How many problems does the 2008 SUBARU Legacy have?

The 2008 SUBARU Legacy currently has 65 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 2008 SUBARU Legacy?

The most common problems reported for the 2008 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 2008 SUBARU Legacy problem data come from?

All problem and complaint data for the 2008 SUBARU Legacy comes directly from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) database. These are real complaints submitted by actual vehicle owners.

2008 SUBARU Legacy Problems

AIR BAGS

20 complaints

AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY , BUT NOW STAYS ON THE MAJORITY OF THE TIME. TOOK CAR TO DEALER FOR PASSENGER AIRBAG RECALL AND THEY TOLD ME THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE DASH IS FAULT CODE 26. MANY OTHER SUBARU OWNERS REPORTING THIS EXACT SAME ISSUE, WHICH IS RELATED TO FAULTY SOLDERING OF COMPONENTS IN THE OVERHEAD MAP LIGHT CONSOLE. AS THIS IS A CRITICAL SAFETY ISSUE (PASSENGER AIRBAG MAY NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT), SUBARU SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL TO REPAIR OR REPLACE THE FAULTY COMPONENT(S). BEWARE- SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. ALSO FEEL THAT THE TAKATA INFLATORS IS RELATED TO THEIS ISSUSE. I HAVE HAD THIS AIRBAG ISSUE SINCE I OWENED THE SUBARU COMPLAINED TO THE DEALERSHIP BUT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE FIX WHEN I NO THAT THERE IS FAULT IN THE WAY THE COMPONENTS WERE WELDED.

Mar 22, 2019

TAKATA RECALL

Mar 16, 2018

"TAKATA RECALL"

Oct 18, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. SUBURBAN SUBARU (14 HARTFORD TURNPIKE, VERNON, CT) DIAGNOSED THAT AN AIR BAG SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 1-27240483127. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,099.

Oct 11, 2017

TAKATA RECALL I RECEIVED A NOTICE IN DECEMBER 2016 THAT MY PASSENGER AIRBAG HAD A RECALL AND THAT THERE WERE PLENTY OF PARTS SO I COULD CALL MY SUBARU DEALER AND HAVE THEM FIX IT. I DID CALL THEM AND THEY SAID THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE PARTS YET AND THAT IT WOULD BE A FEW WEEKS AND THEY WOULD CALL ME TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT. I CALLED AGAN TODAY, 3/31/17 AND I GOT THE SAME STORY THAT THEY WON'T HAVE PARTS FOR A FEW WEEKS AND THAT THEY WILL CALL ME. I MENTIONED THAT I HAD ALREADY HEARD THAT THREE MONTHS AGO AND SHE SAID THAT IT WAS BECAUSE OF TAKATA AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. THIS IS A RIDICULOUS AMOUNT OF TIME FOR ME TO BE EXPECTED TO NOT BE ABLE TO USE MY CAR, OR TO DRIVE A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS VEHICLE. THE FIRST TIME I CALLED THEY SAID I MIGHT BE PROVIDED WITH A RENTAL CAR BUT EVERY ONE I TALKED TO SAID IT WAS FINE TO DRIVE MY CAR. IT IS ONLY FINE TO DRIVE IT IF I DO NOT END UP IN A WRECK THAT CAUSES THE AIRBAGS TO GO OFF, WHICH IS NOT SOMETHING THAT A PERSON CAN REALLY PLAN FOR. SUBARU HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM IN A TIMELY MANNER LIKE THEY SAID THEY WOULD.

Mar 31, 2017

+ 15 more complaints for this component

SERVICE BRAKES

9 complaints

The issue occurred on a 08 Subaru Legacy GT Limited while the driver was driving the car with their family on a local street around 35-40mph. Initially, while the car was stopped at a traffic light, the driver noticed that the brake pedal seems off where it seems to be depressed much deeper than usual. While coming up on a second red traffic light, the driver noticed that the pedal has to be depressed all the way down to the floor before bringing the car close to a stop while using the emergency brake to complete the stop. The driver knows that this is a major issue given the symptoms and drove to a safe spot to stop the car and inspect the issue. At this time, the brake light has also came on in the dashboard. Upon the driver's preliminary inspection, there was brake fluid leakage coming from the rear passenger wheel area and the brake fluid in the reservoir has reached the minimum line which would confirm why the brake light came on. Given the situation, the vehicle was then brought to the Subaru official dealer immediately to be dropped off for a diagnostic on the next Monday since the dealer was closed when the driver arrived. After the diagnostic by the Subaru mechanic, they confirmed with the driver's suspicious where the brake line has been broken due to corrosion to a bare metal area of the rear brake line that was supposed to be addressed by the brake line corrosion recall, WQK-047. The line was broken at one of the clip point where the brake line has no sleeve over it to protect the line from corrosion. Subaru issued a recall on this area as they know that this was a design flaw where salt used on the road from the winter might get in accelerating the corrosion of the line causing it to leak or break. This is an serious issue since the car could have crashed if the brake fails completely without any brake fluid anymore. NHTSA should intervene on this as many owners have this issue and SOA, who boast about safety, did not address the issue with the recall.

