2019 Subaru Legacy Problems & Owner Complaints

Visibility/Wiper 49

“We had to replace the car’s original windshield due to a stone hitting it on the highway- just bad luck and something that happens from time to time. Since then, we’ve had TWO replacement windshields spontaneously crack without any impacts in the span of 3 weeks. Subaru has a major problem. These windshields are not supposed to be disposable, and no one has time or money enough to replace windshields on a weekly basis. There is clearly a defect in the windshields, their mounting, or something that needs to be corrected. This represents a major safety issue for drivers.”
NHTSA complaint #11592264, 2024

“On 3/1/24, I had my original windshield replaced with Subaru dealership due to a crack. I paid out of pocket. On 4/21/24, the windshield cracked again for no reason. I don't recall anything hitting it. I took it to the Subaru dealership on 4/22/24, and they took no responsibility even though it was still under warranty. They claimed it was due to something hitting the windshield, but they did replace it for free because we were "loyal customers". On 4/30/24, it developed a substantial crack again. I remember some small pebble hitting the windshield but not hard enough to cause it to cra…”
NHTSA complaint #11589441, 2024

“UNKNOWN. A very small pebble flew up from the road onto the lower passenger's side windshield, creating a small chip, approximately 2 mm, in the glass. Within 10 minutes, the glass started to hairline crack leftward by about 4 inches. I parked the car and checked a few hours later, and the crack was deeper and over a foot in length. It continued to grow with the car was parked, and was about 18 inches when I left work several hours later. I marked the end point of the crack on the inside glass when I arrived home to see if the crack would stabilize in size. The car was parked overnigh…”
NHTSA complaint #11573382, 2024

Electrical System 35

“Due to a dead battery issue in 2025, I bought a new battery. A year later, the car wouldn't start & I finally got it jumped. Ran fine for 3 weeks, then wouldn't start again. I brought car back to the Interstate battery shop, who tested the alternator, which was fine, but he said the battery was appearing low. After researching this problem, I discovered there's a known issue that the battery dies due to a parasitic draw. Subaru knows there is a problem but refuses to correct the issues. The dealer I bought the car from neglected to tell me there was an existing issue and will be happy to cha…”
NHTSA complaint #11728063, 2026

“Unintended acceleration, on 2 occasions. First occasion, car was in DRIVE waiting at a traffic stop and the engine radically increased it's RPM from idle to over 6000 RPM, remaining there. Braking control maintained the automobile's position. Shifting the car into neutral caused RPM to increase further. The car was shut off, restarted, and seemed to function normally. On the second occasion, which occurred later the same day, the car was off and then started, and while still in PARK with my foot on the brake immediately jumped to over 6000, remaining there. Once again the car was shut off,…”
NHTSA complaint #11724063, 2026

“The entertainment system got bubbles and stopped working only after 50,000 miles.”
NHTSA complaint #11669029, 2025

Unknown Or Other 20 1 fire

“During small front end collision, car’s engine failed and car sparked a fire resulting in total loss of vehicle. California highway patrol was called and a report was filed. Insurance was contacted and conducted own investigation to rule car as a total loss. No prior warning lights or messages appeared prior to accident.”
NHTSA complaint #11480464, 2022 · fire

“Multimedia component is not working correctly and it could cause an accident due to trying to change/control the component over and over again. It has a mind of its own. I turn it off and it turns on by itself. It switches radio stations by itself. The screen changes apps all by itself. I can't correctly use any of it anymore. I try using my phone and even though I don't want it sent to audio on the car it switches to it and then the conversation cuts in and out. I've tried resetting it a million times but it's useless anymore to even do that. I haven't brought it to a dealer as of yet. I look…”
NHTSA complaint #11730262, 2024

“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11685119, 2024

Engine 6

“The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment, and the vehicle intermittently stalled. The contact stated that seconds later, the vehicle returned to normal operation. No warning lights were illuminated. The failure reoccurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken back to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact researched and became aware of an unknown NHTSA Campaign Number; however, the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was not notified of…”
NHTSA complaint #11751089, 2026

“The Cam Carrier has a leak due to Subaru using a cheap sealant. My car only has 80,000 miles and it is leaking. The subaru is know for this leak after researching it online. They say it is a safety issue cause the oil can fall on the exhaust making in a fire issue.”
NHTSA complaint #11737655, 2026

