1997 Subaru Legacy

Defect. 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.

Defect. THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE AN ALTERNATOR PROBLEM THAT CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF CHARGING CAPABILITY.

Risk. IF THE ALTERNATOR FAILS, THE ALTERNATOR WARNING TELLTALE WILL ALERT THE DRIVER TO THE PROBLEM, GIVING AMPLE OPPORTUNITY TO SEEK REPAIR BEFORE A LOSS OF BATTERY POWER, WHICH, IF THE WARNING WERE IGNORED, COULD ULTIMATELY RESULT IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE POWER (ENGINE STALL).

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR WITH A MODIFIED ALTERNATOR. OWNERS WILL ALSO BE CAUTIONED THAT, SHOULD THE ALTERNATOR TELLTALE WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATE, THEY MUST SEEK IMMEDIATE REPAIR TO AVOID THE EVENTUAL LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER, WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ENGINE STALL.

Defect. 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.

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE THROTTLE SHAFT BALL BEARING ON THE SENSOR SIDE OF THE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY WAS NOT INSTALLED IN CERTAIN THROTTLE BODIES.

Risk. OPERATION OF A VEHICLE WITH A MISSING THROTTLE SHAFT BEARING CAN EVENTUALLLY LEAD TO AN INCOMPLETE RETURN OF THE THROTTLE VALVE RESULTING IN A HIGH IDLING CONDITION.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE THROTTLE BODY AND REPLACE THE THROTTLE ASSEMBLY IF THE BEARING IS MISSING.

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. DUE TO POOR WELDS, IGNITION KEYS CAN STICK, SHIFT LEVERS/LINKAGES CAN BREAK AND SHIFT LEVERS CAN MOVE.

Risk. THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE UNEXPECTED MOVEMENT OF THE VEHICLE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH OR PROPERTY DAMAGE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER ASSEMBLIES (EXCEPT THE HANDLE GRIP).

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. INSUFFICIENT CLEARANCE WITHIN THE HAZARD WARNING LIGHT SWITCH HOUSING CAN CAUSE A BINDING BETWEEN THE ACTUATING BUTTON AND THE HOUSING.

Risk. THE SWITCH COULD STICK IN AN INTERMEDIATE POSITION WHEN DEACTIVATING, RESULTING IN THE TURN SIGNALS BECOMING INOPERABLE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A MODIFIED HAZARD WARNING SWITCH.

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.

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.

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 EACH OTHER. *TR

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

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

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

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

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!

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

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

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 SUBARU LEGACY. THE VEHICLE IS LEAKING GASOLINE FROM THE FILLER TUBE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE REPAIR WOULD BE THE CONTACT'S RESPONSIBILITY BECAUSE THERE WAS NO SAFETY RECALL. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, WHICH MEANS THAT SHE COULD EXPERIENCE SPORADIC AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT OR IMPROPER DEPLOYMENT IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 84,000.

IN COLD WEATHER (ZERO OR BELOW), THE BRAKE PEDAL ON MY 1997 SUBARU LEGACY SEDAN BECOMES HARD, AND WHEN I PUT IT ANY GEAR, FORWARD OR REVERSE, THE IDLE SPEED WILL CAUSE THE CAR TO MOVE AND THE BRAKES WILL NOT STOP THE CAR-I HAVE TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL. I HAVE LEARNED THAT PUMPING THE BRAKE PEDAL WHILE THE CAR IS AT IDLE IN N OR P WILL USUALLY HELP, AT -20 DEGREES, I HAVE TO LET THE CAR IDLE FOR 5 TO 10 MINUTES AND THEN TRY IT. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THIS IS NOT UNCOMMON, BUT THAT THERE IS NO EASY FIX FOR THIS. THIS HAS HAPPENED EVERY WINTER SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR IN 2001. *TR

1997 SUBARU LEGACY OUTBACK WITH SUDDEN ACCELERATION PROBLEMS. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD NOISE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND VEHICLE SURGED WITHOUT WARNING AND HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF THE CONSUMER. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED BOTH VEHICLES HAD MINIMAL DAMAGE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FAST IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE. THE CONSUMER DOESN'T BELIEVE THAT THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION PROBLEM HAS BEEN RECTIFIED. THE CONSUMER DIDN'T STATE IF A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. *JB

