diff --git a/src/client/legacy/client.rs b/src/client/legacy/client.rs
index d4f77be4..3d69b510 100644
--- a/src/client/legacy/client.rs
+++ b/src/client/legacy/client.rs
@@ -543,6 +543,9 @@ where
                         Either::Left(Box::pin(async move {
                             let tx = if is_h2 {
                                 #[cfg(feature = "http2")] {
+                                    // This builder and observer belong only to this connection.
+                                    let mut h2_builder = h2_builder;
+                                    h2_builder.keep_alive_observer(connected.poisoned.clone());
                                     let (mut tx, conn) =
                                         h2_builder.handshake(io).await.map_err(Error::tx)?;
 
@@ -1477,6 +1480,26 @@ impl Builder {
         self
     }
 
+    /// Stops reusing an HTTP/2 connection when its keep-alive PING remains
+    /// unacknowledged for this duration.
+    ///
+    /// The connection is permanently retired from the pool, even if a late ACK
+    /// arrives. Existing requests and response bodies continue under the original
+    /// `http2_keep_alive_timeout`. Subsequent requests can establish a replacement;
+    /// no connection is opened proactively and no request is replayed by this option.
+    /// Requests that already checked out the old connection may still use it.
+    ///
+    /// Defaults to `None` (disabled). Does nothing if keep-alive is disabled.
+    /// When enabled, the duration must be greater than zero and less than the
+    /// final hard timeout; otherwise connection handshake panics. Requires a timer.
+    #[cfg(feature = "tokio")]
+    #[cfg(feature = "http2")]
+    #[cfg_attr(docsrs, doc(cfg(feature = "http2")))]
+    pub fn http2_keep_alive_reuse_timeout(&mut self, timeout: Option<Duration>) -> &mut Self {
+        self.h2_builder.keep_alive_reuse_timeout(timeout);
+        self
+    }
+
     /// Sets whether HTTP2 keep-alive should apply while the connection is idle.
     ///
     /// If disabled, keep-alive pings are only sent while there are open
diff --git a/src/client/legacy/connect/mod.rs b/src/client/legacy/connect/mod.rs
index fff8262f..45384d2b 100644
--- a/src/client/legacy/connect/mod.rs
+++ b/src/client/legacy/connect/mod.rs
@@ -137,6 +137,14 @@ impl PoisonPill {
     }
 }
 
+#[cfg(feature = "http2")]
+impl hyper::client::conn::http2::KeepAliveObserver for PoisonPill {
+    fn on_reuse_timeout(&self) {
+        self.poison();
+        tracing::debug!(poison_pill = ?self, "HTTP/2 keep-alive reuse timeout; connection retired");
+    }
+}
+
 pub(super) struct Extra(Box<dyn ExtraInner>);
 
 #[derive(Clone, Copy, Debug, PartialEq)]
diff --git a/tests/keepalive_reuse.rs b/tests/keepalive_reuse.rs
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..0798c0be
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/keepalive_reuse.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,344 @@
+#![cfg(all(
+    feature = "client-legacy",
+    feature = "server",
+    feature = "http2",
+    feature = "tokio"
+))]
+
+use std::convert::Infallible;
+use std::future::{Ready, ready};
+use std::io;
+use std::pin::Pin;
+use std::sync::atomic::{AtomicBool, AtomicUsize, Ordering};
+use std::sync::{Arc, Mutex};
+use std::task::{Context, Poll};
+use std::time::Duration;
+
+use bytes::Bytes;
+use futures_util::task::AtomicWaker;
+use http_body_util::{BodyExt, Empty, Full, StreamBody};
+use hyper::body::Frame;
+use hyper::service::service_fn;
+use hyper::{Request, Response, Uri};
+use hyper_util::client::legacy::Client;
+use hyper_util::client::legacy::connect::{Connected, Connection};
+use hyper_util::rt::{TokioExecutor, TokioIo, TokioTimer};
+use tokio::io::{AsyncRead, AsyncWrite, DuplexStream, ReadBuf};
+use tokio::sync::{Notify, mpsc};
+use tower_service::Service;
+
+// Pause both directions without EOF, reset, or discarding buffered bytes.
