VehicleVerdict

1996 Subaru Legacy electrical system problems

The 1996 Subaru Legacy has 24 electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA — 15% of the year's total, and roughly flat versus the prior model year.

24

Electrical System complaints

15%

Share of year

0

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Electrical System complaints by year

Related recalls

00I002000Electrical SystemMay 15, 2000 · 223,520 units

Defect

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 HAVE AN ALTERNATOR PROBLEM THAT CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF CHARGING CAPABILITY.

Consequence

IF THE ALTERNATOR FAILS, THE ALTERNATOR WARNING TELLTALE WILL ALERT THE DRIVER TO THE PROBLEM, GIVING AMPLE OPPORTUNITY TO SEEK REPAIR BEFORE A LOSS OF BATTERY POWER, WHICH, IF THE WARNING WERE IGNORED, COULD ULTIMATELY RESULT IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE POWER (ENGINE STALL).

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 THE EVENTUAL LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER, WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ENGINE STALL.

What owners report

CONSUMER WAS ON THERE WAY BACK FROM A TRIPLE TRAVELING DOWN A SNAKE ROAD. ANOTHER VEHICLE PULLED UP BESIDE HIM AND YELLED VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. CONSUMER PULLED OVER, GOT OUT WITH THE CHILDREN. FLAMES WERE BURSTING FROM REAR OF VEHICLE NEAR FUEL TANK. TOWED TO THE DEALER, THEY COULDN'T DETERMINE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · February 3, 2001 · fire

Common questions

How many electrical system complaints does the 1996 Subaru Legacy have?

NHTSA has 24 complaints about the 1996 Subaru Legacy electrical system — 15% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 1996 Subaru Legacy electrical system?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the electrical system: 00I002000.

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.