1990 Subaru Legacy problems
The Subaru Legacy (Japanese: スバル・レガシィ, Hepburn: Subaru Regashi) is a mid-size car built by Japanese automobile manufacturer Subaru since 1989. The maker's flagship car, it is unique in its class for offering all-wheel drive as a standard feature, and Subaru's traditional boxer engine. The Legacy was sold as the Liberty in Australia out of deference to Legacy Australia, an organisation dedicated to caring for the families of military service veterans.
In 1996, a variant of the Legacy with heightened suspension called the Legacy Outback was introduced to compete in the burgeoning sport-utility vehicle class and proved to be a sales success for Subaru. The Outback line was split into its own model in 2008, known as the Subaru Outback.
As of 2008, 3.6 million Legacy models have been built since its 1989 introduction.
Production of the Legacy ended in Japan in June 2020, with the sixth-generation Legacy being the last model produced and marketed in Japan. Subaru of America announced in an internal email that 2025 will be the last model year for the Subaru Legacy. The Subaru Outback will remain in production, after being the company's top selling model in 2023.
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Common 1990 Subaru Legacy problems
The 1990 Subaru Legacy has been praised for its reliability, with Subaru’s first-generation Legacy models receiving high scores in this regard. However, there are still some common problems that owners of this car have reported.
One of the most common issues with the 1990 Subaru Legacy is electrical problems. These can range from minor issues like intermittent power loss to major failures that affect the car's entire electrical system. For example, one owner reported that their Legacy lost all electrical power on the doors, sunroof, and gauges (including the tachometer, temperature gauge, and fuel gauge), as well as experiencing transmission problems with the automatic transmission. This suggests that electrical problems with the 1990 Subaru Legacy can be serious and can affect multiple systems in the car.
Another common problem with the 1990 Subaru Legacy is head gasket issues. Unlike the first generation Legacy, which had excellent reliability, the second generation Legacy has a tendency for head gasket failures. This is caused by the coolant becoming pressurized and causing the head gasket to fail, which can lead to a range of problems including overheating, loss of power, and engine damage.
The 1990 Subaru Legacy’s heating system can also be problematic. Some owners have reported that the car’s temperature gauge can go above the halfway mark at times, which can be an indicator of a head gasket problem or a faulty radiator. This can lead to overheating and other engine problems if not addressed promptly.
Finally, the automatic transmission in the 1990 Subaru Legacy can also be problematic. One owner reported that their Legacy’s transmission would only go into 3rd gear and then got stuck in 1st gear, despite adding more transmission fluid. This suggests that the transmission in the 1990 Subaru Legacy can fail without warning and can be difficult to diagnose and repair.
In summary, the 1990 Subaru Legacy is generally a reliable car, but it can still suffer from common problems like electrical issues, head gasket failures, heating system problems, and transmission issues. Owners of this car should be aware of these potential issues and take steps to maintain their car properly to avoid these problems.
What is the most common problem with the Subaru Legacy?
Top Subaru Legacy Problems
- Cooling System Problems Cause Head Gasket Failure. ...
- Subaru Front O2 Sensor Recall. ...
- Failure in ABS causes pump to run continuously and wear down battery. ...
- Failure in ABS causes pump to run continuously and wear down battery. ...
- Engine Oil May Leak From Camshaft/Crankshaft Front Seals.
Is the Subaru Legacy a reliable car?
The Subaru Legacy Reliability Rating is 4.0 out of 5.0, which ranks it 16th out of 24 for midsize cars. The average annual repair cost is $563 which means it has average ownership costs. The severity of repairs is average, and major issues are less frequent than average, so major repairs are not common for the Legacy.
How many miles can a Subaru Legacy last?
You want your Subaru Legacy to last as long as possible, which means helping it along the way. follow the Subaru Legacy maintenance schedule as recommended by the automaker for your new vehicle for the best results. You could see your Subaru Legacy last as long as 150,000 miles or more!
