2003 SUBARU Legacy Problems

Complaints Reported

Complaints by Component

AIR BAGS

15 complaints

DEADLY DEFECTIVE PASSENGER AIRBAG! AIR BAG RECALL. REPORTED ON LOCAL NEWS CHANNEL.

Jan 10, 2020

I HAVE AN AIRBAG RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE AND HAVE RECEIVED A NOTICE TO GET IT SERVICED. WHEN CALLING MY LOCAL SUBARU DEALERSHIP THEY TOLD ME I'D BE PUT ON A WAITING LIST AND THAT THEY ARE BOOKED OUT THROUGH THE END OF THE YEAR. IN THE NOTICE IT STATES THAT THIS COULD KILL ME OR MY PASSENGERS. WAITING TILL THE END OF THE YEAR DOESN'T SEEM LIKE THEY CARE ABOUT MY SAFETY. THE DEALERSHIP WAS GUSTMAN SUBARU OF APPLETON WISCONSIN.

Aug 07, 2019

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V358000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HUDIBURG SUBARU (210 E INTERSTATE 240 SERVICE RD, OKLAHOMA CITY, OK 73149, (844) 629-1630) WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE AIR BAGS WERE NOT TAKATA AIR BAGS; THEREFORE, THEY DID NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD RETURN THE VEHICLE AND WANTED TO CHARGE THE CONTACT TO TOW THE VEHICLE BACK TO HIM. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED TO POSSIBLY REIMBURSE THE CONTACT FOR THE TOWING COST. THE CONTACT FELT THAT HE WAS GETTING THE RUN AROUND AND WAS OUT OF A VEHICLE FOR A WEEK. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

Jul 08, 2019

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V358000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SUBURBAN SUBARU (14 HARTFORD TURNPIKE, VERNON, CT 06066, 860-406-7281) WHERE THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WAS INSPECTED, BUT WAS NOT REPLACED. APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH LATER, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CALLED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE AIR BAG ILLUMINATION WAS UNRELATED TO THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 132,800.

Aug 16, 2018

ARE THE DEALERS REQUIRED TO TURN IN THE OLD AIR BAGS THAT THEY REPLACE ON RECALL? AFTER THE DEALER "CHECKED" MY AIRBAG SERIAL NUMBER, WHICH TOOK ALL DAY, EVEN THOUGH ALL THEY HAD TO DO IS OPEN THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT AND LOOK, THE DEALER HAD ME SIGN TWO IDENTICAL PIECES OF PAPER WITH LARGE DOLLAR AMOUNTS ON THEM. THE PIECE OF PAPER I RECEIVED HAD ALL ZEROS FOR THE DOLLAR AMOUNTS, SINCE THE DEALER LIED TO ME ABOUT HAVING TO REMOVE THE DASHBOARD TO CHECK THE AIRBAG, I AM SUSPICIOUS. COULD THE DEALER USE THE PAPERS I SIGNED TO CLAIM TO HAVE REPLACED THE AIRBAG, BUT NOT DONE SO??? THE LIKELIHOOD OF THEM GETTING CAUGHT WOULD BE VERY LOW. I KNOW THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS NOT REMOVED BECAUSE OF COBWEBS THAT WERE NOT DISTURBED BETWEEN THE DASH AND THE CAR. THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THE AIRBAG DID NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED AFTER THEY CHECKED THE SERIAL NUMBER.