SUDDEN OVERHEATING OCCURRING MOSTLY ABOVE 60 KM/H SYMPTOMS INCLUDED LARGE POCKETS OF AIR IN COOLING SYSTEM AS WELL AS SMALL BUBBLES. FIRST THOUGHT BY MECHANIC WAS HEAD GASKET, HOWEVER TESTS ON COOLANT SHOWED OTHERWISE. SMALL LEAK FOUND IN WATER PUMP GASKET, REPLACED ENTIRE PUMP AND GASKET, AS WELL AS THERMOSTAT, BELTS, HOSES, ETC. CURRENT RESEARCH HAS PROVEN THAT YEARS 1997 THROUGH 2002 ALL DO THIS AS A RESULT OF A DESIGN FLAW THAT CAUSES THE HEAD GASKET TO FAIL. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH ON A DRY HIGHWAY, THE HOOD LATCHE FAILED AND CRACKED THE WINDSHIELD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO BODY SHOP. UPDATED 12/28/06. *JB

FUEL TANK FILLER PIPE ROTTED OUT. PLASTIC SHIELD OVER FILLER NECK TRAPS SAND. STEEL FILLER PIPE RUSTS WHERE WET SAND IS TRAPPED AGAINST IT. INTERMITTENT FUEL LEAK DEPENDING ON FUEL LEVEL WAS THE FIRST SYMPTOM OF PROBLEM (MARKS ON DRIVEWAY). ONLY FUEL IN FILLER PIPE LEAKS. DEALERSHIP STAFF SUGGESTED THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE. *NM

RIGHT FRONT BRAKE HAS FAILED TO OPERATE PROPERLY ON AT LEAST FOUR OCCASIONS. THE BRAKES HAVE GOTTEN VERY HOT AND COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE A FIRE OR CAUSE THE BRAKES TO LOCK UP. THE DUAL PISTON DESIGN RESULTS IN ONE PISTON DOING MOST OF THE WORK SO THE OTHER PISTON BECOMES STIFF AND DOES NOT RELEASE. WE HAVE HAD THE BRAKES GRAB AND BECOME EXTREMELY HOT TO THE POINT THAT WE ARE NOW ON OUR FOURTH SET OF CALIPERS WITH JUST OVER 36,000 MILES ON THE CAR. OUR MECHANIC ADVISES THIS PROBLEM IS QUITE COMMON ON SUBARU'S FOR AT LEAST THE 1996 THROUGH 1998 MODEL YEARS. WE HAVE HAD THE BRAKES REPLACED THREE TIMES BUT DO NOT HAVE THE OLD PARTS AVAILABLE. *JB

APRROX. 3 MONTHS AGO I WAS DRIVING DOWN A HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 65 MILES AN HOUR WHEN MY HOOD POPPED UP AND HIT THE WINDSHIELD. THE WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED IN MANY PLACES AND THE HOOD WAS BENT AND PAINT CHIPPED. I CONTACTED SUBARU THE FOLLOWING DAY BECAUSE MY HOOD HAD NOT BEEN OPENED FOR APPROX 2MTHS PRIOR THIS AND WAS CONCERNED OF A DEFECT IN PART. THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS NONE AND SOMETIMES IT JUST HAPPENS. I PAID FOR A NEW WINDSHIELD (I BELEIVE ABOUT 235) AND HAVE YET TO REPLACE HOOD. TODAY I WAS INFORMED BY A TECHNICIAN THAT REPLACES WINDSHIELDS (CONTACT WAS UNRELATED TO MY CAR) THAT HE REPLACES MORE WINDSHIELDS ON SUBARUS THAN ANY OTHER CAR BECAUSE THE FIRST HOOD LATCH FAILS AND THE SECOND LETS GO WHEN HIGH WAY SPEED IS REACHED. I BELIEVE THIS IS A PART MALFUNCTION THAT POSES A SERIOUS THREAT TO DRIVERS AND SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED. IF I HAVE CONTACTED THE WRONG DEPARTMENT OR COMPANY PLEASE DIRECT ME IN RIGHT DIRECTION. I AM UNSURE BUT COULD FIND OUT OF THE EXACT INCIDENT DATE.