What are the cons of a Subaru Legacy?
Another issue with the Subaru Legacy is the seriously underpowered nature of the entry engine in the lineup. The base models come with a 2.5-liter horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine, which is much less powerful than the option you get with the Sport and Touring XT trims - a 260-hp turbocharged 2.4-liter engine.
What is the most common problem with the Subaru Legacy?
Top Subaru Legacy Problems
- Cooling System Problems Cause Head Gasket Failure. ...
- Subaru Front O2 Sensor Recall. ...
- Failure in ABS causes pump to run continuously and wear down battery. ...
- Failure in ABS causes pump to run continuously and wear down battery. ...
- Engine Oil May Leak From Camshaft/Crankshaft Front Seals.
Is the Subaru Legacy a reliable car?
The Subaru Legacy Reliability Rating is 4.0 out of 5.0, which ranks it 16th out of 24 for midsize cars. The average annual repair cost is $563 which means it has average ownership costs. The severity of repairs is average, and major issues are less frequent than average, so major repairs are not common for the Legacy.
What engine is in the 1990 Subaru Legacy RS?
EJ20G DW1BD
8 Members' Subarus found
| Engine Type | EJ20G DW1BD | without Air Conditioning (Option Code PX) |
| EJ20G DW1BE | ||
| Configuration | Four Cylinder Horizontally Opposed (“Flat Four”) | |
| Cylinder Bore | 92.0 | mm |
| Stroke | 75.0 | mm |
Why is the heater not working in my 1990 Subaru Legacy?
The most common reasons a 1990 Subaru Legacy heater isn't working are a broken heater blower motor, a problem with the thermostat, or a failed heater blower motor resistor.
1990 Subaru Legacy car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Subaru Legacy problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Structure problems
- Latches/locks/linkages problems
- Seat belts problems
- Power train problems
- Vehicle speed control problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1990 Subaru Legacy vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Latest 25 complaints 1990 Subaru Legacy
The NHTSA has received 102 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1990 Subaru Legacy. Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for 1990 Subaru Legacy vehicles.
TIRES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2003-02-09
- VIN: JS4JC31C5L4
- Components: TIRES
- Summary: TIRE BEAD FAILURE WHILE IT WAS MY SPARE & ONLY USED 200 MILES.. *AK
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2003-02-01
- VIN: JF2BJ63C2LG
- Components: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
- Summary: THE LOCK/LATCH ON MY CAR'S PASSENGER DOOR IS DEFECTIVE AND THE RECALL 90V18400 DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THE DOOR IS DIFFICULT TO OPEN AND COULD EASIY FAIL ANY DAY AND TRAP MY PASSENGER IN THE CAR. THE SAME THING IS HAPPENING TO THE FRONT DRIVERS DOOR. THE MANUFACTUER WILL NOT FIX THE PROBLEM AT NO CHARGE. *AK
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1992-06-12
- VIN: JF1BJ6320LK
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: THE CV BOOTS ON THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE CONSTANTLY NEED REPLACING. *AK
