NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
11 reportsClear category filter50,000 miles · Feb 14, 2025
Electrical SystemPower Train
The contact owns a 2014 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated before accelerating. The contact stated that there was a lag in the vehicle while driving and attempting to accelerate above 65 MPH. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start immediately, and several attempts were needed to start the v…
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The contact owns a 2014 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated before accelerating. The contact stated that there was a lag in the vehicle while driving and attempting to accelerate above 65 MPH. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start immediately, and several attempts were needed to start the vehicle. The failure was intermittent; however, the failure was persistent while using the remote start feature. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the failure might be related to NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 19V297000 (Electrical System) and 13V336000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included in the recalls. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 50,000.
NHTSA ODI #11642720
Mileage unknown · Nov 25, 2024
Air BagsElectrical System
The occupancy detection sensor module failed. Similar to the 2014 forester recall the module has failed and Subaru dealership wants $3300 to replace the module. The passenger airbag is off due to the sensor not working. Previous airbag recall has been resolved, but I am concerned that they are related.
NHTSA ODI #11627248
Mileage unknown · Oct 22, 2024
Electrical SystemForward Collision AvoidancePower Train
My Subaru ran perfectly fine until the water pump and cooler lines got replaced after these were replaced it was tried to be driven and the car then had no idea what gear it was in drive is drive neautral is drive and reverse does not work at all paddle shifters won’t work AT oil temp light check engine light brake light flashin…
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My Subaru ran perfectly fine until the water pump and cooler lines got replaced after these were replaced it was tried to be driven and the car then had no idea what gear it was in drive is drive neautral is drive and reverse does not work at all paddle shifters won’t work AT oil temp light check engine light brake light flashing cruise control light all came on and the car will only go forward and it’s making some crazy shutter noises when you start it and sometimes it shuts off after it was started.
NHTSA ODI #11621344
Mileage unknown · Apr 10, 2024
Electrical SystemPower TrainService Brakes
Na
NHTSA ODI #11582107
Mileage unknown · Sep 18, 2022
Electrical System
Brand new battery dies after letting the car sit for 3-10 days. Car draws 183mAmps of power just sitting, with no key in ignition and no doors open. This high amount of current kills the battery after letting the car sit for days. Legacy models after 2015 were recalled for this issue but not other years. This is an unacceptable …
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Brand new battery dies after letting the car sit for 3-10 days. Car draws 183mAmps of power just sitting, with no key in ignition and no doors open. This high amount of current kills the battery after letting the car sit for days. Legacy models after 2015 were recalled for this issue but not other years. This is an unacceptable product defect leaving customers stranded in potential remote locations.
NHTSA ODI #11485052
95,500 miles · Nov 18, 2021
Electrical SystemPower Train
The contact owns a 2014 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that the check engine and brake warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was jerking. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was taken to…
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The contact owns a 2014 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that the check engine and brake warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was jerking. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the mechanic retrieved an unknown transmission code. The contact was then referred to the dealer for assistance. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no further assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 99,500.
NHTSA ODI #11440948
99,000 miles · May 19, 2020
Electrical SystemCrashFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2014 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER SON WAS DRIVING AND HIT A DEER THAT CAUSED EXTENSIVE FRONT END DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTO BODY REPAIR FACILITY FOR REPAIRS. HOWEVER, A WEEK AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED HER SON WAS DRIVING AGAIN WHEN HE SMELT SMOKE AND LOOKED OUT THE DRIVER…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2014 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER SON WAS DRIVING AND HIT A DEER THAT CAUSED EXTENSIVE FRONT END DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTO BODY REPAIR FACILITY FOR REPAIRS. HOWEVER, A WEEK AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED HER SON WAS DRIVING AGAIN WHEN HE SMELT SMOKE AND LOOKED OUT THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW AND SAW FLAMES. THE DRIVER PARKED THE VEHICLE AND EXITED THE VEHICLE SAFELY WITH THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORTS WERE FILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FIRE MARSHALL STATED THAT WITH THE EXTENT OF THE DAMAGE AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE CAUSE COULD NOT BE RULED OUT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY TOTALED. THE WRECKAGE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD FOR THE INSURANCE COMPANY TO EXAMINE WITH A THIRD-PARTY EXAMINER TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND REQUESTED TO EXAMINE THE VEHICLE AFTER THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 99,000.
