Total Complaints
179 filings
SUBARU LEGACY · model year
179 NHTSA complaints, 22 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1997SUBARULEGACY carries 179 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 22 crashes, 2 fires, 10 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1997 LEGACY is service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip with 14 filings, followed by engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline (10) and engine and engine cooling:engine (10). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 14 investigation files overlapping the 1997 LEGACY. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page, a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
179 filings
Crashes Reported
22 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 14 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 10 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 10 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 8 |
| SUSPENSION | 7 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 6 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 6 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 5 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC | 5 |
| AIR BAGS | 5 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 5 |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH | 5 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 5 |
| STEERING | 4 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR | 4 |
CAR WAS SOMETIMES DIFFICULT TO START, OTHER TIMES IT WOULD STALL/HESITATE WHEN IN MOTION ON CITY STREET. DISCOVERED TO BE CAUSED BY AGED/WORN FUEL PUMP CAUSING OVERCURRENT DRAW THAT FAILS TO BLOW FUSE CAUSING MELTDOWN IN WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR WHERE PIGTAIL FROM PUMP CONNECTS TO THE CHASSIS SIDE OF THE WIRING HARNESS. HEAT/SPARK POTENTIAL IS CREATED IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO FUEL TANK THAT HAS MANY REPORTED CASES OF FUEL FILLER NECK RUSTING OFF AND LEAKING FUEL. A QUICK GOOGLE SEARCH REVEALS THAT A NUMBER OF PEOPLE, WITH PHOTOS, HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS FAILURE. PHOTO PROVIDED IS FROM INTERNET BUT THE RESULT IS THE SAME.
Mileage: 97,255
CAR WAS SOMETIMES DIFFICULT TO START, OTHER TIMES IT WOULD STALL/HESITATE WHEN IN MOTION ON CITY STREET. DISCOVERED TO BE CAUSED BY AGED/WORN FUEL PUMP CAUSING OVERCURRENT DRAW THAT FAILS TO BLOW FUSE CAUSING MELTDOWN IN WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR WHERE PIGTAIL FROM PUMP CONNECTS TO THE CHASSIS SIDE OF THE WIRING HARNESS. HEAT/SPARK POTENTIAL IS CREATED IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO FUEL TANK THAT HAS MANY REPORTED CASES OF FUEL FILLER NECK RUSTING OFF AND LEAKING FUEL. A QUICK GOOGLE SEARCH REVEALS THAT A NUMBER OF PEOPLE, WITH PHOTOS, HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS FAILURE. PHOTO PROVIDED IS FROM INTERNET BUT THE RESULT IS THE SAME.
Mileage: 97,255
1997 SUBARU LEGACY OUTBACK. CAME OUT TO MY PARKED VEHICLE WITH THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE FLAT DUE TO PART OF THE SUSPENSION SPRING BEING SNAPPED AND STICKING INTO INSIDE OF THE TIRE. SPRING WAS INTACT WHEN I PARKED IT. FRIGHTENING TO THINK IF THAT HAD HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY OF WHICH I WAS THE DAY BEFORE THIS HAPPENED.
Mileage: 225,812
1997 SUBARU LEGACY OUTBACK. CAME OUT TO MY PARKED VEHICLE WITH THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE FLAT DUE TO PART OF THE SUSPENSION SPRING BEING SNAPPED AND STICKING INTO INSIDE OF THE TIRE. SPRING WAS INTACT WHEN I PARKED IT. FRIGHTENING TO THINK IF THAT HAD HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY OF WHICH I WAS THE DAY BEFORE THIS HAPPENED.
Mileage: 225,812
1997 SUBARU LEGACY OUTBACK. CAME OUT TO MY PARKED VEHICLE WITH THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE FLAT DUE TO PART OF THE SUSPENSION SPRING BEING SNAPPED AND STICKING INTO INSIDE OF THE TIRE. SPRING WAS INTACT WHEN I PARKED IT. FRIGHTENING TO THINK IF THAT HAD HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY OF WHICH I WAS THE DAY BEFORE THIS HAPPENED.
