND THERE WAS A LOSS OF STEERING. THIS WOULD HAPPEN MORE OFTEN IN COLD WHEATHER.*AK
STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION) Jun 1, 2000
Incident date: Jun 1, 2000
THE CONSUMER WOULD FILL IN THE INFORMATION CONCERNING GEAR STEERING BOX FAILURE. *AK
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP May 4, 2000
WHEN CONSUMER APPLIES BRAKES PEDAL GOES ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, AND THERE IS AKNOCKING NOISE. *AK
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION Oct 15, 1999
Incident date: Jul 12, 1999
TRANSMISSION IS GOING OUT, AND THE VEHICLE IS STALLING AND THERE IS A LOSS OF POWER. *AK
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE Apr 25, 1999
Incident date: Apr 9, 1999
DOES NOT ENGAGE ON START-UP, RANDOM ENGAGE WHILE DRIVING, SAFETY IS THE MANUFACTURER'S RESPONSIBILITY! HAD MECHANIC DISENGAGE MOTOR, NOW OPERATES MANUALLY. EST. COST OF REPAIR- $200-$350.
SEAT BELTS Apr 14, 1999
Incident date: Apr 4, 1999
THE AUTOMATIC SEATBELT ON THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE FAILED. THE CABLE HAS COME OUT OF THE TRACK AND THE ANCHOR (AROUND THE DOOR) NO LONGER MOVES, ALTHOUGH THE BELT MOTOR STILL WORKS, THE BELT CANNOT BE MOVED INTO A FULL BACK POSITION. THIS SYSTEM SHOULD NOT FAIL AND IN MY OPINION SHOULD BE THE SOLE RE... Read more
SEAT BELTS Mar 12, 1999
Incident date: Sep 1, 1998
DRIVER'S SHOULDER BELT GOT STUCK IN A FORWARD POSITION, CAUSING SHOULDER BELT TO BE INOPERATIVE, WHICH WONT PROTECT THE OCCUPANT IN EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY Mar 1, 1999
Incident date: Feb 15, 1999
NO PAST PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR, BUT NOW HAS A LEAKING GAS TANK
SEAT BELTS Feb 19, 1999
CONSUMER WAS HIT ON RIGHT FROND END ,THE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT DID NOT LOCK, CAUSING CHEST AND STERNUM INJURIES. *AK
Crash
AIR BAGS Oct 20, 1998
AIR BAG CONTROL UNIT FAILED.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION Sep 7, 1998
Incident date: Aug 14, 1998
WHILE ACCELERATING ONTO A FREEWAY ON-RAMP, THE OVERDRIVE WENT OUT, CAUSING LOSS OF POWER. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO SHIFT TO 3RD GEAR AND GET DISABLED VEHICLE OFF THE FREEWAY.
SEAT BELTS Aug 26, 1998
Incident date: May 1, 1996
MOTORBELTS FAILED THREE TIMES. (QCAW)
SEAT BELTS Aug 5, 1998
Incident date: Jun 20, 1998
AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT FAILED.
SEAT BELTS May 18, 1998
Incident date: Apr 1, 1997
FRONT MOTORBELTS FAILED.

Showing 50 of 67 complaints.

EPA Fuel Economy — 1994 SUBARU LEGACY

Trim / Engine City MPG Highway MPG Combined MPG Fuel Type Annual Fuel Cost
2.2L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd (Front-Wheel Drive) 19.0 26.0 22.0 Regular $2,700
2.2L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd (Front-Wheel Drive) 20.0 28.0 23.0 Regular $2,600

CO2 Emissions: 404.0 g/mile (Compact Cars)

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Actual fuel economy may vary based on driving conditions.

NHTSA Safety Investigations — SUBARU LEGACY

Investigations opened by NHTSA into potential safety defects. These are separate from recalls and may or may not result in a recall.

PE99067 Opened: Nov 1, 1999 — Closed: May 31, 2000
PE — Closed — Model Year: 1997
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... Read more
PE91039 Opened: Jan 23, 1991 — Closed: May 30, 1991
PE — Closed — Model Year: 1990
REVERSE DELAYED ENGAGEMENT
There is no summary currently available

SUBARU LEGACY — All Years Overview

Complete safety history for the SUBARU LEGACY across all model years (1990–2023).

307 Total Recalls
4,132 Total Complaints
2 Investigations
390 Reported Crashes
75 Reported Fires
6 Reported Deaths

SUBARU LEGACY — Year by Year

Compare recalls and complaints across model years. Click any year to see full details.

Year Recalls Complaints
2025 0 10 View
2024 0 23 View
2023 6 10 View
2022 3 39 View
2021 5 42 View
2020 51 140 View
2019 17 139 View
2018 13 155 View
2017 3 140 View
2016 5 188 View
2015 5 232 View
2014 10 73 View
2013 14 84 View
2012 17 117 View
2011 17 234 View
2010 19 218 View
2009 13 75 View
2008 9 83 View
2007 9 45 View
2006 8 135 View
2005 10 247 View
2004 11 55 View
2003 15 69 View
2002 5 71 View
2001 8 90 View
2000 4 119 View
1999 3 119 View
1998 5 155 View
1997 6 179 View
1996 4 161 View
1995 2 230 View
1994 (current) 0 67
1993 1 90 View
1992 2 66 View
1991 3 121 View
1990 4 103 View
1989 0 1 View
1988 0 1 View
1987 0 1 View

Other SUBARU Models

Model Recalls Complaints
IMPREZA 321 3,425 View
OUTBACK 288 12,131 View
SOLTERRA 259 109 View
WRX 190 1,208 View
FORESTER 134 8,512 View
ASCENT 112 1,248 View
TRIBECA 70 51 View
CROSSTREK 42 1,453 View