1996 Subaru Legacy: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 123 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (17% of complaints); the 1994 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jun 2001
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 123 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owns a 1996 subaru legacy. The contact stated that while driving 60 mph, there was a loud noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. The contact then noticed that there was smoke and flames coming from the rear end of the vehicle. The fire department was contacted and a fire report was filed. The vehicle was then towed to an authorized dealer where they inspected and advised that the differential failed due to the vehicle becoming overheated. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure and the current mileage was 255,000.”Owner report · Power Train · Mar 2012
“Tl* the contact owns a 1996 subaru legacy. The contact was driving 5 mph when another vehicle crashed into his bumper and the air bags deployed. There were no physical damages to the vehicle and there were no injuries reported. A police report was filed of the incident. The vehicle was towed to a local auto mechanic to have the air bags and the windshield repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the incident. The failure mileage was 108,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2011
“My daughter was driving her 96 subaru legacy the other day to the store when she was alerted by another driver that her car was on fire. Luckily they had a fire extinguisher and was able to put it out. Beechmont subaru said this was the first time they ever saw a rear differential catch on fire. I wanted to make subaru aware and maybe get some help on this repair. Making sure it done correctly. It was a very frightening phone call from my daughter. This web site will not allow me to enter the VIN. [xxx]. I will edit the VIN till the site accepts my complaint. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Sep 2010
Show 7 more owner reports
“1996 suburu legacy shuts down all electrical system. Purchased in utah drove to denver area. Went to dmv to register then car quit. Rests a while then starts. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 2010
“Tl*the contact owns a 1996 subaru legacy. The vehicle failed to start and was towed to the dealer. The dealer attributed the cause of failure to the wires inside the fuel tank being burnt because the internal connector had loose terminals. The fuel pump module was replaced. The current mileage is 85,000 and failure mileage was 84,600.”Owner report · Fuel System, Other · Jun 2007
“Tl*the contact owns a 1996 subaru legacy. While filling the gas tank the contact noticed a puddle of gas forming under the vehicle. The filler pipe rusted through and caused thin holes. The current and failure mileages were 110,000.*ak”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · May 2007
“Dt*: the contact stated an odor of fuel was detected and a puddle began to form on the ground while the vehicle was parked. The vehicle was taken to the dealership and the fuel filler tube was replaced. Updated 9/5/2006 - *nm”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Aug 2006
“Dt: contact stated that while pulling into the garage vehicle accelerated without warning and hit the rear of the garage and did damage to the building. The vehicle was totaled. Dealer said they never heard of this problem. Manufacturer has not been contacted yet. *ak updated 11/16/2005 - *nm”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Oct 2005
“Dt: the caller says his gas gauge will show empty when it gets down to half a tank. He states that it does not happen all the time. It has been happening for a month. Dealer and manufacturer have not been contacted yet.*ak the consumer did contact the manufacturer and was told to take the vehicle to the dealer, but there would be a charge to inspect the vehicle. *jb”Owner report · Fuel System, Other · Aug 2005
“Stone gaurd protecting fuel filler pipe caused dirt to be trapped blocking drain and water to accumulate against filler pipe. Rusted filler pipe causing leaking.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Jul 2005
When filing, owners marked a crash in 26 of these complaints and injuries in 17 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE AN ALTERNATOR PROBLEM THAT CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF CHARGING CAPABILITY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR WITH A MODIFIED ALTERNATOR. OWNERS WILL ALSO BE CAUTIONED THAT, SHOULD THE ALTERNATOR TELLTALE WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATE, THEY MUST SEEK IMMEDIATE REPAIR TO AVOID THE EVENTUAL LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER, WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ENGINE STALL.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER STATION WAGON, SEDAN AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. DUE TO IMPROPER WELDING, FRACTURES CAN OCCUR ON THE SUPPORT BRACKET OF THE FRONT TRANSVERSE LINK.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE IF NECESSARY THE FRONT SUSPENSION SUPPORT BRACKETS.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FRONT COIL SPRINGS ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW YORK, NEW JERSEY, NEW HAMPSHIRE, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA, AND WISCONSIN, AND IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS WERE PRODUCED WITH POOR PAINT QUALITY WHICH, AFTER CONTINUED EXPOSURE TO CORROSIVE SALT, CAN RESULT IN BREAKAGE OF THE SPRING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL NOTIFIY CUSTOMERS TO BRING THEIR VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE A SPRING GUARD INSTALLED ON BOTH FRONT STRUTS TO PREVENT TIRE PUNCTURE AND REPLACE ANY BROKEN SPRINGS FREE OF CHARGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 18, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT CAN OCCUR AFTER UNDERCARRIAGE CONTACT OF THE TOW HOOKS WITH CURBS, DIPS, SPEEDBUMPS, POTHOLES, ETC.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE FRONT TOW HOOKS.
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 1996 Subaru Legacy reliable?
NHTSA has 123 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 1996 Subaru Legacy. The most complained-about area is air bags (17% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1996 Subaru Legacy problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 90,000 miles or less.
Does the 1996 Subaru Legacy have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning electrical system:alternator/generator/regulator. 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.