no report yet
Power train: manual transmission
Risk. SUDDEN STOPS WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING CAN CAUSE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS TO BE THROWN AROUND THE VEHICLE AND CAUSE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL WHICH CAN RESULT IN AN…
1990 Subaru LegacyProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 81 owner complaints about the 1990 Subaru Legacy, most often about the latches/locks/linkages. It is covered by 4 safety recalls.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through September 1, 2004. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 1990 Subaru Legacy has problems
81 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
19Latches/locks/linkages
19Structure1 crash/fire/injury
14Seat belts1 crash/fire/injury
14Power train2 crash/fire/injury
5Vehicle speed control
4Fuel system, gasoline
3Service brakes, hydraulic
3Equipment
3Suspension
97 other systems1 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Latches/locks/linkages | 19 | 0 |
| Structure | 19 | 1 |
| Seat belts | 14 | 1 |
| Power train | 14 | 2 |
| Vehicle speed control | 5 | 1 |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 4 | 1 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 3 | 0 |
| Equipment | 3 | 0 |
| Suspension | 3 | 0 |
| 7 other systems | 9 | 1 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
4 recalls
1990 Subaru Legacy recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
no report yet
Power train: automatic transmission
Risk. DELAYED RELEASE OF TRANSMISSION FROM PARK CAUSES DELAYEDAND POSSIBLY ABRUPT VEHICLE MOVEMENT THAT COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLECONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.
no report yet
Doors: latch
Risk. THE AFFECTED DOOR MAY NOT BE OPENED FROM INSIDE,PREVENTING EXIT FROM THAT DOOR.
no report yet
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system
Risk. NON-FUNCTIONING DEFROSTER WOULD ADVERSELY AFFECT DRIVERVISIBILITY.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Subaru.
Best & worst years
1990 vs. every other Legacy year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Legacy median. How we score
'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
1990 Subaru Legacy safety ratings
1990 Subaru Legacy 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
- Stability control: No
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
2 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 1990 Subaru Legacy, and the recalls they led to.
- REVERSE DELAYED ENGAGEMENTLed to recall 91V-082
- HOOD LATCH FAILURENo recall
In owners' words
What Legacy owners report
Recent latches/locks/linkages complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
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…
THE VEHICLE'S DOOR LOCKS EXPERIENCED THE DEFECT STATED IN RECALL 90 V 184 000 BUT IT'S VIN WAS OUTSIDE OF THE REMEDY SCOPE. THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO REPAIR THE DOOR. *NLM
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
Own a 1990 Legacy?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.