Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 1997 Subaru Legacy
NHTSA data on file today
The 1997 Subaru Legacy has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns and 139 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #01V216000 SUBARU/FRONT COIL SPRINGS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #00I002000 SUBARU/ALTERNATOR NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #98V091000 SUBARU/FRONT TRANSVERSE LINK NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #98V042000 SUBARU/AUTO TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #98V035000 SUBARU/THROTTLE NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #97V210000 SUBARU/HAZARD WARNING LIGHT SWITCH NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Engine and Engine Cooling 30 complaints
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic 26 complaints
- Electrical System 17 complaints
- Power Train 17 complaints
- Air Bags 10 complaints
- Vehicle Speed Control 9 complaints
Of the 139 complaints on file, 18 report a crash and 2 a fire; across all 139 complaints, owners report 8 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $3,000–$6,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 1997 Subaru Legacy demonstrates average reliability. Issues with the engine and brakes are notable, while suspension recalls suggest potential concerns in localized regions. Despite some electrical issues, no catastrophic systemic failures are observed, resulting in its moderate rating.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| engine cooling | 90,000–120,000 miles | $500–$800 | common |
| service brakes | 70,000–100,000 miles | $300–$600 | common |
| alternator | 80,000–110,000 miles | $150–$400 | occasional |
| front coil springs | 60,000–100,000 miles | $200–$400 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter changes every 5,000 miles
- Timing belt replacement at 100,000 miles
- Brake fluid replacement every 2 years
- Transmission fluid check annually
- Coolant replacement every 3 years
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Engine overheating
- Alternator warning light
- Unusual brake noises
- Difficulty in shifting gears
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 1997 Subaru Legacy at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.