“Unintended acceleration, on 2 occasions. First occasion, car was in DRIVE waiting at a traffic stop and the engine radically increased it's RPM from idle to over 6000 RPM, remaining there. Braking control maintained the automobile's position. Shifting the car into neutral caused RPM to increase further. The car was shut off, restarted, and seemed to function normally. On the second occasion, which occurred later the same day, the car was off and then started, and while still in PARK with my foot on the brake immediately jumped to over 6000, remaining there. Once again the car was shut off,…”
NHTSA complaint #11724063, 2026

Forward Collision Avoidance 5 2 crash

“Vehicle is equipped with Subaru EyeSight Driver Assist which includes reverse automatic braking. Vehicle was reversing towards a parked vehicle on the street and the RAB feature failed to apply the brakes and the vehicle collided with the parked vehicle. I am extremely disappointed that the safety system in this car failed to work as advertised/expected resulting in damages to both cars.”
NHTSA complaint #11585165, 2024 · crash

“Vehicle was using the self driving feature of the Subaru Eyesight system. With the system engaged, the vehicle is supposed to accelerate and apply brakes accordingly as to keep a distance from the vehicle in front. Today, that system failed. The vehicle, with the Eyesight system engaged, accelerated right into the vehicle in front. There was no warning. The vehicle will be go for repair on 12/5/23. I have used the Eyesight system since purchasing the vehicle in 2019 with no issues, except for today. Luckily, I was driving at a very low speed but this safety concern can cause catastrophic injur…”
NHTSA complaint #11557493, 2023 · crash

“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11685119, 2024

Fuel/Propulsion System 4

“I am reporting a safety issue with my 2019 Subaru Legacy that hesitates and nearly stalls when accelerating from a stop and is now undriveable due to stalling and shaking. I bought the car new from AutoNation Subaru Carlsbad in 2019. It has about 65,000 miles and I have driven it less than 2,000 miles since its last dealer visit in August 2025. Since around August 2025, the car has intermittently lost power under light acceleration from a stop or low speed, especially while pulling into or through intersections. Pressing the accelerator sometimes produces very little power, the engine feels l…”
NHTSA complaint #11701769, 2025

“Fuel Pump failed. Available for inspection upon request. Vehicle shut down near a busy intersection. There were no warnings, just failed while leaving a restaurant.”
NHTSA complaint #11509257, 2023

“Acceleration is uneven/hesitant. I think it’s the fuel pump. 56,000 miles on vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #11476651, 2022

Vehicle Speed Control 4 2 crash

“Vehicle is equipped with Subaru EyeSight Driver Assist which includes reverse automatic braking. Vehicle was reversing towards a parked vehicle on the street and the RAB feature failed to apply the brakes and the vehicle collided with the parked vehicle. I am extremely disappointed that the safety system in this car failed to work as advertised/expected resulting in damages to both cars.”
NHTSA complaint #11585165, 2024 · crash

“Vehicle was using the self driving feature of the Subaru Eyesight system. With the system engaged, the vehicle is supposed to accelerate and apply brakes accordingly as to keep a distance from the vehicle in front. Today, that system failed. The vehicle, with the Eyesight system engaged, accelerated right into the vehicle in front. There was no warning. The vehicle will be go for repair on 12/5/23. I have used the Eyesight system since purchasing the vehicle in 2019 with no issues, except for today. Luckily, I was driving at a very low speed but this safety concern can cause catastrophic injur…”
NHTSA complaint #11557493, 2023 · crash

“Unintended acceleration, on 2 occasions. First occasion, car was in DRIVE waiting at a traffic stop and the engine radically increased it's RPM from idle to over 6000 RPM, remaining there. Braking control maintained the automobile's position. Shifting the car into neutral caused RPM to increase further. The car was shut off, restarted, and seemed to function normally. On the second occasion, which occurred later the same day, the car was off and then started, and while still in PARK with my foot on the brake immediately jumped to over 6000, remaining there. Once again the car was shut off,…”
NHTSA complaint #11724063, 2026

Steering 3

“Power steering stopped working. I see online this problem was reported with other Subaru vehicle 2019 models and a recall was made but for some reason my car is not included. I believe this is the same issue of faulty equipment.”
NHTSA complaint #11513814, 2023