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: JF1BC6228LB
- Components: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
- Summary: THE VEHICLE'S DOOR LOCKS EXPERIENCED THE DEFECT STATED IN RECALL 90 V 184 000 BUT IT'S VIN WAS OUTSIDE OF THE REMEDY SCOPE. THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO REPAIR THE DOOR. *NLM
EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2002-08-01
- VIN: JF2BJ63C3LG
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: HEADLIGHT DEVICE IS PLASTIC, MAKING IT HARD TO SEE WHEN TURNING HEADLIGHTS ON. DEALERSHIP IS NOT AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK THE PLASTIC LENS MATERIAL BECOMES SIGNIFICANTLY LESS TRANSPARENT WITH TIME, DIMINISHING VISABILITY AT NIGHT. THE ADJACENT TURN SIGNAL LENS HAS NOT AGED. THIS INDICATES TO CONSUMER THAT THE HEADLIGHT LENS IS NOT MADE FROM THE SAME MATERIAL AS THE TURN SIGNAL LENS. *JG
STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2000-07-01
- VIN: PLEASE FILL
- Components: STRUCTURE
- Summary: CONSUMER STATES THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR WOULD LOCK ITSELF WHENEVER THE DOOR IS SHUT. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. NLM
STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1999-01-01
- VIN: JF18C6328LB
- Components: STRUCTURE
- Summary: I HAVE A 1990 SUBARU LEGACY. EACH TIME I TRY TO EXIT THE CAR THE DOORS LOCK AUTOMATICALLY. IT HAS AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS THAT ARE ACCUATED BY PUSHING THE DRIVERS DOOR LOCK. I HAVE HAD THE LOCK APART AND THE PROBLEM WITH ALL 4 OF MY DOOR IS THAT A SINGLE SPRING IN THE LOCK MECHANISM IS RESPONSIBLE FOR HAVING THE INSIDE DOOR HANDLE RETURN TO THE CLOSED POSITION AND TO HAVE THE LOCK BUYYON STAY OPEN. THE HANDLE IS ATTACHED TO THE BOTTOM HALF OF THE SPRING AND THAT PART OF THE SPING KEEPS THE DOOR LOCK OPEN. WELL, THE DOOR LOCK PORTION OF THE SPRING IS WORN OUT AND EVERY TIME YOU USE THE DOOR HANDLE FROM THE INSIDE, THE WEAK HALF OF THE LOCK SPRING CLOSES THE LOCK. I AM A BATTALION CHIEF FOR A LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT AND I CAN ONLY IMAGINE WHAT KIND OF A PROBLEM ONE MIGHT HAVE TRYING TO GET OUT OF THIS CAR IN A HURRY. I HAVE CONTACTED SUBARU WITH NO RELIEF. THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP SAYS IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN THE 1990 - 1994 MODELS. OUR LOCAL PARTS HOUSES HAVE ALSO SAID THAT IT IS A PROBLEM. I HAVE OTHER OWNERS THAT SAY THE SAME. IT IS $200.00 A DOOR TO REPAIR. PLEASE CONTACT ME ON THIS. THANKS [XXX][XXX]OR[XXX]. *AK PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2001-01-01
- VIN: JF18C6328LB
- Components: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
- Summary: LOCKS ON DOOR WILL LOCK EVEN WHEN UNLOCKING DOORS. LOCKS WILL AUTOMATICALLY LOCK BACK UP. CONSUMER HAS TO HOLD LOCK U, AND THEN PUSH THE DOOR OPEN TO GET OUT OF VEHICLE. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK *YH
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2001-08-01
- VIN: JF1BJ6429LK