Jul 21, 2023

I had the recall done in 2017 and I was recently driving on the highway when my brakes had no pressure, I nearly crashed my car. Pulled over and realized my brake lines were leaking from where they said it had been fixed during the recall. I called the Subaru Stealership that did the recall and they informed me when I brought the vehicle in “it showed no signs of leakage” so they sprayed “anti corrosion” on the lines. I called Subaru of America and they want me to pay $200 to diagnose the issue and pay for the repair since the lines busted from “wear and tear”. Spraying anti-corrosion does nothing when the rust has already ruined the integrity of the brake line. Subaru is trying to pull a fast one and scam their customers by spraying anti-corrosion when the lines need to be replaced instead.

Apr 03, 2023

I received my Subaru legacy from the dealer after an unrelated repair. My wife got in the car and very slowly drove through the lot to exit the dealership. She was going 5-6 mph at most and luckily after putting the car into gear she had her hand resting on the center console literally right above the hand brake. As she approached the stop sign to exit the dealership, she put her foot on the brake pedal and it went immediately straight to the floor with no resistance or application of the brakes. She immediately grabbed and pulled the hand emergency brake to stop the vehicle from entering a busy route 3 (West Chester Pike.) After nursing the car back to service at very low mph she parked the car again using the hand brake. Service looked at the car and found ruptured brake lines. The lines were the subject of a recall in 2015 and were supposedly inspected and an anticorrosive was applied.

Jul 23, 2022

The contact owns a 2008 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated while driving approximately 30-35 mph, the brake pedal went to the floorboard while depressed. The contact was concerned that the brake was failing with her husband and four-month-old baby in the vehicle. The contact veered to the shoulder and turned off the vehicle. The contact’s husband inspected the vehicle and saw that there was fluid dripping near the rear passenger’s side tire, below the fuel tank. The contact’s husband then drove the vehicle back to the residence. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the dealer had performed a recall repair on the brakes on January 22, 2021. The contact was informed that anti-corrosion wax was sprayed onto the brake line connectors as part of the remedy. The manufacturer referred the contact back to the same dealer where the vehicle was repaired under recall, to have the vehicle diagnosed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed that rodents had chewed the brake line and the brake line was not part of the recall repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact that the vehicle was not repairable. The manufacturer offered a $ 1,000 voucher for a newer vehicle. The failure mileage was 76,877.

May 27, 2021

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND TRYING TO BRAKE IT LOST THE ABILITY TO APPLY THE BRAKES ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. AFTER FURTHER INSPECTION FOUND THIS WAS A RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE. I CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY SAID IT WAS PERFORMED AND THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING FURTHER. THE EXACT AREA PERTAINING TO THE BRAKE LINES FAILING AS DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL IS WHERE IT HAS FAILED. THEIR IS NO EVIDENCE OF THE RECALL BEING PERFORMED AS THE REPAIR INDICATED SPRAYING THE VEHICLE WITH ANTI CORROSION SPRAY. IT DOES NOT APPEAR THAT WAS EVER DONE. THIS IS FOR THE BRAKE LINES IN THE PASSENGER REAR OF THE VEHICLE NEXT TO THE GAS TANK. RECALL NUMBER THEY SAY WAS COMPLETED IS WQK-47. RESEARCH SHOWS MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE THIS ISSUE STILL AND SUBARU HAS NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE AS IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN. THANK YOU

Oct 28, 2020

+ 4 more complaints for this component

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS

4 complaints

RED AIRBAG INDICATOR IN INSTRUMENT CLUSTER BEGUN COMING ON/OFF ONCE OR TWICE A WEEK THEN BECAME CONSTANT. OBSERVED PASSENGER AIRBAG INDICATOR HAD NO LIGHTS ON(NO ILLUMINATION AT ALL) SEARCHED FORUMS AND FOUND MULTIPLE SIMILAR CASES WITH NO RESOLVE FROM THE DEALERSHIP. AS A MECHANIC MYSELF I BEGAN MY OWN DIAGNOSIS, CAUSE: REMOVED OVERHEAD CONTROL PANEL AND PERFORMED ELECTRICAL TESTING ON PASSENGER AIRBAG CIRCUIT. FOUND OPEN CIRCUITS BETWEEN COMPONENT CONTACTS. CORRECTION: RETINNED CONTACTS AND ADDED SOLDER. HAVEN'T HAD AN AIRBAG LIGHT SINCE THE REPAIR.. I HAVE HEARD THE DEALER WANTS 300+$ TO REPAIR. THIS IS SUCH A COMMON AND SERIOUS ISSUE THAT IT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED FOR A RECALL... I HAVE SEEN AND PERFORMED FAR MORE TRIVIAL RECALLS. THAT SAID; IF YOU TAKE YOUR CAR TO A DECENT SUBARU OR INDEPENDENT SHOP THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THIS AND FIX IT FOR ALOT LESS THAN THE DEALER

