1997 Subaru Legacy problems
Owners have filed 179 complaints about the 1997 Subaru Legacy with NHTSA. Engine and engine cooling accounts for 18.4% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of service brakes, hydraulic at 17.3%.
Complaints179
Crashes22
Fires2
Injuries10
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Engine and engine cooling 18.4% · 33
Service brakes, hydraulic 17.3% · 31
Electrical system 10.1% · 18
Power train 9.5% · 17
Air bags 5.6% · 10
Suspension 5.0% · 9
Vehicle speed control 5.0% · 9
Steering 3.9% · 7
Severity
Of those complaints, 22 describe a crash, 2 describe a fire and 10 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 19 model years of the Subaru Legacy in this data, 1997 sits 7th by complaint volume. 2005 draws the most.
Filing volume has held steady, 8 in the last three years against 7 in the three before.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 92,706 miles.
In owners' own words
Front oil seal in motor failed causing oil leak onto exhaust dealer said is normal wear e/mailed manufacture with no response.Front oil seal should not be a normal maintaince item.Leked onto exhaust possible fire hazard,also caused water pump failure.Repair was on 7/22 e/mailed subrau 7/23 recived no response Engine and engine cooling
Crank seal leak is a fire risk. Oil drips along oil pan and onto y section of exhaust where it burns. This is a common problem with subarus with 50k miles. Although torque converter bind is not directly a safety issue, it is too common among subarus with > 50k miles. Engine and engine cooling
I was told that there was a water pump leaking problem. So they changed it about 5000 mils later I have an over heating problem. Now they tell me I might have a cracked head or a cracked head gasket.But they cant tell evan after the test.Now they want to go in. Engine and engine cooling
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…