MYRModel Year Report

1990 Subaru Legacy

● Typical for this model
1990 Subaru Legacy
RENDERED 2026-08-02T10:13:07.140Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Subaru Legacy Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1990 highlighted. 1987: 1 complaints 1987 1988: 1 complaints 1989: 1 complaints 1990: 81 complaints 1990 1991: 78 complaints 1992: 55 complaints 1992 1993: 77 complaints 1994: 60 complaints 1995: 182 complaints 1996: 123 complaints 1997: 139 complaints 1997 1998: 114 complaints 1999: 94 complaints 2000: 94 complaints 2001: 77 complaints 2002: 54 complaints 2002 2003: 60 complaints 2004: 49 complaints 2005: 182 complaints 2006: 87 complaints 2007: 33 complaints 2007 2008: 65 complaints 2009: 65 complaints 2010: 150 complaints 2011: 167 complaints 2012: 90 complaints 2012 2013: 66 complaints 2014: 53 complaints 2015: 159 complaints 2016: 145 complaints 2017: 118 complaints 2017 2018: 116 complaints 2019: 122 complaints 2020: 121 complaints 2021: 31 complaints 2022: 32 complaints 2022 2023: 10 complaints 2024: 15 complaints 2025: 6 complaints 2025
1990: 81 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19871
19881
19891
199081
199178
199255
199377
199460
1995182
1996123
1997139
1998114
199994
200094
200177
200254
200360
200449
2005182
200687
200733
200865
200965
2010150
2011167
201290
201366
201453
2015159
2016145
2017118
2018116
2019122
2020121
202131
202232
202310
202415
20256

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES 22%

22% of complaints: latches/locks/linkages — 18 distinct reports on file.

Show complaint excerpts

THE LOCK/LATCH ON MY CAR'S PASSENGER DOOR IS DEFECTIVE AND THE RECALL 90V18400 DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THE DOOR IS DIFFICULT TO OPEN AND COULD EASIY FAIL ANY DAY AND TRAP MY PASSENGER IN THE CAR.

NHTSA ODI report, 20040901

THE VEHICLE'S DOOR LOCKS EXPERIENCED THE DEFECT STATED IN RECALL 90 V 184 000 BUT IT'S VIN WAS OUTSIDE OF THE REMEDY SCOPE. THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO REPAIR THE DOOR. *NLM

NHTSA ODI report, 20030917

STRUCTURE 20%

20% of complaints: structure — 16 distinct reports on file.

POWER TRAIN 7%

7% of complaints: power train — 6 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
STRUCTURE 6%

6% of complaints: structure — 5 distinct reports on file.

INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

SUNVISOR CONTINUOUSLY SLIPS DOWN WITHOUT ASSISTANCE, CAUSING DRIVER TO HIT VISOR WHEN GETTING IN VEHICLE/INJURY. (OTHER VEHICLE ON 479694) *SKD

NHTSA ODI report, 19951116

SEAT BELTS 6%

6% of complaints: seat belts — 5 distinct reports on file.

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19901205 — visibility

THE DEFROSTER LEVER PIN OF THE DEFROSTER SHUTTER DOOR MAY BECOME DISLOCATED AND ALLOW THE SHUTTER TO CLOSE, PREVENTING DEFROSTER FROM FUNCTIONING.

Remedy: INSTALL A POSITIONING STOPPER DEVICE TO PREVENT DISLOCATION OF DEFROSTER LEVER PIN TO ASSURE DEFROSTER OPERATION.

Campaign 90V110000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19901205 — latches/locks/linkages

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.

Remedy: REPLACE FRONT DOOR LATCH SCREWS WITH "LOCK-TIGHT" SCREWS.

Campaign 90V184000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19910123 — PE (closed 19910530)

REVERSE DELAYED ENGAGEMENT

R 19910705 — power train

UNDER CERTAIN LOAD CONDITIONS, THE PARK GEAR MAY NOT DISENGAGE IMMEDIATELY WHEN THE TRANSMISSION LEVER IS MOVED FROM PARK TO REVERSE.

Remedy: INSTALL A MODIFIED PARKING BRAKE PAWL TO PREVENT DELAYED RELEASE INTO REVERSE GEAR.

Campaign 91V082000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19940624 — power train

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 FR

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.

Campaign 94V052000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19940629 — PE (closed 19941031)

HOOD LATCH FAILURE

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1990 Subaru Legacy — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for latches/locks/linkages issues (18 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for structure issues (16 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (6 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 90V110000 (visibility) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 90V184000 (latches/locks/linkages) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 91V082000 (power train) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 94V052000 (power train) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2021 ▲ 2022 ▲ 2007

WORST YEARS

■ 1995 ■ 2005 ■ 2011

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1990 Subaru Legacy reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1990 Subaru Legacy is rated "typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1990 Subaru Legacy?

The most-reported component is latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch, accounting for 22% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1990 Subaru Legacy have?

4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.