How to Buy a Used Subaru

Subaru Legacy 1990

If you are considering buying a used Subaru, it's a good thing to do your research first. Go to the library and ask to see books on cars that have been recalled. Have an experienced mechanic look the vehicle over. Quite often, the little things he may find wrong are things you can live with. The Subaru Legacy is analyzed here as an example of how to check out a used Subaru or any used car before purchasing.

Complaint Severity: Minor. Check the brakes-listen for noise, look for leaks and feel for vibration. They may fail, perform poorly or require frequent mechanical attention. Test the transmission thoroughly.

1. Power train: transmission: automatic, poor performance, difficulty shifting, slipping. . "Vehicle would not move from park to reverse." . "Extensive transmission problems; vehicle experiences delayed reaction when going into reverse; also, intermittent sudden acceleration." . "Transmission completely failed, making vehicle inoperative in drive or reverse." . "Car will intermittently not engage in gear when shifting from park to reverse; dealer has attempted to fix trouble 3 times, but problem still exists." . "Transmission shifts hard; jerks when shifting; fluid leaking; dipstick broken; replaced main pressure valve and solenoid; also, noisy when shifts warm."

2. Fuel: throttle linkages and control, sudden accelerations. . "Problem of sudden unintended acceleration." . "Car suddenly accelerates forward while braking at very low speeds, attempting to stop at light, sign or intersection." . "When placing vehicle from park into reverse, a brief delay occurred, then vehicle suddenly accelerated." . "While pulling into driveway to park, vehicle suddenly accelerated, jumped over a motor and finally hit a house." . "Transmission in park with foot on brakes when car shot backwards."

3. Brakes: hydraulic: disc: rotor: disc hub, vibration, corrosion, poor performance. . "Rear disc rotor corroded, causing loss of brake effectiveness." . "Front brake rotors had a crack after they were replaced." . "Rear rotors and pads worn." . "Rear brake rotors rusted; failed to stop vehicle." . "While applying brakes, vehicle vibrates; caused by corrosion of rear brake rotors. Also causes increased brake pad wear."

4. Structure: door assembly: latches and locks, malfunction, failure. . "Manual door locks locked with baby trapped inside; locks appear to be in unlocked position." . "Poor latches and locks clue to design. Door-switch assembly pushing on either side locks or unlocks doors." . "When trying to open doors, they lock themselves." . "Driver's door locked and could not be opened." . "Lock on passenger's side gets stuck."

5. Brakes: hydraulic system, poor performance. . "Car has tendency to skid to side when brakes applied in panic stop; brakes seem to lock unevenly." . "When vehicle is first started after being parked overnight or for several hours, upon applying, brakes freeze and cannot be depressed." . "Weak brake pedal, causing extended stopping distance."

6. Equipment: electric power accessories: locks: door, malfunction, failure. . "Power door lock button on driver's and passenger's doors, when moved to lock position, will not let passengers out of vehicle; forced the doors open with lever." . "When trying to open doors from inside, doors will lock." . "Owner complains of not being able to open the doors all the way. Relay door locks failed." . "Passenger-side rear door locking mechanism failed." . "When trying to open doors from inside, doors will lock."