Jan 09, 2020

AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY , BUT NOW STAYS ON THE MAJORITY OF THE TIME. TOOK CAR TO DEALER FOR PASSENGER AIRBAG RECALL AND THEY TOLD ME THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE DASH IS FAULT CODE 26. MANY OTHER SUBARU OWNERS REPORTING THIS EXACT SAME ISSUE, WHICH IS RELATED TO FAULTY SOLDERING OF COMPONENTS IN THE OVERHEAD MAP LIGHT CONSOLE. AS THIS IS A CRITICAL SAFETY ISSUE (PASSENGER AIRBAG MAY NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT), SUBARU SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL TO REPAIR OR REPLACE THE FAULTY COMPONENT(S). BEWARE- SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE.

Jun 22, 2016

AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE (FAULT CODE 26 - PASSENGER AIR BAG INDICATOR FAILURE) MANY OTHER SUBARU OWNERS REPORTING THIS EXACT SAME ISSUE, WHICH IS RELATED TO FAULTY SOLDERING OF COMPONENTS IN THE OVERHEAD MAP LIGHT CONSOLE. AS THIS IS A CRITICAL SAFETY ISSUE (PASSENGER AIRBAG MAY NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT), SUBARU SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL TO REPAIR OR REPLACE THE FAULTY COMPONENT(S).

May 17, 2016

I BROUGHT MY CAR TO THE LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHEN MY AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD WAS COMING ON INTERMITTENTLY. UNFORTUNATELY I HAD TO TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THEM TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. WHEN I CALLED BERTERA SUBARU I MADE THE FIRST APPOINTMENT THEY HAD AVAILABLE, WHICH WAS TWO WEEKS FROM WHEN I WAS CALLING. I DROPPED MY CAR OFF ON MY SCHEDULED APPOINTMENT ON JULY 10TH AT 10:30 AM. BERTERA INFORMED ME THAT MY CAR SHOULD BE READY FOR THE END OF THE DAY. AT 4:00 PM BERTERA CALLED TO TELL ME THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO TAKE A LOOK AT MY CAR AND WOULD NOT GET TO IT FOR THE REST OF THE DAY. DISAPPOINTED WITH THE CUSTOMER SERVICE, AND STILL WONDERING WHAT WAS WRONG WITH MY AIR BAG I HAD TO MAKE ANOTHER APPOINTMENT FOR MONDAY JULY 13TH. ON MONDAY BERTERA INFORMED ME THAT MY CAR WAS "CLEARED OF ALL RECALLS" YET MY AIRBAG SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED FOR $384 AND IF I DIDN'T REPLACE IT I WILL STILL HAVE TO PAY $120 FOR THE DIAGNOSIS AND THAT IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD TO CONTINUE DRIVING BECAUSE IF I GOT IN AN ACCIDENT THE AIRBAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY. I INSTANTLY LOOKED ONLINE WHERE I SAW HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS FROM SUBARU OWNERS WITH AIRBAG PROBLEMS. WHEN I RECEIVED THE COPY OF MY SERVICE THE AIRBAG LIGHT ERROR WAS CODE 26. THERE WAS POWER AND GROUND ON INPUT SIDE, BUT THE INDICATOR "INTERNALLY SHORTED". SINCE THE AIRBAG DOES NOT WORK WHEN THE LIGHT ISN'T WORKING PROPERLY THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. I URGE THE NHTSA TO LET ALL POTENTIALLY AFFECTED OWNERS KNOW ABOUT IT. PLEASE CONSIDER THIS COMPLAINT TO FURTHER INVESTIGATE SUBARU AND ADD THIS TO THE EXISTING PROBLEM OF TAKATA DEFECTIVE INFLATER AND PROPELLANT DEVICES AIRBAG RECALLS. THIS "INTERNAL SHORTCUT" IS ALSO CONTRIBUTING TO THE DEFECT IN AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).? *JB

Jul 15, 2015

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

4 complaints

MY 2008 SUBARU LEGACY 2.5 I, HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE DRIVE-BY-WIRE. WHEN I START THE CAR AFTER DRIVING IT JUST FINE, THE CAR GAS PEDAL WILL NO ACCELERATE. THIS HAPPENS IN MOTION OR STATIONARY. THE CAR JUST REVS UP TO 2200 RPM'S. THIS CAN ALSO HAPPEN WHEN YOUR DRIVING. THE CAR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT FLASHES. THE CAR WILL NOT ACCELERATE.

