2015 Subaru Legacy Complaints

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 09/23/2026

My 201 5 Subaru Legacy has approximately 49.000 miles. It suffered a drivetrain failure and was towed to a Subaru dealership. The dealership found metal shavings chunks in the CVT/transmission fluid and diagnosed an internal CVT failure requiring replacement. The dealership also diagnosed a front differential failure. I'm reporting this because I'm concerned about the possibility of an unexpected drivetrain failure during operation and want the failure documented. I was going 70 miles an hour down the highway and BOOM! It felt like a bomb hit my car. I don't want anyone in that kind of danger.

POWER TRAIN — Filed 02/13/2026

2015 Subaru Legacy 2.5i, approximately 48,000 miles. CVT transmission failed suddenly with no prior warning signs. Vehicle was exclusively dealer-serviced for its entire life. While driving, the transmission began shuddering, slipping, and making metallic grinding noises. Vehicle could barely climb a small ramp and was locked in limp mode, making it unsafe to operate in traffic. Diagnostic codes P0841, P0700, and C1431 were stored. Authorized Subaru dealer confirmed the failure. Technician stated the valve body likely failed first — a known defect per Subaru TSB 16-107-17R — which then caused the CVT chain to slip. Dealer quoted $11,000 for a remanufactured CVT replacement. Service representative stated she had never seen a transmission need replacement at such low mileage. No warning lamps or symptoms existed prior to sudden onset. CVT fluid was never changed, consistent with the manufacturer's U.S. maintenance schedule. This vehicle falls under Subaru's CVT Warranty Extension covering 2010-2015 Legacy models due to known defects. Vehicle is well under the 100,000-mile limit but approximately 13 months past the 10-year time limit. I opened a case with Subaru of America Customer Advocacy. My dealer informed me that Subaru Corporate contacted them and communicated a decision regarding my case, but Subaru has never communicated any decision to me directly. Multiple emails, a voicemail, and a request for escalation have gone unanswered over several days. This failure poses a safety risk as the transmission can fail suddenly and without warning while in motion, potentially with passengers including children.

ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE — Filed 01/20/2026

I am reporting a Sudden Unintended Deceleration event in my Subaru. The vehicle grinded to a halt without driver input. The car stopped in the left lane of a major highway. We put on our hazards and called the state police for help. They were unable to get to us in time. We were hit from the rear. The car's failure created a stationary hazard that led to a high-speed rear-end collision by a Jeep and truck which caused the car to do a 360-degree spin.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE — Filed 01/30/2026

Incident ~ 5:40 pm, Geneva NY Weather ~ 10 F, not snowing. Background. On or shortly after being started, the vehicle had exhibited prior incidents of extremely rapid engine acceleration not initiated by the operator. Most recently the day before. The incident: I was in the process of very slowly parking the vehicle in a narrow laneway, and positioning the vehicle behind and in line of one other, both parallel to the laneway, in a small area that had been cleared of snow, leaving the laneway open. First, I stopped the vehicle opposite of the parked vehicle's driver side door. Second, I reversed and backed up and positioned the vehicle behind that vehicle. This involved firmly stepping on the brake to stop the vehicle once well behind the parked vehicle. Third, while keeping my foot firmly pressed on the brake pedal, I moved the shift from reverse to forward. At that time, the front wheels were still fully turned to the left. Immediately on completing the shift to forward, my vehicle made a very rapid acceleration. My foot had remained firmly on the brake and had not touched the accelerator pedal. Despite my foot being firmly pressed on the brake pedal, my car surged forward, retracing the path that I had followed while backing up. I could hear the noise of the accelerated engine, and feel the fighting of the brake as the car surged uncontrolled for about four feet and then finally stopped. My foot had been fully depressed as hard as possible on the brake the entire time and did not touch the gas pedal at all. The owner of the parked vehicle observed the incident and expressed concern since the surge was dramatic, and stopped with the right corner of the front bumper of my car within a couple of inches of the left corner of the parked vehicle. The driver's car mat was in the correct position and did not interfere in any way with the operation of the vehicle. I did not inadvertently step on the accelerator. No warning lamps or messages. Cause Unknown.

