Wiring Problems of Subaru Legacy

The car was stationary and over time rodents (mice) chew on the electrical wires harness due to the attraction of manufacturing material. Manufacturing material is a soy base electrical wrapping. Both occurrences happened at the same exact junction where wiring housing is attached to the engine. Evidence is first occurrence in November 2021, second occurrence April 2021. Antidotal evidence is the Subaru service department employee stated that this is a usual occurrence from Subaru cars. Both repairs in less than five months charges are over $6000.

See all problems of the 2016 Subaru Legacy 🔎.

Car was sometimes difficult to start, other times it would stall/hesitate when in motion on city street. Discovered to be caused by aged/worn fuel pump causing overcurrent draw that fails to blow fuse causing meltdown in wiring harness connector where pigtail from pump connects to the chassis side of the wiring harness. Heat/spark potential is created in close proximity to fuel tank that has many reported cases of fuel filler neck rusting off and leaking fuel. A quick google search reveals that a number of people, with photos, have experienced this failure. Photo provided is from internet but the result is the same.

See all problems of the 1997 Subaru Legacy 🔎.

I recently noticed that some elements of my rear hatch on my Subaru Legacy wagon were not working. Specifically, the lights that illuminate the license plate, the rear defroster, center brake light, hatch locking mechanism, and radio antenna were not working. An inspection of the area where the wires enter the hatch door from the body of the vehicle reveals that several of the wires in the harness were broken completely with some wires in various states of deterioration. I believe this is an unusual failure and not a typical wear item. I am concerned as I have lost the ability to properly lock and secure my vehicle, to clear frost and ice from the rear glass for proper visibility, lost the ability to illuminate my license plate which could result in being pulled over by law enforcement. Over time, continued deterioration will result in the inability to use my rear wiper and reverse lights. They're seems to be a defect with the wiring used in this area. It was not capable of withstanding normal use repetitions of opening and closing the hatch door. There are many members of the Subaru Legacy and outback communities that have had this issue occur. I believe that this will happen to all Subaru Legacy or outback models 05-09 given enough time.

See all problems of the 2005 Subaru Legacy 🔎.

The check engine light has been going on in my 2017 Subaru Legacy with only 8,000 miles & still under warranty. On June 18th we left houston for south dakota with assurance from the dealership that as long as the light was not flashing the car was safe to drive. On the 2nd day of our trip the check engine light stayed on constantly & we were not unable to use our cruise control. We had the car diagnosed & repaired in rapid city, sd. At courtesy Subaru. It was diagnosed as a wiring harness. It would take 1500 hours to repair. The vehicle was torn completely apart. I have attached photos. Subaru repaired the vehicle but since then the vehicle is not the same. The usb outlet doesn't work anymore. The car liner and wiring is showing in places that it wasn't before. There are scratches on the vehicle that weren't there before and lining in the truck isn't attached. I have lost all trust in the vehicle. What happens if 1 year, or anytime in the future the vehicle's electrical system fails or worse catches fire? I contacted Subaru requesting a buy out or trade in option. They have refused only to offer a 5 year, 60,000 mile warranty. I do not want the vehicle & will sell it so I asked the dealership if running a carfax would show the wiring issue & they said yes. That information will lessen the value of the vehicle as a trade in but I will not sell this vehicle to a private party with the issues and I will not keep it knowing that something else could go awry. I only want to be treated fairly but Subaru will only say that the vehicle does not qualify under the lemon law and refuses any remedies except the extended warranty. I do have a copy of the email string with Subaru customer service if needed.

See all problems of the 2017 Subaru Legacy 🔎.

Wires and other components are made of soy based materials that attract rodents squirrels chipmunks and cats apparently and have been chewed; the harness was destroyed and potential damage to this and to power steering line, exhaust hoses and other wiring and parts with soy exist. The manufacturer states there is no remedy other than to replace with the same materials. We are concerned not only for financial reasons but particularly safety issues. When I turned on the engine in the morning every warning light on the dash was flashing including brake, transmission, oil, air, etc and I could not drive at all. I have spoken with others who have had accidents or car fires related to this situation.

Purchased a new Subaru Legacy Feb. 28, 2018. After only 70 miles the warning light for seat belts and airbag malfunction appeared on a starlink system and dash. After immediately taking it in at the local car dealer, service agents claimed that a "rodent" has caused the damage. After further research, we have discovered a national civil suit against Subaru. Apparently they are using biodegradable materials on the wiring of many new cars that attracts squirrels and mice. We have lived at our current residence for over 35 years with numerous cars in the driveway without this problem. Consumer reports on July 10,2017, reported that they have uncovered various technical bulletins from Ford, gm, Honda, Toyota, as well as Subaru concerning this issue. Dealer, at the moment, refuses to fix it without extensive cost to us. This is a serious problem with this car--driving it would not only be unsafe but illegal since the air bag as well as the seat belts show a malfunction. Fixing it may not solve the problem on permanent basis.

See all problems of the 2018 Subaru Legacy 🔎.

The vehicle was parked on a city street. My son went out in the morning to move it to find the driver side seat burned completely out and soot all over the car. His insurance (liability only) would not cover the damage and was told by Subaru to have it towed to a dealer at his expense for them to inspect it. After over a month he was told that the fire by their determination was not caused by the heated seats but by another source. It is obvious by the pictures and by inspection that the fire was caused and started by faulty wiring on the heated seats.

Eye site safety main wiring harness rodent damage harness insertion made with soybean so its made of food happened parked in driveway.

