1991 Subaru Legacy: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 77 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is seat belts (25% 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 77 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owns a 1991 subaru legacy. While the vehicle was parked, the contact's elbow was cut several times on the door jam while attempting to exit. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 56,000.”Owner report · Structure · Jul 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 1991 subaru legacy. The contact was sitting at a traffic stop when he attempted to shift into drive and the gear shifter detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for inspection or repairs. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact to take the vehicle to the dealer for inspection of the failure. The failure and the current mileage was 123,259.”Owner report · Power Train · Jul 2012
“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 report · Vehicle Speed Control · Oct 2010
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl*the contact owns a 1991 subaru legacy. The contact stated that the electric seat belt jams in the middle and renders the seat belt inoperable. The dealer will not repair the vehicle free of charge. The current and failure mileages were 176,000. The consumer stated the seat belt was replaced and on august 10, 2007 it failed again. The seat belt was replaced again on september 9, 2007. Updated 09/27/07. *jb”Owner report · Seat Belts · May 2007
“The multi-function switch that controls headlights and turn signal malfunctioned. Driver tried to use the turn signal and headlights turned off without any warning. While driving approximately 35 mph consumer's vehicle was involved in a collision due to another vehicle not seeing the headlights. Driver sustained chest and sternum injuries. *ak”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Oct 2003
“Vehicle would only move for short distances, then will stop. Consumer feels there's a problem with transmision. Please provide any further information.*ak”Owner report · Power Train · Sep 2001
“When opening the door using the inside handle, upon release of the door handle the locking mechanism is triggered which causes all of the doors to lock and the driver's door lock is jammed in the locked position. The driver's door is only supposed to lock upon closing when the outer door handle is engaged *and* the door has been locked. When the door lock is jammed it remains locked upon closing without engaging the outer door handle.*ak”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · May 2001
“Fabric joint on lap belt was printed with a warning that the belt must be replaced if the fabric is broken, presumably in a collision. It has worn out through abrasion from normal use, no collision is involved. However, it needs to be fixed otherwise a basic safety component required by law is simply not there. We feel strongly that such a part should not be designed to fail. However, we have been told by one local dealer that even if we wanted to pay to have it fixed, that the part for the passenger side is no longer available. This does not seem to be a reasonable situation.*ak”Owner report · Seat Belts · Apr 2001
“Lock on vehicle doesn't work. Consumer stated that window will be left down in order to get inside of vehicle. Also, gear shift goes up and down. *ak”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Apr 2001
“A replacement windshield is leaking. Consumer has taken vehicle to bloomfield glass company to have it replaced. *ak consumer returned to shop after window was replaced due to a leak, dealer stated leak was due to tape, so the tape was removed, however there was still an air leak, new tape was put on and this did not remedy problem either, consumer was told this is his problem. *slc”Owner report · Visibility · Jan 2001
When filing, owners marked a crash in 3 of these complaints and injuries in 3 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 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.
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 1991 Subaru Legacy reliable?
NHTSA has 77 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 1991 Subaru Legacy. The most complained-about area is seat belts (25% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1991 Subaru Legacy problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 149,630 miles or less.
Does the 1991 Subaru Legacy have open recalls?
3 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.