1990 Subaru Legacy: doors won't lock, open or latch

Filed Sep 17, 2003 · Locks · 40,000 miles · CA

The vehicle's door locks experienced the defect stated in recall 90 v 184 000 but it's VIN was outside of the remedy scope. The dealership refused to repair the door.

Filed Feb 19, 2002 · Body · WA

I have a 1990 subaru legacy. Each time I try to exit the car the doors lock automatically. It has automatic door locks that are accuated by pushing the drivers door lock. I have had the lock apart and the problem with all 4 of my door is that a single spring in the lock mechanism is responsible for having the inside door handle return to the closed position and to have the lock buyyon stay open. The handle is attached to the bottom half of the spring and that part of the sping keeps the door lock open. Well, the door lock portion of the spring is worn out and every time you use the door handle from the inside, the weak half of the lock spring closes the lock. I am a battalion chief for a local fire department and I can only imagine what kind of a problem one might have trying to get out of this car in a hurry. I have contacted subaru with no relief. The local dealership says it is a common problem in the 1990 - 1994 models. Our local parts houses have also said that it is a problem. I have other owners that say the same. It is $200.00 a door to repair. Please contact me on this. Thanks [xxx][xxx]or[xxx]. *ak parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Nov 30, 2001 · Body · VT

Vehicle has a master door lock button on driver's side. 2 rear doors lock when door is closed. Passenger's door should not lock once it's closed. Lock knob has to be held up to open anb close the door. Consumer has gotten locked out a few times because of the problem.

Filed Sep 20, 2001 · Body · CA

Passenger front door-lock failed initially requiring passenger to manually push latch and pull door lever simutaneously in order to open door. Rear door-locks do not work now and require same effort. All doors will lock on their own while getting in and out. In case of accident or fire, the occupants may not be able to exit vehicle in a timely manner. Also, driver-side visor falls down while driving which has proven to be very distracting and dangerous. Contacted subaru dealership for both problems. Dealership unwilling to fix without charging me for replacement and labor of all parts. Door locks priced at $130 each and visor was around $80 not including labor. Dealer also stated that these are common problems corrected in the mid-90's on legacy models.

Filed May 3, 2001 · Locks · TX

Mfg refused to fix rear door latches under the federal safety agency recall 90v18400. The problem is the same as with the front doors. Failure of the latches would not permit exit from car in a wreck and who is likely to ride in the rear..children who would panic. I was charged $140 to correct these manufacture defects that had been part of, in my opinion, a safety recall as noted. Was it your intent from a safety standpoint that all latches were to be repaired on these cars or just the front lateches??

Filed Mar 14, 2000 · Body · MD

Power door locks lock by themselves.

Filed Feb 12, 2000 · Body · KY

The door handle when opened causes the door to automatically lock when opened from the inside. The passenger side front broke in 1993. The passenger side rear door broke in 1998. The driver side front door broke in 1999 which is the most annoying as it locks all the door every time the handle is used to open the door from the inside. It costs $80 to replace the part.

Filed Apr 28, 1999 · Body · NY

Door locks failed on all doors. Mjs

Filed Mar 24, 1999 · Body · WA

Left front driver and passenger side door locks engage after unlocking making it very difficult to enter or exit vehicle. Yh

Filed Mar 9, 1999 · Locks · MI

Door locks fail in the locked position and will not stay open without manually holding the lock open. The door cannot be opened unless you use one hand to hold the lock open and the other to pull the handle. If you cannot reach the door lock with 2 hands you are a virtual captive unless someone helps from either the inside or outside.

Filed Dec 3, 1998 · Body · PA

Door handles continually cracking.

Filed Oct 28, 1998 · Locks · VA

Door locks on its own pushing on lock inside. Pulling lever outside door locks sometimes works. Would not open properly due to problem with locks.*ak