The 1993 Subaru Legacy has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 31,295 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 90 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the air bags. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
POWER TRAIN94V0520001994-03-2331,295 affected
Defect
WHEN THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN CONTINUOUSLY UNDER EXTREMELY COLD TEMPERATURES (-22 DEGREES F.) AND HIGH HUMIDITY WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE TRANSMISSION BREATHING (AIR) VENT CAN BE BLOCKED DUE TO MOISTURE FREEZING AT THE OIL LEVEL GAUGE. IF THIS OCCURS, PRESSURE INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION CASE WILL INCREASE AND PUSH OUT THE…
Consequence
SUDDEN STOPS WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING CAN CAUSE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS TO BE THROWN AROUND THE VEHICLE AND CAUSE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL WHICH CAN RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE OIL GAUGE PIPE AND MODIFY THE OIL LEVEL GAUGE (DIPSTICK) OR REPLACE IT, DEPENDING ON THE TYPE OF DIPSTICK IN THE VEHICLE.
Complaints by component
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
9
7crashes6injuries
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
8
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
7
SEAT BELTS
7
1fires
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
7
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
5
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
5
1crashes
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
5
1injuries
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
4
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
2
Total complaints90
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Two year old tires (all 4, purchased at same time) have circumferential cracks in tread grooves - tire seller says these are very abnormal and is replacing all of them. Have only 20,000 miles of wear on tires rated for 80,000. No catastrophic failures. Tires a goodrich traction t/a 195/60r15 88h.…”
“Dt*: the contact stated there was a recall on the vehicle, nhtsa #94v052000 concerning the manual transmission. The recall work was performed prior to purchase. The transmission locked up while driving 25 mph. The vehicle was towed to an independent repair shop, but has not been inspected.”
“Dt: the contact stated the shoulder harness on both front seat belts did not provide adequate restraint when in use. The straps gave way when properly buckled. The seat belts were not covered under warranty. He purchased replacement straps and planned to replace the straps himself. *ak”
“The consumer purchased four new firestone tires. The right rear tire went flat. The vehicle was parked. The cord that meets the rim of the wheel separated from the tire. Contacted the manufacturer was told she could purchase another tire for half price. Please provide any further information. *jb”
“Transmission problem with legacy. *bf the consumer stated that his vehicle will not shift past the second gear. *tc”
“Dear sir/madam: thanks for help. T is threaten to thousands subaru car drivers, like firestone tires threaten to thousands car drivers using firestone tires.*ak I have a 93 4d legacy sedan, it have a problem for 4 month, some time car uncontrollable to slowdown to 10 to 20 mph and some time engine…”
“Dear sir/madam: thanks for help. It is threaten to thousands subaru car drivers, like firestone tires threaten to thousands car drivers using firestone tires. I have a 93 4d legacy sedan, it have a problem since 1994 and become very bad since 7/2000, some time car uncontrollable to slowdown to 10…”
“Dear sir/madam: thanks for help. It is threaten to thousands subaru car drivers, like firestone tires threaten to thousands car drivers using firestone tires. I have a 93 4d legacy sedan, it have a problem since 1994 and become very bad since 7/2000, some time car uncontrollable to slowdown to 10…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1993 Subaru Legacy as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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