IllustrationREAR SEAT, CENTER SEATBELT LATCHING MECHANISM FAILED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SECURE CHILD SAFETY SEAT. THE SEATBELT LATCH MECHANISM IS HELD TOGETHER WITH TWO PLASTIC RIVETS. THESE RIVETS PULLED THROUGH THE PLASTIC SEATBELT LATCH HOUSING, AND THE LATCH FELL APART INTO 5 PIECES !!!
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Legacy years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
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 reportsTHE TIRES SHOWED NO OBVIOUS DEFECTS, THEY WERE BALANCED ABOUT A MONTH PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE LEFT REAR TIRE SUDDENLY CAME APART. IT WAS NOT A BLOW OUT OR PUNCTURE. THE INSIDE TIRE TREAD DELAMINATED FROM THE TIRE AND THE STEEL BELT WAS SHOWING. ONCE I PULLED OVER I NOTICED THE SAME WEAR WAS ON…
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THE TIRES SHOWED NO OBVIOUS DEFECTS, THEY WERE BALANCED ABOUT A MONTH PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE LEFT REAR TIRE SUDDENLY CAME APART. IT WAS NOT A BLOW OUT OR PUNCTURE. THE INSIDE TIRE TREAD DELAMINATED FROM THE TIRE AND THE STEEL BELT WAS SHOWING. ONCE I PULLED OVER I NOTICED THE SAME WEAR WAS ON THE RIGHT REAR TIRE ALSO. THE SAME EXACT MODEL TIRES WERE PUT ON BY THE DEALER ON JULY 17TH. ARE THESE SAFE TIRES?*AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 15 )
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
BOLT ON THE IDLER ARM SNAPPED, CAUSING THE TIMING CHAIN TO DROP, AND RESULTING IN A BENT ENGINE VALVE. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK
LIFTGATE DOES NOT REMAIN IN THE UPRIGHT POSITION, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO RECEIVE INJURIES. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
THE SCRATCH ON THE GLASS IS ON BOTH DRIVERS SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE. I WAS TOLD IT IS FROM THE INNER DOOR METAL RUBBING AGAINST THE GLASS WHEN WINDOWS GO UP AND OR DOWN. THE MARK ON THE GLASS IS ABOUT AND INCH WIDE AND DEEP ENOUGH THAT IT WILL NOT COME OFF. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON DURING THE DRIVE HOME FROM THE LOT. TH…
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THE SCRATCH ON THE GLASS IS ON BOTH DRIVERS SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE. I WAS TOLD IT IS FROM THE INNER DOOR METAL RUBBING AGAINST THE GLASS WHEN WINDOWS GO UP AND OR DOWN. THE MARK ON THE GLASS IS ABOUT AND INCH WIDE AND DEEP ENOUGH THAT IT WILL NOT COME OFF. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON DURING THE DRIVE HOME FROM THE LOT. THE CAUSE ACCORDING TO THE DEALER WAS THAT THE CAM BELT SLIPPED OFF BY ONE TOOTH. THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS ARE NEEDING TO BE REPLACED UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. THERE IS NO ABNORMAL WEAR AND CONSIDERING THE LOW 53,000 MILES - THIS SHOULD NOT NEED TO BE DONE. CAR WHEN COLD IDLES ROUGH, HEAT SHEILD RATTLES, DASH LIGHTS IN CENTER CONSOLE NOT WORKING, EXTREAM CORROSION UNDER CAR EFFECTING SUSPENSION AND MAKING NOISE WHEN TURNING WHEEL RIGHT OR LEFT.
WHEN TRAVELING AT ANY SPEED AND UPON ATTEMTING TO MAKE A NORMAL STOP ON WET PAVEMENT OR IN COLD WEATHER CONDITIONS, BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, AND RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. DEALER WA SUNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE…
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WHEN TRAVELING AT ANY SPEED AND UPON ATTEMTING TO MAKE A NORMAL STOP ON WET PAVEMENT OR IN COLD WEATHER CONDITIONS, BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, AND RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. DEALER WA SUNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON - CAR DROVE WITHOUT INCIDENT - LIGHT WENT OUT- LIGHT WENT ON AGAIN, AND CAR BEGAN TO VIBRATE AND MAKE KNOCKING SOUNDS. WAS TAKEN TO DEALER, WHERE THEY FOUND WIRING DEFECTIVE. *AK
WHILE DRIVING 60 TO 65MPH VEHICLE'S LEFT FRONT END HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE HEAD-ON, AND NEITHER DRIVER'S SIDE NOR PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, RESULTING IN INJURIES. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN VEHICLE. *AK
THE INFANT CAR SEAT PUT IN THE REAR CENTER SEAT, SEAT BELT BUCKLE WAS SNAPPED AND FELL APART, DID NOT SECURE CAR SEAT. YH
Official recalls
501V216000 · 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
1PE99067 · 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.