1997 Subaru LEGACY problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
78 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
92,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 23 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 78 complaints (10.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 14 | 17.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 6 | 7.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 5 | 6.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 5 | 6.4% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 2.6% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 2.6% |
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:Engine | 8 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 6 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 6 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 5 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch | 5 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 4 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 4 |
| Air Bags | 3 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 8; Engine And Engine Cooling: 6; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 6; Fuel System, Gasoline: 5; Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch: 5; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 4; Vehicle Speed Control: 4; Air Bags: 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 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 9 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 5 |
| 150,000 and above | 4 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 9; 100,000 to 149,999: 5; 150,000 and above: 4
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (9). 55 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 |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 13 |
| 2001 | 16 |
| 2002 | 13 |
| 2003 | 10 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2005 | 5 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 6 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
2000: 13; 2001: 16; 2002: 13; 2003: 10; 2004: 1; 2005: 5; 2006: 2; 2007: 1; 2008: 6; 2009: 2; 2010: 1; 2012: 2; 2013: 2; 2014: 2; 2017: 1; 2020: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 14 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 6 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 5 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 10105986 · 2005-01-08 (January 8, 2005)
VEHICLE LURCHES FORWARD AFTER BRAKES ARE APPLIED. VEHICLE JUMPS FORWARD A FEW FEET BEFORE STOPPING COMPLETELY. HAPPENS WHEN VEHICLE IS STOPPED. LAST INCIDENT RESULTED TO IMPACT WITH ANOTHER CAR IN PARKING LOT. DEALER COULD NOT FIND FAULT ON TWO OCCASIONS. SAYS IT MAY BE DUE TO AIR CONDITIONER COMING ON.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 44,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10105986 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10109548 · 2005-03-24 (March 24, 2005)
THE BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED WHEN THE WEATHER STARTED TO GET COLD. THE BRAKES SEEM TO FREEZE UP. DEALER HAD TO BLEED THE LINES. HOWEVER THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 80,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10109548 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10226565 · 2008-05-03 (May 3, 2008)
IN COLD WEATHER (ZERO OR BELOW), THE BRAKE PEDAL ON MY 1997 SUBARU LEGACY SEDAN BECOMES HARD, AND WHEN I PUT IT ANY GEAR, FORWARD OR REVERSE, THE IDLE SPEED WILL CAUSE THE CAR TO MOVE AND THE BRAKES WILL NOT STOP THE CAR-I HAVE TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL. I HAVE LEARNED THAT PUMPING THE BRAKE PEDAL WHILE THE CAR IS AT IDLE IN N OR P WILL USUALLY HELP, AT -20 DEGREES, I HAVE TO LET THE CAR IDLE FOR 5 TO 10 MINUTES AND THEN TRY IT. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THIS IS NOT UNCOMMON, BUT THAT THERE IS NO EASY FIX FOR THIS. THIS HAS HAPPENED EVERY WINTE…
Owner-reported narrative. 70,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10226565 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10576868 · 2014-04-02 (April 2, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BECAME STUCK IN PARK. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO LUBRICATED THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTER BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE FAILURE RECURRED EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK FOR FURTHER DIAGNOSIS AND IT WAS ADVISED THAT THE PART REQUIRED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NO LONGER AVAILABLE. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO PURCHASE THE SHIFT LOCK MODULE AND AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WOULD REPAIR THE…
