1990 Subaru Legacy Latches, locks and linkages Problems
- Complaints
- 19about this part
- Share
- 23%of 81 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 72,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 19 complaints about the latches, locks and linkages of the 1990 Subaru Legacy, 23% of the 81 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 72,000 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10040136, filed 2003-09, 40,000 miles“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??”
NHTSA complaint #744906, filed 2001-05“Door locks fail in the locked position and will not stay open without manually holding the lock open. The door cannot be opened unless you use one hand to hold the lock open and the other to pull the handle. If you cannot reach the door lock with 2 hands you are a virtual captive unless someone helps from either the inside or outside.”
NHTSA complaint #704214, filed 1999-03“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.”
NHTSA complaint #8003975, filed 2002-02“After door lock is pulled, lock would reengage by itself. Can press down/up on door lever & it locks. Would need to hold latch up & press down/up on lever to open door. Have taken to dealer & have latch/lock repaired.”
NHTSA complaint #823128, filed 1998-05Related recalls
- 90V184000Oct 16, 1990Torque 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.Covers: Subaru Legacy 1990–1991
Latches, locks and linkages: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 1 | 1% |
| 1999 | 2 | 2% |
| 1998 | 3 | 3% |
| 1997 | 6 | 4% |
| 1996 | 2 | 2% |
| 1995 | 7 | 4% |
| 1994 | 1 | 2% |
| 1993 | 1 | 1% |
| 1992 | 1 | 2% |
| 1991 | 14 | 18% |
| 1990 | 19 | 23% |
Other parts of the 1990 Subaru Legacy
19 complaintsSeat belts
14 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
14 complaintsVehicle speed control
5 complaintsBrakes
4 complaintsFuel system
4 complaintsEquipment
3 complaintsSuspension
3 complaintsEngine cooling
2 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaintsElectrical system
1 complaintsSeats
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1990 Subaru Legacy
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology