1990 Subaru Legacy: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 81 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is latches/locks/linkages (22% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Mar 1994
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 81 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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 report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Feb 2003
“Headlight device is plastic, making it hard to see when turning headlights on. Dealership is not aware of problem.*ak the plastic lens material becomes significantly less transparent with time, diminishing visability at night. The adjacent turn signal lens has not aged. This indicates to consumer that the headlight lens is not made from the same material as the turn signal lens. *jg”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Aug 2002
“I noticed another incident on the database reporting this same failure. The plastic shield traps debris against the filler pipe causing the pipe to rust through. I don't know how many '90 subaru legacys are still on the road, but I suspect (given the severity of the rust), that almost all of them have this same condition. Even if they haven't rusted through to the point of leaking, they may easily rupture upon impact. *ak”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Aug 2001
Show 7 more owner reports
“Vehicle has a master door lock button on driver's side. 2 rear doors lock when door is closed. Passenger's door should not lock once it's closed. Lock knob has to be held up to open anb close the door. Consumer has gotten locked out a few times because of the problem. *ak”Owner report · Structure · Aug 2001
“Fuel filler pipe leaking - fuel pipe rusted causing fuel to drip from filler pipe near passenger rear tire. Rust caused by mud/dirt and moisture getting stuck between plastic pipe shield and fuel pipe.*ak”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Jul 2001
“Mfg refused to fix rear door latches under NHTSA recall 90v18400. The problem is the same as with the front doors. Failure of the latches would not permit exit from car in a wreck and who is likely to ride in the rear..children who would panic. I was charged $140 to correct these manufacture defects that had been part of, in my opinion, a safety recall as noted. Was it your intent from a safety standpoint that all latches were to be repaired on these cars or just the front lateches??”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Apr 2001
“Both frontal passive restraint belts fail to operate, will not go around the tracks, leaving driver and passenger without any restraint if vehicle gets involved in a crash. Manufacturer contacted, and willing to go half in repairs. Feel free to provide any further information.*ak”Owner report · Seat Belts · Jan 2001
“Locks on door will lock even when unlocking doors. Locks will automatically lock back up. Consumer has to hold lock u, and then push the door open to get out of vehicle. Contacted dealer. *ak *yh”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Jan 2001
“Consumer states the front passenger door would lock itself whenever the door is shut. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified. Nlm”Owner report · Structure · Jul 2000
“I also purchased an 1992 subaru svx that has a failed transnission (same style tranny) this car has 146000 miles on it, ii've done some research on this and it appears these transmissions are prone to failure, our legacy's went out on the interstate, and could easily have been fatal”Owner report · Power Train · May 2000
When filing, owners marked a crash in 4 of these complaints and injuries in 4 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
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.
Remedy: REPLACE FRONT DOOR LATCH SCREWS WITH "LOCK-TIGHT" SCREWS.
UNDER CERTAIN LOAD CONDITIONS, THE PARK GEAR MAY NOT DISENGAGE IMMEDIATELY WHEN THE TRANSMISSION LEVER IS MOVED FROM PARK TO REVERSE.
Remedy: INSTALL A MODIFIED PARKING BRAKE PAWL TO PREVENT DELAYED RELEASE INTO REVERSE GEAR.
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.
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.
THE DEFROSTER LEVER PIN OF THE DEFROSTER SHUTTER DOOR MAY BECOME DISLOCATED AND ALLOW THE SHUTTER TO CLOSE, PREVENTING DEFROSTER FROM FUNCTIONING.
Remedy: INSTALL A POSITIONING STOPPER DEVICE TO PREVENT DISLOCATION OF DEFROSTER LEVER PIN TO ASSURE DEFROSTER OPERATION.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1990 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Legacy by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1990 Subaru Legacy reliable?
NHTSA has 81 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 1990 Subaru Legacy. The most complained-about area is latches/locks/linkages (22% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1990 Subaru Legacy problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 72,000 miles or less.
Does the 1990 Subaru Legacy have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.