Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1996 Subaru Legacy owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I have a 1996 Subaru Legacy l with an intermittent engine miss with a p0304 (miss in cylinder 4) code. Most of the time it runs fine but when it misses, it is very violent. It seems to resonate. Changing speed usually makes it go away. When it first started, it only occurred once a month. Over the past year, and after several mechanics visits, it now occurs nearly every trip.I have replaced spark plugs (yes ngk), spark plug wires (Subaru original equipment), gas filter, air filter, coil, pcv valve, knock sensor, cam and crankshaft sensors. The injectors have been swapped between cylinders. I have been to an independent mechanic twice. On the second trip he gave up and advised I go to a Subaru dealer. After two visits to the Subaru dealer, I've spent several hundred additional dollars and still have the problem. …
After a prolonged period of smelling burning oil, a mechanic found defective seals on the crankshaft pulley and elsewhere. This has now happened three times. The details are essentially identical to those described in complaint odi id#855347. In two cases, this has resulted in fouled timing belts, which had to be replaced. In the last case -- March '03 at 90,000 miles -- the valve cover gaskets failed as well. Plainly the seals, their design, or the geometry of the engine fitting itself is defective.
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 $1000.00 in repairs.
While traveling at 35 MPH head gasket blew out, driver lost power steering, and engine died. Vehicle was towed to a mechanic, who indicated that engine needed to be replaced along with some other components.
1996 Subaru Legacy, brighton model sw 65,000 miles I purchased the vehicle new. I have had plugs and wires replaced several times in the past year. This last time one plug wire and plug was bad. The problem I was having was when accelerating at high speeds there was a miss or hesitation in the engine as well as the a shaking. Also, the check engine light came on. This also happens more often when the vehicle is cold or when it is cold outside. My local dealer finally believes it is a bad valve guide. He dropped the exhaust manifold and could see one of the guides having down from there. I have not had this fixed yet, I just found this out 1-2-04. I understand there has been several Legacy's which were made in 1995 and 1996 that have had this problem. I have also seen a complaint which was filed at this web site regarding the same problem it is odi id no. 732588. …
Subaru Legacy has had a widely reported history of a hesitation or highspeed miss. In the case of this vehicle, it was returned for service five times with the #1 valve guide replaced twice. In 2000, Subaru dealership in catonsville md. Identified the problem from compression test as a "miscast cylinder head" and replaced on warranty. However, this problem was not addressed for four years, and we wonder if Subaru knows of this problem in casting cylinder heads and has not conducted a voluntary recall. The carguys on pbs have had four similar complaints over the last year regarding Subaru Legacy and outback vehicles which sound similar in complaint to this vehicle. The symptoms are a high speed misfire on a cylinder (60 MPH) and subsequent setting of the check engine light. Another service dealer informed us that subarus are known for "bad valves". …
Engine failed , loud knocking at engine startup. Subaru replaced entire engine short-block at 18K miles. Replacement engine failed at 19K miles operation with same problem (or 37K miles on car). Subaru claims it is a piston related problem. After many complaints to Subaru, they have agreed to repair it. Currently at the dealer getting new: pistons, pins, rods and bearings as needed. This is a wide spread problem that Subaru is now telling dealers and owners "it is a normal operating noise if the noise goes away after 5 minutes of operation". It is not normal ! And in my opinion will only get worse if not repaired. I plan to sell my car after repaired.
While driving engine light becomes illuminated, then cuts off. Engine will turn over when restarted. Dealer was contacted, but was unable to locate problem. Consumer states the vehicle will fail at the same place daily, was told by a Subaru engineer that the vehicle had lifters installed which were too small and suggested that only very thin synthetic oil be used, consumer tried this and vehicle operates normally for about 1200 miles, dealer has replaced the following to try and correct probleml maf sensor, crank and cam sensors, plugs and wires, coil, computer, starter, altnernator, ignition switch, and timing belt.
The front crank seal started leaking for the second time at approximately 102,000 miles. The original seal starting leaking at approximately 44,000 miles and was replaced under warranty at 59,195 miles. Heavy smoke and a strong burning odor is emitted from the sides and front of the engine area. In addition, smoke will be emitted from the center dash HVAC vents. The car just failed pa state inspection on 11/1/01 as the seal is leaking badly and is considered a fire hazard. I contacted Subaru of America via email on 10/2/01 but have not received a reply. I contacted them again on 11/1/01 and 11/2/01 but still no reply.
On August the 12 after going up a steep hill the engine started missing really bad to the point I thought it was going to quit . This problem has been reoccuring every time the car is driven. I contacted my dealer on August the 11 and they had me to bring in the car to decarbon the engine . This didnot stop the problem. Itook the car back to the dealer on sept. 12 to have it decarboned again. The service manager told me that Subaru has known about this problem for a year and a half and still has no known fix for this lost power and rough engine problem which they say is due to carbon build up in the engine.
Engine complaints in other Legacy years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 1996 Subaru Legacy?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 1996 Subaru Legacy, 18% of the model year's 123 complaints. The component named most often is engine › gasoline (11 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1996 Subaru Legacy engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 1996 Subaru Legacy, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1996 Subaru Legacy engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 75,000 miles, and 20% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.