THE BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED WHEN THE WEATHER STARTED TO GET COLD. THE BRAKES SEEM TO FREEZE UP. DEALER HAD TO BLEED THE LINES. HOWEVER THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK *NM

WHILE DRIVING AT 45-50 MPH VEHICLE OVERHEATED. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP, AND MECHAIC CONFIRMED THAT IT WAS A BLOWN HEAD GASKET ON A 2.5L ENGINE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED.*AK

VEHICLE LURCHES FORWARD AFTER BRAKES ARE APPLIED. VEHICLE JUMPS FORWARD A FEW FEET BEFORE STOPPING COMPLETELY. HAPPENS WHEN VEHICLE IS STOPPED. LAST INCIDENT RESULTED TO IMPACT WITH ANOTHER CAR IN PARKING LOT. DEALER COULD NOT FIND FAULT ON TWO OCCASIONS. SAYS IT MAY BE DUE TO AIR CONDITIONER COMING ON.*AK

I HAVE NOW REPLACED MY SUBARU 97 ENGINE 5 TIMES, AND EACH TIME THE NEW/USED ENGINE FAILED. EACH ENGINE HAD BETWEEN 60 AND 80,000 MILES ON IT. IN MOST OF THESE CASES, THE ENGINE BLEW A HEADGASKET.

CONSUMER TRIED TO AVOID A CRASH WHILE TRAVELING 68-70 MPH. IN THE PROCESS, THE CONSUMER RAN THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD, RUNNING HEAD ON INTO A TREE. DRIVER'S AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. *AK

PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE BLOWING HEAD GASKETS.*MR WHILE DRIVING, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, SMOKE CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND THE TAIL PIPE. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SUBARU DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS DISCOVERED THE PROBLEM WAS A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. COOLANT AND OIL SPRAYED ALL OVER THE ENGINE AND IGNITED A SMALL FIRE ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD, BUT IT EXTINGUISHED ITSELF. CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO HER LOCAL DEALER. SHE OBTAINED TWO OPINIONS AND THEY BOTH SAID THE SAME THING. EXTREME COOLANT LOSS BUT NO EVIDENCE OF A LEAK. IT APPEARED WITHOUT TAKING THE ENGINE APART TO BE A FACTORY DEFECT. IT'S EITHER A DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKET, CASTING FLAW IN THE METAL OR A HEAD THAT WASN'T TORQUED PROPERLY. CONSUMER WOULD LIKE SUBARU TO COVER THE ENTIRE COST A OF A ENGINE (INCLUDING LABOR), REIMBURSEMENT FOR AIR FLOW AND FILTER REPLACEMENT, REIMBURSEMENT FOR TOWING, COST OF A RENTAL CAR, AND MECHANIC'S VEHICLE CHECK FOR A TOTAL OF $1976.16 DOLLARS. *PH

PROBLEMS WITH HEADLIGHT EQUIPMENT STARTING TO CLOUD.*MR THE CONSUMER STATED THE HEAD LIGHT LENS HAS NOT BECOME A SAFETY ISSUE AS OF NOW, BUT MAY BECOME AN ISSUE IN THE FUTURE. *JB *NM

WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING IN THE PARK POSITION, THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT THE GEARS IN ANY DIRECTION. VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. *AK THE CAUSE WAS DUE TO POOR GROUND TO THE SHIFTER SOLENOID. THIS WOULD NOT ACUATE TO ALLOW THE SHIFTER IN GEAR. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY SEVERAL MECHANICS THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM IN THIS MAKE/MODEL. *SCC *JB

THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING OIL FROM THE REAR SEPARATOR PLATE AND OIL PUMP SEAL. *AK THIS CAUSED COPIOUS AMOUNTS OF SMOKE TO BILLOW OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND OUT THE FRONT WHEEL WELLS WHEN STOPPED AFTER DRIVING SEVERAL MILES. TOOK SEVERAL MINUTES FOR THE SMOKE TO SUBSIDE. CONSUMER QUESTIONED WHETHER THERE WERE ANY FINES FOR THIS FAILURE. HE HEARD SUBARU MADE CHANGES TO THE NEWER MODEL LEGACY. CONSUMER LEARNED OF TWO OTHER SUBARU OWNER'S THAT EXPERIENCE THE SAME DEFECT. *PH *NLM

