What is the fuel economy of a 1997 Subaru Legacy?

EPA figures for the 1997 Subaru Legacy reach 24 MPG combined depending on configuration; the table on this page lists every tested engine and transmission combination.

Are there recalls on the 1997 Subaru Legacy?

NHTSA lists 6 safety recall campaigns for the 1997 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 1997 Subaru Legacy?

Owners have filed 104 complaints with NHTSA for the 1997 Subaru Legacy, most often about: Engine And Engine Cooling, Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical System. Complaint counts reflect what owners report, not confirmed defects.

Subaru · 1997

1997 Subaru Legacy

Official EPA fuel economy and NHTSA recall record, best combined figure 24 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	21	29	24	370

Safety recalls (NHTSA)

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

Campaign 97V210000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. INSUFFICIENT CLEARANCE WITHIN THE HAZARD WARNING LIGHT SWITCH HOUSING CAN CAUSE A BINDING BETWEEN THE ACTUATING BUTTON AND THE HOUSING.

Campaign 98V035000

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.

Campaign 98V091000

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.

Campaign 98V042000

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.

Campaign 00I002000

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.

Campaign 01V216000

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 CO

Owner complaints (NHTSA)

104 complaints filed by owners for this model year (7 involving a crash, 2 a fire). Complaints are owner reports, not confirmed defects - browse them in full on nhtsa.gov.

Engine And Engine Cooling 26 Service Brakes, Hydraulic 14 Electrical System 10

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.