1996 Subaru Legacy engine problems

Filed Jan 4, 2004 · Engine · WV

1996 subaru legacy, brighton model sw 65,000 miles I purchased the vehicle new. I have had plugs and wires replaced several times in the past year. This last time one plug wire and plug was bad. The problem I was having was when accelerating at high speeds there was a miss or hesitation in the engine as well as the a shaking. Also, the check engine light came on. This also happens more often when the vehicle is cold or when it is cold outside. My local dealer finally believes it is a bad valve guide. He dropped the exhaust manifold and could see one of the guides having down from there. I have not had this fixed yet, I just found this out 1-2-04. I understand there has been several legacy's which were made in 1995 and 1996 that have had this problem. I have also seen a complaint which was filed at this web site regarding the same problem it is odi id no. 732588. This is a costly problem and feel subaru should recall these vehicles. I am hoping to get the problem fixed within the next week or so. I also feel dealerships should be made aware to check this problem when plugs begin to fowl out like mine has done several times now. I will let you know how this goes. Jd

Filed Dec 22, 2003 · Engine · 90,000 miles · UT

While traveling at 35 MPH head gasket blew out, driver lost power steering, and engine died. Vehicle was towed to a mechanic, who indicated that engine needed to be replaced along with some other components.

Filed Jun 30, 2003 · Electrical, Engine · 75,000 miles · OH

I have a 1996 subaru legacy l with an intermittent engine miss with a p0304 (miss in cylinder 4) code. Most of the time it runs fine but when it misses, it is very violent. It seems to resonate. Changing speed usually makes it go away. When it first started, it only occurred once a month. Over the past year, and after several mechanics visits, it now occurs nearly every trip.I have replaced spark plugs (yes ngk), spark plug wires (subaru original equipment), gas filter, air filter, coil, pcv valve, knock sensor, cam and crankshaft sensors. The injectors have been swapped between cylinders. I have been to an independent mechanic twice. On the second trip he gave up and advised I go to a subaru dealer. After two visits to the subaru dealer, I've spent several hundred additional dollars and still have the problem. They replaced plugs, knock, cam, and crankshaft sensors.doesn't subaru have diagnostics to identify what this problem is. I took the car to them with the expectation that they could identify what is wrong instead of just replacing highly suspect parts. They don't seem to be doing any better than I have done on my own.*ak I've seen others post problems here and at edmunds with driveability issues. I've never seen a posting that indicated it was actually solved. Surely subaru knows about this problem and has a fix. It has gone from an annoyance to a safety issue. Does anyone have any suggestions? Are some subarus just lemons?

Filed Jun 7, 2003 · Engine · 90,000 miles · OH

After a prolonged period of smelling burning oil, a mechanic found defective seals on the crankshaft pulley and elsewhere. This has now happened three times. The details are essentially identical to those described in complaint odi id#855347. In two cases, this has resulted in fouled timing belts, which had to be replaced. In the last case -- march '03 at 90,000 miles -- the valve cover gaskets failed as well. Plainly the seals, their design, or the geometry of the engine fitting itself is defective.

Filed May 16, 2003 · Engine · 83 miles · VA

Subaru 1996 engine defect in which exhaust valve guides prematurely fail around 70-90000 miles, falling into the engine area and causing misfiring and other engine damage.

Filed Aug 1, 2002 · Electrical, Engine · 53,869 miles · MN

While driving engine stalled, lost all power.battery acid was leaking from battery cap. Alternator failed which melted fuse box. Battery lost all charging capacity. Dealer contacted. Over a $1000.00 in repairs. *ak

Filed Mar 6, 2002 · Electrical, Engine · FL

Car wouldn't start after warm. Took 6 times to get it corrected. Also, has had three oil leaks in 6 years.

Filed Nov 6, 2001 · Engine · MD

Front crank seal is leaking oil onto exhaust system. *ak the seal that separates the block from the oil pump has failed several times, each time, a cloud of smoke rises from the exhaust as the oil is sprayed back onto it, on one occasion the seal completely dumped several quarts of oil onto the ground.

Filed Nov 2, 2001 · Engine · PA

The front crank seal started leaking for the second time at approximately 102,000 miles. The original seal starting leaking at approximately 44,000 miles and was replaced under warranty at 59,195 miles. Heavy smoke and a strong burning odor is emitted from the sides and front of the engine area. In addition, smoke will be emitted from the center dash HVAC vents. The car just failed pa state inspection on 11/1/01 as the seal is leaking badly and is considered a fire hazard. I contacted subaru of america via email on 10/2/01 but have not received a reply. I contacted them again on 11/1/01 and 11/2/01 but still no reply.

Filed Sep 14, 2001 · Engine · TN

On august the 12 after going up a steep hill the engine started missing really bad to the point I thought it was going to quit . This problem has been reoccuring every time the car is driven. I contacted my dealer on august the 11 and they had me to bring in the car to decarbon the engine . This didnot stop the problem. Itook the car back to the dealer on sept. 12 to have it decarboned again. The service manager told me that subaru has known about this problem for a year and a half and still has no known fix for this lost power and rough engine problem which they say is due to carbon build up in the engine.