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1994 Subaru Legacy problems

The most common problem on the 1994 Subaru Legacy is seat belts. It has fewer complaints than a typical Legacy model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Owner complaints
60
Recalls
0
Service bulletins
15
Worst area
Seat belts
Fuel economy
18-23mpg

The worst 1994 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.

  • Seat belts
    26
  • Brakes
    6
  • Airbags
    5
  • Transmission
    5
  • Engine
    4
  • Fuel system
    4
  • Steering
    4
  • Acceleration
    2
  • Body
    2
  • Suspension
    2
  • Tires
    2
  • Electrical
    1
  • Locks
    1

Specific symptoms reported on the 1994 Subaru Legacy

Seat belt 8

Recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Technical service bulletins for the 1994 Subaru Legacy 15

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

See all 15 bulletins for the 1994 Subaru Legacy

1994 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‑cylFWD19-2026-2822-23
2.2L 4‑cyl4WD16-1821-2418-21

What 1994 Subaru Legacy owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Mar 14, 2021 · Brakes · 123,567 miles · PA

A few months ago, my son was driving my older subaru and said the brakes went down to the floor when he applied them not far from home. He pumped them and slow crept home with the car. I found a rusted out leak at the rear passenger side connection location near the frame on the side of the gas tank. I just saw there were a number of recalls for this exact same problem. I have never received or saw one before. Are they still valate? Whom do I contact for service if so? My son was just lucky he wasn't on a highway!

Filed Apr 1, 2016 · Seat belts · 193,000 miles · CA

The retractable mechanized shoulder harness does not work.

Filed Apr 11, 2010 · Engine · 173,000 miles · FL

I will be accelerating at any MPH and the car will suddenly turn itself off. The battery is still powering the car (radio playing, lights on), but the engine will be completely stopped. Steering and brakes will both lock and require muscling in order to get to the roadside and stop the car. This has occurred 4 times since the date given (6/09). The first time was on the interstate and was a very close call.

Filed Nov 16, 2008 · Transmission · 159,470 miles · CO

1994 subaru legacy transmission will not shift out of 1st gear. After car warms up, within a short distance the transmission fails altogether and the car will not move. After a cooling off period, the car will proceed for a short duration. This is apparently a common issue due to design deficiencies causing an over heating and component failure. It is not corrected yet.

Filed Aug 21, 2008 · Fuel system · 160,000 miles · KY

Fuel pump wiring shorted out in the gas tank.

Filed Jan 17, 2008 · Electrical, Engine · 142,000 miles · TX

Tl*the contact owns a 1994 subaru legacy. The contact stated that the odometer stopped working for approximately one year. The vehicle was also leaking exhaust fumes, which caused her to have headaches. While driving approximately 25 MPH in dry weather, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to pull over without crashing. The dealer has been notified. The current and failure mileages were 142,000. Updated 02-14-08. *kb the consumer stated have since sold the vehicle to d auto 214‑629‑0941 but wishes to pursue health damage in respiratory and mental anguish. Updated 02/14/08

Filed Sep 14, 2005 · Seat belts · 17,000 miles · CO

Dt: 1994 subaru legacy l all wheel drive, the motorized seat belt broke. The seat belt is connected to the door, and when closing the door the motorized seat belt will not run the track to be in the proper position for safety. This is on the shoulder portion of the seat belt. The consumer was told that the lap belt alone is not safe use. Have contacted the dealer and manufacturer, and they told the consumer there is no recall on the seat belt, and the motorized seat belt was only under warranty for 3 years. The cost to replace the motor of the seat belt is at least $400. There have been others with this seat belt motor problem. Based on what the manufacturer told the consumer there was no prior warning to the motor going out, no noises, and no indicator lights, it just stopped working.

Filed Apr 6, 2005 · Fuel system, Transmission · KY · fire

While driving down the freeway, driver observed smoke coming from rear of vehicle. The vehicle was pulled to the side of the road, both driver and passenger exited safely, and observed flames coming from the area under the rear of the car (station wagon body, awd model) above the differential and near the gas tank. Responders quenched the fire. The vehicle was examined and found that the wiring for the fuel pump had the insulation melted off, the fuel pump gasket was comprimised, and there was evidence of flames having been in the area. Further investigation found that when the vehicle was driven short distances, the differential became "red hot". The axle was replaced, and the vehicle was driven approximately 30 miles on both interstates and secondary roads, after which the differetial was seen smoking from the heat that had built up. The vehicle was returned to the mechanic who replaced the axle a second time, with the same overheating observed. It is the mechanics' opinion that the initial fire was caused by the overheating differetial. Further, his research indicates that the overheating is caused by a faulty clutch pack and selenoid in the automatic transmission.

Filed Jun 11, 2004 · Seat belts · NV

We have a 1994 subaru legacy. When the car was out or warranty, the driver side retractable shoulder harness broke. We complained to subaru and they fixed it at no cost to us in 1999. It wasn't working agian and we paid to have it fixed in 2000.about one year ago it broke again. The shoulder harness would not retract. We were told by subaru they would not help us. Now we find out that it is a ticketable offense not to have a shoulder harness. There is a lap blet and an air bag. So we called sabaru and they told us they would be reponsible for 50% of the bill. We went to the subaru dealer yesterday and was told that it would be $1140 to fix it. We feel that is an excessive amount for a safety item. I called them back and they will not help me out. This safety belt is poorly designed and they have admitted and redesigned it in future models. Our belt automatically retracts when you turn on the car and has a cable and a motor. There is also a federal law that saftey belts are guarenteed for life. Even the lap belt on this vehicle needs replacement as the stiching is coming out. *ak we would like some help in malking subaru responsible for our safety while we are driving this vehicle. Ellen goldberg

Filed Feb 14, 2004 · Seat belts · 125,000 miles · CO

Motorized seatbelt is stuck in one position. Motor still runs upon opening/closing of car door, but belt does not move in track. Two feet of track cable has fallen out of its housing.

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Compare the 1994 Subaru Legacy

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Other model years

199019911992199319941995199619971998199920002001200220032004200520062007200820092010201120122013201420152016201720182019202020212022202320242025

Questions about the 1994 Subaru Legacy

Is the 1994 Subaru Legacy reliable?

Owners have filed 60 complaints about the 1994 Subaru Legacy, fewer than a typical Legacy model year.

What is the most common problem with the 1994 Subaru Legacy?

Seat belts, with 26 complaints. Next is brakes (6).

How many recalls does the 1994 Subaru Legacy have?

No recalls on record.

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 1994 Subaru Legacy get?

Official estimates for the 1994 Subaru Legacy range from 18 to 23 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.2L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 19-20 city and 26-28 highway.

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