1990 Subaru LEGACY: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
41 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
72,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1990 model year. Data snapshot: . 2 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 41 complaints (19.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 9.8% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 2.4% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 2.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 2.4% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | 8 |
| Structure:Body:Door | 6 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 4 |
| Seat Belts | 3 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 3 |
| Structure:Body | 3 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Filler Pipe And Cap | 2 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 1 |
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch: 8; Structure:Body:Door: 6; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 4; Seat Belts: 3; Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly: 3; Structure:Body: 3; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Filler Pipe And Cap: 2; Electrical System:Ignition: 1
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 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 39 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 | 17 |
| 1996 | 7 |
| 2000 | 4 |
| 2001 | 6 |
| 2002 | 4 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 2 |
1995: 17; 1996: 7; 2000: 4; 2001: 6; 2002: 4; 2003: 1; 2004: 2
Pattern summary
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 4 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Braking behavior 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10040136 · 2003-09-17 (September 17, 2003)
THE VEHICLE'S DOOR LOCKS EXPERIENCED THE DEFECT STATED IN RECALL 90 V 184 000 BUT IT'S VIN WAS OUTSIDE OF THE REMEDY SCOPE. THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO REPAIR THE DOOR. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10040136 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10055056 · 2004-01-28 (January 28, 2004)
THE CV BOOTS ON THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE CONSTANTLY NEED REPLACING. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10055056 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10088936 · 2004-09-01 (September 1, 2004)
THE LOCK/LATCH ON MY CAR'S PASSENGER DOOR IS DEFECTIVE AND THE RECALL 90V18400 DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THE DOOR IS DIFFICULT TO OPEN AND COULD EASIY FAIL ANY DAY AND TRAP MY PASSENGER IN THE CAR. THE SAME THING IS HAPPENING TO THE FRONT DRIVERS DOOR. THE MANUFACTUER WILL NOT FIX THE PROBLEM AT NO CHARGE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 104,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10088936 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 481019 · 1995-02-06 (February 6, 1995)
TRANSMISSION FAILS TO DISENGAGE FROM PARK INTO REVERSE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 481019 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 481793 · 1995-02-17 (February 17, 1995)
RUBBER PIECE ON END OF THROTTLE CABLE/CABLE CASING CAME OFF WHILE USING CRUISE CONTROL, CAUSING SUDDEN ACCELERATION/LOSS OF CONTROL. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 481793 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 482862 · 1995-04-05 (April 5, 1995)
REAR SEAT BELT BUCKLES FAIL TO FASTEN. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 482862 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 486858 · 1995-06-01 (June 1, 1995)
SUNVISOR CONTINUOUSLY SLIPS DOWN WITHOUT ASSISTANCE, CAUSING DRIVER TO HIT VISOR WHEN GETTING IN VEHICLE/INJURY. (OTHER VEHICLE ON 479694) *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 486858 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 487178 · 1995-10-20 (October 20, 1995)
REAR TRUNK LATCH BROKE. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 487178 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
4 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
90V110000 · Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
Reported: 1990-06-04 (June 4, 1990)
THE DEFROSTER LEVER PIN OF THE DEFROSTER SHUTTER DOOR MAY BECOME DISLOCATED AND ALLOW THE SHUTTER TO CLOSE, PREVENTING DEFROSTER FROM FUNCTIONING.
Consequence: NON-FUNCTIONING DEFROSTER WOULD ADVERSELY AFFECT DRIVERVISIBILITY.
Remedy: INSTALL A POSITIONING STOPPER DEVICE TO PREVENT DISLOCATION OF DEFROSTER LEVER PIN TO ASSURE DEFROSTER OPERATION.
NHTSA campaign record ↗90V184000 · Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
Reported: 1990-10-16 (October 16, 1990)
TORQUE OF LATCH SCREWS ON FRONT DOORS MAY LOOSEN OVER TIME DUE TO A GAP BETWEEN THE LATCH BASE PLATE AND INNER DOOR PANEL UNDER THE SCREW HEAD.
Consequence: THE AFFECTED DOOR MAY NOT BE OPENED FROM INSIDE,PREVENTING EXIT FROM THAT DOOR.
Remedy: REPLACE FRONT DOOR LATCH SCREWS WITH "LOCK-TIGHT" SCREWS.
NHTSA campaign record ↗91V082000 · Power Train:Automatic Transmission
Reported: 1991-05-30 (May 30, 1991)
UNDER CERTAIN LOAD CONDITIONS, THE PARK GEAR MAY NOT DISENGAGE IMMEDIATELY WHEN THE TRANSMISSION LEVER IS MOVED FROM PARK TO REVERSE.
Consequence: DELAYED RELEASE OF TRANSMISSION FROM PARK CAUSES DELAYEDAND POSSIBLY ABRUPT VEHICLE MOVEMENT THAT COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLECONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: INSTALL A MODIFIED PARKING BRAKE PAWL TO PREVENT DELAYED RELEASE INTO REVERSE GEAR.
NHTSA campaign record ↗94V052000 · Power Train:Manual Transmission
Reported: 1994-03-23 (March 23, 1994)
WHEN THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN CONTINUOUSLY UNDER EXTREMELY COLD TEMPERATURES (-22 DEGREES F.) AND HIGH HUMIDITY WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE TRANSMISSION BREATHING (AIR) VENT CAN BE BLOCKED DUE TO MOISTURE FREEZING AT THE OIL LEVEL GAUGE. IF THIS OCCURS, PRESSURE INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION CASE WILL INCREASE AND PUSH OUT THE REAR OIL SEAL, CAUSING TRANSMISSION OIL LEAKAGE. THE LACK OF LUBRICATION CAN BURN THE INTERNAL COMPONENTS OF THE TRANSMISSION, CAUSE THE TRANSMISSION TO SEIZE AND THE VEHICLE TO COME TO A SUDDEN STOP.
Consequence: SUDDEN STOPS WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING CAN CAUSE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS TO BE THROWN AROUND THE VEHICLE AND CAUSE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL WHICH CAN RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE OIL GAUGE PIPE AND MODIFY THE OIL LEVEL GAUGE (DIPSTICK) OR REPLACE IT, DEPENDING ON THE TYPE OF DIPSTICK IN THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA campaign record ↗