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NHTSA vehicle safety data

1996 Subaru Legacy Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 1996 Subaru Legacy has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 123 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Subaru dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 1996 Subaru Legacy, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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1996 Subaru Legacy owner complaints

Owners have filed 123 complaints with NHTSA about the 1996 Subaru Legacy, describing incidents dated January 2, 1996 to March 2, 2012.

Most-cited components

  • Air Bags 22 complaints
  • Engine 21 complaints
  • Electrical System 20 complaints
  • Service Brakes 17 complaints
  • Fuel/Propulsion System 8 complaints
  • Power Train 8 complaints

Of the 123 complaints on file, 26 report a crash and 4 a fire; across all 123 complaints, owners report 17 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

  • ODI #10450528 · Filed

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT THEN NOTICED THAT THERE WAS SMOKE AND FLAMES COMING FROM THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED AND A FIRE REPORT…

  • ODI #10430912 · Filed

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 5 MPH WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO HIS BUMPER AND THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THERE WERE NO PHYSICAL DAMAGES TO THE VEHICLE AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A…

  • ODI #10357041 · Filed

    MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING HER 96 SUBARU LEGACY THE OTHER DAY TO THE STORE WHEN SHE WAS ALERTED BY ANOTHER DRIVER THAT HER CAR WAS ON FIRE. LUCKILY THEY HAD A FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND WAS ABLE TO PUT IT OUT. BEECHMONT SUBARU SAID THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME THEY EVER SAW A REAR DIFFERENTIAL CATCH ON FIRE. I…

Read all 123 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 1996 Subaru Legacy in 3 investigations. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

SUBARU/FRONT COIL SPRINGS

NHTSA #01V216000 · Suspension — Front — Springs — Coil Springs · NHTSA notice

Reported June 25, 2001 · SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.

Potentially affected: 180,000 vehicles

Owners notified September 18, 2001 · Vehicles built January 25, 1994 – January 30, 1998 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

SUBARU/ALTERNATOR

NHTSA #00I002000 · Electrical System — Alternator/Generator/Regulator · NHTSA notice

Reported May 15, 2000 · SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.

Potentially affected: 223,520 vehicles

Owners notified November 15, 2000 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE AN ALTERNATOR PROBLEM THAT CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF CHARGING CAPABILITY.

Safety consequence

IF THE ALTERNATOR FAILS, THE ALTERNATOR WARNING TELLTALE WILL ALERT THE DRIVER TO THE PROBLEM, GIVING AMPLE OPPORTUNITY TO SEEK REPAIR BEFORE A LOSS OF BATTERY POWER, WHICH, IF THE WARNING WERE IGNORED, COULD ULTIMATELY RESULT IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE POWER (ENGINE STALL).

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR WITH A MODIFIED ALTERNATOR. OWNERS WILL ALSO BE CAUTIONED THAT, SHOULD THE ALTERNATOR TELLTALE WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATE, THEY MUST SEEK IMMEDIATE REPAIR TO AVOID THE EVENTUAL LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER, WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ENGINE STALL.

Notes

SUBARU HAS DECIDED TO CONDUCT A SERVICE PROGRAM TO REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR. THIS REPLACEMENT CAMPAIGN WILL BE CONDUCTED IN PHASES.OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 15, 2000.OWNERS CAN CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783, CONCERNING THIS PROGRAM.

SUBARU/TOW HOOKS

NHTSA #98V315000 · Air Bags · NHTSA notice

Reported December 11, 1998 · SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.

Potentially affected: 95,673 vehicles

Owners notified June 1, 1999 · Vehicles built February 1, 1994 – July 31, 1995 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT CAN OCCUR AFTER UNDERCARRIAGE CONTACT OF THE TOW HOOKS WITH CURBS, DIPS, SPEEDBUMPS, POTHOLES, ETC.

Safety consequence

UNEXPECTED AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT COULD RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE FRONT TOW HOOKS.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 1, 1999. 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.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

SUBARU/FRONT TRANSVERSE LINK

NHTSA #98V091000 · Suspension — Front — Springs — Leaf Spring Assembly — Hanger,Bracket · NHTSA notice

Reported May 4, 1998 · SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.

Potentially affected: 29,442 vehicles

Owners notified June 29, 1998 · Vehicles built June 3, 1996 – September 30, 1996 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE IF NECESSARY THE FRONT SUSPENSION SUPPORT BRACKETS.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 29, 1998. 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.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Other Subaru Legacy model years

Check your 1996 Subaru Legacy VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Subaru Legacy at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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