Jan 08, 2018

+ 10 more complaints for this component

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

10 complaints

CYLINDER HEAD GASKET FAILURE. *TR

Jan 10, 2011

NOTICED THE SMELL OF COOLANT WHEN EXITING THE CAR AFTER DRIVING. I INVESTIGATED THIS AND FOUND A SMALL COOLANT LEAK COMING FROM THE BACK OF THE LEFT CYLINDER HEAD. THE CAR IS A 2003 SUBARU LEGACY GT W/ THE 2.5L ENGINE. I HAVE OWNED THE CAR SINCE NEW,AND HAD THE FIRST FEW SERVICES PERFORMED @ THE DEALER PURCHASED,AND EVEN HAD A TRANS RECALL REPAIR PERFORMED THERE AS WELL.THE CAR HAD AROUND 65000 MI. ON IT WHEN THE LEAK WAS FIRST NOTICED BY ME NOT THE DEALERSHIP,EVEN THOUGH IT IS A KNOWN ISSUE AS TOLD BY A SERVICE REP WHEN I QUESTIONED THEM ON IT. IT TOOK SEVERAL VISITS TO GET INFO FROM THEM ON THIS BECAUSE THEY "DIDNT WANT TO REVEAL TOO MUCH INFO" TO ME,THE CONSUMER.APPARENTLY IF SUBARUS COOLANT ADDITIVE WAS ADDED BEFORE 100,000 MI. AND DOCUMENTED @ A CERTIFIED SERVICE CENTER,SUBARU WOULD COVER THE BILL FOR A NEW CYLINDER HEAD GASKET, IF NOT THEN IT WOULD NOT BE COVERED. MY QUESTION IS IF THE ADDITIVE WAS SO IMPORTANT FOR THE HEAD GASKET TO SURVIVE BEING RUN THEN WHY WASNT IT ADDED AT THE FACTORY OR DEALER BEFORE SALE,AND WHOSE JOB WAS IT TO TELL THE CONSUMERS THAT IT NEEDED TO BE ADDED.THE BILL IS AROUND 1200$ AND FROM MY RESEARCH AND OBSERVATIONS OF VEHICLES W THE SAME MOTOR (I WORK IN THE AUTO BODY REPAIR BUSINESS) THIS HAPPENS TO MOST FAIRLY EARLY IN THE ENGINES LIFE.I THINK THAT THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY SUBARU THE MANUFACTURER,AND RESULT IN A TOTAL RECALL AND REPAIR OF THIS PROBLEM.THEY HAVE ALREADY LOST ME AS A CUSTOMER, AND ACTUALLY THE LAST TIME I TRIED CONTACT W THEM THEYRE RESPONSE WAS "WE WILL REMOVE YOU FROM OUR CONTACT LIST". *TR

Jul 10, 2009

VEHICLE HAD COOLANT FLUSH IN DEC 2007 (39,924 MILES). COOLANT LEAKED AFTER THIS SERVICE. IN JAN 2008 (40,912 MILES) SUBARU DEALER PUT ADDITIVE IN COOLANT TO SEAL LEAK AND INDICATED MANUFACTURER EXTENDED DRIVETRAIN WARRANTY FOR THIS MODEL. IN DEC 08 COOLANT LEAKED. HEAD GASKET REPLACED 6 WEEKS AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRED (46,457 MILES). THERE WAS NO EXTENSION TO THE DRIVETRAIN WARRANTY DESPITE BEING TOLD SUCH BY SERVICE ADVISOR (APPARENTLY THAT ENDED IN 2002). SUBARU DID PAY FOR ALL BY $500 OF WORK. SUBARU ALSO INDICATED THEY WOULD NOT GUARANTEE THE DRIVE TRAIN BELT FROM FAILING AND RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT AT MY COST. *TR

Jan 28, 2009

TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT MY HEAD GASKET IS LEAKING. WILL NEED TO REPAIR FOR $1,200-1,500. *TR

Dec 09, 2008

BOTH HEAD GASKETS BLOWN ON A 2003 SUBARU LEGACY WITH ABOUT 54,000 MILES AND REGULARLY MAINTAINED BY THE DEALER CAR JUST 6 WEEKS OUT OF WARRANTY. *TR

