no report yet
Springs: coil springs
Risk. DEPENDING ON THE LOCATION OF THE FRACTURE, A BROKEN SPRING COULD MOVE PAST THE SPRING SEAT AND CONTACT A FRONT TIRE.
1996 Subaru LegacyProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 123 owner complaints about the 1996 Subaru Legacy, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 3 safety recalls.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through March 6, 2012. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 1996 Subaru Legacy has problems
123 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
22Air bags17 crash/fire/injury
22Engine and engine cooling1 crash/fire/injury
21Electrical system2 crash/fire/injury
17Service brakes, hydraulic5 crash/fire/injury
8Power train
8Suspension
7Vehicle speed control
6Seats
5Fuel system, gasoline
2311 other systems3 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 22 | 17 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 22 | 1 |
| Electrical system | 21 | 2 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 17 | 5 |
| Power train | 8 | 2 |
| Suspension | 8 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 7 | 3 |
| Seats | 6 | 4 |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 5 | 0 |
| 11 other systems | 23 | 3 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
3 recalls
1996 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
Air bags
Risk. UNEXPECTED AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT COULD RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY.
no report yet
Leaf spring assembly: hanger,bracket
Risk. SUCH FRACTURES CAN RESULT IN PARTIAL OR COMPLETE SEPARATION OF THE BRACKET CAUSING A FAILURE OF THE LOWER SUSPENSION MOUNTING, LEADING TO A LOSS OF VEHICLE…
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
1996 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
1996 Subaru Legacy safety ratings
1996 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
3 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 1996 Subaru Legacy, and the recalls they led to.
- OVERSENSITIVE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTLed to recall 98V-315
- OVERSENSITIVE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTNo recall
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEMLed to recall 00I002000
In owners' words
What Legacy owners report
Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
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…
MY 1996 SUBARU OUTBACK EXPERIENCED AN AIR BAG MALFUNCTION ON 6/14/2005. WHILE DRIVING DOWN OUR LOCAL HIGHWAY AT 55 MPH THE VEHICLE'S AIR BAG SUDDENLY DEPLOYED. THE SUDDEN DEPLOYMENT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT DUE TO THE MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE THEY REFUSED…
VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED AND FORCE INTO THE BACK OF A PICK UP AND NEITHER BAG BAGS DEPLOYED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
Own a 1996 Legacy?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.