1997 Subaru Legacy engine problems
30 complaints about engine have been filed for the 1997 Subaru Legacy, which is 17% of all its NHTSA complaints. It is the 2nd most reported problem area for this model year.
At a glance
- Complaints
- 30 17% of this year's complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 0 and 2
- Injuries and deaths
- 1 and 0
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
What the data shows
These complaints mention 2 fires, 1 injury.
What owners wrote
Entire bottom surface to the engine was covered with rustproofing causing illness (chest tightness, breathing difficulty, dizziness and confusion, from leakage of fumes into compartment.
Sudden overheating occurring mostly above 60 km/h symptoms included large pockets of air in cooling system as well as small bubbles. First thought by mechanic was head gasket, however tests on coolant showed otherwise. Small leak found in water pump gasket, replaced entire pump and gasket, as well as thermostat, belts, hoses, etc. Current research has proven that years 1997 through 2002 all do this as a result of a design flaw that causes the head gasket to fail.
Other problems reported for the 1997 Subaru Legacy
- Brakes 31 complaints
- Electrical system 18 complaints