Equal-exposure complaint evidence and changes in the reported problem mix

1990 vs 1991 SUBARU LEGACY

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Share shifts show how a vehicle's problem mix changed. They do not measure reliability, and complaint counts are not normalized for sales volume.

First 431 months on market for each model year

Exposure window calculated through Aug 22, 2026

Age-matched reports

▼ 4.9% fewer reports in the equal exposure window

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Bars start at the neutral midpoint. Left means a smaller share; right means a larger share.

View component share data as a table

Component	1990 share	1991 share	Share change
STRUCTURE	22.2%	14.3%	▼ 7.9 pts smaller share
SEAT BELTS	17.3%	24.7%	▲ 7.4 pts larger share
SERVICE BRAKES	1.2%	6.5%	▲ 5.3 pts larger share
FUEL SYSTEM	4.9%	not reported	▼ 4.9 pts smaller share
VISIBILITY	not reported	3.9%	▲ 3.9 pts larger share
SUSPENSION	1.2%	3.9%	▲ 2.7 pts larger share
AIR BAGS	not reported	2.6%	▲ 2.6 pts larger share
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	3.7%	5.2%	▲ 1.5 pts larger share
WHEELS	not reported	1.3%	▲ 1.3 pts larger share
STEERING	1.2%	not reported	▼ 1.2 pts smaller share
PARKING BRAKE	1.2%	not reported	▼ 1.2 pts smaller share
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	1.2%	not reported	▼ 1.2 pts smaller share
TIRES	1.2%	not reported	▼ 1.2 pts smaller share
ENGINE	2.5%	1.3%	▼ 1.2 pts smaller share
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	2.5%	1.3%	▼ 1.2 pts smaller share
POWER TRAIN	14.8%	15.6%	▲ 0.8 pts larger share
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	91.4%	72.7%	▼ 18.6 pts smaller share

NHTSA Safety Recalls recalls · snapshot 2026-08-22

1990 4

Campaign components: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES, POWER TRAIN, and VISIBILITY

1991 3

Campaign components: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES and POWER TRAIN

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21