Two problems related to check engine light on have been reported for the 1996 Subaru Legacy. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Repeated episodes w/out resolution. Car will stall at any given time with no warning. Check engine light blinks and car will loose power or completely stall. No warning, no brakes, no reason after repeated visits to dealer. Major safety concern, car should not be driven .
Subaru Legacy has had a widely reported history of a hesitation or highspeed miss. In the case of this vehicle, it was returned for service five times with the #1 valve guide replaced twice. In 2000, Subaru dealership in catonsville MD. Identified the problem from compression test as a "miscast cylinder head" and replaced on warranty. However, this problem was not addressed for four years, and we wonder if Subaru knows of this problem in casting cylinder heads and has not conducted a voluntary recall. The carguys on pbs have had four similar complaints over the last year regarding Subaru Legacy and outback vehicles which sound similar in complaint to this vehicle. The symptoms are a high speed misfire on a cylinder (60 mph) and subsequent setting of the check engine light. Another service dealer informed us that Subarus are known for "bad valves". If there is a known casting problem in the cylinder heads, these vehicles should be recalled.