The 1992 Subaru Legacy has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 40,795 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 66 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the seat belts. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
POWER TRAIN94V0520001994-03-2331,295 affected
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…
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.
A MISALIGNMENT OF THE REAR SEAT CUSHION LATCHING BRACKET REINFORCEMENT PLATE TO THE FLOOR REQUIRED A MACHINE TAP TO CLEAR THE OPENING FOR A MOUNTING BOLT. THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK MAY HAVE BEEN PUNCTURED WHEN THE TAP WAS USED.
Consequence
THE PUNCTURE IN THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK COULD CAUSE FUELTO LEAK, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE WHEN LEAKS OCCUR NEAR A SOURCE OFIGNITION.
Remedy
INSPECT THE FUEL TANKS; REPLACE THEM IF THEY ARE PUNCTURED.
Complaints by component
SEAT BELTS
11
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
6
TIRES
5
1crashes
STRUCTURE:BODY
4
1crashes
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
3
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
3
1crashes2injuries
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
2
2crashes2injuries
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
2
Total complaints66
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“I bought my youngest son a 1992 subaru legacy station wagon. I went to fill the gas tank and when I got home you could smell gas fumes very strongly and later we could see where it had leaked onto the ground. I asked my oldest son about it since he is a certified mechanic and he was telling me…”
“Cracks appear in circumferential sipes after 9,000 miles / 1 yr 10 mo. This occurred in all 4 tires. Snowy northeast climate, properly inflated to 29-30 psi. Similar cracking occurred on identical tire model almost 2 yrs ago (dot # anrbmc112705), also in all 4 tires after 10,000 miles / 2 years.…”
“While driving in stop and go traffic and upon putting foot on the clutch and the brakes vehicle surged forward. It felt like the vehicle was trying to push something very heavy out of the way. *ak”
“While driving 65 mph transmission failed without warning. As a result vehicle lost power, forcing driver to veer off the road. Dealer stated that transmission breathing vents were blocked due to fluid freezing. A recall 94v052000 was issued,however this vehicle was not included due to vin. *ak”
“Michelin tires keep blowing out. The sidewalls are separating from the tires. Ph”
“Several tulsa dealers unable/unwilling to repair small nail puncture of ft70c tire. State "this tire not made to be repaired-self sealing" continual loss of air necessitates constant refilling. Previous tire repaired by certified tire service facility showed sidewall separation using acceptable…”
“The vehicle was involved in accident, consumer took vehicle to be repaired. Dealership presented vehicle repairs as complete, consumer disagreed.*mr rear gate relocated. Switch controlling cargo lamp and status panel did not function. Front bumper was grossly misaligned. Front bumper to right…”
“Engine quits on hills when shifting into a higher gear at about 35 mph. Engine also quits at about 40 mph, again when rpm about 3000 on a cold engine.*ak”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1992 Subaru Legacy as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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