Oct 19, 2015

MY WIFE WAS GRADUALLY PULLING OUT OF A DRIVE UP WINDOW AT A BANK, WHERE THERE IS @ 30 FEET BEFORE SHE GOT TO THE ROAD AND THE CAR IMMEDIATELY ACCELERATED AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED, NEEDING TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES WITH ALL HER STRENGTH, SLIDING SIDEWAYS INTO THE ROAD. THE ACCELERATING DISCONTINUED WHEN SHE SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES. SHE THEN HAD TO PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE TO GET OUT OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. SHE THEN DROVE HOME @ 1MILE AND IS AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR AGAIN. I CHECKED AND THE FLOOR MATS ARE NOT IN THE WAY OF THE ACCELERATED (THEY ARE FASTENED TO THE FLOOR). I DID NOT SEE ANYTHING ELSE THAT WOULD BIND THE ACCELERATOR. *JS

Jul 03, 2012

ON SATURDAY, APRIL 30TH, I WAS TURNING AROUND IN A DRIVEWAY, WHEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN MY CAR TOOK OFF. I HAD NO TIME TO REACT, EXCEPT TO TRY TO USE MY BRAKE. WHAT STOPPED ME WAS HITTING A TREE. MY CAR IS A 2008 SUBARU LEGACY WITH OVER $5,000 IN DAMAGES. THE POLICE INVESTIGATED AND I WAS NOT CITED. WHEN I RETURNED HOME, I LOOKED ON THE INTERNET TO SEE IF ACCELERATION PROBLEMS WERE COMMON IN SUBARU'S. I DID FIND THAT FORESTERS HAS PROBLEMS; BUT I ALSO FOUND THAT SOME LEGACY'S ALSO HAS ACCELERATION PROBLEMS, IN PARTICULAR I FOUND A 2008 SUBARU LEGACY WITH THIS PROBLEM. I REPORTED MY FINDINGS TO MY INSURANCE COMPANY AND TO SUBARU. SUBARU DID NOT GET BACK TO ME; MY INSURANCE COMPANY GAVE ME YOUR WEBSITE TO FILE A COMPLAINT. MY LOGIC IS, WHY SHOULD I OR MY INSURANCE COMPANY PAY FOR SOMETHING THAT WAS OUT OF MY CONTROL AND WAS THE FAULT OF THE CAR. EVIDENTLY, THERE ARE NO RECALLS FOR SUBARU'S FOR THIS PROBLEM. I JUST HOPE IT DOES NOT HAPPEN AGAIN - NEXT TIME I MIGHT NOT BE AS LUCKY. *TR

May 09, 2011

Crash: 1

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU LEGACY. WHILE APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT AT A SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO THE REAR END OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE STRUCTURE BODY OF THE VEHICLE. THE WEATHER WAS NOT A FACTOR. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,000. THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 11,000. UPDATED 07/09/10. *LJ UPDATED 07/13/10.*JB

Apr 07, 2010

Crash: 1

POWER TRAIN

3 complaints

The CV axle on the passenger side caught on fire. It was the rubber boot on the inner side over the catalytic converter. There were no warnings other than the smell of smoke. Fortunately, I caught it early and put out the fire with a fire extinguisher. I had been driving 25 to 40 MPH on city streets for about 5 miles before the incident.

Jun 08, 2021

Fire: 1

THE OIL COOLER DISINTEGRATED DURING A TRIP WITHOUT ANY WARNING, NO LIGHTS OR ANYTHING. ACCORDING TO THE MECHANIC WHO DID THE REPAIRS, WHEN IT DISINTEGRATED, IT DESTROYED THE TRANSMISSION. THE CAR SLOWED DOWN, BUT CONTINUED TO CRAWL ALONG AT ABOUT 20 MPH, SO THAT WE COULD REACH HELP. THIS RESULTED IN A $3800 REPAIR, STRANDING US 1,000 MILES FROM HOME AND RESULTING IN SEVERAL WEEKS OF MISSED WORK.

Jan 31, 2016

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU LEGACY. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 35 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED ON ITS OWN FROM DRIVE INTO NEUTRAL. THE RPM'S ALSO REVVED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT BACK INTO DRIVE, BUT IT WAS STUCK IN NEUTRAL. THE ABS, CRUISE CONTROL, OIL, AND SPORT INDICATORS WERE FLASHING ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE GEAR DISPLAY ONLY DISPLAYED A WHITE DASHED HORIZONTAL LINE. IT DID NOT DISPLAY A RED BOX AROUND THE GEAR THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE BEEN PLACED. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, BUT THIS ONLY CAUSED THE ENGINE TO REV. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES AND WAS ABLE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. HE SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE AND, ONCE IT WAS RESTARTED, IT DROVE NORMALLY. HOWEVER, MOST OF THE INDICATORS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL REMAINED LIT. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN BACK TO THE SHOP, BUT WILL BE TOWED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY HAD NEVER BEFORE EXPERIENCED THIS TYPE OF FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 26,542.