+#[derive(Default)]
+struct Gate {
+    paused: AtomicBool,
+    read: AtomicWaker,
+    write: AtomicWaker,
+}
+
+impl Gate {
+    fn blocked(&self, cx: &Context<'_>, waker: &AtomicWaker) -> bool {
+        waker.register(cx.waker());
+        self.paused.load(Ordering::SeqCst)
+    }
+
+    fn pause(&self) {
+        self.paused.store(true, Ordering::SeqCst);
+    }
+
+    fn resume(&self) {
+        self.paused.store(false, Ordering::SeqCst);
+        self.read.wake();
+        self.write.wake();
+    }
+}
+
+struct GatedIo {
+    io: DuplexStream,
+    gate: Arc<Gate>,
+}
+
+impl AsyncRead for GatedIo {
+    fn poll_read(
+        mut self: Pin<&mut Self>,
+        cx: &mut Context<'_>,
+        buf: &mut ReadBuf<'_>,
+    ) -> Poll<io::Result<()>> {
+        if self.gate.blocked(cx, &self.gate.read) {
+            return Poll::Pending;
+        }
+        Pin::new(&mut self.io).poll_read(cx, buf)
+    }
+}
+
+impl AsyncWrite for GatedIo {
+    fn poll_write(
+        mut self: Pin<&mut Self>,
+        cx: &mut Context<'_>,
+        buf: &[u8],
+    ) -> Poll<io::Result<usize>> {
+        if self.gate.blocked(cx, &self.gate.write) {
+            return Poll::Pending;
+        }
+        Pin::new(&mut self.io).poll_write(cx, buf)
+    }
+
+    fn poll_flush(mut self: Pin<&mut Self>, cx: &mut Context<'_>) -> Poll<io::Result<()>> {
+        if self.gate.blocked(cx, &self.gate.write) {
+            return Poll::Pending;
+        }
+        Pin::new(&mut self.io).poll_flush(cx)
+    }
+
+    fn poll_shutdown(mut self: Pin<&mut Self>, cx: &mut Context<'_>) -> Poll<io::Result<()>> {
+        Pin::new(&mut self.io).poll_shutdown(cx)
+    }
+}
+
+impl Connection for GatedIo {
+    fn connected(&self) -> Connected {
+        Connected::new()
+    }
+}
+
+#[derive(Clone)]
+struct Connector {
+    count: Arc<AtomicUsize>,
+    gates: Arc<Mutex<Vec<Arc<Gate>>>>,
+    seen: mpsc::UnboundedSender<(usize, String)>,
+    headers: Arc<Notify>,
+    body: Arc<Notify>,
+}
+
+impl Service<Uri> for Connector {
+    type Response = TokioIo<GatedIo>;
+    type Error = io::Error;
+    type Future = Ready<Result<Self::Response, Self::Error>>;
+
+    fn poll_ready(&mut self, _: &mut Context<'_>) -> Poll<Result<(), Self::Error>> {
+        Poll::Ready(Ok(()))
+    }
+
+    fn call(&mut self, _: Uri) -> Self::Future {
+        let id = self.count.fetch_add(1, Ordering::SeqCst);
+        let gate = Arc::new(Gate::default());
+        self.gates.lock().unwrap().push(gate.clone());
+        let (client, server) = tokio::io::duplex(64 * 1024);
+        let seen = self.seen.clone();
+        let headers = self.headers.clone();
+        let body = self.body.clone();
+        tokio::spawn(async move {
+            let service = service_fn(move |req: Request<hyper::body::Incoming>| {
+                let seen = seen.clone();
+                let headers = headers.clone();
+                let body = body.clone();
+                async move {
+                    let path = req.uri().path().to_owned();
+                    let _ = seen.send((id, path.clone()));
+                    if path == "/pending" {
+                        headers.notified().await;
+                    }
+                    let payload = if path == "/stream" {
+                        StreamBody::new(futures_util::stream::once(async move {
+                            body.notified().await;
+                            Ok::<_, Infallible>(Frame::data(Bytes::from_static(b"complete")))
+                        }))
