1991 Subaru Legacy
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Subaru › Legacy › 1991
These records cover every 1991 Subaru Legacy. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
3 recalls name the 1991 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.
Owner complaints
78 complaints3 involved a crash3 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Structure › Body
TL* the contact owns a 1991 subaru legacy. While the vehicle was parked, the contact's elbow was cut several times on the door jam while attempting to exit. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The vin was unknown. The failure mileage was 56,000.
- Seat belts
Drivers side automatic seat belt drive cable slips out of track making seat belt useless and dangerous.
- Power train
TL* the contact owns a 1991 subaru legacy. The contact was sitting at a traffic stop when he attempted to shift into drive and the gear shifter detached from the vehicle. the vehicle was not taken to the dealer for inspection or repairs. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact to take the vehicle to the dealer for inspection of the failure. The failure and the current mileage was 123,259.
- Vehicle speed control
Tl*the contact owns a 1991 subaru legacy. The contact stated when driving 50 mph and faster, the vehicle would stall without warning. The check engine light would briefly illuminate after the vehicle had stalled. The contact was advised by an independent mechanic that the failure could potentially…
Tl*the contact owns a 1991 subaru legacy. The contact stated when driving 50 mph and faster, the vehicle would stall without warning. The check engine light would briefly illuminate after the vehicle had stalled. The contact was advised by an independent mechanic that the failure could potentially be caused by a defective throttle sensor. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer did not offer any assistance. The failure mileage was 193,100 and the current mileage was 193,250.
- Seat belts
Tl*the contact owns a 1991 subaru legacy. the contact stated that the electric seat belt jams in the middle and renders the seat belt inoperable. the dealer will not repair the vehicle free of charge. the current and failure mileages were 176,000. the consumer stated the seat belt was replaced and on august 10, 2007 it failed again. the seat belt was replaced again on september 9, 2007. Updated 09/27/07. *Jb
- Seat belts › Front › Webbing
Consumer noticed that driver side seat belt webbing was separating. vehicle was taken to the dealer, and dealer informed consumer that vehicle was not under warranty, and that consumer had to pay for repairs. *Ak
- Exterior lighting · Exterior lighting › Headlights › Switch · Exterior lighting › Turn signal › Switch
The multi-function switch that controls headlights and turn signal malfunctioned. driver tried to use the turn signal and headlights turned off without any warning. while driving approximately 35 mph consumer's vehicle was involved in a collision due to another vehicle not seeing the headlights. driver sustained chest and sternum injuries. *ak
- Air bags · Power train › Automatic transmission
After starting vehicle driver put shifter in drive and vehicle took off, driver had no control. as a result, vehicle hit a brick wall before coming to a stop. Upon impact, none of the airbags deployed. *ak
- Seat belts › Front › Anchorage
Within one week both seat belts came apart. dealer said it would cost $975.00 to replace them. do I have any other recourse? thank you.
- Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch
When opening the door using the inside handle, upon release of the door handle the locking mechanism IS triggered which causes all of the doors to lock and the driver's door lock IS jammed in the locked position. the driver's door IS only supposed to lock upon closing when the outer door handle IS…
When opening the door using the inside handle, upon release of the door handle the locking mechanism IS triggered which causes all of the doors to lock and the driver's door lock IS jammed in the locked position. the driver's door IS only supposed to lock upon closing when the outer door handle IS engaged *and* the door has been locked. when the door lock IS jammed it remains locked upon closing without engaging the outer door handle.*ak
- Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch · Power train › Automatic transmission
Lock on vehicle doesn't work. consumer stated that window will be left down in order to get inside of vehicle. also, gear shift goes up and down. *Ak
- Power train › Manual transmission
Vehicle would only move for short distances, then will stop. Consumer feels there's a problem with transmision. please provide any further information.*ak
- Seat belts › Front › Anchorage
Fabric joint on lap belt was printed with a warning that the belt must be replaced if the fabric IS broken, presumably in a collision. it has worn out through abrasion from normal use, no collision IS involved. however, it needs to be fixed otherwise a basic safety component required by law IS…
Fabric joint on lap belt was printed with a warning that the belt must be replaced if the fabric IS broken, presumably in a collision. it has worn out through abrasion from normal use, no collision IS involved. however, it needs to be fixed otherwise a basic safety component required by law IS simply not there. we feel strongly that such a part should not be designed to fail. however, we have been told by one local dealer that even if we wanted to pay to have it fixed, that the part for the passenger side IS no longer available. this does not seem to be a reasonable situation.*ak
- Structure › Body › Door
The door locks on the front and rear passenger's side are permanently locked.
- Visibility › Windshield
A replacement windshield IS leaking. consumer has taken vehicle to bloomfield glass company to have it replaced. *ak consumer returned to shop after window was replaced due to a leak, dealer stated leak was due to tape, so the tape was removed, however there was still an air leak, new tape was put on and this did not remedy problem either, consumer was told this IS his problem. *slc
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Pads · Structure › Body › Door · Structure › Body › Trunk lid · Vehicle speed control · Visibility › Defroster/defogger/hvac system › Windshield › Electrical heating element
Trunk will not open from the inside. nlm
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline · Structure › Body › Door
Oil leak. *ak passenger door handle release failed. *yh
- Equipment › Appliance › Air conditioner · Structure › Body › Door
No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak
- Electrical system › 12v/24v/48v battery · Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator · Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline · Equipment › Appliance › Air conditioner · Equipment › Electrical · Exterior lighting › Headlights · Fuel system, gasoline › Carburetor system · Power train › Driveline › Constant velocity joint · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Pads · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Rotor · Tires › Tread/belt · Visibility › Power window devices and controls
There IS no power coming from the lighter socket, dealer replaced socket and element. *slc
- Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system
Consumer detected that exhaust fumes were seeping into the vehicle. consumer felt it'was a design flaw.*ak
- Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch
Passenger's side door cannot be opened from the inside without two hands, one to hold the locking mechanism , and the other to pull the latch. also, door cannot be enterd from the outside if it's locked or unlocked without the key. There IS a recall 90v184 for this problem this vehicle does not…
Passenger's side door cannot be opened from the inside without two hands, one to hold the locking mechanism , and the other to pull the latch. also, door cannot be enterd from the outside if it's locked or unlocked without the key. There IS a recall 90v184 for this problem this vehicle does not fall under that recall. This problem would prevent rapid exit from the vehicle in the case of an accident, fire, or other emergency. *Ak *ML
- Air bags · Suspension
Right front wheel would drop down lower that the other 3 wheels. Dealer said vehicle needed air compressor and evaporater. That didnot solve the problem. Took car back to mechanic, and he indicated all 4 airbags needed to be replaced. *ak
- Seat belts › Front › Anchorage
Automatic shoulder belt has failed - cost to repair: $500-700, I understand that this IS happening in most subarus. IS there something being done? I am afraid that I will be seriously injured if I were to get into an accident. please let me know if there IS anything you are doing about this problem. thanks.
- Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch
Locksmith says he replaces at least 10 of these locks per year in our small town.
- Power train › Axle assembly › Banjo housing · Power train › Driveline › Universal joint · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Pads · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Rotor · Suspension › Front › Control arm · Visibility › Rearview mirrors/devices
Universal joint shaft failed. yh
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
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
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