Dec 01, 2008

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

3 complaints

2008 SUBARU LEGACY GT WITH MOISTURE/CONDENSATION BUILDUP IN HEADLIGHT. AUTOMOBILE WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP FOR 15K SERVICING AND WAS TOLD THAT CONDENSATION BUILDUP IS NORMAL DURING TRANSITIONAL SEASONS (SPRING/FALL). HOWEVER I PRESUME THAT THE MOISTURE IS CAUSING TEMPORARY DISRUPTION OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AS THE LIGHTS FUNCTION INTERMITTENTLY. OFTEN WHEN THE CAR IS STARTED AND THE LIGHTS ARE TURNED ON, ONLY ONE OF THE LIGHTS WILL COME ON. AFTER TURNING THE LIGHTS ON AND OFF SEVERAL TIMES THEY WILL BOTH WORK. I AM AFRAID THAT I WILL BE IN A POSITION WHERE BOTH LIGHTS STAY OFF AND WILL NOT COME ON FORCING ME TO DRIVE WITHOUT HEADLIGHTS. *TR

Nov 29, 2009

SINCE PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE (THE DAY THE CAR WAS DELIVERED TO ME) BOTH HEADLIGHT ENCLOSURES CONTAIN VISIBLE SIGNS OF MOISTURE THAT NEVER GOES AWAY. DEALERSHIP PROMISED TO REPLACE BOTH HEADLIGHT ENCLOSURES WHEN I NOTICED THIS PROBLEM THE DAY I TOOK DELIVERY OF THE VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP HANDED ME A TSB THAT DESCRIBES A SIMILAR CONDITION WITH MY CAR THAT DISAPPEARS AFTER 20 MINUTES OF DRIVING WITH THE LIGHTS ON. MY PROBLEM NEVER GOES AWAY AFTER ANY AMOUNT OF DRIVING. ESCALATED TO SUBARU OF AMERICA. THEY REFUSE TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM STATING "THIS IS A NORMAL CONDITION" SO, THERE HAS BEEN NO ACTION TAKEN TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM TO DATE BY THE DEALERSHIP OR THE MANUFACTURER. *TR

Jan 17, 2008

WE JUST PURCHASED A NEW 2008 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHEN WE BROUGHT IT HOME AND TOOK IT FOR A RIDE WE DISCOVERED THAT AT NIGHT WHEN GOING DOWN HILL YOU CAN'T SEE MORE THAN 20 FEET AHEAD OF THE CAR WE IMMEDIATELY STOPPED FOR FEAR OF HITTING SOMETHING IN THE ROAD AND NOT BEING ABLE TO SEE IF THE ROAD STAYED STRAIGHT OR TURNED. I FIRST CONTACTED THE DEALER WHO SAID THE LIGHTS MEET STATE SPECIFICATIONS HOWEVER THEY DON'T CHECK THE LIGHTS GOING DOWN HILL. I THEN CONTACTED SUBARU WHO PUT ME BACK IN TOUCH WITH THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS A DESIGN ISSUE AND NOT A DEFECTIVE PART. THIS CAR HAS THE NEW PROJECTOR LIGHTS AND EVEN ON LEVEL ROAD YOU CAN SEE A VERY DEFINITIVE LINE OF DEMARCATION WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT. WE ARE VERY CONCERNED THAT WHEN DRIVING THIS CAR AT NIGHT WITH THESE NEW HEADLIGHTS THAT WE CANNOT ADEQUATELY SEE THE ROAD WHEN DRIVING DOWN HILLS. *JB

Oct 12, 2007

VISIBILITY/WIPER

2 complaints

THE DASH HAS MELTED LEAVING IT HARD TO SEE OUT OF THE WINDSHIELD. THE DASH IS ALSO EXTREMELY STICKY AND SHINY. I THOUGHT IT JUST NEEDED TO BE CLEANED BUT REALIZED SHORTLY AFTER THAT WAS NOT THE CASE AND HAVE SINCE FOUND THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH MY MAKE AND MODEL PER SUBARU.

Dec 20, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SURFACE OF THE DASHBOARD HAD BECOME VERY SHINY AND THE GLARE FROM THE SUN LIGHT CAUSED A VISIBILITY HAZARD. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AT THE DEALER BUT NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND NO SOLUTION WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000.

