18 of the 236 complaints about the 2011 Subaru Legacy are about the other systems — 8% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 33,475 miles.
18
Complaints
1
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The subframe rotted through broke as I was driving on Thruway. My mechanic confirmed it needs to be replaced and is very common in heavy winter states.
NHTSA complaint #11748911 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Description of the Safety Defect: The front subframe on my 2011 Subaru Legacy exhibits advanced structural corrosion with measurable material loss, concentrated primarily on the driver-side subframe. The corrosion affects a primary load-bearing structural member responsible for supporting suspension mounting points and maintaining chassis integrity. The deterioration is asymmetric, with the driver side showing severe degradation while the passenger side remains comparatively intact. This non-uniform corrosion pattern is not consistent with normal environmental exposure, age-related wear, or routine vehicle operation, and indicates a localized failure of corrosion protection or material integrity. The extent of corrosion compromises the subframe’s ability to safely support suspension loads and maintain alignment geometry. This presents a progressive structural safety risk, as continued operation may lead to sudden loss of suspension mounting integrity, steering instability, or loss of vehicle control without prior warning. Safety Risk Description: The front subframe is a critical safety component designed to: Support engine and transmission loads Secure lower control arms and suspension geometry Maintain steering stability and predictable handling Absorb and distribute crash forces Structural degradation of this component increases the risk of: Suspension separation or displacement under normal driving loads Alignment instability during braking or cornering Reduced crash energy management capability Failure of this component could result in loss of directional control, increasing the risk of a crash. Subaru of America has acknowledged prior subframe corrosion issues on other Subaru models through recalls, service campaigns, or goodwill repairs. However, Subaru has declined assistance for this vehicle based solely on time and mileage, without addressing whether the observed structural deterioration constitutes a safety defect.
NHTSA complaint #11706641 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
An issue has surfaced with my car that it turns off while driving. Obviously this is a serious safety hazard and likely to result in an accident. Now that it has happened, it is continuing and frequently happening. I reached out to Subaru as I saw there was a recall for my car's make and model that is causing the same issue. The issue is listed as NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID: 19V297000, described as "The engine turning off unexpectedly can increase the risk of a crash. " and affecting many Subarus, including the 2011 legacy. I believe my car is impacted given the behavior it is exhibiting. When I reached out to Subaru, they dismissed it saying it did not apply to my car and they were not willing to investigate. I believe this poses a grave risk to many people given that it will cause an accident and the severity of the defect.
NHTSA complaint #11695074 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THIS CAR STALLS OUT AND JUST STOPS WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING DUE TO A FAILING TORQUE CONVERTER WHICH SUBARU KNEW ABOUT AND DID NOT DO A RECALL ON. THEY DID A SERVICE BULLETIN WITH AN EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT WHEN I BROUGHT MY CAR WHILE IT STILL WAS UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY PERIOD TO THE DEALER NO ONE ADVISED ME OF THIS SO NOW IT IS OUT OF THE EXTENDED WARRANTY PERIOD AND THEY WILL NOT HELP ME. MY SON ALMOST GOT KILLED WHEN THIS HAPPENED THIS NEEDS TO ADDRESSED BY SUBARU BECAUSE WE CANNOT DRIVE THIS CAR AS IT IS UNSAFE.
NHTSA complaint #11564023 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Front sub-frame rusted through. Local mechanic said unsafe to drive. Insurance will not cover claim because this is "prior issue" not accident related. Subaru dealership confirmed safety risk and will repair for >$3000.
NHTSA complaint #11515967 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The vehicle was diagnosed at a Subaru Dealership as having a rusted sub-frame with mounting bolt holes loose and suspension components moving freely. The vehicle is deemed unsafe to drive. (On April 8, 2022, my car suddenly made a loud clunking noise and drove very rocky). The car had not given any previous warning signals of this problem.
