1997 Subaru Legacy Problems, Recalls & Reliability
179 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 1997 Subaru Legacy, alongside 6 recall campaigns and 1 defect investigation. It scores 60/100 on the trouble index — one of the years to avoid for this model. Engine leads the reports, typically around 104,706 miles.
Avoid this year if you can. The 1997 Subaru Legacy sits at the top of this model's complaint rankings. Quieter picks in the same family: 2004, 2007, 2021–2022.
Avoid
Where 1997 sits among all Legacy years
What owners report
“I am sure you have received other complaints regarding the 2.5l engine in 1997 subaru legacy gt's. The head gaskets are very weak, which when they blow, can cause a loss of power due to a rush of coolant flowing into the system, which kills the engine. This problem is very widespread, and subaru…”— owner report to NHTSA, 1997 Legacy
“Extended stopping distance under full braking pressure -- caused rear-end collision”— owner report to NHTSA, 1997 Legacy
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 30 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 92,706 miles. Half of those reports fall between 75,000 and 136,000 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (6)
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…
Fix: 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…
THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE AN ALTERNATOR PROBLEM THAT CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF…
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR WITH A MODIFIED ALTERNATOR. OWNERS WILL ALSO BE CAUTIONED THAT, SHOULD THE ALTERNATOR TELLTALE WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATE, THEY MUST SEEK IMMEDIATE REPAIR TO AVOID…
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.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE IF NECESSARY THE FRONT SUSPENSION SUPPORT BRACKETS.
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.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER ASSEMBLIES (EXCEPT THE HANDLE GRIP).
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.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE THROTTLE BODY AND REPLACE THE THROTTLE ASSEMBLY IF THE BEARING IS MISSING.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. INSUFFICIENT CLEARANCE WITHIN THE HAZARD WARNING LIGHT SWITCH HOUSING CAN CAUSE A BINDING BETWEEN THE ACTUATING BUTTON AND THE HOUSING.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A MODIFIED HAZARD WARNING SWITCH.
Federal defect investigations
Led to recall campaign 00I002000.
Technical service bulletins
38 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on electrical and transmission & drivetrain — are on file for the 1997 Subaru Legacy. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.
See the 1997 Legacy TSB list →
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 1997 Subaru Legacy reliable?
The 1997 Subaru Legacy drew 179 complaints in federal safety records — one of the years to avoid for this model. Its trouble index is 60/100, scored against the model's worst year (1995).
What are the most common 1997 Subaru Legacy problems?
The top reported problems for the 1997 Subaru Legacy are engine (34 complaints), brakes & stability (31), and electrical (22).
At what mileage do 1997 Subaru Legacy problems show up?
Owners most often report 1997 Subaru Legacy problems around 92,706 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 75,000 and 136,000 miles.
Does the 1997 Subaru Legacy have recalls?
6 recall campaigns apply to the 1997 Subaru Legacy. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.