1997 Subaru Legacy: common problems and reliability

The 1997 Subaru Legacy has 146 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 6 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are engine and engine cooling and service brakes. Owners most often flag poor fuel economy — described as significantly worse than epa estimates and segment competitors, affecting all models. frequency: very frequent.

Safety record for the 1997 model year

146
Owner complaints
6
Recalls
18
Crash reports
3
Fire reports

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 1997 Subaru Legacy vehicles (US, public record).

Where owners report problems

engine and engine cooling
32
service brakes
27
hydraulic
27
electrical system
17
power train
17

Recalls affecting the 1997 Legacy

electrical system:alternator/generator/regulator

Campaign 00I002000

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…

suspension:front:springs:coil springs

Campaign 01V216000

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, MASSACHUSETT…

exterior lighting:hazard flashing warning lights:switch

Campaign 97V210000

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

suspension:front:springs:leaf spring assembly:hanger,bracket

Campaign 98V091000

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.

What owners say across generations

Mixed sentiment with a strong generational divide. Long-term owner reports for older generations (pre-2010) frequently praise the 3.0R and 3.6R flat-six engines for smoothness and potential longevity, with some examples cited as reaching over 200,000 and even

  • Poor fuel economy — described as significantly worse than EPA estimates and segment competitors, affecting all models. Frequency: very frequent.
  • CVT transmission reliability concerns — early failures, especially in models from approximately 2014-2015; jerky behavior when cold; requires diligent fluid service. Frequency: very frequent.
  • Infotainment system problems — laggy, unresponsive touchscreen (particularly in models with large screens); system crashes; screen delamination in 2015-2019 models. Frequency: recurrent.
  • Engine issues (varies by generation) — head gasket failures on older models (pre-2010); oil pan leaks on newer turbo models; isolated catastrophic engine failures. Frequency: recurrent.
  • Excessive corrosion/rust — severe rust on rear wheel arches, strut towers, and sills on older models, especially in regions using road salt. Frequency: recurrent.

Owner insights cover all generations of the Legacy.

Typical used price

Used Legacy listings typically run $11,500–$22,749 across 2003 to 2025 model years.

Other Legacy model years

2022 Legacy2019 Legacy2017 Legacy2014 Legacy2012 Legacy2009 Legacy2008 Legacy2007 Legacy2006 Legacy2005 Legacy2004 Legacy2003 Legacy2002 Legacy2001 Legacy1998 Legacy1996 Legacy
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