Mileage: 225,812
1997 SUBARU LEGACY GT 2.5L ENGINE, APPROX. 92K MILES, ENGINE STARTED OVERHEATING. CAR WAS TAKEN TO TWO DIFFERENT REPAIR FACILITIES AND DIAGNOSED AS BLOWN HEAD GASKET AFTER PRESSURE TEST, BLOCK TEST, NO SIGNS OF LEAKING. CAR HAD BEEN SERVICED FAITHFULLY BY ORIGINAL OWNER AT SUBARU DEALERSHIPS SINCE PURCHASE. I FOUND OUT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FROM REPAIR FACILITIES WITH THIS MODEL AND ENGINE BUT WHEN QUESTIONED SUBARU DEALERSHIP THEY SAID IT COULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED AS HEAD GASKET AND COOLING SYSTEM ARE NOT RELATED (?) AND PROBLEM WAS A CRACKED BLOCK OR CYLINDER. ESTIMATED COST TO REPLACE HEAD GASKET $2450-. ESTIMATED COST TO REPLACE ENGINE $5700-. I HAD ALSO HAD A PROBLEM WHERE THE FUEL FILLER TUBE THAT CONNECTS TO THE GAS TANK FROM WHERE YOU PUR THE GASOLINE IN FROM THE PUMP HAD RUSTED AWAY AND LEAKED FUEL ONTO THE GROUND. I HAD THAT REPLACED AT APPROX. COST OF $400-. AGAIN SUBARU DENIED THERE WAS A PROBLEM WHEN I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP. THESE PROBLEMS OCCURRED WITH IN SIX MONTHS OF EA
Mileage: 92,000
1997 SUBARU LEGACY GT 2.5L ENGINE, APPROX. 92K MILES, ENGINE STARTED OVERHEATING. CAR WAS TAKEN TO TWO DIFFERENT REPAIR FACILITIES AND DIAGNOSED AS BLOWN HEAD GASKET AFTER PRESSURE TEST, BLOCK TEST, NO SIGNS OF LEAKING. CAR HAD BEEN SERVICED FAITHFULLY BY ORIGINAL OWNER AT SUBARU DEALERSHIPS SINCE PURCHASE. I FOUND OUT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FROM REPAIR FACILITIES WITH THIS MODEL AND ENGINE BUT WHEN QUESTIONED SUBARU DEALERSHIP THEY SAID IT COULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED AS HEAD GASKET AND COOLING SYSTEM ARE NOT RELATED (?) AND PROBLEM WAS A CRACKED BLOCK OR CYLINDER. ESTIMATED COST TO REPLACE HEAD GASKET $2450-. ESTIMATED COST TO REPLACE ENGINE $5700-. I HAD ALSO HAD A PROBLEM WHERE THE FUEL FILLER TUBE THAT CONNECTS TO THE GAS TANK FROM WHERE YOU PUR THE GASOLINE IN FROM THE PUMP HAD RUSTED AWAY AND LEAKED FUEL ONTO THE GROUND. I HAD THAT REPLACED AT APPROX. COST OF $400-. AGAIN SUBARU DENIED THERE WAS A PROBLEM WHEN I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP. THESE PROBLEMS OCCURRED WITH IN SIX MONTHS OF EA
Mileage: 92,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BECAME STUCK IN PARK. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO LUBRICATED THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTER BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE FAILURE RECURRED EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK FOR FURTHER DIAGNOSIS AND IT WAS ADVISED THAT THE PART REQUIRED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NO LONGER AVAILABLE. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO PURCHASE THE SHIFT LOCK MODULE AND AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WOULD REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED NO REMEDY. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75000. UPDATED 06/10/14 MA THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED, THE PART WAS NO LONGER AVAILABLE. UPDATED 07/23/14
Mileage: 75,000
WHEN THE GAS TANK IS FILLED ABOVE HALF A TANK, FUEL LEAKS ONTO THE GROUND IN LARGE AMOUNTS NEAR THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SINCE A SPARK OR CIGARETTE WOULD CAUSE AN EXPLOSION. *TR
Mileage: 199,932
