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

1996 vs 1997 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 359 months on market for each model year

Exposure window calculated through Aug 22, 2026

Age-matched reports

▲ 13.1% more 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	1996 share	1997 share	Share change
AIR BAGS	17.2%	7.3%	▼ 10.0 pts smaller share
ENGINE	12.3%	18.8%	▲ 6.5 pts larger share
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	14.8%	8.7%	▼ 6.1 pts smaller share
SERVICE BRAKES	11.5%	15.2%	▲ 3.7 pts larger share
POWER TRAIN	6.6%	10.1%	▲ 3.6 pts larger share
SEAT BELTS	0.8%	3.6%	▲ 2.8 pts larger share
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	4.1%	6.5%	▲ 2.4 pts larger share
SUSPENSION	5.7%	3.6%	▼ 2.1 pts smaller share
VISIBILITY	2.5%	0.7%	▼ 1.7 pts smaller share
TIRES	1.6%	not reported	▼ 1.6 pts smaller share
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	0.8%	2.2%	▲ 1.4 pts larger share
STRUCTURE	0.8%	2.2%	▲ 1.4 pts larger share
PARKING BRAKE	0.8%	not reported	▼ 0.8 pts smaller share
WHEELS	0.8%	1.5%	▲ 0.6 pts larger share
STEERING	2.5%	2.9%	▲ 0.4 pts larger share
FUEL SYSTEM	6.6%	6.5%	▼ 0.0 pts smaller share
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	71.3%	69.6%	▼ 1.7 pts smaller share

NHTSA Safety Recalls recalls · snapshot 2026-08-22

1996 4

Campaign components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM and SUSPENSION

1997 6

Campaign components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, POWER TRAIN, and SUSPENSION

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21