WHILE TRAVELING AT 70 MPH ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND SMOKE CAME FROM UNDER HOOD. DRIVER PULLED OVER, POPPED HOOD, AND NOTICED COOLANT AND OIL SPRAYED OVER ENGINE. ALSO A COUPLE OF FLAMES WERE PRESENT. DEALER SAID IT WAS A BLOWN HEAD GASKET.*AK

VEHICLE ENGINE IS LEAKING OIL. *MR THE OIL LEAKED FROM THE OIL PUMP SEAL AND ALSO FROM THE REAR SEPARATOR PLATE THAT COULD START A FIRE. THE CONSUMER FOUND TWO OTHER OWNERS WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. SCC *JB

VEHICLE HAS BEEN LOOKED AT DURING A PERIOD OF TIME AND MECHANIC FOUND SEVERAL PROBLEMS. RADIATOR AND HEAD GASKETS WERE REPLACED. OIL WAS LEAKING FROM THE MOTOR, AND THE AXLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE HAD GONE BAD. *AK

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT A SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE HOOD UNLATCHED, FLEW BACK, AND CONTACTED THE WINDSHIELD AND FORWARD ROOF. THE WINDSHIELD SHATTERED, BUT FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO SEE THROUGH THE SPACE BETWEEN THE DASH AND BOTTOM OF THE HOOD AND MANAGED TO GET THE CAR TO THE MEDIAN. THE HOOD AND WINDSHIELD WERE RUINED, AND THE ROOF SUSTAINED CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE.*AK

MY 1997 SUBARU LEGACY WAS TOTALLED IN A FRONT END COLLISION. THE COLLISION OCCURRED AT 30-35 MPH, MY 97 LEGACY'S ENGINE WAS DESTROYED IN THIS COLLISION, AND I WAS CRUNCHED INTO THE STEERING WHEEL BECAUSE THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I SUFFERED INTERNAL INJURIES AND WAS TAKEN BY AMBULANCE TO THE HOSPITAL EMERGENCY ROOM. BOTH AIRBAGS IN MY 97 LEGACY FAILED. THE LEGACY WAS TOTALLED.

THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED REOCCURING ALTERNATOR FAILURES, AS A RESULT OF THE ALTERNATOR FAILING THE HARNESS WIRES HAVE MELTED AND BURNED, ALSO THE BATTERY HAD TO BE REPLACE.*NLM

FRONT OIL SEAL IN MOTOR FAILED CAUSING OIL LEAK ONTO EXHAUST DEALER SAID IS NORMAL WEAR E/MAILED MANUFACTURE WITH NO RESPONSE.FRONT OIL SEAL SHOULD NOT BE A NORMAL MAINTAINCE ITEM.LEKED ONTO EXHAUST POSSIBLE FIRE HAZARD,ALSO CAUSED WATER PUMP FAILURE.REPAIR WAS ON 7/22 E/MAILED SUBRAU 7/23 RECIVED NO RESPONSE

CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH THE LEFT REAR WHEEL STUD BROKE AND THE TIRE FELL OFF AND THE CONSUMER COULD NOT CONTROL THE VEHICLE, THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THE VEHICLE HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM. CONTACTED DEALER.*JB

THIS APPEARS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MOTOR. OIL CAN LEAK SO BAD IT WILL HIT HOT EXHAUST AND POSSIBLY START A FIRE. *AK

AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY ON. AFTER 2 YEARS, DEALER FOUND PASSENGER AIR BAG NEEDED REPLACEMENT. *TT

