Equipment Problems of Subaru Legacy - part 1

Vehicle: 2012 Subaru Legacy VIN: [xxx] owner location: syracuse, NY (salt-belt state) dealer: romano Subaru (syracuse, NY) dealer findings / estimate: “urgent work — subframe with sway links — $3,119. 89” (front subframe replacement required), plus alignment and related items; total estimate $4,394. 75. Summary of safety defect: the front subframe has corrosion holes near structural/mounting points. This compromises suspension/steering integrity and presents a risk of sudden loss of control while driving. Manufacturer response (Subaru of America): I opened a case with Subaru corporate. Subaru denied assistance on the basis of vehicle age (2012) and absence of a front-subframe recall, and instead offered a $500 coupon toward a new vehicle. This response does not address the current safety defect documented by a Subaru dealer. Why NHTSA action is warranted: •Subaru has already recalled the rear subframe on these models in salt-belt states (NHTSA 19v-297) due to corrosion-related failure. •my vehicle exhibits the same corrosion failure on the front subframe, a critical load-bearing structure. •a safety defect should be addressed regardless of vehicle age. The manufacturer’s refusal leaves an unsafe vehicle on the road or forces the owner to pay for a safety-critical repair that appears systemic in salt-belt regions. Requested action: I request NHTSA investigate front subframe corrosion on 2010–2014 Subaru Legacy/outback vehicles in salt-belt states and determine whether the rear-subframe recall should be expanded to include front subframes. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

See all problems of the 2012 Subaru Legacy 🔎.

This is the second such experience with this car! on Friday, September 12, 2025 at 3:32 p. M. , I was driving slowly in a parking lot preparing to park. As I started to turn the car into the parking space, my car surged forward without my pressing on the gas pedal. I pressed on the brake, and the car came to a stop.

See all problems of the 2016 Subaru Legacy 🔎.

Unable to remove key when turning the engine off. Eventually works after several tries of turning the engine on and off.

Multiple instances of the vehicle emergency collision avoidance system responding to a parked car or a car stopped in a left turn lane (I. E. Waiting at a light). 5x+ the car audio alarm goes off, and the vehicle abruptly brakes while moving in traffic. Essentially the avoidance collision system detects parked vehicles (always in other lanes) as troublesome instances. This has occurred on winding residential streets, and slightly curved highway intersection 1x.

See all problems of the 2024 Subaru Legacy 🔎.

Voice command in my 2023 Legacy is not working. I can not speak into system to say call a person already entered without taking hands off steering wheel. Already reported to dealer & to corporate Subaru & it is a known issue. Reference # with corporate is 250620-1900992. This was reported to dealer in June 2025 when in for service & no fix has been noted other than Subaru is working on it? feature built into car at purchase is thus useless & seems like a safety issue if I can’t use hands free when driving.

See all problems of the 2023 Subaru Legacy 🔎.

While driving my car, I was not able to use the power locks for my front driver and passenger windows. The power window switch on the driver and passenger door don't work. I have made numerous calls about problems with my windows since I purchased my car, but always came back as the code was reset, and they fixed it temporarily. Now I am looking at about a 1500 fix for the power windows, which has been a known problem for my car for years. I went to another shop and they told me this is a step below a recall, but Subaru knows about it. To me it seems like this is a safety issue, since the windows cant roll down or up.

See all problems of the 2018 Subaru Legacy 🔎.

Back up camera freezes or doesn't work when backing up- almost caused a accident!.

The navigation/radio screen stopped responding to touch but continues to randomly press buttons. While driving the car the touch screen is randomly calling people, changing radio stations, and messing with the lights and navigation. I reached out to Subaru to let them know what was happening and they claim it is a known issue but they haven't chosen to make a recall on it. They claim it is an issue on all of the vehicles from 2018/2019. They claim the screen is delaminating which is why it is causing random buttons to be pushed making the car extremely unsafe to drive. The distraction alone isn't safe but for me as an autistic driver the inability to turn it off is a huge issue. There is no work around available and it will just continue to make noises and randomly call people and mess with the interior of the vehicle. Working in the insurance industry I see the results of distracted driving and cannot believe this hadn't been recalled yet. There was no warning before this started. The touch screen was working fine on my way to work and then on my way home it started to go crazy. I was unable to use the touch screen installed in the car and am not able to turn it off. Subaru is aware of the issue and has not either created a safe way to disengage the part nor are they willing to replace the part.

