1996 Subaru Legacy problems
Owners have filed 161 complaints about the 1996 Subaru Legacy with NHTSA. Air bags account for 15.5% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of electrical system at 14.9%.
Complaints161
Crashes32
Fires4
Injuries18
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Air bags 15.5% · 25
Electrical system 14.9% · 24
Engine and engine cooling 14.9% · 24
Service brakes, hydraulic 12.4% · 20
Suspension 6.2% · 10
Power train 5.0% · 8
Unknown or other 4.3% · 7
Vehicle speed control 4.3% · 7
Severity
Of those complaints, 32 describe a crash, 4 describe a fire and 18 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 19 model years of the Subaru Legacy in this data, 1996 sits 9th by complaint volume. 2005 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 4 in the last three years against 12 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 79,000 miles.
In owners' own words
Both airbag's deployed during front end collison. The passenger's side air bag shattered the front windshield, broke the rear view mirror free of it's mounting bracket, and sent glass throughout the vehicle.534534 Dup of 540917; posted on 09-07-1999. Air bags
Vehicle was involved in an accident during which both air bags deployed; however, the passenger's side air bag shattered the windshield, causing glass to fly all over the vehicle. Also, it shattered the door opener which was attached to the visor. Air bags
Vehicle was at a stand still when it was hit head on. Front air bags did not deploy until passenger went through windshield, and driver hit steering wheel. Consumer has not yet made any contact with manufacturer or dealer. Air bags
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…