1990 Subaru Legacy
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Subaru › Legacy › 1990
These records cover every 1990 Subaru Legacy. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
4 recalls name the 1990 Subaru Legacy. Newest first.
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…
Risk and remedy
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 accident.
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.
Under certain load conditions, the park gear may not disengage immediately when the transmission lever IS moved from park to reverse.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Delayed release of transmission from park causes delayedand possibly abrupt vehicle movement that could result in loss of vehiclecontrol and an accident.
Remedy
Install a modified parking brake pawl to prevent delayed release into reverse gear.
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk
The affected door may not be opened from inside,preventing exit from that door.
Remedy
Replace front door latch screws with "lock-tight" screws.
The defroster lever pin of the defroster shutter door may become dislocated and allow the shutter to close, preventing defroster from functioning.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Non-functioning defroster would adversely affect drivervisibility.
Remedy
Install a positioning stopper device to prevent dislocation of defroster lever pin to assure defroster operation.
Owner complaints
81 complaints4 involved a crash2 involved a fire4 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch
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 charge. *ak
- Power train › Driveline › Constant velocity joint
The cv boots on the front of the vehicle constantly need replacing. *Ak
- Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch
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
- Exterior lighting › Headlights
Headlight device IS plastic, making it hard to see when turning headlights on. Dealership IS not aware of problem.*ak the plastic lens material becomes significantly less transparent with time, diminishing visability at night. the adjacent turn signal lens has not aged. this indicates to consumer that the headlight lens IS not made from the same material as the turn signal lens. *jg
- Structure › Body › Door
Consumer states the front passenger door would lock itself whenever the door IS shut. the dealer and the manufacturer were notified. nlm
- Structure › Body › Door
I have a 1990 subaru legacy. each time I try to exit the car the doors lock automatically. it has automatic door locks that are accuated by pushing the drivers door lock. I have had the lock apart and the problem with all 4 of my door IS that a single spring in the lock mechanism IS responsible…
I have a 1990 subaru legacy. each time I try to exit the car the doors lock automatically. it has automatic door locks that are accuated by pushing the drivers door lock. I have had the lock apart and the problem with all 4 of my door IS that a single spring in the lock mechanism IS responsible for having the inside door handle return to the closed position and to have the lock buyyon stay open. the handle IS attached to the bottom half of the spring and that part of the sping keeps the door lock open. well, the door lock portion of the spring IS worn out and every time you use the door handle from the inside, the weak half of the lock spring closes the lock. I am a battalion chief for a local fire department and I can only imagine what kind of a problem one might have trying to get out of this car in a hurry. I have contacted subaru with no relief. the local dealership says it IS a common problem in the 1990 - 1994 models. our local parts houses have also said that it IS a problem. I have other owners that say the same. it IS $200.00 a door to repair. please contact me on this. thanks [xxx][xxx]or[xxx]. *Ak parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(B)(6).
- Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch
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
- Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly › Filler pipe and cap
I noticed another incident on the database reporting this same failure. the plastic shield traps debris against the filler pipe causing the pipe to rust through. I don't know how many '90 subaru legacys are still on the road, but I suspect (given the severity of the rust), that almost all of…
I noticed another incident on the database reporting this same failure. the plastic shield traps debris against the filler pipe causing the pipe to rust through. I don't know how many '90 subaru legacys are still on the road, but I suspect (given the severity of the rust), that almost all of them have this same condition. even if they haven't rusted through to the point of leaking, they may easily rupture upon impact. *ak
- Seat belts
Both frontal passive restraint belts fail to operate, will not go around the tracks, leaving driver and passenger without any restraint if vehicle gets involved in a crash. Manufacturer contacted, and willing to go half in repairs. Feel free to provide any further information.*ak
- Structure › Body › Door
Vehicle has a master door lock button on driver's side. 2 rear doors lock when door IS closed. passenger's door should not lock once it's closed. lock knob has to be held up to open anb close the door. consumer has gotten locked out a few times because of the problem. *ak
- Structure › Body › Door
Passenger front door-lock failed initially requiring passenger to manually push latch and pull door lever simutaneously in order to open door. rear door-locks do not work now and require same effort. all doors will lock on their own while getting in and out. in case of accident or fire, the…
Passenger front door-lock failed initially requiring passenger to manually push latch and pull door lever simutaneously in order to open door. rear door-locks do not work now and require same effort. all doors will lock on their own while getting in and out. in case of accident or fire, the occupants may not be able to exit vehicle in a timely manner. also, driver-side visor falls down while driving which has proven to be very distracting and dangerous. contacted subaru dealership for both problems. dealership unwilling to fix without charging me for replacement and labor of all parts. door locks priced at $130 each and visor was around $80 not including labor. dealer also stated that these are common problems corrected in the mid-90's on legacy models.*ak
- Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly › Filler pipe and cap
Fuel filler pipe leaking - fuel pipe rusted causing fuel to drip from filler pipe near passenger rear tire. Rust caused by mud/dirt and moisture getting stuck between plastic pipe shield and fuel pipe.*ak
- Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch
Mfg refused to fix rear door latches under nhtsa recall 90v18400. the problem IS the same as with the front doors. failure of the latches would not permit exit from car in a wreck and who IS likely to ride in the rear..children who would panic. I was charged $140 to correct these manufacture…
Mfg refused to fix rear door latches under nhtsa recall 90v18400. the problem IS the same as with the front doors. failure of the latches would not permit exit from car in a wreck and who IS likely to ride in the rear..children who would panic. I was charged $140 to correct these manufacture defects that had been part of, in my opinion, a safety recall as noted. was it your intent from a safety standpoint that all latches were to be repaired on these cars or just the front lateches??