HAVE HAD INTERMITTENT DIFFICULTY WITH STARTING VEHICLE BETWEEN 03/2002 & 05/2002. WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE ON COOL MORNING AND OCCASIONAL AFTERNOONS, IT DOESN'T START. THE RADIO, GAUGES FUNCTION BUT THE ENGINE DOESN'T ENGAGE. THERE IS A CLICKING SOUND AND A PARTIAL TURNING OF THE ENGINE. AFTER 4-8 ATTEMPTS, VEHICLE STARTS AND FUNCTIONS NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS EXAMINED BY THE LOCAL SERVICE CENTER WHEN PROBLEM FIRST OCCURRED, BUT WAS UNABLE TO REPEAT IT. CONTACTED MANUFACTURER WHO CONTACTED LOCAL SERVICE CENTER AND CENTER OFFERED TO REPEAT EXAM. CURRENTLY, VEHICLE IN SERVICE CENTER'S POSSESSION BUT PROBLEM HAS NOT REOCCURRED FOR THEM. UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE VEHICLE PROBLEM. THIS IS AN ANNOYING SITUATION WHEN ONE HAS TO RELY ON PRIVATE AUTO FOR TRANSPORTATION TO SCHOOL AND WORK.*AK

WHILE TRAVELING ON A STEEP HILL GEAR WILL MOVE TO ANOTHER GEAR AS IF VEHICLE IS COASTING. *AK ENGINE DOES NOT HOLD CAR WHEN GOING DOWN HILLS OR STOPPING, HAD TO DECEND A STEEP MOUNTAIN ROAD USING ONLY BRAKES, WHEN SLOWING VEHICLE ACTS IF THOUGH IT IS IN NEUTRAL WHEN IN 0,3,2,1. NEW TRANSMISSION COST $3000. *MJ

WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS HOOD LATCH CAME LOOSE CAUSING THE HOOD TO BOUNCE UP AND DOWN. THIS HAPPENED TWICE CAUSING ME TO PULL OF TO THE SHOULDER AND CLOSE HOOD. HOOD DID NOT UNLATCH ALL THE WAY PUT IF I CONTINUED WITHOUT STOPPING HOOD WOULD OF POPPED FULLY AT SOME POINT.*AK

WHEN APPLYING BRAKES IN SNOW ONLY RIGHT FRONT BRAKE GRABS, BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON, AS WELL. BRAKES WORK FINE IN DRY ROAD CONDITIONS.*AK

WHEN CRUISE CONTROL IS SET AT 65 MPH, GOING UP AN INCLINE AND MAKING A TURN VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND HIT A WALL. DRIVER INJURED. VEHICLE TOTALED*AK *YD

OIL LEAK FROM CRANK CASE SEAL DRIPS BACK ONTO EXHUST MANAFOLD DURING NORMAL DRIVING. ONCE CAR HAS STOPPED AND IS AT IDLE THE OIL BURNS OFF THE MANAFOLD AND LARGE AMOUNTS OF SMOKE POUR FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND UNDER THE CAR. IF VENTILATION SYSTEM LEFT ON THEN SMOKE ENTERS THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. NUMBER 2: THE CAR SHUDDERS WHEN TURNS LEFT OR RIGHT AT LOW SPEEDS (5MPH). NUMBER 3: THE METAL GUIDES FOR THE SIDE WINDOW (DRIVERS SIDE) HAVE SCRATCHED THE GLASS AND IT CAN'T BE REPAIRED MUST REPLACE. NUMBER 4: CAR STARTED TO SPUTTER OR MISS AFTER 61000 MILES. IT OCCURS ONLY AFTER THE ENGINE WARMS UP.

LOUD, UNEXPECTED STATIC SOUND OVER VEHICLE'S STEREO SPEAKERS.--THIS OCCURS REGARDLESS IF RADIO IS OFF OR ON. --THE SOUND CAN BE VERY LOUD AND VERY DISTRACTING WHILE DRIVING. THE SOUND FIRST APPEARED WHILE AT IDLE, CONTINUED WHILE DRIVING, --RELATED?--PASSENGER MENTIONED FEELING MILD ELECTRIC SHOCK AT THE SAME TIME. *AK

WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUTS DOWN WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSE UNKNOWN. MALFUNCTION COULD POSSIBLY BE OCCURRING WITHIN SPEEDODMETER. *AK CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER FOUND THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM WAS ACTUALLY THE CAUSE OF THE VEHICLE SHUTTING DOWN.*SLC

AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR FROZE UP, THIS CAUSED BELT TO SHRED, PART OF THE BELT THAT SHREDDED WAS OVER IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT, HAD NO WARNING EXCEPT AIR CONDITIONER WAS NOT COOLING PROPERLY, CONTACTED DEALER, AND WROTE LETTER TO SUBARU MANUFACTURER. *AK *SLC