Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
620–25K
1725–50K
850–75K
975–100K
5100–150K
3150K+
104 reports with mileage · 55 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Electrical System. Review the 37 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Visibility/wiper. Review the 36 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine. Review the 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
15 crash reports3 fire reports7 injury reports
What owners actually said
159 reports
76,000 miles · Nov 19, 2018
Air BagsService BrakesStructureCrash
MY VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT YESTERDAY. WHILE PULLING IN TO A PARKING SPOT AND ALMOST COMPLETELY STOPPED WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE ABOUT TO PLACE THE CAR IN PARK, IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE RESULT WAS A FRONT END COLLISION WITH THE SIDE OF A RESTAURANT AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I'M GRATEFUL THAT THERE WERE …
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MY VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT YESTERDAY. WHILE PULLING IN TO A PARKING SPOT AND ALMOST COMPLETELY STOPPED WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE ABOUT TO PLACE THE CAR IN PARK, IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE RESULT WAS A FRONT END COLLISION WITH THE SIDE OF A RESTAURANT AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I'M GRATEFUL THAT THERE WERE NO INJURIES BUT I'M WORRIED THAT THERE MAY BE SOMETHING SERIOUSLY WRONG WITH THIS VEHICLE AND POSSIBLY OTHERS LIKE IT. I'M NOT SURE HOW TO START AN INVESTIGATION OF THIS NATURE SO I'M TURNING TO YOUR ORGANIZATION FOR GUIDANCE. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME IF YOU HAVE ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS.
NHTSA ODI #11152454
64,779 miles · Nov 15, 2018
Visibility/wiper
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD FOR MY COMMUTE TO CLASS WHEN I HEARD A LOUD POP KIND OF LIKE A GUN SHOT. THIS IS WHEN I NOTICED THAT MY CAR WAS GETTING COLDER, AND I SAW THAT MY SUNROOF HAD EXPLODED. THIS HAD HAPPENED WHEN I WAS GOING AROUND 57MPH UP A HILL WITH THE CLOSEST PERSON IN FRONT OF ME TO BE A GOOD 1/2 OR 1 MILE AWAY. AS W…
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I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD FOR MY COMMUTE TO CLASS WHEN I HEARD A LOUD POP KIND OF LIKE A GUN SHOT. THIS IS WHEN I NOTICED THAT MY CAR WAS GETTING COLDER, AND I SAW THAT MY SUNROOF HAD EXPLODED. THIS HAD HAPPENED WHEN I WAS GOING AROUND 57MPH UP A HILL WITH THE CLOSEST PERSON IN FRONT OF ME TO BE A GOOD 1/2 OR 1 MILE AWAY. AS WELL AS THERE NOT BEING ANY TREES OR ANYTHING ABOVE ME, SINCE I WAS IN THE LEFT LANE AT THE TIME.
WHEN PARKING IN A PARKING SPOT AT A SCHOOL GOING TO WORK, THE CAR ACCELERATED ON IT'S OWN AND WENT UP AN EMBANKMENT AND STRUCK A TREE CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE.
NHTSA ODI #11149897
51,000 miles · Oct 30, 2018
Seats
AFTER BOTH FRONT DOOR SEALS WERE REPLACED IN 2016,, THE WIND NOISE RETURNED. SPOKE TO SUBARU CUSTOMER SERVICE, AND WAS THEY SENT ME A 'SORRY FOR THE INCONVENIENCE' CHECK FOR $250.00 WHICH DIDN'T COVER THE ORIGINAL ISSUE.
NHTSA ODI #11144249
39,000 miles · May 29, 2018
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other
SRVD DISABLED AT 39000 MILES. BLIND SPOT DETECTION SYSTEM FAILURE.
NHTSA ODI #11098468
90,000 miles · May 10, 2018
Air BagsElectrical SystemSteering
CLOCK SPRING IN STEERING COLUMN IS BAD. HORN DOES NOT WORK. DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG MAY BE INOPERABLE. CONDITION EXISTS WHEN VEHICLE IS STATIONARY WITH IGNITION OFF AND WHILE IT IS IN MOTION.
NHTSA ODI #11093270
Mileage unknown · Apr 10, 2018
Seat Belts
2015 SUBARU LEGACY. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE ACCELERATION ISSUES. *SMD
NHTSA ODI #10805791
Mileage unknown · Mar 22, 2018
Visibility/wiper
THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED OFF THE RIGHT EDGE WITH NO VISIBLE SIGN OF ANY CHIPS.