Mar 25, 2014

WHEELS

2 complaints

ON 3/31/09 @ 13,454 MILES IS WHEN THE DRIVER'S FRONT LEFT TIRE STARTED MAKING A ROTATIONAL METAL CLICKING/SQUEALING SOUND. IT CAN BE HEARD UNDER 25MPH AND THE SOUND WAS INTERMITTENT. I TOLD DEALER I THOUGHT IT WAS THE WHEEL BEARING. SEVERAL TIMES, I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT BECAUSE IT WASN'T MAKING A NOISE THERE WAS NOTHING TO FIX. THEY CHECKED ALL COMPONENTS, BALL JOINTS, STEERING ETC. AND CHECKED THE BEARINGS SAID CAR WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. I NOTICED THERE WERE OTHER OWNERS W/2005-06 SUBARU ISSUED A RECALL FOR WHEEL BEARING. IF YOU LOOK AT 08 LEGACY A FEW OTHERS HAVE WHEEL BEARING FAILURE. ON 6/21/10 @26,351 A TECH RODE W/ ME TO CONFIRM THE NOISE I HAVE DEALT W/ FOR OVER A YEAR. MY SERVICE INVOICE STATES TECHNICIAN FOUND INTERNAL FAILURE OF LEFT FRONT WHEEL BEARING ASSEMBLY. REPLACED HUB UNIT. IT'S DANGEROUS TO DRIVE ON A FAILED BEARING, TIRE CAN SEIZE AND LOSE CONTROL OF CAR AND DAMAGE OTHER PARTS OF CAR SUCH AS AXLE. I DROVE FOR A YEAR LIKE THIS AND WAS LUCKY NOTHING HAPPENED. THOUGH, I DON'T KNOW THE LONG TERM DAMAGE DONE TO MY VEHICLE. I CONTACTED SUBARU TO TELL THEM OF MY ISSUE AND EXPLAIN THAT PERHAPS THEY NEED TO LOOK INTO THE MFG. WHO MAKES THE BEARINGS AND STUDY WHY THEIR BEARINGS ARE FAILING PREMATURELY. THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE AND RECALL. I HOPE THAT THIS IS THE LAST TIME I HAVE TO HAVE IT REPLACED, SINCE IT COULD GET QUITE EXPENSIVE TO FIX EACH TIME. I TAKE EXCELLENT CARE OF MY VEHICLE AND WANT IT TO LAST. I DIDN'T PAY $24,000 TO HAVE IT FALL APART. *TR

Jul 11, 2010

THE FRONT WHEEL BEARING ON MY SUBARU LEGACY 2008 FAILED AT 31,000 MILES. *TR

Apr 15, 2010

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 complaint

DASHBOARD HAS MELTED FROM SUN AND HEAT, HAS BECOME EXTREMELY SHINEY & STICKY, PLUS SUN & HEADLIGHTS REFLECT OFF THE WINDSCREEN.

Jun 23, 2022

ENGINE

1 complaint

I have a great suspicion that Kia has not only sold bad engined vehicles that are their own make and models but I believe they are selling used cars they buy like that as well. The car I bought has major engine problems that were hid from me at the time of the sales leading to a $5000 repair bill for a 7200$ car. I only had it for a couple weeks before it became un-drivable. Not only did they hide and lie about fact in the sales of their own cars , I have evidence showing that they are doing the same to used cars they're selling. They are barely doing the bare minimum to fix anything. They have lied to AUTOCAP on record about facts as well when I have recordings or them telling me other wise.

Nov 25, 2021

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

1 complaint

2008 SUBARU LEGACY. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ISSUES WITH FUEL PUMP. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD TURN OVER, BUT WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THE THE METAL OF THE PUMP HARNESS WAS SEVERLY BURNED AND MELTED DUE TO EXTREME HEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. *JS

Sep 23, 2021

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

1 complaint

There is a parasitic drain on my car battery. I have replaced the alternator and battery twice, and the car can’t hold a charge.

Aug 28, 2021

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

1 complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, HE BECAME AWARE OF CORROSION AROUND THE BRAKE LINE. THERE WAS FLUID LEAKING FROM THE BRAKE LINE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE BRAKE PEDAL FELT SOFT WHEN DEPRESSED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V311000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 183,000.

Nov 03, 2020

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE

1 complaint

VEHICLE DIES. I KNOW THERE IS A RECALL OUT THERE FOR THIS REASON BUT I'M TOLD THAT MY CAR IS NOT PART OF THIS RECALL BUT MY CAR IS DOING EXACTLY WHAT THE RECAL IS TALKING ABOUT

Jul 16, 2019

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1 complaint

HAD THE RECALL FOR BRAKES DONE & RECALL FOR AIR BAG, & CATALYTIC CONVERTER. NEVER RECIEVED POST CARD FOR ELECTRICL RECALL , HAD ALL KINDS OF WORK DONE & THE ENGINE LIGHT, CRUISE CONTROL,ETC WILL NOT TURN OFF. WHY HAVENT I RECIEVED RECALL NOTICE SO THAT I CAN BRING IT TO SUBARU DEALER, THANK YOU [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).' *PM

Mar 03, 2019

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY/WIPER

1 complaint

WHEN THE REAR WINDOW DEFROST IS TURNED ON THE RADIO NO LONGER WORKS. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A SAFETY CONCERN IN THE EVENT OF TRYING TO HEAR IMPORTANT BROADCASTS IN POOR WEATHER. THIS IS A WELL KNOWN ISSUE, BUT HAS BEEN POORLY ADDRESSED BY SUBARU. THIS AFFECTS MANY MODELS IN THIS YEAR RANGE. LEAVING THE CONSUMER TO PAY TO REPLACE A POORLY MADE PART TO REPEATEDLY OCCUR EVEN AFTER REPLACEMENT IN SOME CASES.

