Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1990 Subaru Legacy, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Structure19
- Latches/locks/linkages19
- Seat belts14
- Power train14
- Vehicle speed control5
- Fuel system, gasoline4
- Suspension3
- Equipment3
- Service brakes, hydraulic3
- Exterior lighting2
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 4 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 3 1990 Legacy vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 3 people died inside them. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
In the United Kingdom
3 cars built in 1990 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 52 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
In Finland
22 of these cars first registered in 1990 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 268,000 km on the odometer at their last inspection.
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use · CC BY 4.0
In New Zealand
257 1990 cars are on the New Zealand register; 67% arrived as used imports, 21% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Recalls in Canada
4 Transport Canada recalls for the 1990 Subaru Legacy.
| 1994067 29 Mar 1994 | Powertrain NOTE: VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ALL-WHEEL DRIVE MANUAL TRANSMISSION. UNDER COLD AND HUMID CONDITIONS, FROST MAY FORM AT THE TRANSMISSION OIL LEVEL GAUGE (DIPSTICK… |
| 1991092 12 Jun 1991 | Powertrain ON ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, THE PARK GEAR DISENGAGEMENT MECHANISM, WHEN SUBJECT TO LOADS RESULTING FROM CERTAIN PARKING SITUATIONS… |
| 1990190 6 Dec 1990 | Structure NOTE: SEDANS AND STATION WAGONS THE FRONT DOOR LATCH SCREWS COULD LOOSEN OR FALL OUT RESULTING IN THE OCCUPANTS BEING UNABLE TO OPEN THE AFFECTED DOOR FROM T… |
| 1990111 23 Jul 1990 | Heater And Defroster NOTE: 4-DOOR SEDANS AND STATION WAGONS. THE DEFROSTER LEVER PIN OF THE DEFROSTER SHUTTER DOOR MAY BECOME DISLOCATED, ALLOWING THE SHUTTER DOOR TO CLOSE AND P… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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 LEAKAGE. THE LACK OF LUBRICATION CAN BURN THE INTERNAL COMPONENTS OF THE TRANSMISSION, CAUSE THE TRANSMISSION TO SEIZE AND THE VEHICLE TO COME TO A SUDDEN STOP.
UNDER CERTAIN LOAD CONDITIONS, THE PARK GEAR MAY NOT DISENGAGE IMMEDIATELY WHEN THE TRANSMISSION LEVER IS MOVED FROM PARK TO REVERSE.
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.
THE DEFROSTER LEVER PIN OF THE DEFROSTER SHUTTER DOOR MAY BECOME DISLOCATED AND ALLOW THE SHUTTER TO CLOSE, PREVENTING DEFROSTER FROM FUNCTIONING.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Subaru told its dealers about the 1990 Subaru Legacy: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 602413 | VARIOUS INSTRUCTIONS AND PROCEDURES ON AIR CONDITIONING RETROFIT. *YC |
| 46645 | KNOCK SENSOR. *SD |
| 10219492 | This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models. |
| 10219491 | This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure. |
| 10209915 | This 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). |
| 10198758 | This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models |
| 10198749 | This bulletin is to advise of SOAs revised catalytic converter recycling program shipping procedure. |
| 10187315 | To 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. |
| 10179378 | Special Service Tools Cross Reference List. |
| 10174543 | All Models (Vehicle Cleaning- COVID-19Best Practices) |
| 10161824 | Subaru Service and Technical Support Line Newletter. |
| 10161813 | To 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. |
| 10022343 | HEADLIGHT BULB SOCKET REPAIRS. *KB |
| 10000642 | NEW PROCEDURE FOR REPLACING REAR WHEEL BEARINGS. *TT |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
HOOD LATCH FAILURE
REVERSE DELAYED ENGAGEMENT
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation