Electrical System. Review the 51 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Visibility/wiper. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Steering. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

9 crash reports0 fire reports3 injury reports

Power Train complaints

13 reports

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Mileage unknown · Sep 8, 2023

Power Train

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There was a recall for my 2016 Subaru Legacy transmission issue (CVT), I got a letter from Subaru on 9/23/2018 which extended warranty for 2016-2017 Legacy/Outback CVT from 5 years/60000 miles to 10 years/100000 miles, started from 9/30/2019. The transmission of my Subaru started making noise half year ago which was still under warranty, at that time I didn't think it was a big deal and totally forgot the letter from Subaru, however, the noise is aloud and unbearable now, the mileages of my car is about 5000 miles exceeding 100000 miles warranty, which I need to pay $8200 to replace transmission per Subaru client service USA. After browsing online, I have noticed that the issue of CVT on Subaru Legacy is common, in this case, Subaru should replace such defective CVT for free, at least for the part.

NHTSA ODI #11543478

Mileage unknown · Aug 2, 2023

EnginePower Train

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Vehicle had significant amount of oil pooled in the battery case holder back approximately Jan 2022 or earlier. Contacted Subaru of Las Vegas and they offered to clean the vehicle believing it was a careless oil change. Next oil change Subaru said I had a minor oil leak. Took it to an outside vendor to have them look at it and they said I didn't have an oil leak. Every oil change after that subaru continued to say I had a leak. But, my oil levels never changed enough to show low oil. Took it to the same vendor again and again they said no oil leak. Took it to another vendor and they changed the gasket cover and leak, but mentioned there was a leak with the cam carrier that needed to be revealed. They recommended taking it to their neighbor vendor that specializes in Subaru and they looked at it and confirmed, but mentioned to contact Subaru and that it should be a covered repair as it is a known issue with Subaru and that they were currently working on one with the same issue. While recently driving it, I noticed what smelled like burning oil. When I looked online I can see numerous years and models of owners reporting the same issue with their Subaru. Contacted my dealer and they said it wasn't covered. Contacted Subaru of America and they are currently investigating it. If your camshaft seal is leaking oil, you need to get it replaced right away. The leak can lead to a fire, and your engine could seize up. It can also damage your timing belt which can cause bent valves, cylinder head damage or camshaft damage. Prior to this, I actually have already repaired the timing belt. I want to ensure that no injury or damage comes to another Subaru vehicle owner having the same issue. I have also just had to repair both axles and my Subaru is a 2016 with 90,000 miles on it.

NHTSA ODI #11536054

Mileage unknown · Dec 14, 2022

Power Train

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I had a transmission failure on my 2016 Subaru Legacy and there were no warning signs before this incident occurred. I was on a road trip driving at highway speeds and suddenly without warning I heard a loud bang. Then the "at oil temp" light came on, then the "check engine light", smelled something burning and also felt some slipping in the transmission. I pulled over as soon as I could. I towed it to the nearest dealer and they diagnosed the problem as being a bad valve body based on the code "P0712: Transmission Temperature Sensor Circuit Low" without test driving the vehicle. The valve body was replaced. Since my car's mileage was outside the extended warranty for this issue, Subaru only contributed half the cost of the repair. After the completion of the repair, the dealer told me they heard loud transmission noises and they recommended that my transmission may have to be replaced I test drove the vehicle with the service manager, except for the noise, the car had no warning lights and the car was shifting smoothly and was reassured that the car would not stall. After leaving the dealership, I drove 25 miles before the car started jerking and violently shaking. Then at a stop light on a highway, the car stalled. When I press the accelerator, the engine would rev but the car would not move. The vehicle was towed home, my car still would not move when I pressed the accelerator and the check engine light came on. I towed it to my local dealer, they checked the vehicle and said the transmission had an internal failure and replaced the transmission. The bad transmission was sent back to Subaru per their policy. Subaru did a goodwill warranty repair that covered a significant portion of the cost. This sudden transmission failure was a huge safety risk to myself and others. I could have rear-ended both times my car stalled.

NHTSA ODI #11497377

17,000 miles · Apr 22, 2022

Power TrainCrashInjury

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The contact owned a 2016 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that while attempting to park the vehicle, it suddenly accelerated crashing a small tree causing the contact to reverse the vehicle. When placed in reverse the vehicle accelerated and crashed into another vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. There was damage done to both the tree and other vehicle. The vehicle was towed and deemed total. A police report was filed. The contact had received a bruise on their knee and sought out medical attention. The contact dealer was not made aware of the falure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 17,000.

