Subaru LEGACY engine problems
208 complaint narratives mention engine terms.
Key facts
2,793 owner complaints analyzed
81 distinct recall campaigns
59,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1987 to 2025 model years. Data snapshot: . 1,419 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Engine operation evidence
208 of 2,793 complaints match this topic (7.4%). The keyword filter can include complaints that mention a transmission without reporting its failure. View matching rules.
Owner report 971969 · 1995-09-12 (September 12, 1995)
VEHICLE HAS SEVERAL CONDITIONS OF STALLING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, ACCELERATING UPON BRAKING AND DIFFICULT STARTING. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 971969 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 ↗
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 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 ↗