1996 Subaru Legacy

◆ Worse than typical

1996 Subaru Legacy
RENDERED 2026-09-17T01:20:51.800Z

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than 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

1996: 123 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
1987	1
1988	1
1989	1
1990	81
1991	78
1992	57
1993	78
1994	61
1995	182
1996	123
1997	139
1998	114
1999	94
2000	94
2001	77
2002	54
2003	60
2004	49
2005	184
2006	87
2007	33
2008	65
2009	65
2010	150
2011	167
2012	90
2013	66
2014	53
2015	159
2016	147
2017	119
2018	117
2019	123
2020	121
2021	31
2022	32
2023	10
2024	17
2025	6

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

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

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 20%

20% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 24 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing gasoline and engine.

INJURY

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 20%

20% of complaints: electrical system — 24 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing alternator/generator/regulator and ignition.

FIRE

AIR BAGS 19%

19% of complaints: air bags — 23 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal and side/window.

CRASH INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

AIR BAG INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED CAUSING DRIVER TO LOOSE CONTROL AND STRIKE ANOTHER VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI report, 19960904

DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY IN A FRONTAL COLLISION AT 35 MPH. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19960229

SERVICE BRAKES 15%

15% of complaints: service brakes — 18 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASH

SUSPENSION 7%

7% of complaints: suspension — 9 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing coil springs and rear.

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 1996 — complaint volume: 123

I 19961218 — PE (closed 19970430)

OVERSENSITIVE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT

I 19970430 — EA (closed 19981223)

OVERSENSITIVE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT

R 19980629 — suspension

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER STATION WAGON, SEDAN AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. DUE TO IMPROPER WELDING, FRACTURES CAN OCCUR ON THE SUPPORT BRACKET OF THE FRONT TRANSVERSE LINK.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE IF NECESSARY THE FRONT SUSPENSION SUPPORT BRACKETS.

Campaign 98V091000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19990601 — air bags

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT CAN OCCUR AFTER UNDERCARRIAGE CONTACT OF THE TOW HOOKS WITH CURBS, DIPS, SPEEDBUMPS, POTHOLES, ETC.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE FRONT TOW HOOKS.

Campaign 98V315000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19991101 — PE (closed 20000531)

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

R 20001115 — electrical system

THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR WITH A MODIFIED ALTERNATOR. OWNERS WILL ALSO BE CAUTIONED THAT, SHOULD THE ALTERNATOR TELLTALE WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATE, THEY MUST SEEK IMMEDIATE REPAIR TO AVOID TH

Campaign 00I002000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20010918 — suspension

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FRONT COIL SPRINGS ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, M

Remedy: DEALERS WILL NOTIFIY CUSTOMERS TO BRING THEIR VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE A SPRING GUARD INSTALLED ON BOTH FRONT STRUTS TO PREVENT TIRE PUNCTURE AND REPLACE ANY BROKEN SPRINGS FREE OF C

Campaign 01V216000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1996 Subaru Legacy — pre-purchase inspection

Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (24 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for electrical system issues (24 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for air bags issues (23 reports on file for this year).
Verify recall 98V091000 (suspension) has been completed.
Verify recall 98V315000 (air bags) has been completed.
Verify recall 00I002000 (electrical system) has been completed.
Verify recall 01V216000 (suspension) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2021 ▲ 2022 ▲ 2007

WORST YEARS

■ 1995 ■ 2005 ■ 2011

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1996 Subaru Legacy reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1996 Subaru Legacy is rated "worse than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1996 Subaru Legacy?

The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling, accounting for 20% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1996 Subaru Legacy have?

4 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.