1995 Subaru Legacy
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Subaru › Legacy › 1995
These records cover every 1995 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 1995 Subaru Legacy. Newest first.
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with front coil springs originally sold in or currently registered in the states of connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, kentucky, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new york, new jersey, new hampshire, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, virginia, west virginia…
Risk and remedy
Risk
Depending on the location of the fracture, a broken spring could move past the spring seat and contact a front tire. some tires have deflated due to contact with a broken spring.
Remedy
Dealers will notifiy customers to bring their vehicle to an authorize dealership to have a spring guard installed on both front struts to prevent tire puncture and replace any broken springs free of charge. owner notification began september 18, 2001. owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact subaru at 1-800-782-2783.
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. inadvertent air bag deployment can occur after undercarriage contact of the tow hooks with curbs, dips, speedbumps, potholes, etc.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Unexpected air bag deployment could result in personal injury.
Remedy
Dealers will remove the front tow hooks.
Owner complaints
182 complaints33 involved a crash3 involved a fire29 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Suspension
TL* the contact owns a 1995 subaru legacy. The contact noticed an abnormal noise coming from the front driver side of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the coil spring was fractured and gouged the tire down past the steel belt. The dealer was…
TL* the contact owns a 1995 subaru legacy. The contact noticed an abnormal noise coming from the front driver side of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the coil spring was fractured and gouged the tire down past the steel belt. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and did not call the contact back. The contact was unaware if the vehicle was repaired per nhtsa campaign number: 01v216000 (suspension). The approximate failure mileage was 190,000.
- Air bags
10/162017 - I was walking down the street to meet my wife for dinner after parking my car. as I watched her pull into the parking lot in front of me in the legacy I saw the windshield get blown out by the passenger airbag being deployed. she was stopped waiting for traffic on a city street to…
10/162017 - I was walking down the street to meet my wife for dinner after parking my car. as I watched her pull into the parking lot in front of me in the legacy I saw the windshield get blown out by the passenger airbag being deployed. she was stopped waiting for traffic on a city street to clear to pull in and was not moving very fast at all, approx 5 mph. luckily no one was in the passenger seat and my wife sustained minor injuries from flying glass. After inspecting the vehicle the following day our mechanic said he believed that the airbag recall # 96v315000 performed on 12/11/1998 apparently was not performed properly and he suspected that the poorly removed tow-hook was not cut off short enough (not to the recall spec) to prevent accidental inflation of the airbag. I believe that the remaining stub of the tow-hook may have impacted the driveway as she pulled in deploying the airbag, we contacted subaru and they basically said it was not their problem. see attached pictures from our mechanic and email correspondences from subaru.
- Structure › Frame and members › Underbody shields · Suspension
The left rear strut tower on the car rotted almost completely off . This happened without warning as the car was inspected. Out that almost all of the rear crossmember was rotted away on the left rear side and the right rear side has a couple of rot holes in it getting ready to do the same thing…
The left rear strut tower on the car rotted almost completely off . This happened without warning as the car was inspected. Out that almost all of the rear crossmember was rotted away on the left rear side and the right rear side has a couple of rot holes in it getting ready to do the same thing the left side did. If the left strut tower had completely broke off the tire would have gone right into the rotted wheel well probably causing the tire to blow because I'm sure it would have been sliced open from the jagged rusted metal which would have caused the car body on the left side to drop and start to scrap on the pavement. If your not familiar with a subaru the gas tank IS located just in front of the rear tires and it just about pokes into the wheel well area. In my calculations the gas tank would have been scrapping the pavement and it was full by the way. I have emailed subaru about this problem. They did a vin# check and told me there IS no recall for my stated problem and that they were not going to do anything about the car. *tr
- Tires
