1993 Subaru LEGACY problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
52 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
114,385 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1993 model year. Data snapshot: . 3 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling is the most frequently named component, appearing in 7 of 52 complaints (13.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 7 | 13.5% |
| Engine operation | 6 | 11.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 7.7% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 5.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 1.9% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 7 |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 6 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 5 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 4 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 3 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 3 |
| Seat Belts | 2 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage | 2 |
Engine And Engine Cooling: 7; Tires:Tread/Belt: 6; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 5; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 4; Air Bags:Frontal: 3; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 3; Seat Belts: 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 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 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: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 1
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 49 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 | 8 |
| 1996 | 6 |
| 2000 | 14 |
| 2001 | 6 |
| 2002 | 3 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 10 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
1995: 8; 1996: 6; 2000: 14; 2001: 6; 2002: 3; 2003: 1; 2004: 10; 2005: 2; 2006: 1; 2007: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 7 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 6 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 4 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 481669 · 1995-02-09 (February 9, 1995)
ANTI-LOCK BRAKES FAIL TO STOP VEHICLE IN SNOW/WET WEATHER AND INSTEAD SURGES, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 481669 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 487594 · 1995-11-06 (November 6, 1995)
WHEN GOING DOWNHILL ON SLIPPERY CONDITIONS, ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM FAILS TO STOP VEHICLE. *DSH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 487594 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 503045 · 1996-03-27 (March 27, 1996)
ENGINE INTERMITTENTLY STALLS. *DSH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 503045 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 719822 · 2000-03-08 (March 8, 2000)
TRAVELED FOR APPROXIMATELY 1 1/2 HOURS AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 45 - 65. CAR LOADED WITH EQUIPMENT AND PASSENGERS. TRAVELING UP MOUNTAIN. CAR LOST COMPRESSION, WHITE "SMOKE" BEGAN COMING OUT FROM HOOD. PULLED TO SIDE OF ROAD. POPPED HOOD. SMOKE APPEARED TO BE COMING FROM BACK OF ENGINE. ALLOWED CAR TO REST FOR 15-20 MINUTES. DID NOT PROCEED UP MOUNTAIN AS WE WERE ONLY 1/2 WAY UP THE MOUNTAIN. TURNED AROUND TO HEAD HOME. CAR RAN FINE GOING HOME. MECHANIC THOROUGHLY CHECKED OUT VEHICLE WITH DIAGNOSTIC AND VISUAL CHECK. COULD FIND NOTHING WRO…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 719822 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10095195 · 2004-09-23 (September 23, 2004)
TRANSMISSION PROBLEM WITH LEGACY. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE WILL NOT SHIFT PAST THE SECOND GEAR. *TC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10095195 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10150921 · 2006-02-22 (February 22, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE, NHTSA #94V052000 CONCERNING THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION. THE RECALL WORK WAS PERFORMED PRIOR TO PURCHASE. THE TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, BUT HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED.
Owner-reported narrative. 167,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10150921 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 722710 · 2000-05-15 (May 15, 2000)
THE ENGINE CUTS OFF WHILE GOING DOWN THE ROAD WHICH CAUSES A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER INCLUDING STEERING. AFTER COASTING TO A STOP THE CAR CAN BE IMMEDIATELY RESTARTED. THIS OCCURS WITHOUT WARNING AND AT ANY SPEED. NO INCREMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE PRESENT. CHANCES OF RESULTING IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT ARE VERY HIGH. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 722710 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 751031 · 2001-08-23 (August 23, 2001)
DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 65MHP WHEN BELTS BEGAN TO MAKE NOISE. SHORTLY FOLLOWING CAR LOSS POWER, INCLUDING STEERING. IT WAS REPORTED BY A MECHANIC THAT THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY HAD COME LOOSE AND THE CRANKSHAFT HAD BEEN DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIR. CAR WILL NEED SMALL BLOCK OVERHAUL OR REPLACEMENT ENGINE TO FUNCTION AGAIN.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 751031 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 889367 · 2001-05-30 (May 30, 2001)
VEHICLE KEPT STALLING OUT AND WOULD NOT RESTART FOR AT LEAST 30 MINUTES. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO DEALER TWICE. BUT, COULD NOT DETERMINE CAUSE. CONSUMER FEELS IT IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. *AK *SLC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 889367 at NHTSA ↗