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: I NOTICED ANOTHER INCIDENT ON THE DATABASE REPORTING THIS SAME FAILURE. THE PLASTIC SHIELD TRAPS DEBRIS AGAINST THE FILLER PIPE CAUSING THE PIPE TO RUST THROUGH. I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY '90 SUBARU LEGACYS ARE STILL ON THE ROAD, BUT I SUSPECT (GIVEN THE SEVERITY OF THE RUST), THAT ALMOST ALL OF THEM HAVE THIS SAME CONDITION. EVEN IF THEY HAVEN'T RUSTED THROUGH TO THE POINT OF LEAKING, THEY MAY EASILY RUPTURE UPON IMPACT. *AK
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2001-01-15
- VIN: JE2BC65C71H
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: BOTH FRONTAL PASSIVE RESTRAINT BELTS FAIL TO OPERATE, WILL NOT GO AROUND THE TRACKS, LEAVING DRIVER AND PASSENGER WITHOUT ANY RESTRAINT IF VEHICLE GETS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. MANUFACTURER CONTACTED, AND WILLING TO GO HALF IN REPAIRS. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2001-08-01
- VIN: JF1BJ6420LK
- Components: STRUCTURE
- Summary: VEHICLE HAS A MASTER DOOR LOCK BUTTON ON DRIVER'S SIDE. 2 REAR DOORS LOCK WHEN DOOR IS CLOSED. PASSENGER'S DOOR SHOULD NOT LOCK ONCE IT'S CLOSED. LOCK KNOB HAS TO BE HELD UP TO OPEN ANB CLOSE THE DOOR. CONSUMER HAS GOTTEN LOCKED OUT A FEW TIMES BECAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK
STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2000-10-01
- VIN: JF2BC63C7LG
- Components: STRUCTURE
- Summary: PASSENGER FRONT DOOR-LOCK FAILED INITIALLY REQUIRING PASSENGER TO MANUALLY PUSH LATCH AND PULL DOOR LEVER SIMUTANEOUSLY IN ORDER TO OPEN DOOR. REAR DOOR-LOCKS DO NOT WORK NOW AND REQUIRE SAME EFFORT. ALL DOORS WILL LOCK ON THEIR OWN WHILE GETTING IN AND OUT. IN CASE OF ACCIDENT OR FIRE, THE OCCUPANTS MAY NOT BE ABLE TO EXIT VEHICLE IN A TIMELY MANNER. ALSO, DRIVER-SIDE VISOR FALLS DOWN WHILE DRIVING WHICH HAS PROVEN TO BE VERY DISTRACTING AND DANGEROUS. CONTACTED SUBARU DEALERSHIP FOR BOTH PROBLEMS. DEALERSHIP UNWILLING TO FIX WITHOUT CHARGING ME FOR REPLACEMENT AND LABOR OF ALL PARTS. DOOR LOCKS PRICED AT $130 EACH AND VISOR WAS AROUND $80 NOT INCLUDING LABOR. DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THESE ARE COMMON PROBLEMS CORRECTED IN THE MID-90'S ON LEGACY MODELS.*AK
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2001-07-13
- VIN: JF2BC63C7LG
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: FUEL FILLER PIPE LEAKING - FUEL PIPE RUSTED CAUSING FUEL TO DRIP FROM FILLER PIPE NEAR PASSENGER REAR TIRE. RUST CAUSED BY MUD/DIRT AND MOISTURE GETTING STUCK BETWEEN PLASTIC PIPE SHIELD AND FUEL PIPE.*AK
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2001-04-30
- VIN: JF1BC6426LK
- Components: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
- Summary: MFG REFUSED TO FIX REAR DOOR LATCHES UNDER NHTSA RECALL 90V18400. THE PROBLEM IS THE SAME AS WITH THE FRONT DOORS. FAILURE OF THE LATCHES WOULD NOT PERMIT EXIT FROM CAR IN A WRECK AND WHO IS LIKELY TO RIDE IN THE REAR..CHILDREN WHO WOULD PANIC. I WAS CHARGED $140 TO CORRECT THESE MANUFACTURE DEFECTS THAT HAD BEEN PART OF, IN MY OPINION, A SAFETY RECALL AS NOTED. WAS IT YOUR INTENT FROM A SAFETY STANDPOINT THAT ALL LATCHES WERE TO BE REPAIRED ON THESE CARS OR JUST THE FRONT LATECHES??