+                        .boxed_unsync()
+                    } else {
+                        Full::new(Bytes::from_static(b"complete"))
+                            .map_err(|never| match never {})
+                            .boxed_unsync()
+                    };
+                    Ok::<_, Infallible>(
+                        Response::builder()
+                            .header("connection-id", id.to_string())
+                            .body(payload)
+                            .unwrap(),
+                    )
+                }
+            });
+            let _ = hyper::server::conn::http2::Builder::new(TokioExecutor::new())
+                .serve_connection(TokioIo::new(GatedIo { io: server, gate }), service)
+                .await;
+        });
+        ready(Ok(TokioIo::new(GatedIo {
+            io: client,
+            gate: Arc::new(Gate::default()),
+        })))
+    }
+}
+
+type TestClient = Client<Connector, Empty<Bytes>>;
+
+fn setup(
+    reuse: Option<Duration>,
+    adaptive: bool,
+) -> (
+    TestClient,
+    Connector,
+    mpsc::UnboundedReceiver<(usize, String)>,
+) {
+    let (seen, rx) = mpsc::unbounded_channel();
+    let connector = Connector {
+        count: Arc::new(AtomicUsize::new(0)),
+        gates: Arc::new(Mutex::new(Vec::new())),
+        seen,
+        headers: Arc::new(Notify::new()),
+        body: Arc::new(Notify::new()),
+    };
+    let client = Client::builder(TokioExecutor::new())
+        .http2_only(true)
+        .timer(TokioTimer::new())
+        .http2_adaptive_window(adaptive)
+        .http2_keep_alive_interval(Some(Duration::from_secs(10)))
+        .http2_keep_alive_reuse_timeout(reuse)
+        .http2_keep_alive_timeout(Duration::from_secs(60))
+        .http2_keep_alive_while_idle(true)
+        .build(connector.clone());
+    (client, connector, rx)
+}
+
+fn request(path: &str) -> Request<Empty<Bytes>> {
+    Request::builder()
+        .uri(format!("http://test{path}"))
+        .body(Empty::new())
+        .unwrap()
+}
+
+async fn settle() {
+    // Keep this task runnable so paused time cannot auto-advance while flushing IO.
+    for _ in 0..64 {
+        tokio::task::yield_now().await;
+    }
+}
+
+async fn advance(seconds: u64) {
+    tokio::time::advance(Duration::from_secs(seconds)).await;
+    settle().await;
+}
+
+async fn get(client: &TestClient) -> usize {
+    let response = client.request(request("/ok")).await.unwrap();
+    let id = response.headers()["connection-id"]
+        .to_str()
+        .unwrap()
+        .parse()
+        .unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(response.collect().await.unwrap().to_bytes(), "complete");
+    id
+}
+
+async fn recovery(adaptive: bool) {
+    let (client, connector, mut seen) = setup(Some(Duration::from_secs(5)), adaptive);
+    assert_eq!(get(&client).await, 0);
+    seen.recv().await.unwrap();
+    let stream = client.request(request("/stream")).await.unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(seen.recv().await.unwrap(), (0, "/stream".into()));
+    let stream = tokio::spawn(async move { stream.collect().await });
+    let pending = tokio::spawn(client.request(request("/pending")));
+    assert_eq!(seen.recv().await.unwrap(), (0, "/pending".into()));
+    settle().await;
+    let old = connector.gates.lock().unwrap()[0].clone();
+    old.pause();
+    advance(10).await; // The original keep-alive PING enters its timeout phase.
+    advance(5).await; // No IO event is needed to retire the connection.
