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1991 Subaru Legacy problems

The most common problem on the 1991 Subaru Legacy is seat belts. Its complaint count is close to a typical Legacy model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Owner complaints
78
Recalls
3
Service bulletins
14
Worst area
Seat belts
Fuel economy
18-22mpg

The worst 1991 Subaru Legacy problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Specific symptoms reported on the 1991 Subaru Legacy

Door locks 10

Recalls 3

Power train: manual transmissionReported March 23, 1994 · 31,295 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 94V052000 · Recall details

Power train: automatic transmissionReported May 30, 1991 · 76,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Under certain load conditions, the park gear may not disengage immediately when the transmission lever is moved from park to reverse.
Risk
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.

Recall number 91V082000 · Recall details

Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latchReported October 16, 1990 · 103,744 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
The affected door may not be opened from inside,preventing exit from that door.
Remedy
Replace front door latch screws with "lock-tight" screws.

Recall number 90V184000 · Recall details

See all 3 recalls for the 1991 Subaru Legacy

Defect investigations

Hood latch failureOpened June 29, 1994, closed October 31, 1994

There is no summary currently available

PE94051

Technical service bulletins for the 1991 Subaru Legacy 14

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 14 bulletins for the 1991 Subaru Legacy

1991 Subaru Legacy fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
2.2L 4‑cylFWD17-1923-2719-22
2.2L 4‑cyl4WD16-1822-2418-20

What 1991 Subaru Legacy owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Oct 11, 2017 · Body · 56,000 miles · CA

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 failure mileage was 56,000.

Filed Feb 16, 2016 · Seat belts · CO

Drivers side automatic seat belt drive cable slips out of track making seat belt useless and dangerous.

Filed Aug 1, 2012 · Transmission · 123,259 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 1991 subaru legacy. The contact was sitting at a traffic stop when he attempted to shift into drive and the gear shifter detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for inspection or repairs. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact to take the vehicle to the dealer for inspection of the failure. The failure and the current mileage was 123,259.

Filed Oct 28, 2010 · Acceleration · 193,100 miles · ID

Tl*the contact owns a 1991 subaru legacy. The contact stated when driving 50 MPH and faster, the vehicle would stall without warning. The check engine light would briefly illuminate after the vehicle had stalled. The contact was advised by an independent mechanic that the failure could potentially be caused by a defective throttle sensor. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer did not offer any assistance. The failure mileage was 193,100 and the current mileage was 193,250.

Filed May 31, 2007 · Seat belts · 176,000 miles · CO

Tl*the contact owns a 1991 subaru legacy. The contact stated that the electric seat belt jams in the middle and renders the seat belt inoperable. The dealer will not repair the vehicle free of charge. The current and failure mileages were 176,000. The consumer stated the seat belt was replaced and on august 10, 2007 it failed again. The seat belt was replaced again on september 9, 2007. Updated 09/27/07.

Filed Mar 18, 2004 · Seat belts · CA

Consumer noticed that driver side seat belt webbing was separating. Vehicle was taken to the dealer, and dealer informed consumer that vehicle was not under warranty, and that consumer had to pay for repairs.

Filed Oct 16, 2003 · Lights · AZ · crash · 1 injury

The multi-function switch that controls headlights and turn signal malfunctioned. Driver tried to use the turn signal and headlights turned off without any warning. While driving approximately 35 MPH consumer's vehicle was involved in a collision due to another vehicle not seeing the headlights. Driver sustained chest and sternum injuries.

Filed Aug 19, 2003 · Airbags, Transmission · NM · crash

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.

Filed Sep 25, 2002 · Seat belts · SC

Within one week both seat belts came apart. Dealer said it would cost $975.00 to replace them. Do I have any other recourse? Thank you.

Filed Jan 8, 2002 · Locks · IL

When opening the door using the inside handle, upon release of the door handle the locking mechanism is triggered which causes all of the doors to lock and the driver's door lock is jammed in the locked position. The driver's door is only supposed to lock upon closing when the outer door handle is engaged *and* the door has been locked. When the door lock is jammed it remains locked upon closing without engaging the outer door handle.

Used buying checklistWhat to check on a 1991 Subaru Legacy before you buy

Compare the 1991 Subaru Legacy

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Other model years

199019911992199319941995199619971998199920002001200220032004200520062007200820092010201120122013201420152016201720182019202020212022202320242025

Questions about the 1991 Subaru Legacy

Is the 1991 Subaru Legacy reliable?

Owners have filed 78 complaints about the 1991 Subaru Legacy, close to a typical Legacy model year.

What is the most common problem with the 1991 Subaru Legacy?

Seat belts, with 19 complaints. Next is transmission (17).

How many recalls does the 1991 Subaru Legacy have?

3 recalls, covering power train and latches/locks/linkages.

What year does the Subaru Legacy have the most seat belts problems?

The Subaru Legacy model years with the most seat belts complaints are 1994 (26 complaints), 1992 (22 complaints) and 1991 (19 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 1991 Subaru Legacy get?

Official estimates for the 1991 Subaru Legacy range from 18 to 22 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.2L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 17-19 city and 23-27 highway.

Share your experience with the 1991 Subaru Legacy

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