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Subaru Legacy coil spring problems

15 of the 3,184 owner complaints about the Subaru Legacy describe broken coil spring, most of them for the 1995 model year.

owner complaints
15
worst model year
1995
typical mileage
162,000
Is there a fix? There are 4 recalls for this area of the car. See below

By model year

  • 1999
    3
  • 1996
    3
  • 1995
    7
  • 1994
    2

Often reported together

Headlights 1Harsh shifting 1

What owners say

Filed Sep 24, 2019 · Suspension · 162,000 miles · MN

Front right coil spring broke at base of strut.

Filed Dec 27, 2017 · Suspension · 190,000 miles · MT

Tl* the contact owns a 1995 subaru legacy. The contact noticed an abnormal noise coming from the front driver side of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the coil spring was fractured and gouged the tire down past the steel belt. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and did not call the contact back. The contact was unaware if the vehicle was repaired per the federal safety agency campaign number: 01v216000 (suspension). The approximate failure mileage was 190,000.

Filed Jan 5, 2012 · Suspension · 166,116 miles · CT

Tl* the contact owns a 1995 subaru legacy. The contact stated that she was unable to accelerate from a stop. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for a diagnostic test. The mechanic stated that both front coil springs were fractured and would have to be replaced. There was a recall under the federal safety agency campaign id number 01v216000 (suspension:front:springs:coil springs), that may be related to the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 166,116. Updated 02/09/12*lj the consumer stated the rear coil springs failed in a manner similar to the failure of the front coil springs. The defect relates to an existing recall campaign regarding the front coil springs. Updatd 02/13/12

Filed May 22, 2008 · Suspension · 160,000 miles · PA

Tl*the contact owns a 1999 subaru outback. While backing out of the driveway at approximately 5 MPH, the contact heard a clunking and rubbing noise. The contact exited the vehicle and discovered that the front passenger side coil spring failed and punctured the tire. The current and failure mileages were 160,000. Updated 06/09/08 *bf the consumer was told his vehicle identifaction number was not included in the recall # 01v216000. Updated

Filed May 6, 2008 · Suspension · NH

Tl*the contact owns a 1999 subaru legacy. The contact was concerned that his vehicle may experience the failure mentioned in the federal safety agency campaign id number 01v216000 (suspension:front springs:coil springs). There had been no failure to date. The current mileage was 138,000.

Filed Jul 15, 2005 · Electrical, Lights · NY

Request for reimbursement regarding the repair of the 1996 subaru legacy driver's side front spring.*mr during a routine inspection, it was discovered that the spring on the left front of the consumers vehicle had failed for the second time. When the original spring failed the first time, it caused damaged to the tire and the spare tire. The ignition wire were worn, the headlight bulb was replaced.

Filed Jun 17, 2005 · Suspension · 144,000 miles · NY

Today, 06/17/05, during a routine nys safety inspection, it was discovered that the spring on the driver's side front of my 1996 subaru legacy failed for a second time. In 1999 the original spring snapped causing damage to both the tire and the spare. At that time the spring was repalced.I contacted subaru about this unusual failure but they did nothing. In 2001 I received a recall letter from subaru because of spring failures. As instructed, I returned the car to the dealership were both front springs were was fitted with safety devices to prevent another failure. I assumed that the problem was solved and the car would be safe to drive. Eventually I was reimbursed for my repair expenses. Today I contacted subaru consumer service department when I learned that the replacement spring failed and needed replacement. I was told by a representative that subaru had met its recall obligations and would do nothing about the failure of the front end replacement spring. Subaru has not solved my problem and I will be requesting reimbursement for a second time.

Filed Aug 19, 2004 · Suspension · IL

The federal safety agency recall number 01v216000 failed. Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with front coil springs originally sold or currently registered in the states of connecticut, delaware, illinois, the front coil springs were produced with poor paint quality which, after continued exposure to corrosive salt, can result in breakage of the spring.

Filed Aug 15, 2003 · Suspension · MN

Consumer made an appointment with the dealer about two weeks ago for recall 01v216000 repairs regarding front coil springs. The consumer had taken the vehicle to the dealer on 7/11/2003, and the dealer stated no parts were available, and there was nothing they could do to further assist them. *ak *scc

Filed Jun 17, 2003 · Suspension · NY

Dealership is not able to do recall 01v216000 repairs for front coil springs in a reasonable time frame.

Related recalls

Suspension: frontReported June 26, 2003 · 350 vehicles affected
What is wrong
On some passenger and sport utility vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the states of connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, kentucky, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, virginia, west virginia, wisconsin, and the district of columbia, certain left-hand front transverse link components were produced with poor paint quality. If the vehicle is operated form an extensive period in a salt-belt area, continued exposure to salt could cause the left front transverse link to rust and eventually break.
Risk
If the transverse link were to break due to rusting, control of the vehicle could be affected without prior warning, possibly resulting in a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will apply anti-rust material to the left front transverse link. Owner notification began august 1, 2003. Owners should contact subaru at 1‑800‑782‑2783.

Recall number 03V232000 · Recall details

Suspension: rearReported April 22, 2003 · 170,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
This recall applies to certain passenger vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the states of connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, kentucky, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, virginia, west virginia, wisconsin, and the district of columbia. Certain rear suspension subframe components were produced with poor paint quality which, after continued exposure to corrosive road salts for a period of several years, could result in rust-out of the component and possible breakage of the subframe.
Risk
If such breakage occurs while the vehicle is being operated, control of the vehicle could be affected, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will clean and rust-proof the rear suspension subframe. Owner notification began july 14, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact subaru at 1‑800‑782‑2783.

Recall number 03V153000 · Recall details

Suspension: front: springs: coil springsReported June 25, 2001 · 180,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with front coil springs originally sold in or currently registered in the states of connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, kentucky, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new york, new jersey, new hampshire, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, virginia, west virginia, and wisconsin, and in the district of columbia. The front coil springs were produced with poor paint quality which, after continued exposure to corrosive salt, can result in breakage of the spring.
Risk
Depending on the location of the fracture, a broken spring could move past the spring seat and contact a front tire. Some tires have deflated due to contact with a broken spring.
Remedy
Dealers will notifiy customers to bring their vehicle to an authorize dealership to have a spring guard installed on both front struts to prevent tire puncture and replace any broken springs free of charge. Owner notification began september 18, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact subaru at 1‑800‑782‑2783.

Recall number 01V216000 · Recall details

Suspension: front: springs: leaf spring assembly: hanger,bracketReported May 4, 1998 · 29,442 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: passenger station wagon, sedan and sport utility vehicles. Due to improper welding, fractures can occur on the support bracket of the front transverse link.
Risk
Such fractures can result in partial or complete separation of the bracket causing a failure of the lower suspension mounting, leading to a loss of vehicle control.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace if necessary the front suspension support brackets.

Recall number 98V091000 · Recall details

Questions about the Subaru Legacy coil spring

Which Subaru Legacy years have broken coil spring problems?

The model years with the most reports are 1995 (7 complaints), 1996 (3 complaints) and 1999 (3 complaints).

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