Oct 02, 2008

+ 5 more complaints for this component

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

4 complaints

FOR AT LEAST 3 YRS NOW, WE'VE BEEN EXPERIENCING VERY STRONG RAW FUEL SMELL IN THE CABIN IN COLD WEATHER ESPECIALLY WHEN THE TEMP DROPS NEAR FREEZING POINT IN THE WINTER. THE FUEL SMELL IN THE CABIN HAPPENED WHEN ENGINE WAS ON AND THE CAR WAS EITHER STATIONARY, IN MOTION OF ANY SPEED IN COLD WEATHER. WE DIDN'T NOTICE THE FUEL SMELL IN THE SUMMER OR IN WARM WEATHER MONTHS. THE FUEL SMELL WAS SO BAD THAT AT TIME WE HAD TO OPEN THE WINDOWS IN THE WINTER TO AIR IT OUT. OUR BIGGEST CONCERN IS THAT IT MIGHT CATCH ON FIRE AND COMPROMISE OUR SAFETY. SUBARU HAS RECALL NO. WVK-21 FOR 2002-2003 SUBARU WRX MODELS, BUT NOT FOR OTHER MODELS WITH THE SAME ENGINE AND MODEL YEARS. PLEASE SEE THAT SUBARU INVESTIGATES THE PROBLEM AND MAKES THE APPROPRIATE REPAIRS. MANY THANKS, ANDREW

Jan 02, 2016

FUMES ACCUMULATE IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WHEN DRIVING IN TEMPERATURES BELOW FREEZING. DEALER STATES 'DIDN'T SMELL ANY FUMES'. REPLACING EXHAUST SYSTEM DIDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM.

Sep 23, 2015

CAR WILL LEAK GAS AS TEMPERATURES GO BELOW FREEZING. LEAK IS LOCATED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT PASSENGER SIDE. *TR

Jan 19, 2015

SUBSEQUENT TO FILLING GAS TANK, GASOLINE WAS OBSERVED LEAKING FROM THE REAR UNDERCARRIAGE AREA, NEAR THE REAR WHEEL DRIVER'S SIDE. APPROXIMATELY 1/2 TO 1 GALLON OF GAS WAS OBSERVED TO LEAK ONTO THE GROUND. A SLOW FUEL LEAK CONTINUES IN THE SAME AREA, AND A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT PERSISTS UNTIL THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATES APPROXIMATELY 3/4 FULL. AT THIS POINT, NO LEAKAGE IS OBSERVED, AND A LIGHT SMELL OF GASOLINE PERSISTS. THIS REPRESENTS A DANGEROUS CONDITION AND APPEARS TO BE A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. *TT

Apr 15, 2014

TIRES

3 complaints

TIRE VALVE STEM FAILURE. *TR

Jul 01, 2009

2003 SUBARU LEGACY, PURCHASED IN JULY, 2003, WITH FOUR FIRESTONE P20555R16 TIRES (POTENZA RE 92, M+S). LEFT FRONT TIRE BLOW-OUT @ 70 MPH ON INTERSTATE WHILE PASSING A SEMI, WITH VEHICLES BEHIND ON BOTH SIDES. AWD SYSTEM ENABLED ME TO SAFELY MOVE INTO THE RIGHT LANE AND OFF THE ROAD. TIRE FULLY EXPLODED, WITH ONLY RIM LEFT. TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP, TIRE UNDER WARRANTY, BUT DEALER WOULD NOT REPLACE UNDER WARRANTY, EVEN THOUGH THE TREAD WAS NOT WORN (22,000 MILES), BASED ON CIRCUMFERENCE MEASUREMENT OF TIRE COMPARED TO SPARE WHICH IS SUPPOSED TO BE THE SAME CIRCUMFERENCE. IN 30 YEARS OF DRIVING, I NEVER EXPERIENCED A TIRE BLOWOUT, AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I'VE HAD FIRESTONE TIRES ON A CAR. THE AUTO DEALER INFORMED US, AS WELL, THAT ALL 4 TIRES WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO THE AWD SYSTEM, AND NONE WOULD BE UNDER WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH THESE ARE NEW TIRES WITH LITTLE TREAD LOSS. *AK

Jul 11, 2004

WHILE DRIVING THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE BEAD BROKE RELEASING ALL AIR FROM TIRE. CAUSE OF THE BEAD BREAKING IS UNKWOWN. CONSUMER FEELS THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH RIMS ON VEHICLE. PLEASE DESCRIBE FURTHER.

