Subaru Legacy owners have reported 30 unknown or other related problems since 1996. Table 1 shows the 1 most common unknown or other problems. The number one most common problem is related to the vehicle's unknown or other (30 problems). For details of each of the problem category, use the links in the table.
| Problem Category | Number of Problems |
|---|---|
| Unknown Or Other problems |
At approx 60-65 mph I am getting vibration to the car- steering and driver seat.
I continuously receive error p2138 on my 2006 Subaru Legacy. This error is associated with throttle/pedal position sensor/switch. This appears to be a common error related to the sensor on the gas pedal or the throttle body for this make and model and other Subaru models around the same time frame. This issue causes the vehicle to loose power/ability ability of the gas pedal of the vehicle at unknown times. This has happened while driving on the highway at 60+mph, I am lucky no accidents have occurred so far. If I am unable to pull off to the shoulder, I have to stop the car in the middle of the highway or road and turnt he car off and try and restart. See links attached as this appears to be a common issue for the past 5 years for other Subaru users. . Read more...
Dash trouble lights flashing constantly on and off check engine, brake failure, all wheel drive failure, cruise control failure, temperature light, oil warning light, engine not engaging when gas pedal depressed. Car wobbles side to side at speeds greater than 60 mph, steering wheel excessive vibration. Currently in repair for over one week. Appears dealership can not correct. When originally reported to service advisor he stated to bring in the car in one week. Took car in immediately per owners manual and he then stated he could not release car back to me because it was unsafe to drive. This is a new vehilce with 1500 miles.
While operating the 2004 Subaru Legacy lt at a speed of 30 mph a loud noise was heard from under the hood. Immediately the power steering was lost, causing sever lack of control, the battery trouble light and brake warning light came on in the instrument panel. Luckily no accident or injury occurred. Upon inspection (under the hood), it was noted that one of the two drive belts had been ripped apart and the second belt had been dislodged from it’s pulleys , leaving the power steering, alternator, air conditioner etc without drive belts. It was further found and noted that the pulley mounted on the end of the crankshaft had in fact separated from its mounting hub and was easily removed by hand without effort. The slipping loose and wandering pulley resulted in throwing and damaging the power drive belts and could have come off completely and be propelled into the radiator and other components. Being able to pull off the road immediately and shutting off the engine prevented further danger and damage.
At highway cruising speeds of 60-75mph there is a vibration/shake that is felt through the steering wheel. When traveling long distances this vibration causes discomfort to hands/arms. Decreased tire pressure, road force balance, and steering wheel replacement (soa TSB) did not fix. Next step is to replace tires. These are "bandaids" to the problem. Please force a real solution.
Drumming noise that appears to be coming from the rear-end of the vehicle, can be heard and vibrations felt inside the vehicle, when the engine is on and the vehicle is at rest or moving. Subaru of America factory and dealership service technicians are not certain that the issue is the fuel pump, but soa factory has instructed the dealership to replace it.
Vehicle was traveling on highway and encountered wet road conditions. Vehicle began to pull to the left and the driver side front bumper collided with center concrete median. Vehicle continues to spin counterclockwise and the passenger side rear bumper collides with the center concrete median before coming to a stop. No other vehicles were involved in the crash. Highway patrol writes up the accident and vehicle was able to be driven home. Vehicle was brought to the insurance collision repair center and insurance determines vehicle to be a total loss. Vehicle has a touted reputation for having a symmetrical awd system for superior traction and control. Based on the experience of the accident, the vehicle loss traction and the symmetrical awd did not perform to maintain traction and control.
While driving at about 30-40 mph, the driver felt a sudden accelaration that couldn't control and his car crashed against the sidewalk and rolledover. We requested the dealer to inspect the vehicle in order to determine if computers can display any failure, but they rejected to accept it.
About a month ago I purchased a 2006 Subaru Legacy 2. 5 gt mt. I have two major complaints that most people complain about. 1) hesitation under acceleration. This problem is known by Subaru. One tech told me that the ecu needs to be reflashed, but that Subaru has not come up with a flash to fix the problem yet. 2) bad smell from the clutch. Happens mostly in stop and go traffic, but occurs at other times too. I've had it happened when I first start the car, after driving it for a long time, cruising on the highway and shifting. It is very bothersome.
The speedometer and odometer started working intermittently about one month ago. The dealer says the speedometer will have to be replaced at a cost of approximately $330+ (parts and labor). The vehicle is only 4 years old with less than 60,000 miles. Several other consumers submitted identical complaints.
Authorized servicer/dealer said it was safe to drive for a week before replacing. It seems like a fire hazard to me. Dt.
Check engine light keeps coming on. Interior lights do not shut off when door shuts. Engine surges when accelerating slowly. Vehicle has been in the shop 8 times and counting.
Engine check light came on. Dealer said I had a burned cylinder. This was at 108,000 miles. A second mechanic confirmed that misfiring in cylinder no. 4 was occurring and further stated that compression in all four cylinders was below specificiations. He further stated that the defect occurred during manufacturing and was not a result of anything I did or did not do to the car. Subaru of american contacted and offered $1,000 toward a new car, but said otherwise it was my problem because the car was out of warranty.
While driving engine light becomes illuminated, then cuts off. Engine will turn over when restarted. Dealer was contacted, but was unable to locate problem. Consumer states the vehicle will fail at the same place daily, was told by a Subaru engineer that the vehicle had lifters installed which were too small and suggested that only very thin synthetic oil be used, consumer tried this and vehicle operates normally for about 1200 miles, dealer has replaced the following to try and correct probleml maf sensor, crank and cam sensors, plugs and wires, coil, computer, starter, altnernator, ignition switch, and timing belt.
