MYRModel Year Report

1991 Subaru Legacy

● Typical for this model
1991 Subaru Legacy
RENDERED 2026-09-17T04:33:45.939Z

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, 1991 highlighted. 1987: 1 complaints 1987 1988: 1 complaints 1989: 1 complaints 1990: 81 complaints 1991: 78 complaints 1991 1992: 57 complaints 1992 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: 150 complaints 2011: 167 complaints 2012: 90 complaints 2012 2013: 66 complaints 2014: 53 complaints 2015: 159 complaints 2016: 147 complaints 2017: 119 complaints 2017 2018: 117 complaints 2019: 123 complaints 2020: 121 complaints 2021: 31 complaints 2022: 32 complaints 2022 2023: 10 complaints 2024: 17 complaints 2025: 6 complaints 2025
1991: 78 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
2010150
2011167
201290
201366
201453
2015159
2016147
2017119
2018117
2019123
2020121
202131
202232
202310
202417
20256

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

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

SEAT BELTS 24%

24% of complaints: seat belts — 19 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing webbing and anchorage.

Show complaint excerpts

DRIVERS SIDE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT DRIVE CABLE SLIPS OUT OF TRACK MAKING SEAT BELT USELESS AND DANGEROUS.

NHTSA ODI report, 20160216

POWER TRAIN 23%

23% of complaints: power train — 18 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

AFTER STARTING VEHICLE DRIVER PUT SHIFTER IN DRIVE AND VEHICLE TOOK OFF, DRIVER HAD NO CONTROL. AS A RESULT, VEHICLE HIT A BRICK WALL BEFORE COMING TO A STOP. UPON IMPACT, NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 20030819

Also filed under AIR BAGS

THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE DISENGAGED FROM PARK BY CHILD RESULTING IN A COLLISION DUE TO A DESIGN FEATURE CALLED THE (BYPASS SWITCH).

NHTSA ODI report, 19980402

RECALL RELATED , 94V052, TRANSMISSION FAILURE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STOP WITHOUT WARNING AND LOSS OF CONTROL, IMPACT 12:00, SPEED 60MPH. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19961213

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES 18%

18% of complaints: latches/locks/linkages — 14 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing latch.

STRUCTURE 18%

18% of complaints: structure — 14 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing door and body.

Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 SUBARU LEGACY. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT'S ELBOW WAS CUT SEVERAL TIMES ON THE DOOR JAM WHILE ATTEMPTING TO EXIT. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20171011

SERVICE BRAKES 18%

18% of complaints: service brakes — 14 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic.

SAFETY TIMELINE

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

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

1991 Subaru Legacy — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for seat belts issues (19 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (18 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for latches/locks/linkages issues (14 reports on file for this year).
  • 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 1991 Subaru Legacy reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1991 Subaru Legacy is rated "typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1991 Subaru Legacy?

The most-reported component is seat belts, accounting for 24% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1991 Subaru Legacy have?

3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.