1997 Subaru Legacy
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.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1987 | 1 |
| 1988 | 1 |
| 1989 | 1 |
| 1990 | 81 |
| 1991 | 78 |
| 1992 | 55 |
| 1993 | 77 |
| 1994 | 60 |
| 1995 | 182 |
| 1996 | 123 |
| 1997 | 139 |
| 1998 | 114 |
| 1999 | 94 |
| 2000 | 94 |
| 2001 | 77 |
| 2002 | 54 |
| 2003 | 60 |
| 2004 | 49 |
| 2005 | 182 |
| 2006 | 87 |
| 2007 | 33 |
| 2008 | 65 |
| 2009 | 65 |
| 2010 | 150 |
| 2011 | 167 |
| 2012 | 90 |
| 2013 | 66 |
| 2014 | 53 |
| 2015 | 159 |
| 2016 | 145 |
| 2017 | 118 |
| 2018 | 116 |
| 2019 | 122 |
| 2020 | 121 |
| 2021 | 31 |
| 2022 | 32 |
| 2023 | 10 |
| 2024 | 15 |
| 2025 | 6 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
10% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 14 distinct reports on file.
CRASHShow complaint excerpts
WHILE DRIVING WITH CRUISE ENGAGED,ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE AND TO DISENGAGE CRUISE CONTROL, THERE WAS NO RESPONSE, CRUISE CONTINUED, UPON PRESSING HARDER ON BRAKE PEDAL, VEHICLE WHEELS LOCKED UP, WENT INTO SKID, HIT BARRIER AT APPROX. 65MPH, NOT FIXED.
NHTSA ODI report, 19970110
WHILE DRIVING, AT APPROX 65MPH, EXPERIENCED. ABS FAILURE WHEN ATTEMPTING TO DISENGAGE CRUISE CONTROL BY APPYLING BRAKES THERE WAS NO RESPONSE, SUBSEQUENTLY WHEN APPLIED MORE PRESSURE TO BRAKE PEDAL, WHEELS LOCKED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO HIT BARRIER.
NHTSA ODI report, 19970110
7% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 10 distinct reports on file.
INJURY7% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 10 distinct reports on file.
FIREShow 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.*AK
NHTSA ODI report, 20031007
6% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 8 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURY5% of complaints: suspension — 7 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
I INSTALLED MEVOTECH STRUT MOUNTS (MP903987 & MP903986) ON OUR 1997 SUBARU LEGACY POSTAL WHEN INSTALLING NEW REAR SHOCK ABSORBER/STRUTS. THE RIGHT SIDE FAILED ON THE FIRST DAY AFTER AROUND 60 MILES.
NHTSA ODI report, 20130928
SAFETY TIMELINE
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.
Campaign 97V210000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 98V035000 — check if this car was fixed
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).
Campaign 98V042000 — check if this car was fixed
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
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
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
1997 Subaru Legacy — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for service brakes, hydraulic issues (14 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (10 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (10 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 97V210000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 98V035000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
- Verify recall 98V042000 (power train) has been completed.
- Verify recall 98V091000 (suspension) 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
WORST 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 service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, accounting for 10% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1997 Subaru Legacy have?
6 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.