Dec 30, 2002

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

3 complaints

FOR THE SECOND TIME (SEE MY FIRST REPORT), MY 2003 SUBARU LEGACY WAGON SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WHILE I WAS SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT. I STOOD ON THE BRAKE AND PUT THE TRANSMISSION INTO NEUTRAL UNTIL THE ENGINE STOPPED REVVING. *JB

Sep 08, 2006

THE SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER IS NOT ACCURATE. I HAVE CHECKED IT WITH RADAR, GPS AND MULTIPLE MEASURED MILES WITH A STOP WATCH AND HAVE CONSISTENTLY CALCULATED AN 8-10% INACCURACY. FOR EXAMPLE WHEN THE CAR IS TRAVELING AT WHAT THE SPEEDOMETER READS AS 60 MPH, THE RADAR,GPS AND THE MEASURED MILE ALL INDICATE A SPEED OF 54-55 MPH. THE DEALER HAS NEVER TESTED MY VEHICLE OTHER THAN DRIVING IT NEXT TO ANOTHER VEHICLE AND COMPARING THE SPEEDS. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY NOT ACCURATE . I HAVE VOICED MY COMPLAINT NUMEROUS TIME TO THE DEALER AND TO THE FACTORY. THE FACTORY AUTHORIZED THE SPEED SENSORS TO BE CHANGED. NO CURE. THE PROBLEM REMAINS AND WORSENS AS THE TIRES WEAR AND THEIR DIAMETER BECOMES SMALLER. IF THE SPEEDOMETER IS INACCURATE THE ODOMETER COULD ALSO BE WRONG AND THIS WOULD MEAN THAT MY MILEAGE WOULD NOT BE AS GREAT AS IS INDICATED AND MY WARRANTY WOULD EXPIRE THAT MUCH SOONER. ALSO MY GAS MILEAGE WOULD BE LESS AND MY MAINTENANCE INTERVALS WOULD BE SOONER AND I NEVER REALLY KNOW WHAT MY TRUE SPEED IS. THE FACTORY INDICATED TO ME THAT THEY WOULD ONLY ACCEPT DYNONMOMETER TEST AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO DO THE TEST AT MY EXPENSE. THEY DO NOT HAVE SUCH A MACHINE AND WOULD NOT HELP ME ANY FURTHER. I HOPE THAT YOU WILL BE ABLE TO HELP WITH THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE TALKED TO OTHER 2003 SUBARU LEGACY OUTBACK OWNERS AND MOST OF THEM INDICATED THE SAME PROBLEM AFTER THEY WERE MADE AWARE OF THIS. I WAS TOLD BY A MECHANIC THAT 2003 WAS THE FIRST YEAR THE SPEEDOMETERS/ODOMETERS WERE ELECTRONIC. I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS TRUE OR NOT, BUT I'M VERY SURE THAT MYSELF AND OTHER SUBARU OUTBACK OWNERS HAVE INACCURATE SPEEDOMETERS. HOPE YOU WILL INVESTIGATE THIS. *JB

Jan 19, 2006

VEHICLE CONTINUES TO ACCELERATE WHILE BREAKING. THIS INCIDENT HAS HAPPEND FIVE TIMES SINCE NEW CAR PURCHASE ON APRIL 29, 2003. CAR TOWED TWICE. IN LAST INCIDENT UPON APPROCHING TRAFFIC LIGHT, BUSY INTERSECTION, CAR UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED AS I TRIED TO COME TO A STOP. ROLLED UP OFF ROAD AND HIT SIGN TO AVOID DRIVER IN FRONT. *NLM

Jun 25, 2003

POWER TRAIN

3 complaints

WHEN ACCELERATING AT ANY SPEED HESITATES FOR A COUPLE OF SECONDS. *AK THE MANUFACTURER INDICATED THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE FIXED BECAUSE IT WAS A CHARACTERISTIC OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER FEELS THAT THIS PROBLEM WILL CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION OVER TIME. *NM