NHTSA complaint #11466155 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
TORQUE CONVERTER NOT FUNCTIONING CORRECTLY AND SUBARU IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE...IS CAUSING SUDDEN ACCELERATION...COST OF REPAIR IS $2000
NHTSA complaint #11342476 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
MY SUBARU HAS A STALLING PROBLEM. IT WILL STALL AT HARD STOPS OR WHEN I ROLL TO A STOP. IT CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS WHEN GOING UP A HILL WHERE YOU NEED TO SLOW DOWN OR IF SOMEONE STOPS HARD IN FRONT OF ME. IT SHUDDERS LIKE IT WANTS TO STALL MANY TIMES THROUGHOUT THE DAY. SUBARU NEED TO LOOK INTO THIS CAUSE MANY PEOPLE HAVE THIS PROBLEM AND IT IS VERY UNSAFE.
NHTSA complaint #11329321 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
MY CAR HAS BEEN STALLING OUT WHILE IN REVERSE AND WHEN COMING TO A STOP IT WILL SHUDDER AND ACT LIKE IT'S ABOUT TO TURN OFF. MY DEALERSHIP IS TELLING ME THAT IT IS THE TORQUE CONVERTER AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #11197196 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
WHEN CAR IS COMING UP TO A STOP SIGN IT STALLS AND DIES ON ME AND I HAVE TO PUT IT IN PARK AND START IT BACK UP. I HAD A TIME WHERE IT IDLED LIKE IT WAS GOING TO DIE AND DIDN'T BUT IT DOES THIS 4 TO 8 TIMES A DAY. NOT SURE WHAT IS GOING ON BUT I ALMOST GOT HIT BY A SEMI TRUCK DUE TO IT STALLING. PLEASE HELP THIS NEEDS TO BE FIXED IT IS NOT SAFE ESPECIALLY WHEN I HAVE SMALL CHILDREN IN MY CAR . I NEED ANSWERS.
NHTSA complaint #11165890 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
1ST TIME -02/02/2017 LEAKING INTO PASSENGER AREA ABOVE REAR VIEW MIRROR; FLOODED DRIVER'S FOOT AREA. DEALER DRAINED THE MOON ROOF. 2ND TIME - 05/05/2017LEAKING INTO REAR SEAT FOOT AREA FROM BELOW THE CARPETING ON RHS. VERY LARGE PUDDLE; AFTER 2 DAYS STILL VERY LARGE PUDDLE. UNDER THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT THERE IS A METAL RECTANGULAR BOX CONTAINING ???? THIS IS THE AREA THAT IS AFFECTED BY THE EXCESSIVE WETNESS PROBLEM. IF THIS A COMPUTER COMPONENTS BOX OR A HEATING ELEMENT BOX, PEOPLE SITTING IN EITHER THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OR THE IMMEDIATE REAR SEAT COULD BE AT RISK FOR ELECTRICALLY CAUSED INJURY.
NHTSA complaint #10985784 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
BAD VIBRATION OVER 60 MPH. HAD TIRES REPLACED AND ALIGNMENT DONE AND IT STILL SHAKES .
NHTSA complaint #10949676 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
.THE TURN SIGNALS ARE NOT AUTO CANCELLING. THEN THE DRIVERS AUTOMATIC WINDOW BUTTON IS NOT RESPONDING. CAUSING DECREASED VISIBILTY IF THE WINDOW IS STUCK OPEN
NHTSA complaint #10925163 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I HAD A 2011 SUBARU LEGACY2.5;AT 1130 AM,I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AT A LOCAL CONVENIENCE STORE NEAR US THAT WE OFTEN GO TO,WHEN SUDDENLY ON TURNING RIGHT INTO THE SPACE I HEARD THE ENGINE "REV"AT A FAST SPEED EVEN THOUGH I HAD LIFTED MY FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR.(I USED TO DRIVE A MANUAL SHIFT,AND IT REMINDED ME OF THE SOUND AN ENGINE WOULD MAKE WHEN TRYING TO UPSHIFT TOO FAST BETWEEN GEARS)BEFORE I COULD REACT THE CAR SURGED FORWARD INTO THE SPACE,AND I WAS BARELY ABLE TO SLAM THE BRAKE BEFORE IT COVERED THE 6 TO 8 FEET AND HIT A GUARD POST,CRUMBLING THE FRONT END TO WHERE THE ENGINE IS BENT AND THE CAR A TOTAL LOSS. