Model year guide

1997 Subaru Legacy

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1997 Subaru Legacy is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 18 on record.

1997 Subaru Legacy — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

1997 Subaru Legacy at a glance

Safety recalls6
Owner complaints146
Combined24 mpg
Typical price$1,010

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

1997 Subaru Legacy recalls 6

Electrical System:alternator/generator/regulator NHTSA Campaign #00I002000 · 15/05/2000

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 CHARGING CAPABILITY.

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 THE EVENTUAL LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER, WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ENGINE STALL.

Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs NHTSA Campaign #01V216000 · 25/06/2001

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 YORK, NEW JERSEY, NEW HAMPSHIRE, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA, AND WISCONSIN, AND IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. THE FRONT …

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 CHARGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 18, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZ…

Exterior Lighting:hazard Flashing Warning Lights:switch NHTSA Campaign #97V210000 · 13/11/1997

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.

Suspension:front:springs:leaf Spring Assembly:hanger,bracket NHTSA Campaign #98V091000 · 04/05/1998

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.

Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl) NHTSA Campaign #98V042000 · 20/02/1998

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 Speed Control NHTSA Campaign #98V035000 · 20/02/1998

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.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

1997 Subaru Legacy common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 146 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Gasoline
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Fuel System
Sniff for fuel odor, check for leaks, hard starts or stalling, and confirm the fuel gauge reads correctly.
Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Fuel/propulsion System
Check for fuel or battery warnings, hard starts and stalling. On a hybrid/EV, confirm charging and range behave normally.
Suspension
Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.

1997 Subaru Legacy MPG & running costs

Combined24 mpg
City21 mpg
Highway29 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,550

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 1997 Subaru Legacy worth?

Low
$500
Typical price
$1,010
High
$1,700

From 15 comparable 1997 Subaru Legacy listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 1997 Subaru Legacy costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$12,750
Fuel only$12,750
Per mile$0.17

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

1997 Subaru Legacy trims & engines on record

Trims
Outback Limited · L · GT
Engines
2.5L · 2.2L

1997 Subaru Legacy vehicles on record

Other Subaru Legacy model years

1997 Subaru Legacy — frequently asked questions

Does the 1997 Subaru Legacy have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls for the 1997 Subaru Legacy. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 1997 Subaru Legacy?

Based on 146 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are gasoline, fuel system, engine and engine cooling.

What gas mileage does the 1997 Subaru Legacy get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 1997 Subaru Legacy at about 24 mpg combined (21 city / 29 highway).

How much is a 1997 Subaru Legacy worth?

Comparable 1997 Subaru Legacy listings run roughly $500–$1,700, typically around $1,010 (from 15 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.