NHTSA ODI #11325170
87,000 miles · Apr 29, 2019
Electrical SystemEngine
CAR HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN CUT OFF 5-10 MINUTES PRIOR. WENT TO MOVE VEHICLE, STARTED IT LIKE NORMAL, UPON PUTTING IT IN REVERSE THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. HAD TO PLACE VEHICLE IN PARK AND TAKE KEY BACK OUT AND RESTART.
NHTSA ODI #11204551
Mileage unknown · Jul 3, 2018
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
THIS IS THE 3RD TIME IN 5 YEARS THAT I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ON BOTH SIDES OF MY VEHICLE. SEEMS TO BE AN INFERIOR SYSTEM OR ELECTRICAL ISSUE. THIS RESULTS IN A SAFETY CONCERN ESPECIALLY IF DRIVING AT NIGHT NOT TO MENTION THE COST AND HASSLE OF HAVING TO CHANGE OUT THE LAMPS SO OFTEN.
NHTSA ODI #11105292
30,000 miles · Nov 8, 2016
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other
IM NOT THE ONLY ONE. THE HEADLIGHTS GO ON AND OFF. I HAVE CONTACTED OTHER OWNERS ABOUT THIS ISSUE FOR THIS MODEL YEAR. ITS VERY DANGEROUS TO BE DRIVING AND THE LIGHTS GO OUT. SUBARU HAS IGNORED OWNERS. I WENT TO REPLACE A BULB BUT THE BULB IS BRAND NEW. THERE IS A SERIOUS AND DANGEROUS DEFECT IN THIS 2010-2014 MODEL YEAR SUBARU…
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IM NOT THE ONLY ONE. THE HEADLIGHTS GO ON AND OFF. I HAVE CONTACTED OTHER OWNERS ABOUT THIS ISSUE FOR THIS MODEL YEAR. ITS VERY DANGEROUS TO BE DRIVING AND THE LIGHTS GO OUT. SUBARU HAS IGNORED OWNERS. I WENT TO REPLACE A BULB BUT THE BULB IS BRAND NEW. THERE IS A SERIOUS AND DANGEROUS DEFECT IN THIS 2010-2014 MODEL YEAR SUBARU.
NHTSA ODI #10925083
Official recalls
10Jan 2, 2020
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (STI included), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators with alternate inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-20.
Jan 2, 2020
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKB-20.
Jan 2, 2020
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKC-20.
Apr 11, 2019
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
Jan 9, 2019
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Forester, 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Outback, Legacy, and 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 25, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-19.
Jan 9, 2019
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Outback, and Legacy vehicles, 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles and 2010-2013 Forester vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Subaru is notifying owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 25, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is TKB-19.
Jan 9, 2019
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles and 2010-2013 Forester vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Subaru is notifying owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on January 25, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is TKC-19.
Sep 13, 2018
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Subaru Legacy and Outback vehicles equipped with a manual transmission. The electronic parking brake (EPB) may not engage as intended, allowing the vehicle to rollaway if the transmission is not in the proper gear when parked.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A vehicle rollaway can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the EPB actuator assembly, free of charge. The recall began July 19, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WTV-81.
Sep 27, 2016
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Legacy vehicles manufactured November 26, 2008, to June 7, 2013, and 2010-2014 Outback vehicles manufactured January 9, 2009 to June 7, 2013. Due to contamination, components within the windshield wiper motor bottom cover may interfere with each other. If an obstruction, such as a buildup of snow or ice prevents the wiper arms from being able to stop in the parked position, the wiper motor may overheat and the bottom cover may melt.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the windshield wiper motor overheats, the wipers may fail, reducing driver visibility and increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, the wiper motor cover may melt, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the windshield wiper motor bottom cover assembly, free of charge. The recall began October 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTK-71. Note: This recall supersedes recall 11V-469. All vehicles that were remedied under that campaign are affected by this campaign, and need to have their wiper motor bottom cover replaced again.
Aug 1, 2013
Subaru of America is recalling certain model year 2014 Legacy 3.6R and Outback 3.6R and 2013 Tribeca vehicles manufactured June 12, 2013, through June 28, 2013 and equipped with 5-speed automatic transmissions. In the affected vehicles, the parking rod may come loose inside the automatic transmission.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: As a result of the parking rod detaching, the transmission may not be able to be moved from the "park" position preventing the vehicle from being moved or driven. Furthermore, even with the transmission shifted into the 'park' position, the parking mechanism may not engage, and the vehicle may roll away while in the "park" position, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the transmission, free of charge. The recall began during August 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's recall number is WQJ-46.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
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