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1990 Subaru Legacy LS Wagon

The 1990 Subaru Legacy LS Wagon is a 130-hp 2.2-liter wagon with a 5-speed manual and front-wheel drive. It starts at $15,644 MSRP and is rated at 22 mpg combined.

It makes 130 horsepower at 5,400 rpm and 137 lb-ft of torque at 4400 rpm. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 19 mpg city and 26 mpg highway (22 mpg combined).

The Legacy measures 177.6 inches long on a 101.6-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 2,620 lb.

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeWagon
PowertrainGas
Price
MSRP$15,644 ($38,901 *)
Engine
Engine Type2.2L SOHC 16-valve H4 (EJ22)
Displacement2.2 L
Horsepower130 hp @ 5,400 rpm
Torque137 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm
ValvetrainSOHC, 4 valves per cylinder
Injection TypeElectronic fuel injection
Drivetrain
Drive TypeFWD
Transmission
Transmission5-speed manual
Fuel Economy
City19 MPG
Highway26 MPG
Combined22 MPG
Recommended FuelRegular
Tank Capacity15 gal
Dimensions & Weight
Length177.6 in
Width66.5 in
Height54.3 in
Wheelbase101.6 in
Curb Weight2,620 lbs
Interior
Headroom Front38.2 in
Headroom Rear36 in
Legroom Front42.3 in
Legroom Rear35.4 in
* Amount adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars

Similar cars

Rivals to the 1990 Subaru Legacy LS Wagon with similar size, power and price from around the same years.

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Overall Not rated
Frontal crash Not rated
Frontal – driver ★★★★★
Frontal – passenger ★★★★★
Side crash Not rated
Rollover Not rated
Tested variant: 1990 Subaru Legacy 4-DR.

Recalls

4 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 1990 Subaru LEGACY. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Mar 23, 1994 · POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

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 THE INTERNAL COMPONENTS OF THE TRANSMISSION, CAUSE THE TRANSMISSION TO SEIZE AND THE VEHICLE TO COME TO A SUDDEN STOP.

Consequence: SUDDEN STOPS WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING CAN CAUSE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS TO BE THROWN AROUND THE VEHICLE AND CAUSE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL WHICH CAN RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE OIL GAUGE PIPE AND MODIFY THE OIL LEVEL GAUGE (DIPSTICK) OR REPLACE IT, DEPENDING ON THE TYPE OF DIPSTICK IN THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA campaign 94V052000

May 30, 1991 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

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

Consequence: DELAYED RELEASE OF TRANSMISSION FROM PARK CAUSES DELAYEDAND POSSIBLY ABRUPT VEHICLE MOVEMENT THAT COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLECONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy: INSTALL A MODIFIED PARKING BRAKE PAWL TO PREVENT DELAYED RELEASE INTO REVERSE GEAR.

NHTSA campaign 91V082000

Oct 16, 1990 · LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

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.

Consequence: THE AFFECTED DOOR MAY NOT BE OPENED FROM INSIDE,PREVENTING EXIT FROM THAT DOOR.

Remedy: REPLACE FRONT DOOR LATCH SCREWS WITH "LOCK-TIGHT" SCREWS.

NHTSA campaign 90V184000

Jun 4, 1990 · VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

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

Consequence: NON-FUNCTIONING DEFROSTER WOULD ADVERSELY AFFECT DRIVERVISIBILITY.

Remedy: INSTALL A POSITIONING STOPPER DEVICE TO PREVENT DISLOCATION OF DEFROSTER LEVER PIN TO ASSURE DEFROSTER OPERATION.

NHTSA campaign 90V110000

84 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 1990 Subaru LEGACY

Owner Complaints

84 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1990 Subaru LEGACY (5 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 4 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Structure19
Latches/Locks/Linkages18
Seat Belts14
Power Train12
Vehicle Speed Control5
Fuel System4
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Mar 8, 2005 · Tires
“TIRE BEAD FAILURE WHILE IT WAS MY SPARE & ONLY USED 200 MILES.. *AK”
Sep 1, 2004 · Latches/Locks/Linkages
“THE LOCK/LATCH ON MY CAR'S PASSENGER DOOR IS DEFECTIVE AND THE RECALL 90V18400 DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THE DOOR IS DIFFICULT TO OPEN AND COULD EASIY FAIL ANY DAY AND TRAP MY PASSENGER IN THE CAR. THE…”
Jan 28, 2004 · Power Train
“THE CV BOOTS ON THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE CONSTANTLY NEED REPLACING. *AK”
Sep 17, 2003 · Latches/Locks/Linkages
“THE VEHICLE'S DOOR LOCKS EXPERIENCED THE DEFECT STATED IN RECALL 90 V 184 000 BUT IT'S VIN WAS OUTSIDE OF THE REMEDY SCOPE. THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO REPAIR THE DOOR. *NLM”
Aug 22, 2002 · Exterior Lighting
“HEADLIGHT DEVICE IS PLASTIC, MAKING IT HARD TO SEE WHEN TURNING HEADLIGHTS ON. DEALERSHIP IS NOT AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK THE PLASTIC LENS MATERIAL BECOMES SIGNIFICANTLY LESS TRANSPARENT WITH TIME…”

Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.

Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 1990 SUBARU LEGACY. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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