1997 Subaru Legacy Recalls

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 1997 Subaru Legacy. A recall applies only to vehicles built within the affected range, so check your own VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for recalls are free at a franchised dealer.

• 01V216000Jun 25, 2001180,000 vehicles potentially affected
  Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil springs
  Covers: Subaru Legacy 1995–1999, Outback 1995–1999

  Reported issue: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with front coil springs originally sold in or currently registered in the states of connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, kentucky, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new york, new jersey, new hampshire, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, virginia, west virginia, and wisconsin, and in the district of columbia. The front…

  Possible consequence: Depending on the location of the fracture, a broken spring could move past the spring seat and contact a front tire. Some tires have deflated due to contact with a broken spring.

  Remedy: Dealers will notifiy customers to bring their vehicle to an authorize dealership to have a spring guard installed on both front struts to prevent tire puncture and replace any broken springs free of charge. Owner notification began september 18, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an…

  Full campaign details →

• 98V091000May 4, 199829,442 vehicles potentially affected
  Suspension › Front › Springs › Leaf spring assembly › Hanger,bracket
  Covers: Subaru Legacy 1996–1997, Outback 1996–1997

  Reported issue: Vehicle description: passenger station wagon, sedan and sport utility vehicles. Due to improper welding, fractures can occur on the support bracket of the front transverse link.

  Possible consequence: Such fractures can result in partial or complete separation of the bracket causing a failure of the lower suspension mounting, leading to a loss of vehicle control.

  Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace if necessary the front suspension support brackets.

  Full campaign details →

• 98V035000Feb 20, 199861,115 vehicles potentially affected
  Vehicle speed control
  Covers: Subaru Legacy 1997, Outback 1997

  Reported issue: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The throttle shaft ball bearing on the sensor side of the throttle body assembly was not installed in certain throttle bodies.

  Possible consequence: Operation of a vehicle with a missing throttle shaft bearing can eventuallly lead to an incomplete return of the throttle valve resulting in a high idling condition.

  Remedy: Dealers will inspect the throttle body and replace the throttle assembly if the bearing is missing.

  Full campaign details →

• 98V042000Feb 20, 199819,386 vehicles potentially affected
  Power train › Automatic transmission › Gear position indication (prndl)
  Covers: Subaru Legacy 1997–1998, Outback 1997–1998

  Reported issue: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. Due to poor welds, ignition keys can stick, shift levers/linkages can break and shift levers can move.

  Possible consequence: This condition can cause unexpected movement of the vehicle increasing the risk of a crash or property damage.

  Remedy: Dealers will replace the automatic transmission shift lever assemblies (except the handle grip).

  Full campaign details →

• 97V210000Nov 13, 199719,730 vehicles potentially affected
  Exterior lighting › Hazard flashing warning lights › Switch
  Covers: Subaru Legacy 1997

  Reported issue: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Insufficient clearance within the hazard warning light switch housing can cause a binding between the actuating button and the housing.

  Possible consequence: The switch could stick in an intermediate position when deactivating, resulting in the turn signals becoming inoperable.

  Remedy: Dealers will install a modified hazard warning switch.

  Full campaign details →

NHTSA investigations

• PE99067Electrical systemClosed · Nov 1, 1999

← All problems reported for the 1997 Subaru Legacy