MYRModel Year Report

1991 Subaru Legacy

● Typical for this model
1991 Subaru Legacy
RENDERED 2026-11-01T14:47:57.920Z

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
78
Recalls
3

Campaigns on file for 1991

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Seat belts

24% of complaints

Complaints per year

1987: 1 complaint 1988: 1 complaint 1989: 1 complaint 1990: 81 complaints 1991: 78 complaints 1991 78 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 1991: 78 complaints 1991 78 1992: 57 complaints 1993: 78 complaints 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 1989 1990: 81 complaints 1991: 78 complaints 1991 78 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

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
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.

Seat belts

24% · 19 reports

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, 2016-02-16

Power train

23% · 18 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

CRASHINJURY
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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-08-19

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, 1998-04-02

Recall related , 94V052, transmission failure, causing the vehicle to stop without warning and loss of control, impact 12:00, speed 60MPH.

NHTSA ODI report, 1996-12-13

Latches/locks/linkages

18% · 14 reports

Most commonly citing latch.

Structure

18% · 14 reports

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, 2017-10-11

Service brakes

18% · 14 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

Safety timeline

3 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

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

  1. 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 →

  2. 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 →

  3. 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 →

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

Buy-smart checklist

1991 Subaru Legacy — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Seat belts: 19 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 18 reports on file for this year.
  • Latches/locks/linkages: 14 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

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