1992 Subaru LEGACY problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
35 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
124,900 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1992 model year. Data snapshot: . 3 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Seat Belts is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 35 complaints (11.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 8.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 5.7% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 2.9% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 2.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 2.9% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Seat Belts | 4 |
| Tires | 4 |
| Structure:Body | 3 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Fuses And Circuit Breakers | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 2 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 2 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage | 2 |
Seat Belts: 4; Tires: 4; Structure:Body: 3; Electrical System:Wiring:Fuses And Circuit Breakers: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 2; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 2; Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage: 2
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 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 1
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 32 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 | 7 |
| 2000 | 4 |
| 2001 | 5 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 3 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
1995: 10; 1996: 7; 2000: 4; 2001: 5; 2002: 1; 2003: 3; 2004: 2; 2005: 1; 2009: 1; 2012: 1
Pattern summary
Seat Belts leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 2 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 10063583 · 2004-03-22 (March 22, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH TRANSMISSION FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT VEHICLE LOST POWER, FORCING DRIVER TO VEER OFF THE ROAD. DEALER STATED THAT TRANSMISSION BREATHING VENTS WERE BLOCKED DUE TO FLUID FREEZING. A RECALL 94V052000 WAS ISSUED,HOWEVER THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 163,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10063583 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 754033 · 2001-11-02 (November 2, 2001)
IN THE CAR'S MANUAL AND, FROM WHAT I'VE HEARD FROM TALKING WITH FRIENDS, THERE IS A FUSE UNDER THE HOOD OF THE CAR THAT ALLOWS YOU TO SWITCH FROM 4WD/AWD TO FWD FOR TOWING ETC. MY CAR LACKS THIS FUSE/HOLDER AND IF IT WERE TO EVER BE TOWED THE TRANSMISSION COULD BE DAMAGED. I HAD A FRIEND LOOK UP MY VIN TO BE SURE IT IS APPLICABLE FOR MY VEHICLE AND IT IS.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 754033 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10473657 · 2012-09-03 (September 3, 2012)
I BOUGHT MY YOUNGEST SON A 1992 SUBARU LEGACY STATION WAGON. I WENT TO FILL THE GAS TANK AND WHEN I GOT HOME YOU COULD SMELL GAS FUMES VERY STRONGLY AND LATER WE COULD SEE WHERE IT HAD LEAKED ONTO THE GROUND. I ASKED MY OLDEST SON ABOUT IT SINCE HE IS A CERTIFIED MECHANIC AND HE WAS TELLING ME ABOUT A RECALL ON THAT YEAR BECAUSE OF HOW THE COMPANY PUT IN THE BACK SEAT. I CONTACTED MY LOCAL SUBARU DEALER (KELLY CADILLAC) AND THEY SAID IT WAS NOT THAT YEAR OR VIN NUMBER AND THAT THEY COULD NOT HELP ME. THEY ACTED LIKE IF IT WAS NOT A NEW VEHICLE…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10473657 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 857541 · 2000-02-25 (February 25, 2000)
FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY FILLER, NOT MADE FROM STAINLESS STEEL, HAS ROTTED OUT, CAUSING FUEL TO LEAK .PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 857541 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 734533 · 2000-10-17 (October 17, 2000)
ENGINE STALLS WHEN GOING UPHILL, BACKFIRES, PINGS AND COME TO A STOP. APPEARS TO HAPPEN WHEN ENGINE IS UNDER VERY MODEST STRAIN. MORE LIKELY TO HAPPEN ON COLD ENGINE BUT NOT NEARLY ALL THE CASE. CAN'T TELL IF CHOKE IS IMPLEMENTED FOR SOME REASON.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 734533 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10088038 · 2004-08-17 (August 17, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC AND UPON PUTTING FOOT ON THE CLUTCH AND THE BRAKES VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD. IT FELT LIKE THE VEHICLE WAS TRYING TO PUSH SOMETHING VERY HEAVY OUT OF THE WAY. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10088038 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 889161 · 2001-05-25 (May 25, 2001)
WHILE STOPPING AT A TRAFFIC SIGNAL ALL OF ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS STOPPED, AND VEHICLE STOPPED OPERATING. A BLACK FUSE CABLE IN FUSE BOX, FUSE LINK: 82301GA060 BURNED UP, AND BURNED A MARK ON COVER OF FUSE BOX. *AK *SLC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 889161 at NHTSA ↗