Vee rubber vitron tires purchased new 12/23/2011. One tires steel belt separated, popped through the tire in two places on 09/07/2013. Tire has less than 5K miles on it. Two service stations (pep boys, and vince's auto in reseda, ca) inspected the tire and advised it IS a defective tire. Neither…
Vee rubber vitron tires purchased new 12/23/2011. One tires steel belt separated, popped through the tire in two places on 09/07/2013. Tire has less than 5K miles on it. Two service stations (pep boys, and vince's auto in reseda, ca) inspected the tire and advised it IS a defective tire. Neither could advise of any scenario to justify what happened. Vince's auto IS replacing the defective tire for "no charge"; however, there are 3 remaining tires. This IS very dangerous and I believe you should investigate. I'm surprised there IS no mention of veerubber nor vitron on your dropdown list for recall search. tires are vee rubber vitron 195/60 R15 88H dot 6MSJ 4910. please help. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(B)(6). *tr
- Service brakes · Structure · Vehicle speed control
The brake and gas pedals on automatic transmission subaru legacy models are so close together that a man of average shoe size, wearing boots of any kind, IS liable to inadvertently apply pressure to both pedals at the same time. The "fix" IS simple: subaru of america should hang the manual…
The brake and gas pedals on automatic transmission subaru legacy models are so close together that a man of average shoe size, wearing boots of any kind, IS liable to inadvertently apply pressure to both pedals at the same time. The "fix" IS simple: subaru of america should hang the manual transmission brake pedal, with its smaller pad footprint, on all automatic transmission legacy models. Problem solved. while driving my vehicle, and if wearing boots, I must maintain constant vigilance to avoid the potentially lethal consequence of applying pressure to both pedals at the same time. *tr
- Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil springs · Suspension › Rear › Springs › Coil springs
TL* the contact owns a 1995 subaru legacy. The contact stated that she was unable to accelerate from a stop. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for a diagnostic test. The mechanic stated that both front coil springs were fractured and would have to be replaced. There was a recall…
TL* the contact owns a 1995 subaru legacy. The contact stated that she was unable to accelerate from a stop. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for a diagnostic test. The mechanic stated that both front coil springs were fractured and would have to be replaced. There was a recall under nhtsa campaign ID number 01v216000 (suspension:front:springs:coil springs), that may be related to the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the vin was not included in the recall. The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 166,116. updated 02/09/12*lj the consumer stated the rear coil springs failed in a manner similar to the failure of the front coil springs. The defect relates to an existing recall campaign regarding the front coil springs. Updatd 02/13/12
- Structure › Body · Suspension
The left rear strut tower on the car rotted almost completely off causing the interior over the strut tower to bulge way up inside the car. This happened without warning as I was driving the car. I removed the interior of the car and found out that almost all of the strut tower was rotted away on…
The left rear strut tower on the car rotted almost completely off causing the interior over the strut tower to bulge way up inside the car. This happened without warning as I was driving the car. I removed the interior of the car and found out that almost all of the strut tower was rotted away on the left rear side and the right rear side has a couple of rot holes in it getting read to do the same thing the left side did. If the left strut tower had completely broke off the tire would have gone right into the rotted wheel well probably causing the tire to blow because I'm sure it would have been sliced open from the jagged rusted metal which would have caused the car body on the left side to drop and start to scrap on the pavement. If your not familiar with a subaru the gas tank IS located just in front of the rear tires and it just about pokes into the wheel well area. In my calculations the gas tank would have been scrapping the pavement and it was full by the way. I have emailed subaru about this problem. They did a vin# check and told me there IS no recall for my stated problem and that they were not going to do anything about the car.
- Engine and engine cooling
We had a slow oil leak and our catalytic converter started going bad at the same time. The oil leaked down the exhaust to the catalytic converter which was over heating and caused a flash fire burning up my entire car. Thankfully no one was hurt. *tr
- Air bags · Service brakes, hydraulic
TL* the contact owns a 1995 subaru legacy. The contact stated that the brake pedal froze and was resistant to engagement. The failure caused the contact to crash into the rear of another vehicle. The contact stated that the air bags did not deploy upon impact. The vehicle was towed to the contact place of residence and was not inspected for the failure or repaired. The failure and current mileage was 174,278.
