Subaru Legacy Vehicle Speed Control Problems
Owners have filed 188 complaints with NHTSA about vehicle speed control problems on the Subaru Legacy across 27 model years. The 2006 model year has the most (30). The words owners use most often: “cruise control” (16% of reports).
- 188vehicle speed control complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 52mention a crash
- 10mention an injury
- 2related recalls
- 39%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.
- Cruise control: mentioned in 31 of 188 complaints (16%)
- Suddenly accelerated: mentioned in 15 of 188 complaints (8%)
- Throttle position: mentioned in 13 of 188 complaints (7%)
- Foot brake: mentioned in 13 of 188 complaints (7%)
At what mileage do vehicle speed control problems happen?
Based on 110 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 188 complaints, 52 mention a crash, 10 an injury.
Subaru Legacy vehicle speed control complaints by model year
| Model year | Vehicle Speed Control complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Legacy | 1 | 17% | — |
| 2022 Legacy | 2 | 6% | 15,000 |
| 2021 Legacy | 1 | 3% | — |
| 2020 Legacy | 4 | 3% | 7,650 |
| 2019 Legacy | 4 | 3% | 100 |
| 2018 Legacy | 3 | 3% | — |
| 2017 Legacy | 2 | 2% | 300 |
| 2016 Legacy | 9 | 6% | 35,000 |
| 2015 Legacy | 14 | 9% | 32,000 |
| 2014 Legacy | 3 | 6% | 468 |
| 2013 Legacy | 4 | 6% | 16,285 |
| 2012 Legacy | 4 | 4% | 158,000 |
| 2011 Legacy | 5 | 3% | 24,350 |
| 2010 Legacy | 8 | 5% | 63,500 |
| 2008 Legacy | 5 | 8% | 25,000 |
| 2006 Legacy | 30 | 34% | 105,550 |
| 2005 Legacy | 15 | 8% | 86,800 |
| 2004 Legacy | 5 | 10% | 27,000 |
| 2003 Legacy | 5 | 8% | 1 |
| 2002 Legacy | 4 | 7% | 169,000 |
| 2001 Legacy | 9 | 12% | 40,000 |
| 2000 Legacy | 10 | 11% | 103,000 |
| 1999 Legacy | 12 | 13% | 91,000 |
| 1998 Legacy | 10 | 9% | — |
| 1997 Legacy | 9 | 6% | — |
| 1996 Legacy | 7 | 6% | 104,015 |
| 1995 Legacy | 3 | 2% | 121,100 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (2)
Vehicle speed control:cables
Model years: 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004
Problem: On certain passenger sedans, wagons, and sport utility vehicles, the cruise control cable could come out of its track on the cruise control lever and lodge on the control lever tab when the accelerator pedal is released. If this condition occurs, the throttle will not return to the idle position and will remain in an open position.
Risk: If this occurs during vehicle operation, the driver could lose control of the vehicle, which could result in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will install a cruise control cable retaining clip to the cruise control lever tab on the throttle shaft in order to prevent the cruise control cable from coming out of its track. Owner notification began on april 12, 2004. Owners should contact subaru at 1-800-782-2783.
Vehicle speed control
Model years: 1997
Problem: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The throttle shaft ball bearing on the sensor side of the throttle body assembly was not installed in certain throttle bodies.
Risk: Operation of a vehicle with a missing throttle shaft bearing can eventuallly lead to an incomplete return of the throttle valve resulting in a high idling condition.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the throttle body and replace the throttle assembly if the bearing is missing.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
I experienced unintended acceleration while operating my vehicle. I was slowly pulling into a parking space at a gym when, without warning, the vehicle suddenly accelerated rapidly forward. I did not intentionally press the accelerator at that time. The unexpected acceleration caused the vehicle to…
Unintended acceleration, on 2 occasions. First occasion, car was in DRIVE waiting at a traffic stop and the engine radically increased it's RPM from idle to over 6000 RPM, remaining there. Braking control maintained the automobile's position. Shifting the car into neutral caused RPM to increase…
At the end of a drive of 75 mi, 55-65 MPH on an 8 lane highway the engine stalled. Stopped in HOV lane. Restarting failed several attempts. Called police 911. Dusk, with light rain, slick highway. Poor visibility. Wife and I prayed a lot. Scarier than my year in Vietnam. Restarted after about 10…
THIS IS THE SECOND SUCH EXPERIENCE WITH THIS CAR! On Friday, September 12, 2025 at 3:32 p.m., I was driving slowly in a parking lot preparing to park. As I started to turn the car into the parking space, my car surged forward without my pressing on the gas pedal. I pressed on the brake, and the car…
Subaru sudden acceleration â Garage Accident [XXX] [XXX] â before noon, wet, rainy day: [XXX] returning from grocery shopping - car suddenly accelerated from near stop as she was about to enter garage, the car hit the garage brick wall. When she put her foot on the brake, the car suddenly…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Subaru Legacys have vehicle speed control problems?
No. NHTSA has 188 owner complaints about vehicle speed control 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 vehicle speed control?
Yes: 2 safety recalls list vehicle speed control. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
What do owners say about vehicle speed control problems on the Subaru Legacy?
The most frequent phrase is “cruise control”, in 31 of 188 complaints, followed by “suddenly accelerated” (15).
Other Subaru Legacy problems
See all Subaru Legacy problems.