1997 Subaru Legacy Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 10about this part
- Share
- 7%of 139 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 64,941miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 10 complaints about the air bags of the 1997 Subaru Legacy, 7% of the 139 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 64,941 miles. 7 of these say a crash was involved, 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.
“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10002691, filed 2003-01, 49,882 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10238404, filed 2008-08, 80,000 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10049965, filed 2003-12“Airbag light stays on while driving, indicating there is a problem with airbag system which may deploy inadvertently or not deploy at all in a crash. Dealer said needs to replace airbag system. Please provide further information.”
NHTSA complaint #838163, filed 1999-05“While driving 60 to 65mph vehicle's left front end hit another vehicle head-on, and neither driver's side nor passenger's side airbags deployed, resulting in injuries. Dealer has not seen vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #852980, filed 1999-12Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 17% |
| 2024 | 3 | 18% |
| 2023 | 2 | 20% |
| 2022 | 2 | 6% |
| 2021 | 6 | 19% |
| 2020 | 1 | 1% |
| 2018 | 3 | 3% |
| 2017 | 7 | 6% |
| 2016 | 2 | 1% |
| 2015 | 10 | 6% |
| 2014 | 14 | 26% |
| 2013 | 14 | 21% |
| 2012 | 11 | 12% |
| 2011 | 25 | 15% |
| 2010 | 28 | 19% |
| 2009 | 31 | 48% |
| 2008 | 25 | 38% |
| 2007 | 12 | 36% |
| 2006 | 13 | 15% |
| 2005 | 21 | 11% |
| 2004 | 26 | 53% |
| 2003 | 16 | 27% |
| 2002 | 1 | 2% |
| 2001 | 3 | 4% |
| 2000 | 3 | 3% |
| 1999 | 11 | 12% |
| 1998 | 11 | 10% |
| 1997 | 10 | 7% |
| 1996 | 22 | 18% |
| 1995 | 46 | 25% |
| 1994 | 5 | 8% |
| 1993 | 10 | 13% |
| 1992 | 2 | 4% |
| 1991 | 2 | 3% |
Other parts of the 1997 Subaru Legacy
31 complaintsBrakes
27 complaintsElectrical system
17 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
17 complaintsFuel system
9 complaintsSuspension
9 complaintsVehicle speed control
9 complaintsSteering
7 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
6 complaintsOther or unknown
5 complaintsSeat belts
5 complaintsEquipment
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 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