What is the fuel economy of a 1990 Subaru Legacy?

EPA figures for the 1990 Subaru Legacy reach 22 MPG combined depending on configuration; the table on this page lists every tested engine and transmission combination.

Are there recalls on the 1990 Subaru Legacy?

NHTSA lists 4 safety recall campaigns for the 1990 Subaru Legacy. Check your specific vehicle by VIN on the official NHTSA site - recalls are fixed free of charge by dealers.

What are common problems with the 1990 Subaru Legacy?

Owners have filed 47 complaints with NHTSA for the 1990 Subaru Legacy, most often about: Latches/locks/linkages, Structure, Seat Belts. Complaint counts reflect what owners report, not confirmed defects.

Subaru · 1990

1990 Subaru Legacy

Official EPA fuel economy and NHTSA recall record, best combined figure 22 MPG.

The Subaru Legacy is a mid-size car built by Japanese automobile manufacturer Subaru from 1989 to 2025. The maker's flagship car, it is unique in its class for offering all-wheel drive as a standard feature, and Subaru's traditional boxer engine.

Fuel economy (EPA)

Engine	Transmission	Fuel	City	Highway	Combined	CO2 g/mi
2.2L 4-cyl	Automatic 4-spd	Regular	19	26	21	423
2.2L 4-cyl	Manual 5-spd	Regular	19	26	22	404

Safety recalls (NHTSA)

4 campaigns on record for this model year. Recall repairs are free at dealers; check your exact vehicle by VIN on nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Campaign 90V110000

THE DEFROSTER LEVER PIN OF THE DEFROSTER SHUTTER DOOR MAY BECOME DISLOCATED AND ALLOW THE SHUTTER TO CLOSE, PREVENTING DEFROSTER FROM FUNCTIONING.

Campaign 90V184000

TORQUE OF LATCH SCREWS ON FRONT DOORS MAY LOOSEN OVER TIME DUE TO A GAP BETWEEN THE LATCH BASE PLATE AND INNER DOOR PANEL UNDER THE SCREW HEAD.

Campaign 91V082000

UNDER CERTAIN LOAD CONDITIONS, THE PARK GEAR MAY NOT DISENGAGE IMMEDIATELY WHEN THE TRANSMISSION LEVER IS MOVED FROM PARK TO REVERSE.

Campaign 94V052000

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 AND PUSH OUT THE REAR OIL SEAL, CAUSING TRANSMISSION OIL LEAKAGE. THE LACK OF LUBRICATION CAN BURN TH

Owner complaints (NHTSA)

47 complaints filed by owners for this model year (4 involving a crash, 1 a fire). Complaints are owner reports, not confirmed defects - browse them in full on nhtsa.gov.

Latches/locks/linkages 9 Structure 9 Seat Belts 8

Decode this car's VIN All Subaru models EU CO2 & registrations

Sources: EPA fueleconomy.gov, the NHTSA recalls, complaints and 5-Star Safety Ratings databases (all US public data), refreshed monthly. Recall texts are quoted from the official record. Details on About & Data Sources.