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 SUBARU LEGACY. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED ON ITS OWN TO THE LEFT. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL WITH NO ISSUE. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL MADE A SHARP LEFT TURN AND BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON BOTH OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PUTNAM SUBARU (LOCATED AT 85 CALIFORNIA DR, BURLINGAME, CA 94010, (888) 697-0962), BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED AND MULTIPLE UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATO…”
NHTSA complaint #11243278, 2019

“WHAT WE NOTICE IS A CHANGE IN RESPONSE OF THE STEERING IN SOME SITUATIONS. COMING 'OFF-CENTER' THERE IS A SLIGHT CHANGE IN STEERING FEEL AND RESPONSE ' ALMOST AS IF IT HAS A DEAD SPOT 'ON-CENTER'. ADDITIONALLY, I HAVE NOTED A CHANGE IN RESPONSE AT HIGHWAY SPEED ENTERING AND EXITING CURVES. PARTICULARLY, THE STEERING HAS A NICE 'WEIGHTED' FEEL ENTERING AND MAINTAINING THROUGH THE CORNER, BUT JUST AS ONE BEGINS TO UNWIND THE STEERING AS THE ROAD STRAIGHTENS, THE STEERING CHANGES FEEL AND RESPONSE REQUIRING AN UNEXPECTED ADJUSTMENT. THE CAR SEEMS TO WANT TO TURN MORE AGGRESSIVELY INTO TH…”
NHTSA complaint #11209372, 2019

Back Over Prevention 2

“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 Suba…”
NHTSA complaint #11631631, 2024

“Touch screen driver information system has random display and audible warnings. Audio and navigation display cannot be controlled and does random radio channels and map displays. The screen developed bubbles under the front panel that appears to activate the touch sensor for the display. This condition is very distracting to the driver and might cause unsafe vehicle operation. The display changing and beeping during driving causes an unsafe situation. It also impacts the ability to use and see the rear view camera as the display is distorted due to the delamination/bubbles. This problem was id…”
NHTSA complaint #11545633, 2023

Service Brakes 2 2 crash

“Vehicle is equipped with Subaru EyeSight Driver Assist which includes reverse automatic braking. Vehicle was reversing towards a parked vehicle on the street and the RAB feature failed to apply the brakes and the vehicle collided with the parked vehicle. I am extremely disappointed that the safety system in this car failed to work as advertised/expected resulting in damages to both cars.”
NHTSA complaint #11585165, 2024 · crash

“Vehicle was using the self driving feature of the Subaru Eyesight system. With the system engaged, the vehicle is supposed to accelerate and apply brakes accordingly as to keep a distance from the vehicle in front. Today, that system failed. The vehicle, with the Eyesight system engaged, accelerated right into the vehicle in front. There was no warning. The vehicle will be go for repair on 12/5/23. I have used the Eyesight system since purchasing the vehicle in 2019 with no issues, except for today. Luckily, I was driving at a very low speed but this safety concern can cause catastrophic injur…”
NHTSA complaint #11557493, 2023 · crash

Visibility 2

“driver side mirror can not be adjusted to effectively see visually car in blind spot; fortunately car saw me changing lane when it was just off rear driverside fender; did not seen in mirror or in window; 70 years used visual; blind spot light inconsistent; visual is”
NHTSA complaint #11736451, 2026

“The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that the front windshield cracked without impact. The windshield was replaced. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and informed the contact that they were unable to assist. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11426653, 2021

Electronic Stability Control (Esc) 1

“EVER SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THIS YEAR, ALL WARNING LIGHTS AND EYE SIGHT HAVE COME UP ON THE DISPLAY SCREEN EVERY 2-3 WEEKS. TWICE IT'S GIVEN THE CODE THAT SOMETHING IS BLOCKING THE SHUTTERS. TRIED CLEARING SHUTTERS, BUT NO SUCCESS. TRIED REPLACING ASSEMBLY; STILL DIDN'T WORK. FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED, CAR WAS STATIONARY. NEXT 3 TIMES, CAR WAS IN MOTION. ALSO TRIED RE-SETTING COMPUTER SYSTEM, BUT WARNING LIGHTS AND EYE SIGHT WOULD COME ON AGAIN IN 2-3 WEEKS. MUST BE A DESIGN FLAW SOMEWHERE TO HAVE THIS HAPPEN FOUR TIMES, EVEN AFTER REPLACING ASSEMBLY! MOST RECENT OCCURRENCE WAS ON 1 MARCH 2020. T…”
NHTSA complaint #11315676, 2020

