VehicleVerdict

1991 Subaru Legacy problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 1991 Subaru Legacy sits mid-pack among Legacy years: 121 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 90, with 3 recalls and one closed investigation.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across seat belts (19), transmission (18), and brakes (15), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

121

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

1

Investigations

6

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

5

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1991 compare to other Legacy years?

Legacy NHTSA complaints by model year, 1991 highlighted248 complaints1987: 1 complaints1988: 1 complaints1989: 1 complaints1990: 103 complaints1991: 121 complaints1992: 66 complaints1993: 90 complaints1994: 67 complaints1995: 230 complaints1996: 161 complaints1997: 179 complaints1998: 155 complaints1999: 119 complaints2000: 119 complaints2001: 90 complaints2002: 71 complaints2003: 69 complaints2004: 55 complaints2005: 248 complaints2006: 135 complaints2007: 45 complaints2008: 83 complaints2009: 75 complaints2010: 218 complaints2011: 234 complaints2012: 119 complaints2013: 84 complaints2014: 73 complaints2015: 232 complaints2016: 192 complaints2017: 140 complaints2018: 161 complaints2019: 142 complaints2020: 143 complaints2021: 43 complaints2022: 41 complaints2023: 12 complaints2024: 26 complaints2025: 10 complaints
Legacy NHTSA complaints by model year, 1991 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Legacy years to avoid →

What are the most common 1991 Subaru Legacy problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Seat Belts1916%
Transmission1815%
Body & Structure1512%
Brakes1512%
Latches & Locks1412%
Engine65%
Suspension65%
Visibility & Wipers65%
Electrical System54%
Speed Control54%
Lighting43%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)32%
Airbags22%
Tires & Wheels22%
Fuel System11%

Does the 1991 Subaru Legacy have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

94V052000TransmissionMarch 23, 1994 · 31,295 units

Defect

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 FREEZING AT THE OIL LEVEL GAUGE. IF THIS OCCURS, PRESSURE INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION CASE WILL INCREASE AND PUSH OUT THE REAR OIL SEAL, CAUSING TRANSMISSION OIL LEAKAGE. THE LACK OF LUBRICATION CAN BURN THE INTERNAL COMPONENTS OF THE TRANSMISSION, CAUSE THE TRANSMISSION TO SEIZE AND THE VEHICLE TO COME TO A SUDDEN STOP.

Consequence

SUDDEN STOPS WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING CAN CAUSE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS TO BE THROWN AROUND THE VEHICLE AND CAUSE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL WHICH CAN RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.

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.

91V082000TransmissionMay 30, 1991 · 76,000 units

Defect

UNDER CERTAIN LOAD CONDITIONS, THE PARK GEAR MAY NOT DISENGAGE IMMEDIATELY WHEN THE TRANSMISSION LEVER IS MOVED FROM PARK TO REVERSE.

Consequence

DELAYED RELEASE OF TRANSMISSION FROM PARK CAUSES DELAYEDAND POSSIBLY ABRUPT VEHICLE MOVEMENT THAT COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLECONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy

INSTALL A MODIFIED PARKING BRAKE PAWL TO PREVENT DELAYED RELEASE INTO REVERSE GEAR.

90V184000Latches & LocksOctober 16, 1990 · 103,744 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

THE AFFECTED DOOR MAY NOT BE OPENED FROM INSIDE,PREVENTING EXIT FROM THAT DOOR.

Remedy

REPLACE FRONT DOOR LATCH SCREWS WITH "LOCK-TIGHT" SCREWS.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT HAS FAILED - COST TO REPAIR: $500-700, I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS HAPPENING IN MOST SUBARUS. IS THERE SOMETHING BEING DONE? I AM AFRAID THAT I WILL BE SERIOUSLY INJURED IF I WERE TO GET INTO AN ACCIDENT. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF THERE IS ANYTHING YOU ARE DOING ABOUT THIS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · October 1, 1999

“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. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · crash

“BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE, EXCESSIVE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL, PARTIAL LOSS OF BRAKING. TT DEALER REPLACED HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT. SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, RIGHT AXLE SHAFT ASSEMBLY REPLACED. *SLC”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · November 17, 1995

“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. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · July 1, 2017

“RECALL 90V184000. DOOR CLOSES/ LOCKS AUTOMATICALLY. INSIDE REQUIRES TWO HANDS, PUSHING AND PULLING LOCK UP AT SAME TIME. DOOR SHUT, AND OUTSIDE REQUIRES KEY TO UNLOCK FROM FRONT DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S DOORS. REAR DOORS REQUIRE OPENING FRONT DOOR ACCESS TO GET TO REAR. DEALER CONTACTED, AND CANNOT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Latches & Locks · April 1, 1995

1991 Subaru Legacy — common questions

Is the 1991 Subaru Legacy reliable?

It is close to typical for the Legacy: 121 NHTSA complaints, 3 recalls, and 1 investigation on file.

What are the most common 1991 Legacy problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are seat belts (19 complaints), transmission (18 complaints), brakes (15 complaints).

Does the 1991 Subaru Legacy have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 1991 Subaru Legacy. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1991 Subaru Legacy under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Subaru Legacy years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Legacy years to avoid are 2005, 2011, 2015, 1995, 2010, 2016, 1997, 2018, 1996, 1998, 2020, 2019, 2017, 2006, 2003, 2004. The cleanest record among Legacy years belongs to 1989.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.