- Service brakes, hydraulic
Vehicle IS a 1995 subaru legacy l wagon with auto. Trans. gas pedal and brake pedal are too close together, and at the same height. One's foot can inadvertently apply both pedals at once, causing acceleration and braking simultaneously. Also, clearance between pedals and lower dash panel just…
Vehicle IS a 1995 subaru legacy l wagon with auto. Trans. gas pedal and brake pedal are too close together, and at the same height. One's foot can inadvertently apply both pedals at once, causing acceleration and braking simultaneously. Also, clearance between pedals and lower dash panel just above, IS minimal. This can cause foot (especially in a winter boot) to jam in the limited space, resulting in difficulty lifting foot from a pedal. In an otherwise praiseworthy car, these flaws are an accident waiting to happen. *tr
- Fuel system, other
Fuel tank filler neck leak and failure. *Tr
- Service brakes, hydraulic
Car shakes and steering wheel vibrates when applying brakes. gives sensation of inability to brake. feeling of insecurity. have taken to dealer on several occasions and the following have been done: resurfaced front and back rotors at 17,002 miles. replaced front and rear pads and front rotors…
Car shakes and steering wheel vibrates when applying brakes. gives sensation of inability to brake. feeling of insecurity. have taken to dealer on several occasions and the following have been done: resurfaced front and back rotors at 17,002 miles. replaced front and rear pads and front rotors and resurfaced rear rotors at 29,154 replaced rear rotors and resurfaced front rotors at 42,325. now at about 53,000, front rotors need replacing again! a quick internet search found one reported failure of ABS in 2005 legacy that potentially could have caused an accident. I am concerned and worried that this car could prove unsafe for my family if our brakes fail. *tr
- Seat belts
Seat belt webbing started disintegrating in last 6 months. I have short video clip showing the defect that I can forward. *tr
- Tires › Tread/belt
Tl*the contact owns a 1995 subaru legacy. the vehicle has cooper lifeliner touring sle, size 185/70r14 tires. while driving 5 mph, the steering wheel veered from left to right and the front end of the vehicle wobbled. the contact stated that the failure was not as extensive while driving 50 mph…
Tl*the contact owns a 1995 subaru legacy. the vehicle has cooper lifeliner touring sle, size 185/70r14 tires. while driving 5 mph, the steering wheel veered from left to right and the front end of the vehicle wobbled. the contact stated that the failure was not as extensive while driving 50 mph or greater. the dealer stated that the tires caused the failure. nhtsa campaign ID number 06t016000 (tires: tread/belt) was referenced. as of october 29, 2007, the dealer had not repaired the vehicle. the failure mileage was 155,000 and current mileage was 160,000. Updated 01/11/08. *lj
- Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings · Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly › Filler pipe and cap
Leaking fuel filler neck, lines and tank on older subaru's. owned 2 subarus a 1993 impreza and a 1995 legacy both gas tank seams get rusted out due to climatic conditions and leak same as filler necks and lines. causes emission problems, triggers check engine light on OBD2 cars. *Jb
- Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly › Filler pipe and cap
Fax on behalf of consumer (me) pertaining to his difficulty in obtain a part for the defective gasoline tank filler neck of his 1995 subaru legacy wagon. *ts the vehicle will continue to leak fuel until the part IS replaced. *nm
- Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly › Filler pipe and cap
Fax pertaining to consumer's difficulty in obtain a part for the defective gasoline tank filler neck of his 1995 subaru legacy wagon. *ts the faulty filler neck caused fuel to leak from the vehicle. *nm
- Fuel system, other › Storage › Tank assembly › Filling/charging
Dt: the contact detected a strong odor of gasoline in the garage. the contact inspected the generator and his wife's vehicle in which nothing was found. when the contact placed vehicle back into the garage he noticed a gasoline stain where vehicle was parked. he took the vehicle to a subaru…
Dt: the contact detected a strong odor of gasoline in the garage. the contact inspected the generator and his wife's vehicle in which nothing was found. when the contact placed vehicle back into the garage he noticed a gasoline stain where vehicle was parked. he took the vehicle to a subaru dealer, who noticed the leak immediately which was coming from the filler neck of the gasoline storage tank assembly on the inside of the vehicle from where gasoline gas pump nozzle goes into the gas tank itself. this was considered a common problem because it was plastic and breaking down. the part was on back order at four separate subaru dealers, the filler neck part number was 42066fa030. out of fear of an ignition source, such as an explosion and death the vehicle was parked outside of the garage. the contact added this was the same part that was used in the 1995-1997 subaru legacy vehicles. the contact owns a 1995 subaru legacy wagon. *ak