NHTSA ODI #11461769

35,000 miles · Nov 10, 2021

Power Train

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The contact owns a 2016 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that the key would not release from the ignition switch. The contact had to move the shift lever back and forth to take the key out of the ignition switch. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed with a faulty shift lever plate that needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000.

NHTSA ODI #11439973

49,000 miles · Oct 1, 2020

Power Train

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WHEN THE CAR IS STATIONARY AND SHIFTED INTO PARK AND IGNITION TURNED OFF, THE KEY BECOMES STUCK IN THE ACCESSORY POSITION AND KEY IS NOT ABLE TO BE REMOVED. EXTERIOR LIGHTING AND INTERIOR ELECTRONICS REMAIN ON. SUBARU IS AWARE OF THIS SHIFT PLATE SENSOR MALFUNCTION IS PRESENT IN 2016 LEGACY AND 2017 FORRESTER MODELS, AS FAR AS I KNOW, BUT HAVE NOT RECALLED THEM. IN ORDER TO REMOVE KEY, THE VEHICLE MUST BE TURNED BACK ON AND THE GEAR SHIFT SLAMMED INTO PARK, USUALLY MULTIPLE TIMES, TO ALLOW FOR THE IGNITION TO BE FULLY TURNED OFF AND THE KEY TO BE REMOVED. ONCE IT STARTED, IT WILL NOT QUIT UNTIL THE SENSOR HAS BEEN REPLACED. THE BACKUP CAM WITH ALSO TURN ON WHILE NOT IN REVERSE, PRESUMABLY RELATED TO THE SHIFT PLATE SENSOR MALFUNCTION.

NHTSA ODI #11362273

64,810 miles · Jan 2, 2019

Power Train

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CVT TRANSMISSION IS FAILING AFTER THE RECOMMENDED SERVICE INTERVAL FOR FLUID CHANGES IN THE CVT, FRONT DIFFERENTIAL AND REAR DIFFERENTIAL. FAILURE AT 64,800 AT FREEWAY SPEEDS ON 12/28/2018. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO SUBARU DEALERSHIP AND THEY PERFORMED A CLEANING OF CARBON BUILD UP AND CHECKED THE FLUID LEVELS AND RESET EVERYTHING. SUBARU CLAIMED THE COMPUTER WAS ERASED BECAUSE THE CAR WOULDN'T START ONCE AND HAD BEEN CHARGED. DEALERSHIP DECLARED EVERYTHING WAS CORRECT AND ROADWORTHY. PICKED UP CAR ON 1/1/2019 AND TRANSMISSION FAILED AGAIN AT FREEWAY SPEEDS AFTER APPROXIMATELY 12 MILES OF DRIVING, THIS IS THE SECOND FAILURE, 01/01/2019. VEHICLE IS BEING TOWED INTO SUBARU DEALERSHIP AGAIN ON 1/2/2019. TRANSMISSION FAILING AT 70 MPH AND CAUSING A SUDDEN DECREASE IN SPEED IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE THAT COULD RESULT IN BEING HIT FROM THE REAR OR LOSING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #11164462

35,500 miles · Aug 29, 2017

Electrical SystemPower Train

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IN LESS THAN 36,000 MILES IT DEVELOPED A GRINDING NOISE THAT CAN BE FELT ABOVE 50 MPH. DEALER FOUND A PROBLEM WITH THE AUTO TRANSMISSION. IT WILL BEING REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. STRANGE, I THOUGHT SUBARU IS KNOWN FOR BETTER TRANSMISSION. IN THE SAME CAR THE CD PLAYER STOPPED WORKING AND MAKING NOISE SIMILAR TO WHAT YOU HEAR WHEN A CD IS BEING EJECTED. DEALER CHANGED IT UNDER WARRANTY. I RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER ON DCM SOFTWARE IN THE CAR & I TOOK CAR TO THE DEALER. HOWEVER, THIS RECALL IS NOT LISTED ON WEB. WHY?

