1994 Subaru Legacy Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 8%of 60 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 159,470miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1994 Subaru Legacy, 8% of the 60 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 159,470 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
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.
“1994 Subaru Legacy transmission will not shift out of 1st gear. After car warms up, within a short distance the transmission fails altogether and the car will not move. After a cooling off period, the car will proceed for a short duration. This is apparently a common issue due to design deficiencies causing an over heating and component failure. It is not corrected yet.”
NHTSA complaint #10248928, filed 2008-11, 159,470 miles“While driving down the freeway, driver observed smoke coming from rear of vehicle. The vehicle was pulled to the side of the road, both driver and passenger exited safely, and observed flames coming from the area under the rear of the car (station wagon body, awd model) above the differential and near the gas tank. Responders quenched the fire. The vehicle was examined and found that the wiring for the fuel pump had the insulation melted off, the fuel pump gasket was comprimised, and there was evidence of flames having been in the area. …”
NHTSA complaint #10116510, filed 2005-04“While accelerating onto a freeway on-ramp, the overdrive went out, causing loss of power. Driver was able to shift to 3rd gear and get disabled vehicle off the freeway.”
NHTSA complaint #540635, filed 1998-09Transmission 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 1994 Subaru Legacy
26 complaintsBrakes
6 complaintsAir bags
5 complaintsEngine cooling
4 complaintsFuel system
4 complaintsSteering
4 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaintsSuspension
2 complaintsTires
2 complaintsVehicle speed control
2 complaintsElectrical system
1 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1994 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