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2000-05-12
- VIN: JF2BC63C0LH
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: I ALSO PURCHASED AN 1992 SUBARU SVX THAT HAS A FAILED TRANSNISSION (SAME STYLE TRANNY) THIS CAR HAS 146000 MILES ON IT, II'VE DONE SOME RESEARCH ON THIS AND IT APPEARS THESE TRANSMISSIONS ARE PRONE TO FAILURE, OUR LEGACY'S WENT OUT ON THE INTERSTATE, AND COULD EASILY HAVE BEEN FATAL
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: 4S3BJ6325M9
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: THE LAP BELTS IN THIS VEHICLE HAVE COME APART AT THE "FLAP" WHERE THE BELTS SNAP INTO THE RECEPTACLE. WE HAVE HAD THE CAR IN SEVERAL SHOPS, AND NONE CAN GET REPLACEMENT BELTS. THE LATEST ATTEMPT WAS WITH THE SUBARU DEALER IN NEW ORLEANS, AND THEY HAVE "ORDERED THEM FROM JAPAN". SO FAR, NO BELTS. JUNK YARDS SOMETIMES HAVE THE BELTS, FOR $100, AND THEY ARE FAULTY TOO. WE WERE ADVISED BY THE SUBARU DEALER NOT TO DRIVE THE CAR UNTIL THE BELTS ARE REPLACED, YET WHAT CAN WE DO WHEN NONE ARE AVAILABLE. THERE MUST BE MANY MORE 1990 SUBARU OWNERS WITH THIS SAME DILEMMA. IT IS A DEFINITE SAFETY ISSUE, AND WOULD BEAR INVESTIGATING. ANY HELP YOU CAN GIVE WILL BE APPRECIATED. *AK
STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-03-14
- Components: STRUCTURE
- Summary: POWER DOOR LOCKS LOCK BY THEMSELVES. *AK
STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: JF2BJ65C1LG
- Components: STRUCTURE
- Summary: THE DOOR HANDLE WHEN OPENED CAUSES THE DOOR TO AUTOMATICALLY LOCK WHEN OPENED FROM THE INSIDE. THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT BROKE IN 1993. THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR DOOR BROKE IN 1998. THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT DOOR BROKE IN 1999 WHICH IS THE MOST ANNOYING AS IT LOCKS ALL THE DOOR EVERY TIME THE HANDLE IS USED TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE. IT COSTS $80 TO REPLACE THE PART.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1999-07-07
- VIN: 4S4BJ63C0L7
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: DESIGN FLAW OF RIGHT FRONT AXLE CAME OFF THE WHEEL, CAUSING VEHICLE TO DEPEND ON REAR WHEEL DRIVE ONLY AND ALLOWED THE FRONT RIGHT DRIVE LINE SPIN AIMLESSLY, RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO COMPONENTS IN TRANSFER CASE. *AK
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: WHEN DRIVER TOOK OFF FROM A STOP WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKES, VEHICLE TOOK OFF. SHIFTING THE VEHICLE TO NEUTRAL AND HEAVY BRAKE APPLICATION STOPPED THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE HAD BEEN DRIVEN FOR ABOUT 15 MINTUES BEFORE THIS HAPPENED. *AK
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: JF1BJ6320LK
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: SUDDEN ACCELERATION CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO RUN 90 MPH. YH
TIRES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: JF1BJ6320LK
- Components: TIRES
- Summary: TIRES WORN OUT PREMATURELY. (YAMAHA) YH
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: JF1BJ6320LK
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: SUDDEN ACCELERATION CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO RUN 90 MPH. YH
TIRES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: JF1BJ6320LK
- Components: TIRES
- Summary: TIRES WORN OUT PREMATURELY. (YAMAHA) YH
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: JF1BJ6320LK
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: SUDDEN ACCELERATION CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO RUN 90 MPH. YH
1990 Subaru Legacy recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 4 recalls for different components of the 1990 Subaru Legacy.
- Manufacturer: SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
- Components: POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
- Summary: WHEN THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN CONTINUOUSLY UNDER EXTREMELY COLD TEMPERATURES (-22 DEGREES F.) AND HIGH HUMIDITY WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE TRANSMISSION BREATHING (AIR) VENT CAN BE BLOCKED DUE TO MOISTURE FREEZING AT THE OIL LEVEL GAUGE. IF THIS OCCURS, PRESSURE INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION CASE WILL INCREASE AND PUSH OUT THE REAR OIL SEAL, CAUSING TRANSMISSION OIL LEAKAGE. THE LACK OF LUBRICATION CAN BURN THE INTERNAL COMPONENTS OF THE TRANSMISSION, CAUSE THE TRANSMISSION TO SEIZE AND THE VEHICLE TO COME TO A SUDDEN STOP.