AIR BAGS — Filed 11/20/2024

The contact owns a 2015 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated while reversing into the driveway, the driver's side air bag unintendedly deployed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The vehicle was scheduled to be towed to the local dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact was advised to have the vehicle towed to the local dealer for diagnostic testing. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,POWER TRAIN — Filed 01/01/2024

The contact owned a 2015 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact opened and closed the trunk, triggering the alarm system. The alarm system failed to deactivate immediately. The vehicle then failed to restart as needed, and the "Shift to Park" message was displayed while the transmission was in park(P). The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where the brake fuse was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The contact replaced the brake fuse for a second time, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer, where an unknown repair was performed. The contact later sold the vehicle. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 175,000.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM — Filed 08/01/2024

2015 Subaru Legacy 2.5 engine. Fuel gauge is inaccurate. My daughter was on the highway when it ran out of fuel. Had car towed to a independent shop. They said that the fuel gauges is a problem for Subaru 's and that they had seen it before on other Subaru's.

VISIBILITY — Filed 01/15/2024

The contact owns a 2015 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that while the vehicle was turned off on two occasions, the contact observed three cracks in the top-middle of the windshield that led to an 'S' shape crack in the middle of the windshield. The vehicle was taken to an auto body and glass shop where it was diagnosed that the lament had pulled away from the glass and the windshield needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred three weeks later. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 76,000.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL — Filed 05/23/2024

Subaru sudden acceleration – Garage Accident [XXX] [XXX] – 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 accelerated. I have security video showing this sudden acceleration (.mp4, nhtsa doesn't accept). After accident, car drives well - all lights work - hood opens and locks. Substantial car damage to bumper and adjoining parts - wood trim damaged, garage bricks cracked and pushed in, garage door would not close. [XXX] Wed – took Subaru in for unexpected sudden acceleration on braking – [XXX] – test drive with Gary – Problem unexpected with Subarus – electronic control – no manual linkage (some transmission linkage with shift lever). Sent me home – no charge. [XXX] – Subaru sudden acceleration on braking while car cold – today at Trexlertown after haircut. Happened previously within week. Called Subaru 855-399-3787; INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

AIR BAGS — Filed 11/04/2022

I was in a wreck were my car slammed into the center barrier on the interstate twice and my air bags didn't deploy and I was slammed into my car door I know my friend's dad that owned the car said that the car was totaled and the mechanic that towed the car was wondering why the air bags didn't deploy because of where the car hit and where the damage was

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 04/17/2023

On 04 /17/ 2023 warning, accelerated and would not stop after leaving a car wash From Mister Car Wash on 4423 NE Central Ave I stepped on my 2015 Subaru Legacy brakes several times, trying to stop the car but it wouldn't so I thought about hiting a pole to made it stop I was screaming I thought I wasn't gone make it, so I finally made a turn right on 49th Ne Central Ave and hit a pole so the car stopped right away and I had to call tow truck to take it to Subaru dealership but they are telling me the car is in good condtion nothing wrong with it but I'm scare to take it back also I have reported this to q police the day it happened

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — Filed 12/17/2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACTED STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT HIS RESIDENCE. HE SAW SMOKE ILLUMNIATED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. NO ONE WAS INJURED. THE CONTACT STATED THE FIRE STARTED AROUND THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT BY THE CONTACT WHO THREW SNOW FROM THE OUTSIDE INTO THE VEHICLE. NO ONE WAS IN THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF FAILURE NO INJURIES. NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED IN THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE POLICE WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TOWED TO NO LOCAL MECHANICS OR LOCAL DEALER, THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000.

STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 09/24/2020

I PARKED MY CAR ON A ROAD (NEIGHBORHOOD) WITH A SLIGHT INCLINE. I WENT AROUND IN FRONT OF IT TO LOOK AT AN ITEM FOR SALE (SMALLL PINK PIANO) IN THE YARD. I LOOKED AT THE ITEM, THEN HEARD MY CAR TAKE OFF. I TRIED TO RUN TO GET INTO IT TO STOP IT, BUT IT WAS GOING TOO FAST. IT ENDED UP GOING TO THE RIGHT AND RUNNING INTO THE GARAGE OF THE HOUSE I WAS NEAR. IT HIT THE LEFT HAND SIDE OF THE GARAGE AND CONTINUED INTO THE GARAGE WHERE IT WAS STOPPED BY SOME PAINT CANS PILED UP AND THE BACK OF THE GARAGE. THE MAN WHO LIVED IN THE HOUSE WAS ABLE TO SQUEEZE INTO THE DRIVERS SIDE AND BACK IT OUT - I DROVE IT HOME (ABOUT 2 BLOCKS). MY INSURANCE COMPANY CAME OUT AND ESTIMATED THE DAMAGE AT ABOUT $4500, BUT THEY HAVE NOT LOOKED UNDERNEATH OR AT THE MECHANICS. SUBARU IS INVESTIGATING. PICTURES ARE TOO BIG TO UPLOAD

AIR BAGS,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE — Filed 06/17/2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT MADE A RIGHT TURN TO TURN INTO A PARKING LOT, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND SURGED OUT OF THE PARKING SPACE. THE VEHICLE WENT OVER A CONCRETE PARKING BLOCK, STRUCK A GUARDRAIL, THEN CRASHED INTO THE BUILDING BEHIND IT. THEN THE VEHICLE BOUNCED BACK INTO THE PARKING SPACE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. NO POLICE REPORT WAS MADE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED (THE CONTACT DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS DAMAGED ON THEIR VEHICLE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THAT THEY WOULD SEND AN OFFICIAL TO THE CONTACT'S HOME TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,630.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL — Filed 06/17/2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU LEGACY. WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE DROVE OVER A BARRIER AND CRASHED INTO A BUILDING AND THE STEEL BARS NEAR THE HANDICAPPED PARKING AREA. THE CONTACT WAS SHAKEN UP, BUT NOT INJURED. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN IF THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V251000 (ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL). THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM THE SCENE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. *AS *AS

AIR BAGS,STRUCTURE,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 11/18/2018

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.

POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM — Filed 10/17/2018

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.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 02/23/2018

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.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 09/05/2017

IN FEBRUARY 2017 WE EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION ON 6 OCCASIONS. WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. THEY SAID THAT WE MUST HAVE DONE SOMETHING TO CAUSE THE ACCELERATION. WE KNOW THAT WAS NOT THE CASE, BUT WE CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE CAR. IT HAPPENED ANOTHER TIME IN JULY. THE REALLY BAD INCIDENT OCCURRED ON SEPTEMBER 5, 2017 IN A PARKING GARAGE. AS WE WERE EXITING THE PARKING SPACE, THE CAR TOOK OFF ON ITS OWN. THIS TIME, WE HIT A CONCRETE PILLAR ALONG THE SIDE OF THE CAR AND GRAZED ONE PARKED VEHICLE BEFORE GETTING THE CAR TO STOP. ALSO, THIS TIME, AFTER WE TURNED OFF THE CAR AND IT SET FOR APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES, WE TURNED IT BACK ON AND THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO SEVERELY REV. EVERY TIME THE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OCCURRED, WE WERE EITHER STOPPED AT A LIGHT, IN TRAFFIC, IN A PARKING LOT, OR AT A GAS PUMP OR MOVING VERY SLOWLY WITH OUR FOOT ON THE BRAKE AS ONE WOULD IN A PARKING LOT WHEN TURNING INTO OR OUT OF A SPACE. SUBARU AGAIN TOLD US THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR AND SUGGESTED THAT WE MUST BE TWO FOOTED DRIVERS, WHICH WE ARE NOT. WE HAVE REFUSED TO DRIVE THE CAR OR TAKE REPOSSESSION OF IT. SUBARU MADE US GET THE BODY OF THE CAR REPAIRED BEFORE THEIR ENGINEERS EVEN LOOKED AT IT. THIS WAS A LEASED CAR. SUBARU SAID WE HAD TO CONTINUE TO PAY OFF THE LEASE BECAUSE THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. WE KNOW THEY ARE WRONG.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) — Filed 09/13/2016