The radio on this model, just as some of the later Subaru models, does things on its own, such as switches channels, or become totally non-responsive to touch. This began a few weeks ago and the radio is pretty much useless, unless reprogrammed or replaced. I stopped into hodges Subaru last week and described the problem and I was told that the issue sounded like the 2019-2023 models having the same issue.

I went to lunch today and came out to a crack on my windshield. I've seen several issues online about defects with the Legacy windshields.

See all problems of the 2022 Subaru Legacy 🔎.

Defective cam carrier seal.

See all problems of the 2020 Subaru Legacy 🔎.

Last week, my 2024 Subaru Legacy caught on fire and was totaled. By the times the firemen got there, the cause was deemed "undetermined. " the car was taken by state farm auto insurance to an iaa salvage yard. This was a brand new car and still under warranty (only 35,000 miles on it). I drove my car to the store 30-45 minutes prior to the fire. I was inside watching tv when my dog started barking. I looked out my door and my car was on fire. I called 911 and they dispatched the fire department. My daughter and I could have been in the car. Luckily no one was hurt. My car has no recalls and no one can tell me what happened.

There is an active recall for Subaru vehicles. The recall is for emissions number wub-87 for 2015-2018my Legacy and outback 2. 5l. My car is a 2016 Subaru Legacy and it has the exact problem listed in the recall, but is not included. The front end exhaust is defective as described in the recall.

Power window driver side intermittently fails to function, leaving window partly or completely open. This is an ongoing problem. Often I have to restart the car to get the window to operate properly. Difficult to drive when weather conditions change suddenly and window won’t close.

Dear NHTSA team, I am writing to report a recurring and distressing issue with my Subaru Legacy 2021 which I believe raises significant safety concerns. Since purchasing the vehicle, I have experienced consistent problems with the battery. Despite replacing the battery five times, the vehicle has repeatedly stopped functioning, including a recent incident where it stalled in the middle of the road. This required me to call law enforcement and a towing service, adding considerable mental and financial stress. These unexpected breakdowns are not only inconvenient but also pose serious safety risks to myself and others on the road. I am concerned that this issue may not be isolated and could affect other Subaru owners as well. I kindly request your assistance in investigating this matter to ensure that appropriate actions are taken to address this potential defect. Please let me know if you need additional information, such as detailed records of the incidents, repair history, or communication with Subaru regarding the issue. Thank you for your attention to this matter. I appreciate your efforts in ensuring road safety and protecting vehicle owners. Sincerely, [xxx] [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

See all problems of the 2021 Subaru Legacy 🔎.

Starrlink infotainment system (defective) freezing malfunctioning,back up/reverse (screen) black out 's, constant beeping though out cars speakers;while driving. . . (major) distraction & other issues. . . Aftermarket (sway bar links) were installed instead of oem. . Official Subaru parts . . By a official Subaru dealership! name: colonial Volkswagen Subaru. . . Feasterville trevose . . . On date:1/08/2024 PA. . . #[xxx]. . . Finding as noted: by winner Subaru dover delaware. . . Zip:19901. . . #302-734-8200. . . Service advisory/tag# brooke willis/[xxx]. . . Service date: 2/12/2025 information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