+    assert!(!pending.is_finished());
+    assert!(!stream.is_finished());
+
+    let ids = futures_util::future::join_all((0..12).map(|_| get(&client))).await;
+    assert!(ids.iter().all(|id| *id == 1));
+    assert_eq!(connector.count.load(Ordering::SeqCst), 2);
+    assert!(!pending.is_finished());
+    assert!(!stream.is_finished());
+
+    connector.headers.notify_one();
+    connector.body.notify_one();
+    old.resume();
+    settle().await;
+    let response = pending.await.unwrap().unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(response.headers()["connection-id"], "0");
+    assert_eq!(response.collect().await.unwrap().to_bytes(), "complete");
+    assert_eq!(stream.await.unwrap().unwrap().to_bytes(), "complete");
+    assert_eq!(get(&client).await, 1); // Late ACK never restores the old pool entry.
+    assert_eq!(connector.count.load(Ordering::SeqCst), 2);
+}
+
+#[tokio::test(start_paused = true)]
+async fn soft_timeout_replaces_connection_and_preserves_headers_and_body() {
+    recovery(false).await;
+}
+
+#[tokio::test(start_paused = true)]
+async fn adaptive_window_preserves_recovery_behavior() {
+    recovery(true).await;
+}
+
+#[tokio::test(start_paused = true)]
+async fn original_sixty_second_hard_deadline_survives_retirement() {
+    let (client, connector, mut seen) = setup(Some(Duration::from_secs(5)), false);
+    assert_eq!(get(&client).await, 0);
+    seen.recv().await.unwrap();
+    let pending = tokio::spawn(client.request(request("/pending")));
+    seen.recv().await.unwrap();
+    settle().await;
+    connector.gates.lock().unwrap()[0].pause();
+    advance(10).await;
+    advance(5).await;
+    assert_eq!(get(&client).await, 1);
+    advance(54).await;
+    assert!(
+        !pending.is_finished(),
+        "soft timeout must not shorten the hard deadline"
+    );
+    advance(1).await;
+    assert!(
+        pending.is_finished(),
+        "hard timer must still wake at PING + 60s"
+    );
+    let error = pending.await.unwrap().unwrap_err();
+    let mut cause: &(dyn std::error::Error + 'static) = &error;
+    let mut timed_out = false;
+    loop {
+        if let Some(error) = cause.downcast_ref::<hyper::Error>() {
+            timed_out |= error.is_timeout();
+        }
+        match cause.source() {
+            Some(source) => cause = source,
+            None => break,
+        }
+    }
+    assert!(timed_out, "expected original keep-alive timeout: {error:?}");
+}
+
+#[tokio::test(start_paused = true)]
+async fn ack_before_soft_deadline_keeps_connection_reusable() {
+    let (client, connector, _) = setup(Some(Duration::from_secs(5)), false);
+    assert_eq!(get(&client).await, 0);
+    settle().await;
+    let old = connector.gates.lock().unwrap()[0].clone();
+    old.pause();
+    advance(10).await;
+    advance(4).await;
+    old.resume();
+    settle().await;
+    advance(1).await;
+    assert_eq!(get(&client).await, 0);
+    assert_eq!(connector.count.load(Ordering::SeqCst), 1);
+}
+
+#[tokio::test(start_paused = true)]
+async fn disabled_soft_timeout_preserves_pool_behavior() {
+    let (client, connector, _) = setup(None, false);
+    assert_eq!(get(&client).await, 0);
+    settle().await;
+    let old = connector.gates.lock().unwrap()[0].clone();
+    old.pause();
+    advance(10).await;
+    advance(5).await;
+    let request = tokio::spawn(client.request(request("/ok")));
+    settle().await;
+    assert!(!request.is_finished());
+    assert_eq!(connector.count.load(Ordering::SeqCst), 1);
+    old.resume();
+    let response = request.await.unwrap().unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(response.headers()["connection-id"], "0");
+}