1991 Subaru LEGACY problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
40 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
149,630 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1991 model year. Data snapshot: . 4 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Structure:Body:Door is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 40 complaints (15.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 6 | 15.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 7.5% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 2.5% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Structure:Body:Door | 6 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | 5 |
| Seat Belts | 5 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 4 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads | 4 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 3 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 3 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 |
Structure:Body:Door: 6; Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch: 5; Seat Belts: 5; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 4; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads: 4; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 3; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor: 3; Vehicle Speed Control: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 2
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 36 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 10 |
| 1996 | 8 |
| 2000 | 6 |
| 2001 | 6 |
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
1995: 10; 1996: 8; 2000: 6; 2001: 6; 2002: 2; 2003: 2; 2004: 1; 2007: 1; 2010: 1; 2012: 1; 2016: 1; 2017: 1
Pattern summary
Structure:Body:Door leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 488702 · 1995-10-03 (October 3, 1995)
BRAKE PADS GLAZED, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES. *DSH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 488702 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 503094 · 1996-04-01 (April 1, 1996)
BRAKE PADS OVERHEAT DUE TO REPLACEMENT PADS HAVE A SENSOR ON ONLY ONE WHEEL AND THE ONE ONE EIGHTH OF AN IN DEEP. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 503094 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10468800 · 2012-08-01 (August 1, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT WAS SITTING AT A TRAFFIC STOP WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT INTO DRIVE AND THE GEAR SHIFTER DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 123,259.
Owner-reported narrative. 123,259 miles reported. Look up ODI 10468800 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 481092 · 1995-02-08 (February 8, 1995)
TRANSMISSION REPLACED DUE TO NOISE AND STICKING IN 3RD GEAR. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 481092 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10362851 · 2010-10-28 (October 28, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN DRIVING 50 MPH AND FASTER, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD BRIEFLY ILLUMINATE AFTER THE VEHICLE HAD STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC THAT THE FAILURE COULD POTENTIALLY BE CAUSED BY A DEFECTIVE THROTTLE SENSOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 193,100 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 193,250.
Owner-reported narrative. 193,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10362851 at NHTSA ↗