MYRModel Year Report

1997 Subaru Legacy

◆ Worse than typical
1997 Subaru Legacy
RENDERED 2026-11-01T14:45:22.777Z

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
139
Recalls
6

Campaigns on file for 1997

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Engine and engine cooling

24% of complaints

Complaints per year

1987: 1 complaint 1987 1988: 1 complaint 1989: 1 complaint 1990: 81 complaints 1991: 78 complaints 1992: 57 complaints 1992 1993: 78 complaints 1994: 61 complaints 1995: 182 complaints 1996: 123 complaints 1997: 139 complaints 1997 139 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 1991: 78 complaints 1992: 57 complaints 1993: 78 complaints 1993 1994: 61 complaints 1995: 182 complaints 1996: 123 complaints 1997: 139 complaints 1997 139 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 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 1992: 57 complaints 1993: 78 complaints 1993 1994: 61 complaints 1995: 182 complaints 1995 1996: 123 complaints 1997: 139 complaints 1997 139 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

1997: 139 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.

Engine and engine cooling

24% · 33 reports

Most commonly citing gasoline and engine.

FIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

While traveling at 70 MPH engine light illuminated and smoke came from under hood. Driver pulled over, popped hood, and noticed coolant and oil sprayed over engine. Also a couple of flames were present. Dealer said it was a blown head gasket.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-10-07

Service brakes

22% · 31 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASH

Electrical system

13% · 18 reports

Most commonly citing alternator/generator/regulator and ignition.

Show complaint excerpts

Car was sometimes difficult to start, other times it would stall/hesitate when in motion on city street.

NHTSA ODI report, 2020-11-17

Also filed under Fuel/propulsion system

Power train

12% · 17 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owns a 1997 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that the vehicle became stuck in park. The failure was recurring. The vehicle had been taken to an authorized dealer, who lubricated the automatic transmission shifter but to no avail.

NHTSA ODI report, 2014-04-02

Air bags

7% · 10 reports

Most commonly citing frontal.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Consumer tried to avoid a crash while traveling 68-70 MPH. In the process, the consumer ran the vehicle off the road, running head on into a tree. Driver's air bag failed to deploy.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-12-03

My 1997 Subaru Legacy was totalled in a front end collision. The collision occurred at 30-35 MPH, my 97 Legacy's engine was destroyed in this collision, and I was crunched into the steering wheel because the airbags did not deploy.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-01-14

Safety timeline

6 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

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

  1. ▮
    1997Complaint volume 139 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    1998-01-05Exterior lighting97V210000 Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Insufficient clearance within the hazard warning light switch housing can cause a binding between the actuating button and the housing.

    Remedy: Dealers will install a modified hazard warning switch.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    1998-04-27Vehicle speed control98V035000 Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The throttle shaft ball bearing on the sensor side of the throttle body assembly was not installed in certain throttle bodies.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the throttle body and replace the throttle assembly if the bearing is missing.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    1998-06-15Power train98V042000 Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. Due to poor welds, ignition keys can stick, shift levers/linkages can break and shift levers can move.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the automatic transmission shift lever assemblies (Except the handle grip).

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    1998-06-29Suspension98V091000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. I
    1999-11-01Preliminary evaluationClosed 2000-05-31 Electrical system
  7. R
    2000-11-15Electrical system00I002000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. R
    2001-09-18Suspension01V216000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1997 Subaru Legacy — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Engine and engine cooling: 33 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 31 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 18 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 97V210000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 98V035000 · Vehicle speed control
  • Recall 98V042000 · Power train
  • Recall 98V091000 · Suspension
  • Recall 00I002000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 01V216000 · Suspension
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1997 Subaru Legacy reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1997 Subaru Legacy is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1997 Subaru Legacy?
The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling, accounting for 24% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1997 Subaru Legacy have?
6 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.