1996 Subaru Legacy Recalls, Problems & Safety Rating

1996 Subaru Legacy recalls

Most common 1996 Subaru Legacy problems

Problem areas named in the 123 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.

Problem area	Reports
Air Bags	25
Electrical System	24
Engine And Engine Cooling	24
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	20
Suspension	10
Power Train	8
Vehicle Speed Control	7
Unknown Or Other	7
Seats	6
Fuel System, Gasoline	6

What owners report

2012-03-06, Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT THEN NOTICED THAT THERE WAS SMOKE AND FLAMES COMING FROM THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED AND A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY INSPECTED AND ADVISED THAT THE DIFFERENTIAL FAILED DUE TO THE VEHICLE BECOMING OVERHEATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 255,000.

2011-10-20, Air Bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 5 MPH WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO HIS BUMPER AND THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THERE WERE NO PHYSICAL DAMAGES TO THE VEHICLE AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL AUTO MECHANIC TO HAVE THE AIR BAGS AND THE WINDSHIELD REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE INCIDENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000.

2010-09-22, Power Train
MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING HER 96 SUBARU LEGACY THE OTHER DAY TO THE STORE WHEN SHE WAS ALERTED BY ANOTHER DRIVER THAT HER CAR WAS ON FIRE. LUCKILY THEY HAD A FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND WAS ABLE TO PUT IT OUT. BEECHMONT SUBARU SAID THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME THEY EVER SAW A REAR DIFFERENTIAL CATCH ON FIRE. I WANTED TO MAKE SUBARU AWARE AND MAYBE GET SOME HELP ON THIS REPAIR. MAKING SURE IT DONE CORRECTLY. IT WAS A VERY FRIGHTENING PHONE CALL FROM MY DAUGHTER. THIS WEB SITE WILL NOT ALLOW ME TO ENTER THE VIN. [XXX]. I WILL EDIT THE VIN TILL THE SITE ACCEPTS MY COMPLAINT. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

2010-08-07, Electrical System
1996 SUBURU LEGACY SHUTS DOWN ALL ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. PURCHASED IN UTAH DROVE TO DENVER AREA. WENT TO DMV TO REGISTER THEN CAR QUIT. RESTS A WHILE THEN STARTS. *TR

2007-07-09, Fuel System, Other
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 SUBARU LEGACY. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER ATTRIBUTED THE CAUSE OF FAILURE TO THE WIRES INSIDE THE FUEL TANK BEING BURNT BECAUSE THE INTERNAL CONNECTOR HAD LOOSE TERMINALS. THE FUEL PUMP MODULE WAS REPLACED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 85,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,600.

1996 Subaru Legacy questions

Does the 1996 Subaru Legacy have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls for the 1996 Subaru Legacy: Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil Springs; Air Bags; Suspension:Front:Springs:Leaf Spring Assembly:Hanger,Bracket. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.

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

Based on 123 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Air Bags (25), Electrical System (24), Engine And Engine Cooling (24).

How do I check if a recall on my 1996 Subaru Legacy has been fixed?

Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.