Starlink infotainment system (audio headunit),(defective). . . Freezing, malfunction, screen black out at any time. . . Black out while in motion (reverse) using back up camera. Intermitting beeping sound though cars speakers while driving. . . Major distraction. . . Unsafe!. . . . Finding was within a August. 2019 class action lawsuit or so (recall) : federal motor vehicle safety standard (111). I also have (documented) recent proof from winner Subaru of dover delaware. . Which confirmed the (exact) same facts. . . . Contact:rep. . . Name:(brook). I reached out to Subaru America advocate. . . . Camden new jersey. . . Contact name: (niko). . . #800-782-2783 ext#119027. . . . Case# [xxx]. . . I was offered $750 good will payment. . . For a used headunit. . . Thought winner Subaru of dover delaware. . . A new headunit replacement they quoted $2,500. 00. . . . They want give me the $750 and make me pay $759 for labor. . . . For the (fact) that they have know for years that the starlink infotainment system is (defect). . . And has paid out 6. 25 million dollars. . In reference to it! I only own this car 3 months 7 days. . . . Also. . . Winner Subaru dover delaware. . . Informed me that the car had aftermarket sway bar links. . . Though carfax. . . And research I was able call colonial Volkswagen Subaru. . . Feasterville trevose PA on 1/08/2024 . . . . Was the dealership that had put them on. It was supposed to had been original Subaru part not aftermarket. . . I told brook of winner Subaru . . That's what I found out do to speaking to a service. . . Supervisor. . . That stated and confirmed the work was done there. I also reached out to Subaru America. . In reference to this. . . To no response. . . . This both as a whole is unsafe practice and bad business. . . . I should not have to pay for labor fees of sort. . . For what know and have know for a fact for years. . . And still going on till today. Im a hard working american consumer. . . That both this car 13 weeks ago. . . To be driving around with (distracting) safety issue. My cell# [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6.

For context, we are the original owners of the 2018 Subaru Legacy car (leased in 2018, and then purchased outright in 2022). At the time of the incident, the car was in pristine condition. We had the oil changed in accordance with the maintenance agreement during the lease, and then every 6,000 miles or whenever the dealership called us to bring in the car. The car had 39,000 miles on it at the time of the incident and had an oil change as recently as 2. 5 months prior. While stopped in traffic, the car began making a sputtering noise and all the lights on the dashboard turned on at the same time. When pushing on the gas the car began rolling down the hill towards the car behind me. I put the car into park and then turned it off, and then waved traffic to pass me. After reinserting the key into the ignition, the car began to make the sputtering noise again, but I was able to move the car very slowly onto the shoulder of the road. The greatest danger is that this occurred in moving traffic. Thankfully, there was no harm done to me or anyone else. I had the car towed to the nearest auto mechanic shop. Initially, the shop informed me it was an issue with the spark plug, but upon further investigation, they told me the problem was with the engine and asked me to bring it to the dealership. The dealership is unsure of the exact issue, but stated that it was engine failure (more details in screenshots below). The technician has stated that we will need to completely rebuild the engine to fully identify and fix the problem.

On the beginning of a trip the screen, infotainment system started jumping, and shaking. We had been using the system for guidance while driving in unfamiliar area. The screen then started randomly selecting buttons while we were still trying to use directions from the screen. Then it called a contact on my contact list 8-9 times, and I had to keep hanging up in order so it would stop. Finally I had to shut down the entire screen. We lost control of the infotainment and then after I had to turn it off, I tried several times again to turn it back on with no luck. The screen would not respond and continues to be completely frozen. As I have discovered this is a common problem that Subaru dealers have heard about from thousands of customers. Subaru needs to issue a recall.

See all problems of the 2019 Subaru Legacy 🔎.

The radio/ starlink system begins changing screens on its own thus losing all control of critical functions such as phone and gps. There appears to be marks behind the glass of the screen which are not able to be cleaned. There are recalls for this issue on the 2018 Subaru Legacy and there needs to be one for the 2019 Subaru Legacy and other affected Subaru models.

Slowing to pull into parking spot and car accelerates and hits what is in front of vehicle. Has happened at least four times. Last time 11/5/2024.

The mirror drivers side mirror wiggles. I. The even of a battery failure the electrical brake may fail.

See all problems of the 2017 Subaru Legacy 🔎.

Stalling at stop lights. More often when it's cold and rainy. This happens to me at minimum 4x a day.

See all problems of the 2010 Subaru Legacy 🔎.

My car stereo has gone crazy causing major distractions while driving. Hands free calling doesn’t work, in fact it calls random people on my call list. The screen dances and changes screens all by itself causing major distraction and it has almost caused an accident by the distraction. I’ve read that this issue is a known manufacturing issue and a class action lawsuit was brought against Subaru. I called Subaru and they have refused to give me a warranty radio even thou my dealer confirmed my radio is suffering from the DE-lamination issue that’s well known problem with my car.

