1990 Subaru Legacy Sedan
All photo credits
- Photo: Subaru Legacy front 20080303 by Rudolf Stricker, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: Subaru Legacy 2.0 GL 4WD by Rutger van der Maar, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: Subaru Legacy sedan in Taiwan by Rutger van der Maar, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 1989 Subaru Legacy by Calreyn88, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: Subaru Legacy rear 20080303 by Rudolf Stricker, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The 1990 Subaru Legacy Sedan is a 130-hp 2.2-liter sedan with a 5-speed manual and front-wheel drive. It starts at $11,694 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 Type | Sedan |
| Powertrain | Gas |
| Price | |
| MSRP | $11,694 ($29,078 *) |
| Engine | |
| Engine Type | 2.2L SOHC 16-valve H4 (EJ22) |
| Displacement | 2.2 L |
| Horsepower | 130 hp @ 5,400 rpm |
| Torque | 137 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm |
| Valvetrain | SOHC, 4 valves per cylinder |
| Injection Type | Electronic fuel injection |
| Drivetrain | |
| Drive Type | FWD |
| Transmission | |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual |
| Fuel Economy | |
| City | 19 MPG |
| Highway | 26 MPG |
| Combined | 22 MPG |
| Recommended Fuel | Regular |
| Tank Capacity | 15 gal |
| Dimensions & Weight | |
| Length | 177.6 in |
| Width | 66.5 in |
| Height | 54.3 in |
| Wheelbase | 101.6 in |
| Curb Weight | 2,620 lbs |
| Interior | |
| Headroom Front | 38.2 in |
| Headroom Rear | 36 in |
| Legroom Front | 42.3 in |
| Legroom Rear | 35.4 in |
Similar cars
Rivals to the 1990 Subaru Legacy Sedan 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 |
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
| Structure | 19 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages | 18 |
| Seat Belts | 14 |
| Power Train | 12 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 5 |
| Fuel System | 4 |
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.