- Power train › Automatic transmission
I also purchased an 1992 subaru svx that has a failed transnission (same style tranny) this car has 146000 miles on it, ii've done some research on this and it appears these transmissions are prone to failure, our legacy's went out on the interstate, and could easily have been fatal
- Structure › Body › Door
Left front driver and passenger side door locks engage after unlocking making it very difficult to enter or exit vehicle. Yh
- Seat belts › Front › Anchorage
The lap belts in this vehicle have come apart at the "flap" where the belts snap into the receptacle. we have had the car in several shops, and none can get replacement belts. the latest attempt was with the subaru dealer in new orleans, and they have "ordered them from japan". so far, no belts.…
The lap belts in this vehicle have come apart at the "flap" where the belts snap into the receptacle. we have had the car in several shops, and none can get replacement belts. the latest attempt was with the subaru dealer in new orleans, and they have "ordered them from japan". so far, no belts. junk yards sometimes have the belts, for $100, and they are faulty too. we were advised by the subaru dealer not to drive the car until the belts are replaced, yet what can we do when none are available. there must be many more 1990 subaru owners with this same dilemma. it IS a definite safety issue, and would bear investigating. any help you can give will be appreciated. *ak
- Structure › Body › Door
Power door locks lock by themselves. *ak
- Structure › Body › Door
The door handle when opened causes the door to automatically lock when opened from the inside. the passenger side front broke in 1993. the passenger side rear door broke in 1998. The driver side front door broke in 1999 which IS the most annoying as it locks all the door every time the handle IS used to open the door from the inside. it costs $80 to replace the part.
- Power train › Axle assembly
Design flaw of right front axle came off the wheel, causing vehicle to depend on rear wheel drive only and allowed the front right drive line spin aimlessly, resulting in damage to components in transfer case. *ak
- Vehicle speed control
When driver took off from a stop with foot on the brakes, vehicle took off. shifting the vehicle to neutral and heavy brake application stopped the vehicle. Vehicle had been driven for about 15 mintues before this happened. *ak
- Tires · Tires › Tread/belt · Vehicle speed control · Vehicle speed control › Accelerator pedal
Tires worn out prematurely. (Yamaha) yh
- Steering › Hydraulic power assist system
Power steering pipe a and pipe b
- Equipment › Appliance › Air conditioner · Structure › Body · Structure › Body › Door
(1) the air conditioning compressor IS fine; but it comes on only occasionally; mechanics unable to find problem. (2) doors automatically locking causes great inconvenience; (3) sun visor falling down impairs vision; velcro and even duct tape won't keep it up. *Ak
- Structure › Body · Structure › Body › Door
Sun visors do not stay up. Mjs
- Power train › Axle assembly › Axle shaft · Suspension › Front › Macpherson strut · Suspension › Rear › Shock absorber
Wheel bearing failed.
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Hood latch failure
There is no summary currently available
- Reverse delayed engagement
There is no summary currently available
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10219492This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models.
- 10219491This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure.
- 10209915This bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic essential information during diagnosis and repair of the Infotainment concerns. (Applicable to all models with Harman or Denso CP1 Infotainment).
- 10198758This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models
- 10198749This bulletin is to advise of SOAs revised catalytic converter recycling program shipping procedure.
- 10187315To help reduce confusion and increase technician efficiency, Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) has developed the following cross reference list to help locate the appropriate Special Service Tool.
- 10179378Special Service Tools Cross Reference List.
- 10174543All Models (Vehicle Cleaning- COVID-19Best Practices)
- 10161824Subaru Service and Technical Support Line Newletter.
- 10161813To help reduce confusion and increase technician efficiency, Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) has developed the following cross reference list to help locate the appropriate Special Service Tool.
- 10022343Headlight bulb socket repairs.
- 10000642New procedure for replacing rear wheel bearings.
- 602413Various instructions and procedures on air conditioning retrofit.
- 46645Knock sensor.
Every Subaru Legacy model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.