Traveled for approximately 1 1/2 hours at speeds between 45 - 65. Car loaded with equipment and passengers. Traveling up mountain. Car lost compression, white "smoke" began coming out from hood. Pulled to side of road. Popped hood. Smoke appeared to be coming from back of engine. Allowed car to rest for 15-20 minutes. Did not proceed up mountain as we were only 1/2 way up the mountain. Turned around to head home. Car ran fine going home. Mechanic thoroughly checked out vehicle with diagnostic and visual check. Could find nothing wrong although the car died on him on a short distance run _3-8 miles. After allowing car to rest, it started up fine. This year vehicle has required a 5-10 minute warming up period before driving in cold weather. Has begun choking and stalling on short distance trips. Mechanic inspected catalytic converter. Checked fine on diagnostic and visual inspection.
1993 Subaru Legacy engine complaints
Page 2 of 2: complaints 11 to 17 of 17, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Travelling on interstate 66 - for approximately 1/2 hour to 45 minutes.....at night.....instrument panel lights all on and engine lost compression....able to pull to side of the road......checked oil....fine.....waited 15-20 minutes. Car started up and ran fine rest of trip home about 2 hours.
Travelled open road for two hours. Traveling up a mountain with car loaded for camping, and 3 passengers. Car lost compression and white "smoke" not steam was pouring from underneath hood. Pulled to side of the road, turned off car and popped hood. Smoke was coming from the black box on top of the engine compartment. Waited 15-20 minutes for smoke to evaporate. Started car and continued 10 - 20 minutes to destination. No further mishaps.
This car has been meticulously cared for; we have full records. This should occur at this mileage.
Vehicle engine hard to start. Cranks but does not turn over until 6 or 7 times trying, if then. Strong smell of gas. Problem is intermittent when engine is warm. No problem when engine is cold or hot.
Vehicle brought in for service two separate times for the same problem at 43,000 miles, for suspected transmission problems. Was told that the oil pump, timing belt, and idle control valve were defective and needed replacement under warranty. At 60,000 miles the car was serviced for regular maintenance, and told to check the transmission, as it was still not functioning correctly. Four thousand miles later, at 64,000 miles, the transmission seized while driving with two small children and one passenger. The dealer refuses to pay for repair at this time. Retrieved information regarding the recall on 1993 legacy transmissions, concerned that I never received the recall information, nor was told by any of the last three dealers that I have delt with about this potential life-threatening defect!
Transmission occasionally jumps out of gear, causing sudden acceleration.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 1993 Subaru Legacy?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history