- Latches/locks/linkages › Hood › Latch
Approximately one month ago I was driving on a local highway when I noticed that my hood was partially unlatched (held by safety). I exited the highway, closed the hood and made a service appointment. *ak the dealer could not find anything wrong with the latch, but recommended replacement.…
Approximately one month ago I was driving on a local highway when I noticed that my hood was partially unlatched (held by safety). I exited the highway, closed the hood and made a service appointment. *ak the dealer could not find anything wrong with the latch, but recommended replacement. another service tech at the dealership relayed that he also had a hood latch failure on a 1995 subaru legacy wagon. plan to replace hood mechanism.
- Latches/locks/linkages › Hood › Latch
I was driving home on I-90 at 65 miles per hour when the hood of my 1995 legacy subaru wagon flew up and broke the windshield and caused the rear view mirror to fly off into the car. the latch and the safety latch failed without warning. this happened last week and I have done nothing to repair the car. *jb
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Caliper · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Pads · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Master cylinder
When brakes are applied/tapped they suddenly tighten and get hot as time progresses. this makes it difficult to continue operating the vehicle. This failure resulted in a fire due to master brake cylinder failure. Brake pads and calipers were replaced, but the failure recurred. *ak
- Air bags
The consumer would like permission to have the air bags removed or disconnected. *nlm *jb
- Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator · Exterior lighting › Tail lights
Consumer stated alternator failed. As a result, tail lights became inoperable. *Ak
- Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil springs
Nhtsa recall number 01v216000 failed. vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with front coil springs originally sold or currently registered in the states of connecticut, delaware, illinois, the front coil springs were produced with poor paint quality which, after continued exposure to corrosive salt, can result in breakage of the spring. *jb
- Fuel system, other
Driveability concern: there IS a valve guide movement on the cylinders that lead to very heavy carbon deposits on valves and intake/combustion chambers. the valve guide wear occurs because the heads are made of aluminum. under load, the engine will not shift into high gear, misfires randomly…
Driveability concern: there IS a valve guide movement on the cylinders that lead to very heavy carbon deposits on valves and intake/combustion chambers. the valve guide wear occurs because the heads are made of aluminum. under load, the engine will not shift into high gear, misfires randomly, check engine light comes on and the car "bucks." this IS very dangerous on the highway because the car IS unable to accelerate and it "bucks." the gas mileage IS very poor (17 mpg). my garage (works exclusively on japanese cars) they see similar problems on many subaru models and years.*ak
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Electrical system
Odi has received 5,820 complaints concerning a variety of electrical system failures that result in the vehicle stalling.our complaint analysis indicates that the majority of these compaints are caused by alternator failure.in some instances, the vehicle IS completely dead and will not restart.based on our…
Odi has received 5,820 complaints concerning a variety of electrical system failures that result in the vehicle stalling.our complaint analysis indicates that the majority of these compaints are caused by alternator failure.in some instances, the vehicle IS completely dead and will not restart.based on our investigation and the manufacturer's respomse, odi IS closing this investigation because the manufacturer has agreed to perform the owner nortification program cited above, including quarterly notifications to odi.this program allows owners to get their alternator replaced for free.further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by nhtsa that no safety-related defect exists.odi will continue to monitor this matter closely, and the agency reserves the right to take further action on these models if warranted by the circumstances.
