Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1992 Subaru Legacy, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Seat belts22
- Structure7
- Tires5
- Visibility5
- Power train5
- Engine and engine cooling4
- Electrical system3
- Vehicle speed control2
- Air bags2
- Latches/locks/linkages1
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 1992 Legacy vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 4 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)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 1992 Subaru Legacy failed the safety check 3.28% of the time — 169% more often than the average 1992 passenger car (1.22%). Median odometer at inspection: 141,478 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
In the Netherlands
24 first registered in 1992 are on Dutch roads; 29% arrived later as imports.
Most common APK defects
- Overmatige vloeistoflekkage overige vloeistoffen5
- Stofhoes stuurinrichting beschadigd, dicht niet af2
- Remlicht werkt niet (goed)2
- Motorsteunrubber doorgescheurd/vulkanisatie geheel los1
- Mechanische delen van het remsysteem vertonen slijtage1
- Dim-, grootlicht aantal niet juist volgens voorschriften1
- Onderdeel stuurbekrachtiger ernstige lekkage1
- Ruitenwisserinstallatie geeft onvoldoende zicht1
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
12 cars built in 1992 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 94 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
10 of these cars first registered in 1992 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 295,000 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
215 1992 cars are on the New Zealand register; 59% arrived as used imports, 33% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Recalls in Canada
1 Transport Canada recall for the 1992 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… |
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.
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.
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 1992 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)