Subaru Legacy Electrical System Problems
Owners have filed 415 complaints with NHTSA about electrical system problems on the Subaru Legacy across 30 model years. The 2016 model year has the most (51).
- 415electrical system complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 8mention a crash
- 6mention an injury
- 4related recalls
- $610typical repair cost reported by owners
- 41%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical electrical system repair on the Subaru Legacy at $610, and half of them between $370 and $2,750.
Based on 11 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2001–2024), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do electrical system problems happen?
Based on 173 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 415 complaints, 8 mention a crash, 21 a fire, 6 an injury.
Subaru Legacy electrical system complaints by model year
| Model year | Electrical System complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Legacy | 5 | 29% | — |
| 2023 Legacy | 1 | 10% | — |
| 2022 Legacy | 3 | 9% | 8,000 |
| 2021 Legacy | 5 | 16% | 60,000 |
| 2020 Legacy | 15 | 12% | 7,814 |
| 2019 Legacy | 35 | 28% | 900 |
| 2018 Legacy | 40 | 34% | 16,745 |
| 2017 Legacy | 30 | 25% | 54,000 |
| 2016 Legacy | 51 | 35% | 51,000 |
| 2015 Legacy | 37 | 23% | 11,806 |
| 2014 Legacy | 11 | 21% | 68,500 |
| 2013 Legacy | 6 | 9% | 97,000 |
| 2012 Legacy | 4 | 4% | 103,000 |
| 2011 Legacy | 19 | 11% | 60,000 |
| 2010 Legacy | 12 | 8% | 80,000 |
| 2009 Legacy | 4 | 6% | 105,000 |
| 2008 Legacy | 9 | 14% | 98,000 |
| 2007 Legacy | 5 | 15% | 73,000 |
| 2006 Legacy | 17 | 20% | 100,000 |
| 2005 Legacy | 25 | 14% | 93,000 |
| 2004 Legacy | 1 | 2% | 149,000 |
| 2003 Legacy | 2 | 3% | 100,001 |
| 2002 Legacy | 2 | 4% | 251,500 |
| 2001 Legacy | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2000 Legacy | 6 | 6% | 137,000 |
| 1999 Legacy | 2 | 2% | 109,000 |
| 1998 Legacy | 9 | 8% | 78,000 |
| 1997 Legacy | 17 | 12% | 86,128 |
| 1996 Legacy | 21 | 17% | 64,435 |
| 1995 Legacy | 20 | 11% | 22,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (4)
Electrical system:ignition:switch
Model years: 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
Problem: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, 2008-2011 Impreza vehicles, 2008-2014 WRX vehicles, 2005-2014 Legacy vehicles, 2005-2014 Outback vehicles and 2006-2008 Tribeca vehicles equipped with a mechanical key ignition switch installed as a replacement part. The ball spring inside the switch may break, reducing the strength of the ignition switch. If this occurs, the weight on the key ring and certain road conditions could cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position to the accessory position, turning off the engine.
Risk: The engine turning off unexpectedly can increase the risk of a crash. If a crash occurs under this condition, the air bag may not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ignition switch, replacing the ignition switch, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 10, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUF-91.
Electrical system:software; fuel system, gasoline
Model years: 2018
Problem: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2018 Subaru Legacy and Outback vehicles. Due to a software error, the low fuel warning light may not illuminate at the intended remaining fuel level and the miles-to-empty display may incorrectly indicate a positive number despite the tank being empty.
Risk: The inaccurate fuel display may cause a driver to unexpectedly run out of fuel and the vehicle to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the combination meter software, free of charge. The recall began February 20, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WTW-82.
Electrical system
Model years: 2007, 2008, 2009
Problem: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 model year Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2008-2014 Impreza vehicles and 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, all equipped with turbo-charged engines. The relay that controls the secondary air injection pump may fail, causing the pump to continuously operate and overheat.
Risk: If the air injection pump overheats, it may melt and increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the secondary air injection pump relay, free of charge. The recall began December 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTM-73.
Equipment; electrical system
Model years: 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
Problem: Subaru is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Legacy and Outback vehicles equipped with an automatic or CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory, certain model year 2012-2013 Impreza vehicles equipped with a CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory, and certain model year 2013 XV Crosstrek vehicles equipped with a CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory. Additionally included are certain model year 2013 Legacy and Outback vehicles that may have received replacement RES fobs. If the RES fob is dropped, the fob may malfunction and randomly transmit an engine start request without pressing the button.
Risk: The engine may inadvertently start and run for up to fifteen minutes. The engine may continue to start and stop until the fob battery is depleted, or until the vehicle runs out of fuel. If the vehicle is parked in an enclosed area, there is a risk of carbon monoxide build-up which may cause headaches, dizziness or, in extreme cases, unconsciousness and/or asphyxiation.
Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the RES key fobs, free of charge. The recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783 for more information.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
Since the battery replacement settlement I've had 3 batteries die from my car being off, the latest battery replacement was 3/2026. I can't tell what my milage is since the battery is so dead that none of the displays turn on when I hit the start button
The vehicle on board video entertainment display has stopped working properly. It does not allow any input to the touch screen. And the only way to regain some functionality is by pressing the steering wheel source button. However it works intermittently. And this causes Driver Distraction while…
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…
The factory Harman Kardon Starlink touchscreen infotainment system in my 2018 Subaru Legacy has experienced severe touchscreen delamination. The display has developed widespread bubbling beneath the glass and now generates repeated "ghost touches" without any driver input. The system activates…
The computer screen has an issue where there is bubbling in the lamination causing the screen to go nuts and become a distracting hazard that you can not shut off. It's a known Subaru Legacy issue and should be a recall. A new screen is $2000 plus, which is not feasable for the average person to…

Frequently asked questions
Do all Subaru Legacys have electrical system problems?
No. NHTSA has 415 owner complaints about electrical system for the Subaru Legacy. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Subaru Legacy electrical system?
Yes: 4 safety recalls list electrical system. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix electrical system problems on the Subaru Legacy?
Owners report a typical cost of $610 (half paid between $370 and $2,750), from 11 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
Other Subaru Legacy problems
See all Subaru Legacy problems.