1992 Subaru Legacy
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Subaru › Legacy › 1992
These records cover every 1992 Subaru Legacy. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
2 recalls name the 1992 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.
A misalignment of the rear seat cushion latching bracket reinforcement plate to the floor required a machine tap to clear the opening for a mounting bolt. The top of the fuel tank may have been punctured when the tap was used.
Risk and remedy
Risk
The puncture in the top of the fuel tank could cause fuelto leak, which could result in a vehicle fire when leaks occur near a source ofignition.
Remedy
Inspect the fuel tanks; replace them if they are punctured.
Owner complaints
55 complaints6 involved a crash4 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Fuel/propulsion system
I bought my youngest son a 1992 subaru legacy station wagon. I went to fill the gas tank and when I got home you could smell gas fumes very strongly and later we could see where it had leaked onto the ground. I asked my oldest son about it since he IS a certified mechanic and he was telling me…
I bought my youngest son a 1992 subaru legacy station wagon. I went to fill the gas tank and when I got home you could smell gas fumes very strongly and later we could see where it had leaked onto the ground. I asked my oldest son about it since he IS a certified mechanic and he was telling me about a recall on that year because of how the company put in the back seat. I contacted my local subaru dealer (kelly cadillac) and they said it was not that year or vin number and that they could not help me. They acted like if it was not a new vehicle then it did not matter. This IS my son's only way to college every day but it worries me whether this car IS safe or not. *tr
- Tires
Cracks appear in circumferential sipes after 9,000 miles / 1 yr 10 mo. this occurred in all 4 tires. Snowy northeast climate, properly inflated to 29-30 psi. similar cracking occurred on identical tire model almost 2 yrs ago (dot # anrbmc112705), also in all 4 tires after 10,000 miles / 2 years.…
Cracks appear in circumferential sipes after 9,000 miles / 1 yr 10 mo. this occurred in all 4 tires. Snowy northeast climate, properly inflated to 29-30 psi. similar cracking occurred on identical tire model almost 2 yrs ago (dot # anrbmc112705), also in all 4 tires after 10,000 miles / 2 years. previous tires, and these tires, were different lots. bf goodrich traction t/a. no catastrophic failure either time - found on state inspection. *Tr
- Seat belts › Front › Retractor · Steering · Structure › Body › Roof and pillars
1) traveling on I-10 west approaching wilcox, az. Passed up diesel, diesel crossed into lane (possibly due to heavy crosswinds prominent in area), lost control of car and rolled twice off the highway. 2) roof caved in on drivers side, causing a compressing fracture to drivers neck. driver now…
1) traveling on I-10 west approaching wilcox, az. Passed up diesel, diesel crossed into lane (possibly due to heavy crosswinds prominent in area), lost control of car and rolled twice off the highway. 2) roof caved in on drivers side, causing a compressing fracture to drivers neck. driver now paralyzed from neck down. driver IS approximately 5'0 tall so amount of damage done IS unacceptable. car was traveling about 45 mph when car rolled over (speed lost while trying to gain control of vehicle) 3) vehicle totalled
- Vehicle speed control
While driving in stop and go traffic and upon putting foot on the clutch and the brakes vehicle surged forward. it felt like the vehicle was trying to push something very heavy out of the way. *ak
- Power train › Automatic transmission
While driving 65 mph transmission failed without warning. As a result vehicle lost power, forcing driver to veer off the road. Dealer stated that transmission breathing vents were blocked due to fluid freezing. A recall 94v052000 was issued,however this vehicle was not included due to vin. *ak
- Structure
The vehicle was involved in accident, consumer took vehicle to be repaired. dealership presented vehicle repairs as complete, consumer disagreed.*mr rear gate relocated. switch controlling cargo lamp and status panel did not function. front bumper was grossly misaligned. front bumper to right…
The vehicle was involved in accident, consumer took vehicle to be repaired. dealership presented vehicle repairs as complete, consumer disagreed.*mr rear gate relocated. switch controlling cargo lamp and status panel did not function. front bumper was grossly misaligned. front bumper to right front fender mismatched. rear wiper pivot cover was missing. exhaust tips rotated. bumper reinforcement brackets were missing. rear tail lamp setting out from body. gate hinge bolt fell out. inner skirt was bowed in. gap in right rear door. vapor canister in the engine compartment was left loose. drain hose not connected. tire under-inflated. floor datum points left undone. rear hatch opening weatherstrip was improperly sealed. *tt *jb
- Tires
Several tulsa dealers unable/unwilling to repair small nail puncture of ft70c tire. state "this tire not made to be repaired-self sealing" continual loss of air necessitates constant refilling. previous tire repaired by certified tire service facility showed sidewall separation using acceptable repair equipment. tire make has been discontinued. Now manufactured under different model designation. *nlm
- Tires
Michelin tires keep blowing out. The sidewalls are separating from the tires. ph
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Engine quits on hills when shifting into a higher gear at about 35 mph. engine also quits at about 40 mph, again when rpm about 3000 on a cold engine.*ak
- Electrical system › Wiring › Fuses and circuit breakers
In the car's manual and, from what I've heard from talking with friends, there IS a fuse under the hood of the car that allows you to switch from 4wd/awd to FWD for towing etc. my car lacks this fuse/holder and if it were to ever be towed the transmission could be damaged. I had a friend look up my vin to be sure it IS applicable for my vehicle and it is.*ak
- Power train › Automatic transmission
Vin # JF2 bj65c3 nh903488. No summary listed for abov evehicle. *ak
- Tires
Front right tire completely fell off the wheel while I was driving on the freeway. the tires had only been put on 6 months prior, and they were not bald. my car spun out of control, and my hub cap rolled out into the middle of the freeway, causing a car to hit the back of a car in front of it.…
Front right tire completely fell off the wheel while I was driving on the freeway. the tires had only been put on 6 months prior, and they were not bald. my car spun out of control, and my hub cap rolled out into the middle of the freeway, causing a car to hit the back of a car in front of it. the tire looks as though it had been peeled off of the wheel. I'm scared to drive the car now.*ak (dot number: 1857014 tiresize: ft70c 87S)
- Electrical system › Wiring › Fuses and circuit breakers
While stopping at a traffic signal all of electrical functions stopped, and vehicle stopped operating. A black fuse cable in fuse box, fuse link: 82301ga060 burned up, and burned a mark on cover of fuse box. *ak *slc
- Seat belts › Front › Anchorage
Intermittently driver and passenger restraints become inoperable.*ak
- Electrical system › Ignition
Engine stalls when going uphill, backfires, pings and come to a stop. appears to happen when engine IS under very modest strain. more likely to happen on cold engine but not nearly all the case. can't tell if choke IS implemented for some reason.*ak
- Seat belts
Driver's side motor belt failed to operate, leaving driver without any restraint while driving. Dealer/manufacturer were not contacted at this time. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
When accelerating or backing up I noticed the car was sluggish. when the hood was popped, the part holding the crankshaft pulley in place had almost fallen off. it took quit a while to obtain the part needed. the dealership where I purchased the part imformed me that this was a problem for the…
When accelerating or backing up I noticed the car was sluggish. when the hood was popped, the part holding the crankshaft pulley in place had almost fallen off. it took quit a while to obtain the part needed. the dealership where I purchased the part imformed me that this was a problem for the 92 model as well as either the 91 or 93 model. my mechanic built a brace to keep the crankshaft pulley from falling off. the dealership claimed no responsibility and I was told the part had not been recalled. *Ak
- Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly › Filler pipe and cap
Fuel tank assembly filler, not made from stainless steel, has rotted out, causing fuel to leak .please provide further information. *ak
- Visibility › Sun/moon roof assembly
I have spent $60 each time to replace sun visors that appear to be manufacturer's defect. please improve the sun visors this IS a safey issue and could lead injuries. *ak
- Seat belts · Visibility › Sun/moon roof assembly
The auotmatic seat belt was replaced last april 1999 and failed again. We also replaced the passenger side seatbelt 11/1999. we would like assistance from the manufacturer with the driver's seat belt as it was provide through a manufacturer. Dealer agreement with each party paying $250 to replace…
The auotmatic seat belt was replaced last april 1999 and failed again. We also replaced the passenger side seatbelt 11/1999. we would like assistance from the manufacturer with the driver's seat belt as it was provide through a manufacturer. Dealer agreement with each party paying $250 to replace it the 1ST time. there has only been 7,800 miles since the last belt was repaired. Also we keep having to replace the sunvisor which of course failed when you need them the most. This IS very unsafe. we have replaced 6 of them. *Ak
- Seat belts › Front › Retractor
Passenger's shoulder seatbelt does not retract which won't properly restrain the occupant in event of a crash. please provide further information. *ak
- Seat belts
When consumer started up vehicle motorized seat belt started working, but eventually did not work at all. *Ak
- Power train › Automatic transmission · Suspension › Front
When driving there was a loud knocking noise coming from the front of the vehicle. also, the vehicle will freeze up on the road, and when in third/fourth and fifth gear can hear the knocking noise. *ak
- Structure › Body
Driver side sunvisor has ceased to function. Will no longer ratchet up and down. will fall down and cannot be adjusted.
- Seat belts › Front › Anchorage
Front seat belt came apart.
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.