Subaru Legacy Recalls

The Subaru Legacy has 104 recalls spanning 1990 through 2023, with the most serious recent issue being a 2023 model year driveshaft whose center support bolts can loosen and allow the front end of the shaft to disconnect, creating a loss of drive and crash risk.

On 2021-2023 models, a water-prone inhibitor switch can fail and knock out the reverse lights and rearview camera display simultaneously. The 2020-2022 model years have a passenger seat occupant detection sensor whose capacitor can crack and short-circuit, preventing the front passenger airbag from deploying in a crash. On 2020 models specifically, a missing or loose bolt on the brake pedal mounting bracket can allow the bracket to deform over time and reduce braking performance. The 2020-2021 model years also have a transmission control unit programming error that can allow the CVT drive chain to engage before it is fully clamped, causing the chain to slip or break and cutting drive power.

Going back to the mid-to-late 2010s, the 2018-2020 model years share a low-pressure fuel pump that can fail and stall the engine while driving. On 2016-2017 models, the steering column may have been improperly machined so that turning the wheel has no effect on the front wheels. Separately, some 2016 models have propeller shaft nuts that were not tightened to spec, allowing the shaft to work loose and potentially strike and puncture the fuel tank. The 2015-2016 model years have a transmission seal cap that can leak oil onto the exhaust and start a fire. On 2015 models, brake fluid with excess moisture can degrade electronic stability control performance, and the automatic pre-collision braking system may fail to react to obstacles.

The 2010-2014 generation carries the Takata passenger airbag inflator defect, which spans 2003-2014 model years broadly: the inflator can rupture and send metal fragments into the cabin, with the highest risk in high-humidity regions. That same generation also has a windshield wiper motor that can overheat and fail due to internal contamination on 2010-2014 models, and an electronic parking brake on manual-transmission 2010-2014 vehicles that may not engage, allowing rollaway. A replacement ignition switch installed on 2005-2014 models can lose its internal spring and shut the engine off unexpectedly, also disabling the airbags. On 2007-2009 turbocharged models, the secondary air injection pump relay can fail and let the pump run continuously until it melts and catches fire. The 2010 model year has a CVT cooler hose that can crack and leak transmission fluid near ignition sources.

Earlier production from the 2000s includes brake line corrosion on 2005-2009 vehicles registered in salt-belt states, where perforated lines can leak fluid and extend stopping distances. The 2003-2008 model years are also part of the broader Takata airbag inflator recall. On 2003 models, front suspension transverse links in salt-belt states can rust and break, affecting vehicle control. The 2002 model year has a brake master cylinder that can fail to release in freezing temperatures, holding the brakes on after the pedal is released, and a separate automatic transmission parking rod that may not engage the park mechanism, allowing rollaway.

Going further back, the 1996-1997 model years have front suspension hanger bracket welds that can