Aug 16, 2004

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SLIPPING, ENGINE SURGING WHILE IN GEAR. *JB

Feb 02, 2004

WHEN THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED ON THE TRANSMISSION, THE DEALER BROKE THE TRANSMISSION PAN BOLT, WHICH CAUSED FLUID TO LEAK OUT, CONSUMER STATED TRANSMISSION MAY HAVE INTERNAL DAMAGE.*JB

Jan 03, 2003

SUSPENSION

2 complaints

Dealer has reported rear subframe if broken. I googled this and found recall 03v153000 which seems applicable but subaru says it does not apply to my car. Problem description seems identical.

Sep 27, 2023

The contact's daughter owns a 2003 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made squeaking sounds. Upon inspection, the contact noticed that the rear lateral link had detached from the rear subframe, and that the rear strut was leaning against the rear driver's side tire. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the rear subframe was corroded and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 03V153000 (Suspension) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

Apr 10, 2023

ENGINE

2 complaints

The contact owns a 2003 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated while driving 30 mph, the vehicle began to stall and then seized. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated a police officer assisted to push the vehicle out of the roadway. The contact stated he was able to restart the vehicle and drive to his destination. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer who was unable to duplicate the failure. The contact stated he and his daughter continued to experience the failure while driving the vehicle. The contact then took the vehicle to Fairway Subaru (2209 Laurens Rd, Greenville, SC 29607, (864) 242-5060) and the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The contact stated he continued to experience the failure. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.

Aug 10, 2021

BLOWN HEADGASKETS. *TR

Feb 21, 2014

SERVICE BRAKES

2 complaints

FOR THE LAST 2 YEARS THE FRONT BRAKES STALLED 4 TIMES ON THE HIGH WAY. I HAD TO PULL OVER, WAIT 20 MINUTES AND THE BRAKES ARE WORKING AGAIN. THE MECHANIC'S COMPUTER DOESN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG.

Apr 07, 2021

BRAKE LINE AT REAR WHEEL CONNECTOR RUSTED THROUGH AND LITERALLY BROKE A HOLE THROUGH THE VERY RUSTED METAL WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 30 MPH, BUT LUCKILY THIS WAS ON EMPTY ROAD AND IT EVENTUALLY STOPPED, BUT THE BRAKE PEDAL LOST EFFECTIVENESS AND THE USABILITY IS NOW DANGEROUS, SO IT IS PARKED AT HOME, WHILE MY REGISTRATION, TAX AND INSPECTION LIVES ARE ONLY HALF USED.

Sep 28, 2020

ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

2 complaints

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL FUEL ODOR WITHIN THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT OBSERVED A LEAK OF FLUID LOCATED UNDER THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE HOOD. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE ODOR WAS MORE STRINGENT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING. THE DIAL FOR THE AIR/HEAT WAS FRACTURED AND COULD NOT BE TURNED OFF. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 175,192.

Oct 05, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG GASOLINE ODOR COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS OR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000.

Jan 08, 2014

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

2 complaints

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DURING COLDER WEATHER, GASOLINE FUEL FUMES EMITTED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.

Jan 14, 2015

FUEL SMELL IN CAR WHEN TEMP, IS BELOW ~20 F. RECALL IN 2001 AND SERVICE BULLETIN IN WRX IN 2002-03. BUT NOT FOR THIS MODEL. SMELL IS OVERWHELMING AND FUEL LEAK IS VERY DANGEROUS. SOA SAYS IT IS NOT A PROBLEM FOR THIS PART. CAR ALTHOUGH IT MATCHES SERVICE BULLETIN TO THE DOT. TAKING TO DEALERSHIP TOMORROW TO GET FUEL LINE CLAMPS LOOKED AT, POSSIBLY TIGHTENED. CAN'T DUPLICATE ISSUE UNLESS VERY COLD. *TR