TAKATA RECALL WHILE DRIVING APPROX 60-65 MPH IN THE FAST LANE OF I-24 INTERSTATE WITH DRIVER'S FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL, ALL LIGHTS ON THE DASH BOARD SUDDENLY CAME ON AND THE SUBARU WENT INTO AUTOMATIC BRAKING SYSTEM, CAUSING THE FRONT TO GO INTO A NOSE DIVE, AND THE BRAKES STAYED LOCKED. AN ACCIDENT INCURRED AND THE SUBARU AS WELL AS A VEHICLE BEHIND WERE TOTALED. LOW BACK, WRIST AND NECK INJURIES OCCURRED TO THE DRIVER OF SUBARU LEGACY. A CLAIM WAS SUBMITTED TO SUBARU. IT HAS BEEN TWO MONTHS AND NO FOLLOW UP HAS OCCURRED. FINALLY WITH LEGAL ASSIST, THE LEGACY WILL BE EXAMINED BY A "SUBARU" ENGINEER TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE.

ENGINE — Filed 03/31/2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2015 SUBARU LEGACY. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNSPECIFIED RATE OF SPEED, AN ANIMAL WENT ACROSS THE DRIVER'S PATH. THE DRIVER VEERED TO THE RIGHT AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE VEHICLE ERUPTED INTO FLAMES. WEEKS PRIOR TO THE CRASH, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER DUE TO VARIOUS WARNING LIGHTS RANDOMLY FLASHING ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE ACCORDING TO A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL; HOWEVER, THE REMEDY MAY HAVE BEEN INSUFFICIENT AND CAUSED THE FAILURE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITH FORCE. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED EXTENSIVE ABRASIONS TO THE HEAD, A FRACTURED RIGHT FEMUR, FOUR LATERAL FRACTURES IN THE ARMS, FRACTURES TO THE LEFT ELBOW WITH METAL PLATES, AND BURNS TO THE BACK. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 15V502000 (POWER TRAIN) AND 15V366000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,100.

AIR BAGS,STRUCTURE — Filed 12/16/2015

TAKATARECALL, ONDEC16,2015 DRIVING ON RT81&LITTLECITYRD,AT SIGNAL LIGHT.I HAD GREEN LIGHT AND WAS HIT FROM RIGHT SIDE BY ANYOTHER CAR WHICH RAN RED LIGHTHIT MY FRONT END OF CARSPUN ME AROUNDAND NOT ONE AIR BAG WENT OFF,DAMAGE WAS ALMOST11,000WHAT IS WRONG WITH SUBARUAIRBAGS

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE,ENGINE — Filed 09/30/2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT COOLANT WAS LEAKING FROM THE ENGINE AND A BURNING ELECTRICAL SMELL COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WATER ENTERED THROUGH THE WHEEL WELLS, ONTO THE FUSE BOX AND ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS, AND INTO THE DRIVER SIDE FLOOR BOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,200.

AIR BAGS,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM — Filed 11/18/2015

SLOWLY PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT, WHEN THE CAR ACCELERATED (UNINTENDED ACCELERATION) INTO A BRICK WALL. MY PASSENGER SUFFERED 3 BROKEN RIBS FROM THE SEAT BELT, AND I SUFFERED WHIPLASH, BRUISING FROM SEAT BELT, AND BRUISED KNEES. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. SUBARU CORP DECIDED TO DO NOTHING, AND SUGGESTED THAT I TRADE IN THE CAR, WHICH I HAVE ONLY OWNED FOR A FEW WEEKS. DO THEY THEN SELL IT TO SOME UNSUSPECTING PERSON. PLEASE HELP. VIN [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 12/21/2014

DRIVING ON FREEWAY WITH CRUISE SET AT 72MPH, REACHED DOWN TO THE CENTER COUNCIL TO GRAB AN ITEM, AND PULLED UP ON THE ELECTRONIC PARKING BRAKE BUTTON. THE BUTTON IS LOCATED TOO CLOSE TO REACHABLE PLACES. THE CAR CAME TO A SCRATCHING HALT, LUCKY THE VEHICLES BEHIND ME WERE ABLE TO SWERVE OUT OF THE WAY IN TIME. *TR