Fuel System 1

“TL* THE CONTACT'S WIFE OWNS A 2019 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS WIFE RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V218000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). HIS WIFE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BROWN'S MANASSAS SUBARU (9018 LIBERIA AVE, MANASSAS, VA 20110) WHERE THE RECALL REMEDY WAS PERFORMED AND THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE CONTACT'S WIFE. ABOUT A MONTH LATER, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AFTER HIS WIFE MADE MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO START THE VEHICLE. DUE TO THE FAILURE, HIS WIFE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO FAULKNER SUBARU BETHLEHEM (330 STOKE PARK RD, BETHLEHEM, PA 18017…”
NHTSA complaint #11350937, 2020

Lane Departure 1

“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11685119, 2024

Latches/Locks/Linkages 1

“My husband was driving on [XXX] and the hood of the Subaru flew up, cracking the entire windshield, damaging the exterior of the roof and interior of the roof, the whole hood and frame where the hood meets the car. The car was driven but escorted by local PD to body shop. Less than 48 hrs before the incident, the car was at Paul Miller Subaru for a routine oil change. They were the last people to touch the hood of the car. Paul Miller Subaru has been an absolute nightmare to work with and is avoiding all contact. We are out of a vehicle entirely and they did not even offer to give us a loane…”
NHTSA complaint #11642209, 2025

Power Train 1

“CVT failed at 85,000 miles. It started slipping and squealing and had to be replaced by the dealership. The car was never driven rough, in mountainous terrain, etc. Very disappointing.”
NHTSA complaint #11672332, 2025

Seat Belts 1

“THE ISSUE IS WITH THE REAR MIDDLE SEAT BELT INTERFERING WITH REAR PASSENGER SEAT BELT BUCKLE. THIS WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALER WHO MENTIONED IT LOOKED FINE BUT THEY CAN MOVE IT OVER. AFTER A FEW DAYS, THE SEATBELT REVERED BACK TO THE INCORRECT POSITION.”
NHTSA complaint #11320469, 2019

Seats 1

“The front drivers seat was making a creaking noise. The noise is coming from a faulty weld in the seat frame. Research into the the problem shows numerous other complaints about the seat frame creaking for the legacy.”
NHTSA complaint #11466540, 2022

Structure 1

“WE PURCHASED THE CAR IN SEPTEMBER 2018 AND IN COLD WEATHER WE ARE UNABLE TO OPEN THE GAS TANK . WE , AND OTHER PEOPLE, HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALER, NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE . THE DEALERSHIP CALLED THIS A"DESIGN FLAW".”
NHTSA complaint #11296888, 2019

Tires 1

“After my 2019 Subaru Legacy 2.5i Limited sat outside on a level blacktop parking lot for one week (05-03-23 to 05-10-23) without moving, both passenger side tires were discovered completely deflated. The tires were Goodyear Eagle LS-2 size 225/50R18 95H (front passenger DOT M678 JR2R 1819 and rear passenger DOT M678 JR2R 1719). The tires were original to the car when purchased new by myself at Jenkins Subaru in Bridgeport WV on 09-23-19 with 26 miles on the odometer. The tires had 32,515 miles on them and were rotated 6 times. Sever dry rot on the tires sidewalls was the reason given by the Go…”
NHTSA complaint #11521859, 2023

Wheels 1

“I HAD 4,000 MILES GOODYEAR EAGLE LS2 TIRES WHEN I EXPERIENCED A SIDEWALK BLOWOUT ON THE EXPRESSWAY IN ANOTHER STATE. WE HAD TO HAVE IT REPLACED WHILE TRAVELING. THE REPAIR SHOP SAID IT WAS SUSPECT SINCE THERE WASN'T A FOREIGN OBJECT OR PUNCTURE, IT WAS JUST THE SIDEWALL THAT BLEW OUT. THERE WERE NO POTHOLES AROUND. FAST FORWARD 5 MONTHS AND ANOTHER TIRE DEVELOPED A BULGE IN THE SIDEWALL. I HAPPENED TO NOTICE IT WHEN I WAS AT THE GAS STATION. LUCKILY IT DIDN'T BLOW OUT. I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED ANY TIRE EVER BLOWING OUT OR BULGING IN ALL THE MILES I DRIVE. I'M ON THE ROAD ALMOST EVERY DAY FOR M…”
NHTSA complaint #11281199, 2019