Jan 19, 2009

STRUCTURE

2 complaints

BROKE TAILGATE WINDOW. GLASS SHOP INDICATED DEALER-ONLY ITEM. DEALER INDICATED NO REPLACEMENT WINDOWS EXISTED IN THE UNITED STATES. DEALER ALSO INDICATED THEY ALREADY HAD ANOTHER SIMILAR VEHICLE IN THEIR SHOP THAT HAD ALREADY BEEN WAITING 3 WEEKS FOR A WINDOW, AND THEY HAD NO IDEA WHEN ONE WOULD COME IN. VEHICLE WAS LESS THAN 5 YEARS OLD AT TIME OF INCIDENT. FORCED TO GET USED TAILGATE/WINDOW FROM JUNKYARD. NO NEW REPLACEMENT WINDOWS EXISTED IN THE UNITED STATES, EVEN THOUGH THE WINDOW WAS THE SAME ON BOTH LEGACY WAGONS (LIKE MINE) AND OUTBACK WAGONS, AND WAS THE SAME FOR AT LEAST SEVERAL MODEL YEARS. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WAS EVEN BUILT IN THE U.S. WINDOW ITSELF WAS NOT DEFECTIVE - PROBLEM WAS NO AVAILABLE REPLACEMENT PARTS. *TR

May 07, 2009

I HAVE A 2003 SUBARU LEGACY SEDAN; AND WHILE TRAVELING ON ROADS WITH SPEED LIMITS OF 45 MPH OR MORE, I HEAR SWISHES FROM THE 2 FRONT WINDOWS. THEY SOUND AS IF I HAVE THEM ROLLED DOWN JUST SLIGHTLY ENOUGH TO WHERE THIS CONSTANT, AND VERY ANNOYING, WHOOSHING IS HEARD. I TRAVEL ON THE HIGHWAY EVERYWHERE I GO, AND THIS SOUND INCREASES AS VELOCITY IS INCREASED. IT'S SO I'M CONSTANTLY CHECKING THE POWER BUTTONS TO MY WINDOWS TO SEE IF I HAVE THEM ROLLED UP ALL THE WAY. ONE DAY ME AND 3 OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS; RODE IN MY CAR TO SPEND THE AFTERNOON TOGETHER AND ONCE WE HIT THE HIGHWAY, THEY ALL COMMENTED ON THE ANNOYING NOISE. THEY EVEN ASKED IF MY WINDOWS WERE ROLLED UP TIGHTLY. MOST OF THE TIME, IT'S SUPERLATIVE TO THE MUSIC COMING FROM MY RADIO. **TR

Jul 20, 2007

VISIBILITY

2 complaints

DT: SHORTLY AFTER BUYING THE VEHICLE SUNROOF SHATTERED. THE SUNROOF WAS OPEN AND LOUDLY CRACKED AS IF IN AN EXPLOSION. TOOK VEHICLE TO SUBARU DEALERSHIP AND THEY INSISTED A ROCK MUST HAVE STRUCK VEHICLE. AFTER INSISTING THIS WAS NOT SO OWNER AGREED TO PAY FOR REPLACEMENT. CURRENTLY, A YEAR AND A HALF LATER THIS HAPPENED AGAIN WITHOUT ANY FOREIGN OBJECT STRIKING THE SUNROOF, AND NO EVIDENCE OF ANY KIND. THE SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENED WITHOUT NOTICE AND WAS CLOSED WHEN THE CRACK WAS DISCOVERED. VEHICLE CURRENTLY AWAITING REPAIRS. CONSUMER FELT THIS SUN ROOF WAS DEFECTIVE WITH SOME SORT OF UNDUE STRESS. *AK

May 31, 2005

WINDSHIELD HAS A CRACK THAT STARTS ON THE PASSENGER EDGE MIDWAY UP THE WINDSHIELD AND GOES IN TOWARD THE CENTER TOWARD THE REARVIEW MIRROR. NORMALLY I WOULD JUST THINK THIS WAS DUE TO A ROCK CHIP, HOWEVER I HAVE SEEN MULTIPLE VEHICLES (SAME YEAR/MODEL) WITH THE EXACT SAME CRACK.*AK

Oct 13, 2004

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

1 complaint

THE ELECTRICAL IN MY CAR SOMETIMES WORKS AND SOMETIMES NOT WHILE DRIVING THE LIGHTS FOR NOTIFICATION OF BRAKE OR ANS GO OFF AND ON. MY HEADLIGHTS WILL OCCASIONALLY BLINK TOO.

