1997 Subaru Legacy Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 9about this part
- Share
- 6%of 139 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 97,255miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the fuel system of the 1997 Subaru Legacy, 6% of the 139 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 97,255 miles.
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.
“Car was sometimes difficult to start, other times it would stall/hesitate when in motion on city street. Discovered to be caused by aged/worn fuel pump causing overcurrent draw that fails to blow fuse causing meltdown in wiring harness connector where pigtail from pump connects to the chassis side of the wiring harness. Heat/spark potential is created in close proximity to fuel tank that has many reported cases of fuel filler neck rusting off and leaking fuel. A quick google search reveals that a number of people, with photos, have experienced this failure. …”
NHTSA complaint #11375007, filed 2020-11, 97,255 miles“When the gas tank is filled above half a tank, fuel leaks onto the ground in large amounts near the rear of the vehicle. This is extremely dangerous since a spark or cigarette would cause an explosion.”
NHTSA complaint #10551508, filed 2013-11, 199,932 miles“1997 Subaru Legacy gt 2.5l engine, approx. 92k miles, engine started overheating. Car was taken to two different repair facilities and diagnosed as blown head gasket after pressure test, block test, no signs of leaking. Car had been serviced faithfully by original owner at Subaru dealerships since purchase. I found out this is a common problem from repair facilities with this model and engine but when questioned Subaru dealership they said it couldn't have happened as head gasket and cooling system are not related (?) and problem was a cracked block or cylinder. …”
NHTSA complaint #10662887, filed 2014-12, 92,000 miles“The contact owns a 1997 Subaru Legacy. The vehicle is leaking gasoline from the filler tube. The dealer stated that the repair would be the contact's responsibility because there was no safety recall. The VIN was unknown. The current mileage was 140,000 and failure mileage was 136,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10242783, filed 2008-09, 136,000 miles“Fuel tank filler pipe rotted out. Plastic shield over filler neck traps sand. Steel filler pipe rusts where wet sand is trapped against it. Intermittent fuel leak depending on fuel level was the first symptom of problem (marks on driveway). Only fuel in filler pipe leaks. Dealership staff suggested this is a common occurrence.”
NHTSA complaint #10158980, filed 2006-06Fuel system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 17% |
| 2020 | 1 | 1% |
| 2019 | 5 | 4% |
| 2018 | 8 | 7% |
| 2017 | 4 | 3% |
| 2016 | 3 | 2% |
| 2015 | 15 | 9% |
| 2014 | 1 | 2% |
| 2013 | 1 | 2% |
| 2012 | 2 | 2% |
| 2011 | 7 | 4% |
| 2010 | 5 | 3% |
| 2009 | 1 | 2% |
| 2008 | 3 | 5% |
| 2006 | 16 | 18% |
| 2005 | 27 | 15% |
| 2004 | 5 | 10% |
| 2003 | 9 | 15% |
| 2002 | 15 | 28% |
| 2001 | 19 | 25% |
| 2000 | 5 | 5% |
| 1999 | 7 | 7% |
| 1998 | 8 | 7% |
| 1997 | 9 | 6% |
| 1996 | 8 | 7% |
| 1995 | 18 | 10% |
| 1994 | 4 | 7% |
| 1993 | 2 | 3% |
| 1992 | 2 | 4% |
| 1991 | 1 | 1% |
| 1990 | 4 | 5% |
Other parts of the 1997 Subaru Legacy
31 complaintsBrakes
27 complaintsElectrical system
17 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
17 complaintsAir bags
10 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 30, 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