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1997 Subaru LegacyProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 139 owner complaints about the 1997 Subaru Legacy, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 5 safety recalls.

36
CarFlaw IndexUse caution1.7× the Legacy median · #5 of 35 years by complaints
Safety recalls5Free fix at dealersOwner complaints13928 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage116kEngine and engine cooling, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through November 17, 2020. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1997 Subaru Legacy has problems

139 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Engine and engine cooling313
Service brakes, hydraulic276
Power train170
Electrical system170
Air bags107
Suspension91
Vehicle speed control94
Fuel system, gasoline70
Steering72
11 other systems331

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

5 recalls

1997 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

Springs: coil springs

Recall 01V-216 · Jun 25, 2001 · 180,000 vehicles

Risk. DEPENDING ON THE LOCATION OF THE FRACTURE, A BROKEN SPRING COULD MOVE PAST THE SPRING SEAT AND CONTACT A FRONT TIRE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Leaf spring assembly: hanger,bracket

Recall 98V-091 · May 4, 1998 · 29,442 vehicles

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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Vehicle speed control

Recall 98V-035 · Feb 20, 1998 · 61,115 vehicles

Risk. OPERATION OF A VEHICLE WITH A MISSING THROTTLE SHAFT BEARING CAN EVENTUALLLY LEAD TO AN INCOMPLETE RETURN OF THE THROTTLE VALVE RESULTING IN A HIGH IDLING…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Automatic transmission: gear position indication (prndl)

Recall 98V-042 · Feb 20, 1998 · 19,386 vehicles

Risk. THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE UNEXPECTED MOVEMENT OF THE VEHICLE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH OR PROPERTY DAMAGE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 1 more recall
–no report yet

Hazard flashing warning lights: switch

Recall 97V-210 · Nov 13, 1997 · 19,730 vehicles

Risk. THE SWITCH COULD STICK IN AN INTERMEDIATE POSITION WHEN DEACTIVATING, RESULTING IN THE TURN SIGNALS BECOMING INOPERABLE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

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

1997 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

1997 Subaru Legacy safety ratings

1997 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
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1997 Subaru Legacy, and the recalls they led to.

  1. ELECTRICAL SYSTEMPE99067 · closed May 31, 2000
    Led to recall 00I002000
In owners' words

What Legacy owners report

Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

1997 SUBARU LEGACY 2.5 L ENGINE. 118,000 MILES. CHRONIC OVERHEATING. MANY DOLLARS SPENT ONLY TO FIND THAT THESE CARS ARE NOTORIOUS FOR BLOWING HEAD GASKETS. SURE ENOUGH, THAT'S THE TROUBLE. *TR
Complaint 10293403 · Nov 24, 2009 · 118,000 miles
I AM SURE YOU HAVE RECEIVED OTHER COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE 2.5L ENGINE IN 1997 SUBARU LEGACY GT'S. THE HEAD GASKETS ARE VERY WEAK, WHICH WHEN THEY BLOW, CAN CAUSE A LOSS OF POWER DUE TO A RUSH OF COOLANT FLOWING INTO THE SYSTEM, WHICH KILLS THE ENGINE. THIS PROBLEM IS VERY WIDESPREAD, AND SUBARU…
Complaint 10259756 · Feb 24, 2009 · 195,748 miles
I WAS OUT DRIVING ON A SUNNY SUNDAY WITH A COUPLE OF FRIENDS TO SEE THE FALL COLOR, AND WITHOUT WARNING MY CAR OVERHEATED. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC TO HAVE FIND OUT WHAT CAUSED THE PROBLEM AND HE SAID IT WAS A "BLOWN HEAD GASKET". I HAVE NOT HAD THE REPAIRS DONE YET BECAUSE I AM TRYING TO DECIDE…
Complaint 10247657 · Nov 4, 2008 · 116,000 miles

Own a 1997 Legacy?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.