123 of the
4,165 complaints filed about the Subaru Legacy
are about the steering —
3% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2011.
While driving there is a loss of power, the battery fails, electronic components shut down and car stops. Has happened intermittently. Replaced battery. This is a significant safety issue happened on freeway near exit ramp, in parking lot in driveway, everything cuts out. Opened hood and seems to be battery terminal connector. Recall was issued for certain Subaru models but not legacy. No warning, just cuts off. Is not a standard battery terminal connector. Had to secure battery down with cable ties.
NHTSA complaint #11745403 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The Legacy (my third one) was about a month old and had about 30 miles on the odometer. I had no warning of any problem with the car. On or about 5:45 PM on Oct 22, 2025 I was driving my Subaru Legacy when the engine stalled. I was in the HOV lane of an interstate highway. Multiple times the starter failed to restart the engine. Traffic was blocked in my lane and diverting around me. It was dusk with a misty rain. My wife and I were felt we were at high risk of being rearended at any moment. After about 5-10 minutes, during which we called 911, the engine restarted. Seeing no help from the police available, I judged it was best. to get off the highspeed road. I was able to get off the highway and make it home, about 5 miles away. I have not tried to drive the car ever since this terrifying episode.
NHTSA complaint #11706406 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Replaced steering rack 2/12/20 Replaced steering rack 12/07/22 Replaced sway bar links 11/09/23 Inspection found rear Lateral Link Bushings torn and alignment hardware seized in bushings torn and seized/replaced bushings and hardware to complete a proper alignment. 01/23/24 Replaced front sway bar links and strut mounts and performed alignment
NHTSA complaint #11627936 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Emergency breaking deployed during traffic where no indication of collision was about to take place; vehicle safety features disabled and enabled off and on automatically while driving, this led up to sudden stop of vehicle in heavy traffic and vehicle would never restart. Subaru starlink emergency services failed to work or respond after trying for several minutes. Steering wouldn’t work to guide vehicle safely out of traffic
NHTSA complaint #11627822 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Steering did not return to neutral position after making a right turn, steering wanted to continue on right turn. I was able to pull it back to straight position with some needed force. I don't believe my wife would be able , after initial surprise, to steer back into lane of traffic. Result could have been an accident. I have not reproduced the problem at dealer or independent service facility or by manufacturer and because of no accident police or insurance co. not called. There were no warning signs. I just recently pudchased this vehicle within past week. I would call your attention to the articles on internet describing the problem and how to repair I don't think I should pay for repair as it is a recurring problem with other cars by same manufacturer. Thank you
NHTSA complaint #11527329 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Purchased the car used took to dealership for rattle from front end, they diagnosed and recommended replacement of steering rack as it was defective, so it was replaced, a month later same noise, same diagnosis, replaced again, repeated this 7 times and they have reconfirmed it is the rack, the dealership technician states it’s the rack and not as it should be. The manager however is trying to state now that it’s a normal noise and they won’t warranty the repairs anymore. It continues to get worse and louder and feels unsafe to have defective steering racks on the roadways that are non repairable. I’ve reached out to corporate Subaru as well and they can only make decisions based off info the manager gives them which is opposite of what the technicians state. Please help me this car is unsafe.
NHTSA complaint #11472607 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vehicle is difficult to control, especially when driving on uneven roads, or when it is windy. It takes a lot of effort to keep the car in one lane. The ride is rough, and you can hear and feel every little bump in the road. More than a rough ride, this will oftentimes throw my vehicle off path which feels like the car is not in my control momentarily. For instance, it will follow the direction of any cracks/grooves in the road, despite both my hands being on the wheel. This deviation requires immediate correction or risk collision. A passing vehicle moving at a high rate of speed will also push my car off track, which is obviously dangerous on the freeway.
NHTSA complaint #11448868 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I'M HAVING ISSUES WITH THE STEERING COLUMN AND GETTING THE KEY OUT. I'M NOT ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY MOST DAYS. WAS THIS IN ANY PART OF ANY KNOWN RECALL? THANK YOU
NHTSA complaint #11414333 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE HORN ACTIVATED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SYMPTOM WAS LIKE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V283000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO WEBSTER GROVES SUBARU (7982 BIG BEND BLVD, WEBSTER GROVES, MO 63119, (314) 476-9638) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 149,000.
NHTSA complaint #11385420 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY REMOVING KEY FROM IGNITION AFTER VEHICLE IS STOPPED AND ENGINE TURNED OFF. ISSUE RECURS FREQUENT BUT RANDOMLY. SOMETIMES IT REQUIRE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO RESTART AND SHUT-OFF ENGINE BEFORE KEY WOULD RELEASE FROM IGNITION. VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO DEALER FOR REPAIR AND FAULTY PART IN SHIFTER ASSEMBLY REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #11385364 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
HORN SOUNDS UNINTENTIONALLY POSSIBLY SIMILAR/ RELATED TO CAMPAIGN 10V283000 FROM PREVIOUS MODEL YEAR. HORN SOUNDS WHEN I AM TURNING THE WHEEL AND ACCELERATING, ESPECIALLY WHEN GOING FROM A STOP, UP A HILL, OR HARDER ACCELERATION. OCCASIONALLY WHEN GOING STRAIGHT, ESPECIALLY OVER SPEED BUMPS. HORN ALSO SOUNDS WHEN I HIT THE RIM OF THE STEERING WHEEL WITH MY FIST.
NHTSA complaint #11366301 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AM ABLE TO SHIFT INTO PARK AND TURN OFF THE IGNITION BUT NOT ABLE TO REMOVE KEY. IT TAKES SEVERAL TRIES TO SHIFT GEARS UNTIL ABLE TO TURN THE KEY TO RELEASE IT. THIS WAS HAPPENING FOR A WHILE AND STOPPED AND HAS STARTED DOING IT MORE CONSISTENTLY NOW.
NHTSA complaint #11330179 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.