I INSTALLED MEVOTECH STRUT MOUNTS (MP903987 & MP903986) ON OUR 1997 SUBARU LEGACY POSTAL WHEN INSTALLING NEW REAR SHOCK ABSORBER/STRUTS. THE RIGHT SIDE FAILED ON THE FIRST DAY AFTER AROUND 60 MILES. I REPLACED IT WITH THE ORIGINAL FACTORY PART THAT HAD LASTED 420,000 MILES. THE LEFT SIDE FAILED THE NEXT DAY AFTER BEING IN SERVICE FOR APPROXIMATELY 100 MILES TOTAL. I RETURNED THE OTHER ORIGINAL PART TO SERVICE. THE FAILURES ALLOWED THE STRUT TO PUSH THROUGH THE MOUNT AND HIT ON THE THIN RETAINING PLATE. IT ALLOWED THE REAR SUSPENSION TO BECOME EXTREMELY LOUD AND LOOSE. I REPORTED THIS TO THE MANUFACTURER AND RECEIVED NO RESPONSE. I REPORTED IT TO THE SELLER, ROCKAUTO, AND THEIR RESPONSE WAS THAT I SHOULD DO MORE RESEARCH ON PART QUALITY. I BELIEVE THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN POOR QUALITY AND DANGEROUS DEFECT. I HAVE THE FAULTY MEVOTECH PARTS IN THEIR ORIGINAL BOXES. *TR
MY FUEL FILLER RUSTED OFF @ THE FUEL TANK CAUSING IT TO LEAK ON THE GROUND WHEN THE TANK IS NEARLY FULL.I HAVE READ OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM.IT'S A BIG JOB FOR A DIY.YOU NEED TO DROP THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL , DRIVE SHAFT , MUFFLER , ETC..IS THIS SOMETHING SUBARU COVERS COST WISE? *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE IGNITION AND THE ENGINE FAILED TO START. THE BATTERY WAS JUMP STARTED; HOWEVER THE FAILURE RECURRED WHILE DRIVING. THE BATTERY WAS RECHARGED FOR A SECOND TIME. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE BATTERY TERMINAL DUE TO SEVERE RUST AND CORROSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000. UPDATED 02/28/12 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED BATTERY CORROSION DESTROYED THE NEGATIVE TERMINAL. UPDATED 03/08/12
Mileage: 75,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE IGNITION AND THE ENGINE FAILED TO START. THE BATTERY WAS JUMP STARTED; HOWEVER THE FAILURE RECURRED WHILE DRIVING. THE BATTERY WAS RECHARGED FOR A SECOND TIME. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE BATTERY TERMINAL DUE TO SEVERE RUST AND CORROSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000. UPDATED 02/28/12 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED BATTERY CORROSION DESTROYED THE NEGATIVE TERMINAL. UPDATED 03/08/12
Mileage: 75,000
GASOLINE FILLER TUBE ON SUBARU LEGACY MODELS (1994 & 1997) RUST OUT AND CAUSE VERY SERIOUS DANGER FROM POSSIBLE FIRE/EXPLOSION DUE TO LEAKING FUEL. THIS APPEARS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM FOR SUBARU OWNERS AND COSTLY ($350+) TO REPAIR. THIS PART WAS REPLACED ON BOTH A 1994 AND A 1997 SUBARU LEGACY AND THE REPAIR SHOP INDICATED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT THEY HAVE DEALT WITH QUITE OFTEN. I FEEL THE PROBLEM IS VERY DANGEROUS AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY THE MANUFACTURER. *TR
GASOLINE FILLER TUBE ON SUBARU LEGACY MODELS (1994 & 1997) RUST OUT AND CAUSE VERY SERIOUS DANGER FROM POSSIBLE FIRE/EXPLOSION DUE TO LEAKING FUEL. THIS APPEARS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM FOR SUBARU OWNERS AND COSTLY ($350+) TO REPAIR. THIS PART WAS REPLACED ON BOTH A 1994 AND A 1997 SUBARU LEGACY AND THE REPAIR SHOP INDICATED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT THEY HAVE DEALT WITH QUITE OFTEN. I FEEL THE PROBLEM IS VERY DANGEROUS AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY THE MANUFACTURER. *TR
1997 SUBARU LEGACY 2.5 L ENGINE. 118,000 MILES. CHRONIC OVERHEATING. MANY DOLLARS SPENT ONLY TO FIND THAT THESE CARS ARE NOTORIOUS FOR BLOWING HEAD GASKETS. SURE ENOUGH, THAT'S THE TROUBLE. *TR
Mileage: 118,000
I AM SURE YOU HAVE RECEIVED OTHER COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE 2.5L ENGINE IN 1997 SUBARU LEGACY GT'S. THE HEAD GASKETS ARE VERY WEAK, WHICH WHEN THEY BLOW, CAN CAUSE A LOSS OF POWER DUE TO A RUSH OF COOLANT FLOWING INTO THE SYSTEM, WHICH KILLS THE ENGINE. THIS PROBLEM IS VERY WIDESPREAD, AND SUBARU DOES NOT ADMIT ANYTHING. HOWEVER, IN CANADA, SUBARU WAS SUED FOR THIS SAME ISSUE. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT ARE EXPERIENCING ERRATIC FAILURE WITH THESE HEAD GASKETS, AND THERE ISN'T EVEN A TSB ON THEM. PLEASE, HELP US!
