MYRModel Year Report

1990 Subaru Legacy

● Typical for this model
1990 Subaru Legacy
RENDERED 2026-11-01T15:52:45.646Z

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
81
Recalls
4

Campaigns on file for 1990

Investigations
2

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Structure

26% of complaints

Complaints per year

1987: 1 complaint 1988: 1 complaint 1989: 1 complaint 1990: 81 complaints 1990 81 1991: 78 complaints 1992: 57 complaints 1993: 78 complaints 1994: 61 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: 184 complaints 2006: 87 complaints 2007: 33 complaints 2007 2008: 65 complaints 2009: 65 complaints 2010: 151 complaints 2011: 167 complaints 2012: 90 complaints 2012 2013: 66 complaints 2014: 53 complaints 2015: 160 complaints 2016: 147 complaints 2017: 119 complaints 2017 2018: 117 complaints 2019: 123 complaints 2020: 121 complaints 2021: 31 complaints 2022: 34 complaints 2022 2023: 10 complaints 2024: 17 complaints 2025: 6 complaints
1987: 1 complaint 1987 1988: 1 complaint 1989: 1 complaint 1990: 81 complaints 1990 81 1991: 78 complaints 1992: 57 complaints 1993: 78 complaints 1993 1994: 61 complaints 1995: 182 complaints 1996: 123 complaints 1996 1997: 139 complaints 1998: 114 complaints 1999: 94 complaints 1999 2000: 94 complaints 2001: 77 complaints 2002: 54 complaints 2002 2003: 60 complaints 2004: 49 complaints 2005: 184 complaints 2005 2006: 87 complaints 2007: 33 complaints 2008: 65 complaints 2008 2009: 65 complaints 2010: 151 complaints 2011: 167 complaints 2011 2012: 90 complaints 2013: 66 complaints 2014: 53 complaints 2014 2015: 160 complaints 2016: 147 complaints 2017: 119 complaints 2017 2018: 117 complaints 2019: 123 complaints 2020: 121 complaints 2020 2021: 31 complaints 2022: 34 complaints 2023: 10 complaints 2023 2024: 17 complaints 2025: 6 complaints
1987: 1 complaint 1987 1988: 1 complaint 1989: 1 complaint 1990: 81 complaints 1990 81 1991: 78 complaints 1992: 57 complaints 1993: 78 complaints 1993 1994: 61 complaints 1995: 182 complaints 1995 1996: 123 complaints 1997: 139 complaints 1997 1998: 114 complaints 1999: 94 complaints 1999 2000: 94 complaints 2001: 77 complaints 2001 2002: 54 complaints 2003: 60 complaints 2003 2004: 49 complaints 2005: 184 complaints 2005 2006: 87 complaints 2007: 33 complaints 2007 2008: 65 complaints 2009: 65 complaints 2009 2010: 151 complaints 2011: 167 complaints 2011 2012: 90 complaints 2013: 66 complaints 2013 2014: 53 complaints 2015: 160 complaints 2015 2016: 147 complaints 2017: 119 complaints 2017 2018: 117 complaints 2019: 123 complaints 2019 2020: 121 complaints 2021: 31 complaints 2021 2022: 34 complaints 2023: 10 complaints 2023 2024: 17 complaints 2025: 6 complaints 2025

1990: 81 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19871
19881
19891
199081
199178
199257
199378
199461
1995182
1996123
1997139
1998114
199994
200094
200177
200254
200360
200449
2005184
200687
200733
200865
200965
2010151
2011167
201290
201366
201453
2015160
2016147
2017119
2018117
2019123
2020121
202131
202234
202310
202417
20256

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Structure

26% · 21 reports

Most commonly citing door and body.

INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Sunvisor continuously slips down without assistance, causing driver to hit visor when getting in vehicle/injury. (Other vehicle on 479694)

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-11-16

Latches/locks/linkages

23% · 19 reports

Most commonly citing latch and lock.

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, 2004-09-01

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-09-17

Power train

17% · 14 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and axle assembly.

CRASHFIRE
Show complaint excerpts

The cv boots on the front of the vehicle constantly need replacing.

NHTSA ODI report, 2004-01-28

Seat belts

17% · 14 reports

Most commonly citing buckle assembly and anchorage.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Drivers side seat belt did not retract during vehicle impact. Tt

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-09-07

Vehicle speed control

7% · 6 reports

Most commonly citing accelerator pedal and cables.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Accelerator stuck, causing accident/injury.

NHTSA ODI report, 1996-04-17

Safety timeline

4 recalls · 2 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    1990-12-05Visibility90V110000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    1990-12-05Latches/locks/linkages90V184000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. I
    1991-01-23Preliminary evaluationClosed 1991-05-30 Reverse delayed engagement
  4. R
    1991-07-05Power train91V082000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    1994-06-24Power train94V052000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. I
    1994-06-29Preliminary evaluationClosed 1994-10-31 Hood latch failure

Buy-smart checklist

1990 Subaru Legacy — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Structure: 21 reports on file for this year.
  • Latches/locks/linkages: 19 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 14 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 90V110000 · Visibility
  • Recall 90V184000 · Latches/locks/linkages
  • Recall 91V082000 · Power train
  • Recall 94V052000 · Power train
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

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 structure, accounting for 26% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1990 Subaru Legacy have?
4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.