Subaru Legacy Engine and Engine Cooling Problems
Owners have filed 210 complaints with NHTSA about engine and engine cooling problems on the Subaru Legacy across 21 model years. The 1997 model year has the most (31). The words owners use most often: “head gasket” (13% of reports).
- 210engine and engine cooling complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 2mention a crash
- 5mention an injury
- 4related recalls
- $2,600typical repair cost reported by owners
- 43%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Head gasket: mentioned in 27 of 210 complaints (13%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical engine and engine cooling repair on the Subaru Legacy at $2,600, and half of them between $2,000 and $3,800.
Based on 11 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2000–2009), 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 engine and engine cooling problems happen?
Based on 103 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 210 complaints, 2 mention a crash, 10 a fire, 5 an injury.
Subaru Legacy engine and engine cooling complaints by model year
| Model year | Engine and Engine Cooling complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Legacy | 1 | 17% | 1,500 |
| 2021 Legacy | 1 | 3% | 60,000 |
| 2016 Legacy | 1 | 1% | 54,514 |
| 2015 Legacy | 1 | 1% | 140,000 |
| 2013 Legacy | 2 | 3% | 13,000 |
| 2011 Legacy | 6 | 4% | 2,000 |
| 2010 Legacy | 4 | 3% | 1,000 |
| 2009 Legacy | 1 | 2% | 55,000 |
| 2007 Legacy | 2 | 6% | 10,200 |
| 2006 Legacy | 4 | 5% | 37,269 |
| 2005 Legacy | 29 | 16% | 32,798 |
| 2004 Legacy | 2 | 4% | 52,000 |
| 2003 Legacy | 9 | 15% | 54,000 |
| 2002 Legacy | 9 | 17% | 40,000 |
| 2001 Legacy | 11 | 14% | 42,931 |
| 2000 Legacy | 16 | 17% | 100,000 |
| 1999 Legacy | 11 | 12% | 53,000 |
| 1998 Legacy | 30 | 26% | 105,000 |
| 1997 Legacy | 31 | 22% | 104,706 |
| 1996 Legacy | 22 | 18% | 75,000 |
| 1995 Legacy | 17 | 9% | 180,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (4)
Engine and engine cooling:cooling system:hoses/lines/piping/fittings
Model years: 2010
Problem: Subaru is recalling certain model year 2010 outback and legacy passenger vehicles manufactured from july 31 through december 1, 2009. A crack or split can occur in the cvt cooler hose resulting in a fluid leak.
Risk: If the fluid is completely leaked during driving, the vehicle will come to a stop, possibly resulting in a crash.
Fix: Subaru will notify owners and dealers will replace any affected cooler hoses free of charge. The safety recall began on june 8, 2010. Owners may contact subaru at 1-800-subaru3 (1-800-782-2783).
Engine and engine cooling:engine
Model years: 2007, 2008
Problem: Subaru is recalling 16,715 my 2007-2008 legacy sedans and wagons, my 2008 impreza sedans and wagons, and my 2009 forester vehicles. Some vehicles may have the cylinder head-side oil supply pipe and turbocharger-side pipe improperly assembled.
Risk: Vibration would occur while driving and, over time, could eventually result in cracking the pipe which would allow oil to leak. If leaking oil contacts components operating at high temperatures, an engine compartment fire could occur.
Fix: Dealers will inspect for cracking or an oil leak at the oil supply pipe at the cylinder head-side. An additional bracket will be installed to increase rigidity of the pipe and the pipe assembly will be replaced with a modified part. The recall began on october 20, 2008. Owners may contact subaru at 1-800-782-2783.
Engine and engine cooling:cooling system
Model years: 2003
Problem: On certain sport utility and passenger vehicles equipped with 4-cylinder engines, the water pump pulley center hole was improperly machined.
Risk: In some instances, the interference fit between the inner wall of the pulley center hole and the water pump drive shaft was not as tight as specified in the drawing specification. This could result in the water pump pulley dislodging from the water pump shaft, which can cause severe engine damage/seizure during vehicle usage.
Fix: Dealers will replace the water pump. Owner notification began september 12, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact subaru at 1-800-782-2783.
Engine and engine cooling:engine
Model years: 1998, 1999
Problem: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles, also service parts supplied to subaru dealers are involved (lot numbers f01 j21d2, f01 j30d2, f02 j09d1, f02 j09d2, and f02 j20d1). The purolator oil filter cans used on these vehicles can fracture causing a vaporized oil spray and subsequent oil leak.
Risk: This vaporized oil spray can result in oil vapor ignition by the hot exhaust system resulting in a possible underhood fire.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace these engine oil filters.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds during colder weather, the heater failed to operate as intended. Additionally, the Eyesight system was inoperable. The check engine and other unknown warning lights were displayed. In addition, the…
The contact owns a 2025 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, there was white smoke coming from the exhaust pipes. Additionally, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a misfire with a rattling sound coming from behind the dashboard. The vehicle…
The contact owns a 2015 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at the dealer for service, he was informed that the front exhaust pipe was fractured. The dealer diagnosed that the front exhaust pipe needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that…
The contact owns a 2016 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the oil warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with oil leaking from the driver's side front cam carrier, rocker cover, and head gasket. The dealer…
The issue is with the oil consumption. I purchase a 2013 subaru legacy limited in january 2014 with just over 12,100 miles on it . I would do a full synthetic oil change regardless but this make/model/year requires full synthetic. The 0w full synthetic is wicked expensive to begin with. I have…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Subaru Legacys have engine and engine cooling problems?
No. NHTSA has 210 owner complaints about engine and engine cooling 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 engine and engine cooling?
Yes: 4 safety recalls list engine and engine cooling. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix engine and engine cooling problems on the Subaru Legacy?
Owners report a typical cost of $2,600 (half paid between $2,000 and $3,800), from 11 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about engine and engine cooling problems on the Subaru Legacy?
The most frequent phrase is “head gasket”, in 27 of 210 complaints.
Other Subaru Legacy problems
- Electrical System problems (415)
- Air Bags problems (380)
- Power Train problems (320)
- Visibility/wiper problems (274)
- Engine problems (219)
- Vehicle Speed Control problems (188)
- Service Brakes problems (140)
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems (131)
See all Subaru Legacy problems.