NHTSA vehicle safety data
1997 Subaru Legacy
The 1997 Subaru Legacy has 6 NHTSA recalls and 139 owner complaints on record — every open recall is repaired free at an authorized Subaru dealer.
Complete safety data for the 1997 Subaru Legacy, including NCAP crash-test ratings. Data pulled live from api.nhtsa.gov.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
NHTSA #01V216000Reported June 25, 2001 · SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
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.
Free 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).
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
NHTSA #00I002000Reported May 15, 2000 · SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
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).
Free 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.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY:HANGER,BRACKET
NHTSA #98V091000Reported May 4, 1998 · SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
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.
Free 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).
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)
NHTSA #98V042000Reported February 20, 1998 · SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE UNEXPECTED MOVEMENT OF THE VEHICLE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH OR PROPERTY DAMAGE.
Free manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER ASSEMBLIES (EXCEPT THE HANDLE GRIP).
Notes
OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 15, 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).
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
NHTSA #98V035000Reported February 20, 1998 · SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Defect description
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.
Safety 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.
Free manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE THROTTLE BODY AND REPLACE THE THROTTLE ASSEMBLY IF THE BEARING IS MISSING.
Notes
OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 27, 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).
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS:SWITCH
NHTSA #97V210000Reported November 13, 1997 · SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Defect description
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. INSUFFICIENT CLEARANCE WITHIN THE HAZARD WARNING LIGHT SWITCH HOUSING CAN CAUSE A BINDING BETWEEN THE ACTUATING BUTTON AND THE HOUSING.
Safety consequence
THE SWITCH COULD STICK IN AN INTERMEDIATE POSITION WHEN DEACTIVATING, RESULTING IN THE TURN SIGNALS BECOMING INOPERABLE.
Free manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A MODIFIED HAZARD WARNING SWITCH.
Notes
OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN JANUARY 5, 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 1-800-424-9393.