Driving home from work my sunroof exploded outward. No impact to the glass, I was not operating it. Glass mostly went out and behind but some fell onto me as I was driving at highway speeds. I have seen others posting on the internet with this issue. Dealership has the car now. No warning.

My vehicle light is on keeps saying oil at temp as well as other lights are currently turn on. I took it to Subaru location was informed my transmission was bad. But the car drives well just have a bunch of lights.

Infotainment system of car mutes iphone telephone to person on other end of phone causing driver to need to pick up phone or interact with screen taking eyes off road. I reported to Subaru of America and was told this is happening in almost every 2024 Subaru. They paid for and provided headphones which causes me to need to use telephone navigation instead of built in to car carplay navigation. Subaru of America and liberty auto city Subaru of libertyville IL refuse to service vehicle or fix car. Subaru of America britt senior customer advocate specialist | 1-800-782-2783 | dial option 1 | direct ext 119143 Subaru of America, inc. | one Subaru drive | camden, NJ 08103 tells me they will have a software fix in fall of 2024. This is totally unacceptable and very dangerous safety issue.

After shifting my car into reverse, I slowly started removing my foot from the brake pedal. At this time, the car started rapidly accelerating backwards so I put pressure back on the brake pedal to stop the car. When doing so, the abs light came on my dashboard, I heard a griding sound like the car was still trying to accelerate, and there was a loud constant beep. I was able to shift the car into neutral and then into park to stop the car and then turned the car off. I contacted the dealership about the issue, but have not yet been able to further investigate or bring it into the dealership.

The navigation screen has delaminated and no longer works. You can see where there are layers of screen that are discolored and has a matte finish underneath and the entire screen is erratic and works only 10% of the time. I cannot answer calls through the car any longer and I have to try to navigate long trips from my phone as this function of the car is down. It's a serious problem and puts me and others on the road at risk every time I have to use the car as I travel by myself and I struggle to navigate the roads without this system. The car has a mere 70,000 miles on it and has been well cared for. I bought the car new and this issue is serious. There were no warning signs other than it erratically works less and less. I have researched the issue and see there are so many with this same issue that I wanted to add to the list. I cannot find a second hand part as the demand is too high. The car is available for inspection and I haven't had it to the dealer for this issue. It has been inspected by an auto repair shop and agrees the component needs to come out and be replaced. Please help!.

Took it for inspection was told the part that holds the engine up is rotting away and it will not pass inspection next year this is disappointing I have cars older then this and they are in better condition this vehicle was brought brand new this should not occur I could understand if it was old this car is only 8yrs old I have pics to support.

See all problems of the 2015 Subaru Legacy 🔎.

Windshield on 3/5/24 I drove to work,. . . The windshield was intacted as of 8am. . After my shift at 4pm mysteriously there was a line (crack in the window on the drivers side) around 6 inches. . . . Haven't been to my car since Wednesday 3/6/24. . . Today 3/11/24 that crack has expanded to 12-14 inches across the drivers side the car is parked in my driveway.

Sunroof exploded spontaneously while traveling down freeway. No one was within 3/4 of a mile in all directions.

Main infotainment display delamination, this causes a safety concerns, as the screen can become irresponsive, and even black out during reverse making the backup camera, nonfunctioning. The other safety issue at risk is that because of the delamination it causes "ghost-clicking" on the screen, and makes the screen irresponsive, veering the drivers attention away from the road, potentially causing accidents as the main display controls all radio and bluetooth, and navigation. There are no indication or warnings from the manufacturer that the vehicle could be a risk to drive. When I called Subaru of America, I was told by the agent that they could not assist, when I brought up, based on my research this was a known issue, Subaru of America offered to pay $600 towards the replacement of the head unit. The head unit dependant on the dealer and labor time can vary from $1400-2200 for the repair.

Parasitic battery drain due to dcm fuse problem.

The display area components(screen)toggles from radio to other components without any input from driver. The radio stars playing by itself.