Subaru Legacy Engine Problems
Owners have filed 219 complaints with NHTSA about engine problems on the Subaru Legacy across 27 model years. The 2010 model year has the most (31). The words owners use most often: “torque converter” (8% of reports).
- 219engine complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 10mention a crash
- 4mention an injury
- 4related recalls
- $2,900typical repair cost reported by owners
- 24%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.
- Torque converter: mentioned in 18 of 219 complaints (8%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical engine repair on the Subaru Legacy at $2,900, and half of them between $2,050 and $6,350.
Based on 12 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2012–2025), 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 problems happen?
Based on 151 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 219 complaints, 10 mention a crash, 7 a fire, 4 an injury.
Subaru Legacy engine complaints by model year
| Model year | Engine complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Legacy | 3 | 50% | — |
| 2024 Legacy | 1 | 6% | — |
| 2022 Legacy | 1 | 3% | — |
| 2021 Legacy | 2 | 6% | — |
| 2020 Legacy | 4 | 3% | — |
| 2019 Legacy | 6 | 5% | 15,000 |
| 2018 Legacy | 10 | 9% | 23,563 |
| 2017 Legacy | 5 | 4% | 31,000 |
| 2016 Legacy | 7 | 5% | 93,000 |
| 2015 Legacy | 23 | 14% | 17,400 |
| 2014 Legacy | 5 | 9% | 62,922 |
| 2013 Legacy | 18 | 27% | 35,319 |
| 2012 Legacy | 23 | 26% | 93,000 |
| 2011 Legacy | 22 | 13% | 114,000 |
| 2010 Legacy | 31 | 21% | 105,552 |
| 2009 Legacy | 7 | 11% | 90,000 |
| 2008 Legacy | 4 | 6% | 75,000 |
| 2007 Legacy | 7 | 21% | 101,000 |
| 2006 Legacy | 16 | 18% | 133,000 |
| 2005 Legacy | 4 | 2% | 85,300 |
| 2004 Legacy | 5 | 10% | 89,650 |
| 2003 Legacy | 4 | 7% | 132,500 |
| 2002 Legacy | 4 | 7% | 108,342 |
| 2001 Legacy | 3 | 4% | 149,505 |
| 2000 Legacy | 1 | 1% | 190,000 |
| 1999 Legacy | 2 | 2% | 158,000 |
| 1997 Legacy | 1 | 1% | 92,000 |
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.
To start, I had to replace the engine in my 2024 Legacy that I purchased brand new in June 2024. Subaru of America handled the situation incredibly poorly, I was unable to use any warranty and I was out over 6,000 dollars. Second, my passenger airbag light has been on since September 2024. I was…
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment, and the vehicle intermittently stalled. The contact stated that seconds later, the vehicle returned to normal operation. No warning lights…
Vehicle: 2021 Subaru Legacy Base 2.5i Mileage:~65,000 miles My engine suddenly began making loud internal knocking/tapping noises with no warning lights, no overheating, and no prior symptoms. The vehicle immediately became unsafe to operate. I had it towed to a Subaru dealership, where technicians…
The Cam Carrier has a leak due to Subaru using a cheap sealant. My car only has 80,000 miles and it is leaking. The subaru is know for this leak after researching it online. They say it is a safety issue cause the oil can fall on the exhaust making in a fire issue.
Engine failed 3 cyclinders blew, car would not start, was able to drive car into parking lot (Einstein Bagels)before failure, otherwise could have been reared ended, as was in heavy traffic on westbound Dundee Road, in Palatine IL. Parking lot was near Dundee and Rand Road intersection
Frequently asked questions
Do all Subaru Legacys have engine problems?
No. NHTSA has 219 owner complaints about engine 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?
Yes: 4 safety recalls list engine. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix engine problems on the Subaru Legacy?
Owners report a typical cost of $2,900 (half paid between $2,050 and $6,350), from 12 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about engine problems on the Subaru Legacy?
The most frequent phrase is “torque converter”, in 18 of 219 complaints.
Other Subaru Legacy problems
See all Subaru Legacy problems.