7.2

pretty bad
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
7,696 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1996 Subaru Legacy electrical problems

electrical problem

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1996 Subaru Legacy Owner Comments

problem #7

Aug 122004

Legacy

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While driving the battery warning light came on followed by engine stalling. Vehicle was towed to a service station, who indicated that this occurred because of alternator failure. The alternator and battery were replaced. The failure recurred. An alternator recall 00I002000 was issued, but this vehicle was not included due to VIN.

- Baldwin, NY, USA

problem #6

May 072003

(reported on)

Legacy

  • miles
While driving vehicle shut down. The dealer indicated that the alternator was bad and stated that it was recalled for Legacy models but not GT Legacy models.

- Joplin, MO, USA

problem #5

Apr 132002

Legacy 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 53,869 miles
While driving engine stalled, lost all power.battery acid was leaking from battery cap. Alternator failed which melted fuse box. Battery lost all charging capacity. Dealer contacted. Over a $1000 in repairs.

- Mtka, MN, USA

problem #4

May 241999

Legacy 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Alternator failed.

- Twin Peaks, CA, USA

problem #3

Jul 011999

Legacy 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving on the highway alternator malfunctioned, causing the electrical system to completely shut down. Cause unknown.

- Ashville, NC, USA

problem #2

Apr 141998

Legacy 4WD

  • miles
Was returning from a friends house and the entire electrical system shut down. Car was towed to the local Subaru dealership, where it was worked on for 3 1/2 weeks. They were never able to figure out what happened, so they told Subaru of America that it was an "outside source" (whatever that is) that caused the problem. They also insinuated that I had done something and had neglected to tell them. They were very rude, and not at all helpful. I recently found out from a certified Subaru mechanic that there were some problems with the alternators in some of the Subaru's which caused the main fuse to blow. Interesting that that is what happened to my car, but no one seemed to be able to make the connection. I had to pay for the repairs, and deal with the rudeness of the dealer as well as the customer service folks at Subaru of America. I would have expected someone along the way to have had some knowledge of problems such as this, and I would also have expected to have been treated a little better as a paying customer who simply wanted to find out what was wrong with their car. They should also be able to provide a better answer to my questions than that it was caused by an "outside source". when there are equipment or parts problems, people should be notified. Minimally, the Subaru mechanics should be aware of problems. What a disappointment it has been to own a Subaru.

- Dayton, VA, USA

problem #1

Jan 181999

Legacy 4WD

  • miles
When car started after having stopped for 3 hours, battery warning light and brake warning light illuminated. Checked brakes/fluid and alternator belt - no problem found. Continued driving; various lights, including "check engine light" continued to go on and off. Car finally stalled on highway and had to be towed to dealer. Alternator replaced.

- Minnetonka, MN, USA

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