Comments from the dealers invoice: 671 miles: checked for oil leak, found fluid leaking from power steering rack. Removed and reinstalled rack assembly. 671 miles: I complained about smell in vents. Advised it was power steering fluid leaking onto exhaust. 944miles: oil leaking from engine down onto exhaust. Found leak at top of engine on the right side near rear oil galley plug. Disassemble engine complete down to short block. Replace short block and all necessary gaskets and seals. Reassemble engine. 944 miles: I complained about smell in vents. This time told it was burning oil getting into vents before engine repair. 6195 miles,03/27/complained about smell in vents. Dash assembly disassembled, cleaned, reassembled. 7173 miles: complained about smell in vents. Working with zexel rep. On a/c system located leak at evaporator cooling unit. Remove and replace receiver drier and a/c compressor. Reassemble. 8009 miles: I complained that the check engine light stayed on while driving. Told possible that fuel tank cap was not on tight. 10185miles 08/06/I complained check engine light still stays found rear 0-2 sensor to have slow response times. Remove and reinstall rear 0-2 sensor. 8485 miles complained of burning smell from under hood. Told inner axle boot leaking. Inner axle cv boot grease in front replaced. 29901miles: recall campaign wxq74 master cylinder. Perform wxq-74 and install label. 39150 miles: complained about rattling noise from rear axle. Checked rear differential, heard pinion bearing to be noisy. Replaced rear differential. Warranty expired. 45330 miles: my altenator failed. I was towed 15 miles to the dealership, at a cost of $140 dollars, and paid 294. 35 dollars to have it replaced. At the time I was informed that there was an open recall on both 1996 and 1997 altenators but nothing on the 1998's. Last week I got a letter from Subaru informing me that some 1998's may require altenator replacements.
The scratch on the glass is on both drivers side and passenger side. I was told it is from the inner door metal rubbing against the glass when windows go up and or down. The mark on the glass is about and inch wide and deep enough that it will not come off. The check engine light came on during the drive home from the lot. The cause according to the dealer was that the cam belt slipped off by one tooth. The rear wheel bearings are needing to be replaced under normal driving conditions. There is no abnormal wear and considering the low 53,000 miles - this should not need to be done. Car when cold idles rough, heat sheild rattles, dash lights in center console not working, extream corrosion under car effecting suspension and making noise when turning wheel right or left.
Check engine light went on - car drove without incident - light went out- light went on again, and car began to vibrate and make knocking sounds. Was taken to dealer, where they found wiring defective.
While driving engine check light came on. Had been repaired before. Dealership knows about problem & had ordered parts from japan.
Check engine light remains on - it therefore gives warning for which no detectable cause can be found. Subaru of America has been unable to pinpoint the cause of a defect which prevents its engine surveillance system from functioning correctly and is unwilling to commit to fixing it.
When car started after having stopped for 3 hours, battery warning light and brake warning light illuminated. Checked brakes/fluid and alternator belt - no problem found. Continued driving; various lights, including "check engine light" continued to go on and off. Car finally stalled on highway and had to be towed to dealer. Alternator replaced.
Engine running very rough. Vehicle stalls out after going 20mph. Intermittent problem. Been to dealer 9 times for problem. Check engine comes on & only warning given.
Brake pedal went to floor when applied. Dealer has replaced linings ,front caliper,master cylinder and booster. Problem still occured. Lucky all occurances were at speeds below 25 mph and there was no accident. Speedometer failed internaly and odometer started to operate backward. Actual milage on car is unknown.
Consumer was driving into carport when she was unable to stop vehicle due to floor carpet interfering with brake pedal, causing vehicle to hit the brick wall of carport which was extensively damaged. Dealer notified.
No summary.
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.
Car has pulled to the right since purchase. Purchased vehicle late sept. , 1998. Ac did not work very well, but weather was cool and it was not a pressing issue. The following spring/summer, took in for repairs to dealer in evansville. Ac still worked intermittently. Accident 5/19/99 where I rear-ended a van at approx. 20 mph. , airbags did not deploy. Ac still only working intermittently. On 9/17/99, after driving the car approximately 25 miles at 65 mph, I noticed the temp gauge was above the "h" and pulled over. The car died and never restarted. Overheated to the extent that after engine died, smoke billowed out the exhaust/tail pipe and over 3 hours after the car was shut off, radiator fluid still boiled over when added. Dealer unable to provide explanation for overheating or ac problems. Subaru regional representative has refused to return my calls for questions about the repairs.
Interior panel failed resulting in it falling off.
Tires lost nearly all air within 2,000 mile of checking;had to replace;they went to steel bar at 18000 miles; fumes inside cabin from purchase of car;fell asleep at wheel sevl times; romania Subaru in eugene wouldn't fix on 2 visits;3rd visit, found leak;still have fumes inside cabin and more if window is down on pass side;no one can fix the open window fume problem;inside-found crankcase leaking on exhaust syst;cosmolene overload, but stillhave burning eyes and sore throat;can't find problem;brakes went to floor-replaced master cylinder per recal;windshield from purchase,couldn't see through;bad film;purchased a new one recently;car hesitates and surges forward;Subaru says this is normal( dot number: tire size: 185 70 r14 ).
I received a letter from NHTSA dated 4/13/99 indicating that I had been granted approval for an air bag switch, but it had not yet been installed. Actually, I have not received such a letter, therefore, the switch has not bee installed. Upon contacting Subaru, they have no knowledge of a switch kit. Clearly, there is a lack of communication between owners, dealers and the NHTSA. I have tried, in vain, to contact you by telephone. However, the only thing I have been able to contact is the automated attendant, and when I request a "human" to talk to, I get disconnected. I'd appreciate a response by a human. Information request, no safety defect included.