Jan 17, 2019

POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

1 complaint

ALL OF MY DASH LIGHTS ARE ON (STATIONARY & IN MOTION) CRUISE CONTROL LIGHTS BLINKS CONSISTENTLY (STATIONARY & IN MOTION), MY CAR CRUISE CONTROL ALSO FEELS LIKE IT GOES ON AND OFF CONSTANTLY (IN MOTION), AND MY CRUISE CONTROLS ON MY STEERING DO NOT WORK (STATIONARY & IN MOTION) . ALSO MY RADIO IS CONSISTENTLY GOING ON/OFF, CHANGING STATIONS, VOLUME CONTROLS GO IN/OUT (STATIONARY & IN MOTION). ALSO MY REVIEW MIRROR DISPLAYS THE WRONG DIRECTION ON THE COMPASS, AND THE AUTO DIM AND COMPASS FEATURE IT'S SELF GOES ON/OFF CONSISTENTLY (STATIONARY & IN MOTION). UNDER THE HOOD WILL SMOKE AFTER I'VE DRIVEN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, OR GONE UP STEEP HILLS.I READ ONLINE WHERE OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING THESE ISSUES WITH THEIR SUBARU LEGACY'S AND OUTBACKS AS WELL. NOTE: THESE ISSUES HAPPEN CONSISTENTLY WITHOUT REGARD TO THE TYPE OF ROAD ON WITH THE EXCEPTION OF UNDER THE HOOD SMOKING. THAT ONLY HAPPENS AS DESCRIBED ABOVE.

May 31, 2018

AIR BAGS,SERVICE BRAKES

1 complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 15V323000 (AIR BAGS) AND 14V311000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICS) HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

Feb 22, 2016

SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

1 complaint

UPON COLD START, VEHICLE ENGINE RAN EXTREMELY ROUGH, PLACED TRANSMISSION IN DRIVE WHILE APPLYING BRAKE, VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD WHILE APPLYING BRAKE WITH BOTH FEET INITIALLY HAD LITTLE EFFECT.

Aug 16, 2015

POWER TRAIN,ENGINE

1 complaint

THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR A LONG TIME NOW. I AM FINALLY REPORTING THIS AFTER GIVING UP ON SUBARU AND ITS SERVICE NETWORK. CAR EXHIBITS SURGE AND DIP IN ACCELERATION AT CONSTANT THROTTLE, ESPECIALLY AT LOWER SPEEDS. TAKING FOOT OFF THROTTLE ALSO CAUSES SURGE WHEN GENTLY APPLYING THE BRAKES; THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTS TO A LOWER GEAR. ALSO, THE CHANGE FROM 2ND-3RD GEAR IS VERY ABRUPT; THE ENGINE RPMS RISE BY 200 IN BETWEEN SHIFTS AND THEN SLAMS INTO 3RD GEAR. IT HAPPENS EVERY TIME. DEALER EITHER SAYS THAT IT CANNOT BE REPRODUCED, OR THAT IT IS NORMAL. ANOTHER PROBLEM WITH THE CAR IS THAT IT ALMOST STALLS WHEN STARTING OFF FROM STANDSTILL AND IN INTELLIGENT MODE. THESE PROBLEMS ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE FROM A CAR THAT IS CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED. THIS MIGHT BE MY FIRST AND LAST SUBARU. *TR

Feb 16, 2013

TIRES,WHEELS

1 complaint

I BOUGHT CAR NEW & IT DEVELOPED ISSUE @ 3 1/2 YRS. I ALSO HAVE THE SUBARU EXTENDED WARRANTY.CAR HAS ONLY BEEN SERVICED BY SUBARU, INCLUDING TIRE CHANGES. 10/11 @ 38,000 NOTICED FRONT & REAR PASSENGER TIRES WERE LOSING AIR. I HAVE TPMS W/ METAL VALVE STEMS. BROUGHT CAR TO DEALER, THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG. I HAVE TWO SETS OF TIRES SO I BROUGHT CAR IN 11/11 TO PUT ON SNOWS. MONITORED TIRE PRESSURE EVERY FEW DAYS AND WAS STILL LOSING AIR. 10/12, I SPRAY SOAP/WATER MIXTURE ON TIRES, BUBBLES FORM AT THE BASE OF THE TIRE VALVE. FOUR VALVES SHOULD NOT BE FAILING PREMATURELY. OVER TIME, THE BOTH DRIVERS SIDE TIRES DEVELOPED SLOW LEAKS AS WELL. 10/12, I CALLED SUBARU WARRANTY DEPARTMENT & EXPLAIN THAT I'M LOSING AIR FROM THE VALVE. I ASK IF TPMS FAILURE IS COVERED & WAS TOLD IT IS. 11/12 45,044 BRING CAR IN TO PUT ON SNOWS. TELL DEALER THAT ALL FOUR VALVES ARE LEAKING. I'M TOLD IT MAY BE CORROSION & THAT'S NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I EXPLAIN THAT FOR ALL FOUR TO BE LEAKING IS PREMATURE. TECH CONFIRMS THAT THREE ARE LEAKING & REPLACES THEM. DEALER STATES THAT THERE ISN'T A WARRANTY CODE FOR AIR LEAKING BUT WILL FIND A WAY TO MAKE SURE IT'S COVERED. THE TPMS UNIT IS ONE PIECE SO IF THE VALVE STEM FAILS OR A RUBBER SEALING GASKET THE WHOLE UNIT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW AND CORROSION CAN CAUSE THE METAL VALVE STEMS TO FAIL PREMATURELY. I CHECK MY TIRE PRESSURE EVERY TWO WEEKS BY RULE & DON'T WAIT TILL THE TPMS LIGHT COMES ON. *TR

