Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 70 complaints with NHTSA about the 1992 Subaru Legacy, and it carries 2 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Seat belts | 21 | 30% |
| Structure | 7 | 10% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 7 | 10% |
| Tires | 4 | 6% |
| Power train | 4 | 6% |
| Visibility | 4 | 6% |
| Vehicle speed control | 3 | 4% |
| Electrical system | 3 | 4% |
| Air bags | 2 | 3% |
| Service brakes | 2 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
I BOUGHT MY YOUNGEST SON A 1992 SUBARU LEGACY STATION WAGON. I WENT TO FILL THE GAS TANK AND WHEN I GOT HOME YOU COULD SMELL GAS FUMES VERY STRONGLY AND LATER WE COULD SEE WHERE IT HAD LEAKED ONTO THE GROUND. I ASKED MY
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
CRACKS APPEAR IN CIRCUMFERENTIAL SIPES AFTER 9,000 MILES / 1 YR 10 MO. THIS OCCURRED IN ALL 4 TIRES. SNOWY NORTHEAST CLIMATE, PROPERLY INFLATED TO 29-30 PSI. SIMILAR CRACKING OCCURRED ON IDENTICAL TIRE MODEL ALMOST 2 Y
NHTSA complaint: Tires
1) TRAVELING ON I-10 WEST APPROACHING WILCOX, AZ. PASSED UP DIESEL, DIESEL CROSSED INTO LANE (POSSIBLY DUE TO HEAVY CROSSWINDS PROMINENT IN AREA), LOST CONTROL OF CAR AND ROLLED TWICE OFF THE HIGHWAY. 2) ROOF CAVED IN O
NHTSA complaint: Steering
WHILE DRIVING IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC AND UPON PUTTING FOOT ON THE CLUTCH AND THE BRAKES VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD. IT FELT LIKE THE VEHICLE WAS TRYING TO PUSH SOMETHING VERY HEAVY OUT OF THE WAY. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH TRANSMISSION FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT VEHICLE LOST POWER, FORCING DRIVER TO VEER OFF THE ROAD. DEALER STATED THAT TRANSMISSION BREATHING VENTS WERE BLOCKED DUE TO FLUID FREEZING. A RECAL
NHTSA complaint: Power train
THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN ACCIDENT, CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO BE REPAIRED. DEALERSHIP PRESENTED VEHICLE REPAIRS AS COMPLETE, CONSUMER DISAGREED.*MR REAR GATE RELOCATED. SWITCH CONTROLLING CARGO LAMP AND STATUS PANEL
NHTSA complaint: Structure
SEVERAL TULSA DEALERS UNABLE/UNWILLING TO REPAIR SMALL NAIL PUNCTURE OF FT70C TIRE. STATE "THIS TIRE NOT MADE TO BE REPAIRED-SELF SEALING" CONTINUAL LOSS OF AIR NECESSITATES CONSTANT REFILLING. PREVIOUS TIRE REPAIRED B
NHTSA complaint: Tires
MICHELIN TIRES KEEP BLOWING OUT. THE SIDEWALLS ARE SEPARATING FROM THE TIRES. PH
NHTSA complaint: Tires
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1992 Subaru Legacy. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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 A
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
A MISALIGNMENT OF THE REAR SEAT CUSHION LATCHING BRACKET REINFORCEMENT PLATE TO THE FLOOR REQUIRED A MACHINE TAP TO CLEAR THE OPENING FOR A MOUNTING BOLT. THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK MAY HAVE BEEN PUNCTURED WHEN THE TAP WAS USED.
Risk: THE PUNCTURE IN THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK COULD CAUSE FUELTO LEAK, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE WHEN LEAKS OCCUR NEAR A SOURCE OFIGNITION.
Fix: INSPECT THE FUEL TANKS; REPLACE THEM IF THEY ARE PUNCTURED.
| Reliability raw | 85 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 83 | excellent |
| Maintenance | 79 | good |
| Depreciation | 72 | good |
| Performance | 57 | average |
| Efficiency | 38 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 70 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and seat belts is the most reported area with 21 of them (30%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 85/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 83/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1992 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 74/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.