1992 Subaru Legacy Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 9%of 55 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 163,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1992 Subaru Legacy, 9% of the 55 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 163,000 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“While driving 65 MPH transmission failed without warning. As a result vehicle lost power, forcing driver to veer off the road. Dealer stated that transmission breathing vents were blocked due to fluid freezing. A recall 94v052000 was issued,however this vehicle was not included due to VIN.”
NHTSA complaint #10063583, filed 2004-03, 163,000 miles“While driving, experienced tire blow out, replaced tire with temporary (t-tire), drove approx. 20 miles to nearest garage at 45mph, as direct result from using t-tire, noticed rubber burning smell, rear differential severly overheated, causing damage to rear axel.”
NHTSA complaint #809694, filed 1997-03“Manual 5-speed transmission locked up while a right hand turn out of parking lot and shifting from 1st to 2nd gear. Without warning the front wheels locked, vehicle wa sthrown into a skid and brought it to a complete stop.”
NHTSA complaint #807197, filed 1997-01“When driving there was a loud knocking noise coming from the front of the vehicle. Also, the vehicle will freeze up on the road, and when in third/fourth and fifth gear can hear the knocking noise.”
NHTSA complaint #831539, filed 1998-12Related recalls
- 94V052000Mar 23, 1994When the vehicle is driven continuously under extremely cold temperatures (-22 degrees f.) and high humidity weather conditions, the transmission breathing…Covers: Subaru Legacy 1990–1993, Loyale 1990–1993, XT6 1990–1993
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 3% |
| 2021 | 2 | 6% |
| 2020 | 7 | 6% |
| 2019 | 1 | 1% |
| 2018 | 2 | 2% |
| 2017 | 4 | 3% |
| 2016 | 13 | 9% |
| 2015 | 15 | 9% |
| 2014 | 6 | 11% |
| 2013 | 12 | 18% |
| 2012 | 34 | 38% |
| 2011 | 47 | 28% |
| 2010 | 50 | 33% |
| 2009 | 2 | 3% |
| 2008 | 6 | 9% |
| 2007 | 1 | 3% |
| 2006 | 8 | 9% |
| 2005 | 13 | 7% |
| 2004 | 2 | 4% |
| 2003 | 5 | 8% |
| 2002 | 7 | 13% |
| 2001 | 2 | 3% |
| 2000 | 14 | 15% |
| 1999 | 18 | 19% |
| 1998 | 14 | 12% |
| 1997 | 17 | 12% |
| 1996 | 8 | 7% |
| 1995 | 9 | 5% |
| 1994 | 5 | 8% |
| 1993 | 9 | 12% |
| 1992 | 5 | 9% |
| 1991 | 16 | 21% |
| 1990 | 14 | 17% |
Other parts of the 1992 Subaru Legacy
22 complaintsBody and structure
7 complaintsTires
5 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaintsEngine cooling
4 complaintsElectrical system
3 complaintsAir bags
2 complaintsFuel system
2 complaintsVehicle speed control
2 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsEquipment
1 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1992 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