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.(FORTUNATE,AS WHEN I RETURNED HOME I FOUND THE LETTER FROM SUBARU THAT MY CAR WAS PART OF THE TAKATA RECALL)INTERESTINGLY,THE ENGINE STILL STARTED AND THE CAR WAS DRIVE-ABLE ,DESPITE THE RADIATOR BEING CRACKED IN HALF(WE WERE ABLE TO PARK IT AFTER HAVING IT TOWED). I LOOKED UP THE SYMPTOMS I EXPERIENCED AND FEEL THAT THERE MAY HAVE BEEN ISSUES WITH THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL MECHANISM OR THE APP(WHICH SENSES THE POSITION OF THE ACCELERATOR ,AS I AM SURE YOU KNOW)MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT NEVER WENT ON.THE CAR HAD ACTED AS IF IT HAD IDLING ISSUES A COUPLE OF TIMES BUT NOT WITH REGULARITY, AND IT HAD NEVER STALLED OR DISPLAYED ANY OTHER WARNING OF THIS. I HAD JUST DRIVEN THE CAR ABOUT 7 MILES BEFORE THIS HAPPENED. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER SUBARU;I HAVE HAD OTHER CARS WITH TROUBLES IN THE PAST BUT THIS IS BY FAR THE MOST DANGEROUS.I AM JUST THANKING THE LORD THAT THE AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY AND WE WEREN'T CRUSHED(MY 17 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT).AND,THE CAR ONLY HAD 24,350 MILES ON IT! PRACTICALLY NEW CONDITION!SAD,BECAUSE I REALLY LIKED THIS CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10898386 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
WHENEVER THE BRAKE IS PRESSED HARD TO A COMPLETE STOP, THE CAR STALLS AND ALL ELECTRICAL SHUT OFF. IT ALSO HAPPENS WHEN YOU BRAKE VERY SLOW BEFORE COMING TO A FULL STOP. BUT IF YOU BRAKE SLOWLY AND THEN PRESSED THE PEDAL FULL, THE PROBLEM WILL OCCUR. THIS CAN CAUSE PANIC AND ALSO DELAY ON CARS RUNNING BEHIND THE CAR. IT APPEARS THIS IS SIMILAR PROBLEM . I ALSO FOUND A NUMBER OF SIMILARLY REPORTED PROBLEMS ONLINE WITH SUBARU CARS. I STILL DONT KNOW WHATS WRONG, JUST GOT THE CAR A WEEK AGO. WORST MISTAKE I EVER MADE, THIS CAR IS FOR SON AND NO WAY IS HE SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10795199 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
AT APPROX 60-65 MPH I AM GETTING VIBRATION TO THE CAR- STEERING AND DRIVER SEAT.
NHTSA complaint #10453568 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
DASH TROUBLE LIGHTS FLASHING CONSTANTLY ON AND OFF CHECK ENGINE, BRAKE FAILURE, ALL WHEEL DRIVE FAILURE, CRUISE CONTROL FAILURE, TEMPERATURE LIGHT, OIL WARNING LIGHT, ENGINE NOT ENGAGING WHEN GAS PEDAL DEPRESSED. CAR WOBBLES SIDE TO SIDE AT SPEEDS GREATER THAN 60 MPH, STEERING WHEEL EXCESSIVE VIBRATION. CURRENTLY IN REPAIR FOR OVER ONE WEEK. APPEARS DEALERSHIP CAN NOT CORRECT. WHEN ORIGINALLY REPORTED TO SERVICE ADVISOR HE STATED TO BRING IN THE CAR IN ONE WEEK. TOOK CAR IN IMMEDIATELY PER OWNERS MANUAL AND HE THEN STATED HE COULD NOT RELEASE CAR BACK TO ME BECAUSE IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THIS IS A NEW VEHICLE WITH 1500 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #10413445 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
AT HIGHWAY CRUISING SPEEDS OF 60-75MPH THERE IS A VIBRATION/SHAKE THAT IS FELT THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL. WHEN TRAVELING LONG DISTANCES THIS VIBRATION CAUSES DISCOMFORT TO HANDS/ARMS. DECREASED TIRE PRESSURE, ROAD FORCE BALANCE, AND STEERING WHEEL REPLACEMENT (SOA TSB) DID NOT FIX. NEXT STEP IS TO REPLACE TIRES. THESE ARE "BANDAIDS" TO THE PROBLEM. PLEASE FORCE A REAL SOLUTION.
NHTSA complaint #10380818 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.