Jan 19, 2021

TIRES,WHEELS

1 complaint

I HAVE HAD SEVERAL STUDS BREAK OFF OVER THE YEARS AND HAD TO REPLACE ALL OF THE STUDS ON MY 2003 SUBARU LEGACY LAST SUMMER. THE LAST EVENT OCCURRED LAST SUMMER 2013. BY THE TIME I ARRIVED AT MY 400 MILE DESTINATION, I HAD ONLY ONE STUD HOLDING MY TIRE ON. EITHER THIS IS A HUGE METAL DEFECT WITH THE STUDS OR A POTENTIAL CRIMINAL EVENT AGAINST OUR FAMILY. I HAVE KEPT ALL RECORDS FROM VARIOUS GARAGES WHICH HAVE REPLACED THE STUDS OVER THE YEARS. *TR

Jul 11, 2014

STEERING

1 complaint

DRIVING S.IN RT LANE AT 60 MPH ON I-26, LSR EXIT, ON OVERPASS, CAR STARTED TO VEER LEFT. WHEN I CORRECTED TO RIGHT, CAR OVERCORRECTED WAY TOO MUCH, TRIED CORRECTING TO LEFT AND CAR OVERCORRECTED WAY TO MUCH AGAIN. IT STARTED GOING RIGHT AND LEFT AND SPUN IN CIRCLES (AS IF IT WERE ON ICE-IT WAS A WARM, SUNNY DAY) AND HIT THE CONCRETE DIVIDER ON THE LEFT..I BEGGED THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER TO LOOK UNDERNEATH BUT THE CAR WAS SO SMASHED DOWN IN FRONT THAT SHE COULDN'T GET UNDERNEATH TO SEE WHAT CAUSED THE FAILURE. I CALLED AND AGAIN REQUESTED HER TO DO THIS WHEN THEY HAD IT ON A LIFT AT THE JUNKYARD, BUT I DOUBT THAT IT WAS DONE. IT WAS DEFINITELY MECHANICAL FAILURE. IT HAD NEW FRONT BRAKES RECENTLY INSTALLED BY THE DEALER AND A DRIVE SHAFT INSTALLED BY CUSTOM BRAKES A FEW WEEKS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. AN OIL CHANGE AND SERVICE WAS DONE THE WEEK BEFORE. I HAD PRIOR TO THIS NO NOTICE OF IMPENDING FAILURE OF ANY KIND. FROM THE LOOKS OF THE CAR, IT WAS AMAZING THAT I WALKED AWAY. I HAVE PHOTOS. *TR

Dec 23, 2013

Crash: 1

WHEELS

1 complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUBARU LEGACY. LAST YEAR THE CONTACT HAD THREE STUDS BREAK OFF ON THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL AND NOW THEY HAVE THREE THAT BROKE OFF ON THE FRONT RIGHT WHEEL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THEY HAD NEVER SEEN THIS HAPPEN BEFORE. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH A DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF THE STUDS BREAKING OFF FROM THE WHEEL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,009 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 129,407.