2015 Subaru Legacy. Consumer writes in regards to a wiring defect. The consumer stated the vehicle's mirror link app malfunctioned.

See all problems of the 2015 Subaru Legacy 🔎.

After sitting in driveway for 3 days, vehicle would barely start, strong exhaust smell, rat nest on top of engine and chewed hoses and wiring. Had towed into dealership. Advised of rodent damage. Replaced: engine wiring harness, transmission harness, transmission insulation, firewall insulation, hood insulation, fuel transfer pipes, and fuel lines at engine bay. Cleaned excess debris from engine bay and fuel bay (they had to drop the fuel tank). Reassembled. Final cost, including tow charge: $4557. 42. Thankfully, insurance covered, minus our $1000. 00 deductible. Green cars, not green in the wallet.

Vehicle wiring for rear wiper is faulty and damaged. Have seen the same thing on other outbacks and Legacy wagons. Dangerous because this car is supposed to be optimal for all-weather driving. Hard to see out back in heavy rain.

See all problems of the 2006 Subaru Legacy 🔎.

Car did not have backup lights, electronic lock for rear hatch did not work. Tested bulbs and switch for backup lights and they were fine. Uncovered wiring harnesses left and right of rear hatch 6 broken wires right side 1 broken wire right. Spliced temporarily until I get the time and money to make permanent repair.

The wiring harness that goes to the hatch is made out of undersized wire and from opening and closing the hatch the wires have broken. I have reported this previously, but at that time, the only problem was that the hatch would not lock. Now I do not have backup lights. This is clearly a design defect. What do we need to do to get Subaru to fix this?.

In the 2005 wagon, the rear wiring harness that goes through the hatch and is subject to a lot of bending (it connects the rear wiper, backup lights, etc) uses cheap wiring that wears out. . Read more...

I have a 2011 Subaru Legacy le 3. 6r, and the headlights keep burning out. I work an hour away from my home and had to drive most of the way without headlamps because the 2nd one blew on the way home. With only high beams and daytime runner lamps, it was very dangerous and scary. I've only had the car for 2 years and have had to replace the headlamps twice already. In researching the problem, it appears that the headlamps draw too much power from the wiring/electronic board that eventually overheats the headlamps causing them to burn out. It also appears to be a common problem with this model car. This is a serious problem and I would really appreciate Subaru investigating it and handing their customers a solution!.

See all problems of the 2011 Subaru Legacy 🔎.

Rear window defroster ceased functioning. The problem was due to broken wire in a wiring harness that passes through a rubber accordion boot between the car body and the tail-gate (near the right-hand tailgate hinge). The left hand tail-gate boot was removed and a previously repaired wire was also found ( this is a previously owned car). Research at an online forum for Subaru owners showed that many other owners of 2005 and 2006 Subarus have experienced similar failures due to broken wires in this wiring harness. I suspect that it is an under-reported problem. I believe that Subaru should be asked to issue a safety recall notice.

My car door power door locks stopped working, rear wiper stopped working, rear brake lights and running lights stopped working, also radio stopped working. Upon investigation I found that the wiring harness on both sides of my rear lift gate had torn and shorted out. This is a dangerous shortcoming on this car, the wires are so short and placed under constant tension that they rip themselves apart.

I was driving with my 6 month pregnant wife. No indication of impending problem. Suddenly the at oil temp indicator lighted up and split second I loss engine power with steering became stiff. Good thing I was not in the freeway yet and was able to safely pull over with residual momentum. This could be worse if I am passing thru my daily commute of using the bridge or if it happened in the freeway because I do not have total control of the car brought the car to the dealer to diagnose the er-hc error in the dash and was advised that the issue was due to melted wiring harness connecting all the computer systems. Their only reason is that it has been driven for 133k miles thats why we saw the issue. I think this is a reliability/safety issue that needs to be taken into consideration.

The wiring harness on the rear lift gate (station wagon) keeps breaking and shorting out. This is a dangerous defect, as rear lights can go out without notice, leading to a possible rear-end collision. Dangerous for pedestrians when the backup lights have shorted out and are not visible. Rear visibility also hampered under snowy or rainy conditions when the wiper shorts out. Repairs have been made at least three (3) times (2/22/11, 3/24/13, 9/25/13), yet these electrical issues still persist. A recall from Subaru should be ordered to address this electrical defect and safety issue.

This 2005 Subaru Legacy is a station wagon with power door locks, the back lift gate wiring harness on the passenger side has torn the electrical wires within the flexible boot mounted on the top of the car between the body and the rear hatch. As a result it is no longer possible to lock and secure the rear hatch back door of the station wagon. The wires within the wiring harness are just to short and have ripped themselves apart in addition the rear high mount brake light is also no longer functioning.

Intermittently, while driving the consumer experienced electrical system failure. The radio, followed by the windshield wiper and the exterior auto. The outside mirrors failed to function. The dealership has pulled the steering column apart and checked the fuse and wiring for moisture, but no moisture was found. A diagnostic test was also performed. No failure were codes found.

See all problems of the 2000 Subaru Legacy 🔎.

Consumer was on there way back from a triple traveling down a snake road. Another vehicle pulled up beside him and yelled vehicle was on fire. Consumer pulled over, got out with the children. Flames were bursting from rear of vehicle near fuel tank. Towed to the dealer, they couldn't determine cause.

See all problems of the 1996 Subaru Legacy 🔎.

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.