Owner-reported narrative. 75,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10576868 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10446947 · 2012-02-07 (February 7, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE IGNITION AND THE ENGINE FAILED TO START. THE BATTERY WAS JUMP STARTED; HOWEVER THE FAILURE RECURRED WHILE DRIVING. THE BATTERY WAS RECHARGED FOR A SECOND TIME. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE BATTERY TERMINAL DUE TO SEVERE RUST AND CORROSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000. UPDATED 02/28/12 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED BATTERY CORROSION DESTROYED THE NEGATIVE TERMINAL. UPDATED 03/08/12
Owner-reported narrative. 75,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10446947 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11375007 · 2020-11-17 (November 17, 2020)
CAR WAS SOMETIMES DIFFICULT TO START, OTHER TIMES IT WOULD STALL/HESITATE WHEN IN MOTION ON CITY STREET. DISCOVERED TO BE CAUSED BY AGED/WORN FUEL PUMP CAUSING OVERCURRENT DRAW THAT FAILS TO BLOW FUSE CAUSING MELTDOWN IN WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR WHERE PIGTAIL FROM PUMP CONNECTS TO THE CHASSIS SIDE OF THE WIRING HARNESS. HEAT/SPARK POTENTIAL IS CREATED IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO FUEL TANK THAT HAS MANY REPORTED CASES OF FUEL FILLER NECK RUSTING OFF AND LEAKING FUEL. A QUICK GOOGLE SEARCH REVEALS THAT A NUMBER OF PEOPLE, WITH PHOTOS, HAVE EXPERIENCED …
Owner-reported narrative. 97,255 miles reported. Look up ODI 11375007 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10158980 · 2006-06-05 (June 5, 2006)
FUEL TANK FILLER PIPE ROTTED OUT. PLASTIC SHIELD OVER FILLER NECK TRAPS SAND. STEEL FILLER PIPE RUSTS WHERE WET SAND IS TRAPPED AGAINST IT. INTERMITTENT FUEL LEAK DEPENDING ON FUEL LEVEL WAS THE FIRST SYMPTOM OF PROBLEM (MARKS ON DRIVEWAY). ONLY FUEL IN FILLER PIPE LEAKS. DEALERSHIP STAFF SUGGESTED THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10158980 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10448926 · 2012-02-22 (February 22, 2012)
MY FUEL FILLER RUSTED OFF @ THE FUEL TANK CAUSING IT TO LEAK ON THE GROUND WHEN THE TANK IS NEARLY FULL.I HAVE READ OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM.IT'S A BIG JOB FOR A DIY.YOU NEED TO DROP THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL , DRIVE SHAFT , MUFFLER , ETC..IS THIS SOMETHING SUBARU COVERS COST WISE? *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10448926 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10259756 · 2009-02-24 (February 24, 2009)
I AM SURE YOU HAVE RECEIVED OTHER COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE 2.5L ENGINE IN 1997 SUBARU LEGACY GT'S. THE HEAD GASKETS ARE VERY WEAK, WHICH WHEN THEY BLOW, CAN CAUSE A LOSS OF POWER DUE TO A RUSH OF COOLANT FLOWING INTO THE SYSTEM, WHICH KILLS THE ENGINE. THIS PROBLEM IS VERY WIDESPREAD, AND SUBARU DOES NOT ADMIT ANYTHING. HOWEVER, IN CANADA, SUBARU WAS SUED FOR THIS SAME ISSUE. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT ARE EXPERIENCING ERRATIC FAILURE WITH THESE HEAD GASKETS, AND THERE ISN'T EVEN A TSB ON THEM. PLEASE, HELP US!
Owner-reported narrative. 195,748 miles reported. Look up ODI 10259756 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10002691 · 2003-01-14 (January 14, 2003)
MY 1997 SUBARU LEGACY WAS TOTALLED IN A FRONT END COLLISION. THE COLLISION OCCURRED AT 30-35 MPH, MY 97 LEGACY'S ENGINE WAS DESTROYED IN THIS COLLISION, AND I WAS CRUNCHED INTO THE STEERING WHEEL BECAUSE THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I SUFFERED INTERNAL INJURIES AND WAS TAKEN BY AMBULANCE TO THE HOSPITAL EMERGENCY ROOM. BOTH AIRBAGS IN MY 97 LEGACY FAILED. THE LEGACY WAS TOTALLED.
Owner-reported narrative. 49,882 miles reported. Look up ODI 10002691 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 899069 · 2001-11-13 (November 13, 2001)
ENGINE WAS KNOCKING AND MAKING A TICKING NOISE, BRAKES WERE MAKING A SQUEAK/ LOUD NOISE, DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT AND STEERING WHEEL WOBBLES, ALSO RIM WAS REPLACED DUE TO IT BEING BENT. *YD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 899069 at NHTSA ↗