- Consequence: SUDDEN STOPS WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING CAN CAUSE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS TO BE THROWN AROUND THE VEHICLE AND CAUSE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL WHICH CAN RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
- Remedy: DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE OIL GAUGE PIPE AND MODIFY THE OIL LEVEL GAUGE (DIPSTICK) OR REPLACE IT, DEPENDING ON THE TYPE OF DIPSTICK IN THE VEHICLE.
- Manufacturer: SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
- Components: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
- Summary: UNDER CERTAIN LOAD CONDITIONS, THE PARK GEAR MAY NOT DISENGAGE IMMEDIATELY WHEN THE TRANSMISSION LEVER IS MOVED FROM PARK TO REVERSE.
- Consequence: DELAYED RELEASE OF TRANSMISSION FROM PARK CAUSES DELAYEDAND POSSIBLY ABRUPT VEHICLE MOVEMENT THAT COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLECONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.
- Remedy: INSTALL A MODIFIED PARKING BRAKE PAWL TO PREVENT DELAYED RELEASE INTO REVERSE GEAR.
- Manufacturer: SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
- Components: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
- Summary: TORQUE OF LATCH SCREWS ON FRONT DOORS MAY LOOSEN OVER TIME DUE TO A GAP BETWEEN THE LATCH BASE PLATE AND INNER DOOR PANEL UNDER THE SCREW HEAD.
- Consequence: THE AFFECTED DOOR MAY NOT BE OPENED FROM INSIDE,PREVENTING EXIT FROM THAT DOOR.
- Remedy: REPLACE FRONT DOOR LATCH SCREWS WITH "LOCK-TIGHT" SCREWS.
- Manufacturer: SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
- Components: VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
- Summary: THE DEFROSTER LEVER PIN OF THE DEFROSTER SHUTTER DOOR MAY BECOME DISLOCATED AND ALLOW THE SHUTTER TO CLOSE, PREVENTING DEFROSTER FROM FUNCTIONING.
- Consequence: NON-FUNCTIONING DEFROSTER WOULD ADVERSELY AFFECT DRIVERVISIBILITY.
- Remedy: INSTALL A POSITIONING STOPPER DEVICE TO PREVENT DISLOCATION OF DEFROSTER LEVER PIN TO ASSURE DEFROSTER OPERATION.
Negative 1990 Subaru Legacy car reviews
Positive 1990 Subaru Legacy car reviews
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I purchased my Subaru Legacy LS at the beginning of 2009 and I am the third owner. At the time of purchase, it had a rebuilt engine with about 80k miles, although the car itself had 189k miles. I bought it for $1000 and have put about $3k into it over the last two years. Despite being in pretty bad shape, it has been a wonderful car. Unfortunately, last weekend a big suburban vehicle hit the rear end, and now the insurance company wants to give me $900 for it. However, I intend to get at least $2k, which is about what a replacement would cost. I have put a good 50k miles on the vehicle and it still purrs like a kitten. I may even keep it and see if I can find another one to move into and have a parts car! Other than this, it has been a joy!
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My mom gave me her car in 1990, and it has been the most reliable car I have ever seen. Even when major parts break, it always gets me home or to the garage without fail. The car sat in the driveway with a broken head gasket for 2 years, but when I put a fresh battery in it, it roared to life like it had been on the road the day before. You just can't beat that kind of toughness. I have all sorts of stories, but I can't fit them all here. It gets 32 MPG, runs like a charm, and nothing stops it. I may never drive a better vehicle ever. I am currently restoring it.