Jan 21, 2011

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,AIR BAGS

1 complaint

TRAVELING WEST ON I90 NEAR MENTOR OHIO I ATTEMPTED TO STOP MY 2003 SUBARU LEGACY WAGON ON A SNOW COVERED PORTION OF THE ROAD. MY SPEED WAS ABOUT 45 MPH. TRAFFIC STOPPED SUDDENLY, AND WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP. ALSO, THE ABS BRAKE SYSTEM DID NOT ACTIVATE. FURTHER, UPON IMPACT WITH THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME, THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR

Feb 24, 2010

Crash: 1

Injuries: 1

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1 complaint

THE SPEEDOMETER DOESN'T WORK. *TR

Apr 07, 2008

POWER TRAIN,STRUCTURE

1 complaint

I OWN A 2003 SUBARU LEGACY SEDAN. AS I PICK UP SPEED YOU CAN HEAR AN INCREASING WIND NOISE COMING FROM AROUND THE FRONT 2 WINDOWS. AT SPEEDS OF 65 MPH AND ABOVE IT GETS REALLY BAD AND IT STARTS SOUNDING LIKE A REF BLOWING HIS WHISTLE. I TAKE MANY TRIPS ON THE INTERSTATE AND IT GET REALLY BAD AND IT GETS WORSE IF THE WIND IS BLOWING. THIS IS THE ONLY PROBLEM I HAD OTHER THAN THE TRANSMISSION HESITATING AND SHIFTING HARD UPON STARTING OFF IN DRIVE. OTHER THAN THESE 2 PROBLEMS IN IS A GREAT CAR. *NM

Nov 15, 2006

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

1 complaint

I HAVE A 2003 SUBARU LEGACY SEDAN. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN "DRIVE" AND YOU ARE SITTING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT OR STOP SIGN,FOR NO APPARENT REASON THE RPM'S INCREASE BY 200 TO 330 RPM'S AND THE VEHICLE LUNGES FORWARD. THIS IS A CONSTANT ON-GOING PROBLEM AND I HAVE TO VERY CAREFUL WHEN PULLING INTO MY GARAGE TO MAKE SURE I DON'T RUN THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE BACK WALL OF THE GARAGE. I REPORTED THIS TO THE DEALER ON 2 OCCASIONS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS IS "NORMAL ENGINE OPERATION". THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ENGINE'S COMPUTER DETERMINES WHAT THE RPM'S SHOULD BE ACCORDING TO THE ELECTRICAL DEMAND. THIS IS AN UNACCEPTABLE EXPLANATION. YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN THE VEHICLE IS ABOUT TO LUNGE FORWARD. *JB

Jul 16, 2006

POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

1 complaint

2003 SUBARU OUTBACK DEVELOPED A PROBLEM WHERE THE VEHICLE WOULD EXPERIENCE HESITATION UPON ACCELERATION AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE. ***NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** *MR THE VEHICLE LUNGED WHILE IN MOTION WITHOUT THE GAS PEDAL BEING APPLIED, THE CONSUMER HAD DIFFICULTY WITH THE AUTOMATIC SHIFTING, LACK OF POWER UPON ACCELERATION, AND ON OCCASION AN EXTREMELY LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WHEN SHIFTING, BRAKING, OR DISENGAGING THE CRUISE CONTROL WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL. *SC THE ROTORS WERE RESURFACED.*JB

Jul 15, 2005

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR

1 complaint

SERVICE WAS DONE AT 60,000 KILOMETERS AND BRAKE ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED WHICH IN MY OPINON WAS PREMATURE ON A 3 YEAR OLD VEHICLE. I HAVE OWNED JETTAS AND HONDAS WHICH HAVE GONE 5 YEARS AND 125,000 KILOMETERS WITHOUT ANY MAJOR BRAKE WORK REQUIRED.

May 26, 2005

4.9/5.0

60 reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

How many problems does the 2003 SUBARU Legacy have?

The 2003 SUBARU Legacy currently has 62 owner-reported complaints according to NHTSA database. These complaints are organized by component to help identify common issues.

What are the most common problems with 2003 SUBARU Legacy?

The most common problems reported for the 2003 SUBARU Legacy are organized by component above. Each component section shows owner-reported issues, crash reports, and fire incidents to help identify patterns and problem areas.

Where does this 2003 SUBARU Legacy problem data come from?

All problem and complaint data for the 2003 SUBARU Legacy comes directly from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) database. These are real complaints submitted by actual vehicle owners.