NHTSA ODI #11080956
60,000 miles · Mar 11, 2018
Electrical SystemService BrakesUnknown Or OtherCrash
AFTER TURNING ONTO MY INCLINED, SOMEWHAT LONG DRIVEWAY, AND APPLYING A SOFT BRAKING WHEN ENTERING MY GARAGE, THE CAR SUDDENLY SPED UP TO A HIGH SPEED AND CRASHED INTO THE WALL WHICH HAD TWO LAYERS OF PLASTIC STORAGE BOXES IN FRONT OF IT. THE BOXES PUSHED THE WALL INTO MY HOUSE WHICH PUSHED MY DINING ROOM HUTCH FORWARD CAUSING TH…
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AFTER TURNING ONTO MY INCLINED, SOMEWHAT LONG DRIVEWAY, AND APPLYING A SOFT BRAKING WHEN ENTERING MY GARAGE, THE CAR SUDDENLY SPED UP TO A HIGH SPEED AND CRASHED INTO THE WALL WHICH HAD TWO LAYERS OF PLASTIC STORAGE BOXES IN FRONT OF IT. THE BOXES PUSHED THE WALL INTO MY HOUSE WHICH PUSHED MY DINING ROOM HUTCH FORWARD CAUSING THE TOP PART TO FALL BACK AND BREAK JUST ABOUT ALL THE CRYSTAL AND HEIRLOOM ITEMS INSIDE IT. THE TOP PART OF THE HUTCH IS UNREPAIRABLE. MY CAR WAS DAMAGED, MY HOME IS DAMAGED, AND MY HUTCH IS RUINED. I AM NOW AFRAID TO EVER PARK IN MY GARAGE AGAIN WITH THIS VEHICLE. I AM ALSO AFRAID OF THIS HAPPENING ELSEWHERE WHERE I MIGHT POSSIBLE INJURE OTHERS OR MYSELF.
NHTSA ODI #11078561
Mileage unknown · Mar 9, 2018
Electrical System
2015 SUBARU LEGACY. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO A WIRING DEFECT. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE'S MIRROR LINK APP MALFUNCTIONED. *JS
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2015 Legacy and Outback vehicles manufactured on July 20, 2015. The brake fluid used in these vehicles may contain excess moisture which may adversely affect the performance of the electronic stability control system. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Poor performance of the electronic stability control system when it is activated may result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will perform an ABS activation, then flush and replace the brake fluid, free of charge. The recall began on May 20, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTC-64.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015 and 2016 model year Subaru Legacy 4-Door and Outback vehicles manufactured July 3, 2015, to July 27, 2015. Transmission oil may leak from a deformed seal cap on the propeller shaft yoke.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the transmission oil leaks onto the exhaust pipe, there is a possible risk of fire.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the propeller shaft, free of charge. The recall began on August 28, 2015. Owners may contact 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQU-56.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Power Train:driveline:driveshaft
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015 and 2016 model year Subaru Legacy 4-Door and Outback vehicles manufactured July 3, 2015, to July 27, 2015. Transmission oil may leak from a deformed seal cap on the propeller shaft yoke.
Consequence: If the transmission oil leaks onto the exhaust pipe, there is a possible risk of fire.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the propeller shaft, free of charge. The recall began on August 28, 2015. Owners may contact 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQU-56.
Power Train:automatic Transmission
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015 and 2016 model year Subaru Legacy 4-Door and Outback vehicles manufactured July 3, 2015, to July 27, 2015. Transmission oil may leak from a deformed seal cap on the propeller shaft yoke.
Consequence: If the transmission oil leaks onto the exhaust pipe, there is a possible risk of fire.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the propeller shaft, free of charge. The recall began on August 28, 2015. Owners may contact 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQU-56.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2015 Legacy vehicles manufactured March 10, 2014, to April 16, 2015, Outback vehicles manufactured February 24, 2014, to April 16, 2015, Impreza vehicles manufactured September 9, 2014, to April 14, 2015, XV Crosstrek vehicles manufactured October 16, 2014, to April 15, 2015, and 2016 WRX vehicles manufactured March 23, 2015, and equipped with the Eyesight Driver Assist System. If the switch that activates the brake lights fails, the automatic pre-collision braking component of the driver assist system will not function.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the automatic pre-collision braking system does not function as intended, the vehicle will not react to an obstacle in its path, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the driver assist system, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQS-54.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2015 Legacy vehicles manufactured March 10, 2014, to April 16, 2015, Outback vehicles manufactured February 24, 2014, to April 16, 2015, Impreza vehicles manufactured September 9, 2014, to April 14, 2015, XV Crosstrek vehicles manufactured October 16, 2014, to April 15, 2015, and 2016 WRX vehicles manufactured March 23, 2015, and equipped with the Eyesight Driver Assist System. If the switch that activates the brake lights fails, the automatic pre-collision braking component of the driver assist system will not function.
Consequence: If the automatic pre-collision braking system does not function as intended, the vehicle will not react to an obstacle in its path, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the driver assist system, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQS-54.
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2015 Legacy vehicles manufactured March 10, 2014, to April 16, 2015, Outback vehicles manufactured February 24, 2014, to April 16, 2015, Impreza vehicles manufactured September 9, 2014, to April 14, 2015, XV Crosstrek vehicles manufactured October 16, 2014, to April 15, 2015, and 2016 WRX vehicles manufactured March 23, 2015, and equipped with the Eyesight Driver Assist System. If the switch that activates the brake lights fails, the automatic pre-collision braking component of the driver assist system will not function.
Consequence: If the automatic pre-collision braking system does not function as intended, the vehicle will not react to an obstacle in its path, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the driver assist system, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQS-54.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1
EA21002 · Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Opened Sep 17, 2021 · No close date supplied
Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module; Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.
2015 Subaru Legacy Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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