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I bought this car used for $7,000 ten years ago. Despite having driven it for 278,000 miles, the engine still runs smoothly and efficiently without any smoke, transmission issues, or signs of old age. We've had to make a few repairs over the years, including seal replacements, wear parts and gaskets, CV's, alternators (2), drive belts and pulleys, pump (2), and I even recharged the air conditioning myself. Recently, a couple of small rust spots have appeared on the side of the body. However, I've always been careful to use the best-rated friction-reducing oil additives, which has kept the cost per mile quite low for such a spacious and comfortable car. Sadly, it's time to donate it to charity, not because of any problems, but because it's time for a change.
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Your 90 Legacy sedan sounds like an amazing car! It was so reliable that it never needed any engine work, and with only regular maintenance, it managed to get 30 mpg with 258,000 miles on it. Living in the mountains, the power of the engine with the 5 sp manual trans was very good. It's such a shame that it started to rust out and that your spouse overheated it and cracked the sleeve on cylinder 1. I can understand why you almost cried. I hope you find something as good as your Legacy to replace it.
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In 1990, during its first year on the road, this car broke 13 international records for speed and endurance. Despite its classic and elegant appearance, it's a wolf in sheep's clothing - a secret bombshell of a powerhouse, all on just 2.2 liters. It's truly the finest car in the world.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 1990 Subaru Legacy problems:
90' Legacy wagon ?common problems? - 1990 to Present Legacy ...
Feb 27, 2004 ... Well I just bought a 90' legacy wagon, when I get it home should I look at or replace? It has high miles 162000, but I could not beat the ...
1990 Subaru Legacy Problems and Complaints - 2 Issues
Top 1990 Subaru Legacy Problems · Failure in ABS causes pump to run continuously and wear down battery. 21 people have reported this. 5 · Oil Pump Seal May Leak.
1998 Legacy GT sedan, Ltd. Common mechanical problems? - 1990 ...
Dec 16, 2007 ... Type in "Subaru head gasket" into Yahoo, Google, or just type "head gasket" in here on the search function. The GT is a great car, but the EJ25 ...
1990 Subaru Legacy Repair: Service and Maintenance Cost
Get 1990 Subaru Legacy repair and maintenance costs, common problems, recalls, and more. Find certified Subaru mechanics near you.
2004 Subaru Legacy GT problems - 1990 to Present Legacy ...
Jan 26, 2010 ... I was surprised by this by my car repair guy said this is common because the engine (4 cyl) runs so hot then get so cold here in NH. Does anyone ...
Other years of Subaru Legacy
Are you having problems with your 1990 Subaru Legacy?
Rusty Turner 2024-08-15
Although my experience with this car was not great, I believe it was due to its age and previous ownership. The dealer took some time to sort out the transmission problems, but once that was done, the car ran smoothly for a while. Unfortunately, there were some issues with the electric door locks and air suspension, which required expensive repairs. The car also developed some electrical problems that made it difficult to start. In the end, I decided to trade it in for a Dodge Intrepid, which I believe is more reliable. While this car may not have lived up to the legendary Japanese automotive excellence, I would still recommend considering a Toyota for your next purchase.
Randall Gaylord 2024-03-19
We have two 1990 Subaru's, one of which is our Legacy. We purchased it 11 years ago and have been driving it every day since. It has been extremely reliable and we have experienced very few mechanical issues. We have had to replace the CV joints, front axle, and a couple of sensors, but we have never had to replace the clutch or starter. It always turns over! We have had some issues with the paint (oxidization), power windows and locks, cruise control, and plastic exterior trimming. Recently, it has been idling roughly and appears to need another sensor replaced. The check engine light has been on since 80k miles and it has started burning oil. Despite these issues, it is still comfortable to cruise in and the air conditioning still works. We definitely feel like we have gotten our money's worth!
Joel Kassulke 2024-01-26
Wow, that's amazing! Your Legacy has 285,000 miles and it's still going strong. It's clear that this vehicle is one of the most dependable ever built when it comes to drive trains.