NHTSA ODI #11020451

40 miles · Aug 26, 2017

Power Train

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THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT IMMEDIATELY ENGAGE, WHEN SHIFTING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE OR DRIVE TO REVERSE, WITH OR WITHOUT ENGAGING THE FOOT BRAKE. THE TRANSMISSION GOES INTO A SIGNIFICANT NEUTRAL STATE BEFORE IT ENGAGES, IN EITHER DIRECTION, ALLOWING THE VEHICLE TO DRIFT UNTIL THE TRANSMISSION ENGAGES WITH A LURCH. THE OCCURS WHETHER OR NOT THE ENGINE IS HOT OR COLD. THIS IS PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS AND NOTICEABLE WHEN BACKING FROM MY DRIVEWAY, WHICH IS INCLINED, TO PROCEED UPHILL, AND THE VEHICLE DRIFTS SEVERAL FEET REARWARD BEFORE ENGAGING. THE DELAY IS NOT AS PRONOUNCED, WHEN EXITING TO PROCEED DOWN THE STREET. PAGES 7-24 AND 7-27 OF THE SUBARU OWNER'S MANUAL SPECIFICALLY STATE NOT TO USE INERTIA TO MOVE THE VEHICLE. THERE IS, ALSO, A HARSH, PREMATURE DOWNSHIFT THAT QUICKLY TAKES THE CAR FROM 25 MPH TO 15 MPH AND A ROLLING STOP, WHEN REMOVING YOUR FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR, WHILE APPROACHING THE CREST OF A HILL OR STOP SIGN. THE BRAKING FORCE WILL ACTUALLY THROW YOU BODY FORWARD. THIS, ALSO, OCCURS WHILE TRAVELLING AT LOW SPEEDS ON RESIDENTIAL STREETS. THESE CONDITIONS HAVE EXISTED SINCE MARCH 8, 2016, AND AFTER 4 REPAIR REQUESTS, AT 3 DIFFERENT SUBARU DEALERS, AND AN INSPECTION BY A FACTORY ENGINEER, THEIR CLAIM IS NOTHING IS WRONG. SORRY, BUT I DO NOT AGREE. ENGINEER, CONTINUE TO EXIST. THEIR CLAIM BEING THIS IS NORMAL.

NHTSA ODI #11019864

12,000 miles · Mar 24, 2017

Power TrainSteering

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WHEN RESUMED CRUISE CONTROL, IT DID NOT. INSTEAD THE STEERING WHEEL WAS UNCONTROLLABLE AND HAD NO DIRECTION. WAS ON INTERSTATE 84WEST IN CT. PUT ON BREAK AND THEN WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE ON SIDE OF ROAD. WENT TO THE DEALER AND TOLD NO ISSUE. ALSO HAVE HAD GEAR SHIFTING PROBLEMS. WAS IN TOUCH LESS CAR WASH WHERE THE CAR IS IN PARK AND WHEN TOLD (FLASHING SIGN) TO MOVE FORWARD THE CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO DRIVE. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, SHUT CAR OFF AND THEN WAS ABLE TO PUT IN DRIVE. ON OCCASIONS THE SHIFTING GEAR HAS NOT REMAINED IN PARK AND VEHICLE HAS MOVED FORWARD.

NHTSA ODI #10968253

Official recalls

16V292000 · Steering:column

May 11, 2016

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Legacy and Outback vehicles manufactured February 29, 2016, to May 6, 2016. The steering column on the affected vehicles may have been improperly machined, and as a result, turning the steering wheel may have no effect on the direction of the wheels.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: The loss of steering ability would increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the lot number on the steering column, replacing the steering column, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 13, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783 or by visiting http://www.wtd65.service-campaign.com. Subaru's number for this recall is WTD-65. Note: Until the vehicles have been inspected, owners are advised not to drive their vehicles.

15V794000 · Power Train:driveline:differential Unit; Power Train:driveline:driveshaft

Nov 24, 2015

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2016 Legacy vehicles manufactured October 24, 2015, to November 16, 2015, and Outback vehicles manufactured October 24, 2015, to November 17, 2015. Due to the improper tightening of the securing nuts, the drive shaft may separate from the rear differential.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the drive shaft detaches from the rear differential, it may strike the fuel tank and result in a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will inspect the fastening nuts, and tighten or replace them, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on December 10, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-856-488-8500. Subaru's number for this recall is WQV-57.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Power Train:driveline:differential Unit

Consequence: If the drive shaft detaches from the rear differential, it may strike the fuel tank and result in a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will inspect the fastening nuts, and tighten or replace them, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on December 10, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-856-488-8500. Subaru's number for this recall is WQV-57.

Power Train:driveline:driveshaft

Consequence: If the drive shaft detaches from the rear differential, it may strike the fuel tank and result in a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.

15V502000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission; Power Train:driveline:driveshaft

Aug 10, 2015

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

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

Consequence: If the transmission oil leaks onto the exhaust pipe, there is a possible risk of fire.

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

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

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module