Nov 22, 2012

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

1 complaint

THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR SEVERAL WEEKS. WHEN DRIVING WITH MY FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR AND WHEN I TAKE MY FOOT OFF AND START TO BRAKE, THERE IS A SLIGHT ACCELERATION JUST AS I START APPLYING THE BRAKE. IT HAPPENS QUITE OFTEN AND I HAD GOTTEN USED TO IT BUT ONE DAY WHEN I WAS A PASSENGER AND MY WIFE WAS DRIVING AND NOTICED IT. THE NEXT TIME I DROVE IT, I NOTICED IT. IT SEEMS TO BE DOING IT MOST OF THE TIME. IT MAY BE A PRECURSOR TO UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. *TR

Oct 14, 2012

SEAT BELTS

1 complaint

REAR PASSENGER (DRIVER SIDE) SEATBELT FAILED TO BUCKLE/LOCK. *TR

Jul 07, 2012

EQUIPMENT

1 complaint

VEHICLE HAS A SUBSTANDARD POORLY FUNCTIONING AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM. IT HAS A DEFECT WHEREBY IT CYCLES ERRATICALLY AND THEREBY CREATES WARM/COLD/WARM/COLD AIR CYCLES. ON HOT HUMID DAYS, THE PROBLEM IS SO BAD, THE CABIN CANNOT COOL. THE MANUFACTURER, SUBARU OF AMERICA HAS DETERMINED THIS IS A "NORMAL CHARACTERISTIC OF THE VEHICLE" ALTHOUGH IT TOOK THEM OVER A MONTH TO COME TO THIS CONCLUSION. MANY OTHER SUBARU LEGACY OWNERS REPORT THIS SAME PROBLEM ONLINE, HOWEVER NO FIX SEEMS TO BE COMING. THE MANUFACTURER NEEDS TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. *TR

Aug 16, 2010

POWER TRAIN,SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC

1 complaint

I GOT OFF THE HIGHWAY ON A SECONDARY ROAD ON MY WAY HOME, WHEN AFTER THE SECOND STOP SIGN TRYING TO CROSS THE INTERSECTION THE CAR STALLED ,LOSING ITS GEARS WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING, BUT NO ACCELERATION. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON,THE MODE DRIVING LIGHT AND THE CRUISE LIGHTS BLINKING. I TURNED THE ENGINE OFF ,THEN ON AND I PROCEEDED WITH THE ONLY GEAR LEFT TO A SAFE LOCATION. LUCKILY I WAS ON A SECONDARY ROAD OR I COULD HAVE BEEN REAR ENDED AND HURT OR WORSE. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO IS TELLING ME THAT IT HAS TO BE REPROGRAMMED DUE TO A SLIPPAGE(TIME GAP BETWEEN THE 2ND & 3RD GEAR) ; HE ALSO TELLS ME THAT THE BRAKES ARE VIBRATING SHOULD I WORRY ABOUT DAMAGE TO MY GEAR BOX? AT THIS POINT I AM WORRIED ABOUT DRIVING THE CAR EVEN WHEN IT'S FIXED *TR

Mar 10, 2010

TIRES

1 complaint

MY 2008 SUBARU LEGACY HAS NO MANUAL RESET BUTTON FOR THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM. WE CHANGE OUT TIRES UP HERE 2 TIMES A YEAR AND THE DEALER CHARGES US $50.00 EACH TIME TO RESET THIS SYSTEM. WHEN THIS WAS PASSED IN TO LAW,WHY DIDN'T IT HAVE A RESET ON IT FOR THIS TYPE OF THING. I CAN SEE WHERE A LOT OF THE DRIVERS WILL JUST IGNORE IT AND LET THE LIGHT GLOW OR BURN OUT. ALSO THE TIRE VALVE STEMS ARE EXPENSIVE(35.00 EACH) I CAN SEE A LOT OF PEOPLE NOT REPLACING THEM OR TAKING THEM OUT OF THE RIMS IN THE FUTURE. THIS IS A BAD LAW WITH MONETARY LOSS TO THE CONSUMER AS USUAL.... *TR

Apr 28, 2009

2008 SUBARU Legacy Problems & Complaints

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