148 of the 4,165 complaints filed about the Subaru Legacy are about the suspension — 4% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2011.
148
Complaints
4%
Share of all complaints
11
Crashes
0
Fires
SUSPENSION
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.
SUSPENSION
See attached document for complaint.
NHTSA complaint #11701212 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
Vehicle: 2012 Subaru Legacy VIN: [XXX] Owner Location: Syracuse, NY (salt-belt state) Dealer: Romano Subaru (Syracuse, NY) Dealer Findings / Estimate: “Urgent Work — Subframe with sway links — $3,119.89” (front subframe replacement required), plus alignment and related items; total estimate $4,394.75. Summary of Safety Defect: The front subframe has corrosion holes near structural/mounting points. This compromises suspension/steering integrity and presents a risk of sudden loss of control while driving. Manufacturer Response (Subaru of America): I opened a case with Subaru Corporate. Subaru denied assistance on the basis of vehicle age (2012) and absence of a front-subframe recall, and instead offered a $500 coupon toward a new vehicle. This response does not address the current safety defect documented by a Subaru dealer. Why NHTSA Action Is Warranted: •Subaru has already recalled the rear subframe on these models in salt-belt states (NHTSA 19V-297) due to corrosion-related failure. •My vehicle exhibits the same corrosion failure on the front subframe, a critical load-bearing structure. •A safety defect should be addressed regardless of vehicle age. The manufacturer’s refusal leaves an unsafe vehicle on the road or forces the owner to pay for a safety-critical repair that appears systemic in salt-belt regions. Requested Action: I request NHTSA investigate front subframe corrosion on 2010–2014 Subaru Legacy/Outback vehicles in salt-belt states and determine whether the rear-subframe recall should be expanded to include front subframes. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11688170 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
While turning the wheel to back out of a parking spot, we heard a loud clunking sound. From that point on, while braking there were loud clunking sounds and the car pulled to the right. We brought it to our mechanic and was informed the front sub frame/ engine cradle, was completey rusted out due to corrosion from the inside. There was a mounting bolt protruding through a hole in the subframe and the suspension components were loose and damaged. They provided a photo showing the large hole and mounting bolt protruding. We were told it was unsafe to drive. We have to replace the sub frame, control arms and sway bar links. The sub frame supports these components, the engine and other parts!
NHTSA complaint #11674244 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
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.
SUSPENSION
Took it for inspection was told the part that holds the engine up is rotting away and it will not pass inspection next year this is disappointing I have cars older then this and they are in better condition this vehicle was brought brand new this should not occur I could understand if it was old this car is only 8yrs old I have pics to support
NHTSA complaint #11583015 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
The front subframe of my 2010 Subaru is completely rusted through and is available for inspection. My safety was put at risk because if the subframe broke in half while I was driving it would cause an accident from lack of steering control. Many people online said they had the same problem. The car was vibrating and shaking at high speed. The vehicle has not been inspected by any representatives. Subaru of America was called and they refused to do anything to help us. I am sure there are many more of these cars on the road with this problem who are unaware as I was and it is extremely unsafe. People are going to be killed!!!
NHTSA complaint #11572135 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
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.
NHTSA complaint #11546946 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
This 2011 Subaru Legacy would pull severely to the right when braking, nearly jerking the steering wheel out of the drivers hand. The car was taken to a private auto repair shop where it was found the motor cradle (part #50527AJ00B) was completed rusted out so the A-arm to the wheel was unstable. In trying to locate a new part, online and from local dealers, it was found the part was on backorder. We were number 142 in line to receive the part. There is obviously a severe and dangerous problem with this issue as a car would veer into the other lane or offroad when braking. Subaru corporate office was contacted and I was told I would have to take the vehicle to the Subaru dealer. This would require a tow so I decided to have the private auto repair shop fix it as it was also undriveable. This complaint is to bring attention to this as a safety issue. My grandchildren were transported in this vehicle and were at risk of serious injury or death because of this problem. I feel Subaru should notify other owners of this problem on this make and model to avoid risk of serious injury or death. I have a video of the car and tire that shows what was happening before I took it to the auto repair shop. I was unable to upload the video file but would like to get it sent for your review. I can be emailed at brune5@msn.com. My phone number is (309) 696-8849. Daniel Brune
NHTSA complaint #11537308 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
The front subframe and engine cradle broke while driving (corrosion). Car began swaying and brakes were affected. Car pulled hard to the right when applying minor pressure to brakes on highway immediately after hearing the part break. The car only has 110,000 miles on it and according to the repair shop and dealership this is an increasingly common problem for the car make and model for this specific part.
NHTSA complaint #11534560 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
When i brought car in for an oil change. cam carrier leak, was reported to me that there was a cam carrier leak. When i look online there are countless reports of this. Seems like there could be something faulty with the engine. Subaru offered to cover the repair as a 1 time curtesy. But if there is an issue with the design of an engine then this should be looked at further. The rear brushings are also failing don't think this should happen so quickly, maybe faulty brushings. no warning lights.
NHTSA complaint #11523549 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
To whom it may concern. I’ve purchased a second hand vehicle from New Jersey I live in California. It is 2002 Subaru outback H-6 3.0 with 52,000 miles. Upon delivery I took it to orange coast Subaru for general inspection when it was brought to my attention that there’s an open recall from 2004 stating excessive corrosion in the rear sub frame. It applies on vehicles in cold wet states where New Jersey is one of them. Service advisor assure me that all is fine and they marked it as resolved. Upon inspection when I received the car back to my horror the sub frame is corroded to the point of disintegration. I took it back in and I’ve reached out to Subaru of North America where they look into it and concluded that the factory warranty is expired, 5 years 60k miles and they will not fix the recall. Base on my research there’s no expiration on manufacture recall and I’m not sure why they will not take care of it . Please help me navigate this matter. Thank you kindly [XXX] The person at Subaru headquarters info is; [XXX] Subaru of America, Inc. Customer Advocacy Department 1-800-SUBARU3 (1-800-782-2783) Direct: [XXX] Customers@subaru.com Case number [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #11516418 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
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.
NHTSA complaint #11516278 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
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.
SUSPENSION
While braking at lower speed the driver's side lower control arm broke out causing the car to pull very hard to the left. Both lower control arms and the subframe had to be replaced.
NHTSA complaint #11505073 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
I was going down the hill in my development, I made it approximately 2-300ft at 7-10MPH when suddenly there was a loud “bang”. I could not see anything, my airbags had deployed and blocked my field of vision. I ended up hitting an electrical pole. There was no need for the airbags to go off. I could have been killed. There is no airbag recall on my VIN number.
NHTSA complaint #11491503 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
The front subframe failed due to corrosion from the inside according to the service department. The vehicle is unsafe to drive with this condition. It only has 38,180 miles on it. It has not been driven in a reckless fashion. I have never heard of this failure in a low mileage auto.
NHTSA complaint #11486094 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
Front subframe has rotted away in several spots. This makes the vehicle extremely unsafe to drive. With possible wheel loss or control of steering. Problem has been confirmed by independent repair shop during state inspection. No warning lights are on or possible for this issue. Issue was first noticed from noise coming from front of vehicle like rocks bouncing around, followed by strong pulling to the right when braking.
NHTSA complaint #11480480 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
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.
SUSPENSION
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.