- Oversensitive air bag deployment
In its letter dated december 21, 1998, subaru stated that the vehicles identified above will be recalled.subaru dealers will remove the front towing/tie-down hooks.refer to nhtsa recall no. 98V-315 for details.
- Oversensitive air bag deployment
Odi has reviewed 33 complaints of oversensitive' air bag deployment (i.e., any non-crash deployment) received by odi and subaru involving model year 1995 subaru impreza & legacy vehicles and all other impreza & legacy vehicles equipped with air bag systems identical or similar to those in the 1995 impreza & legacy…
Odi has reviewed 33 complaints of oversensitive' air bag deployment (i.e., any non-crash deployment) received by odi and subaru involving model year 1995 subaru impreza & legacy vehicles and all other impreza & legacy vehicles equipped with air bag systems identical or similar to those in the 1995 impreza & legacy; they are late 1994-1996 impreza and all1995 & 1996 legacy (33 complaints out of 165,385 vehicles).odi's analysis indicates that certain impreza & legacy vehicles - - late 1994 & early 1995 impreza and all 1995 & early 1996 legacy (29 complaints out of 95,678 vehicles) -- have much higher complaint rate than the remaining vehicles which are different in vehicle structure or equipped with different air bag sensing system.most of the complaints (26 of the 29) indicate that the vehicle's dual air bags deployed from an undercarriage impact with a curb, bump, dip, pothole, etc.in the remaining 3 complaints, the driver alleged that the air bags deployed inadvertently or without any impact.in 13 of the 29 cases, only the vehicle's front tow hooks reportedly were found damaged or showed evidence of impact, and in 6 other cases both tow hooks and other undercarriage components were reportedly damaged or impacted; no details were given in the 10 remaining cases.this pe has been upgraded to ea97-010
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.
- 10240110This bulletin announces the recommended cleaning procedures to followed when encountering vehicles with long time exposure to pollen on painted surfaces on vehicles imported from Japan. This bulletin does not apply to SIA built vehicles.
- 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)
- 10163525This Service Information bulletin announces instruction for application of additional lubrication between the brake caliper support and pad clips. This will prevent the pad from dragging due to corrosion buildup which may result in uneven or premature wear of the replacement brake pads. This additional instruction applies to all models with brake pads using the upper and lower pad clips and has been added to the brake pad installation procedures found in the related Service Manuals.
- 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.
- 10037968Subaru: there IS a steering wheel vibration at highway speeds due to an imporper wheel balance.
- 10022343Headlight bulb socket repairs.
- 10019343Rubbing mark on timing belt. Subaru.
- 10001726Clutch pedal sticking.
- 10000642New procedure for replacing rear wheel bearings.
- 627826Information regarding front spring guard bulletin update.
- 626926Information regarding seat belt latch slides to the lower seat belt anchor. Updated
- 625877Subject on regarding steering knocking/rattle noise when turning.
- 608198Vehicles equipped with manual transmissions may exhibit first gear popping out while driving.
- 605951Subject regarding front tow-hook removal campaign.
- 605779Information regarding the availability of retrofit air bag
- 602130Some vehicles experience moisture accumulation in the headlights.
- 54208Vehicles may experience loss of voltage regulation from the alternator due to insufficient wiring contact to the alternator ic regulator.
- 54207Various information on crankshaft position sensor and camshaft position sensor.
- 53025Various information on procedures and theft prevention standards.
- 512551995-97 legacy rear wheel bearing/seal noise.
- 46649Accessory protective bumper cover adhesion.
- 46645Knock sensor.
- 38095Engine oil pump leaks.
Every Subaru Legacy model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.