Mileage: 195,748
I AM SURE YOU HAVE RECEIVED OTHER COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE 2.5L ENGINE IN 1997 SUBARU LEGACY GT'S. THE HEAD GASKETS ARE VERY WEAK, WHICH WHEN THEY BLOW, CAN CAUSE A LOSS OF POWER DUE TO A RUSH OF COOLANT FLOWING INTO THE SYSTEM, WHICH KILLS THE ENGINE. THIS PROBLEM IS VERY WIDESPREAD, AND SUBARU DOES NOT ADMIT ANYTHING. HOWEVER, IN CANADA, SUBARU WAS SUED FOR THIS SAME ISSUE. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT ARE EXPERIENCING ERRATIC FAILURE WITH THESE HEAD GASKETS, AND THERE ISN'T EVEN A TSB ON THEM. PLEASE, HELP US!
Mileage: 195,748
I WAS OUT DRIVING ON A SUNNY SUNDAY WITH A COUPLE OF FRIENDS TO SEE THE FALL COLOR, AND WITHOUT WARNING MY CAR OVERHEATED. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC TO HAVE FIND OUT WHAT CAUSED THE PROBLEM AND HE SAID IT WAS A "BLOWN HEAD GASKET". I HAVE NOT HAD THE REPAIRS DONE YET BECAUSE I AM TRYING TO DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT TO PUT IN A NEW ENGINE OR JUST REPAIR THE OLD ONE. THE COST IS GOING TO BE IN EXCESS OF $1500 DOLLARS EITHER OPTION AND AFTER DOING A BIT OF RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND THAT THERE ARE MULTIPLE WEBSITES OUT THERE WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE SUFFERING THE SAME PROBLEMS. THIS PROBLEM ONLY SEEMS TO EFFECT A CERTAIN NUMBER OF YEAR MODELS AND I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE SUBARU DO SOMETHING TO HELP ALERT THOSE WHO WILL POTENTIALLY BE BUYING THESE VEHICLES WITH NO KNOWLEDGE OF WHAT THEY ARE BUYING INTO. *TR
Mileage: 116,000
AFTER A GAS FILL-UP, I NOTED A LARGE WET SPOT UNDER THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. BECAUSE IT SMELLS LIKE GAS, I TOOK IT TO MY AUTHORIZED SUBARU MECHANIC AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE FILLER NECK WAS LOOSE. IN ORDER TO FIX THE MANUFACTURER DEFLECTIVE, HE WOULD HAVE TO REMOVE THE REAR AXLE. SINCE THE CAR IS 11 YEARS OLD WITH OVER 83K MILES, THE CAR IS OF COURSE OUT OF WARRANTY. HOWEVER, IN MY OPTION, MY 1997 SUBARU LEGACY GT SEDAN IS NOW CONSIDERED UNSAFE TO DRIVE UNDER ANY SPEED. I RECOMMENDED THAT SUBARU TAKES THE INITIATE BY ISSUING A RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE DIES AS RESULT OF THIS MANUFACTURER DEFLECTIVE. *TR
Mileage: 83,000
Occupant Detection System (ODS) Failure
Passenger Front Air Bag Suppression
Front suspension control arm failure
FUEL PUMP LEAKS
FUEL LINE LEAK
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.